News & Events
Unity Prayer Meet
(ECUMENISM SUNDAY)
JAN 25 …PAALANA BHAVAN
From 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm
Theme: Jesus said to her: “GIVE ME TO DRINK” Jn.4:7
All that begins well ends.
The 2015 Unity Week Prayer Meet in the Bangalore Zone of United Christian Forum began exactly at 5.00 pm as it was desired.
Most Rev. Bernard Moras the Archbishop of Bangalore and the President of Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights entered into the PaalanaBhavan Hall sharp at 5.00 pm in midst of applause from the audience numbering almost 400 comprising Fathers, Pastors, Rev.Sisters, laity from various denominations..
On his arrival, Bro.Tony Vincent invoked the Spirit of God for His wisdom that everything might go on well during this Prayer meet for the unity of Christians.
Fr.J.A.Nathan, the Secretary of the Bangalore Archdiocesan Commission for Ecumenism and also of the Bangalore Zonal United Christian Forum for Human Rights read out a brief introduction enumerating the history of the theme. ‘’Jesus said, ‘Give me to drink’ ” for this year’s Unity Octave. He said, the theme for this year was chosen by the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and World Council of Churches. An emphasis was laid, as the secretary was reading, upon the Brazilian Council of Churches who acted as a fillip for the choice of the theme, “Give me to drink” Jn.4:7
His Grace the archbishop, Rev.Dr.Mani Chaco, the Director of the Bible Society of India, Pr.GavinCanningham of First AG Church, Rev.Fathers, Rev.Sisters, Pastors from various denominations, laity from different denominational Churches and ministries were all welcomed by Fr.Adrian the Joint Secretary of our Commission.
The symbolic gesture depicting the presence of Christ in our midst by lighting the lamp was done jointly by the dignitaries and reps from different churches in midst of thundering applause.
And there on, the scheduled events went on one by one. His Grace was bold enough to touch upon controversial and sensational issues affecting our Christian community such as ‘Gharwapsi’ ‘Attacks on our Christian brethren’ and various issues. He advised the Christian gathering not to indulge in dividing the Christ’s flock. ‘Pope Francis said, religious extremism is a sin’ quoted the archbishop and condemned saffronization and religious intolerance in India.
Enthralling melodious singing in English, Kannada and Thamizh by St.Jude’s English, Kannada and Thamizh Choir groups led the audience into a real mood of prayer for Christian unity.
Brief message in English by Ps.GavinCanningham of First AG Church, in Kannada by Rev.Sumanth Kumar of Believers Church and in Thamizh by Rev.Thomson Smith of CSI Church took the audience to Christ and His mission of unifying the people of God.
Reading from the Bible in Kannada by Jacintha (St.Jude’sRC), in Thamizh by Rev.DanielJesudass (Baptist) with a short introduction to both readings by Mrs.Sharmila Antony was a beautiful part of today’s unity prayer service.
A candle light Pledge for unity was animated by Rev.Dr.Mani Chaco and the hall looked like a spectacular flood light wave for peace and unity in Christ.
Of course, the final benediction by Fr.Ronnie SJ the Regional Secretary of Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights brought the evening God experience curtain down and every one making peace with each other and holding hands like human chain sang ‘Bind us together Lord’ our unity anthem.
The fellowship snacks in the dining hall of the PaalanaBhavan brought every one close to one another drinking a cup of tea and munching samosa, cake and crispy chips.
This was a remarkable event aiming at larger unity among Christian brethren in Bangalore City.
The organizing and anchoring of the whole program was ably handled by Fr.J.A.Nathan the Secretary of both BACE and BUCF. ‘Excellent program’…’Congrats, beautiful event’ ‘please organize many events like this’ ‘very well organized’ ‘ punctual start and ending’… were some of the comments that whispered my ears and also in the ears of our executive members by the crowd at the end of the program. However, ‘we need to be little more sharp and stronger in our voice against attacks on Christians and not enough to organize prayer services alone’ was another suggestion from the audience. On the whole we all dispersed with great satisfaction.
My heart goes to our beloved Archbishop Dr.BernardMoras who encouraged us in organizing this Unity Prayer Meet every year. His message was a tonic for us all to stand united to defend our human rights in professing our faith without any fear in our present surrounding. For the last 8 years his Grace has been doing no stone unturned in promoting and fostering ecumenical activity in our archdiocese. Personally he always supported my effort in continuing ecumenical activity in our archdiocese.
Of course I thank all the Executive members of Bangalore Archdiocesan Commission for Ecumenism and Bangalore United Christian Forum for Human Rights as well, Fr.Abraham and Fr.Gabriel Christy, the Director and the Assistant Director respectively of the PaalanaBhavan for all their timely support and everyone who collaborated in making this event a great success.
Report By
Fr.J.A.Nathan the Secretary of both BACE and BUCF.
25.1.2015
