Seek the well being of the city to which I have sent you. Pray for it to the Lord. For in seeking its well being you shall find your own. Jeremiah 29:7

	..BASILICA SCHEDULE X | NOTICES X | PARISH GROUPS X | OFFICIAL SERVICES X
								“Do not be anxious, I have overcome the world” Dear friends of Our Lady of Bandel, The feast of the Holy Rosary at Bandel is known as the November feast. This year we celebrated the feast on 8th and 9th November with great solemnity and fervour. Novena in preparation for the feast was crowned with an open air concelebrated mass and Eucharistic procession around the church, ending in the church grounds. With Mother Mary’s blessings, all the events of the feast were solemnized with great devotion and fervour. As I write this letter, Here at Bandel we are hosting the 12th General Body meeting of the Association of Catholic Enquiry Centres in India. Directors of these centres from different parts of the country are sharing their experiences and deliberating on the need and urgency of renewing our efforts at the proclamation of the Good News to many more people. Great opportunities are seen in the use of electronic media in communicating the person and message of Jesus. While many centres are doing excellent work through correspondence courses, great opportunities are opening up in the use of technology for the spread of God’s kingdom. As we approach the season of Advent and the feast of the birth of Jesus, we are all reminded of the immense love of God, towards humankind, revealed in the person of Jesus, the son of God becoming man so that we can have everlasting life through him. We are reminded of greater and more permanent realities in God’s plan for each one of us. Our cares and worries, anxieties and troubles have an important part in life. We need not be buried in mundane concerns and expectations. We can and must look to the future with hope and confidence. We need not be overcome with pessimism and despair. Jesus does make a difference in our life and in the world. “Do not be anxious, I have overcome the world”. All of us at the Bandel Basilica community take this occasion to wish you the blessings and joys of Christmas. The shrine will attract unprecedented number of people during this season. People of all faiths come to the shrine looking to experience the presence and power of God. We have the joy and privilege of interacting with a great number of these people. We are sure that you are united with us in all our endeavors of service and care which we are offering to the pilgrims and visitors to the shrine. We thank you for your generous support and good will. May our Blessed Mother of Bandel be a source of great joy and blessing to all of you at this season of Christmas. Fr. Thomas Pulickal sdb. Prior, Bandel Basilica.
	Rev. Fr. Thomas Pulickal SDB, is Prior of Bandel Basilica
				Our cares and worries, anxieties and troubles have an important part in life. We need not be buried in mundane concerns and expectations.