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INDIA : Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Conference of Religious India Begins

Nov9

  CRI - N.     FMA Provincials of India

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The Golden Jubilee Celebrations of CRI (Conference of Religious India) and its National Assembly 2013 started off colourfully and prayerfully this morning at Guwahati, the city of Eastern Lights, with the concelebrated Holy Mass presided over by Most Rev. John Moolachira, the Archbishop of Guwahati, at St. Joseph`s Pro Cathedral. 500 committed women and men spending themselves in the service of God and humanity, were welcomed in the traditional manner with the colourful Arnai, a richly embroidered muffler of the the Bodos, while a brass band played in the background. They moved to the venue of the conference flanked by young boys and girls dressed up in traditional dresses. The 95 year old veteran Salesian missionary, Don Mario Porcu, declared the Jubilee celebrations open and hoisted the CRI flag accompanied by 50 Assamese drummers playing the dhol and the khol, and 50 young girls dressed in Assamese golden Mekhela Chadhar. 200 little boys and girls from Kokrajhar District performed a group drill and 50 colourful balloons went up into the clear morning sky from the tender hands of 50 children, symbolizing the high aspirations of the selfless men and women who form the CRI. At the beginning of the first session of the Conference, once again the participants were treated to the rich musical and rhythmic cultural heritage of the Northeast through songs and dances. The hearing impaired children of Ferrando Institute, Meghalaya, stole the hearts of all by their beautifully choreographed prayer dance. During the first session, the Archbishop of Guwahati, Most Rev.John Moolachira released two books viz., CRI Fifty Golden Years, a compendium of the services of the members of the CRI to the people of India edited by Rev. Fr. Johnson Parackal SDB, and A Radical Love, A Path of Light by Fr. Joe Mannath SDB, the National Secretary of CRI. Rev. Brother Philip Pinto CFC gave a powerfully spiritual key-note address on the “Image and Concept of God “, setting the tone for the deep reflections that will take place during the three day Conference intended to renew the spiritual men and women in their commitment. 

By A. Jayaprakash (BIS via CNUA)

Visit of Rector Major Fr. Pascual Chavez Villanueva at Auxilium Dum Dum

Nov7

On 7th November 2013 Fr. Pascual Chavez Villanueva the ninth successor of Don Bosco was given a warm welcome in the Provincial house Auxilium  Dum Dum.  Along with him were present Fr. Maria Arokiam Regional Councillor for South Asia, Fr. Juan J. Bartolome Secretary to Rector Major, Fr. Thomas Ellicherail Provincial, Fr. Jose Pampadiyil Vice provincial, Fr. Joseph Manianchira Provincial Economer and Fr. I.C. Jacob Rector of Nitika.

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Sisters from seven nearby communities, Sisters of Mary Immaculate, religious from neighbourhood, teachers, students and parishioners accorded a warm welcome with an enchanting adivasi dance.  Bouquets were offered to Rector Major and other eminent guests.

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Before the commencement of the Eucharistic celebration in an introduction Rector Major was thanked for his dynamic and paternal presence and prayed for God’s blessings upon him to become channel of God’s love to the young and a builder of communion in the Salesian family.

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In his homily he invited the assembly to entrust themselves to Mary citing to the dream of Don Bosco at the age of nine. Referring to the Gospel “the Wedding feast at Cana” he invited the assembly to learn at the school of Cana the four important attitudes for our life as believers from Mary: To share the ups and downs of men and women, to be attentive to the needs of others, to discern the presence of Jesus and to be believers who are credible.

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Rector Major, after a group photo and breakfast in his talk to the sisters he exhorted them to prepare the youth for tomorrow since it is our task and duty and to renew our faith and consecration to the Lord.   He urged the sisters to invite frankly and courageously the young people to follow Jesus.

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Before his departure to the airport he also met the school children of Auxilium Dum Dum. In his message he invited the students to be positive, optimistic and to believe in themselves; to take their education seriously to face the life which is hard to prepare them, to take opportunities to develop their talents to be honest citizens and good Christians and to have a dream to accomplish great things.

