Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Villianur, Puducherry

I was on a pilgrimage where I got a chance to visit the historic church of Lourdes which is special and close to heart as I had the privilege to accept on history. I always visit historical places to understand them and I liked the mention of the chaplain (priests) who were incharge each time and the scenic view of historic is always close to heart

#villianur #history #peace #happy

National Mental Health Conference with its network CMHM

Reposted from official website 

CBCI Logo

Home

Organisation

Today

Find

Discover

Connect

Give

Holy Bible

Home

›

News

›

CBCI Office for Healthcare Holds National Mental Health Conference with its network CMHM

14 October 2025

CBCI Office for Healthcare Holds National Mental Health Conference with its network CMHM

New Delhi, October 11, 2025: The Catholic Church in India reaffirmed its commitment to mental health and pastoral care through the National Mental Health Conference organized by the Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM) under the CBCI Office for Healthcare. The two-day conference, held from October 10–11 at Changanacherry, Kerala, was centered on the theme “Raising Awareness and Fostering Change.”

The event was inaugurated by His Excellency Bishop Lumen Monteiro, Chairman of the CBCI Office for Healthcare, in the presence of Fr. Santhosh Dias, National Secretary of the CBCI Office for Healthcare; Fr. Shinto Mathew, National President of CMHM; Sr. Dr. Joan Chunkapura, MMS, National Secretary of CMHM; Fr. Subin, Associate Director of CMHM Kerala Region; and Fr. Bijo, Convenor.

In his inaugural address, Bishop Lumen emphasized the importance of establishing a dedicated mental health ministry in every parish community, stressing that mental wellness is an essential part of living a healthy life of faith. The conference brought together priests, religious, and lay participants from dioceses across India, creating a dynamic forum for dialogue and collaboration within the Church.

The two-day event featured a series of expert talks and panel discussions addressing key mental health concerns faced by individuals and faith communities. Dr. Sr. Joan Chunkapura, MMS, spoke on Midlife Reappraisal and Its Management, while Dr. Chikku Mathew, a leading psychiatrist, discussed Managing Depression Among Youth. Dr. Varghese Punnoose, Principal of Kottayam Medical College, presented on Personality Disorders and Their Impact on Life.

Dr. Sr. Rani Augustine, MSA, National Director of CMHM Outreach, shared insights on Implementing Mental Health Promotion in Ministry Settings. Dr. Jonathan Lourdusamy focused on Challenges in Adolescent Psychiatry, and Fr. Faustine Lobo, Director of Fr. Muller Medical College, elaborated on Pioneering Mental Health Ministry in India.

The discussions also featured Dr. Bobby Thomas Kokkat, who spoke on Collaborative Care in Dementia, and Mr. Sigi Antony, who addressed Addiction in Modern Life. Dr. Patricia Viego, Director of CMHM Parish Ministry, explained Starting CMHM Ministry in Parishes, while Mr. Edwin Waker emphasized Grassroots Involvement in Mental Wellbeing.

Fr. Santhosh Dias reflected on Leadership and Strategic Planning for Mental Health in the Catholic Church, and Adv. Febby Mathew examined The Impact of Disasters on Mental Health. The conference concluded with a session by Dr. Sr. Sally John, who highlighted Mental Healthcare among Religious Sisters.

 

How to follow your heart!

I recently was invited to share a Ted Talk on the topic follow your heart where i prepared some notes and also with the help of Gemini some PPT and others and it was a special experience to share

Speaking Notes: "Follow Your Heart"

SLIDE 1: Title Slide (Follow Your Heart)

(Voice: Energetic, warm, and inviting.)

"Good morning, everyone. I want you to take a moment and think about the last time you made a

decision that you knew was right, deep down, even if it didn't make logical sense to anyone else."

"That feeling—that quiet, confident inner pull—that's what we're here to talk about today: Following

Your Heart."

"We are constantly bombarded by external expectations: the safe career, the sensible investment,

the path others want for us. This internal conflict, the battle between your head and your heart, is

the biggest barrier to living a truly authentic life."

"My goal today is to give you a clear map to align your life with your deepest truths."

SLIDE 2: Defining the Compass (What is the 'Heart'?)

(Voice: Clear, instructional.)

"When I say 'heart,' I'm not talking about being overly emotional or irrational. I mean something

deeper. The heart is your personal compass, and it’s a powerful blend of three things:"

"First, Intuition: That gut feeling, that sudden moment of clarity. It's your subconscious connecting

the dots."

