Called to serve,  Blessed to witness

Sr Dr Beena UMI,

Sr Dr Beena UMI, a Consultant Gynaecologist, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, spoke about Dr Armida Fernandez. 

"It is my profound privilege and honour to stand before you today as we celebrate our beloved Padma Shri awardee, Dr Armida Fernandez—a distinguished neonatologist, a visionary leader, and above all, a woman of deep compassion who has dedicated her life to the selfless service of humanity. 

Dr Armida began her healing vocation at Sion Hospital, where she devoted herself to the most fragile beginnings of life—newborns fighting for survival. As Professor and Head of Neonatology, she pioneered path-breaking initiatives that changed the landscape of neonatal care in India. From establishing Asia's first human breast milk bank, to introducing infant warmers and championing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, her work saved innumerable vulnerable infants and contributed significantly to the reduction of infant mortality across the country.

As Dean of Sion Hospital—one of Mumbai's largest and most demanding public hospitals—Dr Armida stood as a rare embodiment of compassion paired with competence, courage matched by commitment. In an environment often strained by scarcity, she led with clarity, integrity, and an unwavering concern for human dignity.

In 1999, she founded SNEHA, an NGO committed to walking alongside women and children in Mumbai's most vulnerable urban communities, particularly those living in the city's slums. Through its work in maternal and newborn health, child nutrition, adolescent wellbeing, and the prevention of violence against women and children, SNEHA has seamlessly blended grassroots compassion with strong public health partnerships, touching lives where the need is greatest.

Building BRIDGES: Strengthening Communication in Christian Marriage

Fr Ashwin Castellino

World Marriage Day invites us to celebrate the beauty, dignity, and sacredness of marriage. It is a day to honour couples who have chosen to love faithfully—not only in moments of joy, but also through challenges, misunderstandings, and growth. At the heart of every strong marriage lies one essential element: communication.

Christian marriage is not merely about sharing a home or fulfilling responsibilities; it is about sharing lives, dreams, fears, and faith. Communication becomes the bridge that connects two hearts and keeps love alive over time. To reflect on this, I would like to turn to the acronym 'BRIDGES,' reminding us that communication is not automatic; it is intentionally built, maintained,  and strengthened.

B – Balance the Power

Marriage is a covenant of equals. While spouses bring different gifts, temperaments, and roles, one is not meant to dominate the other—emotionally, verbally, or spiritually. St Paul reminds us, "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph 5:21).

Balanced communication ensures that both spouses feel heard, respected, and valued. It creates a safe space where differences of opinion can be expressed without fear, and where decisions are discussed freely—without pressure or control, especially when one spouse earns more or holds a higher position, degree, or qualification. When power is shared rather than imposed, love grows deeper. Mutual respect nurtures patience, humility, and trust, allowing communication to become a source of healing rather than hurt.

R – Recognise the Need

Many conflicts in marriage arise not from lack of love, but from unrecognised needs. One spouse may need reassurance, while the other needs space. One may seek solutions, while the other simply longs to be understood.

Marriage Encounters

Ninette D'Souza

World Marriage Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of February. Initiated in 1981, it coincides with National Marriage Week, observed from February 7 to 14. The celebration, which received papal blessing in 1993, reinforces the enduring truth that marriage 

is the cornerstone of strong families and a healthy society. It affirms the importance of faith, communication, and commitment within the marital bond.

"A happy marriage is heaven on earth, a paradise even the gods yearn to enter," opined a poet. We celebrated our Ruby wedding anniversary last November. At the very outset of our journey together, we pledged unwavering commitment to our union. Early on, we learned a vital truth: your spouse is the strongest pillar to lean on—the one person who continues to love you, even when you falter. We are markedly different personalities, yet we recognised the value of tolerance. We made conscious efforts to adapt—both to each other and to each other's families. What I share here are reflections drawn from marriages I have observed around me – some that crumbled, and others that continue to stand the test of time.

There are two simple yet powerful phrases every couple should carry into their marital journey. The first is, "I am sorry." The second, "You are forgiven." Life is rarely a smooth highway of cooperation. Loving each other does not make you mind-readers. Honest communication—especially about likes, dislikes, and expectations—is essential. Allow each other the space to grow and evolve.

