MEDITATIONS FOR PASSION WEEK

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!". This is in commemoration of the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem. Open your Bible to the Gospel of St.Mark and read 11:1-10. This is again a beautiful reading for Palm Sunday. "Hosanna in the highest!".

 On Maunday Thursday we should go to Church for the Mass of the Lord's Last Supper. The liturgy for this day is given to us in five installments: Liturgy of the Word; washing of the feet; the liturgy of the Eucharist; moving to the altar of repose and, finally, Adoration. 

Good Friday is the celebration of the Passion of the Christ. On this Holy Day we recall the liturgy of the Word, read the gospel of John 18:1-19:42. It is a unique diary on the Passion. In the Chapel of Divine Mercy I show the film Passion of the Christ. Many come, although they have seen it earlier. It is for the heart-breaking experience to relive the pain and the agony of Christ who sacrificed His life for our salvation. "Christ became obedient unto death, even death on a cross".(Phil 2: 8-9) Let us mediate on the suffering of Jesus, and let us both emotionally and physically (in prayer and penance) ask God for His mercy and love.

The Easter Resurrection by Melvyn Brown

Have a Happy and A Holy Easter

Easter Blessings to All Readers, Friends and Well-Wishers
From
Melvyn Brown

Courtesy: The Secular Citizen- 30 March 2015

WORLD STORY TELLING DAY- 20 MARCH 2015

Today is World Storytelling Day. This amazing idea (thanks to those who were responsible for initiating this Day) proves one pacifist dogma, that visions of world peace lie in the domains of a child's fantasy. Peace, in storytelling is synonymous with love, fellowship, kindness and happiness.

When my son, ‪#Warren informed me of Storytelling Day, I was elated - and rightly so, for I was known in Calcutta as "The Storyteller". It was the Indo-American Society who had introduced me to the city's children; and in their magazine, The Calcuttan, I became the Storyteller, telling my creative stories every weekend. 

The All-India Radio gave me a Sunday afternoon spot as "Uncle Melvyn Storyteller". I went on to narrate my creative stories to children in Loreto schools, one period in their school routine once-a-week, was the Story Hour. I taught English grammar, composition and pronunciation through the medium of my stories. 

Eventually, The Statesman (JS) under the direction of Desmond Doig initiated the World's First Storython: an original story had to be told for as long as anyone could, non-stop. The venue was St. Thomas' (Boys) School, Kidderpore. The other competitors could not go further than half-an-hour. I became the World's First Storython winner; I spoke for three hours, forty minutes. My creative story had a beginning, middle and end. It had twelve fairy tale characters. The International Herald Tribune (Paris edition) reported about it.

Those interested in wanting my book, "DRAGONS and DREAMS" for free please feel welcome to contact me at the Chapel of Divine Mercy, 3 Elliot Road, Calcutta - 700 016.

- Melvyn Brown

Links:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Chronicler-of-the-depleting-lot/articleshow/28568006.cms

http://mattersindia.com/kolkatas-man-for-all-seasons-and-reasons/

The Evil Men Do by Melvyn Brown

Advocates of evil and violence might claim their hate, anger and lust is a manifesto to wedge fear and submission, but we Christians know better. The gang-rape of a consecrated nun in this year of Consecrated Life is "Unspeakable".
The seven culprits who brutalised the 74 year old Catholic woman of God in a convent at Ranaghat, vandalised and desecrated the chapel, were peddling an openness of defiance. We wait for speedy action and assured security. Archbishop Thomas D'Souza in a pivotal role convinced the agitators to stop the blockade, which the others were not able to achieve.
A day later the Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta arranged a successful rally at Allen Park to condemn the disgusting and shocking gang-rape of the elderly nun.
In the year 2012 the country witnessed 2046 rapes. In the year 2013, crimes against women rose to 29,826. May the Mercy of Christ forgive our enemies.
The Ambassadors For Jesus will have an All-Night Vigil at the Chapel of Divine Mercy to protest against the gang-rape of the nun at Ranaghat.

Divine Mercy In The World Today

Courtesy: Secular Citizen- 23 March 2015

http://issuu.com/secularcitizen/docs/sec24-12all

Suzette Jordan R.I.P.

IN MEMORIAM SUZETTE JORDAN

This Memoriam is about Suzette Jordan, the Park Street rape victim. The Anglo-Indian daughter of a fast vanishing community in the city of Calcutta, who fought for justice and with a brave heart she fought courageously, even after being examined and cross-examined.Her lawyer, Anirban Guha Thakurta said, " Her deposition is complete." Three of the five accused have been arrested. Susan had been gang-raped in a car on the 5th February 2012 at Park Street. Her death, on the 12th March 2015 will not jeopardize the case pending in the court of the additional sessions judge. Suzie was diagnosed with multiple organ failure. My friends around the world join hands with me and pray for this soul who became a symbol for oppressed women, pray that justice may be done, and not denied; only then will we bid farewell to Suzette

Rhea Jordan's essay about her Mother Suzette Jordan.
http://theladiesfinger.com/my-mother-suzette-jordan/

Courtesy: The Ladies Finger

Other articles and links about Suzette Jordan

https://in.news.yahoo.com/when-i-die--i-want-a-party-074616776.html

Courtesy: Yahoo India News

http://www.livemint.com/Specials/VL1iL5MEiV9I7AOCfsqdYP/Suzette-Jordan-the-nonvictim.html

http://indiatogether.org/suzette-interviews

Courtesy: Live Mint and India Together

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

Happy Birthday Melvyn Brown

Dear Friends, it was a happy surprise for me to know that so many wonderful people like you still keep me in your hearts. I never forget any of you , but due to my busy life at this stage, writing, programming events and keeping the flames of the A-I and the Catholic community alive is a big project as you can well imagine. I have in the past year alone written several articles on the liturgy, prayers and posters on the faith. I imagine you might be familiar with all this, as I have a blog as well.Allow me to thank you all for your love and thoughts of me. I will surely reply to your individual emails in due time. You have made me very happy at this moment in time. God bless you all. My prayers to each one of you comes from the Chapel of Divine Mercy. He will help you, heal you and comfort you. I interceed for you.

The Holy Season in Christian Life

Renew Your Catholic Faith This Lenten Period