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A STEP CLOSER TO GOD

May9

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SACRED HEART NOVITIATE- RANCHI: “I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nation.” (Jer. 1:4-5)

With these words of Jeremiah we the four selected junior sisters namely Sr. Bara Prisila, Sr. Kujur Archana, Sr. Lakra Manjula and Sr. Xess Shashi Asha Kiran entered the second Novitiate-II phase at Sacred Heart Novitiate Ranchi, on 14th April 2014  to prepare ourselves for a total and definitive ‘Yes’ to God as an FMA.

At 6.30 p.m. the two communities of Novitiate and Mazzarello community gave us warm welcome which was followed by an inaugural prayer service prepared by Sr. Phawa Aquila and the Novices on the theme “Forever yours. Let your light shine.” Our religious life finds fulfilment when we shine out like a burning torch in this dark world. As we approached the altar carrying lighted lamps we prayed to God to bless us thus it always burn with the oil of love and illumine our hearts and minds.  It also reminded us the rootedness in Christ of our past years life journey in our formation which have been nurtured and handled by the gentle hand and the loving hearts of our formators in the past and now. After the scripture reading Sr. Philomena Prabalanathan highlighted three verbs in her speech from the Prophet Jeremaiah that are:- formed, consecrated and appointed. It inspired and encouraged us to be enthusiastic and committed FMA, giving ourselves totally for the service of God.

 

 

Sr. Genevieve winged her way to heaven

May9

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Sr. Genevieve winged her way to heaven after much suffering endured with serenity and peace.

Genevieve Battigelli was born in a fervent Christian family on 26th January 1946 at Royapuram, Chennai. She was the 2nd child of ten children born to Mr. Luigi Battigelli and Philomena Mendez. Her parents brought their children up in Christian faith and taught them to love God and love one another. Sr. Rita fma her sister testified that their parents were exemplary and they learnt from them to build a happy and united family. She completed her high school education in Katpadi, Chennai.

She entered the Aspirantate in the year 1963 at Chennai. She made her 1st profession on 5th August 1966  at Casanova – Turin. Soon after her profession she did her studies-Scienza  Religiose at Sacro Cuore – Turin. In the year 1970, she returned to Chennai and was appointed as the assistant of the novices at Sacred Heart Novitiate Banglore and there after she was the assistant of the Juniors until 1980.She made her Perpetual profession on 5th August 1972 at Bangalore.She completed her higher grade in music from the Trinity College, Chennai.

In the year 1987 when the province of  Kolkata was bifurcated from the province of  Shillong Sr. Genevieve was appointed as its first Provincial. With her dynamism, zeal and creativity she brought forward the newly erected province of Mary Help of Christians Kolkata. During her tenure as provincial from 1987 – 1993 five more new communities were opened.As a provincial she gave much importance to the preparation of the animators of the communities as well as the formation and professional training of the sisters. She was active, creative, jovial and enterprising in her task of animation and governance. The sisters remember her as a caring and loving person. She had a golden heart for the poor and needy. The very fact that she opened boarding houses in the mission stations reveal her love and care for the children. In fact inone of her circular letters she recommended the sisters to pick up the daily crosses courageously and shed all other glamour and follow Christ in His saving mission among the poor youth.

After her term as provincial she continued to serve the province of Kolkata as animator and vicar, the roles which she carried out  with love and dedication.

She was gifted in many ways. Music was her passion. She loved the young people and gave herself without counting the cost. She made sure that the young people were given the best. She could easily win over them with her music and melodious voice. She believed in the saying of Don Bosco “a Salesian house without the music is a body without the soul.” Her humorous narration of events made everyone burst into laughter. She was straightforward and outspoken in her ways.

She followed a systematic pattern for her spiritual itinerary. She was devoted to Our Lady and spread her devotion. The sisters who used to attend the retreats in Kurseong, where she was during these last years of her life testify that she was generous in offering her service.

Her contribution to the last Provincial chapter was praiseworthy. She gave her valuable suggestions for the growth of the province and the good of the sisters.

In the month of December 2013 she was diagnosed with the cancer of the lungs which she accepted with serenity and resignation to the will of God. She was undergoing treatment in CMC hospital at Vellore residing at Sacred Heart Home Katpadi. Her last days were spent in  the home of her brother Angelo in Bangalore where she breathed  her last on 5th  May 2014 at 11.30 a.m.

