‘A Gift from Don Bosco’ – Salesian Sisters (FMA) open house in Kandhamal (Kurtumgarh)

Aug18

Kurtumgarh - fma presenceThe Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, popularly known as Salesian Sisters opened their first house in Kandhamal, a district in Odisha state that witnessed the worst anti-Christian violence India witnessed seven years ago.

Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar opened the Auxilium Convent at St. Sebastian’s Parish, Kurtumgarh, 317 km west of Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha state, on August 16, when the Salesians celebrated the birth centenary of their founder St John Bosco.

The house was opened as the Church in Odisha is preparing to observe the seventh anniversary of the 2008 anti-Christian mayhem that claimed more than 100 lives and rendered some 50,000 homeless.

The house belongs to the FMA Province of Mary Help of Christians Kolkata,.

“Salesian Sisters have joined in our missionary journey and started their first community at Kurtumgarh parish. On behalf of the archdiocese, I welcome the Sisters whole heatedly and wish them a fruitful ministry for the development of our people and building up of God’s Kingdom,” said Archbishop Barwa, who was a member of the Society of the Divine Word.

About 1500 people from far and wide, including Hindus and Christian of other denominations attended the event and shared the fellowship meal, said Father Jugal Kishore Digal, parish priest.Kurtumgarh - fma presence 1

The Salesian provincial, Sr. Rose Ezarath, who was present, noted that the new convent was “a special gift” from their founder St John Bosco during the bicentenary of his birth anniversary. “A long cherished dream has been fulfilled,” she added.

The new convent has three nuns who started their mission on the same day of the opening.

The vision of the province is to become evangelizing educators like Don Bosco for modern young people. The convent aims to become “a sign of the foreseeing love of God and motherly care of Mary Help of Christians to the young people of the working classes, especially of the poorest through educative and promotional activities, both in Christian countries and in those not yet evangelized.”Kurtumgarh - fma presence 2.

The Salesian Sisters or Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice (FMA-) work with the young and the poor in 92 nations within the five continents. Founders are: St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello.

Originated on August 5, 1872 at Mornese in Italy, the congregation began its presence in India in 1922. The FMA has its provinces in Chennai, Shillong, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Guwahati.

The Salesian Sisters share Christ’s mission in the Church especially through Christian education in the style of the Preventive system – a system of loving kindness, drawn from the heart of Christ Himself—“We are a family united in Christ, To witness, to serve, Reaching out to the young, In every part of the world.”

The Kolkata FMA province was formed in 1987. They now work in 24 centers spread out across seven states of Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and the neighboring country of Nepal. Odisha is the latest state with its new presence.

Published on: 11:52 pm, August 17, 2015 Story By: Santosh Digal

http://mattersindia.com/

The Past Pupils of Auxilium Dum Dum Unit celebrates Don Bosco Jayanti 200

Aug18

The Past Pupils of Auxilium Dum Dum Unit celebrated Don Bosco Jayanti 200, on 16th August 2015. The participants of the event were 50 evening school children, 60 senior citizens and 15 past pupils.

P.Pupils DB 200 celebrationThe celebration started with an opening speech from Sr. Dominica. She enlightened everyone about the importance of bicentenary celebration of Don Bosco. Sanghamitra Bhattacharya, Secretary of the Dum Dum Unit narrated some memorable events from the life of Don Bosco and urged the little children to follow the footsteps of Don Bosco. It was followed by hoisting of the flag as a mark of respect for Don Bosco and singing a hymn to Don Bosco by the past pupils. A beautiful and energetic cultural event of the children added a spark to the day and mesmerized the audience.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ajanta Dutta, Vice President of the Dum Dum Unit. Thereafter the past pupils distributed biscuits, sweets and potatoes to all the senior citizens and the evening school children.

It was indeed a great moment of pride for the past pupils in being able to do their bit towards the bicentenary celebration of Don Bosco.

Sanghamitra Bhattacharya

Auxilium Dum Dum celebrates Don Bosco Jayanti 200

Aug18

DB 200DB 200..

