Auxiproclaimers’

Oct28

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 It was a great day for Auxilium Barasat to host the Auxiproclaimers’ Youth Camp from 23 -25 October 2014. ‘Young proclaimers of Christ in Bosco way’ was the theme for the camp organized by EDUMEDYM INC- Education, media and Youth ministry sectors of the province. The arrival of youth on 23rd October from Auxilium Dum Dum, Bandel, Gobra and Kalyani and Barasat filled the campus with joy and cheer. They were warmly welcomed by sisters  and borders  and escorted to their respective places.    The camp commenced with the inaugural ceremony  of hoisting the bicentenary flag by Sr. Mary George U, with the cheers of the 145 young people and  slow march by the Auxilium Barasat students with the  accompaniment of drums.After saluting the flag the three co-ordinators in-charge of  organizing the camp, Sr. Rosalia Tirkey,Sr. Rosy Veliyan and Sr. Stella D released three pigeon with the numerical  200 to mark  bicentennial of the birth of Don Bosco  and Sr. Stella declared the camp open.  The young people response was the Vibrant  AYM Anthem sung with gusto.  The ice braking session was conducted by Sr. Kanchan Bara.  She invited each group to pick up the name of a prophet and asked each group to present the name of the group creatively.  Within no time the young people were back with the title exhibition with creative genius.  This was followed by a session ‘St. John Bosco – the fascinating saint” by Sr. Rosy Veliyan to draw the young people to the saint of the young who turned 200.

 Being the day of Diwali a candle light Rosary was organized to honour our blessed mother. The whole ground was   lit and the ambient filled with the recitation of the Aves.   After supper the groups had the Gospel songs and psalm enactment competitions. With the limited time provided the groups were able to compete and excel in their display.   The day’s climax was the celebration of the festival lights – the campers were provided with harmless fire crackers to burn and dance round with the rhythmic beat of music.

The morning of 24 May commenced with a morning prayer with short reflection conducted by Sr. Rosalia Tirkey.   Morning input session was given by Sr. Stella  D who enlightened and propelled the young people to be prophets by presenting the roles and responsibilities of the prophets with a  PPT  presentation interspersed with many video clips making it more lively and understandable.  Underlining message was God chooses anyone to be his messengers and one needs to be open to respond in-spite of our unworthiness.

The next session was delivered by Rev. Fr. Saroj Mullick SDB, the director of Don Bosco Youth centre Kalyani. He dealt with the topic ‘Proclaimers of Christ in Bosco way’ and he invited the young people to share their experience of God/ Jesus to their friends. They need to follow the teachings of Don Bosco like St. Domenic Savio and Bl. Laura Vicuna, being always cheerful; doing ones responsibilities well and giving helping hand to their friends they can be relevant in proclaiming Christ in today’s context. During the Eucharistic celebration he challenged the young people to have the knowledge of Jesus in order to proclaim Christ to their friends and in their families.  In the afternoon they had group discussions on how to be modern proclaimers of the Gospel. They came up with various ideas for proclaiming Christ in modern time such as by using modern technology and by fulfilling ones obligations in living up ones faith.  Most awaited hour was the time of games where the 10 groups vied with one another to win the five games organized for them – airport route, treasure hunt, centipede race, water filling race and Bombing the city.

The evening the young people entered into a hallowed space with Taize prayer combined with Holy Rosary animated by Sr. Rosalia and her team.  During the prayer Fr. Leo Jayaraj was available for the confessions and many young people approached the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  During the campfire animated by Sr. Leelama Palliparmbil   with games, cheers, and songs the organizers inserted the completions on choreography on AYM Song, camp songs and Don Bosco song and a folkdance. All these competitions helped to   build positive team spirit and competitiveness.

On 25thMorning started with group wise Gospel sharing along with the sister in-charge directed by Sr. Rosalia Tirkey.   The Barasat ambient was imbued with the spirit as the ten groups got engrossed in reflecting and sharing the word. The next session ‘Proclaimers of Jesus’ was dealt by Rev. Fr. Mourlin Ferando SJ. He through his life experience challenged the young people to redefine their possibilities as their future will depend on the choices they make now.

The Eucharist was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Sudhir Nayak and in his sermon he invited the young people to know Christ, become like Christ and do like Christ.  He also was the chief guest during their valedictory function. He gave away the prizes and certificates for the winners of various competitions and the best campers. At the end the young people and sisters took the pledge to live the commitments taken to be the proclaimers of Christ in Don Bosco’s way. Then one of the campers thanked all the sisters of Auxilium Convent Barasat, all those who organized the camp and all those who had contributed to make the camp a successful one. After the valedictory function Rev. Sr. Lily Perumpettikunnel lowered the Bicentennial flag while the campers sang a hymn to Don Bosco.  After posing for group photo the campers proceeded for the festal lunch.  And they were sent forth like the disciples to proclaim Jesus among their peers and in their neighbourhood.

