Souvenir booklet of golden jubilee celebration of Church of The Transfiguration

Souvenir design by Sneh Lata Soreng

It is with a great sense of pride and immense gratitude to the Lord Almighty that we present the Golden Jubilee Souvenir of the Church of the Transfig uration, Garhi, New Delhi to you.During these years, our Almighty Father protected us and showered his countless blessings and mercies upon us, individually and as a worshiping community. On this occasion of the Golden Jubilee year, we remember and celebrate God’s profound love and faithfulness we experienced over the past years.

From its humble beginning in the year 1971 small congregation, our parish has traversed a long and arduous journey. The past 50 years have seen dynamic and scholarly parish priests who have served the parishioners selflessly. Beginning with Fr. Velentine De Silva followed by Fr. Charles D’Souza, Fr. Frederic Viegas, Fr. Joseph Thomas, Fr. Monthu D’Souza, Fr. Lawrence Pinto, Fr. Joes T.J, Fr. Stanley Kozhichira, Fr. Paul Roy, Fr. Albert Francis and Assistant Parish Priests, Fr. Jas Elangickal, Fr. Arnold David, Fr. Leslie Didier and now our present parish priest Fr. Perianayagam. Today this parish stands as a beacon of faith and brings together parishioners form all age groups, with a great vision and commitment to sharing the Word of God.

We thank the Almighty from the bottom of our hearts and praise Him for the grace he has given to the Church of the Transfiguration to continue and grow in Delhi, the capital of India, for the past 50 years, especially in an era of tremendous challenges and accomplishments too.

Amid this pandemic and what each of us is going through since the past two years, many changes have taken place in the realm of materialism and spiritual belief. In these most difficult times, the only precious gift we all realized we had was, our Faith in God and the belief that he will give us the strength to over come the tribulations we all faced and are still facing at a personal level. In a world, fumbling in darkness, we were able to understand the true meaning of ‘Transfiguration’ i.e., a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state- when Lord Jesus appears in his full heavenly glory. It is our responsibility to relay and protect this lamp that was kindled and kept ablaze by our founding members to the next generation. In this Jubilee year, let us dedicate ourselves to fulfilling this mission faithfully.

This Souvenir presents an intimate, timely and honest report of this parish- its members, its history, its challenges, and its mission. Each page is packed with valuable articles, memoirs, short stories, poems, drawings and photos by our members and well-wishers.

EDITORIAL TEAM

Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed towards the success of this Souve nir;

respected individuals who have offered their felicitations, those who have contributed articles, advertisement sponsors and designers for the excel lent page layout and presentation.

We humbly place this Souvenir in your hands with love and sincerity. As you go through the pages filled with good reading and excellent visual presentation, may it be a time of reflection and thanksgiving for our members and a delightful reading for friends and well-wishers.

On that note, let us all continue to keep the faith strong and grow in the love of Christ and work towards our Golden Jubilee with this beautiful verse from 1 Corinthians 15:20-28- “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive”.

Sincerely, Jacintha Bharat

In 1971 Archbishop Angelo Fernandes erected Greater Kailash Parish. He called it Catholic Church Greater Kailash. The Church functioned from the ground floor E-142, Greater Kailash – I. This building once belonged to Salesians of Don Bosco. The Archdiocese bought the flat from the Salesians when they decided to move out of it. Fr. Valentine De Silva was the first resident Priest-in-charge looking after the Catholics in the areas of Greater Kailash I and II, East of Kailash, Lajpat Nagar IV, Garhi, and Zamrudpur which had been separated from Okhla-Masihgarh by Archbishop Angelo Fernandes. In 1975 Fr. Valentine De Silva was transferred and Fr. Charles D’Souza followed him. He transferred the official registers to E-142, Greater Kailash – I.

Fr. Charles served as Parish Priest till 1981. From 1981 to 1985 Fr. Frederick Viegas was the parish priest of Greater Kailash. After him Fr. Joseph Thomas took charge till 1991. It was during his time that efforts were made to search for a plot of land to construct a new Church. In 1991 Fr. Monthu D’Souza became the parish priest. As the number of parishioners grew a new Church building became necessary.

