COME APART AND REST A WHILE

Mar26

Retreat From March 8-15, 2016 hearkening to the call of the Lord “Come apart and Rest A while”, 25 Animators of the FMA Kolkata Province hurried off to St. Mary’s hill Kurseong to be energized and enthused to be messengers of peace and joy in this year of Mercy. The driving force was Fr. Biji Thomas sdb, Rector of Don Bosco Liluah.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus they treasured each word as the preacher Fr. Biji led the retreatants  to delve deeply into the treasury  of his deep encounter with the Lord. As they came face to face with reality in the light of  the Word of God ,strong convictions etched in their memory ; to let the Rule of love supersede obedience, the Lord calls  to be Holy  and sets  apart to be fruitful at all times, under all circumstances in and out of season,  calling to greater  self giving.

“I am raised up to be fellow workers with God” was another clarion call to be holy as God is Holy. God has not exposed my weakness because of His mercy. Thus I am called to cover the evil and the nakedness with all charity. Discerning everything to be good but not everything beneficial is a wise decision to live for the greater glory of God.

Descending from the Tabor experience the 25 community leaders surely desired to let their  holiness to flow into the streets of their community living amidst dust and dirt but  still  remain crystal clear  so as to change the saltiness in others ‘ lives after the example of  Don Bosco who willingly plunged into saving souls. They courageously set sail to collect the broken pieces of their lives understanding fully well that no one is a finished product, that we are all work in progress. So not to give up on any one but cling to Him in order to put on the mind of God .They are convinced that   being  at the feet of  the  sisters  and not at their  head in love and service will bring about communion. For they are sure that when they go after God, God will come after them.

Sr. Provincial  Sr. Rose Ezarath interspersed the community leaders with her “Pep Talks “ to fall in line with the Post Chapter journey of our Institute keeping the profile of the FMA as our pointer to be prophets of hope and joy among  the young by keeping alive the Spirit of Mornese seen as the “ House of the Love of God “.

PilgrimagePilgrimage to the cathedral of Darjeeling Diocese after the retreat was another unique experience   to encounter God, during the Year of Mercy.

On 17th March Fr. Nobby George sdb from Salesian College Sonada presented to the animators the “Encyclical of Pope Francis on care for our common home “ – Laudato Si”

Going back to the book of Genesis we read  what God told our first parents ‘cultivate it and guard it” for everything God created He found it very good. Today the ground we stand is so fragile. So, as custodians of mother earth we are called to keep it safe for the future generation.

SeminarDelving deeper into the encyclical Fr. Nobby added that human life is grounded on three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbour and with the earth itself. According to the Bible, these three vital relationships have been broken, both outwardly and within us. This rupture is sin. The harmony between the Creator, humanity and creation as a whole was disrupted by our presuming to take the place of God and refusing to acknowledge our creaturely limitations. Thus the custodians of mother earth are called for rreconciliation with creation and our responsibility to be taken to task. We as community leaders have a great role to play, Fr. Nobby added. This will enable us to strike out new paths meeting the needs of the present with concern for all and without prejudice, towards coming generations.

We were presented with practical tips which could help us to speak with an attitude of the heart, one which approaches life with serene attentiveness, which accepts each moment as a gift of God to be lived to the full. Thus to promote a new life style establishing a new covenant based on justice and in solidarity with all.
Reported by Sr.Rosalia Tirkey

Juniors’ Meet

Feb29

Juniors' Meet

From 26 – 29 February 2016, 22 junior sisters participated in the juniors meet which was held at Provincial House, Auxilium Dum Dum. The resource persons were Sr. Rose Ezarath, the Provincial, Sr. Teresa Adampakallel, the Vice Provincial, Fr. T.J. Thomas S.J, professor from Morning Star College and Sr. Lily Perumpettikunnel, the animator of R.K. Puram, New Delhi.

The session began with Mercy anthem “Missericordia Sicut Pater” which was followed by the talk of Sr. Provincial on Religious life. Sr. Teresa’s sessions were based on the Year of Mercy and auto formation. Sr. Lily dwelt on ‘Women Disciples’ from the Scriptures especially from the Gospel of St. Mark. She presented Mother Mary as the First Disciple of Jesus basing the Church documents which speak of Mary as the follower of Jesus. All the sessions enabled the sisters to understand the demands and challenges of daily life to grow as an authentic FMA, drawing strength from Jesus alone.

