JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

                       

 

Give me the love that leads the way,

The faith that nothing can dismay;

The hope no disappointments tire;

The passion that will burn like fire .

Let me not sink to be a clod:

Make me thy fuel, flame of God.

                                                               {Army Carmichae}

 

  New Year Greetings - Blessings to One and ALL !

 

 

 

St. Xavier’s Church, Chaibasa : The solemnity of the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the Patron Saint of the Parish and other institutions in the area was celebrated jointly on December 03 at the Parish Church. The day began with a solemn con-celebrated Eucharist presided at by Fr. Alex Misquith, S.J., the Parish Priest. This was followed by march-past and sports. Mr. Badkunwar Gagarai , MLA, Majhgaon was the Chief Guest and Dr. Lalit Minz, Deputy Superintendent of Sardar Hospital as Guest of honor. Fr. Alex Misquith welcomed the guests and Sr. Nilima Kerketta proposed vote of thanks. Fr. Alex Dodrai supervised the  celebrations and events to honor St. Francis Xavier.

 

The official Pastoral visit of Bishop Felix Toppo on December 04 began with a special meal with the members of the Parish Pastoral Council at noon. The Bishop met the various parish organizations and religious communities in the afternoon hours. The next morning, Sunday, Bishop presided at the solemn Mass and confirmed 352 parishioners. This was followed by a short ‘swagat’ and a family meal. Bishop indeed gave much time for the people to meet him and discuss on any maters pertaining to the faith life of the people. The parish community gave a fitting farewell to the Bishop as he left Chaibasa Parish campus late in the afternoon.

 

Missionaries of Charity, Baihatu : The Silver Jubilee of Sr. Sabrina M.C. in religious life was celebrated on December 9 . Bishop Felix Toppo presided at the solemn Concelebrated Eucharist at 10.a.am and congratulated Sr. Sabrina for her dedicated service for the people of the diocese and elsewhere. Relatives and friends from various places and sisters from other communities came to share the joy and thank the Lord for Sr. Sabrina. The celebrations continued even after all shared the sumptuous meal prepared by the Sisters and inmates.

 

Bishop’s House, Golmuri : The Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting was held at the Bishop’s House on December 2 from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Bishop Felix Toppo welcomed the members and chaired the 1^st session. He introduced the topics for discussions. Fr. Mike Thanaraj S.J chaired the 2^nd session while Mr. Vincent Athaide the last one. There was group discussion and sharing on the topics and action plans for the growth of the community were adopted. The meeting concluded with a Mass at 4.30 p.m. The members left for their destination with the satisfaction that they could share and contribute towards the welfare of the people of the diocese.

 Fr. Cyril Fernandes came home on December 29 morning and made a quick visit to Purulia, Dhanbad, Kumardhubi, Adra and Bhilai Pahari before leaving for Chaibasa area on 31^st afternoon. He is on home visit and will return to Fort Wayne on February 02 . 

 

 

 

On December 11, the community bid farewell to Sr. Veronicka as she left for Czech Republic to complete the study of Theology and hoping to return in September, next year. It was an occasion to wish her for Christmas and New Year. Fr. Gerry escorted her to Calcutta on 11^th morning and saw her off at the DUM DUM Airport.

On December 05, Sunday at 6.30 p.m. Bishop Felix Toppo, gave Christmas message at St. George’s Church, Bistupur for the members of the English Community of CNI Church. St. Joseph’s Cathedral, choir and St. Mary’s English School choir sang beautifully to give glory to God at the ceremony in the Church.

Bishop Jose Rodericks left Jamshedpur on December 16 for Kolkata,Goa  Mumbai to be returned in the 1^st week of January, 2005. Bishop Felix hearing the ‘Chakka Jam’ shortened his retreat at Jesu Bhavan and proceeded to Kiriburu to be on time for the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Parish . Joseph Surin took shelter at  Jesu Bhawan to do his annual retreat from December 12-20 to be on the safer road  and later rushed to Ranchi University  to write the entrance  examination for his Doctorate studies under Ranchi University.

The Christmas Milan was held at St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre Hall on 25^th at 4.00 p.m. There were over 300 persons belonging to the administration, Companies and other religion heads present for the well arranged function . Fr. Joseph Surin, S.j. was the MC. The candidates from Ashirvad presented a welcome dance while the Cathedral English Choir sang carols. All shared cakes, sweets, and wine as part of the Christmas tradition.

St. Xavier’s English School, Chaibasa : The School Annual Day was celebrated on December 09 at 3.00 p.m. Sri Chintu Nayak  IAS, Commissioner, Kolhan was the Chief Guest and Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J.- Guest of Honor. The superb stage performance of the school children mesmerized the large crowd of parents, guardians and guests and even the Chief Guest though had a busy schedule stayed on till the end. Congratulations to Sr. Corona and her dedicated team at the English School.

