Secular Citizen Vol.22 No.41 dated 14th October 2013

14 October 2013

1

Pope Francis Visits The Italian Town That Was Home To His Namesake St. Francis Of Assisi The first item on Pope Francis’s Assisi itinerary was his deeply moving meeting with young people with severe disabilities at the Serafico Institute.

2

14 October 2013

Advt. T ariff Tariff

A WEEKLY FAMILY FAVOURITE

Vol.22 No.41 October 14, 2013

Rs.5/-

99, Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

Tel: 2269 35 78 / 2265 49 24 : 2264 0996 E-mail : secular@vsnl.com, secular@sezariworld.com Website: www.sezariworld.com www.secularcitizen.com Editor-in-chief : LAWRENCE COELHO

Editor: PHILIP MYABOO

1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456

1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456

‘Thought for the week’

If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following, then you are just taking a walk.

Contents

pg. 3 - Can Curruption Be Banished From The Indian Church? pg. 5 - Reinvigorating The Indian Parliamentary Democracy pg. 6 - Don't Be Too Spiritual: Pope Tells Nuns pg. 7 - Reader's Views pg 8 - Not-a Good Idea? pg 9 - Marriage Encounter: Discover And Celebrate Your Relationship pg 10 - How To Care For Your Eyes pg 11 - Pledge For New Life... pg 15 - Pope Gives Revelatory Full Length Personal Interview pg 19 - Inspiration pg 20 - Matrimonials pg 23 - ‘Smile’ your way to Success

Subscriptions Rate: One year (anywerein India) Rs. 250 Three years (anywere in India) Rs. 700 Five years (anywere in India) Rs. 1000 One year (outside India) Rs. 2500

E-paper Edition

sent any where in the world (by email) One year Rs. 600 or US $ 15 Two years Rs. 1000 or US $ 25

Cover : ‘Smile’ your way to Success Article on pg. 23

14 October 2013

Over all size 21.5 cms x 27cms O Print area 18 cms x 25.5 cms Full pg. back Colour (19 cms x 24 cms) Rs. 15,000 Center spread colour(39 cms x 23.5 cms Rs. 15,000 Full pg. inside Cover colour(18 cms x 24 cms) Rs. 10,000 Full pg. inner colour (18 cms x 24 cms) Rs. 8,000 Half pg. Colour (18 cms x 12 cms) Rs. 5,000

Full page B/W (18 cms x 24 cms) Half page B/W (18 cms x 12 cms)

Rs. Rs,

5,000 3,000

Small Size Ads B/W

12 x 12cms Rs. 2000 O 6 x 24cms Rs. 2000 18 x 6cms Rs. 1500 O 6 x 12cms Rs. 1000 6 x 6cms Rs. 500 Matrimonial Classifieds: O Rs. 350 per insertion (for 35 words) (includes box no.)

O Rs. 1500 for 12 insertions. (1 year The Secular Citizen FREE)

Can Corruption Be Banished From The Indian Church?

New Delhi: One of the untold sad stories of recent times in India is the corruption within churches who distributed aid following the pogrom against Christians in Orissa in 2007 and 2008. Some took cash from donors and walked away with it; others diverted funds to unrelated projects, splashed out on new SUVs or refurbished their own houses with money “saved” from rebuilding the devastated huts of the Dalits and the Tribals John Dayal No police complaints have been registered, and it remains something confined to the rumor mill. Since it was not government money, official agencies cannot confront the allegations unless someone files a complaint. But it highlights a pervasive problem in India that doesn’t spare the Catholic Church. Pope Francis is strong and unceasing in his demands that corruption must be stamped out, and has taken several major steps to cleanse the Augean stables of the Vatican.

“Judas [was the first]: from a greedy sinner, he ended in corruption. The road of autonomy is a dangerous road: the corrupt are very forgetful, have forgotten this love, with which the Lord made the vineyard, has made them!

They severed the relationship with this love! And they become worshipers of themselves. How bad are the corrupt in the Christian community! May the Lord deliver us from sliding down this road of corruption.”

Corruption, mismanagement of lands, buildings and institutions, and the integrity of church personnel handling money at all levels have become a major issue in a growing section of the Protestant and Independent churches across India. Several Protestant bishops and senior members of the clergy in various states have gone to jail – and were released on bail pending further inquiry – and many others are on the verge of arrest following complaints of alienation of property or defalcation of funds.

Many major denominations are mired in court cases trying to retrieve their lands and buildings from errant pastors and bishops. Even some senior Catholic bishops have had cases filed against them for selling off prime property in some states. Such charges have not done their ecclesiastical and (Contd.. on p. 4)

3

Reflections Of A Minority On The Birthday Of The Mahatma

O

n a day when the Republic remembers its Mahatma, saw a gathering of Christians in the hall of I.C. Church, Borivali to reflect on its diminishing role as equal Citizens of India.

The Christian Community, which once prided itself on its involvement in every sphere of National Life, was now feeling marginalized. The gathering sought answers and realized that there was no magic wand to change the

situation.

Ms. Glenda Almeida, animator of “Church in the City” Borivali Deanery, which organized this half day of Understanding and Discussion, welcomed all who made it to learn and reflect on the needs of the Community.

Dr. Ms. Thanksy Thekkekara, (IAS), Addl Chief Secretary, Dept of Minorities Development, Govt. of Maharashtra, emphasized the need of Christians to make careers in the Civil

Can Corruption Be Banished From The Indian Church?

(Contd.. from p. 3)

temporal reputations any good.

While the Catholic Church in India and its NGOs do not rate as high on the corruption scales as do others, casting the net wider in defining corruption could land it in hot water. If the definition were to cover, as it should, bribes given by Church functionaries and religious persons to gain government permission for projects, the figures could really shoot up.

Understandably there has been no unified movement against corruption in the Church in India even though there is a national campaign against both opacity and corruption. The grumblings remain localized and denominational. It’s not clear if the apex organizations of various denominations have ever prioritised an anti-corruption agenda.

A movement initiated by a group of Christian businessmen from various cities in the state may offer a ray of hope. Disgusted with what they have seen, the group four years ago began Operation Nehemiah, which seeks to awaken the Church to the rot that is slowly setting in. Three major consultations have taken place to develop a code of conduct and transparency, both personal and corporate, to check, control and eventually weed out every shadow of doubt in the handling of

4

money and property. The Catholic Church was not officially present, although two retired archbishops and several lay persons have been a part of the process.

Operation Nehemiah believes that the corrupt can come back from the brink. Central to this thinking are the tenets of confession and contribution. The ethical code being devised differs from the criminal law of the land on two critical issues. One is the important fact of reparation, making good the loss caused to the Church. Second, instead of sending the pastor to jail, the code, in the shape of a document, banks on the redemptive quality of God’s mercy to ensure that the guilty can be encouraged to once again become honest members of society.

It is still too early to assess if such initiatives are mere pipe dreams of a few honest men and women, or whether they can become the sinew of a larger movement. But it is quite clear that if the Church does not cleanse itself of corruption, the government’s agencies may enter the scene. And that will not do anyone any good.

John Dayal is the general secretary of the All India Christian Council and a member of National Integration Council. Source: ucanews

Services. She added to it, the importance to take advantage of the scholarships and other benefits available to the minorities.

Mr. George Abraham, 3 times elected Municipal Corporator, Mumbai drew the attention of the gathering to the under-representation of the Community in Public Life in Mumbai and Maharashtra. He exhorted the gathering to come together on the Secular and Just ideals of our Republic and respond, instead of reacting to situations.

The Chief Guest, Rev Bishop Bosco Penha (Retd) stated that “Getting Involved in Politics is part of our Christian Faith”.

The day ended with the “Vote of Thanks” by Mr. Willie Shirsat, Secretary of “Church in the City” Mumbai Archdiocese. The gathering appreciated the able compering of Anisha and the hospitality of the volunteer team led

by Tim D’souza.

