Visit of  Sr. Vilma Tallone at Auxilium Convent New Chumta

Oct10

IMG_0045.JPGAuxilium Convent New Chumta had a joy of receiving Sr. Vilma Tallone the Economer General of the Institute of the daughters of Mary Help of Christians on 5th October 2017. She was given a traditional Adivasi welcome by the Mahilas of the Parish. Sr. Vilma Tallone was led to the chapel by the sisters of the community to thank the Lord for her presence

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On the following day, from the five communities of North Bengal zone Sikkim, Mirik, Kurseong, Jaigaon and New Chumta had full day program animated by Sr. Vilma Tallone on the theme “To rethink the Economy in Fidelity to the Charism”.  She quoted the message of Pope Francis to the Superior Generals and the Economer Generals of the Religious Congregations. In her presentation she highlighted the following points:  Charism to be developed in creative fidelity, as the Church reminds us continually (cf. John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on Consecrated Life, 37); The person at the center of economy and not money, money must serve and not govern (EG 57); pinpointed the tasks of the leader and some principles for a healthy accompaniment/discernment of the reality. She exhorted the sisters to have an evangelical discernment and the future of the Institute at heart. All the 15 participants were enriched by the input session. At the end sisters expressed their gratitude to her through a song and she in turn gifted of the medal of Our Lady of Mary Help of Christians.

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Visit of  Sr. Vilma Tallone  – Auxilium Bandel

Oct9

 

Sr. Vilma TalloneOn 02 October 2017, the community of Auxilium Bandel, welcomed Sr. Vilma Tallone the Economer General and Sr.Alessandra Smerilli with a traditional welcome and a song. Then they were led them to the Chapel to praise and thank God for their presence in our midst. They visited the Basilica of Happy voyage and participated in the Sunday Mass. It was followed by a fellowship meal, a sign of union of hearts and minds. Sr. Vilma during her interaction with the sisters shared her experiences of visiting different countries. She exhorted the sisters to have one spirit, to care for one another, to involve the laity in our mission and to work hard for vocations. She also took the opportunity to visit the house and the school. She appreciated the community for the good maintenance of the house and the mission carried out for the young people.

Visit of Sr. Vilma

 

 

MILAN, MILAN……BOSCO MILAN

Oct8

 

Wow its three days camp,

Among many to be the champ.

It started on the 27th September,

And ended on 29th September.

Bosco Milan

Many young hurried to Hatia,

To be a part of this event.

From twelve places they had come,

To eye witness, this event.

 

Boys and girls of all stature came together,

To mark this gathering as a memorable one.

Though there were many unwanted surprises,

Yet the Milan was a great success.

 

27th at 11am was the Inauguration.

Hemant Soreng the former chief minster declared the Bosco Milan open.

This was followed by the lunch then as we hurried to the ground to March,

There was the shower that came marching after us to put all upside down.

 

There was a moment of boredom,

But soon it was changed into an exciting moment with the quiz time.

This gave a start for the eve warm up and sports session,

Then at mid night all retried to bed expecting for many surprises.

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28th brought a lot of things those were amazing,

Beginning, with the Agape.

The day’s chief guest gave a speech so harmonizing,

Making the afternoons dance competition so interesting.

 

As we kept in mind the motto of Don Bosco

“Run, jump and play but commit no sin”,

After tea we proceeded with the sports,

Everyone played with the vigor of an athlete.

 

It was then six in the evening,

All were tired with the sporting.

Then came the climax of the day’s program

when the priests were seated all over the ground,

To portray Jesus, as a forgiving father in reconciliation.

 

All experienced the Lord forgiveness,

So we went to have supper with a light heart.

Eagerly awaiting the night’s camp fire,

With it came the memorable midnight.

 

29th being the end of the Milan,

Meeting the Lord in the Eucharist was the first thing,

Then came the most awaiting time the prize distribution,

All did well but few excelled, yet they were all so serene being.

 

After lunch we all departed with the rhythm of the Milan,

Thanks to the Almighty for his bountiful blessing.

Also we turn our grateful gaze towards our SDB confreres of Delhi,

Who organized it so well for the welfare of the young.

