[Emily Dickinson ]

06 -07 Toklo, Jomro

12 -13 Ursuline Centinary, Ranchi

14-20 CCBI Plenary, Tiruchirapally

Apostolic Nuncio : Apostolic Nuncio to India, His Excellency, Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri has been transferred from New Delhi to Brazil. He left India in the middle of December. Jamshedpur Diocese is grateful to Archbishop Baldisseri for his services to India and in particular to Jamshedpur . Msgr. Daniel Pater will be the Charge d’affair till the new Nuncio is appointed.

St. Anthony’s Church, Kutkudungri : The Parish Day was celebrated on Sunday, 1^st December 2002 with a solemn Con-celebrated Eucharist presided over by Fr. Bipin Pani. This was followed by cultural programs and breakfast for all. Pastors Vijayan and Jesudas made sure that all took part in the celebrations and enjoyed the day well.

St. Mary’s English School, Bistupur : The Annual School Sports Meet was held on 2^nd December, Monday at JRD Tata Sports complex, Jamshedpur. Dr. Arun Kumar Oraon, I.P.S., Superintendent of Police, East Singhbhum was the Chief Guest. The beautiful parade and the drill display gave the parents, Guardians and invitees a proud feeling of their wards in action at the grounds. Congratulations to all the members of the faculty and students of St. Mary’s.

St. Xavier’s English School, Purulia : The VII-th annual School Prize Night was held at the School grounds on Tuesday, 3^rd December , 2002 . Sri Swapen Kumar, A.D.M, Purulia presided over the function . It was an enjoyable evening for all the parents and invitees and to watch the beautiful performance by the school students. Fr. Junas Bhengra read out the School report. Prizes were distributed by the Chief Guest and Guest of honor Fr. George Mannarakam. The three hour programme ended at 7.30 p.m. Congratulations to the Staff and students of St. Xavier’s School, Purulia.

Loyola School, Taldanga : Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J., blessed the new "Plus Two Block" on 7^th December, Saturday at 2.30 p. m and was the Chief Guest at the Annual Parents’ Day of the school. The superb entertainment program was appreciated by one and all present . Bishop gave away the awards to the students who had been outstanding in the various disciplines of the School. Fr. Amatus Kujur, the principal presented the School report . Congratulations to one and all at the Loyola, Kumardhubi.

Holy Family Parish, Kumardhubi : On 8^th December, Sunday Bishop Felix Toppo confirmed 34 young people of the Parish at the solemn liturgy at the School campus. Congratulations to the Pastors Robert and Amatus , members of the parish Council, Choir for the beautiful and meaningful liturgy.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri : The 6^th one day inter-church basketball tournament organized by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was held at St. Joseph’s grounds on 8^th December from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Fr. Jerome Pereira inaugurated the tournament and Mr. Cyril Samuel, General Manager, Lafarge India limited gave away the awards to the winners.

Jamshedpur Dean, Fr. Jerome Pereira organized a day of Recollection for the Clergy of the deanery on 13^th December, Friday at the Cathedral at 5.00 p.m. Fr. Carl Dincher, S.J. guided the recollection and presided over the Eucharist. This was followed by a meal at the Bishop’s House. Thanks to the Dean !

Bible Society of India, Jamshedpur Branch : The annual Inter Church ‘Singing ‘ competition was held at St., Joseph’s Welfare centre, Golmuri on 14^th, Saturday at 5.30 p.m. 18 groups participated in the event. Bishop O.K. Tirkey, Secretary General, Bible Society of India, Ranchi , was the Chief Guest.

On 21^st Saturday, the Parish Youth had a special Christmas program for the Parishioners organized at the Welfare Centre at 5.30 p.m. They had carols, skits and Christmas play to make the message of peace to reach all homes during the Christmas season and all through ones life. Fr. Jerome Pereira inspired the gathering with his message of hope and hard work to bring about the joy of Christmas experienced by all.

Gyan Deep Vidyalaya, Birsanagar : The Xth Annual Sports Meet was held on 21^st Saturday at 1.00 p. m at the School Grounds. Mr. Ashok Uppal , General Manager, Tata Power was the Chief Guest. The beautiful march-past by the students gave the impression of the discipline and the talents of Gyan Deep Students. It was a real surprise for all to see so many of the Rapid Action Force present for the function and guiding the students for all items. Congratulations to the Staff and Students of Gyan Deep.