— Austin Nazareth, K.R.U.P.A.

Wedding Invitation, Christening, First Holy Communion, Mortuary Cards & Religious Goods Contact:

David & Company Sharaf Manzil, 1st Floor, 650, J.S.S. Road, 2nd Dhobitalao Lane, Mumbai 400002

Tel.: 22019010 / 2205 7394

Fax: 2206 0344 Emails:davidprinters@gmail.com / bryan@vsnl.com

14 October 2013

Reinvigorating The Indian Parliamentary Democracy

T

he withdrawal of the Ordinance that allows the elected represen tatives to continue being members of the house even after being punished for more than two years by a Court has given a clear note of changes in the Indian politics. To understand the reinvigorating the Indian Parliamentary Democracy we need to go back about two decades. The Rediscovering the Indian Parliamentary Democracy began with the works of T N Seshan as the Chief Election Commissioner in Court struck down the legal provision 1991. The small plant that he planted is that protects a lawmaker from disqualistill growing to become a big tree add- fication even after conviction in a crimiing new chapters in to the history of nal case. Mounting pressure from all Indian Parliamentary Democracy. political parties the Union Government The high standards set by Seshan filed review petition against the judgebecame the land mark for his succes- ment but after hearing the review petisors and social activists tion on 7 September to make efforts to main- Fr. Anand Muttungl 2013 the Apex Court tain the sanctity of the reiterated its earlier deworld’s largest democracy. In this line cision that on conviction for offences in 2004 the People's Union for Civil more than two years the elected memLiberties (PUCL) moved the Supreme bers will be immediately disqualified Court with a plea that voters should from holding membership of the House. have a right to negative vote, if the voter Without considering the minds of does not want to vote any of the candi- people all the political parties unanidates listed in EVM. PUCL had sought mously brought the Representation of directions to Election Commission to the People (Amendment and Validamake provision in the EVMs providing tion) Bill, 2013 in the Lok Sabha. They option "None of the Above" and the argued that the verdict of court is "clearly right to say NOTA should be kept se- erroneous" as the right to vote and right cret. The apex court referred the matter to be on electoral roll were being dealt to a larger Bench in 2009. Accordingly by separate sections in the Constituthe larger bench of the Apex Court on tion and till proven guilty, everyone 28 September, 2013 pronounced its was to be taken as innocent. It threw judgement that the Election Commis- cold water on hopes of reformation of sion should make changes in voting the Parliamentary Democracy. machines and ballot papers, giving Since the Representation of the voters a "none of the above" choice, People (Amendment and Validation) and publicise this change widely say- Bill, 2013 could not be passed in the ing that "Article 19 guarantees all Lok Sabha the Union Government individuals the right to speak, criticise, brought an Ordinance to save the memand disagree on a particular issue. It bership of 1,448 of the country’s 4,835 stands on the spirit of tolerance and MPs and MLAs from all political parties allows people to have diverse views, reportedly facing criminal charges. The ideas and ideologies. Not allowing a mind of India against this Ordinance person to cast vote negatively defeats grew stronger with the stand of the the very freedom of expression and the president which boosted the spirit of right ensured in Article 21 ie, the right to Rahul Gandhi to open up his conliberty”. science strongly against this ordinance.

Yet in another landmark decision He said that "My opinion on the ordion the PIL filed by advocate Lily Tho- nance is that it's complete nonsense mas and Lok Prahari (NGO), the Apex and it should be torn up and thrown

14 October 2013

out." The outburst of Rahul Gandhi came to end with Union Government withdrawing the Ordinance clearing the way for political cleansing.

It is clear that these historic developments will definitely pave way for selection of candidates with clean records and mass support base. It will slowly reduce corruption and criminalization in politics. The Indian Parliamentary Democratic system can become more effective if we introduce some safeguards against the misuse and manipulation of the present law and Right to Re-call the elected members who do not perform. With a hope we can conclude that we need to work hard even when only hopelessness prevails because THE CHANGE makes its ways itself.

Subscriptions for

The Secular Citizen

Renewal as well as New, can be sent through Bank Fund Transfer to any one of the following banks: Bank: HDFC Bank Branch : CST - Mumbai VT Account Name: The Secular Citizen Account No. 03552000006744 ISFC code: HDFC0000355 or Bank: Citizen Credit Co-op Bank Ltd., Branch : Colaba, Mumbai Account Name: The Secular Citizen Account No. 000000000000489 ISFC code: CCBL0209003 Please inform us through email: secular@vsnl.com or through phone: 22693578 after transferring the same.

5

Don't Be Too Spiritual: Pope Tells Nuns

The Four Spiritual Agreements 1, Be ideal with your word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't take anything personally Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Rome: Pope Francis Friday berated the nuns whose fixed smiles betray "a lack of joy that comes from within".

"I am so disappointed when I meet nuns who are joyless, who may smile with the smile of a flight attendant but not with the smile of joy that comes from within," the pontiff told nuns at the Santa Chiara cloistered convent in the Italian city of Assisi.

Living in an enclosed order must not be "purgatory", Francis told the nuns.

"Nuns must not be too spiritual, and must endeavour to be experts in humanity in order that convent life is not purgatory," he said.

He urged the nuns to embrace communal living and to live together like members of a happy, loving family.

"Know how to forgive, how to tolerate each other because the devil takes every opportunity to divide us.

Nurture friendships with each other and family life. And don't brag!" he told the nuns.

Earlier, 50,000 people packed into

DO YOU KNOW? The word 'novel' originally derived from the Latin 'novus' meaning 'new.'

6

the square outside Assisi's medieval Basilica of San Francesco to hear Francis celebrate mass.

The charismatic Argentinian pontiff was on a one-day pilgrimage to the Umbrian hillside town to pray at the shrine of the 13th-century saint whose name he adopted when elected earlier this year.

Francis also met groups of poor, sick and disabled people who were being looked after by Catholic orders or charities.

The Pope said he wants to see an overhaul of the Church, bringing it closer to ordinary people.

Source: IANS

3. Don't make assumptions Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstands, sadness and drama.

With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always do your best

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Joyce Caterers For Weddings, Parties, Picnics & Other Occasions Granada Bldg., Flat No.9, Garden Rose Colony, Near Naaz Hotel, Opp. Phoenix City Market, L.B.S. Marg, Kamani, Kurla, Mumbai - 400 070

Email : isidore_02@rediffmail.com O Website : www.joycecaterers.com Contact : Isidore Rasquinha (Babu) & Leena Rasquinha Mob.: 9892211295 / 9821284418 Tel.: 2504 2147 / 6588 3186 O

14 October 2013

Modi v/s Rahul Mr. L K Advani was economical with the truth when he expressed reservations about the BJP‘s chances of success in the impending 5 state elections, if Narendra Modi was prematurely announced as the party‘s prime ministerial candidate.His professed reservations were a betrayal of his long-held belief that the post of PM in the event of a BJP majority in 2014 should ,by right, be reserved for him !

Indeed,the spectacle of a long line of elders in politics - and in other walks of life - in their 70s,80s and 90s ,tottering and teetering on the brink, clinging to power or yet hoping to seize it ,is not merely unattractive but painfully pathetic and bad for the health of the system.

Those who had their chance and/ or day ,must move aside or be made to- and yield leadership space to young guns with innovative ideas and fresh energy.The old order must yield to the new.

It is foolhardy for any political party to believe that India‘s largely young electorate is likely to cast their vote for leaders the age of their grandparents. Respect for age is one thing ; deference to their ability to lead in their twilight years ,quite another.

Young people today are savvy enough,thanks to 24/7 media blitz,to tell the difference between truth and hype. Prime Ministerial aspirants like Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi would do well to remember the adage : To thine own self be true ….. It is impossible to carry everyone along in politics or in any other sphere . ‘ Inclusive ‘ means doing what‘s best for the common good rather than sacrificing the common good for a few extra votes simply to attain the poison of power – to borrow a phrase. And to concentrate on burning issues of the day and how they propose to solve them , rather than indulging in personal attacks and highlighting the failures/shortcomings of each other‘s party/government at the centre and in the states. We do not require reminders.

