Latest news with #Novena
Time of India
29-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Holy Cross Oratory that shielded Mazgaon from dreaded bubonic plague completes 150 years
Mumbai: In the heart of the East Indian enclave of Matharpacady in Mazgaon nestles a venerable holy cross that was built to protect residents from the dreaded bubonic plague that beset Mumbai in the 19th Century. Miraculously, not a single resident of the village fell victim to the disease. A few years later, in 1875, an oratory was built around the sacred relic. On May 1, Matharpacady Holy Cross Oratory will celebrate its 150th anniversary. A nine-day Novena prayer that began April 22 will end April 30. Roydon Gonsalves, vice president of the Matharpacady Holy Cross Oratory Committee, said, "In 1855 Bombay was plunged into gloom when the plague started in China and spread to the subcontinent. Much of Bombay including Matharpacady, was still unpaved and the rat infestation caused people to drop dead like flies. People ran for the hills, suburbs or hinterland. Bombay was virtually emptied of people by 1897." "The people of Matharpacady were settlers from distant Kalina, Uttan, Bhayander, Gorai, Bassein and Thane who came to work in the port and shipbuilding industry. Our forefathers turned to Lord Jesus to save them from the scourge. And legend has it that not a single case of plague was recorded in Matharpacady. By 1875, one Mrs Buthelo donated the land and this cross was built." At 7.00 pm on Feast Day May 1, high mass will be celebrated by Bishop Lourdes Daniel, bishop emeritus of Nashik. "The best choirs and orchestras from Mumbai will perform. We will felicitate concelebrants and serve boiled channa in keeping with East Indian custom," said Roydon. Already a food festival and tributes to Matharpacady's freedom fighters Kaka Joseph Baptista and Dr Ubaldo Mascarenhas have been held. Art and architecture schools are invited for study tours and after all the study and sketches are done, an art exhibition may be held. Roydon's father Frank Gonsalves led an orchestra comprising his ex-students of St Mary's High School, Mazgaon, who would perform here till 1977. "This is the first year since the 1970s that we have managed to put together a full orchestra for the feast," Roydon said.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds gather for a mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis in San Angelo
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Hundreds of people from across West Texas gathered for mass at San Angelo's Sacred Heart Cathedral for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis on April 23. Bishop Michael Sis said all were invited to celebrate the Pope's life and pray for him. 'This was an opportunity for us as Catholics in West Texas to gather together all of our different churches and pray for him,' Sis said. Along with much of the Catholic community, Bishop Sis said he was saddened to hear of the Pope's passing but is comforted by a hope and trust in eternal life. 'For us, death is not a disaster. For us, death is simply the gateway to the next life,' Sis said. During the celebration, Bishop Sis shared that the Pope's passing marks a new chapter for the Catholic church. He said he trusts that the new pope will be a source of unity. 'We trust that he will be a source of unity among Catholics and a source of connection between us today and the whole tradition dating back to Jesus Christ,' Sis said. Bishop Sis will attend the funeral mass for Pope Francis on April 26. The day also marks the start of Novena, a tradition of nine days of prayer following the death of a pope. 'It's an ancient tradition that we pray for nine days after the death of a pope, praying that God will be merciful on his soul,' Sis said. The text for the Novena will be available on the San Angelo Diocese website in English and Spanish. A second mass for Pope Francis will be held at San Angelo's Sacred Heart Cathedral on April 24 at 6 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘His focus was on people': Brown County mourns the death of Pope Francis
ALLOUEZ, Wis. (WFRV) – A wave of mourning is sweeping across the globe following the death of Pope Francis, with tributes pouring in from every corner of the world. Locally, the Diocese of Green Bay is reflecting on the profound legacy left behind by the late pontiff and honoring his lasting impact on both the Church and the world. Pope Francis dies at 88 Bishop David Ricken shared his thoughts, emphasizing Pope Francis' deep commitment to pastoral care and service. 'He showed us he's a pastor, he showed us how to do it — pointed us to the marginalized and the poor, to see Christ's presence especially in them,' Ricken said. The bishop recalled a personal encounter with Pope Francis in 2019, describing the pope's demeanor as both easygoing and intellectually sharp. 'Each one of us asked him a question, and he fielded those so brilliantly. It was really good to see a pastor in action like that,' he added. Local resident Peg Axelson shared her surprise at the pope's passing, especially after seeing him offer an Easter blessing just before his death. 