St. Xavier’s School, Sini : The School Parents’ day celebrations were held on 8^th December, Sunday at 5.00 p.m. at the School campus. Sri P.K. Dash, Vice –Chairman, Minority Commission, Jharkhand was the Chief Guest while Sri. Gandur Oraon, SDO

Seraikela, as the Guest of Honour. The campus was filled with parents, guests and villagers to enjoy the beautiful cultural performances of the school children. Congratulations to the Management, faculty and students for the grand day.

Damien Social Welfare Centre, Govindpur : Nirmala Day was celebrated on 8^th December . Fr. James, Kalapura, S.J., the Jamshedpur Jesuit provincial presided over the solemn Eucharist at 9.30 a.m. This was followed by a beautiful cultural program by the hostel students and patients of Nirmala. Later at 12.30 p.m. patients, hostel children Fathers and Sisters of the Deanery and Guests shared the family meal prepared by the Sisters of Nirmala.

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St. Barbara’s Parish, Mosaboni : The Parish Feast was celebrated on 1^st December, Sunday at the Parish Campus. Msgr. John Bodra, was the Chief celebrant of the solemn Eucharist at 10.00 a.m. This was followed by cultural programs and felicitations for the Chief Guest and the Parish Fathers. Later , the whole parish community took part in the family meal arranged by the Parish Council. Congratulations to Pastors Raphael and Anselm.

Lupita Parish, Telco : The well organized "Kartik Mela " attracted thousands from all corners of the town and nearby villages to the Lupita grounds on the 7^th and 8^th December. The Parish Council members and Pastor Cyprian are busy in counting the coupons to get the profit balance of the mela so to begin work on their proposed Church construction. Congratulations to one and all at Telco parish.

Little Flower School, Telco : The graduation ceremony of the 10thers took place on 14^th December, Saturday at 3.00 p.m. at the School Hall. Mrs. Daphne D’Souza, Manager, Communications, Telco, was the Chief Guest. The one hour program by the graduating students gave hope to themselves in the midst of fear and success in life. The ceremony ended with the presentation of awards and a message by the Chief Guest.

Prabhu Marsal Parish, Goilkera : Fathers Tobias and Ajay with the help of their catechists organized 10 days of " Marriage Seminar " for the villages couples from the 7^th to 18^th December at the Parish. The Church construction as well as the two classrooms are up to the lintel level already and hopefully before the rains the inauguration ceremony will take place at Goilkera. The parishioners are busy preparing for the Parish Day on 5^th January, 2003.

St. Mary’s Parish, Bistupur : The CAJ[M} has been working over time to organize the annual "Sit & Draw" competition for all the Schools in the diocese. They are almost sure to conduct the "Musical Talent Contest" shortly in Jamshedpur. Mr. T.T. John the President of the CAJ[M], is on the move to find sufficient sponsors for these programs of the CAJ{M] at St. Mary’s Parish. Congratulations to T.T. and his dedicated team.

On 15^th December, the Youth of Jamshedpur Deanery had their Christmas gathering at St. Mary’s Chruch, Bistupur. Mr. M.P. Lakra, Dy.S.P Jamshedpur was the Chief Guest. Pastor Edwin in his Christmas message cautioned the youth of today to be ready to take any challenge in life and they need to be oriented to proper education and talent to obtain jobs in the present technological world. Mr. M.P. Lakra asked the youth to make use of all the facilities available in the state for their better future and discipline their lives for their own good.

On 15^th Sunday, after the 6.00 p.m. Mass the Parish Youth presented a Christmas play in the Church under the guidance of Fr. Michael Raj . On 10^th December, Bishop Felix Toppo presided over the Silver wedding Jubilee Mass of Vincent and Maxi Athaide. 16 Priests were present for the con-celebration. Congratulations to Vincent and Maxi and we thank them for their valuable contribution for the welfare of the people of Jamshedpur diocese.

Gyan Deep Vidyalaya, Birsnagar : Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. blessed the ground for the new School block on 19^th December at 3.00 p.m. in the presence of the Assistant to the Superior General of the SCN Congregation and other dignitaries. We expect another 9 classrooms ready for the School children by 2003 end. Congratulations to Sr. Blacnhe and the SCN congregation for this bold step for Birsnagar.

XLRI, Jamshedpur : The JRD Tata Oration of Business Ethics was held at the Tata Auditorium, XLRI on 17^th December, Tuesday at 6.00 p.m. Mr. B. Muthuraman, MD, Tata Steel presided over the function. Sir Mark Tully, delivered the oration titled " Ethics & Media" . It was indeed a beautiful and thought provoking evening for the VIPs of the town.

