JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

                                                 

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled.

If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself.

Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

[Leo Tzu]

 

 

Engagements of Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. – May, 2004

 

02.Sun.     Prize distribution for “Special Children”, Jsr

07.Fri.      Eucharistic Celebration for the Vocation Campers , Jsr.

10.Mon.   Family get-together, Ranchi

14-17       Course in Basic Accounts, Jisu Bhavan, Jsr.

19.Wed.   Holy Eucharist, Mercy Convent, Baridih

23.Fri.     Youth programme, Sundernagar

28.Wed.  Visiting well- wishers and Benefactors

 

Thanks :

Sr. Nitya ,SJT                                St. Joseph’s Convent, Chaira

Sr. Evelyn Kantha , SJT              St. Joseph’s Convent, Chaira

 

Welcome :

Sr. Sheela Ekka, SJT                     St. Joseph’s Convent, Chaira

Sr. Divya, SJT                                St. Joseph’s Convent, Chaira    

Fr. Casimir Raj, S.J.                      Director, XLRI 

 

 DIOCESAN ROUND UP :

                                                                              

St. Mark’s Parish, Toklo :   Msgr. John Bodra presided at the solemn Palm Sunday celebrations at Toklo on 4^th April at 8.30 a.m. Parishioners came from all the villages and took active part in the celebrations. They were happy to meet their former pastor looking much younger than those days he was with them at Toklo. Pastor Camille had been to Purulia on 4^th to get his Heart Checked-up at the ‘Free Heart Check-up camp” organized by Fr. Henry Sequeira on the 3^rd and 4^th April.

The feast of St. Mark the Apostle, the Parish Feast, was celebrated on 25^th March. Bishop Felix Toppo was the Chief celebrant at the Concelebrated Eucharist and Msgr. John Bodra preached .The Bishop, Priests and guests were felicitated by the Parishioners and hostel kids with dances and songs after the Mass. The celebrations continued till 3.00 p.m. and all shared snacks and returned home happily.

 

Lupita Hall, Telco :  The Patna Charismatic team led by Fr. George Karamayil, S.J. conducted  retreat at Lupita Hall  from the 2^nd to 4^th in preparation for Easter. It was well attended and on the last day over 250 parishioners took part.

 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri :  Dean Fr. Jerome Pereira organized a special seminar for the Hindi medium school teachers on the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd April at St. Joseph’s Welfare center. Fr. Gilbert D’Souza and team from Loyola College of Education conducted the sessions from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. for 66 teachers.

Bishop Felix Toppo was the Chief celebrant at the Maundy Thursday and Easter Vigil services at the Cathedral. Pastors Jerome, Cyril and Leo were kept busy with the liturgy, singing practice and Mass arrangements during the Holy Week. The Easter house blessings are going on with the assistance of the area leaders. The 44^th birthday of Fr. Leo D’Souza was celebrated on 12^th April, just before his planned home holiday with his uncle Fr. Felix D’Souza .

 

 

Catholic Ashram, Purulia : Fr. Henry Sequeira, Parish Priest inaugurated and blessed the modified Church on 4^th April, during the solemn concelebrated Mass. It was a joyful celebration for the people of Purulia that Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J managed to get help from Propaganda Fide and other benefactors for the much needed repairs of the Church building. The parishioners came forward with their generous contributions for the repairs. Bishop Felix Toppo ,S.J. paid a visit to Catholic Ashram on the 14^th-15^th  and  met the clergy and religious working in the Parish.

Fr. Henry organized a free

 heart check-up camp on the 3^rd and 4^th April at the Holy Child School. A team of 6 doctors, and technicians came from Kolkata at the request of Dr. Shetty with a special vehicle equipped with all the latest technology. Over 100 patients including 7 priests attended the camp at Purulia. Congratulations to Fr. Henry for the great service through this special camp. The team has promised to come again later in the year.          

