Our Lady of Vailankanni

Vailankanni, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in southern India, owes great part of its notoriety to Our Lady of Health, also known as the “Lourdes of the East.”

The city of Vailankanni, in the State of Tamil Nadu, welcomes thousands of pilgrims, who each year come to venerate the Virgin Mary. Like in other shrines, the Mother of God gathers her children in this basilica, where one can attend liturgical celebrations in English and Hindi, as well as in other local languages such as Tamil, Marathi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada.

Since the 16th century, several miracles and Marian apparitions to different individuals have taken place. The first apparition took place when a Hindu boy had gone out to get milk. On his way back, the Virgin Mary appeared to him and asked for some milk for her child, which she held in her arms. The boy agreed, but when he returned home he was demanded a reason for his delay. He explained all that had happened, and seeing a surplus of milk, everyone realized that none was missing. The boy took his master to the place of the apparition and the Virgin once again appeared to him.

Several years later, the Virgin Mary appeared to another boy, once again asking for milk, and the same miracle took place. Furthermore, this boy, who was a cripple, was cured. This time the Virgin Mary requested that they build a chapel in her honor, and so it was done. The chapel soon became a place of veneration to Mary, Our Lady of Health (“Arokia Matha”).

However, the story does not end here. Miracles have continued to happen; in particular, the miracles that occurred in the 17th century and in 2004. In the 17th century, a merchant ship from Portugal was wrecked on the coast of the gulf. The sailors invoked the Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, and promised to build a shrine in her honor if they reached land safely. They were miraculously saved by the Virgin and upon their arrival they were taken to the Chapel that was built in honor of Our Lady of Vailankanni. They transformed the simple chapel into a shrine, which in time has undergone several restorations until turning into a truly majestic sanctuary. On November 3rd, 1962, Pope John XXIII elevated the Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni to the rank of basilica.

In 2004 there was a great tsunami. The area of Vailankanni was one of the most devastated areas. When the waves invaded the city, 2000 pilgrims were in the shrine attending mass. The shrine was miraculously spared, while the waves destroyed remaining buildings in the city.

In this way, Our Lady of Health has shown herself to be the caring Mother who protects her children of Vailankanni, India and the entire world.

Prayer of consecration to Our Lady of Vailankanni:

“Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother of Health, today we come to you fully confident in your maternal heart.

Today we consecrate to you our work and sacrifices, all we have and all that we are. Reign over us, dearest Mother, that we may be wholly yours in prosperity and in adversity, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in life and in death.

Because of you, we praise the Holy Catholic Church; protect her against all attacks of her enemies. Because of you, we praise the human race; may all men and nations come to understand and fulfill the precepts of your divine Son.

Love your neighbor in order that there may be genuine peace in justice and in truth.”

www.mariedenazareth.com

http://deaconjohn1987.blogspot.com/2010/02/vailankanni-our-lady-of-health-story.html

The English Mavens ELOI

The English Mavens® English Language Online Institute (ELOI) was established to provide the most innovative English distance education program courses to students and professionals from different countries in Asia and Europe. Our company offers its instructors a continuous intensive training to be able to effectively teach every student using the most modern approach and unparalleled teaching techniques.

The Courses We Offer:

ESL for Kids and Adults (Beginner/ Intermediate/ Advanced)

This learning program focuses on the development of the student’s English Language Macro Skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing as well as the English Language Micro Skills such as Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling and Pronunciation.  Together with our well- balanced approach and unparalleled teaching techniques, we can ensure that the student will achieve communicative proficiency. We also use various learning materials that are designed for different levels and capable to ease new students into learning the English language and the American culture.

Business English for Professionals

The Business English for Professionals Program aims to help professionals to increase their employment opportunities and career prospects. We intend to improve their English skills and get a better advantage and confidence. We can observe that most people who are fluent in the English language have better jobs, work in international companies and do business with foreigners, and can travel to many places without having the fear of not being understood.

English Proficiency Training

            English Proficiency Training is a course which is designed for those students who want to improve not only their English grammar skills but their Speaking and Writing skills as well. Lessons in this course include proper sentence formation following the correct structure, correctly making phrases and sentences, paying attention to the English grammar rules such as Subject- Verb Agreement, Conjugation, Parallelism, Coherence, Proper Use of Prepositions, and the like . This course also helps improve both the Speaking and Writing skills of the student since the classes are held online and activities must be done through writing and must be sent to the coach via email. These said Writing activities are modified and sent back to the student after all the necessary corrections are made.

Basic Pronunciation

The Basic Pronunciation Program will mainly focus on developing the student’s Pronunciation. It aims to help students to familiarize themselves with the correct stress, rhythm, and intonation of English words, phrases, and sentences.

This course also makes the students recognize the IPA symbols, an effective way to make students improve their pronunciation when studying on their own using a dictionary. This program will surely make the student gain confidence in speaking.

Text learning materials and audio files are sent to the student's email address in order for the student to practice and improve even when at home.

American Accent Training

The American Accent Training Program is designed to help students to develop their American Accent. It will focus on the three main components which are Intonation (speech music), Liaisons (word connections) and Pronunciation (the spoken sounds of vowels, consonants, and combinations).

Different exercises are designed for the students; which they need to go through step by step. A very important thing we need to remember is that we can use our ACCENT to say what we mean and how we mean it. Word stress conveys meaning through tone or feeling, which can be much more important than the actual words we use.