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They too have a reason to smile

Nov6

AUXILIUM DUM DUM :  A bright day was dawned for the little ones of Dum Dum Correctional Home on 4th November 2013.  Under the leadership of Sr. Mary John, Sr. Mini, four parent volunteers and a group of school children visited the Dum Dum  prison for the  inauguration of a little school for the children of the inmates.

Eminent Police officers were present for the inauguration of the school to encourage and support the new venture.  One of the volunteers Ms. Gitanjali offered uniform for all the children who will be attending the school from 11th November 2013.

School children performed two dances and a song in order to felicitate the invited officials. All were felicitated with a bouquet of flowers by the children of correctional Home. Everyone appreciated and encouraged the sisters and the volunteers for taking up such initiatives.

We are thankful to Fr. Scaria Nedumattathil SDB, for opening new avenues to be a beacon of light for the less fortunate of the society.

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Who are Saints ?

Nov4

The Saints share in Christ’s glory  (John 17:22)

They are partakers in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

St. Paul says to imitate them (Hebrews 13:7).

The Bible says that the saints in heaven are equal to the angels (Luke 20:36).

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NCP (Neghbourhood Children’s Parliament) Training

Oct31

BARASAT-KSSDS: From 25th – 27th October 2013, Kolkata Salesian Sisters Development Society Team organised a training programme for the  NCP children of Kalyani, Bandel, Dum Dum, Barasat, Monsada & Gobra at Auxilium Convent, Kalyani.One hundred and twenty six children participated in the programme and the resource persons were the Social Development Coordinator Sr. Leelamma P.V. and her team, Mr. Bikash Lakra, Joseph Xaxa,  Ajit Lakra and Sukanto.

The NCP Training  programme commenced  with the welcome speech from the Social Development Coordinator  Sr. Leelamma P.V. During her welcome address she highlighted how could the children become a change maker in the society.

Inauguration began with “lighting of the lamp” and followed by a short prayer moment to invoke God’s blessings on the participants. A message was given to the children by Mrs.Rita Das the Programme Coordinator of KSSDS (Kolkata Salesian Sisters Development Society) where she highlighted the importance of NCP and etiquette as well as to have a pleasant personality in order to become a good leader.

Mr.Joseph, spoke to the children on the structure of our Indian Constitution and the present leaders of our country and their functions in the administration of our country. He also spoke about how a little child, a member of a family can bring about a change in the world at large.

Through Group dynamism they presented “their  Rights and Duties as children” in the family, school and society. An amusing and interesting group work and presentation was done on few topics.

The main important session was the election of the Ministers and the demo of conducting and functioning of the NCP meet in their own locality. Camp fire gave them the platform to display all their talents.The participants  returned home with new enthusiasm and commitment to make the NCP vibrant in their own respective areas.

 Mrs. Rita Das, (Programme Coordinator of KSSDS)

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Rosary, the powerful weapon

Oct28

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Our Lady blesses not only those who preach her Rosary, but she highly rewards all those who get others to say it by their example.

Alphonsus, King of Leon and Galicia, very much wanted all his servants to honor the Blessed Virgin by saying the Rosary. So he used to hang a large rosary on his belt and always wore it, but unfortunately never said it himself. Nevertheless his wearing it encouraged his courtiers to say the Rosary very devoutly.

One day the King fell seriously ill and when he was given up for dead he found himself, in a vision, before the judgment seat of Our Lord. Many devils were there accusing him of all the sins he had committed and Our Lord as Sovereign Judge was just about to condemn him to hell when Our Lady appeared to intercede for him. She called for a pair of scales and had his sins placed in one of the balances whereas she put the rosary that he had always worn on the other scale, together with all the Rosaries that had been said because of his example. It was found that the Rosaries weighed more than his sins.

Looking at him with great kindness Our Lady said: “As a reward for this little honor that you paid me in wearing my Rosary, I have obtained a great grace for you from my Son. Your life will be spared for a few more years. See that you spend these years wisely, and do penance.

When the King regained consciousness he cried out: “Blessed be the Rosary of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, by which I have been delivered from eternal damnation!”

After he had recovered his health he spent the rest of his life in spreading devotion to the Holy Rosary and said it faithfully every day.

People who love the Blessed Virgin out to follow the example of King Alphonsus and that of the saints whom I have mentioned so that they too may win other souls for the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. They will then receive great graces on earth and eternal life later on.

