WELCOME TO THE VICARIATE APOSTOLIC OF KUWAIT
 On the occasion of the 1st Anniversary of Your |
Homily of H.L. Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCI, on the occasion of the "We cannot yield fruit, unless we
On Saturday, 2 September 2006, His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCI, Fourth Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait, celebrated the 1st Anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination and Installation. The Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, His Grace Archbishop Mounged El Hachem and the Clergy of the Vicariate, concelebrated with Bishop Camillo before a large congregation, representative of the three Parishes in Kuwait.
H.L. Bishop Camillo Ballin delivered his welcome address, homily and message of thanks in Arabic and English. The thrust of his homily focussed on the Gospel reading of the day, taken from St. Luke 5:4–11, where Jesus says to Peter: "Put out into the deep". Peter had just come back from fishing all night and had caught nothing, but at Jesus’ command was still willing to put out into the deep. Peter and his companions trusted Jesus and cast their nets and consequently caught a lot of fish.
This well-known Gospel scene is the background setting for Bishop Camillo's Motto as Bishop: << IN VERBO TUO >>. Having embraced the challenges of missionary life, Bishop Camillo has totally entrusted himself to the Word of Jesus, "Master, on Your word I will throw the nets." His homily was, thus, a fitting and special occasion for reflecting upon his own vocation to follow Christ in the consecrated life, and, in particular, to renew his faithfulness to Christ's call to "Put out into the deep".
"We can and must live our faith. We are called to be fishers of men. God is the primary mover, the operator, in the matter of faith. Jesus, who starts the mission, is the foundation of our ministry. His grace is ever-present to help us, to assist us and to strengthen us," said Bishop Camillo.
His Lordship continued, "The command of Jesus is particularly relevant in our time. The reading of today's Gospel, is a reminder, not only to Bishops, Priests and Religious to do the task entrusted to them, but, a personal invitation to each of you, as members of the Church, to recognize the call to deepen your own commitment to Christ, by sharing the Gospel with others."
"This can only happen through trusting Jesus Christ at His Word and keeping Him as the center and foundation of our lives. We must open our hearts to the abundance of grace, and, to allow the Word of Jesus to act with all its power. We must be willing to risk, to take a chance on Jesus, without really knowing what lies ahead. For apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. Yet, we can yield abundant fruit, as long as we have the courage, like Peter, to heed His call to ... Put out into the deep ..."
He concluded by saying, "I ask each of you gathered here, to pray for me, your Bishop, as I commend and entrust myself and my ministry, fully to Jesus. I ask you, also, to pray for all our Priests and Religious of the Vicariate, so that, united together, we may continue in the task before us, that we may always be strong in our commitment to the Lord's call to "Put out into the deep" - trusting that He will bless us generously, and, through us, bless all those around us."
God has a plan for each of us. If we cannot pilot the ship, then maybe we can prepare meals for those who can. If we cannot swim, or fish, perhaps we can be net-menders. We each have a task to perform in God's kingdom.
1st Anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination and Installation
As Fourth Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait
keep Jesus as our center and our foundation."
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: A reading from the prophet Isaiah (63: 7-9)
Let me sing the Lord’s praises in return for his boundless goodness.
Let me sing the praises of the Lord’s goodness, and of his marvelous deeds, in return for all that he has done for us and for the great kindness he has shown us in his mercy and in his boundless goodness.
He said, “Truly they are my people, sons and no rogues.” He proved himself their saviour in all their troubles. It was neither messenger nor angel but his Presence that saved them. In his Presence that saved them. In his love and pity he redeemed them himself, he lifted them up, carried them, throughout the days of old.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
I will bless your name for ever, O Lord.
I will bless you day after day and praise you name for ever. The Lord is great, highly to be praised, his greatness cannot be measured.
I will bless your name for ever, O Lord.
Age to age shall proclaim your works, shall declare your mighty deeds, shall speak of your splendour and glory, tell the tale of your wonderful works.
I will bless your name for ever, O Lord.
They will speak of your terrible deeds, recount your greatness and might. They will recall your abundant goodness; age to age shall ring out your justice.
I will bless your name for ever, O Lord.
The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures.
I will bless your name for ever, O Lord.
All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing. They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God.
I will bless your name for ever, O Lord.
Second Reading:A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians (3: 12-17)
Giving thanks to God the Father, through Christ.
You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard my prayer.
Alleluia!
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (5: 4 – 11)
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we had worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.
Offertory Procession
FLOWERS: (Indian Community)
Father, You have endowed humanity with beauty, by Your gift of flowers. Accept our humble offering of a minute segment of this beauty. May our love and lives blossom and grow in the same splendor in Your heavenly Kingdom, spreading the perfume of Your love to the people around.
FRUIT: (Sri Lankan Community)
Children are the fruit of the family of God. You are the giver of life. Today, along with this fruit we bring before You, our Leader and Guide, Bishop Camillo whom You have given to this Church of Kuwait, to bring the family of God to the Eternal shores.
CANDLES: (Filippino Community)
Father, we bring forth these candles as a sign of our undying love and loyalty to You, ever burning and never faltering. Help each of us to be like this candle that loses nothing by burning in the service of others and illuminate the lives of all those we come in contact with. May this light which represents Christ, shine in the life of Bishop Camillo so that through him, Christ may shine in the lives of the people he comes in contact with.
STAFF: (Pakistani Community)
With the Shepherd’s crook, You will lead Your people. God our Father, a year ago, You entrusted to our Bishop Camillo, the responsibility of tending Your people and leading them to the green pastures. May he follow You, the Eternal Shepherd, to gather them into one fold and lead them to the Eternal Kingdom. Bless him and guide him in his undertakings.
BREAD AND WINE: (Arab Community)
Many grains make one bread and many grapes make wine. At the Eucharistic Celebration, Father we come before You as one family, unmindful of our race, culture and language to worship You and to partake of this Sacred Meal. Change us into Your likeness. May our lives be transformed into Your Body and Blood.
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