Every good leader is a polarizing factor : between those who seek

14 October 2013

homosexuality as a great sin. We hope and pray that in the process of opening the church doors to the outside world, the” smoke of Satan” does not enter the church, as lamented by the late Pope Paul VI , after Vatican took shape.

—A. F. Nazareth, Alto Porvorim

No Intention of Harming progress and prosperity for themselves and the country and those who prefer to remain mired in the past.

—Bernie Tellis Bandra ( W )

New Church Governance In The Offing?

After Vatican II, the Catholic church, under the leadership of maverick Pope Francis and his 8 Cardinals as advisers, seems all set to usher in another ‘springtime ‘ of change , renewal and growth, that will give the church a new identity in church governance which is both progressive and innovative and non-exclusivist in character.

The 3-day meet of the Commission from October 1-3 will discuss issues on church governance, which will hopefully “ open the doors to the world, to make the church more relevant in recent times’’. This has become necessary in view of the pressure the church is presently facing from within and without, on several issues like homosexuality, same -sex marriage, divorce, contraception, abortion, women’s ordination and priestly celibacy. To set the ball rolling, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, as one of the eight Cardinals on the advisory committee, has already warned the clergy to be more sensitive on issues of homosexuality, after a priest from the Bombay archdiocese opposed gay marriages and described

By getting the write-up ‘Tattoo Craze! Baap Re Baap!!’ published in ‘The Secular Citizen’, issue dated September 30th, I did not wish to do any harm to the proprietors of this shop situated at Ganesh Nagar in Dombivili (West), Opposite: Infant Jesus Church.

In case I have degraded the reputation of this shop, I am extremely sorry for it and ask for forgiveness. The write-up was meant for pleasure reading only.

— Jubel D’Cruz, Dombivili

Confidential Fax Manager: "Do you know anything about this fax-machine?"

Staff: "A little. What's wrong sir?"

Manager: "Well, I sent a fax, and the recipient called back to say all she received was a blank page.

I tried it again and the same thing happened."

Staff: " How did you load the sheet?"

Manager: "I didn't want anyone else to read it by accident so I folded it so only the recipient would open it and read it."

7

N “

No t-a Good Idea?

one of the Above” (NOTA) seems to be the flavour of the season; with jurists, activists and analysts all jumping on to the NOTA bandwagon. They would have us believe, as the jingle for a mobile phone company goes, “What an idea sirji”. But does this really ring true in the body politic?

I have been actively engaged with a motley group of civic activists, who range from Gandhian to Marxist in their ideology. I have heard them call for the Right to Reject (RTR) ad nauseum. But I have never found it to be such a good idea sirji. What do the proponents of NOTA/RTR say that has influenced the Supreme Court (SC) judgment? that the SC is “indulging in sensationalThe proponents claim that it will ism”. Is the SC being swayed by public spur political parties to change their opinion or by sound jurisprudence? I ways about the selection of candidates. am not a legal eagle, but I would agree It will have a deterrent effect on them with Chatterjee that the SC is indulging and impose self-discipline. Some par- in judicial overreach, and encroaching ties may actually be relieved that they on the role of the legislature. Chatterjee now have a readymade excuse to deny questions, “How can suggestions be tickets to undesirable elegiven without considering the ments. The no-sayers will repercussions?” have their identity kept seWhy do people vote in cret, and won’t have to fill India? Committed voters up the cumbersome Form tend to vote along caste or No 49(O) at the polling communal lines. Very few booths. Those who had have an independent politiearlier chosen not to vote, cal ideology. As for those or voted under duress for a who vote along party lines, lesser evil, would now have will continue to do so, chhotebhai they another alternative. This is regardless. One cannot exthe death knell for TINA pect a major “swing” among (there is no alternative). It could also such voters. This leaves us with the prevent bogus voting against the names undecided or non-voting electorate. of those who otherwise may not have Some of the undecided could be imturned up at the hustings. All this sounds pelled to vote if there is a major issue at wonderful on paper. What of the ground stake, like the Emergency in 1977, or reality? the Ramjanambhoomi movement in Though I do not belong to any 1996. political party, and have, over the years, However, NOTA/RTR is specifically voted for various political parties/ per- addressed to those who are disinclined sons, I have nevertheless been involved to vote, for whatever reasons. They could in voter awareness programmes, and have a general apathy or specific analso electoral politics. Hence I see the tipathy to those standing for elections. I ground realities somewhat differently. do not see significant numbers of this The only person who seems to section of voters being enthused by have openly opposed the NOTA/RTR NOTA/RTR, more so if it has no impact judgment is Somnath Chatterjee, former on the electoral outcome. In its present Speaker of the Lok Sabha, a 10-time form NOTA/RTR is a toothless tiger, MP, and an SC lawyer himself. He says based more on rhetoric than sound rea-

8

soning. It would have teeth only if such a vote was the highest, and the verdict annulled, or the candidates disqualified. I don’t see this happening, and parliament will never allow it. It therefore serves no useful purpose, other than as an expression of angst against the political class; of which we already have enough in the social, print and electronic media, thanks largely to Anna Hazare.

I also do not see NOTA/RTR having a major impact, unless there is a concerted effort in a given constituency in a particular election. Who is going to mobilize such massive public opinion against the established political parties?

Arvind Kejriwal, who once advocated the RTR, has himself joined the political establishment! So who is going to bell the cat? Assuming, without admitting, that such a super-person exists, would it not be better for such a person/ organization to choose a good candidate instead, and mobilize positive public opinion, instead of futile negativism?

What of the other dangers, which have already been expressed? What if extremists/ terrorists/ Maoists issue a diktat to a frightened electorate to use NOTA/RTR? What will then happen to the legitimate democratic process? In Kashmir this could even invite international ridicule. Hasn’t Gen V.K. Singh already done his bit by crossing the line of actual verbal control?

Let not the medicine be worse than the disease. The true and positive solution lies in creating greater voter awareness, and in speaking up against corruption, criminalisation, caste and communal politics. This is no doubt an arduous task, but there are no short cuts in sight. Instead of criticizing the existing political parties one should join their ranks to impact them, or like Kejriwal, float one’s own party if one has the will and the wherewithal.

I, for one, am certainly not impressed by the NOTA/RTR in its present form, nor do I see it as a game changer in Indian politics.

·

The writer is a Kanpur based social activist.

14 October 2013

Marriage Encounter:

Discover And Celebrate Your Relationship Does the weekend respect the couple's privacy?

The Marriage Encounter weekend is a positive and personal experience offering married couples an opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It's a chance to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God. It's a time to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other.

The emphasis of the Marriage Encounter weekend is on the communication between husbands and wives.

The weekend provides a conducive environment for couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and their relationship.

It's not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Marriage. This is a

Dr. Fr. Davis George, Former NET and AET, WWME. time for you and your spouse to be alone together, to rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention!

Who is it for?

Any married couple who desires a richer, fuller life together. A marriage can never be too good. Marriage Encounter is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple share together, whether they have been married for only a short time, or for many years.

Priests and other religious are also welcome and encouraged to attend as it can deepen their relationship with Jesus and his Church! As Priests and Religious we have much to learn from encountered married couples.

What happens at a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend?

A series of presentations are given

14 October 2013

YES! The weekend is oriented strictly to each individual couple. You concentrate on your spouse to such an extent that you are hardly aware of the other couples present. The presentations are given to the group as a whole. After each presentation, the husband and wife have time in the privacy of their room for their own personal discussion.

How does a Marriage Encounter enhance a marriage? by a team of married couples and a religious in the particular faith expression (priest or minister). Each presentation allows you and your spouse a rare opportunity to look at yourselves as individuals, then to look at your marriage and relationship to one another, and finally to look at your relationship to God and to the world. The weekend starts at 8:00 on Friday night and runs until about 5:00 on Sunday afternoon. Five meals are provided (Saturday; breakfast, lunch & dinner and Sunday breakfast & lunch).

