Sun 15th August 2010

The feast of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated with the 64th Independence Day of India at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish church, Forestville on 15 August 2010. The two Indian Vincentian priests(Frs. Biju and Thomas) of the parish did not leave any stone unturned to make it a grand event.   
India, a country in South Asia, the seventh-largest, the second-most populous and the most-popular democracy in the world, is a land of diversities. There is an underlying unity in all these diversifying elements. India is one of the cradles of human civilization, over 5000 year old culture. She is a Republic consisting of 28 states and seven union territories with a parliamentary system of democracy.
On August 15, 1947 India became independent from the colonial rule of Britain. This solemn hand over of rule is celebrated as Independence Day. We are blessed all the more that the day coincides with the great Marian feast.
In order to share some Indian traditions & rituals, we organized a special Mass with a touch of Indian culture. The church and the altar were decorated with flags, flowers and colourful clothes. The OLGC school kids (Year 2) joined with their parents to celebrate a memorable family Mass. Fr Biju was the main celebrant. Frs Michael O’Toole, Anslem Lakra, Sunil and Thomas Alackakunnel concelebrated with him. There were 410 people in attendance for the liturgy. The presence and support of the Indian families from the vicinity was much appreciated.
Some of the special features of the liturgical celebration were;
•    A traditional Indian Welcome (Swagatham/Namaste) at the entrance of the Church by Indian women, accompanied by soft Indian instrumental music.
•    Beautiful slides to the glimpses of India along with appropriate commentary for each ritual.
•    Welcoming the celebrants at the foot of the altar with garlands, sandal paste and aarti(a plate of flowers, incense and flame).
•    Main celebrant offered aarti to the congregation signifying the rite of purification.
•    Lighting of the traditional Indian lamp (Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya) by the celebrants and parish rep signifying the movement from darkness to Light.
•    Bible Procession before the Readings-solemn movement with lights, incense & garland to accompany the Word of God.
•    Offertory procession with 8 symbolic gifts (eg flowers, incense, fruits & veggies, thorns, work tools) each followed by a prayer.
•    Placing of flowers in eight directions on the altar invoking the name of Jesus.
•    Triple aarti after doxology with flowers, light and incense by three Indian girls.
•    Greeting ‘Shanti/Peace’ with both hands joined indicating respect for the unity of Body, Mind and Spirit in each of us.
As the congregation left church after the final hymn to Mary, they were served with an Indian sweet (Gulab Jamun) and the celebration was concluded with an Indian buffet lunch at the parish centre. There were 230 people who relished the taste of India. The meal was really sumptuous, thanks to Little India caterers. Everyone who attended the special liturgical celebration and the meal whispered in one voice, “just superb”.

Ladies' Dinner, July 2010

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