The parish lay leadership along with Fr. Monthu D’Souza assisted Delhi Catholic Archdiocese in the search for a plot of land. It found and acquired a plot of land in Garhi. The Archdiocese built the new church entirely from the contributions of the people perhaps the only instance of this nature in the Archdiocese. Archbishop Alan de Lastic consecrated the new Church on 9 May 1999. The Church was named Church of the Transfiguration.

All parish priests till Fr. Lawrence Pinto resided in E-142, Greater Kailash and looked after the Church at Garhi. In 2001 Fr. Lawrence Pinto became the first priest to shift his residence to the Rectory of Church of the Transfiguration at the East of Kailash. Fr. Lawrence Pinto retired in 2005. A young priest Fr. Jose T J became the acting parish priest. Fr. Jose handed over the parish to Fr. Stanley Kozhichira in July 2006. Fr. Stan ley was replaced by Fr. Paul Roy in July 2010 followed by Fr. Albert Francis from July 2016 to July 2019. From July 2019 onwards Fr. Perianayagam

The Church of the Transfiguration at present (2021) has around 300 families. Apart from a large number of Tribal Catholics origi nally from the tribal belt Chotta Nagpur, this parish has a healthy mixture of ethnic and linguistic groups from different parts of India.

It had its humble beginning in the year 1971 and now has completed its fruitful 50 years. With profound gratitude to God for His abundant blessings on our Parish and its growth, we are deeply delighted to share with you that our Church, “CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION”, East of Kailash is celebrating its GOLDEN JUBILEE (1971-2021) on 7th August 2022. To mark this great historical milestone, the Parish has initiated to build a Jubi lee Memorial Hall on the second floor of the Parish Church to be inaugurated on 7th August 2022.

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

MESSAGE

Church of the Transfiguration

MESSAGE

Church of the Transfiguration

MESSAGE

Message from Fr. Jose T. J.

It is a moment of great joy and happiness that the Church of the Transfiguration is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of its inception. It is a time to praise and thank God for his goodness to this Church in the form of so many blessings and graces received in the past fifty years.

During my tenure as the Assistance Parish Priest (2003-2005) and Parish Priest (2005-2006) I have seen the growth of this parish. Those days we had three provincialates in the parish (FMM, SCJM, PBVM), we also had residence of St. Paul Fathers in the parish. We had a very dynamic multicultural and multiethnic community. Yes there was a bit of English and Hindi Community divide but in-spite of that during Christmas, Easter, major functions and Parish Feast day we had a lovely time of joy, fellowship and communion. We had a very active Parish Council and our Parish Vincent De Paul Association was very active; helping poor and needy in the parish. I have the fond memories of re-organizing the Altar servers association, Hindi catechism and the Youth group.

I am really nostalgic of my three years at EOK; my first parish as a priest, working under the guidance of Fr. Lawrence Pinto, my bike accident, companionship of Fr. Jas E. and Fr.. Keni P. Raj, time spend with children and youth and many more nostalgic moments of joys and sorrows I had under gone as a young priest at the Church of the Transfiguration.

I extend my heartiest congratulations to Rev. Fr. Perianayagam the Parish Priest and the Parish Community on this great and auspicious occasion. May the Parish be transfigured in the Image and Likeness of Jesus Christ and shine as white and bright as possible in the coming years. My best wishes for the future life and mission of the Parish. May God bless all of us!!!

Fr. Jose T. J.

MPS Church - Mayur Vihar – III Delhi - 110096

Church of the Transfiguration

MESSAGE

Message from Fr. Stanley Kozhichira

An Emotional Bond. As I congratulate the parish priest and parishioners for the milestone in their lives and lives of many. I have a lot of font memories to this way side church amidst the roaring traffic and unruly bystanders. First of all, as I have completed twenty years as a priest,The Church of Transfiguration, East of Kailash isthe only parish, where I was a parish priest.

