A Genuflection At The Year's End by Melvyn Brown

AFJ Jubilee Christmas Tree

Melvyn Brown and Rudyard Kipling- Calcutta- December 2016

STORYTELLERS BY THE FIREPLACE

Melvyn Brown and The Ambassadors For Jesus Wish You A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year 2016

The Ambassadors For Jesus under direction of their founder Melvyn Brown displayed Christmas banners in Calcutta for the Yuletide season and the New Year. (see photos).

Melvyn Brown and The Ambassadors For Jesus 

Wish You A Merry Christmas

 & 

A Happy New Year 2016

Christmas Eve Once More by Melvyn Brown

CHRISTMAS EVE ONCE MORE BY Melvyn Brown

Christmas Eve is known for the total preparation of the Christ Child’s arrival. Imagine having spent a whole month in planning a holiday, finding on-line gifts and clothes, baking cakes and piling strong drinks in the cupboard, not forgetting the special lunch and dinner, or the once-a-year get together of the family. Mobiles for the kids, presents for loved ones and elders who have left valuable imprints in family circles.
Stop. How about spending one day dedicated to a confessional truth: God has come to us as one of us – and that is deserving of much attention. He has come to redeem us from sin. He has come to be our salvation – to show us the path to paradise; to forgive us when we turn to Him. Christmas Eve is the biggest, most incredible event each year to be reminded that God is love. That God is a merciful Father. Christmas Eve is a day to go down on ones knee in adoration. To go and make a good confession. To make a sincere sacrifice. To visit a church in sheer happiness, praise and thanksgiving.
Happy Christmas.

Christmas Cards Are Precious by Melvyn Brown

Christmas Cards are Precious By Melvyn Brown

The other day a little girl of seven came to see me along with her mother. As mother and daughter entered the room the child gave me a Christmas card. The mother looked apologetic and said,” I told her to pick a bigger size card but she insisted on the tiny card. The mother added: “My daughter said, that since she was small you would like the tiny card”.
From the collection of cards I have received, the little girl’s card is the most precious one.
I feel I’m blessed to still receive Christmas cards in the post. I find hard-copy cards are personal, warm, filled with a kind-of-closeness and never fails to race through your veins.
Sending and receiving internet e-cards is rather sad. It is cold and indifferent, to think of how he must have tapped the ‘send’ key and sent it to everyone he knows in one-shot.
May be the person thought it was one way to save money from having to buy and post cards. Fine. May be he saved a lot of physical energy. All the above goes well for a corporate business, not for human relationships. For me, there is nothing better than to receive by hand or by post a Christmas card, or for that matter any other type of greeting card.

Jubilee Year of Mercy 2016

Cloning Humans: Christians Can Never Deal with It

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

Corpus Christi in Kolkata by Melvyn Brown

Celebration of Corpus Christi in Calcutta

This Sunday afternoon 22 November was special. It was an encounter of Calcutta’s Catholic faithful and the celebration of Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) on the massive grounds of St. Xavier’s College on Park Street. Roughly 3 thousand Catholics met from across the city and suburbs, seeking to give exposure of the Christian faith at a time when the world crisis in barbarism and Christian ‘genocide’ is spilling out of the Middle East.

Archbishop Thomas D’Souza led the opening prayers, blessed the huge crowds of people, parish groups, association members and several lay leaders. In his remarks, the Bishop took a moment to speak about the coming Year of Mercy.

The Corpus Christi procession was organized by The Catholic Association of Bengal.

Calendars for the year 2016 were available presented by the Calcutta Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services; and Pro-life prayer cards were given out by the Ambassadors For Jesus under direction of Founder Melvyn Brown who also gave cards announcing the coming Year of Mercy (8 December 2015 – 20 November 2016).

Event Reported by: Melvyn Brown, ABTI(London)

Photos Courtesy: Anji D'Cruze

Say Prayers Seriously By Melvyn Brown.

Say Prayers Seriously By Melvyn Brown. 

Prayer is the lifeline to mental and spiritual peace. Prayer can generate love, forgiveness and much more. It is virtually impossible to imagine life without prayer.
We should restore prayer to a larger tapestry of sacredness in the faith. It is remarkable, in a way, to know that basically there are 6 types of prayers.
Indeed, although we pray, many do not stop to think in which category they are placing their prayers. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."(Mark.7:7).
The Gospel of Matthew draws our attention to General Prayer. The other 5 are : Private prayer; Family prayer; Social prayer; Intercessory prayer and Answers to prayers.
I can send you details on prayer life (Free) on request.