The encounter weekend teaches a communication technique which permits each couple to explore important areas of their relationship in a spirit of love and understanding. By continuing the newly-acquired technique begun on the weekend, husbands and wives continually grow closer together to live more joyful and purposeful lives.

Is there a specific religious orientation to the weekend?

Marriage Encounter does present God as a focus for successful marriages. There are many faith expres(Contd.. on p. 10)

SAHAR COLD STORAGE John Rodrigues House, Chakala, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400099

Located on the way to International Airport, Nr Cigarette Factory Convenient for the Passengers carrying the stocks abroad.

Try our Fresh Pork Meat; Fresh Real Good Chicken; Cold Cuts; Ready to eat items; Goan Sausages; Goan, Mangalorean and East Indian variety of Masalas.

Note: We provide FREE HOME DELIVERY to our most valuable customers.

Phone : 2827 0498 Mobile: 99695 73121

9

Marriage Encounter: Discover And Celebrate Your Relationship (Contd.. from p. 9) sions of Marriage Encounter Weekends - Catholic, as well as several Protestant denominations. While the Weekend may be presented in a given Faith expression, each is open to couples from other orientations. Religious doctrine is not preached. Each couple is asked to apply what they hear to their own faith expression.

Our marriage is under stress, and we're considering separation or divorce. Is Marriage Encounter for us?

No. Marriage Encounter is for couples experiencing the usual ups and downs of married life, not situations that threaten your relationship.

You should contact an organization like Retrouvaille (see other resources).

If you are unsure whether a Marriage Encounter Weekend is appropriate for your situation, contact us and we can help you discern which program would be right for you.

What is the timing and the mechanics of the weekend?

The Weekend starts at 8 P.M. but we request that you arrive by 7 p.m.

The room and meals for Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday are all part of the Weekend. Please register at the Marriage Encounter sign in desk, not the main hotel registration.

The Weekend ends between 5 p.m.

www.rcmatrimonials.com We place your Matrimonial Profile in our website for one full year Rs. 400/- (only) for ladies & Rs. 500/- (only) for gents

No payments when you find that wonderful partner of your dreams!

For details please contact: 022 26048822 / 9820800480 Convent Avenue, Santacruz West, Mumbai 400 054 Email: rcmatrimonials@gmail.com

10

and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

How much does the Weekend cost?

Apart from a nominal registration fee, on the weekend, you will be asked to make a free will donation. This donation will cover the expenses of lodging, food, and materials for the Weekend. The expenses vary somewhat depending on the specific location. Marriage Encounter turns no couples away from the Weekend because of financial need. Please do not let cost be a consideration for your going on a Weekend. God has provided for over 35 years to assure that there are funds to put on Weekends.

The Business cum Formation Programme is designed to offer committed and lifelong nuptial tie-ups fresh nuances, each year, of a dream that began on their wedding day. To be married in the Lord is a call beyond "just ourselves", into an awareness of our involvement in the work of the Lord in the world. Christian marriage is a Sacrament – it is meant to be a sign, a powerful witness of Jesus' very own love for us (cfr. Jn 15:12, 17; Jn 13:34).

Marriage Encounter has drawn its inspiration and substance from this "New Commandment." The Sacrament of Matrimony confers on a wedded pair, an anointing, and, with it, a sense of calling and empower its participants for mission (Acts 1:8). In this year of faith let both the sacraments of Matrimony and Priesthood journey together in faith, hope and love to build a better world. We need to sing again and again, There's a new world somewhere they call the Promised Land And I'll be there someday if you will hold my hand I still need you there beside me no matter what I do For I know I'll never find another you‌.

How To Care For Your Eyes Eyes are a good reflection of our health and emotions. Here are tips to keep them healthy.

1. Stop scratching your eye too much You get in itchy feeling in your eye when something falls into it or when it gets too dry. Stop scratching your eye when it happens. Instead, splash some clean water on your eyes.

2. Rest your eyes adequately

If you have to stare at the computer screen throughout the day for work. make sure you rest them adequately. You can do this by closing your eyes for a few minutes at regular intervals while working or keeping your screen dimmed.

3. East berries, fish and dark leafy vegetables

They keep you cool and are also great for your eyes. These are rich in lutein and help slow down macular degeneration in people over sixty.

4. Get regular eye tests It never hurts to get your eyes tests regularly. It helps especially when you are forty as regular eye exams can help diagnose and prevent eye conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

5. Keep a saline solution handy

There's never knowing when you might get something in your eye. You can get chemicals in your eye while applying makeup or using glue. Having a saline solution comes handy as its best to rinse off the irritant with a saline solution than plain water.

6. Replace your lenses regularly

If you are someone who uses lenses, then it is absolutely important that you replace them as advised by your doctor. You should also make sure that you have your fingers clean before taking them off and putting them on. There are so many bacterias you can transfer to your eye because of unclean fingers and nails.

14 October 2013

Pledge For New Life, Thanksgiving New India & New World A Manifesto for all-round development of India and the World.

by Dr. Leo Rebello

At Local Level, We Pledge To work as People's Police, People's Judges for People's Rule.

To ensure that local taxes are used for local development.

To ensure that every village becomes self-sufficient.

To ensure that water reaches every one and is free.

To make available Roti, Kapda, Pani and Makan for All. To build toilets to improve hygiene and health; not temples.

At India Level, We Pledge To stand by India's Secular Constitution and Equality and Justice for All. To build a Sarva Dharma Sthall (all-religion centre) in Ayodhya and Common Temples of Worship and Brotherhood, for God is One. To remove manual scavenging, pedophilia, drugs that control people.

To promote vibrant Health through Herbs, Vegan Diet, Yoga, Ayurveda etc.

To stop killing our children by Vaccines and other Drugs, which multiply diseases.

At World Level, We Pledge To prevent fascist forces and terrorists from ruling the world.

To create a common World currency and People's banks to serve, not loot.

To eliminate Weapons of Mass Destruction and divert those funds for mass safety.

To create World without Wars, World without Borders, World without Hunger.

To replace Capitalism (the bane) with Trusteeship and Possiblica Management.

To introduce Holistic Development and Happiness Index.

Drafted by Dr. Leo Rebello, and released on 2nd October 2013 for Transparency in our Lives and Better Governance. Include this Pledge in every school text book and Administer it to all Bureaucrats, Judges, Legislators and Priests/ Teachers.

Thanks to Divine Mercy, Our Lady of Vailankani, Our Lady of perpectual Succor, St. Anthony and Sacred Heart of Jesus. —Mrs. Petricia P. Machado, UAE

14 October 2013

11

12

14 October 2013

14 October 2013

13

19th Death Anniversary In Loving Remembrance of Philip N. D’Leema Kundapur - (D’Lima) Born: 28-05-1930 Died: 18-10-1994 We all miss you in every moment of our life & cherish your memories you have served humanity and dedicated yourself for novel causes and will be remembered forever in our hearts

Fondly remembered by his Wife, Children, Grand Children, Family Members, Management, Staff and Students of

St. Joseph’ Joseph’ss High School, Malad (E) St. Jude’ Jude’ss High School, Malad (W) Mass at our Lady of Lourdes Church, Orlem, Malad (W) on Friday 18th October 2013 at 5.30 p.m.

Philip N. D’Leema

THANKSGIVING

They Prayed and Favours Granted

Thanksgiving Ads & Anouncements: Colour Rs. 600

B/W Rs. 400

each additional block Holy Spirit Prayer Other small prayers (upto 100 words)

Rs. 400 Rs. 800 Rs. 800

Rs. 200 Rs. 600 Rs. 600

i.e. 15 words + 1 block(1 photo of saint)

All your family problems, financial needs, purity, dangers, job, housing, happy death and other needs, pray to your favourite Saints from the bottom of your heart. Announce the favours granted.