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Sr. Basanti Ekka

Oh! How wonderful to be in a family

Oct23

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The community day celebration on 18 October 2014 was aptly prepared with one month of spiritual practices by the study and assimilation on the life of Don Bosco and praying for each member of the community. The good nights were based on the dreams, spirituality and traits of Don Bosco.  The climax of the preparation was the an hour of vigil service on 17th October, animated by Sr. Stella P. through Power Point presentation which made each member to feel important and accepted in the community.

The well animated Morning Prayer by Sr. Rosy through Power Point presentation enabled the sisters to praise and thank the Lord for the gift of the community and the educative community. The well animated liturgy by sisters and boarders; celebrated by Rev. Fr. Pathiamulla Thomas SDB brought showers of blessings from above. In his homily he shared the first letter of Rector Major Rev. Fr. Angel F. Artime. He stressed on the belongingness to God and to each other which enables us to be caring and sharing with each other in fraternal love.  Short cut to fraternal love is shared affection, correcting one another and appreciating each other in a community.

The meal together as community and games added joy and gave the deep sense of togetherness. The evening cultural programme was another occasion to be together and have fun as well as to enjoy the beauty of talents exhibited on the stage by everyone in the community.

At the end Sr. Stella the animator thanked, congratulated and appreciated the efforts of everyone for making the day a unique and memorable one. She invited to be open to help each other, to grow happy and healthy.

Sr.Basanti Fma

“GO FORTH……”

Oct23

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On 17th October, St. Mary’ Convent School Geyzing, celebrated the Mission Day. The Catechism students presented the stage programme based on the theme “GO FORTH….”  Sr. Ranjita Nayak highlighted in the introduction the message of the Holy Father Pope Francis for the World Mission Day.

The missionary zeal of the apostles was acted out by the Catechism students of Classes III – VIII. Students of classes IX – X presented the life of the early missionaries who shed their blood for Christ’s sake. The programme concluded with a song “Will you come and follow me” by the Sisters and students.

At the end of the programme Superior Sr. Nirmala, congratulated the students and exhorted   them to proclaim Jesus by living an exemplary life among their friends, in their families and neighbourhood.

On 19th October, the Mission Sunday, in the afternoon  Sr. Paulina Toppo, Sr. Restitula Kharpran and some boarding girls together with the Parish Priest went to an interior village Melli, 2 hours of journey, to visit the four Catholic families in this village. They had the Holy Rosary and the Eucharistic celebration in the house of Mr. Lal Bahadur Rai.  Neighbours and non believers too joined them. The celebrant, Fr. Walter Crasta, highlighted the life of the missionaries.  He said that all baptised Christians are called to be missionaries. He encouraged them to read Bible and speak about Jesus to people around them who are still waiting to know and accept Christ.

The presence of Sisters and our young girls was a boon for the people to live their Christian calling with enthusiasm and it was an invitation to ‘go forth’.

Sr. Restitula & Sr. Rose Mary

NCP Training on Child Safety and Protection

Oct23

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From 17– 19 October 2014, was indeed great days at Monsada Mazzarello Home with the gathering of 128 NCP (Neighbourhood Children Parliament) students and 17 Animators from Kolkata zone, consists of Bandel, Barasat, Dum Dum, Gobra, Kalyani and Monsada. All the participants were welcomed with traditional chandan and brooch to mark the event. The Training programme was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by the KSSDS Coordinator Sr. Leelamma, Sr. Valsa, the Superior of the community, one of the animators of NCP Mr.Ajit Lakra and the participant’s representatives Sanjive Dey and Prabhati Sardar.

The day began with a meaningful yoga conducted by the animators of Bandel and the prayer moments by the sisters. The resource person for the training was Mr.Neelanjan Sen Gupta dealt with the importance of the NCP, its benefit to the children and the society. Mr. Biswajit Mishra elaborated the role of various ministers: Prime minister, Deputy Prime minister, Home minister, Education minister, Environment minister, Health minister and Finance minister.

Mr. Debarshi Bhowmick explained at length the eight developments of the children: physical, intellectual, social, political, cultural, economical, psychological and spiritual. He also highlighted the aspects of child rights, safety and protection.

The most exciting programme was the peace rally in which the children participated with joy and enthusiasm. They went around the village and the main road with placards and shouting slogans. The day was ended with the wonderful campfire.

The last event of the training was the artistic show by the each unit and the prize distribution. Everyone returned home with hearts full of gratitude to God and to the sisters who have organized the programme.

Sr. Leelamma P.

God Experience

Oct21

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Two days of retreat was organized for the boarders of Mazzarello Convent, Ranchi from 18th – 19th October, 2014.  It was preached by Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kullu SDB from Bariatu.

            They began their retreat with Morning Prayer and guided meditation by the preacher. He led them to experience the gentle touch of the Holy Spirit in their life and experience God more deeply. They were enthused by the talk given on the topics: prayer life, importance of Eucharist, Word of God, Vocation and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The retreat was concluded with the Sacrament of confession and meaningful thanksgiving celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

            At the end the retreatants felt the need for prayer and to love God more and more. Anshumala Lakra said, “I felt life without prayer is incomplete just as body without soul” Celestina Hemron added, “Prayer plays a vital role in our life it is the biggest weapon to fight against any evil.”