 

D.S.W.C., Dhanbad : The Ruby Jubilee of Damien Social Welfare Centre and the Nirmal Day was celebrated on December 08 at the Nirmala Campus, Govindpur. Fr. George Manna presided at the concelebrated Eucharist and the cultural program that followed. The celebrants were led to the altar by the dancing hostel children . Fr. Walter Crasta, the director gave the introduction to the ceremony. After the Mass all assembled back in the same hall for the cultural program. The children and VIPs had various items to entertain the crowd of over 1200. During the function the PMWs were honored with shawls and  special farewell gifts. The celebrations concluded with a meal prepared by the DSWC family. Congratulations to Frs. Walter Crasta, Michael Raj, Sisters and the family of DSWC for the homely celebrations on Nirmala Day and to commemorate the RUBY JUBILEE of DSWC.

 

Amar Jyoti School, Pardih:  Bishop Felix Toppo was the Chief at the ANNUAL PRIZE NIGHT held on November 29 at the school premises. The beautiful cultural items presented by the school children gave the audience the true picture of the school activities and the value education it aims to impart to the children. Bishop Felix Toppo gave away the awards of excellence and congratulated the Staff and Students for organizing such an excellent program at the school.

 

Little Flower School, Telco : The ‘ Graduation Ceremony’  was held on December 11 in the school Hall. Mr. Sukumar Mukhopadhyay was the Chief Guest. The parents and guests who witnessed the ceremony marveled the performance of the students as they bid bye to their beloved alma mater with memories vivid and gratefulness to God, Parents and Teachers and classmates. Mrs. Roma Mukhopadhyay presented the mementos and awards to the students. Immediately after the ceremony all shared snacks in the fore courts of the auditorium and wished the students God’s special blessing.

St. Xavier’s English School, Purulia :  The Third Sports Day of the school  held on 11^th December in lie of Annual Day was indeed a grand success. The Chief Guest , Mr. Nikhil Mukherjee, MLA, Purulia  was  very happy with the performance of our students in the sports field. He promised to extend all help and cooperation for the development of the school. Some of the outstanding highlights of the day were the march past with the new house colours, the singing of newly composed school anthem for the first time, the presence of the qualified officials from M.S.A. and the large gathering of the parents. The school Band from Sacred Heart School, Adra added rhythm and glamour to the march past.

December 13^th saw yet another successful grand event: The First Inter School Athletic Meet. The schools participated were Sacred Heart School Adra and St. Xavier’s School, Purulia. The Chief Guest was Dr. R. Mukherjee, Principal of Government Teacher’s Training College, Purulia. The final total points read as St. Xavier’s winning with 120 points and Sacred heart School with 42 points.

The Hostel Day was celebrated on Sunday 12^th December. Br. Stephen did a marvelous job by organizing and directing the inmates for putting up an enjoyable cultural function. Fr. Hilary along with Fr. Edward Saldanha attended 47^th Conference of the Association of ISC schools in Hydrabad after the gap of 13 years. There were 545 Principals who attended this conference with well known personalities life Mr. Fanthome, Mr. Neil Obrien, and of course Fr. George Hess, the founder secretary of the organization. An important announcement made by Mr. Fanthome was that there will not be any homework or promotional examinations from the year 2006 for STD 1 to V. Sr. Ephy, the sister-in charge of the Junior School sprained her ankle while returning to the convent from the school. She is in plaster but fast recovering.

The interviews for Nursery and LKG admissions were conducted on 18^th December. The response was encouraging. Three of our students, Mousumi Mitra, Priya Agarwal and Syed Kaifi Azam have qualified for the finals of spelling contest held in Kolkata on 20^th December, 2004.  [ Hilary Lobo]

Bible Society of India : The annual Inter Church singing competition was held at the St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre, Golmuri on December 11 from 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Bishop Felix Toppo was the Chief Guest. 12 Church groups participated in the competition. The hall was packed to capacity. Mr. Richard Sarky was the Master of Ceremony. Mr. Jonatham Mahapatra welcomed the gathering and Mr. Ephrem Kispotta explained the rules for the competition. Rev. Dahanga of St. George’s Church offered the opening prayer. During the program Bishop O.K. Tirkey , the out going General Secretary, Bible Society of India, Ranchi  Auxiliary was given a fond farewell and  Rev. Bimal Kujur , the new General Secretary a very hearty welcome. The judges were Mr. Lazley Philips ,Miss Surjo Bala and Rev. Desmond Tully. Bishop Felix Toppo and Bishop O.K. Tirkey presented the awards.

