AN AFTERNOON WITH DON BOSCO

Feb16

???????????????????????????????

An inter-house quiz contest was organised by the Past Pupils Association of the Barasat Unit on 30th January 2015. The contest was arranged with great momentum, both by the students and the teacher past pupil members of the school, along with their delegate, Sr. Rosy Veliyan. The contest was held with two fold purpose, firstly to invest honour to the Great Saint Don Bosco on his Feast day and secondly to rejuvenate the young minds with his teachings and virtues. Students of Classes VIII, IX and XI participated with great zeal, enthusiasm and confidence. Questions comprised of different phases on Don Bosco’s life – his childhood days, his pre and post priesthood life, regarding his followers, successors, his maxims etc. To add splendour to the occasion, we had amidst us, Sr. Superior Sr. Stella P., Sr. Principal Sr. Rosy Veliyan Sr. Rose Simon and Past Pupils Delegate of Kolkata Province Sr. Elizabeth Joseph. The audience witnessed a spectacular quizzing by the Quiz Master – Raunak Paul who left no stone unturned to make the Quiz interesting and educative maintaining a perfect coordination with the Score- keeper Noel Albert Mondal. Finally the Blue House emerged as the winner followed by the Red and Yellow House as the Runners – up respectively. A small token of appreciation was given out by Sr. Elizabeth Joseph to the winners and runners-up team along with a token each to express our thanks for the hard work and patience of the Quiz Master and the Score-keeper, to make the event successfully memorable.???????????????????????????????

Ms. AninditaChoudhury

President of Past Pupils Unit, Barasat

A Memorable Day at Nirmala Niketan, Jaigaon

Feb2

Blessing of the new Chapel+ Hostel - INC

On 2nd February 2015 was a memorable day in the annals of St. Anthony’s Convent School Jaigaon with the celebrations of the Day for the Consecrated, bicentennial of the birth of Don Bosco and the blessing of the newly built chapel and the hostel. The animators of the all the communities, the laity, parent of the boarders , friends and benefactors were present to witness this historical event.  The celebration commenced with the blessing of the new chapel and the boarding by the vicar General of the Diocese of Jalpaiguri, Rev. Fr. Thomas Borogaon along with Fr. Rajesh Barla, the parish priest and Fr. Kuriakose Thekkeparambil, while the congregation intoned hymns of blessing.  The celebrant made all conscious of the importance of the day of the consecrated by pinpointing the life of the sisters which is totally dedicated for the mission of the young.  To commemorate this event the sisters entered the chapel with the lighted candle to denote the words of our holy Father Pope Francis ,’the consecrated are called to awaken the world with the prophecy –the joyful witness of  their life. In his homily, the  celebrant Fr. Thomas exhorted all  to live the newness  that  God  enfolds each day  with all its challenges and problems.

Celebration DB 200, Day of Consecrated life- INC.

The solemn Eucharistic celebration was followed by a cultural programme,  showcased by the young boarders was very entertaining and commemorative with songs, dances and skits drawn from the life of Don Bosco.  The days programme concluded with expressions of thanks for all  the benefactors whose generous donations made the construction possible and others who had contributed as architects, engineers and builders.  The Provincial Sr. Maria Pettayil thanked in a special way all the sisters who toiled to make this dream a reality.  The Festal agape served to one and all enhanced the family spirit that existed within the members of the educating community.

Sr. Stella P. & Sr. Rosalia Tirkey

Solidarity reach out week

Jan30

???????????????????????????????

On 19 -20 January 2015, the students of Auxilium Convent School Barasat, paid visits to various centres like Providence Home, Green Park, Kamakhya Orphanage home, St. Anne’s Old age home, St. Vincent’s old age home, Kishalaya (Juvenile home), Kazipara Railway station and Pirigacha Primary School for the ‘Solidarity reach out week”.

Many students went on foot, while others went by bus to their destination. Though we were greeted warmly by the people, but we could see the pain and loneliness in their eyes. Fortunately, we could bring a smile on their faces through our songs, dances, recitations and jokes. The students gave them some necessary things of daily uses like soaps, bed sheets, pillow covers, oils, creams, toothpastes etc. Their joy knew no bounds and their faces were illuminated with happiness and filled with tears of joy.

???????????????????????????????

While returning, I was in deep thought about how privileged and lucky we are. It was a new experience for me and will surely be etched in my memory for a long time. It was the first time in my life that I really understood the meaning of ‘giving’ rather than ‘keeping’ our happiness to ourselves. I am very sure that our entire school is extremely grateful to our dear Sr. Principal, Sr. Rosy V. for taking this initiatives and giving us such opportunities to serve the needy. I hope such deeds of kindness which will be alive in the hearts of Auxilians for the years to come.

