JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

 

 

If there is righteousness in your heart, there will be beauty in your character.

If there is beauty in your character, there will be harmony in your home.

If there is harmony in your home, there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. (Confucius)

                                                                                                        

 

 

 

D I O C E S A N      R O U N D – U P :

 

Fr .Theo was born in Salem on January 09, 1919  and after the post graduation from St. Joseph’s Trichy- M.Sc Physics he joined the Society of Jesus in 1939. He was the Principal – Loyola College, Madras; Founder Principal, Loyola College, Vijayawada ; Founder of AIACHE; Director & Professor of XLRI. He was a man of prayer - true Jesuit –Scripture scholar and Preacher- friend of everybody- thinker-writer. He was called home by the Creator Lord on July 06, 2005.

We thank & salute this super personality and present him to the Lord of Heaven and Earth for the magna reward of Eternal JOY & PEACE.

 

Sacred Heart Church, Adra : Fr. Jerome Pereira was installed Parish Priest on July 03 during the solemn concelebrated Mass by Fr. George Manna. The liturgy began at 8.00 a.m. A group of dancing girls welcomed the celebrants at the main entrance of the church and led them to the sanctuary. Fr. Edward Saldanha introduced the new PP to the congregation. Fr. Jerome accepted the welcome and offered arti to the altar and the congregation. The Bible Procession, offertory dance and devotional singing kept up the spirit of prayer during the ceremony.

Soon after the Mass the community welcomed Fr. Jerome with flowers and  Fr. Chonas a love filled tearful farewell. The parishioners collected Rs. 5105 and gifted to Fr. Chonas and on his part he accepted the amount and gave to Fr. Jerome to be used for the education of the poor children in the Parish. It was an emotional movement for Fr. Chonas and the congregation present. Later the Parish Council invited the Priests for a family meal at the presbytery. Fr. Chonas left Adra for Gomoh on July 09 in the company of Fr. Edward Saldanha and few parishioners.

The construction work of the school administrative block is in progress. Fr. Edward Saldanha is on the past track to complete the work before the prescribed time.

The 56^th birthday of Fr. Jerome Pereira was celebrated on July 25 with solemn Mass, felicitation by the school children-staff and special meal for vigil, noon and night. Many vip’s rushed to Adra from different corners of the diocese to share the joy of the day with Fr. Jerome. Fr. Edward Saldanha made sure that everybody enjoyed the celebrations at Adra.

St. Mary’s Church, N. Road : On the solemnity of the feast of St. Thomas , Fr. Puthumai Raj gave few packets of milk powder as a parting gift to the special watchman on Sunday duty. He took home happily and the family was delighted of the gift but in his dream he heard a heavenly voice asking him that he should not use the milk powder he received from Fr. Puthumai Raj but return to the Parish Priest, Fr. Edwin Coelho. After having prayed over, the watchman rushed to the Parish Priest but meantime the pastor too received a message not to look at the watchman. The Parish kitchen staff was happy to get hold of the milk packets and used well for the community.

 Fr. Edwin Coelho attended the BIJHAN DPC meeting at St. Albert’s College, Ranchi on July 7 .

 The CAJ(M) at its AGM elected the following  office bearers for the 2005-06: President :  Mr. Anseth Pereira; Vice-President : Mr. Joel Ekka; Secretary Mr. Dominic Raj; Asst. Secretary: Miss Shobha Francis; Treasurer : Mr. Habil Dodrai; Entertainment Secretary : Mr. T.T. John , and Spiritual Advisor : Fr. Edwin Coelho : Congratulations to the new team and we pray that they will be able contribute much towards the spiritual and social  uplift of the Parish community.

