Archives

Seminar on “The Community for Evangelization”

Jan6

AUXILIUM BANDEL: On 5th January 2014, the retreatants were glad to have a day seminar on the theme “The Community for Evangelization” by Rev. Fr. Mourlin Fernando S.J. He spoke mostly on the encyclical of Pope Francis “Evangelii Gaudium.”

The aim of the seminar was to rediscover the original freshness of the Gospel and to point Jesus Christ to others with Mary the Star of Evangelization. Mr. Raymond Rozario, a college student from St.  Xavier’s Kolkata spoke on two main topics:

1. Youth Today: Types of families and Spiritual life

2. Church Today: Exclusive, Decision making, fun and sin

He spoke with conviction and gave the participants the real picture of the young people of today.

Sr. Leelamma P.

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Historic Christmas

Dec25

22nd December 2013 was a red letter day for the staff and students of Janta Higher Secondary School, Jumaikela.  The day marked with three important events:  releasing of the first school magazine by Sr. Rose Kureekattu the superior of the community, singing of the School Anthem for the first time and Christmas gathering.

Sr. Shanti Tirkey was congratulated for taking the first step in bringing out the school magazine for the first time and Sr. Julita Kujur for translating the School Anthem from English to Hindi. Mr. Norbetus Panna, the editor of the school magazine was lauded for his effort.

The Christmas gathering of this year had a special note. The staff and the students prepared the programme with a professional touch. All the items performed by the students had a message for the audience.

Superior, Sr. Rose in her message said, “Let us experience joy, peace and love from the Babe of Bethlehem and share it with others.”  Lastly the school anthem was sung by the assembly.   

 

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Christmas Celebration at Aspirantate Barasat

Dec25

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On 22nd December 2013, was a day of joy and thrill for the Staff, Spoken English students, Bridge school students, IGP women and for all our friends. The day marked with two great events: Christmas celebration and the Valedictory session of Communicative English.

276 people gathered together to celebrate the feast of Christmas.  The celebration was consists of carols, dances and the Christmas message.  Mothers took pride to dress their children with Santa’s dress. The Oratorians and the candidates danced with rhythmic steps to welcome Jesus our Saviour. The seminary brothers enthralled the audience with songs sung in three languages, English, Hindi and Bengali.

Superior Sr. Lily Perumpettikunnel highlighted the presence of Jesus among us and said that we are blessed to be here altogether to celebrate the birth of Jesus as well as to welcome the New Year 2014. Sr.Leelamma Palliparambil thanked everyone for their active participation to make the celebration a successful one.

The day ended with a slice of Christmas cake and some snacks which have been contributed by each group to mark the event. 

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SARAS MELA

Dec25

Ashaloy S.H.G. had an opportunity to participate in the 10th SARAS Mela organized by the government of W. Bengal in Salt Lake Kolkata. The women were enthusiastic and prepared well for the event. The Mela began from 12th of December and it will end on the Christmas day on 25th December, 2013. 

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SECOND NOVITIATE

Dec24

It is in the Lord we find our way to journey,

It is in the Lord we gain our hope for better future,

It is in the Lord we gain our strength to live our life of love and service.

 With these words of our saintly Mother Mazzarello eleven of us 7 from INM and 4 from INC entered into one month of intensive and immediate preparation for our final vows in Mornese-Yercaud, from 15th November to 15th December 2013.

We joined together in this precious period of prayer and reflection, reviewing our life in the light of the Holy Spirit and to prepare ourselves better to give a definitive response of fidelity to God in the institute to be united with the Lord more intimately, preparing for our final profession.

Sr. Kulandaisamy Lourdumary fma was the facilitator this one month programme. There were 11 different topics taken by different resource persons from Chennai, like, cost of discipleship, psycho-sexual spiritual integration, and person of Jesus portrayed in the Gospel of Luke, Mary in the design of God, in the Church, in the institute and in the life of every FMA etc.  The classes were conducted in a very creative and dynamic way which helped us to live in a deeper manner the following Christ.

Togetherness helped us to view our abilities, enriching every one by sharing, caring and loving, experiencing God’s love immensely.

We are grateful to Sr. Magnificat Soosai fma, the Provincial of INM and our provincial Sr. Maria Pettayil fma for giving us this opportunity to renew and commit ourselves totally for the Kingdom of God, evangelizing oneself and to evangelize others around us. We also thank all those who helped us in our life’s journey through their sacrifices and prayers in order to make our life worthy of Jesus our Master.

 Second novitiate sisters

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Christmas Gathering

Dec19

JUMAIKELA: On 15th December 2013 at 11.00 am, the Volunteer Health Workers (VHW) assembled for Christmas gathering for the first time. It started with short prayer service followed by dance and songs.

Sr. Rose Kureekattu, the animator of the community in her Christmas message said, “Jesus’ first mission was to heal the sick.  In the same way you have volunteered yourself to serve people.  Acquire the attitude of Jesus and do everything with love and in the name of Jesus.”

