JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

                       

 

Never woke a fairer morn

Since creation’s primal ray,

Than the hour of golden dawn

On the Earth’s first Easter day;

Jewelled meadows ! Skylarks winging,

Lilies blooming! Bluebells singing,

All the Earth with gladness singing,

Alleluia! Easter morn !

                                              (Alfred Grant Walton)

 

EASTER BLESSINGS TO ALL! ALLELUIA !

 

 

 

D I O C E S A N   R O U N D – U P:

 

St. John’s Centre, Tepasai :  The solemnity of the feast of St. John de Britto was celebrated on February 04 with much enthusiasm and joy. Bishop Felix Toppo presided at the Concelebrated Eucharist. The hostel children had a beautiful cultural programme staged as part of the celebrations. There were 87 baptisms during the Hoy Eucharist. The village community came in big number to celebrate the feast with the Fathers, Sisters and Catechists at the Parish Centre.

 

St. Mary’s Church, N. Road: Fr. Joseph Horo, C.SS.R. arrived at St. Mary’s on February 03 to prepare the way for the Parish Mission from 7^th. Fr. Konrad D’Souza, C.SS.R reached on 7^th noon. Fr. Joseph Horo visited good number of families before the Mission preaching. The retreat was well attended by the faithful.

Fr. Anthony P.M., S.J. was given a warm welcome by the parishioners as he returned after his Ordination in Kerala. Tony offered Mass for the people on February 06 at 7.15 a.m. followed by a short swagat in  the Church .

The Holy Shroud was exhibited in the Church on the 25^th, 26^th and 27^th for veneration. Fr. Edwin Coelho offered Mass on 25^th and Bishop J.R. Rodericks, S.J. presided at the solemn English liturgy on 26^th. On 27^th Fr. Joseph Surin ,S.J. conducted the healing service soon after the 2^nd Mass .It was a solemn  and historic event for the people of St. Mary’s.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri : ‘The Purnima Mela- 2005’ attracted thousands of people to the School campus on the 5^th and 6^th February. Over 150 volunteers were at work for the Raffle, Souvenir and Mela. The Parish Council headed by Mr. Peter Bonnerjee organized well to make the Purnima Mela –2005 a grand success. Ms. Vandana Dadel, I.A.S, inaugurated the mela while Mr. Sunil Mahato, M.P. released the souvenir on 6^th and officiated at the raffle draw.

The mela committee had its evaluation meeting held at the Welfare Centre Hall on Sunday, February 13 at 6.30 p.m. During the meeting the raffle prizes were presented by Fr. Jerome Pereira and Mr. Peter Bonnerjee. It was an occasion to thank the volunteers and the associates for the support and assistance to make the mela a grand success. The net profit has reached a record high over Rs.3,50,000.00  Congratulations to one and all.

Fr. Stephen Rapahel of Kolkata Archdiocese is camping at MTN and visiting the families in the Baridih area with the Catechist, Mr. Joseph Kerketta to launch ‘Perpetual Adoration’ at Mercy Chapel. The response of the people was very encouraging and praise worthy. This will bring in much power and strength to the Parish. The adoration will be solemnly inaugurated on Palm Sunday evening at the Mercy Chapel.

 

 

Disciples of Divine Saviour, Chaibasa:  Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. blessed the newly constructed residence for the DDS Brothers, SHANTI NIWAS on February 06, Sunday at 11.30 a.m. Bro. Jayaprakash, DDS , Superior General inaugurated the residence by cutting a red ribbon. All the brothers working in the region as well as the few from the Southern region joined Brothers Cyprian and Simplicius for the celebrations. Priests, Sisters, Brothers and laity shared the family meal soon after the blessing ceremony. Congratulations to Brothers Cyprian and Simplicius.

 

Bishop’s House, Golmuri :   The 84^th  birthday of Msgr. John Bodra was solemnly celebrated with a special community Mass and a fellowship meal with the campus communities on February 12..

The foreign visitors were given fond farewell by the community :- Alex Fiato on  1^st, John Crast on  4^th, Kathleen & Mark on 9^th and Leen Luca on 8^th.

 Fr. Johny Vithayathil returned on February 15.  Joseph Surin made many fruitless trips to Ranchi University to incorporate his name in the list for Ph.D. He expects to get enrolled soon and begin work on high speed.

 Fr. Gualbert Furtado got discharged from the Christian Medical College Hospital Vellore on 11th and left for Mangalore for home rest . He will report back to the hospital after 3 months of medication. Vernon returned to Jamshedpur on 18^th after reaching Gualbert to his home in Mulki.

