ANNUAL RETREAT

Jan11

Retreat.

51 sisters from different communities of the Province arrived at Auxilium Convent, Bandel to commence their retreat on 30th December 2015. The group was warmly welcomed by Sr. Elizabeth Valliyil, the animator and the Sisters of the community. The retreat was preached by Rev. Fr. Varghese Chittilappilly SDB from Dimapur Province. Sr. Teresa Adampakallel, the Vice Provincial wished the sisters a fervent retreat and presented the message of the provincial, Sr. Rose Ezarath to the retreatants.

The preacher helped the sisters to attain spiritual depth, with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and reflection on the Word of God. The various themes he dealt with were Consecrated persons, as mystics, prophets, and witnesses of the Gospel joy. Ongoing formation, Passion for Christ and humanity, all linked with the Salesian Spirituality, exhortations of Pope Francis and the Holy Year of Mercy.

On 3rd January, feast of the Epiphany, the preacher exhorted the sisters to be a star in the community, a star that shows the way, leads the way and guides the way. The 57th anniversary of the religious profession of Sr. Teresa Theruvamkunnel was celebrated with joy.

On the sixth day, the retreatants had the joy of entering through the Door of Mercy at Bandel Basilica to receive the plenary indulgence. Fr. Varghese Chittilappilly, the Retreat preacher solemnly opened the Door of Mercy in procession singing hymns of mercy, and continued with a fervent Eucharistic celebration.

The preacher helped us to feel the closeness of our Blessed Mother and our Lord through his meaningful homily expressing his gratitude to God. He said, “Let us think deeper and deeper His great love and mercy for each one of us present here. We are one step closer to God and we can never thank Him enough”.

Retreat

On the last day, the sisters expressed their gratitude to the preacher Fr. Varghese, vice provincial Sr. Teresa Adampakallel and the community of Bandel for facilitating the retreatants to make a comfortable spiritual journey with the Lord.  The retreat ended with an enriching outing to the ice cream factory at Kalyani.

Sr. Sadhana Majumdar

 

 

EDUCP Policy Seminar 

Jan11

Seminar

On 29 and 30 December 2015, 50 Sisters from the different communities of the Province participated in the EDUCP  Policy Seminar  (Education and Child Protection Policy) at Auxilium Convent,  Bandel. The resource persons were Sr. Stella Potteparambil and Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil, the coordinators of the Education and Social Ministry Sectors of the Province. They commenced the seminar with the basin spirituality of sharing the Word of God. Sharing in the group was indeed a beautiful God experience for everyone.

Sr. Stella explained about the Education policy of the Province with regard to the Admission Policy, Curriculum, Terms and conditions, the important role of the Founder Body, Managing committee etc. She also transmitted about the World Congress for Catholic Education  which she  participated in Rome, 18-21 November 2015 on the theme “Educating Today and Tomorrow A renewing passion” on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration Gravissimum Educationis and on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae.

Sr. Leelamma through her presentation  dwelt about  the  various types of child abuses, prevailing  laws and rights, preventive measures, code of conduct, prohibitive behaviour, structure of the complain mechanism etc.  She also brought forth various examples through PPT in order to clarify the various skills.

Sr. Kanchan  Karuna  Bara  enlightened  the group  about the Educational Rights of Minorities.

The participants appreciated the Team members for organizing the seminar.

Reported by the participants

 

2015 in review

Dec30

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 6,100 times in 2015. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Christmas Celebration and Visit to the Holy Door

Dec30

Holy Door

On 21 and 22 December 2015, Sr. Mukta Kerketta, Sr. Kishori Minj and Sr. Sumitra Ekka together with the children and young people of the Oratory went to announce the glad tidings of Christmas at Sahera and Coloussi Nagar. The families welcomed them as they went from house to house singing Christmas carols, proclaiming the birth of Jesus and praying for each family.

On 27 December the young people together with the sisters and novices went to the Missionary Sisters of Charity at Doranda, Ranchi to share the joy of Christmas with babies of Shishu Bhavan. The MC Sisters were edified with the noble gesture and the spirit of sacrifice.

The carol team together with the Novitiate community visited St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ranchi to obtain the Plenary Indulgence granted by Pope Francis during the Year Mercy.  Most of the children it was the first time that they went out from their villages. It was a unique privilege for them to have visited the cathedral for they only have heard ‘Maha Girja’. May the Year of Mercy inspire many to experience the Father’s Merciful love.

Sr. Mukta

Pilgrimage to the Holy Door

Dec30

Holy Door - Pilgrimage

On 28th December, the community of Auxilium Dum Dum went for a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary, Kolkata to obtain the Plenary Indulgence granted by Pope Francis during the Year Mercy.

It was a blessed experience to visit the churches at Dharmatala and Picnic Garden too as a community. All of us experienced the Mercy of God to the fullest during that day. We thank God Almighty for being so merciful to us.

Christmas Celebration at Auxilium Barasat

Dec29

Sharing

 

This year Christmas had a new experience as Auxilium Barasat ventured to celebrate Christmas with people in periphery. On 18th December six teachers along with Sr. Basanti went to juvenile jail to share the joy of Christmas with 130 young boys. They sang Carrols and distributed cake, sweet and an orange. The boys had a smile on their faces and they felt that there are good people who think about them. The staff members assured the further reach out programmes in order to develop their talents and abilities as some of them are gifted with various talents.

Reaching outThe other group of 23 elderly people whom Auxilium convent Barasa
t is supporting with rice and dal every week had Christmas get together on 23rd December at 2.30 pm. They gathered in the Mazzarello hall where aspirants performed program to convey the message of Christmas. It was the first time those elderly people came to celebrate Christmas and experience the peace and joy of the birth of Christ. They were given tea party and addition of things in their ration. At the end they expressed their gesture of gratitude by meeting all the sisters and wishing for Christmas.

The joy of Christmas were expressed in sharing with different groups; boarders, house & office staff and Carrol singing groups from different institutions. The Holy Mass at 10.45 in FC convent brought together all the religious institutions. This was another moment of being together to manifest the joy and happiness of Christmas. The well-lighted house and unique crib gave lots of newness in the celebration. The thought of Emmanuel, God with us lingered in the heart and mind of everyone on and after Christmas.