 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri : The Keralite Catholic community  celebrated the feast of St. Thomas on July 03 . The day began with a solemn Syro-Malabar rite Mass presided over by Fr. James Kalapura, S.J. , the Jesuit provincial of Jamshedpur. There were seven other concelebrants and over 400 faithful for the devotional liturgy at the Cathedral. Soon after the Mass there was a cultural program at the Welfare Centre and a special welcome for Fr. Amatus Kujur, the Parish Priest. He congratulated the community for their support to all the parish activities and encouraged them to live up to the spirit of St. Thomas. The celebrations concluded with a community meal for all.

Parish Priest, Fr. Amatus Kujur after having taken charge of the Parish felt the need for free time for reflection and rest, took off on July 03 and returned on 7^th for a whirlwind tour of the parish.

Fr. Pius Marandi of Dumka diocese joined the Cathedral community as an associate pastor while attending the B.Ed classes at Loyola College of Education , Telco.

On July 24, Sunday Bishop Felix Toppo presided at the memorial Mass for late Fr. Felix D’Souza in the Cathedral church.

 

St. Joseph’s Convent, Golmuri : The Sacred Heart Sisters celebrated the congregation feast on July 3 with a special meal for the clergy and religious of the town at 12.30 p.m. The sumptuous meal prepared by Sr. Anice and team was enjoyed by over 100 plus. Congratulations to Sr. Marie and her community. The school construction work is at the final stage and can expect another big inaugural event soon.

Bishop’s House, Golmuri : The last batch of 11/13 seminarians left  Jamshedpur on July 8 for Lucknow. The auditors came in on July 7 and kept everybody busy and on search duty. Fr. Johny Vithayathil returned on July 03 to be part of the celebrations in honor of St. Thomas, the Apostle. Later in the week he went to Ranhi to attend a Charismatic core-team meeting.

 Bishop Joe Rodericks came back on July 14 and Bishop Felix Toppo on July 21 via New Delhi. Fr. James Quadros made another quick trip to Managalore to get a clearance chit from his heart- doctor and came back with a happy note on July 17.The 56^th birthday of Fr. James was celebrated on July 25 with a special community Mass and meal. Everybody enjoyed the special pork preparation of Fr. James and remembered  him very much in the evening as well as in the next morning.

He made many trips to Ranchi to obtain the documents needed for visa from the authorities concerned hoping to fly out on August 03.

 

Carmel Convent, Sonari : The Apostolic Carmel Sisters had the preponed celebration of Carmel feast  on Sunday , July 10 with a  special meal for the clergy and religious of the town. The school celebrated the feast on July16 with Mass, felicitations and cultural programs.

 

Pratiksha, Neeldungri : There are 12 candidates in the 1^st year batch and classes have begun on July 04. On Sunday, July 10 Fr. Casimir noticed in the evening the tube well water changing into milk . He did alert everybody to witness the miracle and the same continued for 2 days. After having done some investigation it was proved that the mining team outside the campus was drilling for uranium samples and the chemicals they used to soften the stones came into the underground water source of the tube well of the minor seminary. Samples of the milky substance are sent for further analysis. Meantime Fr. David became the messiah and supplied water from Catholic Charities by the ambulance. The well was later cleaned and fresh clean water was identified after 10 days. Even then all are waiting for the scientific analysis report from NML.  Fr. Casimir has predicted that the short fall of monsoon in the area will slow down the cleaning process of their contaminated deep tube well for drinking facilities. Most of the newcomers were down with flu and fever .

 

Vidya Jyoti Mission, Siadih:  Srs. Puspha and Manjula were given a very warm welcome by the Parishioners, hostel children and Parish community on July 2 as they reached the place. On July 03 during the special Mass the community offered special prayers to welcome the Sisters.

 Fr. Vernon D’Souza took shelter at St. Angela’s hospital to clear off the Malaria-Typhoid-Jaundice attack and Fr. Michael Jojo came to Mercy Hospital to solve his digestive problems during the 1^st half of the month.. This is the season for plantation in Siadih and Fr. Michael was in the town on a collection tour of saplings on 14-15 July. Fr. Michael has announced a medical camp at Siadih on July 31 and he is hopeful that a big number will take advantage of the camp by the Mercy Hospital Medical tem. Fr. Vernon later rushed to Dhanbad to celebrate the Carmel feast in the company of his former dean.

