The topics covered were: Call to Holiness, God’s love, Sin and Repentance, Salvation, Forgiveness, Preparation for Confession, Discipleship, Power of Praise and Thanksgiving, Vocation, Person and Power of the Holy Spirit, and Growth and Transformation. These topics were chosen according to the needs of the life of seminarians. Really excellent ground work, wonderful performance, beautifully executed, such were the appreciations we hold for them in the name of  God. The team consisted Rev.Fr. Joseph Sahayaraj, Mr. Francis D’Souza both of the NST and Sisters Jones and Martin of MSMI. In addition to the inputs given, Inner Healing, Infilling, Confession, Counselling, Eucharist, Rosary, Divine Mercy and Pentecost Novena formed part of the programme. All this in addition to the manual work and daily prayer. Our burdens are lightened and our life is made beautiful. Surely this is not the work of a physician or a psychologist, but purely of the Holy Spirit of God.

Along with the NST we also wish to place on record our thanks and appreciation for the following for organising a retreat like this for us: Fr. Arul Swamy (The Provincial) Fr. Biji (Asst. Provincial) Fr. Joseph Mathew (Vocation Director) Fr. John Nalin (Rector) and Deacon Jophin Joy. The Fathers felt that the National Service Team (NST) can be of great help to us in building this family.  -Bro. Shinoj Jose

Novena to the Holy Spirit and nine days continuous Eucharistic adoration was organised by DCRS from 22 May to 30th May 2009. Each day, Most Rev. Bishop Franco Mulakkal, Rev. Fr Denny George, Rev. Fr Susai Sebastian, Rev. Fr Victor D’Souza, Rev. Fr Wlifred D’Souza, Rev. Fr Johnson Kizhakkeveettil, Rev. Fr Thomas D’Cunha, Rev. Fr Lancy Paul and Rev. Fr Anthony Francis led the Novena. The day and night adorations were carried out by the different ministries of DCRS and Zonal Prayer Groups.  On 30th May, twelve hours chain rosary was conducted, led by various congregations.  After the chain rosary, the congregation went in procession to the Cathedral with Holy Eucharist, Holy Bible and Statue of mother Mary for Pentecost Night Vigil.  

Bishop Franco Mullakkal shared the Word of God. Most Rev. Archbishop Vincent M Concessao and Rev. Fr Victor D’Souza, Vicar General led the mid night Holy Eucharistic celebration.  During the second session, Rev. Fr Thomas Menampatt of Meerut Diocese spoke about the day of Pentecost and the role of the Holy Spirit in our life.  More than 600 devotees attended the Night Vigil.  - Shibu CJ

The Bishop of Ahmedabad took great interest in the Novena and he circulated it in most of the parishes. In Baroda Diocese, besides saying the novena in the parishes, people recited the novena individually and in groups in their villages. I inspired three areas of our parish to say the Novena in groups. I also arranged adoration in the church on Pentecost day. In order to make the people aware of the importance of the Holy Spirit Novena I also wrote an article in our Catholic Gujarati magazine. Seeing the great interest and support we received from   the people, I feel that the Holy Spirit was active in the minds of the people. -Fr. Varghese M, S.J.

BANGALORE

The Feast of the Pentecost was celebrated at the Ascension Church on the 31st May. People from every part including suburbs gathered. Word of God was shared by Bro. Fritz Mascarenhas. This was followed by lunch which was planned for 350 people and there was a gathering of nearly 600, but no one went with an empty stomach. It was amazing to see such a miracle. After lunch there was Praise & Worship in Kannada lead by Bro. Bhakianathan and this was followed by Praise & Worship in Tamil lead by Bro. James. Bro. James made a summary translation of the Word of God that was shared in English into Tamil and Bro. Balraj did the translation in Kannada.
His grace Most Rev. Bernard Moraes, Archbishop of Bangalore joined the priests to lay hands and pray over the faithful who attended.  -Brendan Rodricks

Pentecost rally was organized by the Vasai Service Team at St James Church, Agashi on 31st May 2009. It was attended by more than a thousand people. Fr Solomon Rodriguez proclaimed the Word of God and explained the theme of National Convention “Be holy, for I am Holy” (1Peter1: 16) to be held in Vasai, 27th to 30th December 2009. Romeo Fernando led all for infilling of the Holy Spirit, those present experienced another outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The rally ended with the priests and leaders praying over all. -Fr. Francis Dabre

