The Holy Mass started from 10.00 a.m and finished around 14.20 p.m followed by the procession around the village for our Lady Consolata’s veneration. During homily, after emphasizing the presence of St Mary in our Christian life, Fr. Molato deepened also his reflexion inviting all the people to know that the Church is theirs and their contribution is needed. Great Fr. Molato! Time of bringing many Containers of clothes, etc…for the people as charity’s deed has already passed. Now we priests have to always stimulate people, Christians to take charge of the Church. I always believe and assert that a missionary is not for his own glory but for the empowering of the people. Since the celebration of the annual feast of this day, I have been so heartened with the selfless attitudes of our parishioners who seem to be at the service of the Church. Without any contribution from us, the parishioners organized themselves everything, bought themselves bread, drink and so…That is already the beginning of the “cultural change”. We have to make the parishioners recognized the Church as theirs. We are the simple guides of the people. In the past, Christians used to receive total assistance from Priests, Sisters…but nowadays I am feeling delighted because they are getting acquainted with the reality of recognizing the Church theirs and are so interested in contributing for the good of the Church. It brings the so-called “cultural renewal”. I also believe that some people may reject, utter slander against us or hate us due to our way of bringing “cultural renewal”. Do not worry. Know that if we teach people to be responsible for their future, creating a change of the culture they used to have, such as expecting everything from the priests, even tough we are hated or despised, my Dears, be happy and remember always St Paul when he says: “We are only earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power came from God and not from us. We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down but never killed; always whenever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus too, may always be seen in our body”. (2 Cor 4: 7 - 10). The mission and the work of Jesus cannot be achieved only through our talents, intelligence and natural gift. These are all help. However this is God’s work and to continue the work and the mission of Jesus we need the help and the power of the Holy Spirit of God. In his Apostolic Exhalation “Evangelii Nuntiandi”= “On evangelization in the modern world”, towards the end of this inspiring document Pope Paul VI wrote: “and may the world of our time, which is searching, sometimes with anguish, sometimes with hope, be enabled to receive the Good News not from evangelizers who are dejected, discouraged, impatient or anxious, but from ministers of the Gospel whose lives glow with fervour, who have first received the Joy of Christ and who are willing to risk their lives so that the kingdom may be proclaimed and the Church established in the midst of the world.” (Ev. Num. N.80).
Happy Feast to Ropi Centre parishioners, priests and May Our Lady Consolata intercede always for us all, Amen!
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