JAIGON: 97  students of class XI along with their teachers ventured for the second time to the villages .This time they visited the houses of poor families to invite the family members to the school for the celebration of Christmas .To ensure their presence  they distributed coupons to the head of the family and their school going children.

On 20 December the students of cl.XI welcomed around 300 men and women and 500 children. After the sports events of the children, all of them were given a Christmas message by Mr.Kavindre, the leader  of the expedition to Buddhanagar village. It was followed by Christmas carols by class XI, the members of the expedition who had pioneered the villages.

Sr. Superior Rose and other sisters handed  over  a soap and  a blanket each to all the parents whereas the children received a colourful bowl with cakes, sweets and cold drinks. Another mission team immediately directed the children to the big hall where they picked up, a set of clothes of their choice from the arranged lines of clothes donated by the students.  All the people and the children were very happy as they left the premises. It was a thrilling experience for our pioneering missionary  teachers and students who took the lead in organizing the event.

On 21^st November 2017, Auxilium Convent Gobra celebrated the 140^th Anniversary of the first FMA Missionary Expedition with the poor families of the closest village. They were invited by the sisters on their family visits. At 3.00 p.m. the parents with their children arrived in our compound. It was followed by a procession carrying the symbols of a Ship, a Globe and a Bible around the playground later Sr.  Sadhanan Majumdar explained in brief the significance of the symbols and about the significance of the  celebration. This was followed by a solemn recitation of the Rosary. The celebration concluded with tea and snacks for all the 100 participants and 56 families were given a packet each with rice, dal, potato, onion etc.

On 25 November 2017 Auxilium Convent Kurtumgarh celebrated the 140 years of First Missionary expedition of FMA. The day was combined with the children’s day celebration. There were about 70 children who had come for this celebration. While going with the children to our new land we recalled the first missionaries who had gone to the far away country and had experienced their joys and fatigues, their courage and enthusiasm for evangelization for the kingdom  of God.

This great remarkable day was celebrated in our new land with the Eucharistic celebration. Rev. Fr. Jugal Kishor Digal our parish priest was the main celebrant with the assistant parish priest Fr. Bikram Pradhan.  Rev. Fr. Jugal Kisor  Digal made the children to understand the importance of the day 140 years of first missionary expedition of FMA and thanked the Almighty God for the gift of this   six valiant Missionary sisters who left their own land and went to spread Gods Kingdome to unknown land in South America -Urguay having one aim in mind – spreading   Gods Word.

He also acknowledged the presence of Salesian Sisters in Kurtumgarh. And asked God’s blessing on Mother General, Provincial and  on our new land and the mission. Rev. Fr. Bikram in his homily highlighted the importance of learning, through the example of the parrot that hears and learns.  If they hear good things they will learn good things but if they here bad things they will learn bad things therefore all must try to listen good things and learn good things. After the Eucharistic celebration all of them had fellowship meal and went home happily. Some of them even expressed their desire to become missionaries.

Sr. Prisca Bara

 For the celebration of the 140th anniversary of the first missionary expedition, the community prepared it with triduum. Each day animated prayers and intercessions kept alive the spirit of our origin that Mother Mazzarello had lived and shared.  We prayed all the FMA missionaries during adorations and prayer moments in order to be missionaries of hope and joy.

Celebration started with Holy Eucharist and was solemnized by introduction and prayer of the faithful by Sr. Premika Tirkey. Fr. Sanjay Kindo, the Parish priest spoke about the life and struggles of missionary life. Around fifty parishioners and our boarders witnessed the event. After the Mass a picture of Mary Help of Christians with family prayer and sweets were distributed to all.

On 18^th November school celebrated missionary week. The students express their talents and love for our six FMA missionaries through prayer dance, skits, drama and songs. They used PowerPoint to make the day more colorful.  Sr. Cecilia Tamba and Sr.Emerenciana Bara took the initiative to prepare the young people. To mark the day they drew beautiful charts on the different scenes from the life of Sr. Angela Vallese.  Finally the animator Sr. Theresa V. congratulated and thanked the sisters and the students for the wonderful performance.  At the end everyone with sweets in their hand went home with the message of love, hope and Joy

Reported by Ms. Namika Lama

                                                 “Be a Little missionary everywhere”

