Mumbai Community Completes First Quarter

The HSI School of Discipleship in Don Bosco Church, Borivili completed its first quarter today, and from all indications has proven to be a far greater success than anybody — including us — expected. A total of 101 confirmed members in the Community that include men, women and children of ages ranging from 7 to 70, testifed to the wonderful impact this program has made on their lives. Click here for their testimonies. While those who are opposed to this ministry continue to malign it, these testimonies are all that HSI offers in its defence. A ministry, like a prophet, can be recognized by the fruit that it bears.

Discipleship Program, Ramnagar, Hyderabad

St. Francis of Assisi, Hyderabad July 24-26

L-R: Fr. Tony, Fr. Arun, Fr. Varghese, Fr. Sleeva, me, and Rajeshri

God had been letting us know in several different ways that the mission to Hyderabad would be extremely successful, and going by the number of people who registered for the post-session School of Discipleship — a phenomenal 120! — it surely was. The church was packed to capacity on all three days and included six Franciscan priests, among the nicest I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. They included resident priests Fr. Sleeva, Fr. Varghese, Fr. Tony and Fr. Arun, whose love, warmth and hospitality touched my heart to the core. Theirs was true Christian witness and I could only pray that more priests and lay leaders had hearts like theirs. I had a translator for the program, an anointed lady named Rajeshri who matched me in word and action, much like my translators in Africa.

New Community Begins in Borivili, Bombay

HSI's newest community commenced today in John Bosco Church, Borivili with over 40 people in attendance. The community has the blessings of the Church authorities in the Archdiocese of Mumbai, who will be closely monitoring the community to see the fruit it bears. Having witnessed the enormous success of the first community in Dubai and successive communities in other parts of the world, I have little doubt that this will be everything we expect it to be — and more!

Talk to the Youth

A brief talk to the youth of Don Bosco parish

I concluded my mission in Borivili with a briefing to a few people who seemed eager to walk the straight and narrow path, and help others travel on it as well. God willing, we will have another HSI Community started here in a couple of weeks.

Earlier in the day I had given a talk to the youth. 180 young men and women had registered, but nearly 300 showed up and as none of them seemed to regret they had come I was very happy. It was the first time in five years I was giving a talk in public wearing something other than my traditional black and white.

Lenten Mission, Borivili

Love one another ....

A section of the huge crowd

Discipleship Program March 19-21, 2009

Whenever there are obstacles, I know I can expect great things, and seeing as how there were more hurdles than usual to get this mission going, I knew it would be terrific. I wasn't wrong. The three day mission in Don Bosco Church in Borivili, Bombay from March 19-22 kept getting more and more anointed and over 1,500 people felt the power of God on the final day. Because of the crowds expected, the sessions were held in the open.

I was blessed to be with some of the loveliest priests I have encountered in Fr. Ronald, the parish priest of Don Bosco and Fr. Allwyn, who was instrumental in arranging the program. They - and the other priests - all went out of their way to make me feel welcome and comfortable. I will be ever grateful, especially to Fr. Allwyn who has the energy of a ten year old boy and the zeal to match it.

New HSI Community in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania

HSI launched its fifth Community (after Dubai, Fujairah, Chembur and Jebel Ali) in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania today. Fr. Siffredius Rwechungura will be supervising the community which has the blessings of Cardinal Pengo. Local resident Cajetan (Jerry) Misquita is heading the Community along with Pravina Rodrigues.

Lenten Mission, Pune

Immaculate Conception Church, Pune (March 10-12)

Fr. George, parish priest of Immaculate Conception Church, more popularly known as City Church among the populace, invited me to conduct a Lenten Mission in his parish. Knowing him to be a wonderful pastor, I didn't hesitate accepting his invitation and found myself blessed for it. The Church overfilled its capacity, but those standing didn't seem to mind the effort in the least. I spoke once again on the Seven Deadly Sins. My hosts - Michael and Maria Rebello - were the wonderful couple who had hosted me in the past - and probably will in the future as well, as I have been invited to do the Discipleship Program in two parishes in July. During the visit I paid my respects to Bishop Valerian D'Souza, another extremely blessed shepherd of God's flock.