"Second, Passion: What gives you energy, causes you to lose track of time, and makes you feel most

alive."

"And third, Values: Your non-negotiables. What you truly stand for. When your work aligns with your

values, you'll never feel like you're selling out."

SLIDE 3: The Conflict (Fear, Logic, and the External Noise)

(Voice: Analytical, building tension.)

"But this compass is constantly fighting the loudest voices, primarily from the Head. The Head

focuses on Logic, which is necessary, but also on Fear and External Expectations."

"The head asks: 'Is this safe? Is this profitable? What will my parents/friends/boss think?' It keeps us

in the 'safe harbor.' It uses fear as an anchor."

"The moment we accept that this conflict is natural—that the head is meant to protect us, but the

heart is meant to guide us—we can start to make progress. The heart speaks of potential; the head

speaks of precedent."

SLIDE 4: The Power of the Inner Voice

(Voice: Powerful, inspirational.)

"The cost of ignoring the heart is profound: regret, burnout, and a constant, hollow feeling that

something is missing. You spend your limited time living someone else's life."

"Steve Jobs, who mastered the art of creative alignment, put it best:"

(Read the quote slowly and emphatically):

“Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have

the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

"This is the core message: You already know what you should be doing. The challenge is having the

courage to listen, and the discipline to silence everything else."

SLIDE 5: The Three Steps to Listen (Action Slide)

(Voice: Calm, instructional, and encouraging. This is the practical core.)

"So, how do we tune in? We need to create the conditions to hear that quiet whisper. It involves

three simple, actionable steps:"

"1. Quiet the Noise: The heart speaks in silence. Dedicate just 10 minutes every day to intentional

stillness. Put the phone away. Stop the input. Meditate, breathe, or just sit quietly. It’s impossible to

hear your inner voice when you’re constantly listening to social media or the news."

"2. Reflect on Joy: Your heart leaves a trail of breadcrumbs. Think back to the last time you were

completely absorbed in an activity—an hour passed, and you didn't even notice. That feeling of

'flow' is a direct signal from your heart. Notice what you love, and chase the activities that bring you

that energy."

"3. Test the Waters: Following your heart doesn't mean being reckless. It means taking small, low-

risk experiments to validate your desire. If your heart says, 'I want to be a baker,' you don't quit your

job—you take a weekend class or bake for a friend's party. These tests give you real-world data and

show your heart you're serious."

SLIDE 6: Case Study: The Pivot

(Voice: Storytelling tone, warm and relatable.)

"To show you the power of these steps, let's look at a common example: the pivot."

"I know a lawyer—let's call her Sarah—who had everything her head told her to get: a prestigious

firm, a huge salary, and security. But she felt that Sunday night dread every week. Her heart,

however, was in the non-profit world, specifically helping with refugee resettlement."

"She started small. She used Step 3, volunteering evenings and weekends. She took a massive risk,

ultimately leaving the corporate world for a non-profit position that paid a fraction of her salary."

"Was it scary? Absolutely. But today, she is working harder for less, and she says she has never been

happier or felt more successful. When your work aligns with your heart, the challenges don't crush

you; they fuel you. She traded comfort for meaning."

SLIDE 7: Heart vs. Impulse

(Voice: Cautionary, wise, and instructional.)

"Now, a critical distinction. 'Follow your heart' is not an excuse for being impulsive. Impulse is a

quick, superficial reaction—often driven by avoiding stress or fear. It feels urgent and anxious."

"The Heart is different. It is driven by your core values and consistent desires. The heart speaks in a

whisper that won't go away. You can try to ignore it, but it surfaces again and again, year after year."

"The key test is consistency. If a desire keeps showing up, if you keep coming back to it even after

you've tried to ignore it, that is your heart. Honor it with a small step."

SLIDE 8: The Ultimate Reward

(Voice: Inspiring, celebratory, and concluding.)

"So, what is the ultimate payoff for having this courage and discipline? What do you gain by trading

certainty for authenticity?"

"First, Resilience. When you love the core mission, failures become lessons, not roadblocks. You

become antifragile."

"Second, Fulfillment. This is the deep peace that comes from knowing you are living your truth. You

replace the hollow feeling of 'should' with the rewarding feeling of 'am.'"