 

The Indian Christian Association : The Joint Christmas Programme organized by ICA was held at the St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre on December 18 at 6.00 p.m. Fr. Jerome Pereira started the function with a special prayer for the people of Jamshedpur . Mr. Promod Das was the MC. There were dances, skits and songs with messages. Fr. Bipin Pani gave the Christmas message. Prizes were given to the best performers in all categories. Congratulations to Dr. Raymond D’Souza for the initiative and organizing the function so beautifully.

Cheshire Home, Sundernagar : The Christmas gathering for the inmates was held on December 18 at 3.00 p.m. in the multi-purpose hall. The invitees enjoyed the programmes presented by the Cheshire home family. Mr. M.K. Sinha of Tata Motors was the Chief Guest. This is an annual function where all the VIPs of the town are invited to be part of the family of Cheshire Home. Congratulations to the Sisters and the Committee for the well planned Christmas event.

St. Joseph’s Church, Kiriburu :  The Silver Jubilee of St. Joseph Parish was celebrated on  December 18, Sunday. Bishop Felix Toppo presided at the solemn concelebrated Eucharist at 8.30 a.m. During the Mass Bishop Felix confirmed 45 members of the parish and gave ‘First Communion’ to 12 children. The cultural extravaganza that followed immediately after the Mass was well appreciated and enjoyed by all. The parishioners entertained the audience with their superb talents for 2 hours. Bishop Felix congratulated the parish community for their courage in witnessing true faith at all times in the area.  All shared the family meal prepared by the Parish Council for the occasion. Congratulations to Fr. Richard Miranda and the Parish Council members for the meaningful celebration of the Parish Silver Jubilee. Fr. Selva Raj helped out at the Parish during the Christmas-New Year.

St. Anthony’s Church, Dhanbad : The parish children had the Christmas celebrations on December 18 after the Mass at the School Hall. All the children received gifts from Sancta Claus and snacks for all. The Dean, Fr. Edward Kongari led 157 parishioners of the deanery to Goa to pay homage to St. Francis Xavier on December 27. The group will return on 3^rd January after visiting the greater part of Mumbai. Frs. Benedic Minj, Stan Kujur and Ajay Tiru went with the group.

Pratiksha, Neeldungri : Frs. Casimir, Gyan and 5 seminarians are fully occupied taking care of the campus and  making the highways for the garden. Fr. Roque is in constant touch though extra busy with the ministry at St. Patrick’s, Fort Wayne. All the seminarians are expected to be back in the 1^st week of January.

Jisu Marsal Ashram, Hatikunder : The blessing and  inauguration of the  presbytery cum classrooms took place on December 21. Bishop Felix Toppo was the Chief Guest. The blessing ceremony was purely a Santhal rite celebration guided by Fr. Manu Horo . All the celebrants wore the traditional DHOTI. Then there was the cultural program at 5.00 p.m. at the campus itself. The BDO of Hatikunder was present as Guest of Honor. He gave a message in Bengali for 45 minutes to the satisfaction of the mammoth crowd gathered for the celebrations. All were given meals before the final ‘Chou natch’ which began at 10.30 p.m. and ended at 5.30 a.m. All returned fully satisfied and relaxed after having witnessed the Santhal cultural and liturgical richness at Hatikunder. Fr. Nicholas Kerketta was present for the whole program. Congratulations to Fr. Junas Bhengra and the team at Hatikunder. Congratulations also to Fr. Manu Horo for the great effort in making aware the richness of the cultural-Liturgical tradition of the Santhals .

 

Lupita Hall, Telco:  The Parish Council organized the annual ‘Kartik Mela’ on December 4 –5 at the Church campus. It was an occasion for the people to work together for the welfare of the Parish. The mela was a grand success and it is reported that over Rs.1,500,00.00 is raised from the hard work of the people of Lupita Parish. Congratulations to Fr. Vijay Bhat and his dedicated parish team.

 

Loyola School, Kumardhubi : On November 27 Bishop Felix Toppo blessed the newly constructed  beautiful School Hall and presided at the School Annual Day celebrations. The cultural items were fantastic and the children performed the same thrice to accommodate all the parents and guests to admire their talents. The school organized a mega Christmas tree for the children before the school closed for vacation. Congratulations to the Principal, Fr. Amatus and parish Priest Fr. Robert for the great work. Fr. Cyril Fernandes made a quick visit to the Parish on December 30 to see the changed scenario of the campus. Fr. Amatus went on a short home visit immediately after Christmas.

