Having stayed for a dozen of years in “Nirmala Niketan”, Jaigaon, boarding of the Salesian Sisters, I have so many memories to take with me as I part from here.

            Firstly, I am very thankful to all the sisters who have always been my constant help and support, inspiring me always to know and explore myself. Thank you so much for helping me to stand on my feet, to face the challenges of life. Living for twelve years, I met and stayed with a number of sisters. I often got confused, since many looked alike. Sometimes, I got too much emotional that I decided to become one of them but I said to myself , “control Anju control… it is not easy to live a religious life” I really appreciate all the sisters for summing up courage to leave their own family and living with a totally new family. Staying together, I became close to many sisters,  I remember and miss all the sisters.

            Secondly, all my boarders… uff!! You are the most deadly disaster taking place in my life… difficult to leave, impossible to forget! If only I would carry you with me I would certainly do it. Hope I have been an example for you all. Always be happy, be active, and take part in all the activities. Don’t cry, don’t be panic just be cool and cheerful.                    

12 Years… I wonder how I survived

The evening is blessed with a calm breeze

Soon our presence together will cease

When I reflect back on my boarding life

12 years! I wonder how I survived.

Obviously with food, water, oxygen and rest

Also with lots of boarding and school test!!

When I first came, tears rolled down my cheek

To make me laugh sisters would tickle me with a twig!

I was weak and shy, would sit in a corner and terribly cry.

Really very funny I called aged sisters as my granny

On visiting Sundays I would weep and weep

With heavy heart the rooms I would sweep.

Common sense I used to lack

Taking advantage didis used to tease.

But all this made me strong

I realized being a coward, I was wrong.

Years passed I got many friends

Madly jumped outside whenever it rained.

So much fun…

Like fired bullets from heavy gun

With so many members in this home

No one was left sad and alone

So many elders, so many juniors

But no feelings of being superior or inferior!

Got to learn, got to teach…

 Turning playground into a dusty beach

With all the sisters laughing and shouting

Enjoyed so much in every outing

So many memories to store

 Saved in my hearts core

 If only life was a tape recorder with buttons to forward and rewind

Go back to my past… I wouldn’t mind.

But what to do…..

Life is like a flowing river

And to cross it on should have a good liver.

But seriously…

I loved my life here in boarding

This very moment too my heart is recording.

Life here has made me strong and bold

But this time, this moment has made me cold.

 Finally, all will be apart on our ways…

But I will surely remember and miss my boarding days.

Anju Tirkey – Cl. XII Boarder

On 25th July, 2014, The Recognition Day (Prize distribution day) in HCA was celebrated in the school auditorium to recognise and appreciate the students who have excelled in academics. The day began with the welcome address by the School Head Girl, Shreya Sharma followed by the felicitation of the Chief Guest, Fr. George Manimala, the parish priest of St. Thomas Parish Church R.K. Puram and the lighting of the lamp to invoke God’s blessings. The programme began with the graceful depiction of Psalm 103 performed by the students of class XI. There were three categories of Prize Distribution namely; awards for the toppers of CBSE board examination held in 2013 in every subject, general proficiency awards and best student awards. Swati Singhania who scored 96.5% of Science stream, is the topper of CBSE 2013 examinations. She was awarded “The Auxil excel trophy” by Fr. George Manimala.  To add on to the joy of this day, we also had an energetic classical dance and a melodious instrumental music performance by the students.  Fr. George appreciated and congratulated the prize winners.       Sr. Lucy John, the principal concluded the day’s programme by quoting Mother Teresa of Kolkata,  

“Life is beautiful admire it

Life is happiness enjoy it

Life is a blessing experience it

Life is a dream, make it a reality

Life is a challenge, face it

Life is a responsibility, fulfil it”

The parents appreciated and applauded the management and the staff of HCA for the excellent result and imparting knowledge coupled with values.

Simran Gupta

Class XII

On 26^th July, 2014 an orientation Programme was organized by the Education Sector of the Province, at Auxilium Convent School, Dum Dum, for all the newly appointed teachers of the Auxilium, English Medium Schools of Kolkata zone.

