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Dear brothers and sisters, and the viewers of this web site Barkur.com, I am Fr. Joseph Anthony Andrade better  known as Fr. Tony Andrade. I was born and brought up in Barkur. My primary education was in Barkur. In 1980 I joined the seminary to become priest and was ordained to the Holy Order of priesthood on the 19th of December, 1992. I served a short period of time in Bangalore (India) and then went to the USA to serve in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in the state of Minnesota. Presently I am the parish priest of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church located in St. Paul, Minnesota (visit our web site:- www.stthomasap.org).

I Hope and pray this column "Spiritual Corner" will inspire many viewers of our Barkur.com web site. As all of us know the need of spirituality in our daily life. We walk our faith journey trusting in God our creator and we are certain one day we will meet our creator God in Heaven. Meanwhile here on earth we need good insights to enlighten our minds and hearts in our spiritual life. in this column I will write articles which will be short and precise that may help our interested viewers to reflect on their own spirituality. I welcome others also to share their articles and reflections. This column is open to all the faith denominations. What is important is that we inspire each other on our own spiritual journey.

My sincere thanks to Kishoo de Barkur, the designer of this beautiful web site, and for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts and reflection on our Barkur.com web site.

Fr. Joseph Anthony Andrade

FEAST OF THE PENTECOST

This weekend we celebrate the wonderful feast of Pentecost-the 50th day of Easter. This feast which brings the season of Easter to a close, gives us an opportunity to rejoice in the Holy Spirit and to be open to the many gifts and surprises He offers us. The day of Pentecost marks a high point in our church, it has been known as the birth of the Church. It reminds us that Jesus has fulfilled His promise He has not left us orphans but has sent the Holy spirit to be with us always, a source of wisdom, courage and love for each other. On this day apostles of Jesus filled with the power of the Holy Spirit set out to proclaim the Gospel of Love to all nations, likewise  the mission of the church was begun with the command of Jesus “ receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as the Father has sent me so I send you, go and proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations”.

There are many aspects of the Spirit that delights and intrigue us. We know that in God’s Spirit there is power and healing, forgiveness and wisdom. And yet although all these different facets and gifts of the spirit present themselves in the pages of the Bible, one of the first effects of the Spirit described in Acts  of the Apostles is its power to unify, unite, and bring people together. In this week’s first reading we read of the Spirit inspiring bold proclamation of the gospel, and doing so in a way which highlights the spirit’s willingness and power to adapt and meet the needs of al people. Even today the spirit continues to work through the church to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. Despite the  many charismatic and miraculous powers of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit’s ability to bring people together cannot be underestimated.

Let me conclude with a prayer:- God of light, from whom every good gift comes, send your spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flames of your wisdom open the horizons of our minds. For without your Spirit we could never raise our voices in words of peace or announce the truth that Jesus is the Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

Fr. Tony Andrade. 

FOR ARCHIVES......

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