 

Gyan Deep Vidyalaya, Birsanagar :  An English Medium section to the existing Hindi medium school was inaugurated on  Monday, 5^th April by Mr. A.P Arya, M.D., Tata Motors in the new block. There are 20 students enrolled for the Kinder Garden section. Congratulations to Sr. Blanche and the SCN Sisters for the bold step.

 

St. Mary’s Church, N. Road :  Bishop Felix Toppo presided at the Good Friday liturgy in the Parish on 10^th March.  The storm with little rain caused a bit of tension to the Pastor but the people dared the rain and continued the Way of the Cross. This year the CAJ [M] made elaborate arrangements for the open -air service all through the Holy Week . Pastor Edwin started the Easter House blessings with the help of Frs. Elvius and K.M. Joseph before his departure for home holiday, end of the month.

 

St. Albert’s College, Ranchi  : Rector, Fr. C.R. Prabhu is the most wanted person in Ranchi these days . The all-Churches group gave guidelines for the electorate to cast their votes during the coming elections.  Fr. Prabhu rushed to Jamsehdpur to secure medical clearance for his foreign trip in the first week of May. Fr. Selva and Bro. Noel accompanied the Rector to Jamshedpur in support of their own foundations .

 

Bishop’s House, Golmuri : Dr. Joy Paul  arrived at the Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi on 27^th  April, at 12.15 p.m. On his way to Jamshedpur he  visited St. Albert’s College, Ranchi and Jisu Marsal, Chandil .  He was given a warm welcome at the Bishop’s House in the evening. Fr. Joy Paul visited many of our institutions in the town before he left for home on 2^nd May.

 

Catholic Charities, Sundernagar : Director, Fr. Bipin and Deputy Director, Fr. David are  quoted in the missing list  during the  1^st half of the month. They were seen at the various project sites conducting meetings and motivating people. The expanded developmental activities will surely take them much farther. Meantime Vikas Bharati organized a training program for the diocesan directors and their co-ordinations for one week. Msgr. John Bodra addressed the group non-stop for 49 minutes. The sessions  concluded in the presence of Bishop Charles Soren on 3^rd April.  Congratulations to Fr. David for the great job. Meantime Sr. Thomsina SCJM is supervising the construction work of the additional floor on Vikas Bharati. This will give more space and better accommodation facilities for the training programs .                        

 

Pratiksha, Neeldungri : The faculty and students of Pratiksha bid a tearful farewell to Frances, Joan and Florence on Monday, 12^th April  during the family meal in the presence of Bishop Felix Toppo. The 3 Canadian teachers helped out at the Minor Seminary for two and half months returned home on the 13^th. The collegians spend a week in Kripa Sadan giving support to Fr. Cyprian Lobo. Rector, Fr. Roque is busy in getting ready for the Vocation Camp in the 1^st week of May. A new submersible pump has solved the water problem and surely the garden will have greener look.

 

St. Anthony’s Church, Kutkudungri : The ‘First Communion’  celebration for the  Parish children was conducted on Sunday, 18^th April. Fr. George Manna was the Chief celebrant at the concelebrated Eucharist at 7.00 a.m. in the Church. The first communion children  and the Priests were led to the altar by a dancing troupe. The choir , Mahila Sangh, and Parish Council members  were in action to make sure that the celebrations went on smoothly. The day was also celebrated as the feast of Divine Mercy. Immediately after the Mass the Parish Priest gave scapulars and token gifts to all the children and led them to the Presbytery for a sumptuous breakfast. The jubilant parents and relatives waited on for the children for the home celebrations later in the day.

 

Vidya Jyothi, Siadih :  On Wednesday, 14^th April, Bishop Felix Toppo confirmed 25 persons and gave ‘First Holy Communion” to 12 children during the solemn Mundari liturgy held in the Hall. Fr. Halan , Brothers Felix, Manoj ,Vinod and the catechists  have done all possible arrangements to make the event a memorable one. The school-hostel children extended a warm welcome to the Bishop .The School annual Day function was held in the school grounds at 5.00 p.m. Parents, guardians and villagers gathered in big number to enjoy the 2-hour long cultural program presented by the school children. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. ,the Chief Guest , exhorted the children to work hard and learn for life by using the facilities given in the school. Bishop stayed over night at Siadih and enjoyed the company of the Parish community.

