Chiesa Santa Maria del Carmine - Milano

Letter to the Parishioners

Dear Parishioners,

Every year the Church begins the new calendar year with the liturgical celebration of Mary’s motherhood. In this way Mary becomes, for us, the doorway into the new year… into new life, new hope, new beginning. There is a song whose opening line goes: “Walk with Mary and you will never stray.” If we want to spend the year right and keep it going along that track for the rest of the year, then Jesus’ example of starting out his human journey with Mary is also the best way for us. And the first lesson that Mary teaches us is to stop momentarily, remain silent and reflect on what is going on inside and outside of us. Luke notes that, while the shepherds and the other visitors were gathering around baby Jesus, “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.”
We need to discover the true purpose of life and the response that is asked of us.

We realize that our lives—life itself—are filled with routine, repetitive, monotonous, ordinary activities. But no time is simply ordinary in the sense of lacking profound importance: every day is a day of salvation, a day of living into Christ’s life. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said: “We cannot do great things; we can only do ordinary things with great love.” Thérèse of Lisieux, the saint of the “little way,” developed a spirituality of ordinariness in which one offers each moment very simply to God. Her famous title, “the Little Flower,” derives from her self-image as only one among millions of ordinary, little flowers on the hillside, each giving its all in joy and praise to God. In all things, small or great, we live our baptismal consecration for mission—and God is praised.

So we ought to look at this new year with much gratitude and hope, and realise that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119) and that we are asked to respond to it by walking together in the light. Furthermore we, too, must mirror Jesus who is the light of the World. In his light, we, too, have become lights: “You are the light of the world… Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt:14,16)

ENGLISH COMMUNITY:

We like to congratulate the new English Parish Council. All the councillors, both old and new, are very eager to do well and determined to succeed in bringing to flower the bulb they received on the day of their presentation in church.

A special “thank you” goes to the many generous people who are giving a helping hand:
First of all the choir, much appreciated by the whole congregation coming to the 10.30 Mass.
But also the ushers, the readers, those preparing the coffee after the Mass...

The catechists are very pleased with this year children preparing for the Sacraments of First Confession (5 children), First Communion (10) or doing the first year of the Confirmation programme (10). At last we are able to let the parents know the date of the First Communion of their children: it will be Sunday 18th May 2008 at 10.00.

The season of Lent is fast approaching: during this time of preparation for Easter we are all invited to undertake a journey of spiritual purification and growth by praying, making some sacrifices and helping the poor.
During Lent the Parish organises a weekly Meditation on the word of God.
Finally, we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the Lent Appeal as a means of helping those people less fortunate than ourselves.

FILIPINO COMMUNITY:

These last few months have been quite an eventful period:
The election of the Pastoral Council marked the beginning of our Parish activities: the new committee is made up of a relatively small number of people, but all the members of the Pastoral Council are very motivated and competent, and they have proved already in a few occasions all their worth.

The Eucharist celebrated in our Church by Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, archbishop of Milan, in the first week of the Simbang-Gabi: His presence and his message has been an inspiration for us all both in the continuation of the Novena and the celebration of Christmas.

The Carol Service and the Solemn Christmas Mass have been well attended and the Congregation with their active participation managed to create an atmosphere of good-will, peace and joy.

Last week celebration of the Fiesta to Santo Niño was quite beautiful: the praying of the Rosary, the Procession and the Solemn Mass helped the participants to meditate on the Son of God who became a little child to be our friend. The Merienda in the Cloister was also well organised.

I feel the need to thank the many people who helped to make these events so successful:

* The Parish Council Members, for being the leading force in the community.

* Our three Parish Choirs did a great job; and I take this opportunity to express also our gratitude for the big role they play Sunday after Sunday in making the Eucharistic celebration so special. Thank you also to the Readers, the Altar servers, all the people helping at the Mass.

* The various Groups in the Parish, that are the backbone of our community:

In this regard we like to congratulate the Legion of Mary, for celebrating, back in October, the 25th Anniversary of their foundation.
Congratulations also to the El Shaddai for their 15th Anniversary, marked by a day of celebrations at Pime’s centre.
The Familia in November had a recruitment drive and their yearly formation session.
Diwa youth group after Christmas had their winter youth camp in Laveno
The Liturgy Group, the Knights of the Altar, the Diwa youth, the Children’s choir feel the need to expand and are inviting new members to join their ranks.

Soon we’ll start the Season of Lent: Stations of the Cross on Thursdays, the Lent Appeal, meditation on the Word of God are key moments of this time. But we shouldn’t be afraid to deepen our faith through personal prayer and through reconciliation with God in the sacrament of Confession

Looking ahead, while continuing to build up on our strengths, we must work on improving all the time. Our future key endeavours should be:
To provide some kind of Adult formation and catechesis for the Filipino community
To prepare a group of catechists, who will work with the existing ones in accompanying the children in their preparation for the Sacraments of initiation (Baptism, First Confessions, First Communion and Confirmation).


Father Giuseppe & Father Carlos