Catholic Charities, Samkit Jan Vikas : The year ended with many important events. The coordinators were busy in conducting 60 trainings on various issues among the different groups named “Swayamsidha”. Fr. David returned after his six months study at SEARSOLIN on 16^th. HIV/AIDS awareness programmes were held at various places. The Vikas Bharati extension was blessed and inaugurated by Fr. George Mannarakam on December 22^nd. During the Christmas get together the V.G. presented mementos to the staff who excelled in the field activities. Fr. Bipin flew to Port Blair at the request of the Caritas India on December 29 to study the damage caused by the killer tsunami waves in the area. [Raju Crasta]

Sacred Heart Church, Adra : This year the parishioners were well prepared for the celebrations of the Birthday of Jesus Christ. Carol groups went around announcing the Good news under the guidance of the Parish Fathers from the start of the Advent. Christmas gatherings were held for the railway officials, local administration, parents of the school children., parish children and parishioners. The Cultural program was witnessed and well appreciated by all. During the gatherings other religious leaders were invited to give messages. The crib on the open stage outside the Church has a Bengali cultural presentation and thousands came to pay homage to Child Jesus. Fr. Eugene Ekka joined the parish community in the 1^st week of December to help out in the ministry and to prepare his B.Ed. homework. The Parish community fellowship meal is scheduled for January 09. All are welcome. [Eugene]

 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri : The Parish had too many programs during the month of December. Choir groups of Mercy, Gyan Deep and the Cathedral English Choir made efforts to reach the Good news through carol singing to some families. Immediately after Christmas it was the blessings of marriages. Fr. Leo D’Souza rushed to Mumbai on 28^th to bless a marriage in the family and hoping to return on 3^rd January. Bishop Felix Toppo was the Chief Celebrant at the Midnight Mass on 24^th. It was noticed that over 10 media persons were present to record the visuals of the liturgical ceremony and Bishop’s Christmas message. On 25^th –26^th thousands visited the Church to pay rest to the Child Jesus in the Crib. 

 

N A T I O N A L -  I N T E R N A T I O N A L  R O U N D – U P S :

Bajrang Dal issues ‘firman’ to stop mixed marriages :  “ The culture police is on the prowl again. The Bajrang Dal has issued ‘firman’ {fiat} to its cadre to ‘cut off the nose’ of Hindu girls having affairs with Muslim boys. The diktat is loud and clear. Try to persuade Hindu girls to keep away from boys of the minority community, if they persist ‘do what Lakshman did to Soor-panakha’ , says the Bajrang Dal fat-wa issued on a VHP letterhead. A VHP spokesman rules out the involvement of his organization in this move. The state unit of the Bajrang Dal chalked out the plan to stop ‘inter-religion’ marriages in Utter Pradesh at it’s meeting on Thursday. The organization has decided to raise an army of youth to ‘tackle the situation’. The central leadership of the Bajrang Dal  is apparently not involved in this ‘fatwa’. In the past, the outfit has protested-violently – against Valentine’s Day celebrations and in Kanpur against girls wearing jeans in colleges”. [Hisdustan Times, 26.11.04]

Bio-insulin launched for diabetics:  “A bio-insulin obtained through recombinant – DNA technology, claimed to be India’s first, has been launched for the effective management of diabetes at affordable price. Christened ‘Insugen’, the bio-insulin has been scientifically produced by using a unique yeast named Pichia expression and bacteria e.Coli through  R-DNA technology, Ajay Bhardwaj, Marketting Chief of Biocon company, told reporters on Thursday. The routinely available insulin was being prepared from animal, he said… He said there were at least 30 million diabetic patients in the country of which 7-8 per cent alone were in Rajasthan”. { The Hindu, 19.11.04}

Is ‘divided’ Hindu keeping India together: “The lack of a popular reaction among Hindus following the Kanchi Sankaracharaya’s arrest has made ‘Hindu passivity’ a fashionable phrase among the commentariat again. Depending on their ideological proclivity, commentators have either been wistful or snide about the majority community not taking to the streets or even conducting agitated conversations in drawing rooms… But this ‘divided’ Hindu society should not be a target of hand wringing or sneering. From the point of view of the community and of this country, it is a matter of some pride and great fortune… Similarly, when Churches in the Christian-majority world have harboured alleged pedophiles, there was hardly a conservative reaction to protect the ‘situation’… There’s a dogged liberal, individualistic streak in this religion so full of orthodox rituals. So, Hindus don’t protest en masse because one of their religious leaders has arrested. That may not have been the case had the shoe been on another denomination. That makes it even more important that the Hindu is what he is. India is secular because the Hindu is secular”. [The Statesman. Net, 23.11.04]

 

 

 

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