An order was also made to conduct raids at religious places and seize the "illegally stored crackers".

However, the Kerala High Court Division Bench partially modified its earlier order.

The state government had informed the court that bursting crackers was already banned from 10 PM to 6 AM. The government also reported some relaxation when it comes to festivals.

The court said the district collectors can grant that permission after analysing the situation.
Read more

But Lúnasa is a loose combination of Irish harvest customs so it is celebrated when the harvest begins in that part of the world.

In Irish Gaelic, Lúnasa is the name for the month of August. Some sources say that Lúnasa was once celebrated in the weeks before and after the beginning of the month. Read more

We inherited our contemporary version of Valentine's Day from the Victorians, but some accounts — such as a story last year in Lifehacker and another from NPR on "The Dark Origins of Valentine's Day" — have argued that the "real" history of the holiday can be traced all the way back to ancient Rome. Read more

Messy Church is not a denomination, but a world -wide movement that attempts to provide "a relaxed style of church suitable for all ages."

It values are about being Christ-centred, for all ages, based on creativity, hospitality and celebration.

Kapiti parish's Messy church co-ordinator Carrole Lewis, says their messy church has about 40 people ranging in age from babies to the elderly.

More than a quarter are teenage or pre-teen.

One young girl told Carrole that a messy church retreat she attended as well as some other and other experiences played a big part in transforming how she connects with God, by experiencing opportunities to be still and reflect.

"At our planning meeting for Easter Messy Church, she shared with such enthusiasm her idea of creating a tomb, using puppet theatre, in which we could place the cloths that Jesus was wrapped in, and have people write prayers on them," says Carrole.

"She brought three of her friends with her and together, they took responsibility for this project."

Carrole offered the girl an opportunity to lead the prayer response time.

She said the girl led with such "grace, truth and openness."

"The most powerful moment for me was when I saw this young person unashamedly standing up before her friends, and strangers, and praising God, giving thanks for the Easter story and everything He does in her and our lives."

• Source
  movementonline.org.nz
• messychurch.nz
• Image: holytrinity.gen.nz

Lau teau ne nau ‘i he fakatu'uta hala e Siasi Katolika

The ceremony took place to honour Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, the first Tongan to be appointed to the College of Cardinals.

The cardinal was accompanied into the Palace Grounds by vicar-general, Monsignor Lutoviko Finau and former prime minister Lord Sevele of Vailahi.

Students from Catholic high schools and colleges and youth groups from Australia and New Zealand also joined the march.

The presentation was followed by a family presentation and entertainment to the Cardinal at his residence, Kaingafo'ou in Fanga ‘o Pilolevu.

On Saturday there was a celebratory feast in the grounds of ‘Apifo'ou College.

Organised by the Catholic Diocese of Tonga, the celebration included feasting and traditional dances by various parishes.

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u were among the guests.

Crown Princess Sinaitakala was the vahenga [the centre position, the highest position in the dance] in a lakalaka [a metaphorical danced speech] by Ma'ufanga, while a ma'ulu'ulu [a traditional dance performed by a group of seated men and women] was performed by Nuku'alofa, a group tau'olunga [girls' dance] from Australia, a lakalaka by Takuilau College and a kailao [war dance] by Houma.

The Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho, Crown Prince Tupouto'a ‘Ulukalala and other members of the Royal Family along with the Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva also attended.

Source

• Matangitonga.to
• Tonga Daily News
• Image: Matangitonga.to

The Samoa Observer reports that in among the shoppers on Friday, there were sellers - some only of primary school age - selling things such as chips, soda and matches just so they would not feel left out of the festivities.

One seller, 13-year-old told the Samoa Observer reporter, "I am a school boy and I am here to sell chips and cocoa to help out my parents so they can buy food for White Sunday."

"Not only so they can feed my younger siblings on White Sunday, but so we have enough to buy lunch when we go back to school next week."

In Samoa, the second Sunday in October is call White Sunday. The celebration of White Sunday was introduced in the islands by London Missionary Society missionaries in the 1800s.

On White Sunday parents and communities acknowledge and celebrate childhood by hosting special church services during which children re-enact Biblical stories, recite passages from scriptural and perform creative dances.

Children receive gifts (often new clothing and/or school supplies) on White Sunday and are allowed privileges normally reserved for elders, such as being the first to be served food at family meal time.

Samoan women and children dress completely in white clothing. Some of them trim the clothes with the other two colours of the Samoan flag, red and blue. Men will wear white shirts with either white slacks or the traditional 'i.e. faitaga form of the lavalava.

Source

• Samoa Observer
• Wikipedia
• Image: Samoa Observer