Thanksgiving

Favours granted minimum

Contact: Tel.: 22693578, 22654924 THE SECULAR CITIZEN, 99, Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Mumbai - 400001

Heartful thanks to

Thanksgiving

The Holy Spirit Thanks to Holy Family for the favours granted. Praying for more favours

—Mrs. Rita C. Goves, Dadar

14

for the favours granted —A. Thomas, Wadala

Thanks to Fr. Agnel for the favours granted — S. Fernandes, Goa

14 October 2013

Pope Gives Revelatory Full Length Personal Interview III (Contd.. from last issue) “The church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in smallminded rules. The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you. And the ministers of the church must be ministers of mercy above all. The confessor, for example, is always in danger of being either too much of a rigorist or too lax. Neither is merciful, because neither of them really takes responsibility for the person.

The rigorist washes his hands so that he leaves it to the commandment. The loose minister washes his hands by simply saying, ‘This is not a sin’ or something like that. In pastoral ministry we must accompany people, and we must heal their wounds.

“How are we treating the people of God? I dream of a church that is a mother and shepherdess. The church’s ministers must be merciful, take responsibility for the people and accompany them like the good Samaritan, who washes, cleans and raises up his neighbour. This is pure Gospel. God is greater than sin. The structural and organisational reforms are secondary?

– that is, they come afterward. The first reform must be the attitude. The ministers of the Gospel must be people who can warm the hearts of the people, who walk through the dark night with them, who know how to dialogue and to descend themselves into their people’s night, into the darkness, but without getting lost. The people of God want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats or government officials. The bishops, particularly, must be able to support the movements of God among their people with patience, so that no one is left behind. But they must also be able to accompany the flock that has a flair for finding new paths.

“Instead of being just a church that welcomes and receives by keep-

14 October 2013

ing the doors open, let us try also to be a church that finds new roads, that is able to step outside itself and go to those who do not attend Mass, to those who have quit or are indifferent. The ones who quit sometimes do it for reasons that, if properly understood and assessed, can lead to a return. But that takes audacity and courage.”

I mention to Pope Francis that there are Christians who live in situations that are irregular for the church or in complex situations that represent open wounds. I mention the divorced and remarried, same-sex couples and other difficult situations. What kind of pastoral work can we do in these cases?

What kinds of tools can we use?

“We need to proclaim the Gospel on every street corner,” the pope says, “preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing, even with our preaching, every kind of disease and wound.

In Buenos Aires I used to receive letters from homosexual persons who are ‘socially wounded’ because they tell me that they feel like the church has always condemned them. But the church does not want to do this. During the return flight from Rio de Janeiro I said that if a homosexual person is of good will and

is in search of God, I am no one to judge. By saying this, I said what the catechism says. Religion has the right to express its opinion in the service of the people, but God in creation has set us free: it is not possible to interfere spiritually in the life of a person.

“A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: ‘Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person. Here we enter into the mystery of the human being. In life, God accompanies persons, and we must accompany them, starting from their situation. It is necessary to accompany them with mercy.

When that happens, the Holy Spirit inspires the priest to say the right thing.

“This is also the great benefit of confession as a sacrament: evaluating case by case and discerning what is the best thing to do for a person who seeks God and grace. The confessional is not a torture chamber, but the place in which the Lord’s mercy motivates us to do better. I also consider the situation of a woman with a failed mar-

15

riage in her past and who also had an abortion. Then this woman remarries, and she is now happy and has five children. That abortion in her past weighs heavily on her conscience and she sincerely regrets it. She would like to move forward in her Christian life.

What is the confessor to do?

“We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible. I have not spoken much about these things, and I was reprimanded for that. But when we speak about these issues, we have to talk about them in a context. The teaching of the church, for that matter, is clear and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.

“The dogmatic and moral teachings of the church are not all equivalent. The church’s pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently. Proclamation in a missionary style focuses on the essentials, on the necessary things: this is also what fascinates and attracts more, what makes the heart burn, as it did for the disciples at Emmaus. We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel. The proposal of the Gospel must be more simple, profound, radiant. It is from this proposition that the moral consequences then flow.

“I say this also thinking about the preaching and content of our preaching. A beautiful homily, a genuine sermon must begin with the first proclamation, with the proclamation of salvation. There is nothing more solid, deep and sure than this proclamation. Then you have to do catechesis. Then you can draw even a moral consequence.

But the proclamation of the saving love of God comes before moral and religious imperatives. Today sometimes it seems that the opposite order is prevailing. The homily is the touchstone to measure the pastor’s proximity and ability to meet his people, because those who preach must recognise the heart of their community and must be

16

able to see where the desire for God is lively and ardent. The message of the Gospel, therefore, is not to be reduced to some aspects that, although relevant, on their own do not show the heart of the message of Jesus Christ.”

A Religious Order Pope Pope Francis is the first pontiff from a religious order since the Camaldolese monk Gregory XVI, who was elected in 1831. I ask: “What is the specific place of religious men and women in the church of today?”

“Religious men and women are prophets,” says the pope. “They are those who have chosen a following of Jesus that imitates his life in obedience to the Father, poverty, community life and chastity. In this sense, the vows cannot end up being caricatures; otherwise, for example, community life becomes hell, and chastity becomes a way of life for unfruitful bachelors. The vow of chastity must be a vow of fruitfulness. In the church, the religious are called to be prophets in particular by demonstrating how Jesus lived on this earth, and to proclaim how the kingdom of God will be in its perfection. A religious must never give up prophecy.

This does not mean opposing the hierarchical part of the church, although the prophetic function and the hierarchical structure do not coincide. I am talking about a proposal that is always positive, but it should not cause timidity. Let us think about what so many great saints, monks and religious men and women have done, from St. Anthony the Abbot onward. Being prophets may sometimes imply making waves. I do not know how to put it....

Prophecy makes noise, uproar, some say ‘a mess.’ But in reality, the charism of religious people is like yeast: prophecy announces the spirit of the Gospel.”

The Roman Curia I ask the pope what he thinks of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the various departments that assist the pope in his mission.

“The dicasteries of the Roman Curia are at the service of the pope and the bishops,” he says. “They must help both the particular churches and the

bishops’ conferences. They are instruments of help. In some cases, however, when they are not functioning well, they run the risk of becoming institutions of censorship. It is amazing to see the denunciations for lack of orthodoxy that come to Rome. I think the cases should be investigated by the local bishops’ conferences, which can get valuable assistance from Rome.

These cases, in fact, are much better dealt with locally. The Roman congregations are mediators; they are not middlemen or managers.”

On June 29, during the ceremony of the blessing and imposition of the pallium on 34 metropolitan archbishops, Pope Francis spoke about “the path of collegiality” as the road that can lead the church to “grow in harmony with the service of primacy.” So I ask: “How can we reconcile in harmony Petrine primacy and collegiality? Which roads are feasible also from an ecumenical perspective?”

The pope responds, “We must walk together: the people, the bishops and the pope. Synodality should be lived at various levels. Maybe it is time to change the methods of the Synod of Bishops, because it seems to me that the current method is not dynamic.

This will also have ecumenical value, especially with our Orthodox brethren.

From them we can learn more about the meaning of episcopal collegiality and the tradition of synodality. The joint effort of reflection, looking at how the church was governed in the early centuries, before the breakup between East and West, will bear fruit in due time. In ecumenical relations it is important not only to know each other better, but also to recognise what the Spirit has sown in the other as a gift for us. I want to continue the discussion that was begun in 2007 by the joint [Catholic– Orthodox] commission on how to exercise the Petrine primacy, which led to the signing of the Ravenna Document.

We must continue on this path.”

I ask how Pope Francis envisions the future unity of the church in light of this response. He answers: “We must walk united with our differences: there is no other way to become one. This is the way of Jesus.”