Similar to the Basic Pronunciation Course, learning materials including audio files are sent to the students’ email to make them improve their accent as they practice at home.

Teaching Strategy Training

The Teaching Strategy Training Program intends to equip future ESL teachers with the modern Principles and Strategies of Teaching English.

Knowledge about the subject matter is not the only the main factor that they need to consider in order for them to become an effective ESL Teacher; they also need to be strategic in demonstrating the lessons to their students.

In this program, teachers will be encouraged to use different effective motivational tools to catch the student’s attention easily as well as techniques to keep the student interested in the lesson from the start until it is through. The course also focuses on Lesson Planning and Effective Classroom Management whether it is offline or virtual.

IELTS, TOEIC, or TOEFL Review

            This review program is specifically designed for those who are planning to take IELTS, TOEIC, or TOEFL exams. Our center has numerous currently published review materials that can make our students well prepared for the exam that they want to take. We can also make our students familiar with the examination techniques in order for them to take the exam with ease and confidence that can lead them to get high marks. 

Please add tem.admin1 to your Skype contacts for inquiries. You may also visit our website at www.theenglishmavens.webs.com

How to Improve your English Pronunciation

Pronunciation is one of the three main components of accent. You have to develop your pronunciation if you want to be understood clearly when speaking English. One way to help you improve your pronunciation is these tips from Deborah Healey of the English Language Institute at Oregon State University.

This video with my voice in the background was made for you to understand the steps easily. Follow them and I assure you that your English pronunciation will improve.

How to Become Successful

This morning, while thinking about what subject to write on my blog, I came across this interesting motivational video of Tyler Perry, “How to be Successful”.  Tyler is a 43- year old American actor, director, producer, screen and playwright, author, and songwriter. A multi- talented artist earning $ 130 million between May 2010 and 2011 and was named by Forbes as “The Highest Paid Man in Entertainment”.

I interpreted the message of his inspirational/ motivational video into this:

1.    Do what is best and let God do the rest.

“Plant the seed and water it.”, it means that you take the first few steps which are to come up with a great idea and then do what is right to turn that thought into something worthy. Then let God do the rest by always keep in your heart the belief that He is there to nourish the seed that you planted.

2.    Narrow your  focus on one idea.

It is clear that when you commit all your time, effort, and energy to a single goal, you will be able to attain your vision.

3.    Keep on keeping on.

Facing challenges and experiencing setbacks while climbing the ladder of succes is something that is normal, an essential part of the process. Impediments and unfortunate situations must not be a reason for us to stop or give up. Instead, we should make the best out of these challenging events by creating new strategies that can enhace our chances for success.

4.    Know it beyond knowing it.

Knowing what to do is not enough. You also need to believe that what you know will bring you rewards and make you closer to success.

5.    Never let go.

When you feel that the thing you work on so hard every single day is really for you, you NEVER want to let it go.  No matter how many obstacles will stand in your way, they can never impede you from moving on and being successful.

8 Grooming Tips for Men

As all of us can observe, many men these days become more and more concern with their looks. In the past, it was thought by many that only women should be too interested and give more importance to “vanity”. Well, time has changed and so are the rules and thoughts. Many men these days are spending much time and dough to look great and be well- groomed. Whether it is attending a formal event or a casual day at the mall, guys always want to look their best.

For some guys, they find grooming quite easy while for others, it’s a struggle, lots of misses than hits.

Here are eight grooming tips that guys must know in order for them to play their cards right and win!

1. Smelling too strong is too much.

Most men go overboard when it comes to applying or spraying perfumes, colognes, or deodorants. Smelling too strong may cause people to run away from you. Choose products and fragrances that have subtle scent and not those that overpower people’s nostrils.

2. Accessorize less.

Men are not supposed to wear a lot of accessories. A watch and a ring are enough. Don’t put on too many accessories if you don’t want to be thought as a jeweler or a fortune teller!

3. Find the right watch.

When wearing a formal suit, it’s proper to put on a dress watch. Get your chronos ready on less formal and casual days.

4. Clean shaven look can never go wrong.

It’s always nice to see a guy that is clean- shaven. If you think you can pull off that stubble look well, then have it but make sure that you can keep it down to the bare minimum. Remember, stubble look isn’t for everyone. So, never lock that razor away!

5. Trim that unwanted hair!

Nose hair clippers and trimmers don’t cause an arm and a leg! So why grow your nose hair? It is never appealing to see a guy who smiles and has hair sticking out of his nose.

6. Keep nails short and clean.

It’s a big turn off for girls to see a guy with dirty, long fingernails. Set a schedule to clip and clean those long nails. It won’t cost you an hour!

7. Skin care isn’t a girl thing!

Most men have this false impression that skin care is only for girls. Men’s skin may be tougher than women’s but all is prone to wrinkles caused by aging and other skin ailments. It is recommended to use a separate soap for the face and the body. Some body soaps are too strong for the face. Better invest in a facial cleanser and a moisturizer to keep facial skin clean and healthy. To keep the skin hydrated, use a body lotion that has high moisturizing contents and always drink plenty of water.

8. Take good care of your hair.

One of the best assets we can possess is our mane and we got to take good care of it. Have a regular visit to the salon for trimming and hair care if possible. Make sure that you use shampoo and conditioner depending on your hair type.

Looking good doesn’t always depend on the clothes that you wear. It doesn’t matter whether you are wearing expensive designer clothes or not. What counts is having the right grooming habits. It is the important factor to have self- confidence, charisma, and personality that many people want to have.