As we, the students of Auxilium Barasat celebrated the feast of Don Bosco and Laura Vicuna on 22nd January 2016; we had a holy fervour instilled in us. Their life history energized us with a new urge to live while mellifluous hymns moved our hearts. On this occasion we had the inter house skit competition organised by the literary club. Heart rending emotions; tear strained faces and other intriguing emotions together culminated to make the skit competition a memorable one.
Debasree Pal IX ‘C’
On 23rd January 2016 the Postulants and Aspirants at Auxilium Aspirantate, Barasat began the ‘Don Bosco week’ with the inaugural ceremony. The prayer service animated by the Marian and Mazzarello group led us to a deep union with God and to thank the Lord for the gift of our Father and Founder Don Bosco and to seek God’s blessing through his intercession. In the evening Sacred Heart, Marian, Don Bosco and Mazzarello groups presented the composed songs on Don Bosco.
Don Bosco – Father of youth
You are the father, friend of the youth
The light of darkness, the faith of men
Bosco- 2 Oh Bosco Bosco
We live for you and all we do
We do for you alone.
You are the great educator
Guide us to be the world protector
You taught us to serve God
With love and joy so that we can help others to enjoy
Don Bosco
Don Bosco wow o waka waka Don Bosco
Teach us the way and take us to heaven
This time for Don Bosco-2
To work among the poor young
O Lord we hear your call
As living signs of your designs
Don Bosco leads us all
So help us, in our prayers and deeds
Our great Salesian goal
We live for you and all we do
We’re one in heart and soul.
D.O.N B.O.S.C.O
D.O.N B.O.S.C.O the word we love to say
It is the word that we all know
Don Bosco friend of the youth
Don Bosco we say your name
Bosco we say your name.
With full of love we say your name
With full of joy we say your name
With clapping hands we say your name
With smiling face we say your name
On 14th and 15th January 2016, Auxilians visited old age home, juvenile jail, Kamakhya orphanage, Peergacha primary school, Mother Teresa’s home, Providence home and South Kazipara School to spread the message of love by lending out a hand towards the less fortunate. Students entertained them and spent sometimes with them. Some groups also had some interesting programmes and games with the inmates on the spot. Indeed the Works of Mercy were practiced in a tangible way by visiting the sick, lonely, those prisons and by clothing the necked, comforting the sorrowful. The brick field workers were invited to Auxilium, Barasat.
Whole school contributed towards the solidarity week collection but from class five onwards were directly involved in distribution. The real joy and happiness were seen in the faces of givers and the receivers.
The class IX A students who visited Kamakhya Orphanage stated, “Although these children are less privileged ones yet they are happy and contented with the things they have, so we should also be happy with whatever we have and be grateful to God ”.
Debasree Pal of Class IX C, who visited the Providence Home exclaimed, “Sisters gave a home to them for whom the sky is the roof and the cold earth is the common floor. We loved our endeavour of community service which brought a broad smile on the faces of children”.
Class VIII girls who visited Green Park and met the mentally and physically challenged people said, “We witnessed the tussle they go through”.
Class VIII boys who visited Kishalaya the juvenile home also shared their experiences, “Many boys came forward to sing songs, recited poems and played football match showing their equal talents as the Auxilium boys.”
Class VI boys and girls who went to South Kazipara primary school also commented, “When we were distributing the things we felt inner joy that touched our hearts. They are really poor they have nothing compared to what we have”.
Class V students who saw the brick field workers coming in sheer poverty some even without a pair of slipper said, “Now we understand what the reality people face is when they are poor and we take things for granted.”
Indeed the reality in and around Barasat has touched the hearts of the Auxilians and their eyes were opened to realize how blessed they are with various opportunities in life. They were very grateful to the management and the school for providing this opening to be generous, loving and caring.
Sr. Basanti FMA
AUXILIUM BARASAT: On 16th January 2016, Auxilium Convent School, Barasat Teaching staff and the office staff had a day of fun and frolic. The first event of the day was a film show ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and visit to Eco Park. It was followed by the delicious meal and housie. Having strengthened the bond of friendship and with the desire of having a next chance and with hearts filled with gratitude towards management the teachers returned home.
Mazzarello Training Centre runs for the poor women of the neighboring villages of Sahera, Ranchi. It embraces all creed and caste. It was realized in the year 1996 by Sr.Rose Civiero. From then onwards many young women secured autonomous trade and live a dignified life in the society. The girls are taught in a systematic and correct way tailoring, knitting, cross stitching, painting, coloring, cutting and stitching for a one year. Regular monthly tests are held to verify their knowledge.