 

St. Xavier’s Chaibasa : Fr. Eugene Ekka celebrated his 35^th birthday on July 13 with a special programme in the school and a meal in the evening for the clergy an and religious of the deanery. Fr. Alex Dodrai left Chaibasa and joined Loyola College of Education, Naamchi .

The feast of St. Anne was celebrated on July 26 with a special Mass in the Church at 7.00 a.m. followed by cultural program at St. Anne’s School at 9.30 a.m. The St. Anne’s Sisters gave a sumptuous meal to all the clergy, religious of the deanery together with the school staff and well-wishers at noon.

Loyola College of Education, Telco : The new academic session was inaugurated on July 04. Fr. Victor Misquith , the Principal on crutches welcomed the students and inspired them to belong to the college family and become a true educationist for life.  There are 100 students attending classes regularly.

Fr. Victor had a fall on the steps of the residence while speeding down for meals and was in plaster for 3 weeks. He is recovering faster to be fit for the basketball match on ‘Vianney Day’.

The 59^th birthday of Fr. Gilbert D’Souza was celebrated on July 20 with Mass, felicitation by the staff and students and a special villa for the clergy in the evening.

   

Lupita  Parish, Telco : The new church construction work is in progress and the whole parish is busy in raising sufficient funds to complete the work on time. The Pastor, Fr. Vijay Bhat left for USA on July 15 for raising fund for the new church. Meantime Fr. Manu Parappuram, S.J. has come to the Parish as acting PP. He is seen moving about on his Hero Honda bike visiting the parish community. Fr.Parappuram was the Parish Priest of Telco from 1980 to 1986. This short-term posting has revived the past memories in the community at Telco.

St. Anthony’s, Dhanbad : Dean, Fr. Edward Kongari has succeeded in registering another plot of land at Dobatan for the new Santhal mission. He is ready with a master plan to begin the construction work as soon as the rains stop. He has already planted over 300 saplings and entrusted the protection to a villager of the area. He hopes that the animals would not destroy the plants without the permission of the dean.

The Parishioners have recently elected new Parish Council for the next 3 years. They have their vision and mission clearly spelled out for the welfare of the parish as agenda.

Bishop Julius Marandi of Dumka paid a surprise visit to St. Anthony’s on July 24 on his way to Ranchi for the Regional Bishop’s Conference.

 

 

St. Robert’s Church, Parsudih : The Annual General Body meeting of the Diocesan Mahila Sangh was held at St. Robert’s on July 9 –10 and over 450 women from the various parishes participated. Fr. Hilarius Kongari, S.J. addressed the women on “ The Family and the Eucharist “. Fr. Bispin Pani, the Spiritual Father of Mahila Sangh presided at the solemn Eucharist on July 10 at 6.00 a.m. This was an occasion to welcome the new moderator, Fr. Fabian Bhuinyan, S.J. and thank Fr. Valerian Lobo for his guidance for the last 2 years. The Mahila Sangh is very grateful to Fr. Venancius Kandulna, Fr. Puthumai Raj and Br. Felix Anthony for their support and help.

The St. Anne’s Sisters of Parsudih celebrated the feast of St. Anne on July 26 with a solemn Mass in the Church, felicitations and a meal in the evening. Prior to the feast, Fr. David Vincent gave recollection to the Sisters.

 

Catholic Charities, Sundernagar : The Samekit Jan Vika Kendra celebrated its foundation day on July 14. Prior to the celebration the staff and partners gathered for an evaluation on the 12^th, 13th and 14^th at the Vikas Bharati. It was an opportunity for the family of SJVK to come together and reflect on their activities. On the final day the Governing Body Members were present to share the foundation day joy. The staff and partners were given sufficient time to put forward questions to the Governing Body members. Fr. Edwin Coelho , one of the former directors not only responded to the queries but elaborated the vision and mission of SJVK to the surprise and joyful applause of all present.

