Community of Jesus: Light of the World

The Community of Jesus: Light of the World, is a transparochial community, composed of married couples, single men and women, college students, children and two priests. The members come from all over Mumbai, from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and age groups, bound together by a common desire and an agreement to live out the Christian life to the fullest, and to serve the Church and the world as a body. Our members are encouraged to participate actively in their parishes/parish organisations and to witness to Christian values in their neighbourhood and work places.

The Community has its constitution and statutes, and was recognised by the Cardinal Archbishop of Mumbai under Canon 322 as a private association of the faithful and a branch of "Christ the King Association." "Christ the King Association." is an international body of Catholic Covenant Communities with common purposes, which seeks to promote a common Christian culture, while respecting local culture.

Read about....

The Miracle at Luciano
The Bedrock for Wedlock
Five Things that Close the Windows of Heaven
CJLOW visits KKP
Testimony
SPOTLIGHT
Maranatha March-April 2005

Change Yourself & Change the World

A Trans-Pacific airliner, after leaving the west coast of U.S.A., returned within half an hour because of engine trouble. Every now and then we read in the newspapers of some plane coming back to its starting airport because of some problem or difficulty, mechanical or otherwise. How far out must a place be before it is unwise to return? Is there some point or distance from which it is impossible to return?

Trans-ocean airline pilots keep an accurate account of their course. In the 2,000 mile flight over the Atlantic, for instance, those calculations have to be accurate. On his charted course the pilot will draw a red line and jot down the letters "P.N.R." They mean "Point of No Return". Once the plane has passed that spot, the pilot knows he must go on; he cannot return back!

In our personal moral and spiritual lives there is no such a thing as P.N.R. (Point of No Return), in the sense that we can always turn back and try to reorganise ourselves. Too often people think that they have gone beyond the "Point of No Return" in their moral and spiritual lives, and this misunderstanding alone often leads them on into the precipice of despair. It is extremely important to note that whatever evil we may have fallen into, whatever wrong we may have done, there is every possibility for us to RETURN to sanity and CHANGE. It takes just a little while of quiet reflection of the greatness and beauty WITHIN us! We are created with tremendous potential. God just cannot create trash. We can always BEGIN AGAIN, always, and at any point of time in our lives! This is one of the most beautiful privileges we have been granted! Reflect for a while on Peter who denied Jesus three times in spite of having been warned about it! Think for a while on Peter who denied Jesus three times in spite of having been warned about it! Think of that person, who was considered a renegade and an evil in society, and was crucified on the right of Jesus at Golgotha, and Jesus' words to him, 'This day you will be with me in paradise!' No, there is no such a thing as "Point of No Return" in our relationship with God and our neighbour!

Testimony

On June 1, 2002, my husband had a massive heart attack and he underwent angiography and angioplasty at LTMG Hospital, Sion. For that purpose I spent nearly one lakh rupees.

I had submitted my husband's medical bill to my office for reimbursement. It took two years to get the sanction from the Government and it was sent to the Pay and Account Office. Pay and Account Office asked me to complete some formalities with the LTMG Cardiology Department. For five months I was going from pillar to post to no avail. I lost hope and thought that I will not get my medical reimbursement. Lastly I approached the Community of Jesus: Light of the World for help. Tony D'Souza helped me in this matter. He introduced me to the previous Dean of the Sion Hospital, Dr. Armeida Fernandes. I met her personally and she made the request to the Cardiology Department people to help me. To my utter surprise all the formalities were completed. My bill was sanctioned and I got my amount!

Everyday and night I was praying and ultimately Jesus helped me through Tony. A million thanks to loving Jesus and Tony.

SPOTLIGHT

"Both Ruby and I feel that we have been truly blessed by Jesus and our fellowmen; we believe that we need to give to society more than we have received and now in the sunset years of our lives it is our ardent desire to give of our best to our country; to society and to our immediate and extended family. We place ourselves at the disposal of our Parish Priest and the Community of Jesus Light of the World, to be of service in any manner they deem fit; now we belong to the people of God and our only desire is that our spirits shine in the glory of His Holy Name." This very aptly sums up the spirit of both Joseph (fondly known as Jossie) and Ruby who joined CJLOW last year.

Both Jossie and Ruby were drawn to the Community because of the 'spirit of FAMILY' that they saw present during the New Creation in Christ Retreat that they attended in 2003 and also during the subsequent meetings that they attended. In fact the NCCR was the first retreat that they had attended in more than thirty years.

Jossie, an engineer by profession, spent 34 years in Jamshedpur while employed with Tata Engineering. After his retirement he and Ruby returned to Mumbai to settle down. An outgoing person, Jossie loves being involved with family and Church. He also likes to write, plays the piano and is a voracious reader.

Ruby too involves herself with family and Church. She also spends time teaching under-privileged children and assisting them in their studies. Her other interests include gardening, cooking and housekeeping.

As Jossie and Ruby offer themselves in service to the Church and the Community, we pray that the Lord will use them in a powerful manner to bring more into His fold.

Nothing posted.

At the invitation of Luke Lobo, Sr. Coordinator of Krist Kiran Parivar, Pune, Aroon, Fr. Lancy, Agnelo, Bruno-Maria Cerejo and Philo D'Souza attended the KKP Leaders Weekend, on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 January, 2005. The CJLOW team shared on various topics of Covenant Community Life and CJLOW's growth, since its inception in 1981.

The Leaders of KKP, after prayer and reflection, finalised KKP's Vision. They also discussed various aspects of Community Life: caring and bonding, organisational structure, cell groups, process of initiation into KKP; through 'Encounter Jesus,' weekend followed by Foundation Course I, Community weekend, Basic Foundation for married couples/Single Men/Single Women etc.

KKP has also requested CJLOW for ongoing guidance and teachers for the future schedule of teachings.

After a really long and impatient wait the day dawned. January 23rd, a beautiful Sunday morning. The children of CJLOW assembled at St. Mary's Mazagaon and then proceeded to the B.P.T. gardens at Colaba. This garden is a quiet retreat amidst the hustle and bustle that is the concrete jungle of Mumbai.

Before entering the garden we enjoyed delicious sandwiches and a refreshing cup of tea. As we entered we could just feel the fresh air surrounding us and we felt like we had left the air and sound pollution of the city behind. The garden also has a breathtaking view of the sea. We were fascinated by the large variety of trees and shrubs and also the beautiful rockery. In the garden we had a short Praise & Worship during which we all made prayers including little Isaac.

Here the boys played football while the girls had a great time on the slides. Lunch was a welcome break. After lunch we relaxed and chatted a bit. The day passed by in a flash and before we knew it, it was time to leave. Both venues were really enjoyable but it was really the joy of being together and spending some time with one another that made the day unforgettable. Special thanks to the Children's Ministry and CJLOW who made the picnic a reality. Praise and thanks to God for a safe and sound really enjoyable trip.

Nothing posted.