Archbishop Thomas D'Souza- A Thank you Message to Melvyn Brown

Saint Peter and Mother Teresa by Melvyn Brown

Petition for All Souls- A Prayer by Melvyn Brown

All Saints Day- 1 November 2015

Show Appreciation for The Clergy by Melvyn Brown

Our Wedding Anniversary By Melvyn Brown

Today, 19th October is special. When I awoke this morning I discovered a beautiful Wedding Anniversary card on the table. It was signed :From your Guardian Angel. He ( Our Angel) has never forgotten to wish us over the passage of the years on every happy milestone in our lives. It does seem dramatic, if not unusual. But, it's true. From the early years when I courted Joan when she was still in school, to the day we were married and for every event in our lives, a card always greeted us : From your Guardian Angel. This is a fact, because I am the Guardian Angel.
Today, Joan is in heaven; gone ahead to prepare our eternal home. She always told me in our quiet moments : Mel, read John 14:2. And each time she would read it while I sat beside her. "in my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?"
Today, makes it seven years since my darling Joan was called, safe in the hands of Jesus. Safe and happy for the time when we will be together again. Thank you for reading this. Rest assured that your loved ones are also waiting for you. I trust in Jesus.

REMEMBERING JOAN By Melvyn Brown

Memories are all we’re left with: and all the happy times still bloom each year on your birthday dearest Joan. This birthday morning I would have got up early, prepared the tea for you, and on our favorite tray I would have brought it along with a single special rose to wish you love and happiness from all of us. Since you’re not here I decided to attend the celebration of a Mass offered in your name for your beautiful soul. Later, a visit to the cemetery was on my agenda. This evening, with close friends, I will serve them dinner remembering the times when we sat at the table with you, chatting and having a good laugh. Thank you beloved Joan, for all the good I receive through your intercession. We all love you: your son Warren and his wife Paula; your daughter Sabrina and your grand-children.

The New Evangelization by Melvyn Brown

Courtesy: Secular Citizen

Calcutta Chaos by Melvyn Brown

Calcutta is going through the desperation-era mentality. Any hope of a unified and progressive state is doubling down to a characteristically thumb-impressed anagram of crisis, confusion and collapse. Calcutta today, is the punching bag and warhead that may soon nuke itself. Pray it never happens.

Let me explain in a few dark (unfortunate) images: 1) Shops are being rented at the cost of capturing the pavements and streets. “Dukaan Bhara, raasta Hamara” (shop rented, the street is mine). More and more shops are illegally taking over the sidewalks for displaying their wares.

2) Having a bike has become a fad like having a mobile. There is no voice strong enough to control bikers speeding on their way to hell. Three or four individuals on a single bike race down streets, lanes and flyovers; many with a death- wish, getting killed. What a waste.

3) Music played by auto-rickshaws and private car owners has risen above the happiness of listening to good music. What is heard is the unbearable sound, breaking all decibel laws, simply thumping and thumping and thumping noise which will surely upset, if not kill heart-patients, blood- pressure and the old. Buildings having stood the time and passage of the years are today crumbling because of the massive vibrations.

4) When you want to buy a flat, go ahead: see it and buy it. Do not pay money and wait for it to be built with one-brick walls, cheap cement and on weak foundations – single strong tremor and …..

5) Wow! Now hawkers have been given license to sell their wares anywhere and wherever.

Legacy of Christian Schools by Melvyn Brown

Legacy of Christian Schools

I have noticed that many materialistic and secular values are being espoused by big salary jobs, costly homes, latest model cars and much money in the bank, not forgetting every individuals dream of possessing land and property. Tradition and life values are passe’.
The judicial system goes one step further and tries to promote the removal of Christian values in schools, re- placing them with political correctness. Teachers are told not to talk about God, family values or Christian moral merits. They are informed that it might be offensive to persons who do not share their ethical schema.
Christian values are the bedrock of good education and have been for over 300 years. Today, the importance of Christian values in schools is needed more than at any time in the past 60 years.

- Melvyn Brown@Copyright. 2015. Kolkata. India

Understanding Devotion To the Most Precious Blodd by Melvyn Brown

AFJ CLERGY DAY PRAYER by Melvyn Brown

Prayer to Mary Ever Virgin

                             for  AFJ Clergy Day

Hail Holy Mary, Mother of the Most High,

Protect and empower the men and women

Your Son has chosen to evangelize the Faith, to heal

the physical and spiritual wounds of the faithful, to

take confession, to forgive sins, to baptize, confirm,

bless, celebrate Holy Mass, conduct a proper Christian

and Catholic marriage, to administer the last rites, and

to pray at the funeral service for the departed soul.

Queen of heaven, Mother of peace, guide and comfort

for all your anointed children, who, like yourself said,

I accept to do His will. For God’s glory in the Son and

the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever.    Amen.

Prayer composed by Melvyn Brown for the AFJ Clergy

Day (22^nd October 2015).