On 12 August 2015, the middle and the primary students of Auxilium  Convent  School, Dum Dum celebrated the bicentennial of Don Bosco’s birth. They portrayed the virtues of Don Bosco through dances, dramas and speeches. The  performance  helped the audience to know his works, struggels and the hard time he had to face, to be a teacher and friend of youth. Superior Sr. Teresa A. appreciated  the programme and thanked  the sudents for their creative presentation  of Don Bosco’s life.

Sr. Dominica T.

Independence Day Celebrated – HCA R.K.Puram

Aug15

Independence dayThe Independence Day was celebrated on 14th August, 2015 at Holy Child Auxilium, Junior School, R.K.Puram, New Delhi with great pomp and show. The school premises were decorated with flag-coloured balloons which kindled the patriotic spirit in children. We commenced our celebration with the lighting of the lamp by our dear Superior Sr. Lily, Sr. Asha and Sr. Alphonsa invoking God’s blessings for our country and its citizens.

The programme put up by the children included prayer service, poem, patriotic action songs and dances. All the items focused on the values of unity in diversity, truth, honesty and justice. The English and Hindi speeches were also given by our children where they recalled how on this day Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru had unfurled the National Flag for the first time, which was a proud moment for our country. Our India today is a result of the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and leaders. It is our privilege to make our country best among all the nations, they said.

In the speech given by our dear Superior, Sr. Lily, she spoke about Pt. Nehru who always loved the children and made them laugh with his simplicity. He was the one who struggled for our country’s Independence. Sr.Lily’s speech also kindled in our children a strong spirit of patriotism and a feeling of a proud nation we belong to.The programme concluded with the National Anthem and created a spirit of enthusiasm and oneness among all of us.

Jai Hind  !

Mrs. Ashu Bhatia (Coordinator)

Twin Celebrations – FMA Communities of New Delhi

Aug14

Foundation Day FMA..On August 5, 2015, the 143rd Foundation Day of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians was celebrated solemnly by the four communities of New Delhi: H.C. Auxilium Vasant Vihar, R K Puram, Palam Goan and Najafgarh at Vasant Vihar at 6pm with a solemn Eucharistic celebrated.  On this occasion we also celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Sr. Gracy Parekattil. The liturgy was solemnized by all the four communities sharing the animation of the various parts of the liturgy. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Jose Mathew SDB the provincial of Delhi Province together with 16 other celebrants. In his homily he emphasized on Mary’s presence and active role in the life of Jesus’ mission. After the homily the sisters approached the altar singing with the lighted lamps as a sign of letting the light of Christ shine in all its radiance as we forge ahead to be missionaries of hope and joy together with our young people. foundation Day fmaTo mark the bi-centenary of the birth of Don Bosco united with the entire Institute, the sisters then received once again the Constitutions from the hands of Rev. Fr. Jose Mathew the Provincial as a sign of their willingness to welcome in a new way, the project of life that Don Bosco gave and which contains this dream for the Institute. The celebrant consigned the Constitutions by saying: Practice them and you will live to which each sister answered: Amen. On this foundation day of the Institute in the presence of the young people, laity and representatives of the Salesian Family and the local church the Sisters then renewed the Religious Profession, the covenant of love with God. These two gestures took place in a meaningful manner with appropriate introduction. After the Holy Mass there was a short felicitation programme put up by the sisters and the Snehalaya children followed by the fellowship meal.

Silver Bells ringing in Nirmala Niketan, Jaigaon

Aug11

JaigaonOn 5th August 2015 in the community of Jaigaon two memorable events marked on the same day. The Silver Jubilee of Sr. Amali John Joseph and the Foundation day of the Salesian Sisters. The celebration of the day began with the Eucharistic Celebration with the participation of around 300 people. A few people from the parish, teachers, well wishers and young people were invited for the celebration. The Eucharistic Celebration was headed by the Bishop of Jalpaiguri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Clement Tirkey along with six other priests of different parishes. By 10:30 am all started singing hymns of love and gratitude to God for the gift of our jubilerian. Bishop in his homily stressed on the love of God for each one of us. He also appreciated the mother and father of Sr. Amali, who looked after nine children with so much of love. After the homily Sr. Amali was crowned and garlanded by Bishop and the animator, Sr. Lily D’souza.