GOA

We managed to get twenty copies of the Novena Prayer book in Gujarathi. The Novena was open to the whole parish. About 25 people attended it regularly. Some days there were about fifty people. It is one year, since I have come here. I am 75. I wonder if I am the oldest parish priest in India! Pray that the Lord make use of me as such as He wishes. Hope to bring to Vasai a group in December.  
-Fr. Anthony Moonu SJ 

Novena in Shalom TV

The Pentecost Novena was broadcast by Shalom TV on all the nine days at fixed timings and this had a very big following especially by those who could not make it to the prayer group or the parish gathering for the novena. Families joined together before the TV at the fixed time and joined the novena prayer that was presided over by a priest, assisted by a talented choir and joined by a large group of the faithful. Thanks to the Shalom Visual Media Team for this novel venture in helping the people to join a beautiful Upper Room experience.  - Ajay Anand

HYDERABAD

The Archbishop of Hyderabad issued a pastoral letter exhorting all the faithful of the archdiocese to join in the Pentecost novena. This resulted in prayer groups and parishes organising the novena and large numbers joining it. This was a novel experience.  -J. Alex

OOTY

A special 2 day "Preparation for Pentecost" programme was organised at the St. Joseph's Convent hall in Coonoor on the 22nd/23rdMay. The programme was led by Fr Thomas & team from the Divine Mercy Retreat Centre, Elavur, Chennai.
The chosen ones were fed with the Word of God, lively praise& worship and messages on the Holy Spirit. The Novena started on Friday. On Saturday, 30th May a special Pentecost Vigil was arranged at St. Joseph's Church,  Wellington & led by Fr. Francis Xavier.  Even with the monsoon showers the whole day, the church was full. The special vigil WAITING for THE HOLY SPIRIT started at 6pm and ended with the Pentecost Mass by 1.30am. -Trevor Mendez

The Novena to the Holy Spirit was received well by the Chennai Prayer Groups and other pious groups like the Legion of Mary. Thank you NST for this book. It is a book that could be used all through the year and not only before Pentecost. Prayer Groups in Chennai gathered together to celebrate the Pentecost, on June 7th 2009 at St. Ursula’s School Hall, Church Park, Chennai. The Theme was, “Fruit of the Spirit.”
The Workshop that followed was conducted by Benjamin Gonzaga. It was a time for positive interaction and affirmation between members of various prayer groups.
The day ended with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and healing.- Paul S.A.M.

MUMBAI

Pentecost Sunday, 31 May was an eagerly awaited day.  Many parishes and prayer groups prepared for Pentecost through the nine days preceding by praying the Novena to the Holy Spirit and talks especially geared to an understanding of our paraclete, and organising vigil services for Pentecost Sunday.  The Bombay Service Team organised rallies across Mumbai at four different venues.  The theme for these Rallies was taken from 2 Timothy 1:7.  The Holy Eucharist was celebrated at three of the venues by the Bishops of Mumbai – Bishop Bosco Penha, Bishop Ferdinand Fonseca and Bishop Agnelo Gracias. The speakers at the venues were Fr Praveen Fernandes, Fr Austin Norris, Fr Mario Mendes and Fr Ashlyn Chand.  Each of them spoke on the theme of the Rally.

The Hindi-Marathi Prayer Groups and the Konkani Service Council also held Rallies, which included celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  At the Hindi-Marathi Rally an input on ‘The Action of the Holy Spirit’ was given by Fr Donald Rodrigues, who also celebrated the Holy Eucharist.  At the Konkani Rally Fr Salvador Serrao spoke on ‘The Fruit and Gifts of the Holy Spirit”.

All together nearly 7,000 people gathered at the different venues. Despite the hot and humid weather the anointing of the Holy Spirit enabled all to be patient and in perfect peace. -Shirly D’Souza

MANGALORE

KURNOOL

The Nine day novena to the Holy Spirit began in the Parishes of our diocese on 22nd June 2009 evening with a prayer service conducted by the respective parish priests. On Saturday, the 30th of May, Pentecostal vigil was celebrated in all the parishes in which many people took part and were instructed on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. In some parishes the adoration was conducted till midnight. At Divine Retreat Centre (Premagiri parish), whole night adoration and preaching of the Word of God was conducted.  All the Priests took an active part in conducting the Novena and the celebration of the feast of Pentecost meaningfully and devoutly in the Diocese of Kurnool.  - Fr. Anthony Raj K,