On 15 January 2016 was a significant day for the 37 young girls and women as they concluded their course. During the Valedictory function they thanked the sisters with their rhythmic gesture and melodious voices. Sr.Mukta Kerketta in her valedictory speech exhorted the girls to develop their talents and potentiality and to create a family of peace and love.
Sewing machines and certificates were given to 12 of them who completed their course successfully by Sr. Leela P the animator of the community. The girls expressed their gratitude to the sisters. A big thanks to Sr.Teresa Korattiparambil for her untiring work as their teacher and guide among the girls.
Sr.Lourdu Prema.F
On 8th January 2016, Auxilium Convent School, Bandel had a flower exhibition competiton for the classes of IV & V. Students began cultivating the plants three month ago according to the instruction of principal Sr. Reji. The winners were awarded prizes.
On 9th January 2016, the Management, Staff and Students of Auxilium Convent School, Bandel expressed their gratitude to Mrs. Rita Vanjo for her 22 years of dedicated service. As a gesture of gratitude she was thanked during the morning assembly.
On 9th January 2016, the Tritiya Sopan guides of Class VIII gathered at Auxilium Convent School, Bandel for their Tritiya Sopan camp. The guide captains Ms. Suparna Adhya , Ms. Amita Sing, Ms. Agnes James were the animators of this half day camp. The camp began with prayer song and B.P’s exercises. It was followed by a gadget making completion. Participants thanked everyone for the enriching camp.
51 sisters from different communities of the Province arrived at Auxilium Convent, Bandel to commence their retreat on 30th December 2015. The group was warmly welcomed by Sr. Elizabeth Valliyil, the animator and the Sisters of the community. The retreat was preached by Rev. Fr. Varghese Chittilappilly SDB from Dimapur Province. Sr. Teresa Adampakallel, the Vice Provincial wished the sisters a fervent retreat and presented the message of the provincial, Sr. Rose Ezarath to the retreatants.
The preacher helped the sisters to attain spiritual depth, with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and reflection on the Word of God. The various themes he dealt with were Consecrated persons, as mystics, prophets, and witnesses of the Gospel joy. Ongoing formation, Passion for Christ and humanity, all linked with the Salesian Spirituality, exhortations of Pope Francis and the Holy Year of Mercy.
On 3rd January, feast of the Epiphany, the preacher exhorted the sisters to be a star in the community, a star that shows the way, leads the way and guides the way. The 57th anniversary of the religious profession of Sr. Teresa Theruvamkunnel was celebrated with joy.
On the sixth day, the retreatants had the joy of entering through the Door of Mercy at Bandel Basilica to receive the plenary indulgence. Fr. Varghese Chittilappilly, the Retreat preacher solemnly opened the Door of Mercy in procession singing hymns of mercy, and continued with a fervent Eucharistic celebration.
The preacher helped us to feel the closeness of our Blessed Mother and our Lord through his meaningful homily expressing his gratitude to God. He said, “Let us think deeper and deeper His great love and mercy for each one of us present here. We are one step closer to God and we can never thank Him enough”.
On the last day, the sisters expressed their gratitude to the preacher Fr. Varghese, vice provincial Sr. Teresa Adampakallel and the community of Bandel for facilitating the retreatants to make a comfortable spiritual journey with the Lord. The retreat ended with an enriching outing to the ice cream factory at Kalyani.
Sr. Sadhana Majumdar
On 29 and 30 December 2015, 50 Sisters from the different communities of the Province participated in the EDUCP Policy Seminar (Education and Child Protection Policy) at Auxilium Convent, Bandel. The resource persons were Sr. Stella Potteparambil and Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil, the coordinators of the Education and Social Ministry Sectors of the Province. They commenced the seminar with the basin spirituality of sharing the Word of God. Sharing in the group was indeed a beautiful God experience for everyone.
Sr. Stella explained about the Education policy of the Province with regard to the Admission Policy, Curriculum, Terms and conditions, the important role of the Founder Body, Managing committee etc. She also transmitted about the World Congress for Catholic Education which she participated in Rome, 18-21 November 2015 on the theme “Educating Today and Tomorrow A renewing passion” on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration Gravissimum Educationis and on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
Sr. Leelamma through her presentation dwelt about the various types of child abuses, prevailing laws and rights, preventive measures, code of conduct, prohibitive behaviour, structure of the complain mechanism etc. She also brought forth various examples through PPT in order to clarify the various skills.
Sr. Kanchan Karuna Bara enlightened the group about the Educational Rights of Minorities.
The participants appreciated the Team members for organizing the seminar.
Reported by the participants
FMA INC News Update 