JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

 

Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;

Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God.

For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. (Joel 2: 12-13)

 

CONGRATULATIONS:

 

Fr. Binay Kandulna (Khunti)                   Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi

Fr. Ignatius Loyola Mascrenhas (Delhi) Appointed Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh

Fr. Edward Mudavaseery, S.J,              Appointed Provincial Superior of South Asia

Sr. Dipasha, A.C.                                     Re-elected Provincial Superior           

 

ENGAGEMENTS OF BISHOP FELIX TOPPO, S.J. – MARCH, 2009
Date	Day	Time		Place
02-04	Mon-Wed		Seminar/CBCI	Delhi
05	Thu	8.30 a.m	Meeting of the Directors of Propaedeutic Institutes, SAC	Ranchi
06-07	Fri-Sat		Diocesan Perspective planning	Sundernagar
10-11	Tue-Wed		Diocesan Priests Sharing	Sundernagar
19-20	Thu-Fri		Visitation of Seminarians	Nagpur
21-26	Sat-Thu		Retreat for Seminarians	Nagpur

 

 

D I O C E S A N   R O U N D – U P !

 

DIVYA PRAKASHAM ADORATION, GOLMURI: The Jamshedpur Diocesan Charismatic Core Team  organized  two-day charismatic leadership training programme at Jesu Bhawan from January 30 p.m. to February 01 noon. There were 40 participants from the many parishes of the Diocese. Sr. Ann Thomas, SSH, Mr. Ignatius Oraom, Mr. Cosmos Thomas and Miss Grace Toppo were the animators. The programme began with Adoration and Fr. Camille Hembrom presided at the Mass on the 31^st morning. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. was the Chief Celebrant at the concluding Eucharist on February 01 at 11.00. The group had a special session to chalk out the action plane for their own parishes. Congratulations to all the members of the Core Team and special thanks to Fr. Gautam, S.J and the Jesu Bhawan community for the support and guidance for the 1^st ever Charismatic Leadership Training Programme in the diocese.

The Charismatic Core Team met at the Bishop’s House on February 09 to plan out the forthcoming programmes. It was proposed that some members attend the Charismatic Convention at Patna from February 21-23. The group plans to conduct one more training programme at Jesu Bhavan during the season of Lent.(Ignatius Oraom)

 

KRIPA SADAN, BHILAI PAHARI: MRS. FLORENCE from Canada, joined the teaching staff of Kripa Sadan on February 03. Fr. Casimir Vas made his maiden visit to Catholic Ashram, Balrampur on February 03 and Fr. Cyprian Lobo was surprised to see him in his campus for few hours. Fr. Casimir later in the evening presided at the Mass for the Charismatic Group at the Bishop’s House and was happy to meet many of his old parishioners.

Msgr. John Bodra blessed the foundation for the ‘Special Old-Age Home’ for Priests at Bhilai Pahari on February 05 at 3.15 p.m. in the presence of the candidates, Sisters, Contractor and workers. The seminarians airlifted Msgr. to the work site and with the help of Fr. Carimir, Msgr. offered the prayers of blessings and splashed the pickaxe to the joy of one and all present. Later all shared snacks and handed over the site to the workers for action.

The 40^th birthday of Director, Fr. Vernon D’Souza was celebrated on February 21. He presided at the concelebrated Eucharist in the Chapel in the morning. The presence of the 40 Nursing students added greater joy. Immediately after the Mass all assembled in the Dinning Hall and Msgr. John Bodra offered the prayer of grace. A big cake was cut while all started singing special blessings on Vernon. Fr. Casimir had arranged breakfast for  all – buns-eggs-chana-tea and curd. Later all joined for the felicitation programme by the seminarians in the upper classroom. Fathers from Bishop’s House and St. Mary’s Church, N. Road reached for the supper together with the campus community. Thus the ‘Director’s Day’ was celebrated with great joy and happiness. Fr. Casimir had special international delicacies prepared for the solemn event. All enjoyed the ‘Halva’ in particular.

