A step closer to Jesus: Postulancy medal

Jul24

On 20 July 2020, fourteen of us commenced our spiritual retreat at Auxilium Aspirantate Bamunmura. The theme of the retreat was “God’s call and our response”. The Holy Eucharist and the talks were on line, preached by Fr. Augustine VC. It was based on Love for God, purpose in life and the precious call of God. We were indeed enriched by the talks of Fr.Agustine which has helped us to know and understand deeper the call to religious life. The time spent in adoration and personal prayer boosted our spiritual life to be more passionate and enthusiastic in following Jesus.

On 24 July 2020, seven of us received the postulancy medal from the hands of Sr. Rose Ezarath the Provincial. The ceremony was held in the morning integrated with the Morning Prayer which was followed by on line Mass. Sincere thanks to Mother Provincial, Superior Sr. Leelamma P., sisters and all the communities who have supported us with your prayers.

Kalpana Lakra (Postulant)   

DAYS OF BLESSINGS … Retreat, initiation to religious life, Renewal of Religious Profession

May31

Six postulants, Sr. Nirmala Tigga and Sr. Pranati Sabhasundar made their Annual Retreat from 16 – 23 May 2020 at Auxilium Aspirantate. The theme of the retreat was ‘Remain in my love’. In the introductory talk Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath spoke about the importance of initiation into religious life focusing on the Constitutions. The presence of Provincial in spite of the lockdown and other inconveniences during the retreat days brought joy and enthusiasm to the retreatants. The holy Eucharist and the talks were on line, preached by Fr. Augustine V.C. It was centered on Love for God, purpose in life and the precious call of God. Due to Cyclone Amphan, the last two days of retreat was held in Auxilium, Barasat.

On 24 May 2020, at 7.00 am during the prayer service six postulants Alice Roseline Tirkey, Elina Minj, Nayna Agatha Kujur, Neha Beck, Neha Lucy Kujur and Ursula Kujur were initiated into religious life at Auxilium, Barasat. After the ceremony Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath entrusted the novice to the care of Sr. Stella Potteparambil and Sr. Mary John will be the assistant till the Covid 19 lockdown ceases in the country and the novices they will stay at Auxilium Barasat.

FMA (4)

It was followed by the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Rev. Fr. Vivien SJ. During the homily he spoke about the role of Mary in our Institute and the mission carried out by the sons and daughters of Don Bosco. The Renewal of the Religious Profession of our three sisters Sr. Shashikanta Xalxo, Sr. Restitula  Kharpran, Sr. Namita Sabhasundar              and Sr. Pranati  Manjari  Sabhasundar   added joy to the celebrations of the day.

After the Mass the Novices and the Junior Sisters were felicitated by the aspirants. The novices expressed their sincere love and gratitude to Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath and all the Sisters especially to Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil, the Animator and Sisters of Auxilium Aspirantate for their constant help and support.

Reported by First year Novices

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‘Here I am you called me’

May31

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24 May 2020 brought a note of joy in the hearts of the sisters of the Sacred Heart Novitiate and the community of Mazzarello Convent, Ranchi. The 2nd year novices Sr. Priyanka Toppo, Sr. Anima Kujur and Sr. Martha Minj answered the call of the Lord, ‘Here I am you called me’.

At 1.00 am the solemn Holy Eucharist began in the Novitiate Chapel, presided over by Rev. Fr. Hilarious Kullu the main celebrant and the rector of the Hatia Don Bosco community along with other priests Fr. Jeffry SSP, Fr. Deepak Toppo SJ and Fr. Ravi Paul Ekka a diocesan priest and the uncle of Sr. Priyanka Toppo.

During the homily the celebrant assured the sisters that they are the chosen ones of God and Precious to Him and asked them to be constantly united with the Lord, to be strengthened in their vocational journey. The vows of the three newly professed sisters were received by Rev. Sr. Lily D’Souza the animator of the Mazzarello community, the delegate of the Superior General.

After the Mass the newly professed sisters were felicitated by both the Communities followed by the fellowship meal. Due to the prevailing epidemic the atmosphere was disheartening but the love of Sr. Priyanka, Sr. Anima and Sr. Martha for the Lord and his people went beyond the present circumstances. Hats off to our three sisters for their courage ‘yes’. We wish them all the best and God’s blessings.

