EVENTS:
Feast Of St. Dominic Guzman - Patron Saint of Ashoknagar Parish
The feast of our patron St. Dominic was celebrated with the Eucharistic celebration on Sunday 9th August 2020 where the mass was telecast live at 11.30 a.m
Due to covid restrictions we were unable to hold the novena and have the parishioners gathered in the church, but the Lord made it possible to take the mass to the homes of the parishioners and we thank the Lord for this blessing of technology.
Fr. Sunil Lobo O.P. was the main celebrant. He is the director for vocations for south India and currently residing at the Dominican community- Maria Ashram near Bellur church.
In his homily he narrated a story of a fisherman who was old and sent his son to fish . When the son did not come home he went searching for him and found him on the shore. When the father enquired what had happened, the son said I was watching the waves tossing and I am waiting for the sea to calm down so that I can go into the boat and fish. But the father said, the sea will never calm down and the waves will not stop, but son “You need to take courage and step into the water”. In the gospel reading from Matthew 14:22-33, Peter jumps into the sea on seeing Jesus, but when he took his eyes off the Lord he began to sink. We too are called to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, keep our faith on Him and not lose hope in times of difficulties.
Colossians 2:6-7 says “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
St. Dominic preached and converted many back to the Catholic faith especially those who had gone away from the church and who did not believe in Christ .He fought against the heretics and his eyes were always on Jesus who strengthened him and he formed the order of preachers- the Dominican order. His faith in the rosary was immense . He used to say” I go wherever He leads me uncertain of myself but certain of Him who has called me. He took risks to proclaim the word to the people.
The world is going through turbulent times especially with the pandemic. What is our focus today when our life is in crisis. The Lord is giving us these comforting words “I am with you- Fear not; I will be with you till the end of the world. When the waves of difficulty, conflict, fear of the cornona virus hit our lives let us place our faith on Jesus who will comfort and heal us.
Pope Francis gives us these words of encouragement “ Let us not lose confidence. Let us not give up. There is no situation that God cannot change.”
Whatever happens in this world, we shall not fear. We shall walk in faith like our patron saint Dominic. He is our guide and he will intercede for us to save us from the Covid 19 pandemic.
A very empowering homily which we believe will touch the lives of each of us. Fr. Sunil wished all the parishioners a blessed and happy feast on behalf of the parish priest Fr. Aquin Noronha & Asst. parish priest- Fr. Royston Lobo.
At the end of the mass, Fr. Sunil was felicitated with a bouquet of flowers by Mr. Satish D’souza- Finance committee member. Mr. Maxim Crasta – vice president of the Parish council thanked Fr. Sunil for celebrating the mass and preaching a very touching homily.
The choir was led by Macwil Crasta & Carlton Lobo and the sisters of St. Joseph Convent joined in the singing. Arrangements for mass was done with the help of the Finance committee members.