 

All was well

We wish it comes again and again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit of Sr. Vilma Tallone and Sr. Alessandra Smerelli

Oct7

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On 3rd October 2017 was a very exciting and memorable day for the inmates of Auxilium Barasat.  The community with the DB Tech students rendered a warm  welcome to    Sr. Vilma Tallone the Economer General  and Sr. Alessandra Smerelli a professor of  Economics  from Rome who teaches at Auxilium at 1.30 p.m. The Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath and the Provincial Economer Sr. Annie Thevarkunnel had accompanied them.  They were welcomed with garlands and the traditional Bengali stole at the entrance of the house.  Then they were led to the entrance of the chapel where both of them lit the natural lamp  made of  Banana stem and papaya halves   recalling the invitation of the Laduato si.  In the chapel while a hymn was intoned they placed the floating candles in the tray with rose petals  placed in a beautiful  Rangoli made of flowers and leaves to commemorate eco spirituality .  A short prayer was recited by Sr. Stella thanking God for their visit that has rejuvenated our spirit.

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After a short break they proceeded to the Mazzarello hall to witness the short cultural programme put up by the DB Tech students.  In her speech she highly appreciated this work which is relevant and appropriate for the times and asked to do it well.  She also said that Don Bosco’s work was to provide job opportunities for the unemployed young in the streets.  She also stressed on forming themselves into good human beings which is the speciality of Salesian charism.

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  Farewell

Oct6

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 On Saturday 16th September 2017, Holy Child Auxilium, R.K. Puram School bid a tearful  farewell to two of our teachers Mrs. Reena Victor and  Mrs. Helen Lobo. The day started with a prayer service followed by a beautiful cultural programme prepared by the students and the staff to show their love and gratitude for their generous and dedicated service to the Institution during the past years. The programme ended with a meaningful prayer asking God to bless them abundantly as they begin a new chapter in their life.

 

 

 

Diocesan Synod Calcutta 2017

Oct6

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The great historical event of Diocesan Synod Calcutta the first of its kind to happen in the annals of Archdiocese commenced with the inaugural Eucharistic celebration on 27th September at 07.00 a.m. The Mass was celebrated in four languages: English, Bengali, Hindi and Santali representing the diversity of Archdiocese.  With the Easter candle lit on the altar representing risen Christ, the delegates  brought in procession , ‘The decree of the Synod convocation’ and the 12  meticulously drafted  documents on the concerns after long and deep study by the commissions of the Archdiocese, and the book of the Gospels.

The Archbishop  Thomas D’Souza the visionary and the prime architect of the synod in his homily stated that  the  objective is to respond to the exigent needs of the poor in our state and not to ‘look away’ and be indifferent  but to respond in love.  After the profession of faith the synod members took the solemn oath of fidelity to the church and after communion the members invoked  the synodal prayer with great fervour.

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First session commenced with welcome words rendered by the Prolocutor Fr. Gregory Montero. On the onset  Archbishop  Thomas D’souza and Vicar General Fr. Dominic Gomes Came in procession with the heads of the   ten commissions while the synod members intoned with great gusto the Synod Anthem in English led by Sr. Anita Braganza and Ms Bemvinda.  Archbishop Thomas D’Souza , Fr. Dominic  Gomes and the secretaries of the synod Ms. Bemvinda Pereira and Ms. Anancia Fernandes  were invited to the Dais. Archbishop delivered his presidential address with the opening words quoting Pope John XXIII  that it is time to open the windows and doors to let the Holy spirit to enter to have the same Pentecostal experience felt at Vatican II.  He said that this is also in consonance with promulgation of CCBI in 2013 to have diocesan pastoral plans for the church to be a believing, praying, serving and proclaiming community. The preparatory works of the synod was efficiently carried out by evolving the parish pastoral plans by 2013 and preparing the  booklets on the 12 concerns of the diocese by the 12 commissions.  Now it is the task of the synod to prepare and validate the pastoral plan for the diocese.

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After this The prolocutor invited the heads of the commission Christian life Fr. Dominic Gomes, Ecumenism and Inter religious Dialogue  Fr. Timir Singha Sj,  Education Fr. Joy Cyprian, and evangelisation  Fr. Anthony Rodricks to introduce their relevant concerns.  After Ms . Janice announced the moderators, reporters and members names of the ten groups of which 8 would discuss in English and two in Bengali went to the allotted spaces for deep discussion on the questions prepared on the concern.  The General assembly at 3 p.m. was chaired by his Grace Archbishop Thomas D’souza. The two moderators of the concerns Christian life and Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue presented the recordings of the proposals deliberated in the groups. After each groupsdepiction, Archbishop opened the house for clarifications and suggestions. At the 5-7p.m. session the findings and proposals on the concern Evangelizationwere presented by Fr. Franklin Menezes and Fr. Soosai Manikam and Concern Education was presented by Fr. Cyprian Joy D’souza.  The suggestions and clarifications which were many were discussed and accepted and recorded by the secretaries.  The Arch bishop thanked everyone and all proceeded to the Morning star chapel for the evening prayer.  The day came to its close on a happy note with the cultural programme of the formees from the neighbouring formation houses.

