51st Centre for Kripa Inaugrated in Mira-Bhayandar Road,

Mayor of Mira Bhayandar Rd. Mr Narendra Mehta & Dr Anthony J.F.Sequeira cutting the ribbon at the centre .(pic on left) Shri Fr Joe H Pereira along with The Mayor Mr Narendra Mehta,Dr Anthony J.F. Sequeira ,Mrs Kamini Thussu & Staff of Kripa( pic on right)

The 51st Centre for Counseling of Chemical Dependency & HIV/AIDS, was inaugurated at Mira –Bhayander Road on the 26th of April 2009 by the Mayor of Mira –Bhayander Road Mr. Narendra Mehta , Dr Anthony J. F. Sequeira, Mrs. Kamini Thussu, Fr Rudolph D'Souza and Padma Shri Rev. Fr Joe H Pereira, Founder Managing Trustee of Kripa Foundation.
The opening of the centre was well attended, with the blessing of the premises by the Parish Priest Rev Fr Rudolph D’Souza, in the presence of Dr Anthony J.F. Sequeira and Family, Mayor Narendra Mehta, Padma Shri Rev.Fr Joe Pereira, Mrs. Kamini Thussu and Family, well- wishers and staff of Kripa.
This centre is being supported by Mr. Yoginder Raina of Dwarkamai Associates (Hospitality & Property services) and lovingly co- sponsored by Dr. Anthony J.F. Sequeira.
Contact Tel no.: 022 28126912 .

KRIPA TURNS GOLD AND BEYOND

Rt. Rev Bishop Anthony Fernandes & Fr Joe H Pereira inaugrating Kripa Barelly

The 50th centre for Kripa Foundation was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Anthony Fernandes on the 16th of April 2009, In the presence of Fr Joe Pereira, Founder Managing Trustee of Kripa Foundation. With this 50th centre, Kripa is now able to reach out to those suffering in the central and eastern region of India. This centre has all the facilities from Counselling, De-addiction & rehabilitation for treatment of Chemical dependency and HIV/AIDS counselling, which is being headed by Fr Joseph Topno.

Receiving the Padma Shree Award from the President of India

Fr Joe H Pereira receiving the Padma Shree award at the hands of The President of India on the 14th of April 2009

Christ the Supreme Yogi - Article by Fr Joe. in Times of India on 10th April 2009

CHRIST THE SUPREME YOGI


When an Indian reads the gospels for the first time, one is impressed by the energy that radiates from the person of Jesus. William Johnston in his Mystical Theology says that it is a reminder of the ‘ki’ the ‘chi’, the prana, the energy that forms the very basis of Asian Culture and religion. Energy goes out of Jesus when he heals the sick and casts out demons. Light, blinding light radiates from his body and clothing when he is transfigured on Mt. Tabor. In these days when we recall his last days on earth, as he says, “I am” in response to those who came to arrest him, the crowd falls to the ground overpowered by his magnetic presence. And finally with a burst of energy he dies as recorded by the evangelists, “crying out with a loud voice he yielded up the Spirit”(Mk 15, 37)
Those Christians who practice Iyengar Yoga as a path way to God and as contemplative prayer, do consider Jesus as a supreme example of a Yogi who claims that the “Father and I are One” and prays that we may be one as he and the Father. This journey is absolutely yogic. For his call to discipleship is,”if you wish to be my disciple, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me” It is a life long process like the grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies to bear much fruit. When Bill W. the Co-founder of A.A described addiction as “self will running riot” he was referring to the third step of the Twelve Step programme which suggests, “to make one’s will and life over to the God of one’s understanding”. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the prayer of Jesus was,” Father if it is possible let this chalice of suffering pass away but not my will but thine be done” The Supreme Sadhana is a way of the Cross. Iyengar always repeats his own journey of Yoga as “Pain being my Master”. It is by dying to oneself that one is born to eternal life.
This energy is at work in the world even today. In the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, it is said that,”Christ is now at work in the hearts of men and women through the energy of the Spirit. But the greatest energy and the greatest gift is love. For “ greater love than this no one has than to lay down one’s life for one’s loved ones.” And again “ If I speak in the language of mortals and angels but donot have love, I am a nosy gong and clanging cymbal (I Cor, 13,1) For as St John tells us “God is love”. In the process of dying to oneself is a pathway of forgiveness. In the world of growing individualism and self-righteousness, the path of forgiveness demands a supreme act of surrender. To extend this love and understanding even to one’s enemies by finding an alternative to “a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye” demands a unique sense of transcendence into the realm of the ‘Purusha’. It is only from that realm can one interpret the words of the Crucified Jesus “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing” Only an act of total “Ishvara-pranidhana”, the final “Niyama” can generate the energy to utter such words of love at the height of agony. Paradoxically as a supreme Yogi Christ had entered into the final state of “Anandamaya-kosha” (the blissful body) for his cry of forgiveness itself was a cry of Joy and Resurrection at the victory over sin and death. As Tony Dmello, who often spoke like a Sufi Mystic would say, “if you ‘look’ at the serene countenance of the crucified Saviour, you may see a ‘laughing Buddha’!”

Fr.Joe H. Pereira
www.kripafoundation.org