Carmel School, Dhanbad : On the occasion of the Annual School function held on 15^th December, 2002, the students presented the Dance drama " HARMONY". Dr. Nitin Kulkarani, I.A.S. was the Chief Guest. Congratulations to the Staff and Students of Carmel, Dhanbad.

Christmas 2002 : The Birth of our Saviour was celebrated solemnly all over the world. The Jamshepdur print media gave wide publicity to all celebrations and the decorations of all the Churches and Schools. All the news papers flashed the Christmas message of Bishop Felix Toppo on the 24^th, 25^th and 26^th.

Bishop Felix Toppo officiated the Vigil Mass at the Cathedral while at Mercy Chapel Fr. George Manna, Gyan Deep Fr. Jerome Pereira, St. Mary’s Fr. Elvius Dungdung, Sonari Fr. James Kalapura , Telco Fr. Cyrpain Lobo and Kutkudungri Fr. Gilbert Menezes.

Christmas Meeting with Bishop Felix Toppo on 25^th from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p. m. :The first ever Christmas gathering of the VIP’s on Christmas day was well attended. Over 200 people visited the Welfare Centre Hall and met Bishop Felix and some of the other Fathers present and shared tea-cake and snacks.

Annual Christmas meeting : The Christmas gathering 2002 was organized by the Diocese on its Ruby Jubilee year at Golmuri on Friday, 27^th December. Fr. Savarimuthu, S.J. and Bishop Charles Soreng were the resource persons for the day. Bishop Felix Toppo welcomed all the participants and Fr. Augustine Vatta chaired the 1^st Session on the topic " The present situation in Jharkhand and our response" by Fr. Savarimuthu. Fr. Hilarius Kongari presided over the 2^nd session on " Adult catechesis in the present –day situation" by Bishop Charles. Fr. John Otto chaired the concluding session in which Fr. James Kalapura and Bishop Felix Toppo outlined the present scenario of the Province and the Diocese. Bro. Wency over- worked to give the best menu for the day. Bishop Felix Toppo presided over the solemn Eucharist to celebrate the Ruby Jubilee the Diocese and the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of Mgr. John Bodra . The homily was shared by Fr. C.R. Prabhu and Msgr. John Bodra . After the communion the Papal awards – " De Equestri S. Silvestri Papae" were presented to Mr Joseph Soy of St. Anthony’s Church, Dhanbad and Mr. Ephrem Kispotta of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Golmuri and the prestigious " Nostrum Praelatum Honorarium" to Fr. C.R. Prabhu by Bishop Felix Toppo.

RSS for extending Gujarat formula : " With its electoral strategy and solid networking among various affiliate organizations paying rich dividends in Gujarat in the form of a spectacular comeback by the BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is contemplating implementing the formula in other states too to extend the Gujarat momentum throughout the country.

There was jubilation in the RSS headquarters which is located at Mahal area in old Nagpur. And it had reasons to be satisfied as it isa perhaps for the first time that the RSS’ strong advocacy of Hindu supremacy ensured a clean sweep for the BJP ".

[Decan Herald, Dec. 17, 2002]

Beware - Sangh Parivar plans to save tribal faiths in NE ! " The Sangh Parivar has floated an ‘independent’ organization to protect over 100 indigenous faiths of the North-East from the cultural invasion and onslaught of foreign religions".

" The North-East India Jana-jati Faith and Cultural Protection Forum was given a formal shape recently. The forum meant to ‘ preserve, protect and promote’ the eternal – the organization prefers this term to ‘indigenous’ – faith an cultures of the region. And most importantly, to organize the followers of these traditional tribal faiths to face the ‘tentacles’ of foreign religions".

Pratiksha - Telephone - 2298965

" The forum was virtually kept under wraps by the Janajati Vikas Sanity, believed to be a Sangh Parivar organization designed to counter the influence of Christianity among the tribals of the region… The forum, it is leant, has been catering to over 100 tribal faiths. It has been organizing religious conventions and traditional folk festivalsa to ‘further the cause of protecting cultural identity".

[Sunday Hindustan Times, Dec. 15, 2002]

Parliament nod for the Freedom of Information Bill : Parliament approved the Freedom of Information Bill conferring statuatory right to the citizens to access information from the Government. The Bill is intended to provide transparency, openness and accountability in Government functioning"

[The Hindu, Dec. 17, 2002]

Bill on Pre-natal diagnosis passed : " The Rajya Sabha passed by a voice vote the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques [Regulation and Prevention of Misuse] Amendment Bill, 2002, prohibiting determination of sex of the foetus. The Bill permits the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques only if the age of the pregnant woman is above 35 years".

[Times of India, Dec. 21, 2002]

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