 The Jharkhand Assembly election on 15^th was peaceful at Joseph’s School. The campus people lined up at 7.00 a.m. although the polling machines were put in action an hour later. The Doordarshan relayed the news visuals of St. Joseph’s, where Fr. Cyprian Lobo was on the line with the Muslim Busty address holders.

The third year Philosophers from St. Albert’s College, Ranchi came on a tour to Jamshedpur on February 02 with Fr. Jos de Cuyper and Fr. Linus Pingal. They visited Tata Motors, Tisco, Zoological Park and central for excellence before heading for Dimna Lake. The group comprising of 45 had breakfast and lunch at the Bishop’s House.

                                   +Photo II

St. Xavier’s Church, Chaibasa : The Lenten season indeed is the busiest one for the Parish as it has retreat in every segment  . The catechists begin the retreats and the Priest concludes on the 3^rd day with confession and Mass. Pastor, Fr. Alex Misquith is all for to strengthen the faith of the village community and is seen on the move to achieve this goal. 

The 39^th birthday of Fr. Alex Dodrai was celebrated on February 14 with a special Mass in the morning and villa in the evening for the deanery. Msgr. John Bodra and Jamshedpur Dean, Fr. Jerome Pereira rushed to Chaibasa to be part of the celebrations at noon. A special friendly cricket match was conducted in the afternoon between the Clergy and Hostel Children. The result is a secret due to the big margin in the result.

St. Robert’s Parsudih :  The Holy Shroud was exhibited for the parishioners in the Church on Friday,12^th and prayers continued. On the final day, Bishop Felix Toppo presided at the solemn Eucharist and gave individual blessing for healing with the Special Cross after the anointing. The Church was packed to capacity. Fr. Joseph Surin conducted the healing service with meaningful explanation. The Mass and healing service concluded at 9.00 p.m.     

The Redemptorist Preachers, Fr. Konrad Douza and Fr. Joseph Horo began visiting the families in preparation for the retreat which began on 28^th February.

Since Fr. Gualbert is away for treatment Bro. Felix Crasta came to help out and took charge of Holy Family School, Rahorgora  on February 14.

 

Missionaries of Charity, Baradwari :  On February 12, Saturday during  a special function at Nirmala Hirday the Area Manager of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mr. P.P. Ganguly presented  a Sumo Ambulance to the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity for their apostolate. Bishop Felix Toppo congratulated the HPCL for their concern and assistance for the poorest of the poor whom the Sisters are serving all the time. Mr. P.P. Ganguly addressed the gathering and elaborated their desire to serve the poor in Jharkhand  and that they would continue to do so always. Sr. M. Alphonsina, M.C. received the key of the new ambulance from Mr. P.P Ganguly. The ambulance  will be used in  Ranchi area by the Sisters. 

 

Infant Jesus, Parish, Sonari : Fr. Joseph Horo C.SS.R and Fr. Konrad D’Souza C.SS.R began the Parish Renewal Mission on 14^th February. They visited all the families during the morning hours and preached in the evening at the Loyola Chapel. Over 200 people attended the daily program for 6 days. Pastor, Fr. Bernanrd Surin made sure that maximum number of his faithful participated in the Lenten Family Renewal Mission in his Parish

 

St. Anthony’s Church, Dhanbad : The Lenten observances of fast and abstinence have inspired more people to participate in the daily Eucharist and also for the Way of the Cross either at the Parish Church or at the Carmel Convent.

The land deal at Dhobatan, Kanchanpur is on the final stage after having completed the measuring-marking .The registration, hopefully will be done in the 1^st week of March. Dean Fr. Edward Kongari is determined to complete the formalities before Easter and begin work on the incomplete project immediately to start another new venture among the Santhals in Dhanbad Deanery. Congratulations to Fr. Edward Kongari for the initiative.

 

St. Theresa’s Church, Sindri : The spoken English classes are attracting many youth to the campus. Pastor Ajay and Bro. Patrick are all for the development of the Santhal Mission of Tetulia. All the 15 families are ready to make any sacrifice for the faith. The Parish will have a Lenten Retreat in the month of March.

 

St. John De Britto Parish, Gomoh :  Pastor, Fr. Bene has extended his pastoral minitry area up to Barora - Bilbera and make regular visits to the areas for Mass . Bilbera is 18 kilometers and Barora 12 kilometers away from Gomoh.  The DBH garden is the most famous in the district with all varieties of vegetables and flowers. There are streams of visitors coming and enjoying the beauty of the campus  daily.

 

Jisu Jaher, Gadi Tundi : Pastors Sushil and James are busy organizing retreats in all the villages of the Parish though busy with the hostel-school administration. The catechists have regular meetings to monitor the evangelization programs in the parish. Easter commemoration will welcome few more to the Parish Family..

