Konkani Retreat begins at Divine Mercy Church, Mira Bhayandar: The Lord’s promise never disapp

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai (RBI), Apr.12: The Karnataka Regional Catholic Charismatic Movement’s spiritual director and well-known Catholic charismatic preacher from the Diocese of Shimoga, Fr. Franklin D’Souza, began a two-day Lenten Konkani retreat (April 12 & 13) at Divine Mercy Church, Mira Bhayandar Road, Mumbai.

 

The theme of the retreat is the Jubilee Year: "Hope never disappoints us" (Romans 5:5). He began his retreat with Mark 6:17-29, explaining the episode of the beheading of John the Baptist. He said that the season of Lent is given to us to set our consciences right. The word of God helps us to set our consciences right according to God’s way. He said that there are four types of consciences: namely, dead conscience (Herodias, because she nurtured a grudge in her heart; she wanted to kill John the Baptist), evasive conscience (Herodias’ daughter; her immaturity caused the death of John the Baptist), wavering conscience (Herod; he heard the voice but didn’t change), and courageous conscience (John the Baptist stood for the truth and became a martyr).

He invited the faithful to look deep within themselves and examine their consciences. The tragedy of Christians today is that they neither know the Word of God nor the power of God (Mark 12:24). That is why the prophet Hosea rightly said in 4:6, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge." He said that God’s revealed knowledge is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the wisdom and knowledge of God (Colossians 2:3). He said that through genuine repentance, we attain eternal life. He said that we should hope in the Lord Jesus Christ; our hope will never disappoint us. He invited the faithful to abide in Jesus, in his Word, and in his love. He led the healing adoration and prayed for the faithful.

 

It was organized with the mission of ’Come hear the word of Jesus and receive comfort’  (Yeia, Jezuche Utar Aikonvya Ani Shanti Zhodyan) Led by Fr. Franklin D’Souza. Singing & Music by Henry D’Souza (Naigaon), Parish Priests together with the Divine Mercy Konkani Unit under the leadership organized a retreat for parishioners.

 

Rev. Fr. Alwyn Nazareth (Priest-in-charge), Rev. Fr.. Michael D’souza, Fr. Maria Anthony Pathinathan, Fr. Peter AD’mello and Chief Motivator Maurice Pinto Hirgan (Karkal) and hundreds of devotees were present.