Aranyo Ray

Class VI B

 Provincial Visit

Jan30

???????????????????????????????

AUXILIUM BARASAT: Auxilium Convent School Barasat was privilege to have the presence Provincial Sr. Maria Pettayil from 21 – 22 January 2015. She was cordially welcomed by the sisters, teachers, boarders and students. Her meetings and interactions with different groups brought new vigour and enthusiasm to everyone in the campus. In gratitude to her the students of the primary and high school felicitated her. She congratulated and appreciated their unique talents and assured them her prayerful support and best wishes. Each of her encounters with different groups she left the golden message. Through a story she invited the school children to be caring and respectful to teachers, parents and to all their friends. She exhorted the boarders to follow Jesus who is the meaning and purpose of their life. Indeed the visit of the provincial brought special blessings in the campus and in the lives of everyone

Bicentenary of Don Bosco Waves at Auxilum Dum Dum

Jan30

???????????????????????????????Dominic Savio

AUXILIUM DUM DUM: The bicentennial of Don Bosco’s birth will be celebrated on 16 August 2015. The students classes VI to VIII of Auxilum Dum Dum organized the Salesian Saints week.

Music Club depicted the life of Saint of Dominic Savio, Dance Club highlighted the Don Bosco’s Spiritual Life through the dance drama, Dramatics Club aptly portrayed Don Bosco’s Pedagogy through different topics such as totally for the young, Optimism, Faith in education, True Prevention, The centrality of love in education etc.

???????????????????????????????

The Yellow house commemorated the Feast of Blessed Laura Vicuna their patron and role model through Poem, song and skit on the students who come across the temptations and distractions in today’s digital world. 

The programme was concluded  quoting the words of Laura Vicuna “wherever I am, at school, at play, or anywhere else, the thought of God accompanies me, helps me, and consoles me,” She also said “A cheerful attitude will sustain you in all your difficulties, trials and sufferings in life”.

Self composed poem on Don Bosco by Dimitri Mallik  – Class VIII A

Hateful strife filled the blue oceans and seas

Amidst mankind faith and love seemed amiss

From Heaven the Lord looked upon the earth

He saw the world quite devoid of mirth

The aimless youth laving their homes

Were wasting their energy on the roads

Thus to alleviate the on growing rift

He gave the world Don Bosco his greatest gift.

Don Bosco the father and friend of Youth

Was the epitome of honesty love and truth.

An apostle of Mother Mary and a servant of God

He taught with love and not with rod

He taught the youth t learn and pray

And do what can be done each day

He loved peaceful and cheerful din

His motto was run jump yell and do not sin

He thought every moment a priceless treasure

He loved God without any measure.

He preached it is better to correct one’s faults

His teachings were precious like gems in vaults

He founded the Salesian family which educated the youth

With guiding principles of holy faith reason and truth

Across the world his teachings spread

To the youth he became a dear friend. 

O the harp of love he struck the first chord, though he was a man, the world called him a man of God.

Self composed song by Shreemanti Datta – Class VII

  1. Dominic Savio the Symbol of Courage

The courageous Riva inhabitants

Presented a brave penchant

To be a light to millions

And a guide to all

Planted the seeds of bravery

And that of equality

To the vast extent of infinity

The powerful and inspiring personality

Had to face many facilities

But still was firm to his resolution

Because he desired for a vast transformation

  1. His service as a Role Model

He always guided people to God’s path of enlightment

And filled people with enchantment

He was saturated with the qualities of a true human

For the purpose of serving all men

His modesty and carefulness distinguished him from the rest

He always fought back with the sword of honesty to all the odious test

Served as a guide

And today is a pearl to every eye

Report by Sr. Kanchan

 

Diamond jubilee celebration

Jan30

???????????????????????????????

AUXILIUM BARASAT: The Auxilians of Barasat joined Sr. Mary George to intone the hymns of thanksgiving on 22nd January as they celebrated the diamond jubilee of her religious profession. The Solemn Holy Eucharist was celebrated at 6.00 am, presided by Rev. Fr. Leo Jayaraj. At the end of the Mass she was crowned by Rev. Fr. Leo with a diamond crown for her 60 years of fidelity as the Daughter of Mary help of Christians.

In the evening of 21st January the boarders congratulated and thanked her as she was leaving for her new mission at Najafgarh. The school also took the opportunity to felicitate her on the occasion of the same, through a choreography based on the life of Sr. Mary and thanked her for her loving presence in the Auxilium campus for last six and half years. Indeed Sr. Mary touched the lives of everyone through her love, kindness and edifying life.