 

Christ the King Church, Chakradharpur :  Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. Ordained Deacon Junas Purty a Priest during the solemn liturgy on  Saturday, 17^th April at 9.00 a.m. in the Church. 31 Priests con-celebrated with the Bishop and blessed the new priest by laying their hands in prayer. The Rajaporam girls dancing to the tone of the traditional ‘Ho’ songs led the Priests, Bishop and Deacon Junas to the altar. Fr. Camile  Hembrom, the M.C. gave  commentary in Ho and Hindi and conducted the  liturgy  meaningfully.  Immediately after the Ordination the New Priest and the Bishop were felicitated by the community in the Church . Later, the clergy, religious and family members of the new Priest shared the family meal prepared at the Parish House.

 

The solemn ‘First Mass’  of Fr. Junas Purty was celebrated in the new Church at Rajaporam on 18^th at 8.30 a.m. Many Priests and religious of the area participated in the celebrations. Fr. John Otto, the Parish Priest, Frs. Herman and Augustine , Sisters and Parish Council members were seen extending helping hand and guiding the people at both the functions .The  family  meal served by the villagers was enjoyed by one and all. Congratulations to the Rajaporam community !

 

St. Anthony’s Church, Dhanbad : For the first time this year the Holy Week celebrations were conducted in the  New Hall. On Palm Sunday Fr. George Fernandes  was the Chief Celebrant and on Maundy Thursday, Fr. Edward Kongari, Good Friday, Fr. Michael Raj and on Easter Vigil Fr. Walter Crasta. The Easter house blessings were over by the end of the month in Dhanbad area. On Easter Monday, Fr. Casmir hosted a dinner for the dean and his associates at Sindri.

 St. Anthony’s School, Dhanbad is selected for the lump sum grant from the Jharkhand government as the school has fulfilled all the formalities. Congratulations to Sr. Marie Isabel and Secretary, Fr. Edward Kongari.

 

St. Theresa’s Church, Sindri :   Pastor Fr. Casmir Vas managed to give a new coat of colour to the Church, presbytery and hall before the Easter. Brother Patrick Khess  supervised  the work and got   organized the choir for the Holy Week. The Easter family blessing was completed within a week.  

 

St. Mary’s Parish Digwadih :  Pastor Fr. Stan Kujur was knocked off from his motorbike by 2 fighting dogs on Easter Monday while returning from Mass at Jamadobha via Bhowra .Though he is nursing a fractured arm seen  conducting Easter family blessings   with the help of the Parish youth.

 

Kripa Sadan, Bhilai Pahari :  The  sacerdotal silver jubilee of  Fr. Cyprian Lobo was celebrated on 28^th April at Kripa Sadan. The solemn concelebrated Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Cyprian Lobo and assisted by Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. and Bishop J.R. Rodericks S.J.  The Mass began at 6.15 p.m. and Bishop Felix Toppo gave the introduction and Bishop J.R. Rodericks preached an inspiring homily. Fr. A. Alphonse conducted the offertory rite while the Pratiksha Seminarians, under the leadership of Fr. Roque Cardoza took care of the singing. Immediately after the Mass there was a short felicitation ceremony, cutting of 2 cakes and a sumptuous family meal for all.

 

Holy Family Parish, Kumardhubi : Frs. Robert and Amatus are kept busy with various activities in the school and parish. The Church and Hall constructions are in progress. Meantime, Fr. Amatus rushed to Chaibasa couple of times in the month to give his attendance at the court for the on going school case in which he is a witness.