The second day 28th September was ushered in with the Morning prayer and Eucharistic celebration at 7 a.m. in Bengali presided over by Fr. Sudhir Tudu, the dean of Midnapur deanery.  The session at 9.15  a.m. started with an action song ‘Walk walk in the light’ lead by the prolocutor Fr. Gregory .  The Arch Bishop led the community in prayer on the Gospel passage Mathew 7.7-11.  The Chroniclers Sr. Sabrina IBVM and Fr. Jyoti SJ decoded the recordings of the previous day both in English and Bengali.  As there was dearth of time the voting on the four concerns discussed on the previous day were postponed and Fr. Gregory invited the moderators to introduce the issues on Environment and social justice by Fr. Fraklin Menezes, Family by Fr. Soosai Manikam, Health care by Dr.Shipra Goswami, Laity by Mr. Alexander Anthony.  After the voting on the previous concerns the members proceeded to venues for group discussion. At 3 p.m. session Sr. Anita Braganza moderator for the concern Environment and Social justice and Fr. Soosai Manikam interpreted the proposals and action plans for the family and they were put to vote.  At 5 p.m. the moderators  Dr. Shipra Goswami and Mr. Alexander Anthony  for the two concerns   Heath care and Laity recounted  the proposals and  they were put to vote.  In the evening instead of the evening prayer rosary was animated by Sr. Meena Tirkey in the chapel.   After supper the Kolkata choir of Mr.Dilip Rozario Troupe entertained the members of the synod.

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The 3rd day was initiated with an hour of adoration from 6 a.m.- 7 a.m.    The main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist was Fr. Orson Wells the dean of Howrah Hooghly deanery.  The 9 a.m session began with the action song led by the group of young volunteers of the synod and prayer led by Archbishop  on the feast of the day the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.  Sr. Sabrina IBVM and Fr. Jyoti updated the assembly on the previous days proceedings. After synod anthem  introductions on the days concerns SCC , Social communications, Women and youth were presented  by commission heads Fr. Dominic Gomes, Mr Farrell Shah, Ms Sandhya and Fr. Michael Biswas and the groups proceeded to discuss.  At 3 p.m.  and 4.45 sessions  schemes for discussed concerns youth, women, Small Christian communities  and social  communication were acquainted by  Mr. Paul Jacob, Ms.Sandhya Vincent, Mr. Dominic Azarvado and Mr. Farrell Shaw respectively.   At 6.00 p.m. orchestra, the choir of Picnic Garden parish took synod members to musical domain and kept them glued to their  chair with their elevating and entrancing singing.  In the Solemn Scroll ceremony at 9 p.m,  the secretaries of the synod and secretaries of the recordings of the day handed over  to the Archbishop reports of the synod and the fruits of the deliberations  and Arch bishop presented the deliberations to each secretaries of the 12 commissions recommending them to implement them diligently and responsibly. The ceremony came to a close with the song of dedication, ‘Here I am Lord”.  The fourth day was remarkable with the interactive session, the 3rddays updates, elaborate vote of thanks by Fr. Dominic Gomes and solemn Closing Eucharistic Celebration by Archbishop Thomas D’souza.  The maiden  Kolkata Archdiocese Synod was momentous with the  synergy emerged from the whole hearted and harmonious working of the Archbishop, the priests, religious , laity and vibrant young team of volunteers.

Reported by Sr. Stella P.

Come & See

Oct5

The Province level Come & See programme was held at Auxilium Convent School, Barasat from 26th to 30th September 2017. It was organized by Sr. Shanti Tirkey, the vocation pastoral in charge and Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil, the animator of the aspirantate.  There were 50 young girls and 8 sisters from 11 communities, two novices and 7 aspirants who took active part in it.

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The programme commenced with the inauguration ceremony at 5.30 pm.  All the participants entered with a flower in their hand, symbolizing the beauty in the Lord’s Vineyard with differences like a beautiful garden with variety of flowers.  Sr. Elizabeth Valliyil, the provincial counselor and the animator of Auxilium Convent School, Bandel represented Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath.  On behalf of Sr. Rose she welcomed everybody and enlightened the young girls with her inaugural speech on the call of God.

On 27th the Holy Mass was at 6.30 a.m in Auxilium Aspirantate, Bamunmura.  Rev. Fr. Sunit Kiro the principal of Don Bosco, Lilua presided over the Mass. During his talk explained the four ways of living the life: Christian living, Family life, Religious life and Single life.  He told to choose the life where one will find real happiness.  During the next session Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil and Sr. Delpina Teresa Bag spell out to the girls, the call of God with the help of video clips presenting the different personages in the Bible and by animating creative games and questionnaires.

