Encourage Catholic Education In The Faith by Melvyn Brown

AFJ Dedicates Kolkata to Mother Mary

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

Seminarian Today, Priest Tomorrow, Forever by Melvyn Brown

Marathon Exhibition on the Pope in Kolkata

A Catholic in Kolkata organized an exhibition on Pope John Paul II on April 30, the eve of the late pontiff’s beatification, to deepen Catholics’ faith.

Melvyn Brown, founder director of Ambassadors for Jesus, a lay association, said he put up photographs and books on the pope for Catholics, who do not have “other ways of coming to know about the elements of our faith.”……..

http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2011/05/02/%e2%80%98marathon-pope%e2%80%99-exhibition-draws-fans/

THROUGH CHRIST WE GAIN GOD’S LOVE BY MELVYN BROWN

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT Reflection by Melvyn Brown

SAINT PAUL , in his letter to the Romans said , “ Therefore , since we are justified by faith , we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand , and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. “ (Rom.5:1-2).

The Christian faith is insulated in Jesus.

This third Sunday in lent leads us into the core belief and trust in Christ, “ God’s love had been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. “ (Rom.5:5). Today, we prepare for the realms of Easter. Christ’ suffering becomes God’s triumph and humankind begins a new phase for reconciliation and peace in the world.

The horrific earthquake in Japan has shocked the world. The impact of both , the quake and the tsunami had the ferocity of 16000 atomic bombs, reports The Telegraph (12.3.2011). At this time of lent all Christians turn to Jesus in prayer, for through him God’s love will heal the sorrow and suffering of families who have lost their loved ones ; friends , neighbours and strangers .

When Moses led his people out of Egypt many died of thirst. He was eventually confronted by the people. “Is the Lord among us or not ?”(Ex.17:7). And Moses, afraid of his life turned to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people ? They are almost ready to stone me ?” (Ex.17:4).

The Lord told Moses to take with him the elders of Israel to the rock at Horeb. At the place Moses was instructed to strike the rock with his rod and water gushed out. The prophet called the place Massah and Meribah, because the people had been in doubt about God.

In our life there are a number of possibilities for good. They can be effective if you trust in Him. THROUGH CHRIST WE GAIN GOD’S LOVE. Say this many times and mean it .

God’s love reaches out to us as we struggle between contradictions and swings of conscious. Slowly, we gravitate to a better understanding of our personal and spiritual needs. Prayers have and increasingly confident outcome if one turns to His through Jesus. It has been said repeatedly, ask and you shall receive. Lent is the time to review and put forward your wishes - always believing that God will hear your prayers through His Son Jesus.

This season of lent we are most strongly made aware of sin , evil and temptation, especially with injustice and the delusional trends of present-day society. Jesus is the demarcation of our faith and belief .

Inevitably, with trust in Jesus , he shields us when we seek his help.

Christ always triumphs and saves humanity.

“Oh, come, let us sing to the Lord ! Give a joyous shout I honour of the Rock of our salvation ! Come before him with thankful hearts. Let us sing him psalms of praise. “ Psalm 95.

YOUR CHRISTIAN NAME IS AN OASIS by Melvyn Brown

In the Years 2000 – 2010, the Bengal chapter of Catholic churches came under a different form of attack. The terrorists were Catholics , expecting a baby and were preparing to name Ruby , Arun, June, Mabtu , Raja, Jyoti or anything but not a Christian name when baptizing the infant.

                               The Times of India reported : Pope Benedict XVI who baptized 21 kids on Sunday recently, said that every new member of the faith acquires the character of a son or daughter of the Church “ starting from a Christian name. “

                                There is an anonymous Chinese proverb, “ The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names. “

                                 In the Holy Bible, the Book of Proverbs informs us, “ A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches. “ Prov.22:1

                                 The Christian name for a Catholic child is the armour of God which he wears in the face of life’s obstacles, criticism and hate. Their name overcomes all despite hardships – and, is a witness to faith when they make success and reach pinnacles of victory.

                                 In the Book of Exodus the Lord spoke to Moses saying: “ for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name. “Ex.33:17

                                  Christian names can be chosen from the many books published with lists of Christian names, their origins and meanings. Names of saints, common names and names of ancestors are all mandatory today. You do not need to be ‘mod’ in these difficult times when our faith needs to radiate the glory of God in the confrontation of evil and injustice. Your Christian name is an oasis for the rest of mankind.

                                    It is important to hear what Jesus had to say about a Christian name: “ To him the gatekeeper opens ; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. “ John 10:3.

                                    Our journey to God is threatened by the rising forces of evil. We must, together bear His cross. We must deflect the darkness of violence and the radical pressure of people in our midst. We can do it when we raise the banner of our Christian name.

                                    William Shakespeare, in his famous tragedy, Othello, he wrote: But he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him, and makes me poor indeed.

                                    Jesus said to saint Mark, for truly I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward. “Mk.9:41.

                                     Let us think about change. If you already have a non-Christian name, and you are an elderly person – do not be troubled, but do propagate, influence, and insist that new births in the family should have a Christian name at baptism. It’s not hard to do. There are many beautiful and colourful names to decide on.

                                      Pope Benedict XVI will be pleased. He made it very clear in his homily at the baptism of 21 children in the Vatican chapel : ‘every new member is a son or daughter of the Church, beginning with a Christian name.

                                       “ …and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” Gen. 11: 4