November 18 was one of the most memorable days for the Auxilium family of Thecho-Nepal. We commenced this preparation with the Tridumn from 11^{th _} 13th November. During three days of Tridumn the various letters of Mother Mazzarello was read, reflected and were cherished. On 18^th November Saturday we had a beautiful celebration along with the Parishners. The Eucharistic celebration commenced with the introduction read by Sr. Maria Goretti Ekka. It  was followed by the short enact  by  the boarders which was depicted  about final  departure and the last magic words   spoken by Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello to the first missionaries  as they  were leaving the port of Genoa. Then the Six Missionary sisters name was read out and displayed in front of the missionary ship. The globe and FMA flag was brought in procession. This scene made great impact on the participants because the way children presented themselves with the original habit of the FMA’s. The Holy Eucharist was solemnized by Rev. Fr. Raja Philip SDB. Fr. Augustine the Director the Technical Centre Thecho through deep insight on the Gospel of the Day exhorted everyone to become saints in the present world.  The Liturgical celebration was well animated with melodious singing, prayer of the faithful and offertory procession.

At the conclusion of the Mass Sr. Aquila seized the opportunity to thank each and everyone for sharing the joy of missionary religious vocation together as one family and exhorted the young people to take up daring steps   like the missionaries to go out to the whole world to preach the Good News to the humanity. After the Mass light refreshment was served for everyone.

In the evening the boarders put up significant and colourful mind blowing programmes with dances and short skit. Sr. Aruna Paul   made extra effort to help the children to put up a lively programme. The boarders through skit depicted the departure of the First missionaries’ which was presented very creatively. The Thecho community   was fortunate to have Fr. Nirmal Gomes, SDB the provincial of Kolkata who gave short speech at the end of the programme in which he motivated and encouraged the boarders to become missionaries of Hope and Joy to the world. To mark the day of the celebration of the 140^th anniversary of First Missionary Expedition   the sumptuous dinner was served for all.

On 14 Nov. 2017 HC Auxilium Vasant Vihar community celebrated the 140^th Anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition. To mark this day we chalked out various initiatives like solemn celebration of the Morning Prayer, Eucharistic celebration, special prayers during the day and speaking of the missionaries and their lives to the children. From 5.00 pm to 7.30 pm, guard of honour was kept to thank and pray for the Missionaries.

Recalling the lives of our courageous and generous missionaries, Class IX students distributed food stuff to 800 lepers living in Kusht Ashram, New Delhi. It was a beautiful gesture which inspired them to follow the great ideals of missionaries who sacrificed themselves in order to serve humanity without counting the cost.

Sr. Kanchan Karuna Bara

140^th anniversary of the first missionary expedition of our first sisters was centered on the Holy sacrifice of the Mass. It was announcing, preparing, celebrating and living this missionary zeal and fervor. Sr. Mary sarkar had made an announcement at the parish preceding the Sunday’s celebration of this event. At the Lauds and Vespers we had reflections on the missionary expeditions that enthused in us our call to be valiant and enthusiastic to the invitation “Here I am Lord, I will go Lord, if you lead me”.

Celebration of this event was the togetherness of the entire parish   community participating in the Holy sacrifice of the Mass, where 5 Salesians of the Kalyani community including Fr. Jose Pampaddil, the former vice provincial. The Mass was solemnized through introduction, a good choir and prayers of the faithful. “Hey Angela, O Teresa ….    a song composed by Mr. Apurba Halder  from Krishnagar which the congregation sang at the end of the Mass. Fr. M.C. Francis  the main celebrant briefed us about the journey and struggles made by the first missionaries at their departure to Uruguay and the fervor, zeal, enthusiasm and courage with which they set out only to accomplish one goal: of saving souls. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, a breakfast pack was offered to each one, sign of our joy and gratitude for joining us in this celebration. The following day the oratorians were happy to express their joy in celebrating this event.

On 5^th November 2017 St.Mary’s Convent celebrated the 140^th first missionary expedition of the FMA together with the parishioners. The celebration started with the Holy Eucharist which was presided over by Fr. Martin Lakra SDB the Rector &Principal of Don Bosco Malbasey and Fr. Walter the Parish Priest of St Mary’s Church Geyzing. In his sermon Fr. Martin highlighted the importance the missionary life. He said that we are all missionaries to spread the message of Christ. Soon after the Holy Mass a short program was presented by the boarders. The students acted out the first missionary expedition of the FMA and the parting message of Don Bosco which was given to the first Sisters. There was also a dance drama on the Gospel theme “Go to the whole world proclaim the Good News. At the end of the programme the picture of Mother Mary was given to all the parishioners.

