24 July 2015, a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving at Auxilium, Aspirantate, Barasat.

From 21- 24 July 2015, Sr. Nirmala Tigga, the animator of St. Mary’s Geyzing animated 17 vibrant young girls commence their new voyage. The animation was based on the theme ‘God’s call and my response’.

On 24^th July during  the prayer service and  in the presence of  sisters from  the campus community and provincial house, Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath gave the postulancy medal to two aspirants and 15 young girls began the aspirantate. Sr. Rose through a narration of a story exhorted the candidates to give their best to Jesus and to focus on Him. She invited them to cultivate a great love and devotion to Mary and to imitate her virtues. It was followed by expressions of good wishes and felicitation.

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The animators and sisters of INC province congregated in Auxilium Dum on 23^rd  and 24^th June to be part of the twofold celebrations of Thanksgiving to the outgoing Provincial, Sr. Maria Pettayil and the installation of the new Provincial, Sr. Rose Ezarath. The Thanksgiving Celebration was conducted on 23^rd June at 6.00 p.m.   It commenced with the entrance procession to the hall with lit candles which was placed at the feet of the Blessed Mother who is the directress and inspirer of our Province.  The evening prayer   prepared by the community of Bandel was a eulogy of gratitude towards Sr. Maria Pettayil who had directed the Province for the past six years with great diligence  and spirit of  sacrifice.  Songs, commentaries, videos was a veritable homage to express gratitude by every person in the Province.   The vice provincial Sr. Teresa Adampakallel paid tribute to Sr. Maria in her speech and said that we could not thank her sufficiently . So one and half month of prayer was the only way and it was tabulated and offered in form of a spiritual bouquet  was prepared      artistically  and beautifully  in the form of a red heart a symbol of love and gratitude and presented to Maria.

This was followed by the releasing of the CD –Bosco animation by INC Media sector   as a part of the bicentennial celebration of the birth of St. John Bosco contributed by the 26 sisters who participated in the media seminar.  KSSDS also released their first magazine of all the activities carried out from the inception. In her good night Sr. Maria thanked one and all for the sentiments of love with the story of the man in the box.

24^th June 2015 – The day dedicated to our blessed mother and the day set aside for the installation of the new Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath began with a very meaningful  PPT animated prayer prepared by the community of Jumaikela seeking blessings on the chosen one.   Soon after the prayer Sr. Maria Pettayil read the appointment letter of Sr. Rose Ezarath by Mother General and her council and all the present felicitated her with clapping of hands and offering of traditional stoles.

Solemn Mass of the installation commenced at 10.30 a.m. with an entrance dance and ceremony of the handing over of the stewardship from Sr. Maria to Sr. Rose Ezarath with a symbolic motif. The Celebrant Rev. Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, the Jesuit Provincial of Kolkata enlightened on Christology and the need to live the Christ way in our daily living.  His story on Zen Master on the enlightened and unenlightened made all to introspect   whether  we  have a  broader vision and  perspective in living our mission.

The Mass was followed by the felicitation ceremony,  participated by the neighbouring  communities    consisting of offering of bouquets, shawls dances, songs anchored by  Sr. Leelama Palliparambil. The outgoing provincial, Sr. Maria Pettayil in her message  thanked everyone  for collaborating with her in these past years to accomplish great things. The newly appointed  Sr. Ezarath said that there is no full stop in the journey that was started by the  former Provincial   but a continuity .  The celebration drew the curtains with a festal agape.  Everyone departed recalling to mind the Bible episode the transfer of prophetic mission from Elijah to Elisha through the throwing of the mantle.

Auxi Fest Bosco 200, a youth fest was organized by Edumedym-  the sectors of education, media and youth ministry  for the entire schools of FMA Kolkata province in New Chumta, Siliguri from 17^th – 21^st May 2015 to commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of St. John Bosco. 13 centres participated in it. In all the participants were 207 students, 17 teachers and 21 sisters summing up to 247.

The inaugural ceremony commenced at 4 p.m. with a parade by the delegates from each centre marching to  the drum beats played by New Chumta school band.  The Chief Guest  K.C. Sharma, Assistant   commandant  of 29 battalion SSB Kapril   hoisted the bicentenary flag  and released 200 pink and blue gas balloons and declared AuxiFest Bosco 200 opened.