The seminarians went to Balrampur on February 23 for their annual picnic. Fr. Cyprian Lobo was delighted to have a crowd for his birthday. The group returned home in the evening.(Casimir)

 

 

ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL, BHILAI PAHARI: Nursing Students (40) from Jeevan Jyoti School of Nursing reached the campus for the ‘ Community Health Programme’ on February 02. They visited all the villages nearby and made a thorough health survey.

The 88^th birthday of Msgr. John Bodra was celebrated on February 12. He was wheeled to the chapel for the morning Mass. After the Mass the staff and nursing students wished him ‘Ad Multos Annos’. Later in the day Dr. John Mundu, S.J and his Sister, Albina, SCJM arrived to add greater joy and happiness. In the afternoon the Bishop’s House community reached with the special birthday cake and Msgr. was ever ready for the mega event at 3.45 p.m. with the campus community numbering more than 120. He addressed the gathering for 5 minutes though wanted to speak for 45 minutes, before he was crowned with a groom cap -garland, shawl, new watch etc. He did cut the cake and shared with one and all. All shared ice cream, cake and took the Msgr. for a solemn procession in the campus. He distributed toffee to all the onlookers as well as the labour force in the campus. The celebration continued until he got exhausted.

The Nursing students left the campus on February 21 after being at work for 20 days. A special medical camp was held for the villagers on February 21, Saturday by Dr. Fabiola and team in the campus.

The new classrooms are getting ready to begin classes from June. The repair work of the Pond is taking place and it is expected to store more water- more fish. Bro. Paulson is too busy guiding the workers. Bro. Arnold shuttles to Patmanda with Mr. Gopal to begin the work as early as possible.

 

ST. JOHN’S CENTRE, TEPASAI: The Parish Day, the solemnity of the feast of St. John de Britto was celebrated on February 04, Wednesday, 2009. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. presided at the solemn Con-celebrated Mass at 9.00 a.m. The choir sang devotional hymns in English, Hindi and Ho. During the Mass 52 youngsters received the sacrament of Confirmation and 40 children ‘First Communion’. After the Mass the parishioners and school-hostel children presented a very colourful cultural programme for the joy of one and all present. The Parish Council had made arrangements and fed all the peo                  ple who came for the feast. Congratulations to the Fathers, Sisters, Catechists, Parish Council Members for the devotional and solemn celebration of the feast in honour of St. John de Britto. (Sanjay)

 

ST. XAVIER’S SCHOOL, GADI TUNDI:  The Silver Jubilee of the School was celebrated on Sunday, 8^th February. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. presided at the solemn Concelebrated Eucharist in the Hall at 9.00 a.m.

Soon after the Mass the school children presented a colourful cultural programme in the Hall. The former Headmistresses and Parish priests were honored. The celebrations concluded with a family meal. Congratulations to Sr. Philo, Fathers, Sisters, Staff , Students and the Parish Council Members for the excellent Silver Jubilee celebrations of the School.(Sanjay)

 

BISHOP’S HOUSE, GOLMURI: Bishop Joe Rodericks got back to the Hospital four days after he was discharged. He underwent many tests to conclude that there wasn’t any grave damage to any of his vital organs though had to miss the much prepared and awaited CCBI Meeting in Mysore. He was finally discharged  on February 13.

Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. left for Mysore on February 10 to attend the CCBI Meeting. Fr. Edward Kongari visited Dr. Oscar Hembrom at the Kandatoli Chowk on February 11 in the company of Dr. J. B. Horo and returned from Ranchi to Dhowatand while Manu came back to Jamshedpur to attend the many meetings at the Vikas Bharati, Sundernagar.

Fr. A. Alphonse was rushed to Mercy by Fr. Puthumai Raj on February 16^th after he complained of giddiness and chest pain. He stayed for a week in the hospital and was released on February 21^st.