CRI Meeting at Krishnagar

Feb29

CRI

On 21st February 2016, CRI Meeting was held at the SMI Mother House, Krishnagar with the recourse person Fr. Amalraj. 70 religious participated in the meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to come together to celebrate the concluding of the Year of Consecrated Life and reflect on the message of Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy.

The inaugural Mass was celebrated by Rev. Bishop Joseph Gomes and concelebrated by Fr. Robin Gomes. At the onset he told us that this coming together of the CRI is celebrating an event of joy as a right arm to work in his diocese and renew ourselves so that we can insert ourselves according to our charism in the society, family, congregation and the Church and thus fulfill the mandate of Christ.

Sr. Rosilda Lobo read the Annual report followed by Fr. Amalraj’s input session through power point presentations, wonderfully portraying the Holy Father’s messages on the Year of Mercy, through video clippings, anecdotes, stories and statistics. Fr. Amalraj said, “Faith is an important part of our celebration and we got to focus on our Catholic faith, nourished, lived and celebrated”.  He dealt with the Motto, Message and its Content.

It was followed by the elections of the new President and Vice President, Secretary and a few members. Sr. Rosina Thomas was unanimously elected as the Vice President of the CRI. Few future plans were seen for the Regional CRI. The clarion call is “The Church calls each one of us to be merciful like the Father” We heed to this call in joy, love and compassion.

 

Reaching out

Feb29

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Observing the Lenten practice according to the ‘Jubilee Year Mercy’ the sisters and boarders of Auxilium Convent Barasat visited the nearby old age homes on 20th February 2016. They went in two groups. Mary Mazzarello and Our Lady group went to St. Vincent the Paul home and Sacred Heart and Don Bosco groups visited St. Anne’s old age home.

old age h.

Though there is sorrow in the lives of those inmates but the visit of sisters and boarders brought smile in their faces. Boarders sang songs and acted for them and spent some time talking and sharing their lives bringing smile and cheer in their saddened faces. The inmates were also provided with snacks. Some of the boarders expressed their feelings that they should visit them often and in their turn they shall never take such an action of sending someone to old age home.That experience really touched their hearts and they felt very sad to see the elderly people rejected by their own children. Indeed sisters and boarders were able to meet Christ in the suffering and elderly people.

Sr. BasantiFma

TEACHER’S DAY OUT

Feb23

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On 20th February 2016, the Teachers of Auxilium Convent School Dum Dum went to Duttapukur for a day out and to enjoy the company of each other. We were left mesmerized by the foliage of the place. After the outing all had a smile on the countenance and returned home with a contented heart and refreshed mind to commence the daily routine once again.

News from Auxilium, Aspirantate

Feb22

SCC Pro. 2

SCC Meeting

The SCC Leaders from 8 Dioceses of West Bengal and Sikkim region met for the seminar at Proggaloy, the Pastoral center at Barasat from 11th to 14th February 2016. It was organized by the Archdiocese of Kolkata. 250 members participated in the seminar. The theme was “Be merciful, just as my Heavenly Father is merciful”. On 13th they had a cultural program animated by the entire deanery. The Barasat deanery presented a cultural dance, theme song and a dance drama. The Aspirants of Auxilium Aspirantate performed a dance drama on the Prodigal Son based on the theme. Their performance touched the hearts of all the participants and transmitted to the audience the value of true repentance, forgiveness and mercy.

Sr. Alitrice  Warjri

NCP Mela

NCP and Oratory Mela

On Sunday 14th February was indeed a memorable day for all the NCP and Oratorians at Auxilium Barasat. The sisters and Aspirants prepared for the event along with the DB Tech students and the venue was really attractive and colourful with all the prizes and the games. The mela began at 2.30 in the afternoon with a introductory prayer by Mrs. Mili Chatterjee, the NCP animator and the prayer song by the DB Tech students. The participants were not only the NCP and Oratorians but also their parents and the neighbourhood seminarians too added the crowd.

Sr. Leelamma P.