The first session was taken by Fr.Soroj Mullick SDB from Kalyani. The Session started at 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Father gave us an insight on the Preventive System taught by Don Bosco. He explained the responsibilities of a teacher in building up a successful Nation. He also explained the things a teacher should abide by and the things that a teacher should never do. After Father’s Session there was a lunch break for an hour, which was followed by a second session.

The second session was conducted by Dr. Paromita Mitra Bhoumik, a consultant Psychologist and also four associates from Pearson, The session started at 1:30 pm and came to an end at 4:15 pm. Dr. Paromita spoke about how a classroom should be managed, dealing with effective classroom tactics. She also talked about a Parable of the Pencils to give us a better understanding of a student’s mindset. Later she dealt with many other topics on how can a teacher make a class interesting and relieve the students from boredom. She also taught us the various methods of punishment we can apply instead of the corporal one, has to rectify a student’s behavior. She gave a brief description on Multiple Intelligences and the various learning style.

The entire Orientation Programme has been an enriching and an enlightening one.  We thank our sisters especially Sr.Elizabeth Makil, the Education coordinator for organizing the programme.

10 candidates made the three days retreat at Auxilium Aspirantate Barasat from 21^st to 24^th July 2014. It was preached by Rev. Sr. Rosalia Tirkey the animator of Kalyani community. The theme of the retreat was “ Experiencing God as Love”. The preacher stressed on the love of God and His call. She made them to understand the true meaning of a vocation, the precious gift of God. She exhorted them to stand firm in their vocation and seek Him at all times. The aspirants were enriched by it and desired to love God more and more.

On 24^th July three aspirants Alka Tigga, Binita Bara and Jenifer Preti Selvaraj received the postulants’ medal. Rev. Sr. Maria Pettayil the provincial gave the medal to them and entrusted them to our Blessed Mother. The solemn prayer service conducted in the presence of both the communities of Barasat began with a prayer dance by the postulants and aspirants at 12.30 p.m. in the big chapel. During this prayer service, Sr. Provincial highlighted the call of Isaiah and his immediate response. She referred to the letter of Mother Mazzarello encouraging them to be faithful to His call. After the prayer service there was a short felicitation programme which was followed by a shared meal among the sisters of the two communities. The postulants and aspirants thanked Sr. Provincial, Sr. Rosalia, their formators and the sisters.                                                                                                                             

FMA Consultor in the Vatican -Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Vatican City.  Sr. Maria Ko Ha Fong, FMA, is new consultor and the only woman among 10 new consultors to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.  Pope Francis has made the appointments last July 22.

The origin of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is closely linked with the Second Vatican Council. It was Pope John XXIII’s desire that the involvement of the Catholic Church in the contemporary ecumenical movement be one of the Council’s chief concerns.   The Council promotes, within the Catholic Church,  an authentic ecumenical spirit and  aims to develop dialogue and collaboration with the other Churches and World Communions.

Sister Maria Ko Ha Fong was born in Macao and grew up in Hong Kong in a family with a long Buddhist tradition.  Her father studied at the Salesians’ school then converted to Catholicism and later, so did his wife and children.  Sr. Maria studied at the Salesian Sisters’ school in Hong Kong and became a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians in 1970. She studied education in Turin, Italy and obtained a doctorate in Biblical Theology in Münster, Germany.   She was part of the theological-historical Commission for the preparation of the Great Jubilee of 2000 and was a consultant of the Sacred Congregation for the institutes of consecrated life.  Since 1978, she has been teaching  sacred scripture, biblical exegesis, and biblical ministry at the Pontifical Faculty of Education Sciences (Auxilium), Rome, at the Holy Spirit Seminary of Hong Kong, and at the school of the Salesians in Jerusalem.  She gives courses on biblical spirituality at centers of formation in Asia, Latin America and Africa.   She has written in the fields of biblical hermeneutics, biblical pastoral ministry and biblical spirituality.

Being the only woman among consultors and coming from Asia, home to two-thirds of humanity but where Christians remain a very small minority, certainly give Sr. Maria a unique perspective, thus a precious contribution to the Council.  Growing up in China, cradle of the orient’s ancient wisdom and philosophy, gives her a unique blend of Christianity.  In an interview by the Vatican Insider (May 2011), she said: “We Chinese are accustomed to feel like heirs of a precious tradition of life and of wisdom, and to let ourselves be guided by the experience of our forefathers, to find in the classical texts the criteria and the frame of reference for our moral conduct. It’s not difficult for us, therefore, to reread the Bible as a story of salvation and to find ourselves involved in it”.