Lenten Mission, Thane

St. John the Baptist Church, Thane (March 6-8)

After a hiatus of four months, I was back on the missionary trail with a Lenten Mission in St. John the Baptist Church in Thane, India. The subject was the Seven Deadly Sins and though it was the first time I was doing this series of talks it went down very well. Fr. Milton invited me to start a community in the parish beginning July 29, which pleased me immensely, because there were several people who expressed the desire to be part of something that would help them grow. This was one of the rare times when I have returned to a parish to preach, preferring to reach out to new people in new parishes.

HSI Celebrates 5 Years!

Little kids put on a show as part of the celebrations

HSI completed five years on December 30, 2008, and despite its relative youth has become one of the most successful Catholic lay apostolates in the world currently reaching well over a million people each week through twelve ministries. We had a little party to celebrate the occasion on January 30 and over 250 people attended. We thank God for His blessings and protection over us through the years.

Discipleship Program, Vashi, New Bombay

Final overseas mission for the year at Vashi, New Bombay

I had planned on taking a three month long break from missionary travel after my trip to the United States, but I had committed to doing a Discipleship Program in Vashi whenever it could be arranged, so when I was told that dates were fixed for October 24-26, I didn't back out. I was glad I didn't, because it was a wonderful mission that ended with yet another invitation to start an HSI Community.

The enemy, of course, promptly went into action with whispers emanating from certain leaders about how I was a divisive force in the Catholic Church and other such rubbish, but then he has to do what he has to do and we have to do what we have to do—which is continue our work in the vineyard—though I believe at some point I may have to take steps to stop the slander.

With this mission—which was made possible largely due to the efforts of Blazie Shetty—completed, my travels come to an end until the Lenten season, though I plan on using the time to write about the many things I have learned over the past couple of years and also build up the existing Communities we have running.

HSI Sharjah is 2 Years Old

Happy Birthday HSI Sharjah

Our prayer family in Sharjah completed two years this week and they celebrated it by throwing a party, with the kids and youth putting up skits, mimes and other assorted entertainment. Members from other families, even some as far away as Fujairah, came for the celebration and it so great to see the love flowing.

Holy Spirit Interactive, itself, completes five years this December. May the Lord continue to bless us and grow us.

New HSI Community in Jebel Ali

We launched our fourth Community (after Dubai, Fujairah and Chembur) in Jebel Ali today. We had Fr. Eugene Matioli, parish priest of St Francis of Assisi Church, bless us. The HSI Communities are our success story with new ones to begin in Dar es Salam, Tanzania and Houston, Texas shortly. All the communities have the blessings of the local bishop and are under the supervision of priests. For more information please visit the School of Discipleship website.

Silent Retreat

Mother Nadine and Yours Truly

Fr Pasquale, the Ninja Healer, my Retreat Director

The Intercessors of the Lamb are a group based in Omaha, Nebraska comprising a group of contemplatives - brothers, sisters and priests. I decided to spend a week with them before I returned home. I had visited 9 countries in 9 months and estimate I spoke to over 20,000 people in nearly a hundred different places. I was pretty much exhausted and believed I needed a full recharge of my spiritual batteries. Hence the retreat. It turned out to be the best thing that I did all year long! Not only did I get rejuvenated in body, mind and soul; I also learned (and relearned) a lot of things during the time I was there.

It was a silent retreat, but guided. Fr. Pasquale was my retreat director. Originally from Surinam, he was affectionately referred to as the Spiritual Ninja Warrior by the Community members and by the third day I could see why. Before I left, I spent a few minutes chatting with a few of the brothers in the Community (I lived with them but because the retreat was silent didn't do much by way of communication except nod!) and a litle time with the founder of the Community—Mother Nadine. She is a wonderfully blessed person and shared a beautiful vision she had of me before she said bye.

Discipleship Program, Durham, North Carolina

My final mission in the United States was in Durham, North Carolina and though it was a wonderful mission—Discipleship Program, Prayer Meeting, Counselling—I was glad when it was over. Though people may not have realized it, I was close to exhausting my reserves of energy and if I had one more such mission I believe I would have collapsed through it. My hosts/organizers—Charles and Stella, Melvin and Preeti, Josy and Maria—were warm and wonderful and will always be fondly remembered.

