Monthly Archives: December 2019

Books of the Week, CRI Dimapur, Fr. Benny James, God

God of Surprises

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The Book of 52nd Week

The book of the week by Fr. Benny James SDB

God of Surprises is a book written by a well known literary figure of our era, Fr. Gerard W. Hughes, a Catholic Priest of contemporary period. This book on spiritual journey is written after his famous and well appreciated book In Search of a Way (1978). This book is the result of the author’s deep reflection and experience. According to Gerald Preistland this is “one of the great books of spiritual guidance”.  The subject is divided into thirteen chapters, making 162 pages in all. The effort of the author to reach the God of surprises is visible from the first chapter to eighth chapter. The quest to know fully the God of surprises, revealed at each step, continues till the last line of the thirteenth chapter.

The God whom we encounter in this book is different from our God, the God of our making. Each chapter is introduced with a suitable caption and immediately follows a short quotation to guide the reader to the destiny desired by the chapter viz encountering the God of Surprises. The language is suited to the matter and the author takes special care to expound his notion frankly and vividly. This book is worth reading. I, myself have read it, nay, meditated on it. Warning: This book will be against your idea of God. You will meet a different God in this book – God of Surprises. Therefore all those who intend to read it get ready for surprises.

by Fr. Benny James SDB

Books of the Week

The Inner Voice of Love

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The Book of 51th Week

When you experience a great need for human affection, you have to ask yourself whether the circumstances surrounding you and the people you are with are truly where God wants you to be. Whatever you are doing— watching a movie, writing a book, giving a presentation, eating, or sleeping- you have to stay in God’s presence. If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning. Ask yourself whether the  situation is truly God-given. Because where God wants you to be, God holds you safe and gives you peace, even when there is pain.

To live a disciplined life is to live in such a way that you want only to be where God is with you. The more deeply you live your spiritual life, the easier it will be to discern the difference between living with God and living without God, and  the easier it will be to move away from the places where God is no longer with you.

The great challenge here is faithfulness, which must be lived in the choices of every moment. When you are eating, drinking, working, playing, speaking, or writing is no longer for the glory of God, you should stop it immediately, you begin living for your own glory. Then you separate yourself from God and do yourself harm.

Your main question should always be whether something is lived with or without God. You have your own inner knowledge to answer that question. Every time you do something that comes from your needs for acceptance, affirmation or affection, and every time you do something that makes these needs grow, you know that you are not with God. These needs will never be satisfied; they will only increase when you yield to them. But every time you do something for the glory of God, you will know God’s peace in your heart and find rest there.                 

Sr. Francisca Singh DC

Books of the Week

The Prayer of the Frog

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Anthony de Mello’s The Prayer of the Frog Vol.1& Vol.11 is an ocean of treasure concealed. The book presents treasures in the form of stories to steer and to have a long lasting effect on mind of the readers. It is a dictionary to look up, to matters on education, power, spirituality, relationship, human nature, service, enlightenment etc.  Values are imparted through the powerful grip of stories. The profound quest of an individual for knowledge and meaning in life is to be found in it. History and story blends to pierce and to reveal the truth. The camera of human mind can capture endless number of images and impressions. Yet we can’t remember them all. But the stories and historic events cited in The Prayer of the Frog help you remember whatever and whenever you want with associate memory in the light of the story narrated .It is worth reading to ignite one’s mind and enrich. The book can be a daily meditation. It has the following content in different sessions:-

  • Education
  • Authority
  • Spirituality
  • Human Nature
  • Relationship
  • Service

It is a great reservoir of values and spiritual wealth. The book can be compared to Francis Bacon’s Essays in terms of its aphorisms, terseness and apothegmatic styles. Here let me quote Bacon “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.”

Sr. Shiny FCC

CRI Dimapur, Fr. Benny James, President of CRI, Religious Life

For the Young at Heart

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The Dimapur CRI zone had organized a get together for all the Religious sisters who are young at heart on 24th November 2019 at Assisi Community, Dimapur. It was an enriching experience for me. I feel proud and honoured to be counted among the religious of sisters young at heart; being a sister has given me the opportunity to many types of people, places, culture and learn from them. On this day too, I not only learned many things but got to know many more sisters and about their Congregations and charism. 

The talk of Fr Stanislaus Selvaraj SDB about Canon Law gave me knowledge about the church and consecrated life. Some of his talks reminded me of my formation period, wherein I was asked to focus on saving souls and not of things that are perishable.  