 As the balloons rose gracefully into the air the participants sang with gusto the Auxilium Youth Movement (AYM) Anthem.   Following this was the welcome ceremony by the host school – invocation dance, welcome song and fusion dance. The Chief Guest, Sir K.C. Sharma ,  Assistant commandant gave an inspiring speech stimulating  the 247  participants to follow the path of righteousness and to excel in making oneself an upright national builder

An interesting ice breaking session conducted  by  Sr. Esther and her team of students and  teachers from Dum Dum. Cultural night began with the theme presentation, “messengers of love’, joy and hope in Don Bosco way’.  The cultural dances were a real fiesta for eyes  with varied hues of costumes, Choreography both folk, and semi classical numbers.

18^th May commenced with a prayer service conducted by  Mazzarello School Ranchi.The resource person of the day for the session on  the theme of the Fest was Fr. Raymond Tudu the assistant parish Priest of the Salesian Parish Mirik.  Through videos, songs and PPT Presentation he instilled in the young a desire to have dreams and the courage and will power to achieve it like Don Bosco.

Quiz on Don Bosco was conducted by the vibrant students of Dum Dum backed by Sr. Ester Rani Abraham and Sr. Rosalia Tirkey of Youth Ministry Sector.  Homage to Mary was presented by the students of St. Mary’s Geyzing very innovatively with  meaningful dialogue between Mary and the young and ended with  the Magnificat dance. The campfire was lively and memorable piloted by Rev. Fr. Raymond Tudu.  It was consist of songs , games and the enactment of Don Bosco’s encounter with ten boys like John Cagliero, Michael Magone ,Domnic Savioetc.  presented by 10 groups.  The Campfire concluded again with the ten leaders of the group coming forward with blown up balloons and bursting them when Sr. Stella declared the campfire is closed.

The third day of the Auxifest began with the prayer moment animated by Dum Dum School.  Fr. Raymond Tudu SDB in his session on the theme , “Media and the youth” took the students for a voyage into the pros and cones of the technological trends and how they have to make responsible  choices for their lives.

Sr. Rosy Veliyan from Media sector of INC Province presented a session on current issues followed by group discussion and presentation by the groups.  At 2.30 p.m. there was a Panel  discussion on the challenges faced by the young people of today.  The orators were chosen from schools of Geyzing, Jaigaon,  Bandel,   Barasat, Dum Dum and Ranchi and the speakers  delivered speeches on themes like Social network, Peer pressure, sex exploitation, Drug Addiction, Media Cohesion and Globalization of Indifference. Jyoti Shikka student from Ranchi School was avowed as the best speaker.

Students Avinandan and Arya from Barasat School were the chroniclers of the days and they presented the reports creatively with a movie and everyone enjoyed the visual chronicling.

The Taise prayer conducted by Sr. Rosalia Tirkey and the team of teachers and students from Kalyani elevated everyone’s mind to experience deeper encounter with the Divine.

 The night show comprised of  unconventional orchestra and the folk dances performed by the groups were mesmerizing  and enjoyable.

20^th May was a long awaited day by all the participants as it was the day set aside for the trip to Darjeeling.

The Best School Trophy was coveted by St. Anthony’s School Jaigaon and the runners up were Auxilium Barasat and St. Mary’s Geyzing.  Five Girls and two boys were awarded the Best camp prizes.  The day ended with vote of thanks by Sr. Stella who thanked especially the sisters of New Chumta who left no stone unturned to provide superb services for the success of the camp.  She also expressed the gratitude towards the organizers of the Auxifest, Sr.Elizabeth Makil ,Sr. Rosy Veliyan, Sr. Ester Rani Abraham and Sr. Rosalia Tirkey for their valuable contribution in planning and executing of the Auxifest and making it a memorable mega event for the youngsters.

On the 21^st morning after the prayer moment conducted by the Kurseong Group  the participants gratefully appreciated the endeavours of the organisers thanking Sr. Stella and her team for the well organised youth encounter.

 A touching moment of the day was the lowering of and handing over the  Auxi fest flag.

Sr. Stella P.

