On June 23, 2017 Auxilium Snehalaya, New Delhi went for three days of outing to Ambala, Chandigarh, along with Don Bosco Ashalayam. We were almost 190 in number including Fathers, Sisters, staff and children. On 24th we were invited to visit Don Bosco Kauli where we spent the evening hours. After an enjoyable day together, we set out for New Delhi and at midnight we reached back home. We thank God and cherish the beautiful time we spent in Chandigarh.
On 24th June 2017, 45 christian students along with 4 animators of Auxilium Convent School, Bandel left the premises at 6.00 a.m. in the morning for attending the Bosco Criz at Don Bosco, Park Circus.
The day began with the holy Mass, celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Thomas D’Souza, Rev. Fr.Bikash Mondal, the Principal of Don Bosco Park Circus and others. Our school took part in all the events, winning positions in most of the events. There were various on-stage events such as gospel singing, Bosco Skit and Western Dance. Off-stage events included Debate, Bible Quiz, Poetry writing, Card making etc. Sixteen schools from all over and around Kolkata participated in the Inter-School Competition, including Don Bosco Bandel, Loreto House, St. Teresa’s Khidderpore to name a few.
Auxilium Convent School Bandel, bagged first prize in Gospel Skit, Western Dance and the most intellectual event, The Bible Quiz. It also won prizes in Gospel Singing and Debate. Auxilium Convent, Bandel was declared the overall winner of Bosco Criz 2017 and accolades of all. At 7.00 pm sharp, the bus left from DBPC, reaching Auxilium Convent Bandel by 8.00 p.m. It was an eventful day marked by victories made to cherish thereafter.
On 20th June 23, 2017 it was a remarkable day for the community of Mazzarello Convent, Ranchi. Both Mazzarello and Sacred Heart community were eagerly waiting at the main door entrance. Sr. Aruna initiated the solemn prayer moment with an appropriate introduction ‘Community is a place where we grow together, we live side by side, sharing and caring in the community with one aim and purpose’. Thereafter all joined voices in singing “O Chosen one ……” and entered the Chapel. Sr. Leela handed over the beautiful flower bouquet to sr. Lily saying “accept this bouquet of flowers, a symbol of unity in diversity, though each flower is different in shape colour and beauty, together they spread fragrance and splendor.” And then Sr. Teresa Koretti handed over the door key to the new Animator Sr. Lily. Sr. Leela installed her with a solemn prayer saying “Let the door of the tabernacle be opened to find Jesus, to find Him in each other and let our home be a place of joy where each one grows day by day in sanctity” and gave the Tabernacle Key to Sr. Lily. Final prayer was said by Sr. Rosalia Tirkey the Novice Mistress and the Superior of the Novitiate Community. Prayer service was concluded by singing “Mary Mother you will surly help me….”
Oh! What a wonderful evening it was for many of us who witness first time the installation of a new superior. All the sisters wished Sr. Lily Hearty CONGRATULATIONS and shared a piece of cake together.
Mazzarello School students were thrilled to welcome Sr. Lily as their Principal. They began the day with a beautiful prayer dance seeking God’s blessings upon the new Principal. There after they welcomed her with a welcome speech by school vice captain Babli Kumari followed by Welcome song. All joined voices and said aloud ‘Hearty Welcome to You Dear Sr. Lily in our midst’ Thus the programme ended with lots of joy and cheer.
Auxilium Convent School, Bandel, celebrated its catechetical Day on 2nd February, 2017 in the school auditorium. The parents of the catholic students were present for the function which began at 2p.m. Rev. Fr. E.J. Anthony, Rector of Don Bosco School, Bandel was our Chief Guest. The students of class VII greeted him with a melodious welcome song.
The students of classes IX and X presented a mime which delivered the message to keep away from sin. The senior class students enacted a play reflecting the value and importance of parents in our lives. Junior students presented a dance, and the hallmark of the function was the western Dance where students from classes VIII to X danced rhythmically.
The chief Guest applauded the school for its all round success and wished a better future for the students. This was followed by ‘Vote of Thanks’ delivered by Ms.Carolina. The celebration was concluded at 4pm with a thanksgiving song.
A workshop for drafting the FMA- INDIA SOCIAL POLICY was held in Yercaud, Chennai from 29th June to 1st July 2017. The main purpose of the workshop organised by NDF was to give guidelines for the social ministry as well as for the better coordination between the different realities operating in the FMA Institutions. There were 17 participants from all seven provinces. Rev. Fr. Joseph Xavier SJ, the NDF consultant resource person facilitated the group.
The workshop commenced at 9 a.m. with a prayer, invoking God’s blessings and light on the participants. Sr. Isabella welcomed the Chief Guest Sr. Manoranjitham, the province delegate of INM, Rev. Fr. Joseph Xavier the resource person and all the participants.
Sr. Manoranjitham in her inaugural talk emphasized the importance of Social Work and various realms of social work carried out by the Government, NGOs, Social Activists, etc. She motivated the participants by citing relevant example of a woman entrepreneur who trained (Security guard) unskilled women for gainful employment and was able to get 100% placement. She exhorted the FMA to utilize every opportunity to serve the poor and work with strong will, faith in divine providence, and in cooperation with one another, in order to build a new and better world.
Fr. Joseph Xavier put forth four relevant questions to the participants for the preparation of the introductory draft of the Social Policy. They are:
This brainstorming session geared up the participants for preparing the draft for the future social policy. Subsequently, the participants were divided into three groups consisting of different provinces.A rough draft prepared in 2011 was given for reference. All worked seriously and so after three days of hard labour, a draft copy of the policy was prepared.
In the morning hours of July 4, 2017 when the community members of Auxilium Bandel were in prayer and meditation, the Lord of life and the God of surprises came to take our dear Sr. Teresa Ruben when she was in sleep.