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REACH OUT PROGRAMME during the Coronavirus by the Auxilium Sisters (Salesian Sisters)

May9

Auxilium Response to Covid 19

Dum Dum: The Salesian Sisters popularly known as the Auxilium Sisters from the communities and schools of Kolkata, Auxilium Dum Dum, Bandel, Barasat, Bamunmura and Kalyani has been reaching out from the month of Marchto the elderly and the poor families without job, migrants and local daily wage earners who are hard hit by poverty and unemployment and  have left without basic necessities.This venture was carried out in collaboration with the Past Pupils, teachers and parents to pay attention to the emergency that requires immediate action in the period of coronavirus emergency especially the ‘Locked down’. Other communities like Nirmala Niketan – Jaigaon, Mazzarello and Novitiate from Ranchi- Jharkhand, New Delhi – H.C. Auxilium Vasant Viharand R.K. Puram, Najafgarh and Palam Gaon, St. Mary’s Geyzing – Sikkim have been reaching out to those who are in ordeal in collaboration with the parishioners, CRI and other religious communities. We distributed provision kits consisting of rice, potatoes and dhal, oil, masks detergents and other essentials. As Salesian Sisters of Kolkata Province we could reach out to more than 5000 families during this crisis. This humanitarian endeavor which began from 30 March 2020 is still being carrying out in cooperation with the government officials,Police personnel and Municipality authorities and other volunteers in many of the communities of the province.

Come let’s join our hands to reach out to our brothers and sisters who are in need of essential necessities of life during this crisis. You are welcome!

Auxilium - Response Covid 19

Auxilium Sristers response Covid 19

 

A Picnic with the Lord

Jun10

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On 29 May 2019, 44 FMA of INC Kolkata, set out for a picnic with the Lord. The bus number ABCDEF driven by Fr. Cletus D’Souza SDB (INB) was an amusing picnic for eight days. At the starting point, the journey seemed to be frightening because it was an inner journey. At the outset of the journey a few simple tips were given: ESP – eat well, sleep well and pray well. The first clarion call was to “Be soaked in the Lord and enjoy the picnic”. The principal agent would be the holy Spirit who would guide, to re-consider, re-launch, re-charge and renew in the course of time. Rev.3:20-22, Ex.3:5, Ps. 46:10 and 1Kings 19:9-14 would help to experience the land of stillness, silence and solitude.

The first day was a wake-up call: A- AWARENESS, to be aware of one’s thoughts, words and deeds, of one’s sinfulness and faults. For a greater self-awareness Lk. 15:11ff – to analyse one’s own status and to recognize the magnanimity of God’s love and forgiveness. The second day focussed on B- BALANCE, to maintain one’s poise, keeping the head, heart and hands in the right place. A clarion call: It is better to strive for creative fidelity than mere perseverance. The three vows (PCO) have to be lived with wows. The simple formula for living in wow is to choose simple living, prodigious love, and total surrender.

The third day’s journey focussed on C-CHRIST, centering on Christ: The Christ of fantasy, of history, of scripture, the saviour and the indwelling Christ. Towards dusk everyone discovered their most beloved, the meaning of their lives. They were challenged to be WORDy (Welcome the word, Open the word, Read the word, Daily) FMA.

Fourth day unfolded D-DESERT, the desert experience in the hustles and bustles of life, a day out with the Lord. Even though the weather condition did not support the journey, the retreatants were determined to undergo even the toughest experience. Most of them really made it possible, few others went half way through and others had a desert journey under the same roof, alone with the alone. By 5pm all returned to their abode, fully contented. The meeting point at the Eucharist was unique and everyone was determined to be his witnesses in the world.

The fifth day was a day in with the E-EUCHARIST. The Eucharist, the source and summit of every Christian, energised and activated their faith. Whole day they gazed at the beloved of their life and thanked him for his tremendous love. During the holy Eucharist, the three parts of the Eucharist, sorry, story and glory was made very clear. A challenge was to be a MAD (Make A Difference) FMA and the four ‘L’ strategy, live, love, learn and leave a legacy, can nurture life in the community.

On the last day of the picnic with the Lord, the emphasis was on F-FAITH. Faith invites us to be faithful and faith-filled; awakening faith, maintaining faith and deepening the faith in order to live by faith. The dawn of 5 June brightened up as these travellers reached back after their rich experiential picnic, fully contented and they looked WORDy. After having recharged with the divine, they decided to be more human and more divine by being a WORDy fma as they get back to the Galilee of their daily life.

                                                                                                                                     The Retreatants

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