The Diamond Jubilee bells at Najafgarh peeled off and resounded joyously on May 18^th, 2015 through preparations, decorations and celebrations. It was  “ 60” hearts, stars and colourful balloons that caught our attention when one entered the portals of Najafgarh residence, indicating dear Sr. Mary George’s dedicated life of love, faith and joy. At 6 p.m. we had a solemn Mass concelebrated by 6 priests, four of whom were Salesians with the Vicar General of the archdiocese of Delhi, Rev. Fr. Susai  as the chief celebrant. He gave us a adequate and thought provoking homily on this special occasion. He said we travel two journeys on this earth, the external and internal. We, as religious and priests visit places, meet people, have certain portfolios, tasks, studies and other benefits. This is our external journey. But more importantly is the inner journey we have made our resignation to God’s will, our attitudes, spirit of service, , forgiveness, love, frame of mind, willingness to suffer, kindness and our dealings with people. These are all connected to God’s people and His creation. These will have touched the lives of people and brought them close to God and one another.  As he congratulated dear Sr. Mary George for her dedicated service and generous “yes” to God these 60 years, he prayed that she continue to be His worthy instrument of His love in the lives of many more people she encounters. After Mass the melodious choir from Vasant Vihar dedicated a song to Sr. Mary. She was then felicitated by Sisters, friends and well wishers. This was followed by sharing in the agape deliciously prepared by Mrs. Daisy and Tomy and their friends which all partook of in joy and satisfaction.”Many hands make work light” is a famous and true adage. So the day was a successful one with Mary, Jesus and St. Joseph guiding us through in every plan and preparation of this great event. We remain grateful to our three neighbouring communities of Vasant Vihar, R.K Puram and Snehalaya who shared responsibilities in this celebration. Praise and thank you Lord!

On 13^th May 2015, the culmination of the celebration of the feast of St. Mary Mazzarello started at 11.30 am with the solemn Holy Eucharist. It was a combined celebration, the feast of St. Mary Mazzarello and the get together with the religious of the Barasat area on the occasion of the ‘Year of Consecrated life’. Before the Mass, the boarders expressed their joy through a prayer dance thanking God for the wonderful gift of God in the person of St. Mary Mazzarello.

The celebrant Rev. Fr. TC Jose SDB, the Rector of Don Bosco Nitika Kolkata in his homily emphasised five main points on religious life: Religious are to show to the people that it is possible to come close to God, they should be joyful, and live a happy and satisfied life which should inspire others to live joyfully. They are to wake up the world through joy, happiness and love. The Church must become a home of communion, of friendship and love. It should be a school where one can learn and a home to experience love.  It was followed by a short power point presentation, entertainment and fellowship meal.

Sr. Basanti FMA

Auxilium Convent School Barasat celebrated the feast of St. Mary Mazzarello the patron of blue house and St. Dominic Savio the patron saint of Green house. Both primary and high school organised the celebration gorgeously. They had enthralling power point presentation on St. Mary Mazzarello and Dominic Savio. Singing, dances, prayers were usual ways but to make the day more amusing music club had unconventional orchestra. All the houses competed with each other with African aborigines band Safari and local bands were spellbinding. The green house bagged the first place followed by Yellow and Red. At the end of the programme Sr. Stella, the Superior invited the school to imitate Dominic Savio in having trust and devotion to Guardian Angels and learn from Mary Mazzarello to be humble.  She congratulated organisers and the music club who conducted the unconventional orchestra in a very innovative way. The students were extremely happy to celebrate the feast of their patron saints and have the healthy competitions to develop their talents.

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Sr. Basanti  FMA

On 9^th May 2015, the community of “Nirmala Niketan” Jaigaon celebrated the birthday of St. Mary Mazzarello with the boarders, neighbourhood priests Fr. Rajesh, Fr. Kuriakose, Fr. Philip and religious.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rt. Rev. Clement Tirkey, the bishop of Jalpaiguri diocese. In his homily he spoke about the importance of perfection and separation.  It was followed by a short cultural programme during which the life of St. Mary Mazzarello was presented and a fellowship meal.

Sr. Sadhana

AUXILIUM BARASAT: The Auxilians of Barasat joined Sr. Mary George to intone the hymns of thanksgiving on 22^nd 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 21^st 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.