AFJ JUBILEE CHRISTMAS TREE PARTY

The Ambassadors For Jesus and Melvyn Brown had their annual Jubilee Christmas Tree on Sunday 13th December 2015 at the Divine Mercy Chapel, Calcutta.

Children from several parishes in the city attended and a few children from the suburbs graced the fun-filled occasion which began at eleven in the morning. (see pics).

AFJ Founder Melvyn Brown was Father Christmas and he helped in giving away the gifts and prizes won by the children. Melvyn was assisted by his team of associates. Games galore won prizes for all participants, and all the children were treated to bags of presents to take away home, which included delightful edibles.

The members, associates and co-workers of the AFJ came forward in a big way to make the annual treat a big success. Our Founder thanks all those souls responsible in making this party in celebration of the birth of Jesus a memorable event.

Wishing All Friends and Well Wishers A Very Merry Christmas 2015

All Saints Day- 1 November 2015

Maunday Thursday And The Visit To The Seven Churches of Calcutta

A VERY CALCUTTA CATHOLIC MILESTONE 

by MELVYN BROWN

We Catholics in Calcutta are truly blessed. Churches are within walking distance around the ‘City of Palaces’ (Pre-British), till Hollywood came along with their film ‘City of Joy’ (Post-British). Job Charnock must have a smile on his face.

Whatever, mystically Calcutta has nourished the Annual Seven-Churches Walk and visit (within) Maunday Thursday evening till Good Friday noon. Catholics have an unwritten vote to make the walk and visit penance an absolute must. Young, elderly or those in their dotage, walk (some barefeet) visiting churches (a few with walking sticks, I imagine not so much to lean on as to keep stray dogs away), all this helps in ‘street evangelization’, promoting admiration for the Faith.

This year, 2015 at the Chapel of Divine Mercy the footfall count of the faithful had gone up to nearly 400 odd visitors. The ‘City of Christ’ (for all the Christians and Anglo-Indians of Kolkata), I mean Calcutta, has an enduring spiritual life of its own splattered in every corner for all religions.

Catholic Archdiocese of Kolkata
http://www.archdioceseofcalcutta.in/

The 45 Kolkata Churches
http://www.ixigo.com/churches-in-kolkata-lp-1140455

Snowflakes in Life

TO ALL MY FRIENDS

Each one of you is special to me. No one can take your place. You are snow-flakes in my life; the rainbow to color my sad moments and the magic flute in happy times. Five fingers and snow-flakes are never the same, nor are you- and I love each of you. I sit beside you when you are alone. I am with you when things go wrong. I am able to do this because I believe I can. And you will feel my nearness for I am truly the Ambassador For Jesus. He is almighty and knows how much I truly care about you. Tell me, whatever, and I promise to intercede for you.Share with me if you are lonely, heart-broken, afraid and downright sad. I live thousands of miles from where you are, but, in my life you live across the street. I feel so happy to read your messages. I bless you, pray for you and thank you each time in my own silent replies. My thoughts and my love for you goes deep into the shrine of your soul. May God bless you abundantly.

                                                Melvyn Brown and friends

                                                              in Calcutta-India-March 2015

CHAPEL OF DIVINE MERCY PRAYER

JESUS ,  I  TRUST  IN  YOU

     CHAPEL  OF  DIVINE  MERCY  PRAYER

                         Jesus ,  Divine Mercy , I implore you to hear my humble prayer.

                         Jesus,   Divine Light  , guide me away from the darkness of sin.

                        Jesus ,  I Trust in You , in Your Mercy and forgiveness.

                        Jesus, make me feel Your Presence in my daily actions , and struggle.

                       Jesus, hear my petition and help me bear my sorrows.

                      Jesus, touch my soul and heal me to be a better person.

                       Jesus, Divine Mercy , I Trust in You. ( 3 times )

                                                                                         Amen.

                                                                                      Composed by Melvyn Brown

                                                                                              29 April 2013

                                                                                  Feast of St . Catherine of Siena                   

UNEXPLAINED LIGHT AT DIVINE MERCY CHAPEL ON GOOD FRIDAY

UNEXPLAINED LIGHT AT DIVINE MERCY CHAPEL ON GOOD FRIDAY By Melvyn Brown, AFJ

Amazing . That was the only word used by a devotee who failed to say anything more. The burst of light on the altar of the Divine Mercy at 3 Elliott Road, Calcutta, happened at 5:15 p.m. on Good Friday.

Keeping to the annual practice the statues had been covered since Maunday Thursday ; and the door of the chapel was kept open from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight for pilgrims who go visiting seven to nine places of worship in the city.

On the following day, Good Friday, from 6 a.m. to 12 noon the chapel door was kept open till noon. Some 300 devotees had visited the chapel. The count was kept by the distribution of free medals and prayer cards. The Good Friday service at St.Mary’s church started at 3 p.m. After the service I returned home , closed the door and window and went into the inner room to rest.

Around 5:15 p.m. the burst of light on the altar made me rush out. I snatched the camera which I had used in the morning to take pictures of the devotees. After the photo was taken the light was gone in a few seconds. It cannot be explained.

Anglo-Indian Gallery for a Calcutta Spring by A Correspondent

Befitting a city known for its multicultural and multilingual extravaganzas , the opening of the Gallery for Anglo-Indian Heritage at Calcutta adds a new dimension to its perspective. The Gallery showcases some of the most important encounters with people of courage and compassion who had shaped the history, heritage and culture of the race.
The Anglo-Indian Spring has also arrived.
The Ninth International Anglo-Indian Reunion is being held (6th –12th. January 2013) at Calcutta. On Park Street , a week long street celebration had colourful food stalls dotted along the pavements, some with Anglo-Indian cuisine in between the food delights of other communities. On the 31st December 2012, Anglo-Indians poured into the dance halls across the metropolis : Dalhousie Institute, the Rangers Club and the Grail Club were packed to the hilt on New Year's Eve.
Add to the good of all this, comes the timely introduction of the Anglo-Indian Gallery ,founded and directed by Melvyn Brown at 3 Elliott Road, Calcutta 700016. Books on the history and heritage takes a stand among the popular films made on the race in English and Hindi. It is also a first to observe the display if tapes on “Anglo-Indian Oral History” – voices from the past recalling many a historic moment. Magazines and newspapers with articles on the community are displayed.
Today, Anglo-Indian men and women are playing a dramatic role in the Anglo-Indian Spring. They are contributing much to their peoples pride of place in a nation where their mother- tongue is English. Once again they can galvanize, as before, in the fields of sport, education, armed forces and the fine arts. Despite the odds they face the Anglo-Indian Spring is refresh-ing to come by. Today’s youth are in centre-stage to confront any distraction or economic challenge.
The B.B.C. in London has a special corner in their library with Anglo-Indian books and literature. In a recent series called, “Who do you think you are” one of the personalities who thought he was a Scotsman turned out to be Anglo-Indian : he was Alistair McGowan, a British actor and comedian. He now belongs in the Anglo-Indian tapestry.