JEEVADHARA

WELCOME

Dominican Sisters of the Presentation being faithful to Mary, Model of fidelity and of gift, the spirit of St. Dominic and the vision of Blessed Marie Poussepin have come forward to answer to the signs of the time in the society to bring families to God and God to the families bringing renewal and commitment. Family is a gift of God and the original cell of the society. Family is the sacred altar of couples where love and life is shared and reaches its fullness. Children are the supreme gift of marriage and the fruit of the moral, spiritual, and supernatural life is extended from parents to children. Youth are the powerhouse of the society. If trained well, their abilities can be used for the growth and development of the society. To help all the families to become like Holy Family of Nazareth where commitment to their vocation as husband and wife is nurtured and valued is the aim of Jeevadhara Family Renewal Centre.

VISION
Transformation of the families, the basic units of the church into missionary communities to build up the kingdom of God.
MISSION
To equip the Christian families to fulfil the missionary responsibility entrusted to them through Baptism. To empower the individuals and families to radiate the joy of the Gospel by actively participating in the life of the church and the society.

Sr Deepa Moonjely OP

PROVINCIAL'S MESSAGE


Relevance of Ministry to the Families Today          

            ‘Family is the basic unit of the social fabric of society’, is the official teaching of the Church. “Authority, stability, and a life of relationships within the family constitute the foundations for freedom, security, and fraternity within society” (CCC 2207). The family, therefore, as an institution is prior to any recognition by public authority, which has an obligation to recognize it.  Family is the first place where children can learn about love, companionship and forgiveness. Parents can set children a good example of how to live a Christian life. 

What does the term Family ministry mean?  As per the encyclopaedia.Com, Family ministry is a term used to describe the many and diverse activities of religious congregations in support of family relationships. Although congregations of many different religious traditions worldwide have activities and programs for families, Family ministry often takes the shape of family-targeted educational programs, such as parent and marriage education programs, support groups for families dealing with various life issues (illness, disability, divorce), and counse...

Sr. Sheena Paul Thelappilly OP

DIRECTOR SPEAKS


God created human beings in His own image and likeness (Gen1:26). He granted them authority and dominion over all creatures and the world (Gen1:28). This tells us that God gave humanity the ability to invent new things for the good of creation. And the past few decades have brought about so many inventions. However, as we see from the history of the Israelites, these inventions did not help humankind to come closer to God. But it led them away from Him. Pride made them think that they are the authors and masters/mistresses of everything.  In reality, humanity is entrusted with the stewardship of the world and the task of forming themselves to reach God.

 In our times many people pay very little attention to this responsibility. Through our programmes at Jeevadhara Family Renewal Centre (JFRC) we make a humble effort to help us to become aware of our God-given responsibility and to enable us to see the right way to reach God. We do this especially through our retreats for the renewal of couples and other programmes.  We join hands with everyone to realize this dream.

BL. MARIE POUSSEPIN

Foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin

Born in Dourdan, France on October 14th 1653 into a hard-working Christian Family that owned a workshop for knitting silk stockings, Marie Poussepin soon developed a passion for active Charity by accompanying her mother who was a member of the Confraternity of Charity, to visit the poor sick people.
In 1685, open to what the future might hold, Marie transformed the traditional family workshop of hand knitted silk stockings into a factory to make woollen stockings, by introducing looms. She took on some 15-22 years old apprentices and exercised an educational and social role over them that was ahead of its time: abolition of apprentice-tax, bonus for productivity, promotion for good work. This "industrial revolution" assured the rapid economic expansion of the Country.

St. DOMINIC GUZMAN

The Founder of Order of Preachers

“How are they to hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14b). The word of God challenged St. Dominic to pay the cost to be a preacher of the Word. The founding inspiration of St. Dominic is at the heart of the structures and life style of the Brothers and Sisters of the Dominican Family. After more than 800 years, this inspiration is still able to arouse in people a fervent desire to be part of the adventure that he began.
A Man at the Service of the Gospel: His constant concern was to proclaim God with passion and he accomplished his mission by “Just speaking to God or about God”. His preaching took the form of both word and action. He learned charity in the book of the Gospel. The life he shared with his brothers and sisters would prove to be a living witness to the hope that consumed him.


Presentation of the Blessed Virgin

In confidence and joy, Marie Poussepin turned toward Mary, the Mother of Christ and our Mother. Marie Poussepin wished her community would honour and imitate Mary in the mystery of the Presentation, mystery of call, mystery of acceptance, the faith in this God who "fills the starving with good things and sends the rich away empty" . (Ratio Formationis p.12)

TESTIMONIALS

"Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." (Luke 8:39)

" I went on my first Jeevadhara retreat within 4 months of moving to Friendswood almost 5 years ago. After attending that retreat, I knew more men at Mary Queen than I had at my previous parish where we had been for years. Not only did it connect me with some great people within the parish, the retreat itself allowed me some quiet time away from the world to think about my life, my family and my job. I came away from that retreat refreshed and with an energy and clarity that I had never experienced. It reconnected me to my faith and to a group of like-minded Christian men who are a great support and inspiration to me. It was a welcome renewal. "
Rachelle Jessica --
" One of the best gifts I received from attending the Jeevadhara retreat was the realization that I was trying to do things myself rather than FULLY trusting GOD to be my guide in life.I consider myself a work in progress and there is much to be improved but there is in me much to be shared and that is my love for my family, my faith and my community. "
Miguel Camacho --
" I have been involved with Jeevadhara retreats since my first one in September 2006. The retreats have brought me closer to the Holy Trinity (Father-Abba, Jesus and the Holy Spirit) as well as my parish community. I feel the greatest impact in my life has been my growing Love of Jesus in Weekly Adoration which includes my wife, Margaret. Our time with Jesus is the most precious time of the week except for attending Mass (on any day). MEN -- If you want to get CLOSER to GOD then please consider attending this retreat! "
Frank Bejarano --
" I felt physical healing from your prayers [while attending] Jeevadhara. One month later, the oncologist called to say the cancer in my bone marrow that had originally spread had suddenly diminished to only one spot. I am now going to confession monthly. I always look forward to your events and wish to bring your message in Spanish to Hispanic communities. "
chippy --