I moved into the parish way back in 2006, not with excitement, but in downhearted. Many of us go through a lot of difficult moments in our lives, so I had mine too.When I just began my journey to East of Kailash, it was not a bed of roses but a thorny journey. The only soothing consolation came to me from the Lord, as reluctantly started to sit before the blessed sacrament. It was not easy but convenient because I just could walk down to the church below the rectory. I was not used to sit quietly before the blessed sacrament, but the inner struggle compelled me to be present before the Lord. Even tually that became a practice. Yet another was that of my visit to the blessed sacrament. Every time I came down or went up, I started peeping into the church, just saying hello, which became a regular habit in my personal life to visit the blessed sacrament at any chapel for that matter.It has nurtured a priest in me. Though a small parish, but the people were generous and loving. I still nurture the fond memories of East of Kailash and naturally emotionally connected.

Celebrate life Fr. Stanley Kozhichira.

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Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

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PRESENTATION SISTERS, ANJALI B – 161, GREATER KAILASH – I NEW DELHI – 110048.

Tel: 011-29230403 Mob:7042496007 Email: pbvmnip2015@gmail.com

It is a momentous occasion for the Church of Transfiguration at East of Kailash, as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year. Five decades in the life of this Church unfold as a vibrant story of its people whose missionary zeal, dedication, commitment, generosity and faithfulness over these years, have blossomed into a Parish Community under the Vision and Leadership of the Archdiocese of Delhi through its various Ministers. From its humble beginnings, it is amazing to see how it has spread its wings to gather together a large, energetic, enthusiastic and active community of faith whose whole hearted participation of women, men, youth and children is a joyful witness of the kingdom in our midst.

Jubilees are milestones in the life journey and a reminder of God’s fidelity to people all through their path. Our hearts overflow with joy and gratitude as we recall the life journey of our parish community who has made these years golden by their exemplary witness of faith life and commitment to living as beacons of light radiating the goodness of God in our world and time.

We the Presentation Sisters, have been fortunate to be part of this Parish Community from its inception and witness its growth step by step to its present stage. We cherish the collaboration and the bonding within the Parish Community and the support we give and receive makes it a joy to be part of it. We wish that the Parish Community may grow to its fullness and find the days of celebration of platinum leading to centenary years. May the Lord continue to walk with us and bless us with his love to bear fruit in abundance in His vineyard as we journey further.

Hearty Congratulations to Fr. Perianayagam the Parish Priest and all the Priests who served this Parish in their tenure, Sisters and the Parish Community on this auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee. Indeed, ‘The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy’!

With best wishes and prayers, Sr. Lizzy Mathew, PBVM

Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; North India Province

Province Leader of Presentation Sisters North India Province

MESSAGE

Church of the Transfiguration

PARISH ASSOCIATIONS

PARISH COUNCIL

BRIEF REPORT FROM PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Pastoral Council is the main pastoral body of the Parish, representing all sections of the People of God in the Parish and meant to function as the principal form of collaboration, dialogue and discernment at the Parish level, under the guidance of the Parish Priest. It is consultative in its nature and its purpose is to promote communion in the parish.

Members elected/nominated to the Parish Council are two representatives from each ward and two representatives from the various societies active in the parish. We have members representing the MahilaMandal, St.Vincent de Paul Society, Youth group, Young Christian Society, Altar Servers and Catechism teachers. We also have a representative each from the Religious orders of Presentation and SCJM.

Over the years the Parish Council, under the guidance of the Parish Priest, has been very active in bringing the parishioners closer to each other, breaking down all barriers of caste and languages, by organizing retreats, night vigils, social gatherings, feast celebrations, etc. Through the generous contributions of finance and time the Church has grown in structure and spirituality.At present we have a very vibrant Mahila Mandal group that adds colour, song and a touch of tribal culture to all celebrations. Our Youth group is working shoulder to shoulder with the youth of other zones and are very active in the Church activities. We have close to 140 children attending Sunday school and very enthusiastic Altar servers and Young Christian Society members. The Sisters of both the communities are actively involved with Altar decorations, teaching Catechism and helping the needy.