 

Gyan Deep Vidyalaya, Birsnagar :  The Graduation Ceremony of  Class X students was held at the school hall on February 19. Mrs. Celine Alberts, Principal, Vig English School, Govindpur was the Chief Guest. The outgoing 26 students were given a fond farewell by the present 9thers and wished them lives filled with joy, God’s blessings and success. The Chief Guest presented Special mementos to all the students.

 

C.R.I. Jamshedpur : The AGM of CRI Jamshedpur was held at Vikas Bharati, Sundernagar on February 19-20. There were 68 participants and Sr. Flavian A.C. was the resource person. Bishop Felix Toppo inaugurated the session and addressed the members stressing the urgency to strengthen BCC in the diocese. He congratulated the CRI for their selfless ministry for people of the diocese. Sr. Flavian A.c., elaborating on the “New way of being educators”, emphasized that the school is part of the Parish, which belongs to the diocese and at large part of the Universal Church. She further added that a Catholic School must projects its dignity by witnessing godliness in us in the way we give qualitative formation with dedication. The CRI assembly chose a team of educators- Fr. S. Saleth  S.J, Fr. Tom Nelli S.J., Sr. Lini A.C. and Sr. Magda OSU - to help out the schools and make aware the changing scenario of education ministry. The AGM concluded with the meal at 1.00 p.m.(Bro. Jacob, DDS)

 

Vidya Jyoti School, Siadih :   Fr. Vernon returned on 20^th noon to celebrate his 36th birthday on February 21. The school children had a special program to felicitate the Headmaster in the morning. Pastor, Fr. Michael Jojo speeded up and gathered enough sweets-eatable for everyone to feast the day. A team headed by Fr. Alex Dodrai rushed in to celebrate the day with Vernon in the evening.

 

St. Mark’s Centre, Toklo : Fr. Camile celebrated his 36^th birthday on 22^nd February . The hostel children honored the pastor with various cultural items immediately after the Mass in the morning. In the evening the clergy of the deanery had a special meal to share the joy of the day with Camile. The Lenten retreats are conducted in the villages to prepare the faithful for the Holy Week. The new hostel construction is in progress and it will be handed over by the end of March.

 

Kripa Sadan, Bhilai Pahari :  The wild tusker conducted a Triduum at the campus to celebrate the 56^th birthday of Director, Fr. Cyprian Lobo on 23^rd February. It seems the tusker found the wheat under nourished and tomato too small for consumption. It roamed the garden and threw away the vegetables and walked off through the exit it had made few weeks ago. Now that there are many entrances and exits to the campus it need not struggle to make new ones. The Bishop’s House community joined in full strength to be part of the evening meal with Frs. Cyprian and Herman on 23^rd.

The road construction and ground leveling work is in progress while the construction of new blocks yet to begin. There are plenty of workers in the campus carrying building materials and getting the ground organized. The subject of conversation for everybody in the campus and out side is the continuous visit of the tusker. 

                         + Photo III

Pratiksha, Neeldungri :  Rector, Fr. Roque returned home on 22^nd evening from Fort Wayne/Canada via Mumbai- Mangalore- Ranchi. He was happy to see the campus greener and the High- Ways well laid out. Congratulations to Fr. Casimir, Fr.Gyan and the seminarians for the great work -spirit. Fr. Roque had the good opportunity to minister at St. Patrick’s Parish -Fort Wayne, a visit to Fr. Joy Paul in Canada and meet the many friends who visited Jamshedpur from Canada last year.

 

St. Joseph’s Church, Charbandia: Bro. James Rozario and team from Kolkata conducted this year’s Lenten retreat for the parishioners from February 24-28 at the Parish Church. It was well appreciated by the faithful and gained manifold blessings from the Lord. The team had beautiful singing and preaching to make everybody realize the need for renewal in the Spirit. The village community came for the retreat in full strength and many of them stayed on in the campus until the end of the treat on February 28. 

 

Ursula Niwas, Goilkera : The solemn blessing and inauguration of the new Ursuline Convent at Goilkera  took place on February 27. Bishop Felix Toppo presided at the solemn Concelebrated Eucharist at the Prabhu Marsal Church at 9.00 a.m. Soon after the Mass, all marched in procession to the new convent building and Bishop Felix Toppo offered the pray of blessing on the ‘Ursuline Niwas” in the presence of Bishop Emeritus J.R. Rodericks, Priests , Brothers, Parishioners and Sisters. Sr. Placida Kispotta OSU, the Provincial Superior inaugurated the building by cutting a ribbon. Sr. Alice OSU gave the welcome address and enumerated the inspiration to begin a new foundation at Goilkera. This was followed by a short swagat by the school children. Later all shared the family meal prepared by the Sisters.