The 35^th birthday of Fr. David Vincent was celebrated with much ‘dumdam’ on July 19. The staff greeted Fr. David early in the morning and began the celebrations. In the evening the town clergy and religious came in big number and celebrated the day with the CC /SJVK community. Fr. Bipin Pani welcomed the guests and felicitated David while Msgr. John Bodra wished David with a ‘Perk’ garland and this followed by cutting of the cake amidst loud singing by the gathering. The Cheshire Home children greeted Fr. David immediately after the Mass and they danced with Fr. David to express their joy in full.  

 

Sacred Heart Convent, Jsr. : The Apostolic Carmel Sisters of Sacred Heart Convent celebrated the Carmel feast with the clergy and religious of the town on July 17 with a special meal at noon. Bishop Joe Rodericks offered the prayer of grace at the completion of the singing of “ Carmel Hymn”.  

 

Divya Bharati, Chaibasa : The meeting cum orientation for the Parish Youth Representatives of the Kholhan deanery was held at Divya Bharati on July 03. It was conducted by the Diocesan youth director, Fr. Jose Surin and supported by Fr. Fabian. There were 54 youth leaders to participate in the deliberations.

The Director of Divya Bharati, Fr. Fabian is on tour of the various parishes of Kolhan to organize a training program for the catechists in the 1^st week of August.

 

St. Albert’s, Ranchi : The new academic year was inaugurated on June 25. Fr. David Bara, the President of the Faculty, welcomed the students and declared the academic year open. Fr. Ranjit  P. Toppo, the Jesuit Provincial of Ranchi gave the keynote address on the theme “seeking new transformations and role of change agents in the context of Jharkhand”, on this occasion diplomas and degree of Theology were awarded. Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo gave a surprise visit and delivered a speech on his visit to Rome. The feast of St. Albert was celebrated on July 17. Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo presided at the solemn Con-celebrated Eucharist. In his sermon he exhorted the Seminarians and Sisters to live an authentic true Christian life, a life of service and sacrifice. The football match played between the theologians and philosophers added much flavour to the feasting spirit of the community. The celebrations concluded with an agape in which the neighboring religious communities joined.

Bro. Patrick Khess was ceremoniously welcomed to the Albertine family on July 11. Fr. Robert Toppo visited us and stayed in the seminary and offered Mass for the Jamshedpur group.( Felix Raju Crasta).

 

Loyola, Jamshedpur:  The “New Priests Day” was held at Loyola on July 21. The celebration began with a concelebrated Eucharist presided over by Fr. Ranjit Kindo and assisted at the altar by  Frs. P.M. Anthony and Pancras. The Jesu Bhavan novices led by Bro. Wency sang melodious-devotional hymns fitting to the occasion. Bishop Felix and Bishop Joe were present along with numerous priests from the diocese and province. Soon after the Mass Rector, Fr. Oscar Horo welcomed all and congratulated the new Priests. This was followed by singing, felicitation and cutting the cake. Later all enjoyed the sumptuous family meal prepared by Bro. Maxi and his team.

The solemnity of the feast of St. Ignatius was celebrated at Loyola on July 31 . The clergy and religious of the town gathered at Loyola school chapel at 12.00 noon for the Benediction presided over by Fr. Oscar Horo, S.J. and immediately after at the  community hall for the Agape.

 

Catholic Ashram, Balarampur :  Fr. Henry Sequeira  organized a SHG training program for 10 village women groups at Koreng. 45 women took active part in the session conducted by Mr. Robin Soren.

The land deal at Balarampur is on the final stage and Fr. Henry is hopeful to register the land shortly. The Homeopathy dispensary at the Catholic Ashram has become very popular and Dr. A.K.Das comes to Balarampur twice in a month on Sunday’s. ([email protected]).