Mr. Suresh Toppo, the supervisor of VHW then shared his own experience in preparing oneself to welcome baby Jesus at Christmas.  He said every evening they gathered in prayer and at the end of it every member kept aside a hand full of straw to prepare a beautiful stable for Jesus.  He categorized Christians into four groups.  He said, “I call the first group ‘New Christians’ because they come to Church only on Christmas Vigil to show their new clothes.  Second group is called seasonal Christians, they come to church for some occasions only.  The third group is known as Mendhak (frog) Christians.  The frogs make noise only during the rainy season.  In the same way the people who belong to this group come to the church only when something happens to their life.  And the fourth one is called regular visitors.  All of us can find ourselves in any one of these groups.  Let us become daily visitors of the Lord that He may find a worthy place in our heart when He comes at Christmas night.” The celebration was concluded with a festive meal prepared by the sisters.

Sr. Shanti Tirkey

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The First ACSSA Meeting in South Asia

Dec11

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South Asian Meeting of the Association of the Salesian History Lovers (ACSSA) was held at Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore on 15- 17 November 2013. The event was inaugurated by Regional Fr. Maria Arokiam. The participants  were Fr. Thomas Anchukandam, the Provincial of Bangalore, Fr. Stanislaw Zimniak, the Salesian representative of the Generalate of Rome, and 26 members of the Salesian Family of South Asia among SDB, FMA, SMI and Disciples. Fr. Mathew Kapplikunnel SDB organized and coordinated this unique event for the three days for the Salesian Family of South Asia, to instill, motivate and inspire love for Salesian Historiography.

During the inaugural talk, Fr. Maria Arokiam emphasized the need for love for history and documentation among the Salesian India. The messages of Rector Major, Pascual Chavez, SDB, Mother General, Sr. Yvonne Reungoat FMA, were read to the forum.

ACSSA (Associazione Cultori Storia Salesiana) was erected by the decree of the Rector Major dated 9 October 1996, and it brings together those imbued with a passion for history and committed to research in the Salesian ambit. 

All the participants appreciated the organization, resources and topics of the seminar. The seminar helped the participants to love and appreciate the rich heritage of the Salesian history.

 

 

The Past Pupils Federation Annual Meeting

Nov12

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The Past Pupils  Federation Annual Meeting was held in Auxilium, Bandel on 10th November 2013.

Members from different Units gathered with great enthusiasm for the day’s function. The welcome speech was delivered by the President Mrs. Victoria De Souza and all the programs were conducted as per schedule with the active participation of all the members.

The Chief Guest and Resource person Rev. Fr. Siby Vadakel principal of Don Bosco, Bandel enlightened the members arousing in them  the eagerness to be active members inorder to serve the society  as FMA Past Pupils. The members recollected their old memories and shared with each other about the values they had received during their school days.

The message of our dear Mother Provincial Sr. Maria Pettayil was read by Sr. Teresa Adampakallel. The past pupils were delighted to hear her words of appreciation for the activities carried out by the various units in the province. She recommended that “it is high time that we make a concerted effort to bring about a difference in the society we live in and let that difference begin with each one of us.”

Sr. Elizabeth Joseph animated the Past Pupils and exhorted them to be ‘Hands in the world with roots in the heart’ by being committed members to enable themselves effectively to the educational mission of the FMA.

Another important event of the  daywas the election of the New Federation Council. A new chapter has opened with Mrs. Rita Das as the new President and her council. The INC province of Kolkata conveys God’s blessings and Best wishes to the New Federation Council and the Past Pupils of INC.

Thus the day ended with a positive note of going further with very concrete step at the planning session, so that the  Salesian family can be stronger  to make the society a better place to live in. 

Sr. Elizabeth Joseph

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Short Visit of Rector Major Fr. Paschal Chavez at Auxilium New Chumta

Nov12

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On 7th November 2013 at 12.30 p. m, the 9th successor of Don Bosco Rev. Fr. Paschal Chavez paid a short visit to the community of Auxilium New Chumta accompanied by Fr. Maria Arokiam Regional Council for South Asia, Fr. Juan. J. Bartolome Secretary of Rector Major, Fr. Thomas Ellicherail Provincial of Kolkata, Fr. Shaji Puykunnel the Rector of Salesian College Sonada, Fr. John Berger the Rector of Don Bosco School Siliguri and Fr. Johny Nedungatt the novice master.

Rector Major was welcomed with traditional dance, garland, bouquet and a melodious welcome song by the students of Auxilium Convent School New Chumta.  Sisters from the communities of Mirik and Kurseong too participated in this great event. 

In his message to the teachers and the students he exhorted them to be a dreamers like Don Bosco, to fix their goal and to be positive and optimistic to see God in everything to face the challenges of life.

In his message to the sisters he asked them to believe in the young people who are our treasure, to know more about Don Bosco and his spirituality to become aware of the signs of the times. He reminded the sisters the three devotions of Don Bosco: The Holy Eucharist, Our Lady and Pope. Finally, he gave them five key words: To defend life, to foster the family, to educate, to evangelize and to promote vocation. After a group photo he proceeded to Salesian College Sonada

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