"And finally, Impact. When you operate from a place of passion, you bring your absolute best self to

the world. You attract opportunities and people who align with your authentic energy."

SLIDE 9: Conclusion & Call to Action (Mark Twain Quote)

(Voice: Slow, powerful, and reflective.)

"To summarize: the risk of following your heart is smaller than the risk of settling. In the end, what

truly hurts is the potential we leave unrealized. I want to leave you with this final thought:"

(Read the Mark Twain quote slowly, emphasizing the action words):

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by

the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade

winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

"What is your 'safe harbor'? What is the one thing you've been delaying out of fear or external

pressure? Don't wait 20 years to regret it."

"Your challenge for this week: Identify that one thing, and commit to taking the first, smallest step

toward it. Be brave enough to sail."

Catechism Bible Exhibition 19th October

I was recently part of the Bible Exhibition organized by my Church St Thomas basilica santhome on 19th October Sunday and as part of Catechism we had the opportunity to organise games for the community who visit the exhibits 

I had the opportunity to work with few volunteers juan,rowan and Fabian and we had some great moments from planning to making it happen

It was nice to work with young people since these are having atleast a gap of 5 years and I was happy i guided them to do well

Games organized

1. Emoji Prophet Game

Each paper had 15 sets of emojis. Every emoji combination represented a biblical prophet.

Participants had to guess the prophet based on the emoji clues.

2. 10 Plagues Order Game

Pictures of the Ten Plagues were jumbled. Within one minute, participants had to arrange

them in the correct biblical order.

3. Bible Places Hangman Game

Participants picked a random number from a box. Each number matched a Bible place. A

Hangman game was then played using that place name.

4. Commandment Scenarios Game

Players received short real-life scenarios that broke certain Ten Commandments. They had

to identify which commandment was broken — giving its name and number.

5. Bible Books Challenge

We had 34 slips of paper, each with a Bible book name. Two cups were marked N (New

Testament) and O (Old Testament).

As each book name appeared, players had one minute to press the correct cup (N or O). A

wrong answer meant elimination!

YouTube link

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v-ibnY2Tlsk&t=10s&pp=ygUZYmlibGUgZXhoaWJpdGlvbiBzYW50aG9tZQ%3D%3D

YouTube

Catholic Church Towards Humanity- A wake Up Call

 

I recently participated in a Consultation participated by a diverse group of 61 laity, religious and clergy gathered on Sunday 21^st September 2025 at Carmel Centre, Manikandam, Trichy  to launch a new collective dedicated to the profound renewal of the Church. The consultation, titled “Catholic Church Towards Humanity”, was convened to address critical internal challenges and to reorient the church towards its core mission of Service, Justice and inclusion.

Spurred by a shared concern for the future of their faith community, the participants – including veterans and youth from movements such as YCS, AICUF, and various lay associations – unanimously endorsed the formation of a Laity led movement.

CONFRONTING CRITICAL CHALLENGES

The day’s discussions, characterized by candor and a deep sense of responsibility, identified several urgent areas for transformation within the Church:

1.The Persistence of Caste: The Forum highlighted the painful reality of Caste-based discrimination within the Church as a fundamental contradiction of the Gospel, calling for its complete eradication.

2.Gender Injustice: participants powerfully articulated the systemic exclusion,harassment,and lack of meaningful decision – making roles for women, declaring that women’s participation is “a Right ,not a Gift”.

3. Democratic Deficit: A central theme was the need for greater transparency, accountability ,and shared responsibility between the Clergy and the Laity, moving towards a more democratic and collaborative Church Structure.

4.Economic and Educational Stagnation: Concerns were raised about the community’s declining representation in higher education, entrepreneurship, and economic development, with a call for the Church to prioritize these areas strategically.

5.Ecological Neglect: The Church was challenged to play a more proactive role in addressing the climate crisis and promoting environmental justice, starting from its educational institutions.

6.Pastoral Irrelevance: Speakers noted a growing disconnect between the Church’s Rituals and the daily struggles of its people, particularly the poor, leading to a crisis of faith and relevance.

A COLLECTIVE VISION FOR THE FUTURE:

In his opening address Mr.A.JohnPeter, the event coordinator, set the tone by stating that the current consultation was a crucial first step towards a Church that is inclusive, accountable and socially engaged. He identified the present –day Church as often being ”caste –ridden, commercialized and male –dominated”.