 

 

 

Thank you to DSWC for your hospitality, love and kindness during my two ands half month stay. It was a very rich and rewarding experience. Thank you  Fr. Walter and Fr. Michael. Thank you Sisters Servia, Cyric, Lissy-Maria, Daisy, Justina and Ancy. Also Thank you Bishop Felix and the many Fathers and Sisters whom I have met during my stay.     RITA DANIS

 

 

Drinking might lead to brain shrinkage : A new research conducted by scientists counters earlier studies that  have listed out certain beneficial effects of alcohol. The study has found that even low to moderate drinking habits could lead to loss of brain tissue. This is in contrast to earlier studies that indicated alcohol could lower the risk of  a stroke.    [ Health action, March, 2004]

 

Caffeine blues :  Here’s a chilling update on coffee – it could be the cause of breast cancer, infertility, high-blood pressure and deformities in children. A World Health organization survey notes that a regular dose of 300 milligrams of caffeine intake through food and beverages can cause various diseases, reports Down to earth. While that’s a good reason to give up your morning  cup of coffee, here is a good excuse not to .Experts say that the effects of caffeine depend on dosage and individual sensitivity. [Health, April,]

                                  

Kicking Kidney stones : They’re painful, they’re on the rise – and high protein diets may be partly to blame. Protein from meat and other animal products is broken down into acids. It’s your kidney’s job to balance acids with bases for elimination from the body. The handiest base is the calcium in your bones.

Protein is broken down and stored in the bone where it binds with calcium. Then the kidneys filter these particles from your blood. And the more meat you eat, the more calcium you’ll have in your kidneys. Over time, bind together, forming stones.

Kidney stones have typically been viewed as a male problem, but since women are more likely than men to try these diets, their risk is rising at a faster clip, says neurologist Leslie Spry, a spokesperson for the US National Kidney Foundation.

“We’ve never seen kidney stones in women to the degree we do now”. Stones in women have increased by 46% over an 18 year period. [The increase in men was 29%]. The simplest fix is to avoid high-protein diets. But if you must try one, talk to your doctor first. [ Health, April]

 

 

Atlanta Archbishop orders men only for foot-washing rite : No women should be allowed to participate in the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual in the Atlanta Archdiocese, Archbishop John F. Donoghue of Atlanta said in a memo sent to all  his priests before Holy Week.

In Churches that perform the optional ritual, he said, “it is my decision that the rubric of the Roman Missal shall be observed, that is, that 12 men ‘viri selecti’ should be chosen from the community to take the part of the Apostles during this rite”. The Latin phrase in quotes means “chosen men [adult males]”.

It was the second time Archbishop Donoghue has instituted a ban on washing women’s feet.  [Sathyadeepam, April 16-230]

 

By celebrating Eucharist, Priests will attract vocations, Pope says:  Pope John Paul II prayed that the more than 40,00,00 Catholic priests in the world would never take for granted the mystery and blessing if being able to celebrate the Eucharist. In promoting vocations to the priesthood, “your own witness counts more than anything else”, the Pope told priests in his annual Holy Thursday message to them.

The message released April 6 at the Vatican, focused particularly on how priests can encourage vocations among altar boys by the way they live, pray and celebrate Mass. “in your hands they see the Eucharist ‘take place’, on your face they see its mystery reflected, and in your heart they sense the summons of a great love”, the Pope wrote. The Holy Thursday remembrance of Jesus’ Last Supper marks the institution of both the Eucharist and the priesthood, Pope John Paul said. “These two sacraments were born together and their destiny is indissolubly linked until the end of the world”.

Jesus called his apostles to follow him and, by extension , ‘he called by name each and every priest in every time’. Although Christ is present when the faithful gather the assembly “is not by itself able to celebrate the Eucharist or to provide the ordained minister, ” because the priest, like the Eucharist, is a gift of God”, Pope John Paul II said.

                                                                       [Sathyadeepam, April,16-30]

BACK