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On the following day the Holy Mass was animated by Fr. Nirmal Jamreet Toppo SDB, the journalist from the community of Bhatanagar.  He spoke about the different challenges one face in following the Lord.  He put forward his own vocational journey which made the girls very enthused in discerning their vocation.

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The third day was animated by Sr. Shanti Tirkey and Sr. Julita Kujur.  They presented to the girls the charism and mission of the Institute and the Province mission through PPT and Video clips. In the afternoon girls were invited to evaluate the programme.  In the evening there was facility for approaching the sacrament of reconciliation.  During the concluding Eucharistic celebration Fr. Tomy SDB appreciated the programme and congratulated the girls for choosing to be the part of the come and see programme.  After the communion the participants expressed their gratitude to God and to all the sisters by singing a thanksgiving

Annual Retreat for Catechism students

Oct3

 

On 26 & 27 September 2017, Auxilium Convent School New Chumta organized Annual Retreat for Catechism students of classes V – X.  The resource persons were Fr. Fedric Baraik S.J. the Parish Priest of Praphu Jesu Parish Matigara and Mrs. Sushma Lakra one of the members of prayer group from New Chumta Parish.   67 children along with 3 teachers and one sister participated in the retreat.  It was the beautiful opportunity to experience Jesus’ love and to spend their time in front of Him in adoration and praise.  Fr. Fedric on the first day focused on the preciousness of Jesus and the second day he highlighted the mercy of God The retreat was concluded with a solemn thanksgiving Mass in gratitude to God and for the organizers.

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FMA PCI YOUTH MINISTRY MEET

Oct2

 

The FMA – PCI YOUTH MINISTRY MEET was held from 25-30 September 2017, at Auxilium Provincial House, Guwahati. The participants from our province were Sr. Rose Ezarath the Provincial, Sr. Clara Saminathan, National Coordinator School, Sr. Esther Rani Abraham Youth Ministry Coordinator, Sr. Gracy Parekattil, Young at Risk, and Sr. Rejina J. Adampakallel. There were 37 participants from the seven FMA Provinces of India including the Provincials. The resource persons were Sr. Runita G. Borja, the General Councilor Youth Ministry and  Sr. Lolia Annie Pfozhumai Neli from the younth ministry Sector, Rome. The theme of the meeting was “The Educational Mission of the FMA: A Journey towards Fullness of Life”.

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During the inaugural ceremony all the participants were given a warm welcome by the Sisters, teachers and the students of St. Mary’s Hr. Secondary School. A beautiful and amazing band display by the students of St. Mary’s Hr. Secondary School, Maligoan made the spirit of participants more vibrant and enthusiastic.  The inaugural Eucharist was presided over by Emeritus Most Rev. Thomas Menamparampil SDB. During his inspiring homily he challenged and urged the participants to make the Word of God alive in our lives and asked to motivate the young and transform them so that they in turn could influence their peer groups. He also invited the assembly to be highly charged batteries in order to guide the young people and creatively respond to their needs.

 The objectives of this meeting were the following:

  • To promote and strengthen co-responsibility in pastoral animation
  • To strengthen the sense of belonging and a common understanding by sharing the same vision as Provincial Coordinators of Youth Ministry and persons with key role in the pastoral animation of the Province
  • To clarify the identity and role of the Provincial Coordinator of Youth Ministry, especially in the coordination of works, presences, institutions and other initiatives of youth ministry

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 Sr. Runita Borja, helped the participants to arrive at the above objectives through their every day inputs sessions based on the topics “called to realize a project of Christian education according to the Preventive System”, “The Oratorian heart, identity of our educational mission”, “The Educating Community for a Holistic Education”, “The vocational dimension of the educational mission”. Last day she dealt on the theme “With young people, missionaries of hope of joy.”

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Sr. Rose Ezarth, President of the FMA PCI presented the organogram of FMA- PCI. It’s nature, scope, aim, objectives and the structure of organization. She also presented its workings from its inception. All present were happy to learn of its rich history. The National Coordinators for Education and Youth Pastoral, and the Provincial Youth Ministry Coordinators then presented their annual reports, the Organizational chart, the different institutions and activities present in the provinces with statistics.

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The meeting came to an end with these words of Sr. Runita saying “In a world that is greatly in need of joy and hope, may our lives and our educational mission be bearers of a good news that has a name and a face:  Jesus Christ”.