The Parish Council would like to place on record the herculean task taken on by our present Parish Priest Fr. Periyanayagam, of renovation of the Church and building of the Jubilee Memorial Hall as part of our Golden Jubilee activities. We say herculean task, fund raising during lock-down and the pandemic seemed to be near to impossible but with the Grace of the Almighty we have been able to achieve our target.

The members have always given their precious time, talent and energy to glorify God’s name and are always en couraged to work in God’s Vineyard with renewed vigor and faith.

PARISH ASSOCIATIONS

FINANCE COMMITTEE

VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Church of the Transfiguration

PARISH ASSOCIATIONS

ALTER SERVERS YCS/YSM

Church of the Transfiguration

SCC GROUPS

ST. VIANNEY

ST. FRANCIS

SCC GROUPS

ST. ANN ST. MARIAM TERESIA

SCC GROUPS

ST. ALPHONSA ST. AUGUSTINE

SCC GROUPS

ST. ELIZABETH ST. JOSEPH

SCC GROUPS

ST. MATHEW ST. VERONICA

Religieous communities

The congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary (SCJM) was founded in the little village of Lovendegem, in Belgium on 4th Nov.1803 by Rev. Fr. Peter Joseph Triest, who because of his works of charity, came to be known as the “St. Vincent de Paul of Belgium”.

At the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th Europe underwent a serious crisis in the economic, social and religious spheres. In the aftermath of the French invasion in 1793 Belgium witnessed a wave of anti-clerical fever, suppression of convents and religious foundation and confiscation of churches. The French Revolution that killed thousands had left behind many widows, orphans, handicapped, mentally ill and sick people. This terrible scene pained the heart of Fr. Peter Joseph Triest, a diocesan priest in Belgium and he was moved with compassion. It is in this situation Fr. Triest entered the scene offering a Christian response to the needs of his people; he was assisted by six young girls, one of whom was Mother Placide, the co-foundress of the SCJM.

We draw strength and inspiration from the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary our Blessed Mother, St. Vincent De Paul and St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the patron saints of our congregation. They inspire us to be contemplatives in action.

The congregation that began in Belgium crossed the borders of Europe and reached different continents of the world. Now we are present in Belgium, Netherlands, England, Ireland, Congo, South Africa, Mali, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Ranchi and Delhi in India. At present we have 1250 Sisters in the congregation spread out in eight provinces, three vice provinces and one region.

Growth and Spread of the SCJMs in India: The history of our missionary presence in India is a story of 124 years. The first missionaries from Belgium arrived in India, Lahore (Undivided India) in 1897, in response to a call, to alleviate the suffering of people, caused by a dreaded famine. Later on convents were established in Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh) and Amritsar (Punjab). The Indian Province with its headquarters in New Delhi (1966) was erected. Sr. Declan Murphy as the first provincial of India (1966-1972). As an independent province the SCJMs spread its branches far and wide. The Sisters reached out to the tribal population in many places in Bihar (Jharkhand), Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Jammu, Haryana, Rajasthan, Utter Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab.

In December 1993 the Indian province was divided into two provinces: Delhi and Ranchi. We belong to Delhi province and it consists of 26 houses spread out in 10 states of India and 11 dioceses: Eight in Punjab, Three each in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, two each in Haryana, Jammu, Assam and Kerala and UP, One each in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. We have 194 Sisters in Delhi province.

The Charism of the Congregation

The Charism of our congregation is to reveal the primacy of God’s love to all, especially to the last, least and the lost, by living the spirit and spirituality of St Bernard of Clairvaux and St Vincent de Paul, as bequeathed to us by our founder Fr. Peter Joseph Triest and Mother Placide. The congregation is committed to a deep sense of respect for the dignity of every human being and wishes to associate itself with all people of good will irrespective of caste, creed and race in building a better world.

Main thrust of the Congregation

From the beginning until today the thrust of our life as SCJMs has been, and remains, the unification of the three essential dimensions of our life: Union with God, service of our neighbor, and life in community. The same can be expressed in two other terms: love of God as providential love, love for one another in community as companionship love, and love for people as compassionate love Or Communion with God, with one another in community, and with all peoples!