14 October 2013

Women in the Life of the Church And what about the role of women in the church? The pope has made reference to this issue on several occasions. He took up the matter during the return trip from Rio de Janeiro, claiming that the church still lacks a profound theology of women. I ask: “What should be the role of women in the church? How do we make their role more visible today?”

He answers: “I am wary of a solution that can be reduced to a kind of ‘female machismo,’ because a woman has a different make-up than a man.

But what I hear about the role of women is often inspired by an ideology of machismo. Women are asking deep questions that must be addressed. The church cannot be herself without the woman and her role. The woman is essential for the church. Mary, a woman, is more important than the bishops. I say this because we must not confuse the function with the dignity. We must therefore investigate further the role of women in the church. We have to work harder to develop a profound theology of the woman. Only by making this step will it be possible to better reflect on their function within the church. The feminine genius is needed wherever we make important decisions. The challenge today is this: to think about the specific place of women also in those places where the authority of the church is exercised for various areas of the church.”

The Second Vatican Council “What did the Second Vatican Council accomplish?” I ask.

“Vatican II was a re-reading of the Gospel in light of contemporary culture,” says the pope. “Vatican II produced a renewal movement that simply comes from the same Gospel. Its fruits are enormous. Just recall the liturgy. The work of liturgical reform has been a service to the people as a rereading of the Gospel from a concrete historical situation. Yes, there are hermeneutics of continuity and discontinuity, but one thing is clear: the dy-

14 October 2013

namic of reading the Gospel, actualising its message for today – which was typical of Vatican II – is absolutely irreversible. Then there are particular issues, like the liturgy according to the Vetus Ordo. I think the decision of Pope Benedict [his decision of July 7, 2007, to allow a wider use of the Tridentine Mass] was prudent and motivated by the desire to help people who have this sensitivity. What is worrying, though, is the risk of the ideologisation of the Vetus Ordo, its exploitation.”

To Seek and Find God in All Things At the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis repeatedly declared: “God is real. He manifests himself today. God is everywhere.”

These are phrases that echo the Ignatian expression “to seek and find God in all things.” So I ask the pope: “How do you seek and find God in all things?”

“What I said in Rio referred to the time in which we seek God,” he answers. “In fact, there is a temptation to seek God in the past or in a possible future. God is certainly in the past because we can see the footprints. And God is also in the future as a promise.

But the ‘concrete’ God, so to speak, is today. For this reason, complaining never helps us find God. The complaints of today about how ‘barbaric’ the world is – these complaints sometimes end up giving birth within the church to desires to establish order in the sense of pure conservation, as a defence. No: God is to be encountered in the world of today.

“God manifests himself in historical revelation, in history. Time initiates processes, and space crystallises them.

God is in history, in the processes.

“We must not focus on occupying the spaces where power is exercised, but rather on starting long-run historical processes. We must initiate processes rather than occupy spaces. God manifests himself in time and is present in the processes of history. This gives priority to actions that give birth to new historical dynamics. And it requires patience, waiting.

“Finding God in all things is not an

‘empirical eureka.’ When we desire to encounter God, we would like to verify him immediately by an empirical method. But you cannot meet God this way. God is found in the gentle breeze perceived by Elijah. The senses that find God are the ones St. Ignatius called spiritual senses. Ignatius asks us to open our spiritual sensitivity to encounter God beyond a purely empirical approach. A contemplative attitude is necessary: it is the feeling that you are moving along the good path of understanding and affection toward things and situations. Profound peace, spiritual consolation, love of God and love of all things in God – this is the sign that you are on this right path.”

Certitude and Mistakes I ask, “So if the encounter with God is not an ‘empirical eureka,’ and if it is a journey that sees with the eyes of history, then we can also make mistakes?”

The pope replies: “Yes, in this quest to seek and find God in all things there is still an area of uncertainty.

There must be. If a person says that he met God with total certainty and is not touched by a margin of uncertainty, then this is not good. For me, this is an important key. If one has the answers to all the questions – that is the proof that God is not with him. It means that he is a false prophet using religion for himself. The great leaders of the people of God, like Moses, have always left room for doubt. You must leave room for the Lord, not for our certainties; we must be humble. Uncertainty is in every true discernment that is open to finding confirmation in spiritual consolation.

“The risk in seeking and finding God in all things, then, is the willingness to explain too much, to say with human certainty and arrogance: ‘God is here.’ We will find only a god that fits our measure. The correct attitude is that of St. Augustine: seek God to find him, and find God to keep searching for God forever. Often we seek as if we were blind, as one often reads in the Bible. And this is the experience of the great fathers of the faith, who are our models. We have to re-read the Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 11. Abraham

17

leaves his home without knowing where he was going, by faith. All of our ancestors in the faith died seeing the good that was promised, but from a distance.... Our life is not given to us like an opera libretto, in which all is written down; but it means going, walking, doing, searching, seeing.... We must enter into the adventure of the quest for meeting God; we must let God search and encounter us.

“Because God is first; God is always first and makes the first move.

God is a bit like the almond flower of your Sicily, Antonio, which always blooms first. We read it in the Prophets.

God is encountered walking, along the path. At this juncture, someone might say that this is relativism. Is it relativism? Yes, if it is misunderstood as a kind of indistinct pantheism. It is not relativism if it is understood in the biblical sense, that God is always a surprise, so you never know where and how you will find him. You are not setting the time and place of the encounter with him. You must, therefore, discern the encounter. Discernment is essential.

“If the Christian is a restorationist, a legalist, if he wants everything clear and safe, then he will find nothing.

Tradition and memory of the past must help us to have the courage to open up new areas to God. Those who today always look for disciplinarian solutions, those who long for an exaggerated doctrinal ‘security,’ those who stubbornly try to recover a past that no longer exists – they have a static and inward-directed view of things. In this way, faith becomes an ideology among other ideologies. I have a dogmatic

Readymade Wedding Gowns, Christening Sets, First Holy Communion Dresses & All other Wedding Accessories and Thermocole Decoration, also Available at

White Rose Sharaf Manzil, 1st Floor, 650, J.S.S. Rd, 2nd Dhobitalao Lane, Mumbai 400002

Tel.: 2207 4223

Emails:davidprinters@gmail.com / bryan@vsnl.com

18

certainty: God is in every person’s life.

God is in everyone’s life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else – God is in this person’s life.

You can, you must try to seek God in every human life. Although the life of a person is a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God.”

Moderate Coffee Consumption is Good

Must We Be Optimistic?

The pope’s words remind me of some of his past reflections, in which as a cardinal he wrote that God is already living in the city, in the midst of all and united to each. It is another way, in my opinion, to say what St. Ignatius wrote in the Spiritual Exercises, that God “labours and works” in our world.

So I ask: “Do we have to be optimistic? What are the signs of hope in today’s world? How can I be optimistic in a world in crisis?”

“I do not like to use the word optimism because that is about a psychological attitude,” the pope says. “I like to use the word hope instead, according to what we read in the Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 11, that I mentioned before. The fathers of the faith kept walking, facing difficulties. And hope does not disappoint, as we read in the Letter to the Romans. Think instead of the first riddle of Puccini’s opera ‘Turandot,’” the pope suggests.

At that moment I recalled more or less by heart the verses of the riddle of the princess in that opera, to which the solution is hope: “In the gloomy night flies an iridescent ghost./ It rises and opens its wings/ on the infinite black humanity./ The whole world invokes it/ and the whole world implores it./ But the ghost disappears with the dawn/ to be reborn in the heart./ And every night it is born/ and every day it dies!”

“See,” says Pope Francis, “Christian hope is not a ghost and it does not deceive. It is a theological virtue and therefore, ultimately, a gift from God that cannot be reduced to optimism, which is only human. God does not mislead hope; God cannot deny himself. God is all promise.”

(To be contd...)

A new research has suggested that moderate coffee consumption is not associated with increased cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk. Considerable research has been devoted to investigating associations between coffee consumption and key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and elevated cholesterol, Most evidence suggests that regular moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee has no long-term effect on blood pressure and does not increase the risk of bypertension.