Bishop Felix visited the Seminarians at Khrist Premalaya, Bhopal and St. Paul’s Semianry, Lucknow after attending the CCBI meeting at Mysore from February 20-27.

 

AMAR JYOTI -PROVINCIAL HOUSE, PARDIH: The newly constructed 1^st floor of the Provincial’s Residence was inaugurated and blessed by Fr. Carl Dincher, S.J. on Sunday, February 15. The solemn Mass was celebrated in the new chapel in the presence of the Sisters, Mr. Ephrem Kispotta & Family, Mr. Anikul and representatives from the worker-force. Sr. Josetta, SSH thanked everybody who were part of the planning, supporting and guiding the work. Token gifts were given to the Engineer, Contractor and supervisors.

 

 

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL, GOILKERA:  Mrs. Joba Majhi was the Chief Guest for the School Sport’s Meet on Saturday, February 14. The campus was filled with guests, visitors and villagers to witness the mega event. Mrs. Joba Majhi addressed the gathering assuring support for the development of the school as well as hostel.

 

CATHOLIC ASHRAM, BALRAMPUR: Fr. Cyprian Lobo celebrated his 61^st birthday on February 23. The Kripa Sadan community took the occasion for an outing at Balrampur. Frs. Jerome Pereira and Sahay Thason from Adra, Fr. Joy Paul, Rita-Florence from St. Mary’s, Bistupur and Fr. John Otto from Purulia joined Fr. Cyprian for the grand lunch at 12.30 p.m. The Kripa Sadan candidates played Cricket-match in the spacious ground and the director’s team was defeated 93-86. All enjoyed the special South-North cuisine made available for the occasion. The Nursery children wished their ‘Father’ during the assembly on the 24th with action songs and dance as 23^rd was a holiday. Thus Fr. Cyprian had ‘House-full’ for lunch to celebrate his birthday in style and pomp.

 

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, N. ROAD: Pastor, Fr. Joy Paul was too busy in blessing the many parish marriages in the month of February. Meantime he made sure that all are well prepared for the season of Lent.

The 38^th birthday of Fr. Junas Purty (25^th) was celebrated on February 24. The vigil celebration began with the cutting of the cake at 7.00 p.m. The Clergy of the town and Religious of the Parish assembled at the Parish Hall to shower abundant blessings on Junas. Fr. Mike Thanaraj, S.J. offered the prayer of blessings on Junas and on all the people present. On the actual day, Ash Wednesday many visitors from far and wide reached the Parish to wish ‘Ad Multos Annos’ to Junas.

 

 

ST. JOSEPH’S WELFARE CENTRE, GOLMURI: The Inauguration of the 125^th conversational English Course and Certificate day was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre, Golmuri, Jamshedpur on February 14. Fr. Michael Raj, the director welcomed the  Guests and the newcomers. Fr. Amatus Kujur was the Chief Guest. He encouraged the students to speak in English and master the language. Mrs. Rita Danis, a Canadian Social Worker was the Guest of Honour and gave away the awards for the meritorious students of all the classes and of the speech and dance completions. The former director, Fr. Joy Paul was the Special Guest. The cutting and stitching class students put up colourful dance programmes in honour of the Guests and New Comers. There was a dance competition and speech competition for the students during the programme. There are 501 students at the Centre for all the activities.

 On 1^st February the staff went for an outing to the NH 33 and had cricket match and the winning team got a special treat from the director. (Henry)

 

ST. JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL, GOLMURI: On 8^th February the Parish Council Members, the Area Leaders and the Parish Youth had their picnics in different places. The Parish Council Members and the Area Leaders went along with Fr. Amatus Kujur to Chaira and Bro.Benjamin Ekka welcomed them with a sumptuous meal. The Youth and the Alter Servers went with Frs. Michael Raj, Sanjay Kujur, Linus Kindo, Florance Dungdung, Bro.Pascal Toppo and Bro. Arnold DDS to Ganza River. The group enjoyed the day with games and songs. Fr. Sanjay Kujur was given the man of the match award for the cricket match at the picnic spot a “ Jintha fish”. (Michael)

 

LOYOLA SCHOOL, TALDANGA- KUMARDHUBI: In the circle of life we end only to begin anew. There is no sharp corner, no edges, only a smooth course to run along. The 2008-2009 session has been a giant wheel ride for the Loyola family. It was hectic, surprising and very fulfilling.