The forum does not seek to stand against the Church but to work from within for its renewal. Mr. JohnPeter further noted: “The soul of Society is more than the soul of the individual”, emphasizing that the Church’s mission must extend beyond its walls to serve all of humanity.

The WAY FORWARD: A TEN POINT ACTION PLAN:

1.Grassroots Launch: The Movement was officially launched with this first consultation on 21^st September 2025.

2.Leadership Structure:  A 14 member core committee was formed to lead the movement, with Mr. A.JohnPeter as its coordinator.

3.Strategic Planning: The committee’s immediate priority is to draft a comprehensive strategic plan, detailing the movement’s vision,goals,activities,and member responsibilities.

4.Inclusive Representation: The movement is committed to ensuring adequate representation of women and marginalized communities in its membership and leadership.

5.Laity – Centric Principle: All actions will be based on the core principle that the LAITY HOLDS A CENTRAL ROLE in the Church.

6.Evidence Based Advocacy: The Committee will ground its work with data, evidence, and facts to address needs effectively.

7.Structured Dialogue: The movement will initiate formal COMMUNICATION and  DIALOGUE with decision – makers at all levels of the Church hierarchy.

8.Women’s Caucus: A dedicated space will be created for women in the movement to convene and deliberate on the specific challenges they face.

9.Advocacy for participatory planning: The movement will urge all Church institutions(eg. Parishes, Commissions, etc)to create FIVE YEAR PLANS with the mandatory participation of laity, women, and marginalized representatives.

In the Valedictory Session, Fr.AloysiusIrudayam inspired the gathering, stating, ”It is our Movement and we need to own and protect it”, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the initiative.

Fr.K. AmirthaRaj offered words of encouragement, expressing his appreciation for this long-awaited initiative and the collective realization that the Church must evolve to truly serve its people.

This movement represents a hopeful and determined voice from the Laity, signaling a widespread desire for a Church that truly reflects the values of equality, dignity and service it proclaims.

 

Postcrossing Meetup for Samuel Morse

Reposted from Original Source!

The Madras Postcrossing Commune & Postally Postcards hosted a successful Postcrossing meetup today at Nageswara Rao Park, Mylapore, Chennai, in celebration of the birth anniversary of Samuel Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. The event brought together Postcrossing enthusiasts from across the city to share their love of sending and receiving postcards from around the world.The highlight of the event was the release of a special Samuel Morse picture postcard, commemorating his contributions to communication. Attendees had the opportunity to sign the commemorative postcards and exchange other postcards with fellow Postcrossers.The meetup featured several engaging sessions, including:• An introduction to Postcrossing for new comers.• A discussion on the role of India Post and the joy of letter writing.• Speeches by Postcrossing enthusiasts, sharing their experiences and passion for the hobby.The event fostered a sense of community among attendees, who enjoyed sharing stories, tips, and their favorite postcards. The group also discussed the history of postcards and the art of collecting."This meetup was a wonderful opportunity for Postcrossers in Chennai to connect and celebrate the joy of sending and receiving postcards," said Sivaranjani. "We are thrilled to have released a special postcard honoring Samuel Morse, whose invention revolutionized global communication."The Madras Postcrossing Commune plans to host future meetups to continue to grow the Postcrossing community in Chennai and promote the hobby of connecting people through postcards.

#postcard #postcrossing #postcards #snailmail #art #swap #postcardswap #happymail #travel #postcrosser #illustration #mail #photography #postcardexchange #penpal #penpals #stamps #post #postcardsfromtheworld #love #snailmailrevolution #vintage #italy #photooftheday #nature #handmade #landscape #postcardswapping #stamp #travelphotography

International Webinar on “The Cardijn Spirit: Inspiration Behind Our Movement”

I participated in the International Webinar as part of the ongoing Webinar Series titled “Walking the Path of See, Judge, Act.” organized by International Young Catholic Students (IYCS) . The webinar brought together over 88 participants from diverse regions across the globe, including students, chaplains, alumni, and members of social action movements, all united by their commitment to the values of justice, dignity, and faith.

The theme of the webinar, “The Cardijn Spirit: Inspiration Behind Our Movement,” focused on the profound legacy of Joseph Cardijn, the founder of the Young Christian Workers (YCW), and the development of the See, Judge, Act methodology that has shaped the lives of countless individuals and movements worldwide.