KSSDS A. M. 2

KSSDS Core Team cum Staff meet

KSSDS Core Team cum Staff meet was held at Auxilium Promotional Centre, Barasat on 13th February 2016. There were 19 participants from the five communities of Kolkata zone. The participant’s joy was doubled by the presence of Provincial, Sr. Rose Ezarath. The DB Tech students welcomed Sr. Rose Ezarath and the participants with a prayer dance. They staged a musical mime which depicted the havoc created by the mobile phones, which was indeed very interesting and thought provoking for all present. Sr. Rose in her speech highlighted on the importance of setting goals and focusing our attention to realize it. She thanked and congratulated all the staff and the students for doing their best in their respective centers along with the sisters for the development of children, youth and women.

All the centers presented their report in PPT presentation. Everyone could see the growth of the Province and the developmental activities carried out by the sisters and the staff for the betterment and development of our society. The Action Plan of 2016 was apt and fitting. It was decided to organize one day training programme for the IGP leaders on smart tailoring. Sr. Leelamma Pallipparambil informed the participants that all the programme of the year will be focused on the Child Protection Policy. The meeting concluded with a meaningful short prayer prepared by Sr. Sherley Kalapurayil.

Sr. Leelamma P.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord !

Feb17

Thanksgiving

On 4th and 5th February the young Auxilians of Barasat expressed their gratitude to God for His blessings and protections during the year 2015- 16. For primary class IV and for high school class VIII organised the day’s celebration. During the prayer service all those who were involved in making the scholastic Year worthy of praise were appreciated. There were lighting of the lamp to invoke God’s presence amidst the gathering,  Scripture readings from different  religions’ Holy Books to recall His wonderful deeds,  melodious singing and dances to express  gratitude to God whole heartedly, prayers to invoke His blessings and also video clippings to mark the 25th Years of blessings upon the institutions. All the pioneers, principals, animators and staff members were honoured through power point presentation which presented the 25 glorious years and their legacy.High school winners

There were prize distribution ceremony for all the extra-curricular and co-curricular activities and the overall best performing house was announced. The best house trophy was grabbed by the Green House both for primary as well as high school.

Primary winnersAt the end Superior Sr. Stella showed an inspiring video and invited the gathering to acknowledge every good things done in life. Sr. Rosy also through her video presentation appreciated and congratulated everyone and left the gathering moved with gratitude. Indeed there was a song of gratitude in each one’s heart for the great efforts made by the management, staff and students in making the year a wonderful one.

Sr. Basanti  FMA

Catechism and Value Education Week celebration at Auxilium, Dum Dum

Feb15

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The Catechism and Value Education Week was celebrated in Auxilium Convent School, Dum Dum from the 8 – 12 February, 2016. The main motive behind celebrating and organizing this event was to inculcate moral values and virtues within the students.

On the 8th  February, the Value Education Week was commenced with the theme of patience by class XI. The students conveyed their message “With patience, comes prosperity” beautifully through a play. The students acted as abstract values and showed how Prince Prosperity chose Patience as his bride in preference to all the other values, the catechism students presented “The Parable of the Wise and the Foolish Builders” through this they inspired all to build our life on good moral values.

On the 9th February class IX students enacted a play based on “Tolerance”. The participants were successful in portraying their theme through a play where the protagonist bore with the hurdles patiently and had the ability to tolerate the injustice around her in all the stages of her life.

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On the 10th  February, the class VIII students had put up a programme based on “Obedience”. The skit revolved around a girl who excelled in her academics as she was obedient to her parents. They conveyed their message –“There is no virtue without obedience”. The catechism students gave the message that our talents are God’s gifts to us and what we do with them is our gift to God.

On the 11th February class VII students helped us to understand the moral value of “Honesty” through a skit. The Catechism students through their dance drama portrayed the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus and which showed us that even the deadliest of sins can be forgiven if one is repentant.

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On the 12th February the Value Education Week celebration was rounded off with the performance of the students of class VI. They put up a show on the theme of “Love” which is the epitome of all the values. The skit was entitled “The Praying Hands”. The skit displayed the unfathomable love between two brothers.

Every day our dear Principal Sr. Esther concluded exalting the sisters, teachers and the students for their wonderful performance and on the last day she said “let our lives be strongly build on Respect, Honesty, Obedience and love of God.”

Thus we hope to imbibe these precious values and portray ourselves as the True Auxilians.

Riddhi Roy    XIC

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The second instant of Primary Section’s Value Education and Catechism Week 2016 began with a lot of excitement and anticipation. The little ones of class I showed off their talent by enacting a small skit on “Cindrella” with the moral value –We should always be kind towards others, be patient and always have hope because God has a perfect plan for us which will be accomplished on time. The Catechism children brought us close to Jesus with the skit “Children-come to Jesus” which taught us that – unless we become like little children we cannot come close to Jesus or enter His Into Kingdom.