'I just thought it was wonderful that he did Easter and then he passed on Easter, so he went right to heaven,' she said. Axelson, like many, will remember Pope Francis as a people-centered leader. 'He did listen. His focus was on people and what we could do. His gentleness and kind direction were very timely,' she noted. Wisconsin sees decline in underage tobacco, vape sales but rate remains above national target With the pope's death, the Vatican has entered a period of mourning known as the Novena — nine days of prayer. Bishop Ricken encourages the faithful to begin this time of reflection with clarity and gratitude, honoring what he called 'the jubilee of hope and the enduring gift Pope Francis has provided to the Church and the world.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Purdy speaks at Graan Novena Mass of how faith helped her through the dark times
Former BBC journalist, Martina Purdy, spoke at the Novena of Hope Mass held at The Graan yesterday (Wednesday, March 26). Ms. Purdy, who left the BBC in 2014 to become a nun with the Sisters of Adoration, told those gathered of how her faith helped her through the dark days of when her life 'fell pretty spectacularly' six years ago. The Order she was with in Belfast had been told by The Vatican that their convent would have to close due to the congregation being 'too small' to meet the Church's standards. She said: 'Christian hope flows from faith and belief in the good news. And what is the good news? "Like a good journalist, I'm going to just give you the headline – Jesus loves you and has an amazing plan for your life. And if you don't believe me, then believe the prophet Jeremiah. 'I had an amazing call, a call that came from prayer and adoration, a call to Mary to help me have the courage to walk away from everything at the BBC, everything I had built up for 20 years to follow Jesus with all my heart. 'After five amazing years, the impossible happened. Myself and the other sisters were told we would have to leave the convent. 'I was plunged into darkness and I stopped quoting the angel Gabriel, and I started quoting my mother, 'How can this be?' 'We did get a miracle, but not the one I expected. A week before we had to leave the convent, a friend offered us a house in Downpatrick where we could recover and begin again. 'God sent an amazing humanity into my life after I left the convent. His name is St. Patrick and he is a man of hope. "Patrick learned that when God is all you have, he's all you need. And so I began to pray to Patrick for a mission. 'At Mass one morning, a parishioner after I had prayed to St. Patrick asked me would I like to come and work at the St. Patrick's Centre? "I just thought, 'Boy, that's the fastest anybody's ever answered my prayers'.' The Novena of Hope, which began last weekend, continues until Monday, March 31. Other speakers during the Novena will include Helena Connolly, Rt. Rev. Bishop Ian Ellis and Marcella Leonard.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Priest attacked during church service for healing says he didn't know assailant
A Washington state priest whose assault was captured on a church livestream during a service devoted to healing said he did not know his attacker and had never seen him before. The Rev. David Gaines of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane said Thursday that the attacker was brought to the service by people who had taken him off the street and believed he could 'find some healing from whatever he's struggling with.' Worshippers intervened and restrained the suspect, a 40-year-old man, until authorities arrived, a Spokane police spokesman said. He was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and is being held on outstanding felony warrants, the spokesman said. Gaines said he sustained minor injuries. The police spokesman said it is not clear what prompted the attack, which happened at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday during what Gaines described as a Novena service in which churchgoers pray for healing over nine days. Gaines had just given the bishop his prayer card and knelt when, he said, he saw a man running toward the church sanctuary. 'We made eye contact right at that moment,' Gaines said. 'He looked very upset and kind of intense.' In a video of the assault, the man — wearing shorts and a sweatshirt — appears to strike Gaines before a brief struggle. 'It's all right, just calm down,' Gaines says as the man appears to grimace. 'I don't know where he hit me, and I literally blocked that out, but his left hand was punching at me a bunch of times, and I kept swiping at it with my hand,' Gaines said. Several parishioners rush to the sanctuary before a security guard helps escort him away. 'It's definitely not something I expected to happen as a priest,' Gaines said. 'God allows these sorts of things to happen, and then we want to figure out how to use it for some good.' Gaines added that he has a tender place in his heart for the man, who he said 'clearly needs healing.' This article was originally published on