Riddles 1. Why did the boy bury his flashlight?

A. Because the batteries died.

2. Which letter of the alphabet has the most water?

A. The alphabet ‘C’.

3. What starts with a ‘P’, ends with an ‘E’ and has thousands of letters?

A. The Post Office.

4. What has to be broken before you can use it?

A. An egg 5. Why can’t a man living in New York be buried in Chicago?

A. Because he’s still living!

6. What begins with ‘T’ ends with ‘T’ and has ‘T’ in it?

A. A teapot.

7. Which month has 28 days?

A. All of them of course!

—Jubel D'Cruz, Dombivili

14 October 2013

Inspiration!

The Law Of The Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the

hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck'.

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally, just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

Albert Einstein and his driver

Dr. Albert Einstein was traveling to Universities in his car , delivering lectures on his theory of relativity. During one journey, the driver remarked " Dr. Einstein, I have heard you deliver that lecture about 30 times. I know it by heart and bet I could give it myself."

"Well, I'll give you the chance", said the Dr. "They don't know me at the next University, so when we get

14 October 2013

there, I'll put on your cap, and you introduce yourself as Dr. Einstein and give the lecture."

The driver delivered Einstein's lecture without any mistakes. When he finished, he started to leave, but one of the professor stopped him and asked a complex question filled with mathematical equations and formulas.

The driver thought fast. "The answer to that problem is so simple," he said, " I'm surprised you have to ask me. In fact, to show you just how simple it is, I'm going to ask my driver to come up here and answer your question".

Then Einstein stood up and gave an incredible answer to the question of that professor.

Now matter how genius you pretend to be, there is always someone who is more genius than you despite his position.

What People Say; what do they mean 1. "We are on the right track but there needs to be a slight extension of the deadline" means "the project is screwed up, we cannot deliver on time."

2. "We had slight differences of opinion" means "We had actually fought" 3. "Make a list of the work that you do and let's see how I can help you" means "Any way you have to find a way out no help from me" 4. "You should have told me earlier" means " Well even if you told me earlier that would have made hardly any difference!"

5. "We need to find out the real reason" means "Well I will tell you where your fault is" 6. "Well Family is important; your leave is always granted. Just ensure that the work is not affected," means, "Well you know..."

7. "We are a team," means, " I am not the only one to be blamed" 8. "That's actually a good question" means "I do not know anything about it" 9. "All the Best" means "You are in trouble" 10. "That's actually a good question" means " I do not know anything about it"

Knowledge and wisdom There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom.

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit not a vegetable.

Wisdom is knowing not to include it in a fruit salad.

19

MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 27 years. Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 55 kgs., Fair Complexion, Edn. T.Y. B.Com., Working as a Sr. Collection Advisor. Contact Email : perpthevirgo@yahoo.co.in OR 9821302840 (Regd. No. 5919) MUMBAI : Tamilian Roman Catholic Divorcee, aged 47 years. Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 66 kgs., Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., BBA., MBA (Finance), working as a Finance Manager. Seeks a suitable Match. Contact Email : talentedgradewisdom@yahoo.com OR 9819939479 / 9930559783 (Regd. No. 5914) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelore aged 31 years. Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 64 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Accounts Officer in MNC. Seeks a simple working graduate Mangalorean girl.

Contact Email: ashwin_roche@yahoo.com IR 9892386686 / 9403644066 (Regd.

No. 5913) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 40 years. Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 65 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. S.S.C. A/C Tech. Course, working as a A/C. Technician in U.A.E. Contact Email : jeedza@gmail.com OR 8976361324 / 24460855 (Regd.

No. 5911) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 31 years. Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 58 kgs., Wheatish Complexion, Edn. LLB., B.Com., working in Indian Railways.

Seeks a Mangalorean educated girl. Contact Email : graceydsouza@gmail.com OR Tel.: 26787431 (Regd. No. 5909) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 33 years. Ht. 5’ 4”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn.B.E. Mech. working as a Manager. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email : graceydsouza@ gmail.com OR Tel.: 26787431 (Regd No. 5908) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor aged 32 years. Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 65 kgs, Wheatish Complex-

20

ion, Edn. PGDB (Marketing), Working as a Marketing research, Seeks a Simple, honest, Mangalorean girl.

Contact : dsouza_dyson@yahoo.co.in OR 9821607121 (Regd. No. 5903) MUMBAI : Mangalorean/Tamilian Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 85 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., + Post Graduate 2nd year. Seeks a suitable good looking, working girl below 27 years,.

Contact email : riya.anthony11@gmail.com OR 8390022313 (Regd. No. 5898) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 32 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 62 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. S.S.C., working as a Receptionist. Seeks a suitable match. Simple, understanding and ajustable nature. Contact : Email : mnl_gonsalves@yahoo.co.in OR 9833094187 / 64235329 (Regd. No. 5897) MUMBAI : Anglo Indian Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 28 years, Ht. 5’ 111/2”, Wt. 84 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E., Mumbai University, having own business. Seeks a Roman Catholic educated girl from Mumbai, below 27 years.

Contact : Email: snad2450@gmail.com OR 28388034 (Regd. No. 5896) MUMBAI : Keralite Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. U.K. Graduate, having own business.

Seeks a educated, mild natured, with a balanced lifestyle, smart, below 27 years.Contact : email: edfernz@gmail.com OR 66998519 / 28541673 (Regd. No. 5895) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 26 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 45 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn.

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years

BA Pursving M.A., working as a C.S.E. (MNC), Seeks a suitable match.

Contact Email: clintjude2002@yahoo.co.in OR 9819394473 (Regd. No. 5894) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 65 kgs, light Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.M.S. in H.R. working as a Sr. H.R. Officer. Email : contactmissmiriam@gmail.com OR 9819985128 (Regd. No. 5893) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 42 years looks much younger to his age, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 59 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. XIIth std., having own business. Contact : 9767630415 / 9175186730 (Regd.

No. 5892) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 33 years, Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Microsoft Engineer in Bangalore. Well settled, having own house in Bangalore. Seeks a educated Mangalorean girl from good family background.

Contact Email : lorettag58@gmail.com OR 9323949129 / 9867848489 (Regd.

No. 5880) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 27 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 58 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working for Multinational Bank. Seeks a Goan Roman Catholic graduate working girl. Contact Email: miltonintouch3@gmail.com OR 0251-2680461 (Regd. No. 5877)

Address your replies to :

Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 14 October 2013

MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Anglo Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 33 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 53 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Graduate, working as a Web Designer in MUSCAT. Seeks a well settled bachelor. Contact email : newimage23@yahoo.com / parsjudy@gmail.com OR 0096895852514 / 9820300874 (Regd. No. 5971) MUMBAI : RC Mangalorean Spinster, M.Com/MBA (Finance) 27 / 5’2”, talented, with strong family values & from respectable family, working for a bank in Mumbai. Seeks well qualified boy upto 32, reply with recent photo & full details to email: smileangel378@ yahoo.com OR 9920424282 (Regd.

No. 5962) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 50 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., CAIIB., working as a Officer in Private Bank. Only Child.

Contact : mpascal009@gmail.com OR 9869316408 (Regd. No. 5930) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic parents seek alliance for their daughter 28 years, 5’ 4’, fair good looking smart Chartered Accountant working for a reputed company in Mumbai from well settled Professionally Qualified CA or MBA or Engineers RC bachelors below 33 years good family background and values preferably from Mumbai. We would appreciate if your response includes a full-length latest photo, contact number, relevant personal and family details. Email : gjl1505@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5944) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Fair Complexion, beautiful, Edn. MBA Finance working in Private Limited Company. Seeks a suitable match.

Contact email :

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years 14 October 2013

lavitac@gmail.com OR 9930936622 (Regd. No. 5942) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster aged 23 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatsish Complexion, Edn. M.Sc., good looking and smart, working as a Maths Analyst. Contact email : mariaferns71@yahoo.com (Regd.