On 11^th November2017, we started the triduum in preparation for the great celebration on 14^th of November. During the prayer moments we recalled the zeal, enthusiasm, courage and ardor of the great missionaries and we thanked God for their gift to our Institute. The short life sketches of our first heroic missionary Sisters were read. It was an opportunity for all of us to thank God for our missionary vocation.

On 13^th of November 2017, we had the vigil service. During the service different symbols such as Holy Bible which symbolizes the Word of Jesus “GO AND PROCLAIM”, Globe, the ship and the name of the six Sisters were placed in front of the altar.

On 14^th November 2017, we had the solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev.Fr.Walter Crasta, our parish Priest. The well prepared introduction put all of us in the mood of celebration. Various symbols such as – the Logo of the Institute, Globe, springs of water, six burning lamps and fruits were carried by the students towards the altar by enchanting appropriate hymns. The homily was centered on the theme “God’s marvelous deeds”. “We all are created in the image of God; we should know God’s marvelous work. Soul of the virtuous are in the hand of our God.” We salute our first Sisters for their inspiring life.

Sr. Sandhya

Commemorating the 140 years of  the  first missionary   expedition,the sisters’ and school  community  held a short celebration at the school assembly ground. To mark this event, a  short prayer service conducted by Anupriya of class XII  and the theme songs led by Sr. Francesca together with the students of class XII A and B, left us mesmerized. This was followed by Sr. Anna handing over sweet packets to the six teams of missionary groups.

Ninety seven students of class XI science, Arts and Commerce stream wearing the sashes captioned  “Missionary of Peace” were sent forth with seven teachers and three sisters on a missionary expedition to visit six villages of the vicinity. They intend to interact with  the poor families, discover their problems, offer them help and best of all invite them to the forth coming Christmas celebration at the school. This was organized to capture symbolically 140 years of the First Missionary Expedition sent to South America.

Ms.Sabita Rai

ONE WEEK MISSION…

On seventh November we started our journey,

With the words of Jesus “Whom shall I send?”

Responding to that call “Here I am Lord”,

We offered the lighted lamps as a sign of our Yes!

It was a very exciting moment for us,

As the four novices came with their act.

As we met the two Major Prophets the 1^st day,

So unique was God’s call, in His own way.

Second day the next two Major Prophets,

Then the third and fourth days; brought the Minor Prophets with their Call.

Not leaving out the missionary life lived by our sisters,

Who, brought the Salesian Spirit to our Motherland.

With vigor we started the Tridum on the11^th,

Together with our neighboring community.

At 8pm with a prayer service we inaugurated the Tridum,

Where we once again heard Jesus inviting us “Follow Me”.

Offering the different colored lamps symbolizing the five Continents,

At the feet of the Lord with their symbolic meaning.

Everyone was so enchanted with the evening,

That they thought nothing but of the Call.

Twelfth the 2^nd day of Tridum,

At 8pm we hurried to the hall.

To see the our borders performing the Call,

Their tabloo performance gave a jerk to all.

Thirteenth the last day of the Tridum; at 6.30pm we gathered again,

To feel the presence of the first missionaries sisters around us.

We relived the moments and emotions of the port of Genoa,

As we entered into the occasion’s prayer moments.

Fourteenth the much awaited day since we had the dual feast to celebrate,

The introduction, missionary with a child’s heart gave the start,

Fr. Solomon the S.J. gave a lively message,

To be a missionary always at heart.

At 2pm we went two by two as Jesus had sent out,

To bring our Oratorians from three centers.

About 105 of us came praying rosary like the missionaries,

We made that day- a day of remembrance with the short enactment;

the scene at the Port of Genoa .

The children were delighted to see and hear all that happened,

The buns and ladoos they got gave them a lot of joy.

At 5pm all left the premises to begin a legacy,

That to others they would become the missionaries of their caliber.

In this way we spend the week of mission,

Reliving the past days of vision.

With all those who would listen,

To our joyous endurance in spreading God’s Kingdom.