The school term ended successfully with the final examinations getting over on 12^th Feb. Teachers are in full swing with their corrections. A very positive decision taken by the Principal, i.e to show the final term answer scripts to the parents, has generated a good Word-of-Mouth in the locality.

The promotion meetings were held on 23^rd & 24^th of Feb and the results were declared on 27^th and 28^th of Feb.

We take this opportunity to thank our Principal, Fr. Edward and Vice Principal, Sr. Jossy for guiding us in giving our best.  We thank God and pray His blessings upon our institution that it may always be in the able hands of good human beings like our Principal and Vice-Principal.(Rita Sen)

 

ST. JOHN MARY VIANNEY CHURCH, DHOWATAND: Bro. S. Stephen rushed from Maluka to Dhowatand on February 13 to take care of the Mission while Fr. Edward Kongari left for Patna for the Charismatic Retreat under Fr. Mathew Naikanparambil,V.C.  He reached back for the Mass on the 22^nd. Examinations are going in the school and announcements are made for new admissions in the school as well – hostel. (Edward)

 

 

 

Programme at Upasana: 8-days Holistic Retreat (Open to all): Date: March 17 pm to 25 pm: Director: Fr. Joseph Njarakulam, S.J

 

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 !

 

PSYCHOLOGY TESTING IN SEMINARIES: A Vatican document said seminary candidates should be undergo psychological evaluation whenever there is a suspicion of personality disturbances or serious doubts about their ability to live a celibate life. In assessing the capacity for celibacy, it says, the Church needs to make sure that uncertain sexual identity or “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” are not present. The document, prepared by the Congregation for Catholic Education and approved by Pope Benedict XVI, said psychological evaluation could never be imposed on seminarians or seminary candidates. But it emphasized that Church authorities have the right to turn away candidates if they are not convinced of their suitability.

 

CARDINAL OSWALD GRACIAS RE-ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF CCBI: Some 120 Bishops and six lay leaders attended a week-long CCBI gerneral Body meeting in Mysore that tended on 18^th February. Latin Rite Bishops in India have re-elected Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai as their President at the end of he meeting. Archbishop Vincent Concessao was re-elected  Vice President for the second time and Bishop Prakash Mallavarapu of Vijayawada was elected Secretary General for a third time.

The Bishops discussed the theme “ Word of God in the life and the Ministry of the Church” and condemned what they called as “Biblical fundamentalism” alluding to a literal verse by verse interpretation of the Bible said Father Bala Deputy Secretary General of CCBI.

The Bishops want that every Catholic Family should own a Bible, handle with reverence and read it regularly. They also urged them to understand the message if the Bible and all sacred texts, which speak of love, justice and peace, the press release said.

The Bishops proposed a new ceremony for children presenting a Bible. While only Baptism and First Communion are so far celebrated for children, perhaps at the age of reason, the Bishops proposed also what they called “Ceremonial Handing over of the Bible to Children”.

In the final message, the CCBI Bishops appealed to the Priests, nuns, especially the Catholics and all the people of the country to live in unity and fellowship, according to the sacred writings, the press release said. (cbcisite)

 

VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN ORISSA, ANOTHER CHRISTIAN KILLED : The lifeless body of Hrudayanada  Nayak was found yesterday(20/02) in the forest near the village of Rudangia, near Ghumusar Udayagiri, a city in the district of Kandhamal. The 40 year old man disappeared the day before.

