Kolkata Archdiocese Holds SCC DST Meeting

- Dominic J. Azavedo

Kolkata: The quarterly SCC Diocesan Service Team (DST) meeting of Kolkata Archdiocese was held on 29 July, 2017 in Archbishop’s House. Fr. Dominic Gomes, Vicar General and SCC Coordinator for the Kolkata Archdiocese, welcomed the 33 SCC Animators who came from all around the diocese. The animators were thanked for the effort put in to spread SCC across the Archdiocese and they were also urged to reach new horizons and accomplish more for instance, observing SCC Day in the Parish could go a long way in reaching out to a large number of Parishioners to help them know more about SCC and join to the community.

On SCC Day, apart from the Solemn Eucharistic celebration and cultural program, there could also be a Bible Quiz, posters and banners can be displayed inside the Church premises to disclosing the work of the SCC members in the Parish and explaining what SCC is? Fr. Dominic also welcomed Fr. Rajesh Paul Kujur, OMI, the newly appointed Bengal/Sikkim Regional Secretary of SCC. After the Veneration of the Bible, Bible reading, reflection on the minutes and passing of the minutes of the DST meeting held on 22nd April, 2017, the reports were read by the Animators. The Gospel Sharing Meetings which were held regularly, with action plans under the Gospel Sharing 6th Step, the visiting the Sick. An encouraging story was shared during the narration of reports about a 19 year old boy whose name was Stephen Anthony. He was from a very poor family of Stella Maris Church who met with a serious Motorcycle accident. He was unconscious for five days but with the SCC members visiting and praying, Stephen experienced healing in his body and speedy recover y. SCC members helped the family till Stephen was on his feet. SCC also helps the lonely and elderly people in St. Mary’s Church, Ripon Street by providing jobs to the unemployed. A rickshaw was given by the Our Lady of Vailankanni Church SCC members to help generate jobs. The SCC members of Picnic Garden have also helped children with their studies. An observation was made that where Parish Priests are actively involved, the SCCs were vibrant to name a few would be St. Mary’s, Ripon Street under Fr. John Mohandas, Queen of Peace, Tollygunge under Fr. Peter Pradhan, St. Thomas Church, Middleton Row under Fr. Lucas D’Cruz. 

After the sharing of the Reports, the participants were put into groups Deaneries wise and given the lesson plan of “SCCs as Self-Propagating, Self-Ministering and Self-Supporting Communities” which some Kolkata Archdiocese’s representatives had learnt at the Bengal/Sikkim Resource Team meeting in Baruipur from May 3 to 7, 2017. The DST participants are now expected to teach these lesson plans in their Parishes.Fr. Rajesh Paul Kujur, Bengal/ Sikkim Regional Secretary of the SCC, in his short speech, emphasized that the laity should be given more responsibility in the SCC of the Church so that together progress can be made at the grassroots levels. The meeting concluded with a prayer by Fr. Rajesh followed by Fr. Sebastian OFM Conv. of Green Park giving the final Blessing with the Bible. To be self- supporting, the DST members arranged a paid breakfast and lunch. Thanks to Sybil Azavedo, Roselyn Miles, Juana Bramblebee and Lidwina Alphonso for arranging a delicious breakfast and lunch.