 

 

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 ;

 

Bill to protect women from domestic violence: “The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the introduction of a comprehensive Bill to protect women from domestic violence of any kind including dowry-related harassment. This fulfills a long pending demand of women activist groups and other non-governmental organizations. Not just actual violence, even a threat of physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic abuse will attract penal action. The coverage under the Bill is wider- Sisters, widows, mothers and single women are entitled to protection. Relatives living together as a joint family will also be covered. In legal terms, it means all women who are or have been in a relationship with the abuser where both parties have lived together in a shared household and are related by consanguinity, marriage or adoption. The Bill seems to protect the rights of women to secure housing. It provides the right for a woman to reside in her matrimonial home or shared household, whether or not she has any title or right to such home or household. The rights will be secured by residence orders passed by magistrates”. (The Hindu 24.06.5)

 

New Psalm for the 21^st Century:

 

The Television is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

It makes me lie down on the sofa.

It leads me away from the Faith.

It destroys my soul.

It leads me in path of sex and violence.

For the sake of those who sponsor it yes,

Though I walk in the shadow of my Christian commitment, I shall not fear.

For the television is with me together with its remote control.

Absolute comfort it brings to me.

It offers commercials for me and all sorts of pleasures .

In the Drudgery of my daily living;

It anoints my head with consumerism, the God of my life.

Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow me all the days of my life.

There is nothing I shall want.

I shall remain in my house, watching television for ever.

                                                                                                   (Osunl –June 05)

Bombay Archbishop issues Dress Code for Religious Functions: “ The Archdiocese of Bombay is carefully attending to matters relating to the dress and behaviour of those involved in Church Liturgical ceremonies (altar servers, lectors, choir, sacristans etc.). Priests are required to use cassock when on official Church duty, and wear the appropriate liturgical vestments whenever they perform the sacred rites. I earnestly  exhort the lay faithful to come to Church functions attired in a way that shows their respect for the sacred place they are worshipping in. Parents would do well to attend to this aspect of propriety when they send their children to Church services’. (+ Ivan Dias, Archbishop of Bombay, 04.07.05)

 

 

“On this world Population Day, let us resolve to empower women and girls by our commitment to gender equality. And let us remember that every society that wishes to overcome poverty, hunger, armed conflict and disease must draw fully on the talents and contribution of all its members”. ( UN Secretary General)

 

World Youth Day-05: The Vatican and Germany have issued jointly a series of 19 million stamps to commemorate next month’s World Youth Day in Cologne. Fr. Corne and Mr. Richard Sarky will represent us at the convention at Cologne. Fr. John Crasta and Bro. Dilip Marandi are planning to be there for the solemn occasion.(cbcisite)

 

“I am keeping fine and enjoying my summer ministry. All these days I was in a summer camp organized for the children by the Shalom Movement. I had the opportunity to be with its founder. The camp was arranged on mountain and was in two phases.

I was with two Iraqi seminarians. There was plenty of work to be accomplished, including cutting down trees, cleaning, leveling ground, guiding the campers to prayer etc. The Priests in charge of the camps were surprised to see me working without gloves. They know the Santhals of Bangladesh and all the more overjoyed to see me another Santhal among them. This gave me much publicity. It was after a long time I was working with spades and pickaxe and refreshed my memories of Chandil. Next week will be going to the south for a camp with the animators. For the next two months I will be in Venezia and Milano.  Selva is keeping fine and feels at home”. ([email protected] ).

 

Catholic Priest Arrested on False Charge of Forcibly converting tribals, later released: Fr. Thomas P.T., Parish Priest of St. Michael’s church, Jhapadra of Jhabua Diocese was arrested on 21^st July 2005 on the false accusation of abetting conversion of some tribals. He was released on bail soon after. (cbcisite.com)

   

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