The funeral Mass was held on July 5, 2017 at 10.30 am in the Provincial House Chapel at Dum Dum. Fr. Joseph Pauria SDB the vice provincial of Kolkata presided over the Holy Eucharist together with 15 other concelebrants. Present for the funeral services were also her mother, brother, sisters and relatives from Bangalore. The chapel packed with Religious, young people, laity, members of the Salesian family, well wishers and friends was a sign of the impact she made on the people with her life of holiness. Those who addressed the final words of adieu spoke volumes of her deep prayer and faith life.
Her mortal remains were laid to rest at 2.30pm in Bhawanipur cemetery. May she enjoy the eternal peace and joy of the Risen Lord!
Reported by Sr. Lily P.
BORN: 11.05.1958 New Delhi
PROFESSED: 05.08.1980 at Bellefonte – Shillong
The Family Day for class XI & XII one of its kind was first celebrated in Auxilium Convent School, Barasat on 24th June, 2017, at the school Auditorium, as an innovative gesture by our Principal Sr.Clara Saminathan to bridge the communication gap that apparently exists between the teachers and parents. It was also a day which will carve out a niche in Auxilium history as it was the day, when our ICSE and ISC toppers with a special mention of Debasree Pal who ranked first in West Bengal and secured the second position in India, were felicited by our respected M.P Mrs. Kakoli Ghosh Dostidar, who had come on a special invitation from the school management.
The programme initiated with the lighting of lamp and a prayer service. Sr. Principal then welcomed the parents, who had been escorted to the auditorium. The session was then conducted by Fr, Joseph Pathikal, the chief guest who spoke on the deterioration of child parent relationship due to curricular, extracurricular and peer pressure. Children needed to be handled according to their personality traits. Moreover, he brought to the forefront of the parents the importance of sex education and the need to become friends with their wards. It was then the turn of Mr. Banerjee, father of Ritti Banerjee, to speak on behalf of the parents. He, too seconded the advice that was given by Father.
Mrs. Kakoli Ghosh Dostidar then felicitated the students and applauded the herculean task taken up by the Salesian sisters in moulding the children on the path of virtue and knowledge.
The programme camne to a close with a short cultural programme by the students of Cl. XI and XII to show case their innate talents which was nurtured by the school since their nursery day. Song on ‘Family Day’ was soon followed by a Semi classical dance programme and then poetry recitation with enactment.
The parents left the school auditorium contented and their bright smile symbolisesed the hope that they saw in their children to be felicitated next year too, for performing well in ISC.
Jubilee is a milestone on the journey of life and a reminder of God’s fidelity all through. Auxilium Barasat anticipated and celebrated the golden jubilee of Sr. Dorothy Gomes who had come to visit our province and the North East provinces of Guwahati and Shillong from Chennai. Sisters from Park Circus, Gobra and Sr. Mary George U from Dum Dum and the entire Aspirantate community joined in the celebration.
The chapel was all decked in golden jubilee theme befitting for the celebration of a person who had lived her consecration with great love for Jesus. Before the Eucharist could begin a corsage of gold was pinned on the habit of Sr. Dorothy by Sr. Elizabeth Makil. Fr. Joe Kallarangatt celebrated the Jubilee Mass with an apt homily and interspersed with elevating tributes. The jubilee Eucharist was ushered in with a graceful and rhythmic entrance dance by the boarders. The introduction to the mass on the jubilee was beautiful and comprehensive. The aspirants’ choir was melodious and made the Mass truly solemn. After the Mass the jubilarian was garlanded by Sr. Mary George U and memorial photos were clicked with all the sisters present.
After this, all proceeded to the Mazzarello hall for the felicitation ceremony. The boarding choir initiated the ceremony with a melodic jubilee song followed by a modern prayer dance ‘Jesu nam Pukare’. The aspirants did a short musical on the historical vision of St. Mary Mazzarello,”I entrust them to you” connecting it with the life of Sr. Dorothy Gomes. A hilarious comedy presented by the boarders made the hall fill with gales of laughter. The little boarders took Sr. Dorothy back to Chennai with their humorous lunki dance which is famous hit from the movie, ‘Chennai Express” Sr. Dorothy addressed the assembly with the inspirational story, “”Don’t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!” the programme came to a close with the vote of thanks by Sr. Stella, who shared her experience with Sr. Dorothy as a young sister and how she even now look up to her as her role model. Every celebration is an experience, the external fades away, and the internal lingers and echoes in the most depth of our hearts. Today our hearts are filled with Gratitude and joy that over flows within us as we recall the path, Sr. Dorothy Gomes have travelled, in these 50 years in our Institute. We thank the Almighty for accompanying her in marvellous ways, all through these years and keeping her safe, healthy and productive in His vineyard.
On 17th June 2017, at 3.30 pm during the prayer service, Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath solemnly installed Sr. Philomena Chirammal as the animator of Auxilium Gobra. Sr. Sadhana Majumder in her introduction reminded all present the Article 114 of our Constitutions that “Mary is the real Superior like her let every daughter of Mary Help of Christians called to the service of authority … Let her carry out her animation and guidance in the spirit of the preventive system attentive to each individual sister, seeking to create a climate of trust, sincerity and Salesian simplicity, encouraging the community, the apostolic enthusiasm of “Da Mihi Animas.” Then Sr. Provincial solemnly handed over the key of the tabernacle to Sr. Philomena.
The community members joined together praising and thanking God for the newly appointed animator. Soon after the prayer service our little boarders greeted Sr. Superior with their melodious song. Sr. Rose gave a statue of Mary Help of Christians to Sr. Philomena as a token of love. The day was ended with full of joy and happiness praising and thanking God for the gift of Sr. Philomena Chirammal , as the animator of the community.
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