Just some days ago, an FMA, Sr. Marcella Farina, was also appointed as consultor: this is a strong sign of God’s blessings to the Institute founded by Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.

                             An FMA among the new Consulters for Consecrated Life

Vatican City.  The Vatican Press Room announces that on July 16,the Pope has nominated for a five year term, the new consulters for the Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life (VC) and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Vatican Department responsible for the life of consecrated men and women.

The Congregations are Departments of the Roman Curia that collaborate with the Pope in the spiritual and material government of the Catholic Church.  They are composed of Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops tasked with particular ecclesiastical affairs.  They use the collaboration of a college of ‘consulters’ nominated from among experts in the materials to be treated.  They are renewed for an established period and are chosen from among those who can give a specific and proactive support of thought and action to the Vatican Congregation.

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis highlighted the need to widen spaces for a more incisive feminine presence in the Church.  “Feminine genius is necessary in all expressions of social life.  For this reason, we must guarantee the presence of women in the work field and in the various places where important decisions are made for the Church and for social structures (103).”

Among the new Consulters is Sr. Marcella Farina of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.  Born at Buonalbergo (BN), she is a professor of Fundamental and Systematic Theology at the Pontifical University of the Science of Education – Auxilium, in Rome.  She is responsible for the University’s Periodical of the Science of Education.  She is also a member of the Pontifical Theological Academy, a founding member and associate of the Italian Society for Theological Research, and a member of the Interdisciplinary Association of Mariology.  She has written dozens of works dedicated to Theological issues.  Her intense research activity into the possible relationships between Catholics and laity, and the sensitivity shown for the feminine question, led her to be nominated as a component of the National Equal Opportunity Commission for 1996 to 2003.

In his Encyclical Letter, Evangelium Vitae, no. 99, John Paul II encourages women to offer a proactive contribution of thought and action, becoming promoters of a new feminism.  “In the cultural breakthrough in favour of life, women have a place for thought and action that is unique and possibly determinate.  It is up to them to make themselves the promoters of a ‘new feminism’ that avoids the temptation of adopting ‘masculine models’, knows how to recognize and express their true feminine genius in all manifestations of civil life, working to overcome every form of discrimination, violence, and exploitation.”

A contribution for the elaboration and construction of a new feminism could, without doubt, come from feminine consecrated life, valuing the rich spiritual patrimony that comes from the generations of two thousand years.  The nomination of Sr. Marcella on the part of the Holy Father could go in this direction.  In addition, as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, we see in this a sign of trust toward our Institute, which in the school of Don Bosco, cultivates a particular love for the Pope and therefore, the will to serve in the Church with passion, generosity, and joy.

We wish Sr. Marcella every blessing of the Lord and the maternal protection of Mary Help of Christians.  May she perform this new service proactively and with the enthusiasm that characterizes her.

The theme for the Don Bosco Park Circus Fest 2014 was indeed apt for Auxilians as we ‘Dreamt’ of becoming the best, we ‘Discovered’ talents for making us the best and we ‘Designed’ ourselves as the best.

It was a great platform for our school to be able to compete the other 15 schools in a tough competition in Don Bosco Park Circus. Of the 24 events organized by them, our school had taken part in 18 events.

Though the start was not so promising for us it ended to be a huge success. Out of fifteen events in which we had participated we managed to bag the 1^st prizes in three events(Bosco Nritya, Bosco Indi-Pop, Bosco Ad-Spoof); 2^nd prizes in two events (Bosco Ping Pong {Girls category}, Bosco Rabindrageeti [Solo category]; and the 3^rd prize for Bosco Rabindrageeti[Group category].

The most prestigious moment for our school arrived in the end when the representatives of our school walked up the stage to receive the Best School Trophy for the Bosco Nritya and above all the 4^th Best School Trophy among all the schools for overall performance.

