On November 25, 2017, the students of classes X and XII gathered in the grounds of our school at 7:30a.m. in the morning for Bandel Pilgrimage. The fun we had on the way, made the bus journey, apparently, very short. On reaching the Bandel Church we silently took our seats, as the Father was delivering his speech. He informed us how the Lord is the centre of our lives. He is the ultimate being in control of our destiny and praying to him would surely make our dreams come true. We then had a short prayer service programme to seek God’s Blessings. We then climbed the stairs to the top where the holy statue of Mother Mary is kept. We prayed with all our heart, and lighted the candles, and dropped the intentions in the wish-box.

Our next stop was at Auxilium Kalyani. The steaming dishes laid on the tables made our mouths water. After a satisfactory meal, all the students of classes X and XII having gathered together had a lot of fun. We danced, sang, clicked photographs and after getting exhausted, sluggishly climbed our buses. This Bandel Pilgrimage, shall always remain etched in the hearts of the students of ACS Barasat, as they all had the fun of a lifetime.

Anwesha Biswas

Class – X A

A group of 52 Catechism students belonging to the “Jesus Club” made a fruitful pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces, Sardhana, Meerut, UP on Saturday, October 22, 2016 in order to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy. They were accompanied by Sr. Celine Alexander, Sr. Jenita Mary Savarimuth, three staff members and Fr. Cyprian Creado op, who was invited to celebrate the Holy Mass at the Shrine. On reaching the holy place, Fr. Cyprian Creado op, invited the pilgrims to enter the Holy Door praying the Divine Chaplet and to experience the loving Mercy of God. It was followed by Eucharistic celebration, Praying of Holy Rosary, lunch, recreation and enjoying a walk around the Basilica.

It was a grace-filled day for all of them as they understood that there can be true happiness and peace if Jesus, the Merciful Healer remains in their lives.

On 11 February 2016, the faithful of Odisha celebrated the   feast of Our Lady of Lourders in Dantiling. People came from various parts of the states before one week ago, made tents and stayed there in order to celebrate the feast. We too had  the joy of participating in the feast  along with Fr. Jugal Kishor Digal, the parish priest.

A warm welcome was given by Rev. Fr. Sanjiv Kumar Berro, the parish priest of Dantiling  to  all the priests and religious gathered  in the Church. Rt. Rev. Sarat Charandra Nayak, the bishop of Berampher diocese and Rt. Rev. Niranjan Sual Singh, bishop of Sambalpur diocese were present to witness the celebration. A short reflection was given by Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak to all the priests and religious based on the consecrated life. He said, “We serve God in different ways but according to our charism and we need to go out from our comfort zone to proclaim the Gospel to all”.  After the talk everyone proceeded for Mass in procession towards the grotto on the hill top. During the homily  Bishop Sarat  spoke about the year of Mercy.

The feast was concluded with the Holy Rosary praying in procession and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. During the Rosary Bishop Niranjan spoke on Mary the Mother of God. He exhorted the faithful to cultivate filial love for Mary.

Reported by Sr. Ranjita Nayak

ON 15th November 2015 at 7 a.m. saw 40 enthusiastic pilgrims from Kalyani parish including Sr. Margaret Barla and Fr. Thomas Peechat , the parish priest set out to Krishnagar for a visit to the tomb of the great missionary Rev. Fr. Francis Convertini.( Born 29^th Aug. 1898) We were warmly welcomed by the Sodality Mothers of Krishnagar parish. This was followed by Adoration at the Shrine Chapel to the Lord of wonder and animated by the mothers. By 11.30 we were led to the cemetery of Fr. Francis Convertini to pay our respects, gratitude and homage to this great and ardent missionary. There Mr. Samir Lahiri bore witness to a miraculous cure of himself as a babe of 3, through the intervention and prayer of Fr. Francis Convertini. And now this same Samir stood before all to proclaim God’s wonder and care and love over him through this great Fr. Francis. Before the Eucharistic celebratino once again Mr. Samir in his introduction exhorted the people of the 3 essentials in life, viz; Faith, Hope and Love. He bore witness to a strong RSS man  who was dying of cancer and was cured miraculously touching the blood of Christ with an apparition of Jesus speaking to him. This brought him to a life of conversion and right now he’s a great proclaimer of God’s Word for God’s people.  During Holy Mass Fr. Thomas too stressed on the need of faith, hope and love, the basis of our Christian life, bringing about the fresh and sad news of the Paris attack and to pray through the intercession of Fr. Francis Convertini for this gift. Thereafter a good meal prepared and served by the Sodality Mothers enabled us to go through this day. We then proceeded to Don Bosco Technical Youth Centre for a film show of the edifying life of Rev. Fr. Francis Convertini, where we drew much inspiration from his life of charity, simplicity, faith, hope and love. Back to Christo Mandir for darshan we made the Stations of the Cross there. It was a wonderful day spent with our dear and great missionary Fr. Francis Convertini.

Sr. Margaret Barla