That is, an apostolic service which stems from our union with God and itself nourishes the same union. Prayer, which is a waiting on God, who himself opens us to his presence and enables us to collaborate in his work. These three dimensions of our charism, namely, Union with God, Life in Community and Service of our neighbor are integral part of SCJM way of life. Hence integrating them in our life and not stressing one at the expense of the other two is essential to us.

In prayer the stress is on the providential love of God. In community life the stress is on the companionship love experienced among us. In service of our neighbor the stress is on compassionate love.

Our apostolates are: Education of children and mentally challenged, health care, social action ministry & empowerment of women & children, pastoral ministry and formation of young

Major ministries in Delhi Province

1. Education:

English medium Schools:

•Catering to the upper class Students: Three Schools (Sacred Heart School, Dalhousie; Sacred Heart School, Sidhpur and Sacred Heart School, Amritsar)

•Catering to the lower middle class and the poor Students: Eight Schools (Sacred Heart School, Chogawan; St. Mary’s School, Sidhpur; St. Mary’s School, Amritsar; St, Vin cent De Paul School, Amritsar; Jaishi Mann Primary School, Lahorigate; Sacred Heart School, Parataspur; Sacred Heart School, Pattikalyana and Sacred Heart School, Trichy)

•In collaboration with others: (Ten English Medium Schools and one Hindi Medi um School)

•Special Education for the mentally chal lenged: one in Una

•Special Education in collaboration with others one in Pathankot

2. Health Ministry:

•dispensaries one each in Kauli and Sidhpur

•In collaboration with others: one hospital in Jammu

•Caring for the AIDS patients one in Jammu

3 Social Action:

•Five centers: Parataspur, Kargana, Dal housie, Goalpara in Assam and Kauli

•Legal Aid 2 Sisters

4 Pastoral Ministry: Most of our communities are actively involved in Pastoral ministry (parish work, catechism, family visits, etc.)

5 Caring Ministry: Through this ministry we reach out to the young in love and compassion and form them to become mature and responsible citizens of our country

•Hostel Edappally, Mathur, Kathalguri and Kauli (4)

•Boarding Amritsar and Dalhousie (2)

Major strength of the Province: Love and coopera tion of the members of the province is our major strength

Our Address SCJM Provincialate

21 – A, Ring Road; Lajpat Nagar – IV New Delhi – 110024

Tel. 011- 26433877 and 011- 41077500; Mobile (0) 9810452777

E mail Id: scjmprovincialdelhi@gmail.com; delhiprovincialate@gmail.com Website: www.scjmdelhiprovince.org

Religieous communities

THE STORY OF THE PRESENTATION CONGREGATION

Presentation Congregation was born in 18th century Ireland under the Penal Laws where Catholics were denied economic, educational, and political rights. Nano Nagle the Founder of Presentation Congregation came from a wealthy, Catholic family of landowners whose position was particularly precarious at that time.

Honora (Nano) Nagle was born in 1718 in Ballygriffin, County Cork, Ireland, was the eldest of six children born to Garrett and Ann Mathew Nagle. She was sent to Paris in France to be educated despite a ban on the education of Irish Catholics. Once, in France while returning home after a ball the scene of the poor people waiting outside the church on a cold winter morning gripped her. This poignant memory transformed her life entirely.

On her return to Ireland she was distressed by the ignorance of the Irish in both faith and academics. She believed education as the only tool of transformation and began her first secret school in 1754 which was considered criminal under Penal Laws. Daringly Nano, faced this risk with indomitable courage and determination.After the day’s work of the schools was done, she visited the poor at night with a lantern.Through adversity and illness, she worked hard to give her ‘all’ to the poor and needy of Cork. Her ardent desire for the continuity of her vision she searched for a religious congregation to continue her schools but when her attempts failed, she was urged to initiate a new Congregation with three companions to carry on this noble work. Nano Nagle shortly after establishing her Order, fell ill and breathed her last on 26 April 1784 with a message to her companions ‘love one another as I have hitherto done’.