Province Team Meet

Jan27

Team Meet

The members of the Provincial Team of Kolkata Province had their annual planning session from 23rd – 26th of January 2015 at Auxilium Dum Dum. Evaluation of the Province project and the Sectors Action Plans of 2014-15 done by the communities on a very positive and appreciative note boosted the members to set off with zest and enthusiasm to commence the preparation of the Province Project 2015-16.

 The strenna of the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, ‘Like Don Bosco with the young, for the young’, three choices for pastoral conversion of GC XXIII and the suggestions given by the Archdiocese of Kolkata put the members in the streamline.  Basing on this, the Team   was able to prepare the Province Project as well as the each Sectors Vision and Action Plans.  The Province Calendar with the Action Plans of the each Sector was also completed within the scheduled time slot.

General coordinator Sr. Mini Chettayil’s adequate and precise planning smoothened and enhanced the work.  Sr. Maria Pettayil the Provincial’s presence on the last day with her contagious enthusiasm in appreciating the work of the Team and her suggestions to ignite the sisters of the Province to be valiant missionaries of the young augmented the spirit of the Team members to do more.  The meeting concluded with the message of the Provincial, ‘We are called to centre ourselves on Christ and to be vibrant missionaries of the young always and everywhere. To be effective be holy and Christ like in our dealings’.

Team Meet..

Sr. Stella P.

House Blessing of Auxilium – Najafgarh

Jan27

Najafgarh blessings

On 24th January 2015, the Province of FMA Kolkata raised a hymn of gratitude to God at the blessing of a new house at Najafgarh – New Delhi. It was blessed by  Rev. Fr. Binny Isaac SDB, the rector of Najafgarh community.  Sr. Maria Pettayil, provincial introduced the members of the new community to the assembly. There was a good representation of Salesians of Don Bosco, priests, sisters and well wishers.

Fr. Binny Isaac the main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration said that the passage of the Marriage feast of Cana was very appropriately chosen as people of all walks of life were present there, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Jesus, the disciples, friends, stewards and guests. Thus a house blessing is coming together to give thanks. It is an expression of our desire for protection, for our spiritual welfare eradicating all that is unholy. He prayed God’s protection and assistance on all those who pioneered this project. Symbolic offertory gifts enabled us delve more deeply into the significance of this special day.

At the conclusion of this Eucharistic celebration, Sr. Maria Pettayil, Provincial, expressed her words of gratitude to various people who were instrumental for the completion of the house at Najafgarh especially Mr. Job, the contractor, Mr. Sabu, his assistant and Mr. Ravi Gahlot.

Auxilium, Najafgarh remain ever grateful to Provincial Sr. Maria, communities of Vasant  Vihar, R.K.Puram,  Snehalaya and to Sr. Teresa Karakkal, the Province economer for the gift of this new house. Indeed we could pray with the psalmist: “What marvel the Lord has worked for us indeed we are glad”.

Annual Scouts & Guides Camp

Jan24

Scout & guides 2015

 Auxilium Convent School New Chumta was happy to host Bharat Scouts and Guides Annual camp 2014-15 at the district level from 17 – 18 January 2015. The theme of the camp was “Disciplined youth, Nation’s Pride’’. District commissioner of scout and guide Mr. Tapan Singh was the organizer of the camp. More than 200 students of different schools of Darjeeling district participated in the camp.

 The district chief commissioner Miss Gangotri Datta inaugurated the camp. She emphasized on  the disciplinary life saying  that  the one who loves discipline remains in discipline and makes her/his future bright and does something good for the society. During these three days of camp participants were fully engaged with different activities.

Sr. Innocencia Jojo, the vice president of scouts and guides presided over the closing ceremony of the camp. It was a thrilling experience for all the participants and they took part in it with enthusiasm. It will surely create some impact in their lives.

Sr. Ongmit

New Chumta

Provincial Visit

Jan24

Provincial Visit - Asp.

On Monday 19 January 2015 was a great day for all at Auxilium Promotional Center Barasat. Provincial Sr. Maria Pettayil came to the center with lots of blessings.  Sisters, aspirants, DBTech Trainers, students and the SHG women welcomed her. Superior Sr. Lily P. welcomed her with a garland and the aspirants with an action song followed by a prayer moment. She expressed her happiness to be with us and encouraged all of us to continue the good work that all of us are doing for the development of the society.

The next day at 2.30 p.m. the D.B.Tech students organized a short programme in her honor consisting of welcome speech, presentation of bouquet, songs, dance on Rabindra sangeet etc.

The SHG women, the Aspirants and the Sisters too greeted Mother Provincial and expressed their gratitude through songs and power point presentation. The programme ended with the meaningful words of appreciation and thanks from Provincial Sr. Maria.

Mr. Nilanjan Sen Gupta