No. 5941) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 26 years, Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 69 kgs, Wheatsish Complexion, Edn. MBA in Marketing, working as a F & B Executive. Seeks a suitable match.

Contact email : flaviajet86@yahoo.co.in OR 28816294 (Regd. No. 5939) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatsish Complexion, Edn. MBA (Finance) working as a Research Assistant in Pvt. Sector. Contact email : roshan.gomendes@yahoo.co.in OR 9167140184 (Regd. No. 5938) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster aged 35 years, Ht. 154 cms, Wt. 62 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working in Flight Cabin Crew.

Seeks a well settled graduate bachelor.

Contact email : milly.ruprell@emirates.com OR 9819041830 (Regd. No. 5937) MUMBAI : Roman Catholic Spinster aged 27 years, Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 57 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. Electronic Engg. working as a Key Account Manager in Bank.

Contact email : rinal_11@hotmail.com OR 9820247177 (Regd. No. 5935) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster aged 28 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E. (Mumbai) MBA (USA), working in Reputed IT Company as Business Analyst in USA. Contact email : virginia4u@gmail.com OR 9833099037 / 9821373880 / 9222380052 (Regd. No. 5934) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 24 years, Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 60 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. BMS in Marketing, MBA in Retail Management, Working in Retail Sector.

Contact email : aarikhalws99@gmail.com OR 9930672317 (Regd. No. 5933) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 33 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 62 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.A., PGDBM, Working as a HR Manager.

Contact email: lumfers1954@hotmail.com OR 9819352481 (Regd. No. 5932) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 50 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., CAIIB., working as a Officer in Private Bank. Only Child. Contact : mpascal009@gmail.com OR 9869316408 (Regd. No. 5930) MUMBAI : Anglo Indian Roman Catholic Spinster aged 39 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 68 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Sc., MBA (HR) working as a AGM (HR) Contact email : berny2002@hotmail.com OR 26771992 (Regd. No. 5929) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA (Marketing) working as a Manager.

Contact email: diana.g.fernandes@gmail.com OR 25923985 (Regd. No. 5927) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster aged 31 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 50 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.A. B.Ed., Teacher by profession.

Contact email : carol.chitale@yahoo.com OR 9769775073 / 9819442577 (Regd. No. 5926)

Address your replies to :

Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 21

‘Smile’ your way to Success 1 Practice smiling a lot.

Have you ever heard of an "easy smile"? People with easy smiles break into a grin effortlessly, and it usually makes those around them feel happy. When you practice a lot, smiling will become easier, and you'll look less strained when you do it. Practice what you feel to be your most attractive smile. Soon your confidence in your smile will increase, and you'll start flashing it without thinking. Look at photos of yourself smiling in different ways. Do you like your smile best when your mouth is closed or open? Check it out from different angles. Which smiles and poses make your face light up the most? Which smile displays your other features to their best possible advantage? Which smile comes across as the most natural, the most "you"? Figure out which smile you like best, then practice in front of a mirror until you get it just right. Pay attention to how that great smile feels, so that you'll be able to replicate it without looking in a mirror. Practice smiling at random strangers. Simply make brief eye contact with a person and smile. As you do so, think happy thoughts. Not everyone will smile back, but note how you feel when they do!

2 Smile with your eyes. A wholehearted smile will naturally draw in the eyes.

This natural smile is called a Duchenne smile. It's not something you can fake; when you're forced to smile for photos, your eyes don't smile. It's only when you truly feel like smiling that you flash a Duchenne. The eyes are essential for a genuine, warm smile. To get a feel for how to make your eyes smile, stand in front of a mirror and practice smiling, but concentrate only on your eyes. You may find it helpful to cover the lower part of your face with a piece of paper.

Play around with it a bit, and you'll find that you can make your mouth smile when your eyes aren't smiling, and you can also smile only with your eyes.

When your eyes do smile, remember

22

Importance of your smile A recent American study has found that teeth are the number one facial feature that people would change. 75% of adults think that a nice smile is important to career success. 84% think that an attractive smile is important for meeting Mister or Miss Right.

The study was conducted on a representative sample of 1000 American adults both men and women between 18 and 50 years of age. The poll explored the importance of smiles in relation to business and careers, dating and marriage, the social arena, and the overall value of smiles and self-esteem. how it feels, which muscles are working and how. With practice, you may discover how to smile with your eyes at will by relying on your feelings and muscle memory.

3 Maintain good oral hygiene. One thing that can cause you to fear smiling is the worry that there is something stuck between your teeth, or that you have bad breath. Eliminate these sources of worry by taking active steps to keep your mouth fresh and clean.

Brush your teeth and tongue regularly, carry floss with you wherever you go so that you can clean up after dining, and have breath freshener on you at all times (natural or commercial).

See your dentist regularly for teeth check-ups and cleaning, as well as discussing options for teeth straightening or other treatments if this is a concern for you. When you smile people will inevitably look at your mouth, so following these considerations will help you make a better impression, and, more importantly, a healthy mouth will

make you feel more confident about smiling.

4 Make your smile genuine.

While it is perfectly possible to crack a smile when you feel terrible, angry, annoyed, or you're up to something nefarious, smiling under these circumstances will make people wary of you. A genuine smile is much harder to fake. A genuine smile is detectable by others because it is accompanied by a general glow, smiling eyes where the outer corners crinkle and the lower lid tightens, and a reassuring demeanor that helps the viewer to feel more at ease in your presence.

Here's how to smile more genuinely: Don't smile when you just aren't feeling it. It will give others the impression that you can't be trusted. It's ok not to smile all day long. Remember how it feels when you do crack a genuine smile.

Try to regain that feeling each time you smile.

5 Smile out of love. Think about someone you care about or about something that you genuinely love to do. It's much easier to produce friendly, easygoing, genuine smiles when you love what you do, when you love the people around you, and when you love humanity in general. Be grateful for all that you have and you'll find smiles come far more naturally.

JACK OF ALL STALL Reliable House for Religious Goods

Gloria Church Bldg., 263, Dr. Ambedkar Rd., Byculla, Mumbai - 400027 Tel.: 23725963, 23749358 Estd: 1951

Prop. B. D'Souza

14 October 2013

is coming out with a Which will be out on 18th December 2013 Special articles from writers and contributors are welcome for publication in this special number.

All those who wish to contribute special articles for the Christmas Issue are requested to

submit, so as to reach us by 1st of December 2013.

You may send them by email to : secular@vsnl.com or secular@sezariworld.com

by Post / courier to: The Secular Citizen, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai 400001.

The issue also covers Christmas greeting ads., details given below

14 October 2013

23

24

RNI No. 56987/92

Published on every Monday & Posted on Monday & Tuesday of every week Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office, Mumbai - 400001.

14 October 2013

Registered No. MH/MR/South-139/2012-14

J.R. Estate & Property Consultants (REGD-REA-785-2003)

Contact for Buying, Selling, Rental, Booking, Investment in Flats, (1, 2, 3, 4, BHK) Duplex, Row Houses, Pent Houses, Bungalows, Shops, Office Premises, Industrial Galas, Godowns in prime location & reputed builders at reasonable rates as per your requirement.

Please Contact us for Best deals between Andheri and Vasai.

WE ALSO UNDERTAKE STAMP DUTY AND REGISTRATION JOBS AT REASONABLE RATES Contact:

MR. RONNIE PINTO (Prop.)

Shop No.16, Nalanda Building, Evershine Nagar, Malad (West), Mumbai - 400 064.

Tel.: 6693 6411 Fax : 2889 2510 Mobile : 98202 37706 / 98201 31913 E-mail : jrproperty9@gmail.com Printed and Published by Lawrence Coelho at The Secular Citizen, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Harihar Nivas, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001. Tel.: 2269 3578, 2265 4924 14 October 2013 Printers: The Secular Citizen, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Editor : Philip Myaboo

24