Discipleship Program, Vancouver, Canada

Immaculate Conception Church, Vancouver, British Columbia

The Discipleship Program in Immaculate Conception Church held from September 15-18, 2008, Vancouver was one of the best ever, attended by nearly 500 people of assorted races, all of whom seemed struck by a bolt of lightning. I was very tired, but very happy by the end of it, and only wish I could have started off the School of Discipleship here but I had to leave for North Carolina the following morning. There is a good chance that I will set up a second base of operations in Canada, though, so that might happen some time soon.

Discipleship Program, Seattle, Washington

A new family in Seattle, Washington

Invitations kept coming my way at the very last minute, which meant I couldn't plan my trip very well. Consequently I found myself criss-crossing back and forth across the continent! Fortunately, I could plot in Seattle immediately before Vancouver (they couldn't arrange a program in the Church for me last month), so for a change I could take a bus rather than a plane.

My host here was another Matthew, who had also organized my mission for September 12 and 13 in his prayer group. Predominantly Indian Malayalees, they were a warm wonderful bunch of people who took me into their hearts, and I them. Matthew's wife Maria, who showed me some of Seattle's sights on the free day that I had, is on the bottom left of the picture.

Discipleship Program, Houston, Texas

Discipleship Program in St Thomas Aquinas Prayer Hall, Houston

A short session in Dallas, Texas

My first mission in the United States began with the Discipleship Program in Houston, Texas at St. Aquinas Church. It was a terrific start to the mission, and though the crowd wasn't too large, the parish priest was in attendance and he invited me back to Houston to do the Program on a parish level some time next year. He also said he would like to start an HSI Community in Houston. Matthew, my host, who had arranged my program, said that he would arrange missions in other parishes in the region the next time I was down. He and his wife are wonderful people, totally on fire for God, and I was blessed to be with them.

I flew the following morning to Dallas where I gave a talk to a small group of people, some of whom I knew in my younger days, including host Percy Pinto and his lovely wife Charmaine. There were also a couple of protestant ministers present, as well as some who were non-Christian, and I figure God knew better than I did why they were there.

I flew back to Houston from Dallas, slept for four hours, then retraced my journey back to Canada with three separate flights to Phoenix, Portland and finally Vancouver. I made a little calculation and estimated if all the hours I spent travelling was put together I spent a total of between two two to three weeks either at an airport or in an airplane this year!!!

Discipleship Program, Toronto, Canada

Precious Blood Parish

Talk in St Paschal Baylon Church

My second visit to Toronto didn't see as many engagements as my first visit three years ago, but the numbers of people to listen to me were more. I conducted HSI's Discipleship Program in Precious Blood Church and gave a few talks to prayer groups around the city, including one to Toronto's largest—Gethsemane Ministries.

I moved on to Vancouver from there, and though the Discipleship Program wouldn't be conducted until the middle of September, I had enough on my plate to keep me busy. Gave talks to prayer groups in St. Joseph the Worker Church, St. Paul's Church, and Sacred Heart Church, among others. I also gave a talk to residents of Luke 15 House, a half way house for ex-prisoners and recovering addicts.

World Youth Day, Australia

Inaugural Mass at the Telstra Dome, Melbourne

A young(er) pilgrim at Sydney

A wonderful enactment of the Passion

I accompanied Diana Mascarenhas of the ICPE School of Mission to Australia for the World Youth Day as one of their speakers during the first leg of the tour in Melbourne, though I really didn't have to do much by way of preaching. I was glad to have gone, nonetheless, because the experiences I had in Melbourne for the Days of the Diocese program and then, later on in Sydney, for the World Youth Day, would trigger off a desire to work with youth again and put together an HSI team for the next WYD to be held in Madrid, Spain in 2011.

Crusade in Dar es Salam, Tanzania

Crusade in Africa: June 26-June 29, 2008

A section of the crowd numbering 10,000

A small teaching on the sidelines

If a good preacher wants large crowds, India is usually a safe bet. But even so, India is nothing compared to Africa where people throng by the thousands to a religious event. There were about 10,000 to this one in Dar Es Salam! Though the event took place for an entire fortnight, I could be there only for five days due to prior commitments, but they were five days to remember.

