Strengthen your faith, Bishop tells people

Vijayawada: The Apostolic administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Vijayawada, Bishop Govindu Joji, here on Tuesday, called upon the people to strengthen their faith and get the blessings of the Almighty. Addressing the Catholic devotees who are on a 40-day Lent period fasting, before the Easter, Bishop Joji said that the season should strengthen their faith in God. He said fasting was not just skipping one meal a day, but driving away the evil forces from every individual. He wanted them to give up their bad qualities, including anger and jealousy, during the season that takes them closer to God. He wanted people to develop love for the neighbour and forgive their mistakes which Jesus had shown to the world. He congratulated the Catholics who have taken the 40-day Deeksha preparing for the Easter. He said that their lives and attitude should be a model for others in developing faith in God and to be right citizen.A The devotees spent the whole night in prayers as part of their Deeksha, preparing the body and soul for Easter. The Bishop celebrated the Holy Eucharist as part of the celebrations. The Gunadala Matha Shrine rector, Fr. M Chinnappa, Vijayawada Diocese Chancellor, Fr. J John Raju, Pastoral Center director, Fr. G Vijayakumar, Gunadala assistant parish priests, Fr. L Sridhar and Fr. P Anthony, were present.