Mumbai Canossian Inter-Faith meet on Republic Day

Mumbai, January 26, 2012: The Canossian Sisters of Mumbai Region organised on Republic Day a grand celebration with the coming together of People of All Faiths, comprising parents and students of all their institutions across the city and also neighbouring Vasai diocese. The inter-faith programme was organised with the assistance of Fr. SM Michael and Fr. Aniceto Pereira, who was the moderator and crystalised very effectively the essence of the unity in diversity, as brought out by the speakers. Joseph Dias, the general secretary of The CSF represented the Christian viewpoint, which was much appreciated by the speakers of all other religions.
 
The work of Sr. Rose D’souza and her band of sisters – Monica, Fatima, Priscilla, Elma, Vailankanni, Connie, Philo Joseph, Dolly, Philo George, Meena, etc – was much appreciated by the Provincial Superior, Maggie Mathew and the guests, who were assembled. The Canossa primary students had a prayer dance, which was followed by the lighting of the lamp, by way of inauguration. The youth of Manickpur out up a skit on the state of the nation, with it scams, corruption, et al.

The theme of the inter-faith meet being “Peace, Harmony & Brotherhood”, Joseph Dias quoted the following scriptures:
 
* Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:14

* Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9

* “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. – Luke 6:27

* And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:18
 
* Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. – 1 Peter 3:11

* If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. – Romans 12:18

* Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14

* Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11
 
* Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no greater commandment than this. – Matthew 22:37-39

* But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. – Luke 6:35
 
* Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. – 1 John 4:7-8
 
Joseph Dias concluded with –
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – excerpts from – 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
 
The CSF general secretary pointed out that The Second Vatican Council states that salvation includes others who acknowledge the same creator and the repeated Holy Fathers encouraged inter-faith dialogue, especially begining with the 1986 Peace Prayer in Assisi called Pope John Paul II, which the current Pope Benedict XVI has more vigorously followed up with representatives of all world religions. He drew the attention of the audience to The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, which had as it objectives the following:  to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between Catholics and the followers of others religious traditions; to encourage the study of religions; to promote the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue.

The meeting ended with a resolution and pledge taken by the house to fight communalism and protect the unity, integrity and independence of India. A dance by the Snehasadan girls and singing the national anthem concluded the session, with plants being given to the guests, who were happy with the eco-friendly token gesture.

– canossian sisters