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Rosary – A Powerful Weapon

Oct26

The Rosary Defeats a Philippino Dictatorship in 1986

 The citizens of the Philippines were poor and starving while President Marcos and his wife Imelda lived in lavish luxury. To this day people make jokes about Imelda Marcos’s shoes because she had 3000 pairs, along with 15 mink coats, 1000 purses, and 508 fancy gowns.  The people wanted to elect a new president, Benigno Aquino, nicknamed Ninoy. He was assassinated right in front of his wife and family as he stepped off a plane to run for office in Manila. After this brutal murder, Ninoy’s wife Corazon “Cory” Aquino became active in protests against the Marcos regime. The people clamored for Cory to run for President, and when they presented her with one million signatures urging her to do so, she fulfilled the people’s wishes. Marcos called a snap election day on February 7, 1986 which turned out to be a bloody, violent, and fraud-filled event. President Marcos, declared the winner by his corrupt government, took control of the media and sent out the military to quell any protests. Cardinal Sin of the Archdiocese of Manila urged a peaceful protest and the Catholic people came out in droves.They surrounded the military tanks and armed soldiers, prayed the rosary, and sang religious and protest songs.  Holy Masses and prayer vigils took place in churches. This prayerful protest continued for almost a week when unexpectedly, the soldiers stepped away from their tanks, put down their guns, and joined the peaceful crowd. President Marcos fled the country on February 26, 1986 and the whole nation took to the streets in celebration. Prayers of thanksgiving and holy masses were held in gratitude to God.  As the new President, Cory Aquino made sweeping changes and the Philippines became a free and democratic country. To this day people are in awe that the evil, corrupt regime of Marcos was completely overturned through peaceful means.

 

Pray the rosary unceasingly for a moral government, leaders with integrity, and an end to evil regimes!

PROJECT MORNESE – AN EXPERIANCE OF FAITH, JOY & FELLOWSHIP

Oct24

On 29th August 2013, Sr. Mini Mary Putharickal and I went to Rome to participate in the Mornese Project. These were the days of rich experience of our family spirit.

 The resource persons Srs. Moire, Edna Mary, Teresa Jojo and Fr. Joy SDB, the Chaplain and 34 sisters from 5 continents made the group of Mornese Project 2013. Our places of pilgrimage were Vatican City, Turin and Mornese.

 We were excited to visit Vatican, the Basilica of St. Peter the apostle where we had our first Mass celebrated as a group. In Rome, we visited catacombs, the major Basilicas and historical places. Later we moved towards our very own roots of Salesian spirituality.  We admired the Basilica of the Sacred Heart which Don Bosco built.

 In Turin we visited the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians which spoke of Don Bosco’s love for Madonna, Becchi where Don Bosco was born and spent his childhood. At Becchi everything spoke of Don Bosco and the hands of Mary who guided him in his zeal for young people. Later we moved to Chieri where Don Bosco spent his school life and the last days of his illness. In all places we spent our time in prayer.

 Our next destination was Mornese, the land of the bright sun, the sacred place of our foundress  St. Mary Dominica Mazzarello. It was a moving experience to gather around the  Mornese well. We had an enriching visit to the parish church where Mother Mazzarello grew up, to see the Baptismal font and to glance at the register where her name is inscribed. We visited “Mazzarelli” her birth place, Casa Immaculata and  river Roverno”. At the “Valponasca window” we spend the day in silence and prayer. The Animators reminded us of the words of Mother Mazzarello “It was here I learnt to work, pray, contemplate & serve with love”.

 We concluded our pilgrimage with the visit to Nizza where Don Bosco saw Our Lady walking in the house and renewed our commitment to the Lord in the room where Mother Mazzarello died.   In all the places we were helped to reflect the theological and spiritual journey of St. Mary Dominica Mazzarello.

We are sincerely grateful to the Congregation for this special gift given to us and to our dearest Sr. Maria Pettayil, our Provincial for giving us this rich and holy opportunity to drink deeply the spirit of our origin. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all the sisters of the province for accompanying us with your prayers.

 Sr. Alphonsa Kachappilly

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