 

St. Vincent de Paul Society, Jamshedpur : A special meeting of the Jamshedpur Particular Council and Golmuri Particular Council was held at St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre on February 27 at 10.00 a.m. The Officials of the Ranchi Central Council were present together with Dr. Van Ruitan, the International Oversees Chairman. Mr. Keith Gabriel and Mr. Thomas Cosmos presented the reports of the respective councils. Earlier the Guests were given a warm welcome by the Jamshedpur –Golmuri Council members. Fr. Leo D’souza offered Mass for the SVP members at 12.00 noon in the Church. Later all shared the meal prepared for the occasion. Dr. Ruitan congratulated the SVP members of Jamshedpur diocese and promised to visit next year if Jamshedpur gets a Central Council status.

 

Catholic Charities : Sundernagar:  Director, Fr. Bipin traveled to Ernakulam  for the CRS Director’s meet from February 2-4 for the policy making forum for Caritas India. Later from 20-22 he attended the project selection committee meeting of Caritas India  in Delhi as BIJHAN Director.

Fr. David was found in Raipur from 14-17 attending a workshop cum exposure program on ‘Rain fed-Rabi Crop’ cultivation plus second crop cultivation.

The Development Dynamics Course organized by BIJHAN and supported by CRS for 15 days had 38 participants. It was inaugurated by Fr. George Manna on February 6 at the Vikas Bharati. It was meant for the social workers of Northern India and the main topics were – Social-political-cultural analysis, Problem analysis, Participatory-rural appraisal, Communication, Learning conversation, Leadership, Asset based community-  development, Spirituality in Social Work and the need of Goal-Vision-Mission .Bishop Felix Toppo presented the awards on the concluding day, Februray 20.

The vocational trainings are going on well and admission to the new batches will commence from next month.

Bro. Felix Raju Crasta , popularly  known as ‘ Lal Lal Nehru’ was given a  fond farewell by the community on 12^th. ([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:

 

The Holy Land Without Christians :  It is alarming that the Holy land in recent months is becoming more and more dangerous. The Holy Land where Jesus was born died and rose again and from where the first apostles set out to preach the Gospel could in a short time will be devoid of Christians altogether.

The last census counted some 2000 Palestinian Christians who were forced to abandon  the Holy Land at the beginning of the Intifada in the Territories [occupied by Israel]. Many migrated to the United States and Latin America where other communities of Palestinians earlier migrated and have lived for decades. From Transjordania,  Gaza and from East Jerusalem, Palestinian Christians number around 70,000 [that is 2% of the population]. Most of them are Orthodox Christians. They live in the districts of Bethlehem and Ram-allah, and in the Arabic sector of East Jerusalem. Around 3000 reside in Gaza city itself [ Madre di Dio,]

 

 

The decree also provides the granting of the plenary indulgence to those persons who, due to illness or other just cause, cannot participate in an act of worship of the sacrament of the Eucharist in a Church or oratory.

 

 

“ Greetings from Rome. I am keeping fine. I have finished my 1^st semester exams well. My next Radio transmission will be on Saturday, 26/2  and on Sunday 27/2. This time the script will be mine “. ([email protected]

 

Tribals not to be evicted from forests: “ The tribal affairs ministry is happy that its efforts to stop the eviction of tribals from forest land have finally paid off. Ministry officials cite a recent letter from the director general of forests  to all states and Union Territories , asking them to discontinue eviction of tribals from forest land. In a letter to the states on December 21 last year, N.K. Joshi, DG, Forests, admitted that “State/Uts governments were not able to distinguish between encroachers, original tribals and other forest dwellers living on forest lands since time immemorial’. Therefore, “they {States/Uts}should not resort to the eviction of tribal people and forest dwellers other than ineligible encroachers, till the complete survey is done for the recognition of such and their rights”. {Times of India,22.01.05}

 

 

Child will inherit only father’s caste: SC: “The Supreme Court today upheld a judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court that a child born out of wedlock would inherit only his /her father’s caste irrespective of the caste to which the mother belonged”

                                                                               (The  Hindu, 29.01.05)

Government Employees too liable to pay damages : “ In a significant judgment , the Supreme Court has held that a government hospital rendering ‘free services’ to government employees would be liable to pay damages for medical negligence under the Consumer Protection Act”. {The Statesman, 22.01)             

 

RIP : Sr. Lucy dos Santos, the lone surviving seer of Fatima, died on February 13 at her Carmelite Convent in Coimbra. She was 97 years old.

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