Focusing of the foundation day, the sisters of the community remembered the foundation of the congregation at Mornese, where the first eleven sisters received the Constitutions from Don Bosco, following the footmarks left by the first sisters; the sisters of Jaigaon community renewed their vows and received the Constitution from Bishop Clement Tirkey. After which the Sisters sang the Magnificat thanking God for the wonders the Lord had done in their lives.   The solemn Eucharistic Celebration ended with all the people wishing Sr. Amali a very Happy Jubilee, and to all the sisters a very Happy Feast. It was followed by a short cultural programme put up by the boarders of the community. They wished Sr. Amali in a very creative way; they portrayed her missionary journey of serving the Lord. The songs and dances showcased by them were very commendable. The days programme concluded with a short speech given by Sr. Rekha Joseph the elder sister of Sr. Amali. Lastly Sr. Amali expressed her love and gratitude to everyone with a short vote of thanks.

TRIPLE CELEBRATION AT ST.MARY’S SCHOOL- GEYZING

Aug11

Geyzing

Geyzing- St. mary's School

The silver dawn of 7th& 8th August 2015 brought with itself the wind of joy and celebration. The lively and enthusiastic students of St. Mary’s Geyzing were all set for the grand celebration of opening ceremony of Silver jubilee of the school, conclusion of the Bi- centenary of the birth of Don Bosco and the Annual concert of the school.

The hopes and excitement of all the students, teachers, sisters and parents have been joyously answered.  The Chief Guest of the occasion was Shri. Lakshmi Prasad Kafley, Jilla Upadhyashak and Mrs.Tshering Eden Bhutia,Joint Director H.R.D.D was the guest of honour.

 At the onset of the day Holy Eucharist was celebrated to give glory and honour to God and to thank Him for the marvels He has accomplished through the instrumentality of our enterprising sisters and teachers. In particular, we remembered with love and gratitude our beloved Sr. Gemma Libralesso, whose hard work, sacrifice,vision for the future, dedication and committed life enabled the dream of having this school for the poor a reality.

At 1.00 p.m. the ceremony commenced with the school brass band accompanying the Chief Guests and the invitees to the school hall with slow march. The chief Guest then unveiled the gorgeous flex that was prepared for the occasion and declared the Silver Jubilee of the school open. There was thunderous applause from the audience followed by the music band, brass band, bass drums. It was indeed an exciting, joyful and solemn moment. The cultural extravaganza was heart pounding and fabulous.

In his speech, the Chief Guest profusely thanked the Salesian sisters for venturing into this beautiful land of Sikkim and for providing quality education to the youth of the area. He congratulated and expressed his appreciation to the Sisters for their presence here in the land of orchids and for contributing for the growth and development of the State of Sikkim through education for the past 25 years.

May St. Mary’s continue to shelter the young under its mantle till they soar into greater heights – Onwards for ever onwards…

Sr.Lucy Kachira

Foundation Day

Aug11

DSCN6831JUMAIKELA: The Foundation Day  celebration began with the Morning Prayer  animated by Sr. Mary P. During the prayer moment, sisters received the Acts of the General Chapter XXIII from the hands of Rev. Sr. Rose Kureekattu the animator of the community. Sisters were felicitated with festal song by the boarders and school children. At 3.30 pm we had solemn Eucharistic celebrated by Rev. Fr. Patrick Tigga the Parish Priest. It began with entrance dance.   The liturgy was well animated   by our hostel children and participated by Don Bosco boarding boys and the technical students of Don Bosco Jumaikela. In his homily Rev. Fr. Patrick Tigga , appreciated the sisters for the  work done in the school, villages and the parish. During the Holy Mass sisters renewed their religious vows and received the Constitutions from the hands of the celebrant to mark the bicentenary year of the birth of St. John Bosco and 143 years of the foundation of our Institute. The presence of the teachers and the parents for the Eucharistic celebration doubled our joy. It was a joyful day for each one of us as we re-committed ourselves at the service of the Lord. We praise and thank God for our Institute.DSCN6786