Presentation Sisters have been working across the globe independently following the vision of Nano Nagle through education, social and pastoral ministries. The pioneering Sisters arrived in Chennai,South India, from Ireland at the invitation of Most Reverend Dr. Fennely in 1842 and Sisters from Rawalpindi, (Pakistan) urged with zeal for mission responded to the request of Maharaja Hari Singh to open a school at Srinagar in 1936. These two separate groups amalgamated in 1976 after the Second Vatican Council as ‘Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary’.From then Presentation Sisters in India have been serving in eleven states until 2015.

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Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

JUBILEE CELEBRATION

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

Church of the Transfiguration

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

Church of the Transfiguration

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

Church of the Transfiguration

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

Church of the Transfiguration

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

Church of the Transfiguration

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

Church of the Transfiguration

Golden Jubilee Celebration

Church of the Transfiguration

Golden Jubilee Celebration

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lu~ 1980 bZ- dh ckr gS tc eSa xzsVj dSyk’k&1 ds MhMh, ¶ySV esa jgus vk;kA dyhfl;k }kjk fl[kk;h f’k{kkvksa dk ikyu djrs gq,] igyh ckj tc eSa ;gka jfookj dks ifo= feLlk cfynku esa Hkkx ysus x;k] eSa vk’p;Zpfdr jg x;k D;ksafd ;gka fxjtk?kj rks nwj] ,d NksVs ls edku esa tgka eqf’dy ls pan yksx gh cSB ikrs Fks] jfookjh; feLlk iwtk dk vk;kstu fd;k tkrk FkkA T;knkrj yksx ckgj [kM+s gksdj ifo= feLlk esa Hkkx ysrs FksA ;g edku ^bZ^ CykWd esa fLFkr FkkA txg dh deh ds vfrfjDr ;gka vkus ds fy, vlqfo/kk Hkh gksrh FkhA bu vlqfo/kkvksa dh ot+g ls eSa] lifjokj xzsVj dSyk’k&2] W & CykWd esa fLFkr Lkar ikWy ppZ tkus yxk vkSj jfookjh; feLLkk cfynku esa lfEefyr gksdj viuh vk/;kfRed t:jr dks iwjk djrk FkkA ;gka vkus&tkus dh lqfo/kk Hkh Fkh vkSj fxjtk?kj esa cS Bus ds fy, Ik;ZkIr txg FkhA ijarq tc J)s; Lo- Qknj tkslsQ Fkksel GK&1 iYyh esa iYyh iqjksfgr dk dk;ZHkkj laHkkys] ,d fnu os gekjs ?kj vk;s vkSj mUgksaus gels dgk fd ge bl iYyh ds vax gS vkSj vkxzg fd, fd ge vius iYyh esa gh jfookjh; feLlk dk fgLlk cusaA ge muds vkxzg dks Bqdjk ugh lds vkSj fnDdrksa ds cotwn ^bZ^ CykWd esa vkus yxsA dHkh ppZ ds vaxj txg feyh rks viuk lkSHkkx; eku ysrs FksA vU;Fkk ckgj [kM+s gksdj ifo= feLlk esa Hkkx ysrs FksA iYyh dh lHkk,a vaxzsth feLlk cfynku ds mijkar gksrh Fkh vkSj vxys jfookj dks lHkk esa fy, x, QSlyksa ls lHkh fo”okfl;ksa dks voxr djk;k tkrk FkkA le; xqtjrk x;k] dkykUrj esa fo”okfl;ksa dh la[;k esa Hkh o`f) gksrh x;hA txg ds NksVs gksus dk vkHkkl vkSj Hkh gksus yxkA pPkZ ds fy, u;h txg ryk’kus dh ppZk tksj idM+us yxhA lkSHkkX;o”k rkRdkyhu vkPkZfo’ki ekuuh; Alan D’Lastic es’kiyh; nkSjs ds fy, vk,A feLlk cfynku dk vk;kstu dkWyksuh ds ikdZ esa cgqr gh /kwe/kke ls fd;k x;kA mlh fnu vkpZfo’ki us vkSipkfjd :i ls u;s fxjtk?kj ds fy, tehu [kkstus dh ?kks’k.kk dhA fo’okfl;ksa dk lewg [k’kh ls >we mBkA muds fy, rks ekuks viuh eu dh nch bPNk iw.kZ gks x;hA iYyh iqjksfgr ds lkFk ge fo”oklh] tehu dh ryk’k “kq: fd,A blh chp Qknj tkslsQ Fkksel dk LFkkukarj.k gks x;k vkSj mudh txg Qknj eksaVw vk,] ftUgksaus nqxqus tks’k o mRlkg ds lkFk tehu [kjhnus esa vk jgh fnDdrksa dk lkeuk fd;k vkSj varr% dke;kc gks x;sA ifj.kkeLo:i vkt gekjs ikl lqanj fxjtk?kj gSaA vkt tc eSa ihNs eqM+dj xqtjs iyksa dks ns[krk gwWa rks eSa xkSjfUor eglwl djrk gwWaA gj eqf’dy] gj la?k’kZ dke;kch ds f’kk[kj ds vk/kkj cuus dh ?kVukvksa dks ;kndj jksekafpr gksrk gwWaA lnSo ,d ckr esjs eu esa xwatrh gS& ^^bZ’oj dh ;kstuk vius fu/kZkfjr rjhds ls o fu/kZkfjr le; ij gh iw.kZ gksrh gSA^^