Class II children did not lag behind in their portrayal of the theme given to them. They told us about “The Thankful Mouse” which taught us that God sends us happiness as well as sadness so we should never give up hope but always thank the Almighty God as whatever happens is for our good. The Catechism children displayed to us from the Bible, about “The Lost Coin” and “The Lost Sheep”.

The class III students made us reflects through this skit “Our Conscience” from which we learnt that God watches over us always. The Catechism children displayed to us “The Parable of the Ten Lepers” which taught us to be grateful to the person who does anything good to us.

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The class IV students showed off a beautiful skit “The Helpful Fairy” which taught us that Love is very precious and important in our life and where there is love there is God. The Catechism children displayed to us “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” which tells us that God waits for us to repent and turn to Him like the lost son so that we can enjoy His presence and be happy with Him for all eternity.

The class V students made us feel for our neighbours with the skit “Love your neighbor” which taught us to be kind and helpful to our neighbours. The Catechism children put forth “The numerous catch of fish” from which we received a wonderful message that Jesus is the captain of our ship. We need to remember in life that when God is with us, never to be afraid of anything.

Our dear Principal Sr.Esther Rani was always with us to encourage and to enlighten us with her edifying message.  She concluded saying that this week has been days of great enrichment, she thanked the sisters, teachers and students for taking lot of interest and making every moment very precious and full of values to learn for our lives.

Mrs. Lucy Ajay

Pilgrimage to Dantiling

Feb15

Pilgrimage

On 11 February 2016, the faithful of Odisha celebrated the   feast of Our Lady of Lourders in Dantiling. People came from various parts of the states before one week ago, made tents and stayed there in order to celebrate the feast. We too had  the joy of participating in the feast  along with Fr. Jugal Kishor Digal, the parish priest.

A warm welcome was given by Rev. Fr. Sanjiv Kumar Berro, the parish priest of Dantiling  to  all the priests and religious gathered  in the Church. Rt. Rev. Sarat Charandra Nayak, the bishop of Berampher diocese and Rt. Rev. Niranjan Sual Singh, bishop of Sambalpur diocese were present to witness the celebration. A short reflection was given by Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak to all the priests and religious based on the consecrated life. He said, “We serve God in different ways but according to our charism and we need to go out from our comfort zone to proclaim the Gospel to all”.  After the talk everyone proceeded for Mass in procession towards the grotto on the hill top. During the homily  Bishop Sarat  spoke about the year of Mercy.

The feast was concluded with the Holy Rosary praying in procession and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. During the Rosary Bishop Niranjan spoke on Mary the Mother of God. He exhorted the faithful to cultivate filial love for Mary.

Reported by Sr. Ranjita Nayak

Pilgrimage.

Diocesan Commission Meeting at Krishnagar

Feb15

 

On 13th February 2016, the 49th meeting of the Diocesan Commission for Education and Culture was held at the Bishop’s House, Krishnagar at 3.30 p.m. Rt. Rev. Joseph Gomes presided over it along with Mr. Amiya Mondol, the Secretary, Fr. Sanjoy  Mondol and 12 other religious including Sr. Rosina and Sr. Geraldine from Kalyani.

The meeting commenced with a prayer led by Rt. Rev. Joseph Gomes followed by the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting which was seconded and passed. Fr. Sanjoy then forwarded the drought presentation on the Diocesan Education Policy noting its assets and liabilities offered by different catholic institutions. Sr. Goretti was absent to present the gist of the Regional Commission for Education and Culture, a meeting that was held at Kolkata on December 2015. The group present could not choose the Core team for finalizing the Education Policies as not all representatives of the Catholic Institutions were present.

Regarding the Teacher’s Orientation Program and Catechetical Day Observation which formed part of the Agenda, will be discussed in the next meeting to be held for the heads of the catholic institutions on 30th April 2016 at SANJIVINI. Fr. Sanjoy gave us details about the contribution made by the different institutions and about the Diocesan Fund. He also spoke of Child Protection Policy to be included when recruiting new staff members, one at the local level and one at the Diocesan level. The meeting concluded with a prayer thanking God and the Holy Spirit for their guidance, help and inspiration during the course of this gathering.