Renewal days

May9

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AUXILIUM KURSEONG : The Sun shining in the cool breeze of Kurseong Hills warmly welcomed all the 24 participants who arrived right on time for the annual retreat which began on the evening of 24th April. Our Sr. Provincial, Rev. Sr. Maria Pettayil’s introductory words were very significant in appreciation for all the good works being done in the province by the animators and their love and interest in the growth of the province through its members, more especially by the care for the Junior sisters in the communities. Rev. Fr. Mathew Pulingathil SDB, was the preacher of the retreat who gradually unwrapped the great treasure contained in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of our beloved Pope Francis during the course of the retreat. His main focus was to get the retreatants have a unique experience of meeting Christ personally.

The methodology used by the preacher had an ideal beginning with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament early at the dawn of 5.00 a.m., indicating the real preacher of this retreat and the marvels that can take place in his company of over 13 hours a day. Incomparably, it was the company of Jesus that made the disciples cohesive and stronger even after the resurrection and the experience of Pentecost. The task of helping us to open our total self to the Incarnation of the divine Lord in the Eucharist and find His prolongation in the persons, events and creation around however ugly, difficult or easy was worth trying. The spirituality of the Incarnation is the basic tenet of every Christian living was one of the convictions we carried home. And the days of retreat did take us closer to the Lord to make us more aware that we are anointed to anoint those with whom we share our day to day life and those we come in contact with in the course of our journey of life. A life that takes the path of the Paschal Mystery.

Sr. Teresa  Adampakallel

Season of Grace

Apr14

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Auxilium Dum Dum Community walks the journey of Lenten Season responding the Church’s invitation: fasting, praying and giving alms.

On Saturday, 12th April 2014, at 4.00 pm, 105 tired and worn-out cycle Rickshaw men of the locality were warmly welcomed to the school premises by all Sisters of the community and our provincial Sr. Maria Pettayil too was present. It was touching to see the expression of surprises on their faces – joy, wonder, shy, fear and many more…

The evening was special and the significance was tangible sharing of our Lenten saving with the young, middle aged and old cycle Rickshaw men. The Joy was mutual.

As the men sat comfortably on the chairs, in front of the school’s open stage, Ms. Martina Roy gave an overwhelming message, boosting the morale of the rickshaw men. She made them aware that God loves them and they are created in His own image and likeness. She said that as the hero and heroine perform their role on the stage and when out from the stage, they are rated according to their performances. And likewise each one of us has come to fulfill our duties and when we are committed we serve God and our work is God. She said: “You work to earn money but in doing so you are helping the society by taking the sick people to the hospital, children to the schools on time and others to different place. Render your services lovingly.” In her concluding message she said: “Jesus is the Saviour of the world who suffered, died and rose from the dead to give everyone eternal life.”

Community Sisters entertained them with a Bengali melodious song. Sr. Kanchan Bara thanked in a short prayer to the Almighty God for their services that is hard and fatiguing and implored God for peace, love and unity in their families. She said: “Society needs you and without you it is incomplete.” In the name of the community she then extended the Easter greetings to them.

They were then invited to receive a packet of rice, potatoes, onions, eggs and toffee. Every one of them gratefully appreciated the kind gesture of the Sisters.

Mr.Saiful Mondol one of the rickshaw pullers said “God bless the sisters and may they carry on their charitable enterprises.”

Mr.Ajit Chakraborty said:   “This is the first time in our life; we received such a warm welcome in a school.”

Mr. Raju added:  “The sisters have made our day special and we feel obliged for their love and support.”

Seldom had their presence made impact on the society, definitely their absence would make a difference. The initiative is insignificant but it’s our Lenten widow’s mite sharing.

“We Read the Word of God,

We Believe what you read,

We Preach what you believe,

We Practice what you preach”.

Sr. Lucy Kachira

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FMA PAST PUPILS’ FEDERATION ASSEMBLY

Apr12

 

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AUXILIUM, DUM DUM: The FMA Past Pupils’ Federation General Assembly was held on 5th April 2014 at Auxilium Dum Dum.  This event focused to motivate the participants for a better committed life in their homes and society where they live.  Input sessions were conducted by the provincial of FMA, Sr. Maria Pettayil,  Mr. Rajiv Tikmany  the world Councillor , National president and president of the DB   Alumni   Liluah,  Sr. Elizabeth   Joseph  the Provincial   Delegate of the   Federation and  Sr. Leelamma   Palliparambil   the     co-ordinator of NDF.

The day saw intense input sessions, questionnaires, discussions, drawing of Action plans, interactive session between Federation and Units, evaluation etc.

Sr. Provincial stressed on the importance of living a meaningful life with our commitments doing something beautiful for God and  finding joy in serving the poor and the needy.  