An African crowd stirred up is a crowd to behold, but what I will never forget is the deliverance that took place after the talks were over. As we prayed over the people, many would be thrown to the ground and roll, frothing at the mouth, while stretcher bearers would quickly come and take them away. The entire thing was organized on a war footing, but then I realized that this was war!

And, as always, in Tanzania the organizers always make sure that I am kept busy, so I'd take up a small class in the morning, preach at the crusade in the afternoon, and go and give a few more talks in the evenings. All in a day's work! :) By the end of it I had lost my voice completely, but I had finished by then so I didn't really care!

Discipleship Program, Ruwi, Oman

Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi, Oman
For the first time in three years I was accompanied by members of the HSI Community for a mission outside the country. Brothers Denzil, Rajan, Manjula, Joel and young sister Jovita drove/flew down to Oman to assist me with the Discipleship Program in Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi, Oman and it was a delight to have them around. The team were quite thrilled by the warmth and the love they received and I knew they couldn't wait for more.

The mission, itself, held from May 4-May 7, was wonderful. Like other missions, it got off to a relatively slow start, but by the end of it, people just wanted more. The local prayer group—a wonderfully Spirit led group that went by the name of Mary Immaculate Prayer Community headed by brothers Eugene, Philip, Roman, Freddy and Marion—had made the program possible and their hospitality and graciousness was marvellous to behold.

I got a few more insights into why people don't come for missions like this even though it was held in a parish level. One woman said her husband didn't think much of lay preachers; another said he believed I was a "Charismatic" preacher and didn't think too much of Charismatics; and a third said he didn't come because it was organized by the local prayer group and he didn't like them. C'est la vie.

Fr. Elias Vella

Fr. Elias Vella from Malta conducts Set Free

Fr. Elias Vella and Diana Mascarenhas ministered to HSI Community members through the Set Free program, a powerful module designed to bring wholeness and healing in the power of the Holy Spirit to broken people. Through my missionary travels I am blessed to meet many anointed men and women of God. With a wealth of knowledge and experience they have much to teach and even while I learn from them, I try to ensure that others do too by inviting them to be with us.

Our Lady of Perpetual Succor Church, Bombay

Our Lady of Perpetual Succor Church, Chembur
The Church building was under construction so masses and everything else, including the Discipleship Program, was moved to the hall of an adjacent building. The Program, held between April 10-12, was one of the best I have ever conducted, and an invitation to join HSI's School of Discipleship very well received. The School, which is targeted to begin on May 18th will be the third School of Discipleship - and the first in India.

God Bless Africa!

Exhuberance marks local praise and worship; the people in the foreground are dancing

Africa provided a fantastic conclusion to a four nation tour, even though it involved a grueling schedule that began the day I arrived. Barely hours after reaching (February 29), I found myself giving a short retreat to a group of African youth, which was followed by a talk to local parishioners.

The session with the African youth was really alive, but it didn't exactly prepare me for the vibrancy of worship I witnessed the following day (March 1) at the Emmaus Center prior to my talk. The locals sang and danced with an abandon I have never seen elsewhere.

The hunger in the people was also amazing to see. There were 300 people when I started. By the time I was half way through there were over a thousand people in attendance. My talk was supposed to have been for two hours, but the translator (Br Sebastian) suggested that I continue, and I ended up speaking for another two.

Before and after the other programs that followed, there were talks to local communities, visits to the sick and a miscellaneous assortment of things including a visit to Cardinal Polycarp Pengo to pay my respects. While I had met nearly two dozen bishops over the past few years, this was the first Cardinal that I was meeting. I had a feeling it wouldn't be the last

All the sessions were organized by Cajetan Misquitta, who was also my host for the length of my stay in Tanzania along with his Hindu friend Milan. God is going to use both these men in the days to come, even though one of them doesn't quite know it yet.

On Air on Radio Tumaimi

Mama Chilambo and me on air on Radio Tumaimi

An hour long recording session on Radio Tumaimi two days after I reached Dar es Salam led to an invitation to record three more talks. Though my schedule was extremely tight, I could hardly refuse, especially given that I had the chance to reach over ten million people, which was the listenership the station had. I recorded the fourth and final talk the day before I was to leave. The Director of the station, Mrs Esther Chilambo, respectfully called Mama Chilambo, did a simultaneous translation of my talks.