The sharing by the sisters about their Congregations and the Charism was another interesting moment which redirected me back to my own vocation and Charism. The action songs and dances led by the Salesian Collage brothers made us alive and active so that we were refreshed to last next session. The culmination of the gathering was the Holy Eucharist which was celebrated by Fr Benny, followed by group photo.

I am really very grateful to Fr Benny the president of CRI Dimapur Zone who arranged this enriching programme for the sisters who are young at heart, I am also grateful to my superior who gave me an opportunity to attend this programme.  

Sr. Mhalesenu Marina FSMA

Books of the Week

Walk with God

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Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895 -1979) a well- known person, a great writer and good speaker is no stranger to millions around the world who have read his books, watched him on television or heard his recorded messages on tape, radio or CD. He has travelled the whole world through his books and many people get inspired and enlightened with his writings. I think it is not very much needed to introduce him as many of you might have read several books of his and made use of his writings in your speeches and talks. I myself had read some books of his and was much inspired and enriched with his ideas and points.
Walk with God is one of such several books that echos the thoughts and voices of Fulton. J.Sheen. When the reflections were first published in 1965 the book immediately became a best seller.

Here the author mentions about four types of persons who miss their mark in the world:

  • Some are lost through their own stupidity and thoughtlessness .
  • Some are lost through the carelessness of others .
  • Some others ; go by deliberate choice.
  • Last type are lost because they are blind to their own sinfulness and need.
    Each of these type is addressed by the Lord Jesus Christ in his parables of The Lost sheep, the Lost coin, the prodigal son and
    the elder son .
    The writing is simple yet profound and thought provoking. He uses suitable examples and related it to the present life situations . With his wisdom and calibre the book is arranged systematically with five parts:
  • Turning from the Road of Confusion.
  • Turning from the Road of Misguidance .
  • Turning from the Road of Evil Intent .
  • Turning from the Road of Conceit .
  • The way of Blessedness.
    The book takes us to gather different types of people who could have turned from their misguidance to reach the Blessedness in their lives .

It can be very helpful and supportive for one’s talk or speech. It is much helpful for reflection and meditation . The passages can be shared and the message can easily be communicated to the people. Infact, each one when reading through the book might probably find his or her image in the very parable and the situations alike. It could lead us to awareness and introspection. Indeed, the author provides us with a lot of profound wisdom and guidance to help us in our daily life.

By Sr. Agatha Phamnitin SABS

CRI Dimapur, Fr. Benny James, President of CRI, Religious Life

CONSECRATED LIFE

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On 24th November, one-day programme was held at Assisi, Lake view Dimapur, for the Junior Sisters and those young at heart. The program was organized by CRI Dimapur unit. They were 28 participants from different congregations. Fr. Benny James SDB, President of CRI Dimapur was the main animator. Sr. Francisca DC, Secretary of CRI, Sr. Mary Dukru and Sr. Felicita were present on the occasion. The program began with a prayer dance by the candidates of Ursuline followed by welcome address by Fr. Benny James SDB, and the resource person Fr. Stanislaus Selvaraj SDB (Canon Law from Rome). The theme for the occasion was “Religious Life from the Perceptive of the Church Laws”. Fr. Stanislaus gave an introduction to Canon Law, its scope and consecrated life. He stressed on the salvation of souls (Salutem animarum) which is the Supreme Law of the church. The Church Laws were codified in 1752  as Canon Laws of Latin Church. He made us realize the rich input that has gone into the Canon Laws. He mainly spoke on the consecrated life. During the sessions there were icebreaking sessions animated by Cl. Phabian Baglari and Cl. David Thongniba H, from Salesians College. They kept the participants alive and active.

In the afternoon sessions, one member from each congregation shared their charism, vocation experience and the challenges they faced. It was an enriching experience which made us, to understand the unique call of God. This was followed by the Eucharistic celebration officiated by Fr. Benny James SDB. In his homily, he exhorted us to make Christ the king to be the centre of our lives being the solemnity of Christ the King. Soon after the Mass, Sr. Francisca DC thanked Fathers and the community Sisters for their generosity and hospitality. We also extend our thanks to the CRI Dimapur zone for the opportunities that they have given us to understand our vocation a little more. 

by Sr. Tsopoe Elizabeth FMA