“For each tree is known by the fruit it bears” – Luke 6: 43
The CFCI family in Mangalore came together on 19th April 2015, for a day of prayer and reflection led by our country servant Tito A.V. Jose. CFCI Couples, Singles and Youth from Mangalore and Kallianpur were in attendance as the day saw the appointment of the new District servant for Mangalore, Tito Gerald and Tita Jane Castelino.
The day began with a rosary, following which; Tito A.V. Jose shared on how we can profess our faith in a more effective manner. He shared the Gospel of Mark, chapter 16, which says,
“Go out into the world and proclaim the Good news to all creation”.
He reminded us of the responsibility we have as CFCI in evangelising to others not through words alone, but also by our lives.
Tito Jose also shared the verse from
2 Corinthians 13:5 which says, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?”
The verse helped the CFCI members realise that as apostles of Christ in the present world, their lives must be holy, so others can derive inspiration. It also challenged each CFCI member to check where they stand in their faith. The music ministry led the people through various hymns in between the sessions.
The Holy mass was celebrated by Fr. Santosh Rodrigues, Director of Family Life Center. He spoke of what a privilege it is for the community to have encountered Christ. He also added that as we try to build our families and relations in Christ, we must also work to bring other families towards Christ. Tito Alex thanked Fr. Santosh for all the assistance he provided the community for its spiritual growth and wished him well on behalf of the whole community for his future endeavours.
Lunch was followed by the last session for the day which spoke about how we can overcome our weaknesses for the greater glory of Christ. The session emphasised that if we have no desire to give up the pleasures of the flesh, then there will be no change in us. But a change is possible only if we are rooted in Christ as claimed in
Isaiah 58:9 “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here, I am”.
After the tea break, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for Adoration, led by Fr Victor D’Mello, the Spiritual director for CFCI, Mangalore. Tito Gerald and Tita Jane Castelino were prayed upon by Fr Victor as they took over their responsibilities as District servant. Fr. Victor, in his address, spoke of the dedicated service to the community and the diocese, by the former District servant Tito Alex and Tita Lynette Serrao. He also wished the new district servant his best, as they take over their new responsibility.
All the faithful gathered praised God for the amazing grace that they have received as being part of the community and prayed especially for the new District servant that they may find the strength and support from Christ, to carry on the work given to them.
Report by Sheryl D’Souza, CFCI Singles Mangalore
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Couples for Christ, India, wishes Gerald & Jane Castelino, God’s abundant blessings on their new appointment, of being anointed as the District Servant.
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