Discipleship Program, Don Bosco, Dar es Salam

Don Bosco, Upanga, Dar es Salam

A full day Discipleship Program at the open air Don Bosco Church in Upanga brought to an end a very long mission in four countries and, though I was happy to have had the opportunity to reach so many people, I was also glad that it was over and I could go home. I hadn't seen my family for longer than a few hours during the past one month and I really missed them.

I travel next in April to Bombay, India.

Discipleship Program, St. Joseph's, Dar es Salam

St. Joseph's Church, Dar es Salam

With Br Roman and Fr. Rewchungura

While the program in Emmaus Center had a rough start, the one that followed at St. Joseph's Cathedral had a terrific beginning -- and it stayed terrific until the end. The church, which was built by German missionaries five hundred years ago, was quite lovely and I enjoyed preaching in it despite the strong echo it carried. I had a different translator for this program: Roman, the deputy director of Agape, one of the Emmaus ministries. Roman, like Sebastian, became a good friend by the end of the program as did the parish priest, Fr. Rewchungura, who attended all the four sessions and seemed quite delighted with it. He told me I was welcome to preach in the parish any time that I wanted.

Discipleship Program, Emmaus Center, Dar Es Salam

Emmaus Center, Dar Es Salam, with Bro Sebastian translating

Two Discipleship Programs began simultaneously on March 3: one in the morning at Emmaus Center, a Charismatic organization, for a totally local audience; the other in the afternoon at St. Joseph's Parish. The first one got off to a disastrous start. The instant I began two goats walked into the prayer area and distracted everybody, including me. Somebody eventually chased them off, but it was uphill from that point onwards. The next day, however, was great and by the time the program closed, I had received an invitation to return in June as one of the key speakers for a national convention that attracts nearly 10,000 people. Needless to say, I was pretty pleased.

Discipleship Program, OLPH, Fujeirah

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Fujairah

I preached a Lenten mission in Fujairah from February 25-27, making it possibly the first mission being preached in a church in the UAE by a lay person. Hopefully this will create a precedent because there are a lot of lay preachers who can conduct missions just as well as priests can, and with the shortage of mission preachers among the clergy this might help to fill in a vast gap.

Fr. Michael, the parish priest of the Church in Fujairah, was present on all the days, and like others who have attended in the past, had only good things to say about the Program. So did the others who came for it, though as usual, it was word of mouth about the preacher that brought them in.

I got a fascinating insight into how people choose to attend retreats during one of the counseling sessions I had in the morning. A gentleman who came on the second day told me that he hadn't come on the first day because he thought I belonged to another nationality!!!

Discipleship Program, St. Mary's, Croydon

St. Mary's Church, Croydon

Lalini Nazareth, who was also my host for most of the time I was in London, arranged to have the Discipleship Program in St. Mary's Church in Croydon over three evenings from February 19 to February 21. Though it had a slow start (as usual!) the church was pretty full by the final day and it was a delight to see normally stiff people loosen up to hold hands and sing together! If I had a few more days with them, I'd have them dancing!!

Discipleship Program, St. Stephen's, Enfield

The wonderful Fr. Rodney, parish priest of St. Stephen's

Back at St. Stephen's

Fr. Rodney, the Anglican pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Enfield, and his dear wife Vicky gave me yet another warm welcome as I returned to preach at their parish, this time to give the Discipleship Program. The last time I was here I had given a short talk on love, which had resulted in an open invitation to return. As I had only four hours to conduct the program, I condensed it as best I could. Earlier in the day he had invited me to give the homily during the Mass.

A truly Spirit filled man, Fr. Rodney could give a few lessons to his Catholic counterparts in largeness of heart and graciousness of hospitality, though I am pretty sure that his desire for Christian unity and his willingness to take risks must not endear him to members of his own order. It is a real pity that such men are such a rarity.