What can Priests do to encourage more Vocations?

Fr. Daniel J. Schmitmeyer

As Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for the past ten years, I have tried nearly every programme, event and suggestion offered to me to help encourage more men to prayerfully discern a vocation to the priesthood. What I have found makes the biggest difference and helps the most is prayer. This includes praying for all vocations — married life, consecrated life, the permanent diaconate, chaste single life and priesthood — by praying for each person's courageous response to the universal call to holiness — that is, the way each lives out their vocation in preparation for heaven.

With that said, Vocation Directors must have help from pastors and other priests in the parishes. Parish Priests have a personal relationship with parishioners who are discerning the priesthood. Priests that young men already know are the ones who can best help those men if they may be frightened or insecure about who God is asking them to be. Men discerning the priesthood need a spiritual father who will help them know the direction God is leading them. If you are a priest in a parish, God is giving you an incredible opportunity to help guide these men to where God is leading.

Prior to becoming a Vocation Director, I was blessed to be a pastor for six years. In those six years, there were different activities, discussions and approaches that I used to encourage more vocations to the priesthood.

There were also things that I have seen other pastors do to help encourage men to consider the priesthood. Some of these things are incredibly easy, while others may require more effort. 

Compassion for the Sick – The New Power of the World

Fr S. Velankanni

The Significance of 108

The number 108 has gained widespread recognition across India since 2005 due to its association with emergency medical services. The 108 Ambulance Service was first launched in Andhra Pradesh in August 2005 during the tenure of Mr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, a Christian Chief Minister, in collaboration with the Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI). Since then, 108 has become the standard medical emergency number in many parts of India.

In Tamil Nadu, the service was introduced in 2008 in Madurai under Chief Minister M.K. Karunanidhi, marking a major step towards timely and accessible healthcare for all.

Beyond its practical purpose, 108 also carries deep spiritual meaning. Traditionally regarded as an "angel number," it symbolises divine guidance, spiritual growth, and the fulfilment of one's purpose. It reminds us to trust in God, walk in faith, and remain aligned with our spiritual path.

In a profound sense, 108 represents "saving life," which is sacred and holy. Thus, this emergency number calls each of us to become modern-day Good Samaritans, ready to help those in distress. It echoes the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:8: "Heal the sick… Freely you have received; freely give." This perfectly aligns with the mission of emergency services, saving lives with compassion and without discrimination.

World Day of the Sick

To support and honour those who suffer, the Church celebrates the World Day of the Sick every year. The Second Vatican Council reassures the sick, "You are not alone, separated, abandoned, or useless. You have been called by Christ and are His living, transparent image."

Ethical Dilemmas  of Surrogacy

Surrogacy, a method of assisted reproduction, where a woman carries and delivers a child for another person or couple, is a practice that has grown rapidly in recent decades. While it has provided an opportunity for individuals who are unable to conceive children naturally— whether due to infertility, same-sex relationships, or medical conditions—surrogacy has sparked complex ethical debates. These concerns are particularly evident in countries like India, where surrogacy has developed into a multi-billion dollar industry. With this expansion, however, comes significant ethical dilemmas surrounding exploitation, commodification of women’s bodies, and the rights of children. These concerns are amplified by religious and cultural perspectives, such as the Catholic viewpoint, which raises additional moral questions. 

The Evolution of Surrogacy: A Brief History 

Although surrogacy may appear to be a modern practice, its roots can be traced back to ancient times, as evidenced in Indian mythology. In the Bhagavata Purana, the embryo of Lord Balrama was transferred from his biological mother, Devaki, to a surrogate, Rohini, to protect the child from being killed by his maternal uncle. Similarly, the Mahabharata tells the story of King Vichitravirja, who, unable to produce heirs, had his half-brother Vyasa act as a surrogate father, leading to the birth of princes Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidur. 

However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that gestational surrogacy, as it is understood today, began to take form in the United States. The ‘Baby M’ case in the 1980s—where a legal dispute arose over the custody of a child born through surrogacy—placed the issue of surrogacy in the global spotlight. Since then, surrogacy has grown, particularly in countries like India, where commercial surrogacy began in 1997. India's relatively low costs, along with its growing reputation as a destination for medical tourism, have contributed to the booming surrogacy industry.