Ankita Paladhy

Class XII

A   unique celebration of Religious Vocation Day and Silver Jubilee of Sr. Alphonsa  Kachappilly FMA,  Sr. Austin  HCM   and Sr. Mary Mathew  HCM was organized by the parish community of St. Thomas church,  R. K. Puram  on July 3,2014. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist began at 6.30 pm.  The jubilerians were led to the altar with entrance dance performed by Mahila Sangh.  Rev. Fr. George Manimala the   parish priest, through his untiring effort meticulously organized the celebration. In his introductory talk quoting from St. John Paul II he said, “The church must be a family of Bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity, supporting each other and sharing with each other the individual gifts given by God”.  He also reminded the community that Religious Vocation is a particular way of living out one’s baptismal call to holiness, trying to perfect the Lord’s commandment of love. 

Rev. Fr. Edward Madavassery SJ,the Provincial of South Asia was main celebrant of the Eucharist and seven priests concelebrated with him.  Reflecting on the theme of the day:   Religious vocation “A call to love and live” he briefly presented the life of few saintly religious persons like Mother Teresa, Francis  of Assisi etc. to understand  the call to religious life and highlighted the challenges before the assembly. Jubilerians shared   their vocation story in brief to the gathering. The parishioners well appreciated the unique celebration undertaken by the parish priest. It was a day of gratitude to the Almighty.

Sr. Jancy Valliyil

     

              Congratulations !

H.C. AUXILIUM-VASANT VIHAR:  The Media week in H. C Auxilium – Vasant Vihar was celebrated by the different sections of class XI in a unique way. Class XI-A commenced the week on 12th July, Saturday and showed the significance of print media and explained how it has an upper hand over other forms of media. They also put forward an energetic dance on the importance of media and presented the advantages, history and impact of print media. They ended it with a melodious song.

The week was continued by XI-B and XI-C on 16th July, Wednesday by putting light on the various kinds of cyber crime and the etiquettes that are to be followed while using the internet. They presented a humorous video clip and numerous slides depicting the various types of cyber crime and the steps to be followed while using the internet. 

The media week was concluded on 18th July, 2014 by classes XI-D and XI-E showing us the advantages of internet and raised a question ‘whether media is a boon or a bane?’ The answer was depicted through a mime which told us that media can either be a boon or a bane depending upon how a person uses it. They concluded the week with a meaningful thought: “You must be the filter you wish to see in the world.”

 Shivani Bhal

Student’s Cabinet Secretary

AUXILIUM BARASAT: 5^th July 2014, was indeed a day filled with creativity and learning. It was the day where students implied their ideas in the field of Science and articulated their capabilities. Red, Blue, Green and Yellow houses had their toughest challenge.

All the four houses had different topics both for middle and high school; such as circulation of blood, Respiratory system, DNA structure, conversion of energy for communication, Burglar’s alarm, Nerve Impulse etc  

                                           .

Sir Partho, sir Rajibesh and Sr. Basanti as their worthy judges, who too were in horns of dilemma. They evaluated and analyzed the programme by enhancing their inherent qualities. Indeed the students were highly privileged to have such a golden opportunity. The four houses displayed their dynamic potential extremely well through varied Science models, projects and demonstrations.

The house participants and moderators too gave an untiring effort to make the event a successful and memorable one. The winners high school were Green house and middle school were Blue house.

Agniva Ganguly

Suprabha Mukhopadhyay

Class IX B

On 7^th July 2014 with great joy sisters, the trainees and the   boarders    welcomed      Provincial Sr. Maria Pettayil, in a traditional style. With rhythmic step she was escorted to chapel for prayer by the whole community.

On 8^th July 2014 at 10.30 am the DB Tech students showcased their talents through different cultural programmes to welcome         Sr. Maria. The programme started with a prayer dance by     Miss. Ankita and the group followed by a welcome speech by                     Miss. Mamta Ekka. The DB Tech boys too performed a group dance, which made everyone experience the joyful presence of Jesus. A goal oriented skit was then performed by the students, who brought in the message that a hard work and strong determination helps one to achieve ones goal successfully.

Provincial Sr. Maria congratulated and appreciated the DB Tech students for their talent show through dances, skit, song and speech. She said that these were God given gifts, which no one will be able to stop from blooming in life. She spoke about Don Bosco and his dream which brought the students to Auxilium – Gobra. She narrated the story of a poor young boy, through which she proclaimed the facts of life that there will be ups and downs but we need to face courageously at every circumstance of life.  The programme was concluded with a song to Don Bosco.