By Alex Toppo

Iwould like to dwell on what we mean by Christian.

What it means to be Christian, at least according to culture, has changed over the years. Many people think that going to church occasionally or simply believing on God makes them Christian. However, the Bible presents a different perspective and definition of Christian. A Christian is someone whose behaviour and heart reflects Jesus Christ. Followers of Jesus are Christians.

Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10

I have been a part of this Parish from the time I came to Delhi in 1971. I got married in the Greater Kailash Church by the then parish priest Rev. Fr . Charles D’souza in 1975. My wife Iris and I made sure that our two sons followed the Word of God and lived a Christian life. My wife and I dedicated our lives to the service of the Church. And joined the Vincent de Paul Society in 2004. We were actively associated with the society for over 16 years. My wife and I, along with other SVP active members helped the needy families, visited ailing parishioners in the hospital and visited the Old Age homes too. Also, we both were active members of Parish Council and were instrumental in making desions and participated in our Church functions too.

One of the most memorable days was when our Church foundation stone was laid . I feel blessed since we were a part of that momentous occasion. Our Church of the Transfiguration was erected and supervised by our then parish priest Rev. Fr. Monthu D’souza in the year 1999.

With age catching up and my wife called back by the good Lord, I decided to quit the Vincent de Paul Society and gave up all responsibilities to the now-acting President Mr. Guddu Dogra. Now I’m a regular churchgoer along with my family. I am enjoying all God’s graces and blessings showered on my family and me.

- By Noel Narcis

ST. ALPHONSA’S CHURCH VASANT KUNJ

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

THE CHURCH OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION KANHEI

Church of the Transfiguration

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH HAUZ KHAS

Golden Jubilee Celebration

CHURCH

Church of the Transfiguration

OF ST.TERESA OF CHILD JESUS PUSHP VIHAR

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

ST. SEBASTIAN’S CHURCH

DILSHAD GARDEN

Church of the Transfiguration

SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF HEALTH OKHLA

Golden Jubilee Celebration

Church of the Transfiguration

SAHODAY JUNIOR SCHOOL

AYA NAGAR

ST. MARY’S SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL MAYUR VIHAR PHASE -III

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

GARIMA GARDEN

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

Church of the Transfiguration

SAHODAY SR. SEC. SCHOOL HAUZ KHAS

DON BOSCO SCHOOL ALAKNANDA

Jubilee Celebration

VIKAS CHAND

Church of the Transfiguration

D’SILVA

MR. & MRS. PIUS RODRIGUES

Church of the Transfiguration

JACOB & MARY VERGHESE

ERNAKULAM, KERALA

Church of the Transfiguration

Jubilee Celebration

SUMAN TOPPO FAMILY

SERVENT OF GOD

Church of the Transfiguration

Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021)

BY A WELL-WISHER