Discipleship Program, St. Joseph's, Hendon

A few of the people who attended the Program in Hendon

My first program during my second visit to London was a day long Discipleship Program in St. Joseph's Church, Hendon. There were just 32 people present, but given that it is considered a minor miracle if ten show up for a Christian program in London, I figured I should consider myself fortunate. The people were a smogasbord of nationalities but the language didn't seem to be a problem for any of them, so I quite enjoyed it. I also enjoyed my stay with Millie Fernandes, a lady of Kenyan origin, who had arranged this program and the one to follow in Enfield.

Discipleship Program, Abu Dhabi

St Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The saying by Jesus, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown," came sharply to mind yet again as I saw a relatively empty church on the first day of the three day Discipleship Program in Abu Dhabi on December 20. It didn't help my general mood to have the sound act up badly on me as well, but by the time the Program was over, all was well with the world again. The church had filled up, the sound was great, and there were enough people who were touched to have made the effort all worthwhile. We had the sessions videotaped for the first time and hopefully will be able to offer them on the site some time in the near future.

Fr. Franklin D'Souza

Fr. Franklin D'Souza had his audience in splits

Yet another distinguished speaker and anointed man of God spoke to the HSI Community today. We have been blessed with a number of wonderful people ministering to us and sharing their experiences and knowledge. Fr. Franklin D'Souza, whom I had the pleasure of meeting when I had conducted the Discipleship Program in Mangalore — he said the Holy Mass before my sessions — was the latest.

Newsletter #156

The 156th newsletter listing major updates to the Holy Spirit Interactive (HSI) website went out to over 60,000 subscribers today. The main feature is an article on the Gregorian chant by Arlene Oost-Zinner and Jeffrey Tucker, who are, respectively, president and director of the St. Cecilia Schola Cantorum in Auburn.

I discovered the Gregorian chant during a retreat I made early last year with a group of Benedictine monks in the South of England. Though I didn't understand a word of what anybody was singing, it was the most amazing music I had ever heard, and in a Church setting, which was where I heard it, the music just made me wanna go down on my knees.

Click here to hear a few samples. Known as the O Antiphons, they cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17 to Dec. 23. These particular chants were sung by the Dominican student brothers at Blackfriars in Oxford during Christmas last year.

The HSI Prayer Family on Yahoo

In September 2006, I had started a forum on Yahoo (hsifamily) with the idea that all the members of the HSI Global Intercessory Prayer Family share their thoughts, ideas, opinions and feelings with one other. We have people from just about every nation on this planet repesented in our prayer family (no kidding!) and I believed that the cross-pollination of cultures would make for some interesting discussions. However, with the exception of three or four people, there was nobody contributing anything whatsoever to the group. Part of the fault for this was undoubtedly mine; a group such as this requires steering, and I had not been able to provide it because of other duties. Though tempted to give up on this, I believe that this forum can be a powerful way to encourage growth (and, consequently, evangelization), so I decided I would give it one more try and write something new every day. Fans of my writing (are there any?) are welcome to visit - and even join the group on Yahoo (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hsifamily/)

Discipleship Program, Ghala, Oman

Holy Spirit Church, Ghala, Oman

I had put a halt to all travels from July to December so that I could spend my time building the HSI Community, but a mission to Oman had been fixed way back in January. Out of the mission circuit for three months, I was a little anxious about getting back in front of people, but I needn't have worried; the Spirit was with me as He always is and by the end of the 4 day Program (Oct 4-7), He seemed to be with everybody else who attended as well. The Program concluded with one of the most powerful anointing sessions I have witnessed and even the parish priest admitted to feeling the hair on his head standing. Wonderful this, seeing as how the dear man doesn't have hair on his head!

The parish priest was Fr. John Fernandaz. He was the instrument who guided me in the days following my conversion, and although I hadn't met him since his transfer to Oman a couple of years ago, he remained close to my heart. It was good to see him again and minister to the parishioners under his care. My wife, Glenda, joined me on this mission - the first time she was doing so - in preparation, perhaps, for joining me permanently some time in the near future.

Back to Blogging

I realize, as I make this entry, that the last posting was exactly two months ago. This is a pity as there has been a lot happening with the ministry, and when time allows, I will make the relevant postings, but for now a brief summary will do. Most of the activity has revolved around the HSI Community, which has been more successful than I had imagined. It has grown to nearly 50 people, who in turn, have grown tremendously. Not only have they registered noticeable growth spiritually, they have begun witnessing powerfully to others. I am well pleased.