Feast of St. Jerome 30^th September 2015

 Melvyn Brown

Chapel of Divine Mercy

3, Elliot Road, Calcutta - 700016

Mobile: 9433989419

Email: melvynbrown21@gmail.com

Theology of the Catholic Church by Melvyn Brown- Book Release

Theology of the Catholic Church by Melvyn Brown

 

Book Release- 25 September 2015

The film 'Karol'  on the life of Pope John Paul II was shown by Melvyn Brown to a few friends and members of the Ambassadors for Jesus. The movie was enjoyed by all who attended.

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Friends and members of the Ambassadors for Jesus signed The AFJ Appreciation Card for the Clergy. 

The Release of the Book, Theology of the Catholic Church by Melvyn Brown, Founder of the Lay Roman Catholic unification movement, Ambassadors for Jesus, was also held at The Divine Mercy Chapel.

Courtesy-  Official AFJ photographer: Anji D'Cruz
Copyright@Melvyn Brown. Kolkata. India

Respect for Women by Melvyn Brown

Respect for Women By Melvyn Brown

Remarkably, generations of peace-loving, grateful, happy and satisfied women are all long gone. Mavericks are at large today, making the nation unsafe for girl children, women, wives, mothers and the old. Men who are misfits in society, money-mad and liars look at life through a dead Whitney Houston hologram.

The notion of living in peace, abiding by rules, is not the forte for these dark souls. In the times of the early 1900s and ages before that, in every state in India from Delhi to Bombay, Madras, West Bengal, Tamil Naidu and so on- there were many Catholic schools, and when you found a Catholic school, there was a Catholic church near- by, and where there was a Catholic church near was a Catholic convent, filled with Catholic women, between the ages of 17-20 en route to a convent after leaving home and parents for the purpose of teaching children their faith for a future of purpose and stability in society.

We have evangelical leaders to spread the Word. We teach the culture of life, not to be agents of intolerance, but to be disciples of mercy and forgiveness. Women, we believe need respect, love, support and a sense of security. People should pledge to be there when the woman is threatened, abused or sacrificed.
It is never too late. Not a day passes when I pray for a legion of brave women to put right the moronic world we live in. Let us not forget, the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. I remember the words of Robert G. Ingersoll : “I had rather live with the woman I love in a world full of trouble, than to live in heaven with nobody but men.”
- Melvyn Brown@Kolkata.India.2015

The Church is Sensitive, Not Fanatical By Melvyn Brown

Theology of the Catholic Faith- Book 2 by Melvyn Brown

On The Eve of Release of The Theology of the Catholic Faith

The portrayal of belief and the ingredients of faith as believers in Christ comes through spontaneously in the latest volume of Melvyn Brown’s book : Theology of the Catholic Faith (2). The book will be released in Calcutta on Friday 25th September 2015.
Special autographed copies can be had on request for a donation towards the Ambassadors For Jesus apostolate. Contact Melvyn on his email address: melvynbrown21@gmail.com
The book is dedicated to Pope Saint John Paul II. There are published liturgical articles which will interest the lay reader and the religious. It will make a fine coffee table placement.
If you are in the neighborhood call across at 3 Elliott Road, Calcutta 700016 any weekday from 6-7 p.m.(excluding Saturday and Sunday).

When Migrants Seek A Better Life by Melvyn Brown

Proclaim-The Word of God- Ask Melvyn Brown About Your Spiritual Growth

Melvyn Brown, Founder of the lay Catholic movement, "The Ambassadors for Jesus", placed this poster, Proclaim: The Word of God, in all the parish church notice boards in the Archdiocese of Calcutta, including Archbishop House.

Seminarian Today, Priest Tomorrow, Forever by Melvyn Brown

TODAY IS SPECIAL IN CALCUTTA BY MELVYN BROWN

TODAY IS SPECIAL IN CALCUTTA

Calcutta’s track record as a city safe for women (is no more), as a cheap fast-food city (forget it), it’s a city riddled with illegal pavement hawkers, brandishing permits from those who matter. Calcutta, being in the eye-of-the-storm forgot a small footnote- birthday wish in remembrance of her founder. All said and sealed let’s drool over the breadcrumbs left for the day, Saturday 29th August 2015.
The above might have been an overdose of shaken ‘n stirred, at the same time very necessary for a whitewash for today’s events.

For Bengalis, especially, today is a potent and auspicious day, it’s Rakhi (when a sister ties a colorful cord to her brother’s wrist). And the boy-friends stay miles away from the girls not wanting to become a ‘bond-brother’ yoke. It was the famous Rabindra Nath Tagore who made Rakhi an annual event from his Shantiniketan hub.

Today, for Catholics is the flag hoisting ceremony followed by Holy Mass for the start of the Novena to Our Lady of Good Health, Vellankanni, which begins tomorrow 3oth August till 7th September. On the 8th September will be the Feast Day. The Novena is observed in all parish churches and at Saint Anthony’s Shrine ( which is also known as St. Joseph’s Chapel).

- By Melvyn Brown@Calcutta. 2015