By Anshumala, Celestina, Manish and Rose Horo

We are no more called orphans

Oct16

Kajal & rani rawat with their father and aunty on 12-2-2014

I was only 5 when my mother abandoned me. My father was a rickshaw puller who used to be a drunkard. My grandparents had a small tea stall that was under a flyover near Vasant Vihar and that was our main source of income. I also had a younger sister and she was just 3 years old at that point of time. Every morning both of us were handed a begging bowl and happily we would just run across the road towards the traffic signal waiting for the vehicles to stop and then we would beg for money or even food. Suddenly one afternoon we were surrounded by three angels who took keen interest in knowing where we were staying.  We led them to our hut, where they had along chat with my grandmother. The very next morning those angels came to our hut; they took me, my sister and our father in their car and we reached a place where I saw many children running around as soon as I got down. Every single child out there seemed so happy and they had a huge smile on their face, they apparently made a lot of noise and evidently they were very energetic and full of life.  I was fascinated by what I saw but I had no idea that soon they would be a part of my life too and it happened as very soon as I became one amongst them.  It was later I realized who these three angels were, “They were the Sisters of Don Bosco, looking after the poor and abandon children.  My father soon left us and disappeared and it seemed as though it was forever. My grandfather initially visited us for sometime then he too was nowhere to be seen.  Every morning we wait for him with lots of expectations but he never returned.  We were discouraged and we lost all hope.  Then onwards, we were known as “orphans”.  Meanwhile we were enrolled in school, ever since I was a kid I did not have anybody to correct my wrongdoings, I was on my own and carefree thus I turned to be quite naughty and I was not bright academically as I did not concentrate on studies much. I gave the sisters a lot of headache, I bothered them so much yet all of them treated me with so much of love and care, providing everything necessary for my growth and well being. Meanwhile my kid sister grew up to be an angel, we were completely different from each other. It was almost paradoxical. She turned out to be a great singer and a very good dancer.  By the time I turned 14, I had given up all hopes of rejoining with my family. I just surrendered everything to the Lord and I believe that he himself intervened to give me what I had always wished for. One fine day the Sisters took us to the same exact spot where we used to beg for food and money in our childhood days, some of the people were surprised seeing us back there and the shopkeepers identified us and they called us by our names.  Sisters then enquired from these people about our family and it was then that we came to know that our grandparents were no more and our father had left the place and was staying in some other locality.  Those people promised to help us to trace out our father and his whereabouts.  Then the sisters spent a lot time in consulting various people to know about the details of our father.  After a few days all the hard work bore its fruit when my father reached Snehalaya.  Me and my sister were in tears when we saw our dear father, we told one another that we were no more orphans.  Our family is reunited and anything in words would just be an understatement if I had to talk about the struggles and hard work put in by the sisters in helping us find our father.

Kajal

BRBC-CRI-CDPB Annual Meeting

Oct12

The BRBC-CRI-CDPB Bengal-Sikkim Regional Annual Meeting was held from 06-09 October 2014 at Loreto Convent Darjeeling. About 105 major superiors of different religious congregations and Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Kolkata, Bishop Cyprian Monis of Asansol, Bishop Salvadore Lobo of Baruipur, Bishop Joseph Gomes of Krishnagar, Bishop Clement Tirkey of Jalpaiguri and Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling diocese were present for the gathering. Sr. Nirmala Tigga as the Provincial delegate and Sr. Mary Ann Abraham, as Local CRI secretary took part in the meeting.
The theme of the annual meeting was “Empowering Our Laity for Greater Pastoral Collaboration and Political Responsibility”.
The meeting started with the solemn Eucharistic celebration at 3 pm in the Cathedral church. Many laity from the parish and young people was invited to participate in the inaugural Mass. Archbishop Thomas D’Souza was the main celebrant, in his homily, spoke about the ‘Good Shepherd and the Lost Sheep’. He said that perhaps today not one sheep is lost but ninety nine. We need to look for them and care for them as good and caring shepherds.
After the Holy Eucharist the participants were welcomed through a traditional Nepali dance, staged by the young girls of the parish. This was followed by the Panel discussion on the theme. Mrs Monica Moktam and Mr. Rajen Baberjee, Sr. Anita IBBM and Fr. Sarto SJ shared their views on the theme.
On 07th October, Fr. Cyril Desbruslais SJ, the resource person of the meeting through his talk helped the group to understand the importance of making the laity an active collaborator in the Pastoral work of the Church. On the following day all the CRI secretaries and Bishops of the Regions presented last year’s Action Plan the reports. It was an occasion to learn from one another the good things done in each diocese and regions by God’s people for the spread of His Kingdom.
In the Pastoral Planning it was decided to give emphasis to SCC, Family Visits, formation of the PPC (Parish Pastoral Council) etc. The theme chosen for the next Annual meeting is: “THE FAMILY: Leaven for today’s world”.

Sr. Nirmala T.