Also during this time, we had two preachers - Lalith Pereira from Sri Lanka, and Anthony Lobo from India - minister to the local HSI family. The HSI family in Sharjah celebrated its first birthday. The HSI Audio ministry burned its first audio CD - a 15 minute Christmas program for an Australian radio channel. The professionalism of the venture has encouraged us to produce a complete music CD for Christmas and to start producing videos as well. The 150th HSI newsletter went out to nearly 60,000 subscribers. And I started learning to play the guitar! :)

Fr. Rufus Pereira and HSI

Fr. Rufus with the newly formed HSI Community

We were blessed to have Fr. Rufus Pereira with us over the weekend. He preached to our Dubai Prayer Family on Thursday, then spent the following morning with the newly formed HSI Community, and a greater part of the next day counselling our family members. A regular contributor to the HSI web site, Fr. Rufus is the president of the International Association of Exorcists; the editor of 'Charisindia', a Charismatic monthly; director of the National Charismatic Bible College; and a visiting post-graduate Scripture professor at the Pontifical Theological Institute. Fr. Rufus was very happy with the work that HSI was doing and promised to be a more active part of it in the near future.

The First HSI Community

We launched the first HSI community today, a religious organization for lay people wanting to devote their lives to God and grow His Kingdom. I had not expected too many peopleto join as it would involve immense commitment, but was pleasantly surprised when over three dozen people showed a willingness and desire to do so. I have little doubt that there will be drop-outs as the going gets tougher, but then I have equally little doubt, that their places will be taken by others because God is really stirring up the hearts of His people.

This is Aneel Aranha on Big 92.7 FM

Welcome to Spiritual Sunrise on Big 92.7 FM

"This is Aneel Aranha of Holy Spirit Interactive inviting you to Spiritual Sunrise on Big 92.7 FM!" :) I recorded that little sound byte this morning for a new radio show on one of India's top radio stations. HSI has a two hour breakfast slot every Sunday. It debuts tomorrow. The anchor for the show is the versatile Alfwold Silveira, who looks after the ministry's interests in India, specifically Goa. He has been responsible for putting together the Praise Adonai shows in India as well as organizing other outreach programs and has been a tremendous asset to HSI. This is yet another beginning of another great thing!

The Mission Continues

Our Lady of Perpetual Succor, Chembur

The Pentecost Rally in Vakola was followed by invitations to minister to four of the neighboring communities: Chembur (May 28), Kurla (May 29), Pestom Sagar (May 30) and Kalina (May 31). I counselled people in the morning (a total exceeding 100 over four mornings!) and preached to various Church groups in the evening. My hosts during the first half of the mission were an old school friend named Joseph John and his wife Jacqueline, and during the latter half, three very sweet and hospitable nuns in a convent. Yet another new bed!

I ended the mission in Bombay with talks to zonal leaders about the School of Discipleship and how to implement it. As this is being used as a test for the rest of Bombay, I pray that the Holy Spirit makes it a great success. To help the Holy Spirit do this is a lady of extreme devotion and commitment - Leela Moraes - who was also instrumental in making this entire mission in Bombay possible ... and successful. My heartfelt gratitude to her and her teams.

A Celebration of Two Births: The Church and Me!

Pentecost Rally: May 27, Vakola, Bombay

I felt really blessed to have my birthday fall this year on the feast of Pentecost and I knew it would be an amazing day. It was. Over 1,500 people spilled out of the Church and the moment I went to the altar, I felt the anointing sweep over me. The words flew effortlessly. I ended by recapping the things that I had spoken about the previous three days and by the time I was done, everybody was prepared for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He didn't disappoint and I believe that what took place in that Church today was another pointer towards the Great Revival of the Church which is going to begin shortly.

As for my birthday, I cut four cakes through the course of the day. Various church groups, including the youth group that I had spoken privately to the previous day, brought them in and I felt touched by the love in the hearts of the people for me. I missed my family, though, and determined that I would be with them the next time around.