Sajan George, National president of the Global Council of India Christians (GCIC), told Asia News that after Nayk accompanied his sister to a place five kilometers from the city he was stopped on his way back by a group of Hindu extremists and vanished thereafter.

After a brief search by police and the Christians, nayak’s body was found, lifeless. Rudangia is a predominantly Christian village, some 260 kilometers from the State capital, Bhubaneshwar. (cbcisite)

 

MORNING STAR COLLEGE, BARRACKPORE: It was a joy to have seen Fr. Joy Paul, Mrs. Rita and Mrs. Florence in our College campus on the 29th of January. It was indeed a loving gesture from Rita and Florence to have come to see their old students from Pratiksha. Thank you, Fr. Joy Paul, Mrs. Rita and Mrs. Florence, we were touched by your loving presence. Many of our seminarians have got chickenpox this year. There are still three seminarians suffering from this disease. As a preventive measure all the seminarians here are now vaccinated against this infectious disease. The 14th and the 15th of February saw us display our dancing and singing talents, as we celebrated these two days as our College Day. The guests from far and wide were all appreciative of all that we put up on the stage. The Dance-Drama, 'Hum Honge Kamyab' was the talking point for it relevance to the present day India. In the evening of 15th, we had a community dinner together with the Birthday celebration of all whose birthdays were in the months of January or February. We had a delightful 'Class Picnic' on the 19th of this month. This came as a welcome break after the rigorous preparations for the College Day celebrations.(Felix)

 

ST. ALBERT’S COLLEGE, RANCHI: We are all enjoying a cool weather in Ranchi. We witnessed a lot of activities in the month of February. The batch of the newly ordained priests, 2007-2008, visited its alma mater between 4^th and 5^th February. These are the brave sons of St. Albert’s College, who exchanged their enriching experiences with their younger brothers. Every Thursday the morning prayers and meditation exercises are led by the different animation groups. Besides, several extra-curricular activities are organized at inter-animation group level. For instance, recently a dance-competition was held, which was won by our Vianney animation group.

We the final year philosophers had been to Jamshedpur for an educational tour on the 11^th of Feb. We visited the Tinplate and the Tata Centre for Excellence. It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to acquire knowledge for our lives. We enjoyed the day very well. The Bishop’s House (Jamshedpur) played the perfect host. We had a heavy breakfast and a wonderfully delicious lunch at the Bishop’s House. We the Brothers of final year of philosophy are very grateful to the Bishop and all the priests and Brothers of Bishop’s House.

Leisure time makes one relaxed and energized. This was the experience of the Brothers at their class picnic on February 21^st. All enjoyed the tasty food at different places known for their natural beauty. Fr. Selvaraj accompanied us to Dasam falls and his presence added extra joy to the picnic. We do remember in our prayers  Msgr. John Bodra for his speedy recovery.  St. Albert’s College Philosophy team defeated the Ranchi Army team in a closely fought hockey match on February 23. Brs. George Ekka and Ranjit Kullu were the stars of the match. Br. Ranjit Kullu, who scored two goals, was declared the man of the match. (George Ekka)

 

April   02   : Chrism Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri.

 

KHRIST PREMALAYA, BHOPAL: We are all fine by the grace of God and doing well. All the Philosophers have finished their classes by 22^nd January. Bros. Sandeep and Manoj had comprehensive exams and they have come out with flying colours. Bro. Manoj Kujur is preparing for his comprehensive exam. We are all preparing for the college exams, which will be held in the month of March. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. visited us on the 19^th of February. Fr. Godwin and Bro. Sandeep had gone to the Airport to welcome him. On the 20^th we welcomed him in the community and he met us personally. We had our our recollection on the 20^th-21^st and Bishop Felix presided at the Mass and gave us an inspiring message. On the same day he addressed the community on the ‘Synod of Bishop’s’ regarding formation. We are very grateful to our Bishop for his visit at Khrist Premalaya, Bhopal. (Alfred).                   

 

 

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