An enriching input session by Mr.Tikmany reminded the past pupils of their identity as committed persons and urged the necessity of living the quality education which they received in the institutions of FMA.  He emphasised on being the light and salt in the society, contributing towards a better change in the world, as the past pupils are spread all over the country and in the world at large. He urged them to collaborate with the Salesian Family in the work of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello and to be faithful to the Salesian charism in their service.  The whole day programme created a lot of enthusiasm, insight and awareness and led the members to take concrete action plans for the future. 

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“Come and See” programme conducted

Apr12

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“Call and Response” was the theme of the come and see programme which was held at Aspirantate, Barasat from April 5- 11, 2014. The five young girls with six Aspirants took active part in these six days of come and see programe. The main focus was about our call and how do we respond to it. There were different passages taken from the Bible on the divine call, eg. the call of Levi and other apostles. Sr. Prisila Bara helped them to understand and deepen their own call. Meditations were animated very creatively by          Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil which helped the candidates to experience Jesus’ love more deeply in their lives. They came to know our charism better by watching the video on Don Bosco our founder and Mother Mazzarello our co- foundress. Community life and prayer experiences enhanced their knowledge of the salesian way of life. The evening recreations added more colour to the day as they sang and danced in different languages. On 11th April at 12.00 noon we ended our programme with a short stage programme by the candidates. They expressed their love and gratitude to the sisters and the community.
Sr. Prisila Bara

 

The Health Camp organized to mark the World Health Day

Apr12

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BARASAT- KSSDS: On 6th April 2014, a free health camp was organized at Mazzarello Home Monsada by the KSSDS (Kolkata Salesian Sisters Development Society) under the leadership of Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil, the coordinator of Social Ministry in the Province. The close collaborators were Sr. Sherley Kalapurayil, Mrs. Rita Das, Dr. Prodip Chakroborty, Dr. Uday and sisters from the community of Monsada.

The patients eagerly waited for this day so that the doctors could relieve them from their physical ailments. The Medical Camp started at 11.00 am and ended at 3.00 pm successfully.

It was a day of knowing, understanding and realizing   the pathetic medical conditions of the rural areas of West Bengal and our little effort to solve their problems.

HCA KICKS OFF ECUMENICAL JOURNEY

Apr11

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Holy Child Auxilium School – Vasant Vihar, initiated a new project; an Ecumenical journey with the students of various Christian denominations. The growing number of pupils belonging to various Christian denominations prompted the management to take this imperative step of cultivating awareness among the young people about the exigency of bringing about unity among various denominations of the Christian brethren.  Hence, it is the need of the hour to sensitize the younger generation about the prayer and wish of Jesus. “That all may be one”.

On 4th April 2014, Dr. Teresa Joseph fma, secretary CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism encountered a lively and enthusiastic crowd of youngsters of class VIII who are open, eager and all set to explore into the prayer of Jesus: “That they all may be one.”

The vibrant youngsters in one chorous affirmed that each of them and the various Christian denominations are living and working for Jesus and Jesus alone. They did not know how to answer the question of Sr. Teresa Joseph: “If all of us are working for Jesus, then why are we so divided?”  There was an outburst of joy when the youngsters heard that the Ecumenical journey is meant exactly to find links that unite us. The students were happy to get to know the precious document on Christian witness in multi-religious world: recommendations for conduct which will be taken up for study and implementation in the forthcoming meetings during the scholastic year 2014-2015. It was indeed an enriching hour of lively discussion, gaining of awareness, determination and commitment towards true unity. Yes, Jesus needs you and me to make his prayer for unity a lived reality in our homes, in our neighbourhood  in our country and the world. Mrs. Sussan Jose, the teacher who assisted the youngsters did express her eagerness and desire to make unity a possible reality.

 

 

 

MEETING ON ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

Mar31

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An enriching one day workshop was organized at the Province level at Auxilium Dum Dum on 30th March 2014. The resource person for the day was Rev. Fr. Gerald D’Souza SJ from Dhanbad. 43 sisters participated in the meeting.

Through a captivating power point presentation Fr. Gerry touched on three important issues of the day namely: Minority Educational Institutions, Right to Education Act 2002 and Right to Information Act 2005. He brought to the awareness of the participants the essential elements of these three themes. He urged all the participants to have an updated knowledge of these documents to implement the clauses and to safe guard the right of the minority Institutions as per Article 29 and 30 of our Indian Constitutions.

Fr. Gerry briefed the sisters about the registered society – its powers, duties, meetings, objectives and the memorandum of the society. This input session was extremely informative and enabled all the participants to have a thorough knowledge of the norms and bye laws of the registered society. The participants expressed their gratitude to Fr. Gerry and the province.

Sr. Elizabeth Makil

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