Discipleship Program, Vakola

St. Anthony's Church, Vakola (May 24-26)

A three day Discipleship Program in Vakola (May 24-26) was a prelude to a zonal Pentecost Rally comprising seven neighboring parishes. Though I had a rough start with the sound system playing up (nothing new here!), the Program had a great ending (nothing new here either!), and over 1,000 people registered for the School of Discipleship at its conclusion. This School will be a little more intensive than the others before it, with people mentored even in-between modules. I will be presenting a full plan for the School to Zonal leaders shortly.

Blessings from Church Elders

I was immensely privileged to receive blessings from three Church elders on the morning of May 24th, meeting Cardinal Simon Pimenta, Archbishop Oswald Gracias and Bishop Agnelo Gracias. I had gone to meet Archbishop Oswald to pay my respects and brief him on what I was doing in the city and was introduced to the others as well. I was happy that they all knew me and the Holy Spirit Interactive ministry even before being introduced. Archbishop Oswald gave his permission to start the School of Discipleship in Bombay.

Talk to the Jesus Youth, UAE

In a sign that more walls were crumbling (well, okay, shaking!) I was invited to speak to the Jesus Youth (UAE) leaders today. The Jesus Youth is one of the largest Christian organizations in the world, but predominantly Keralite. Despite their name most of the members are in their late 20s/early 30s, having belonged to the Jesus Youth in their younger days and having just stuck on. I had spoken to their communities during my visits to Mangalore and Bangalore and had found them a vibrant lot. This one, too, was very energetic and I enjoyed my time with them.

Talk to the African Community, Dubai

Last year we had started a chain fast for Christian unity and a week into the fast, I received an invitation to preach to the African Community in Dubai. This year, we started a similar fast, and once again, 7 days into the fast, I received another invitation to preach to the same community. Believing this to be a sign from God, I ended an extremely anointed talk on May 14 with a brief exhortation to all present to take a few steps to lower the barriers that separated us, suggesting that we could join one another for prayer. Several young men came up after the session was over saying they would like to join the HSI family in their prayer/fellowship gathering the coming week and I could only whisper a silent thank-you to God for their openness to his call.

Fritz and Diana Mascarenhas

Fritz Mascarenhas

World renowned evangelists Fritz and Diana Mascarenhas ministered to the HSI family in the UAE as they conducted a retreat on the Loving Heart of the Father - over three evenings from May 9-11. It was immensely successful, with people travelling over 100 kms for the program. I was particularly blessed as they stayed with us during their visit and I benefited a lot from the time we spent together.

Discipleship Program, Jebel Ali

St Francis of Assisi Parish, Jebel Ali

St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jebel Ali is a Church that I have a lot of emotional attachment to as it is the place I found Jesus on July 14, 2002. I was, therefore, delighted to have the opportunity to conduct the Discipleship Program here (April 24-26 2007). But the joy was somewhat mitigated by the poor response to the Program.

Not since London have I seen so many empty seats in a church and as I fought back my disappointment, I remembered something God had said to me when I began to see churches packed with people eager to hear me: "Aneel, I give you the crowds only to make you happy, but don't ever allow yourself to be carried away by them! I don't need the numbers. I bring those I need to talk to and these are never too many!"

I realized that I had forgotted the advice and, despite my best intentions, was being swayed by the crowds and risked going the way of several other people in ministry who no longer ministered to small numbers. I promised myself that I wouldn't do that again. Almost as if in reward, the numbers began to swell and by the end of the session, there were over 150 people in attendance. I did believe that all of them were the people whom God wanted there.

Discipleship Program, Delhi

Diocesan Center, Delhi (Mar 30, 31, Apr 1)

My first mission in Delhi concluded to a packed house yesterday and mighty anointing. Once again, I saw evidence of how powerfully the Spirit was moving, and what I had noticed in Doha among the people there was very much in evidence here too, especially among the members of the Living Waters prayer group that had helped arrange this retreat. It is obvious that the revival God promised is very much on its way and the next five years are going to be truly grace filled.

I met Archbishop Vincent Concessio to receive his blessings after the program was over, and he seemed very pleased with how the program had gone. He was also pleased with the launch of the School of Discipleship, now the fourth city in the world that will have it running.