Card Gracias tells youth to be true missionaries of Christ

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Card Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), led the inaugural Mass of the 14th International Youth Conference currently underway in Kerala.

All the baptised "are called to have relationships with Jesus, to become disciples of Jesus, to transform the world and relationships so that we can be true missionary disciples,” the prelate said in his address.

“Dream dreams of becoming true disciples of the mission at work, at home and in society," he told the 3,000 people in attendance. “Set all your worries and anxieties aside, present them to the Lord,” he added. “This is a moment for a two-way communication with Jesus.”

Led by Fr Augustine Vallooran, an internationally renowned preacher, the International Youth Conference is being held from 21 to 26 July at the Divine Retreat Centre in Muringoor, Kerala. This year's theme is ‘Kindle into a flame’, from the Second Letter to Timothy (2 Tim 1: 6).

Card Gracias referred to his participation in the Synod on Young People, when young Catholics from all over the world sent a clear message to the bishops, asking them to listen to them, to trust them and to accompany them.

In this regard, the cardinal noted that listening means paying attention to what is said. “Our youth cried out”, asking that they not be treated as “mere children.” Instead, “we are responsible, and know that we can to things well,” they said.

This message "is also for all parents”. In fact, “society must learn from our youth, give them responsibilities, know and accept that our youth are generous, authentic, wanting to transform the world for the better, full of energy and enthusiasm."

When it comes to the bishops, young people at the Synod asked the prelates to accompany them: "Walk with us, be at our side, don’t leave us alone; if we make mistakes correct us, don’t neglect us.”

Card Gracias went on to tell his audience to take advantage of the conference to "dream, to dream Jesus is with you, learn to dream dreams for a better world, a better society, a better India. This is a sign that the Holy Spirit is with you.”

Urging youth to be missionaries to the world, he explained that "We are not meant to be islands; we are called to be part of a community". Finally, he ended repeating "Christ lives", which is also the title of Pope Francis’s postsynodal apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit.

Baruipur Diocese consecrates Fr. Shyamal Bose as their Co-Adjutor Bishop

ISAAC HAROLD GOMES

On 24 March 1961, when the fourth child, a son, was born to Martin and Geeta Bose at Gosaba, a remote village in the Sunderbans, one wonders whether his parents envisioned that one day their son would fill them with God’s Glory by first becoming a priest and then by his transition to Bishop of
Baruipur Diocese. In fact in an interview taken by Joachim Ashim Campoo, Fr Shyamal Bose had revealed that the cherished dream of his father (who came from a lineage of Catechists) was that at least one of his sons would one day be a priest.

Therefore, Monday 24th June 2019 was a golden day in the annals of the Diocese of Baruipur as it was the Episcopal Ordination of “Gharer Chelay (the local lad)” Fr. Shyamal Bose. Prior to this on 17th May 2019 Bishop Theodore Masceranhas, Secretary General of Catholic Bishops Conference
of India (CBCI) had circulated a letter that Pope Francis had appointed Fr. Shyamal Bose, Financial Administrator & Chancellor of Baruipur, as Co-adjutor Bishop of the Diocese.

The crowning glory of the Episcopal Ordination was the presence of all the three bishops of Baruipur: Bishop Linus Gomes (98 years), who had ordained Fr Shyamal Bose and was the first Bishop of Baruipur from 1978 to 1995, Bishop Salvadore Lobo his successor, and the incumbent
Shyamal Bose who was ordained as the joint Bishop of Baruipur Diocese today at a three-and-a-half hour Eucharistic Celebration witnessed by 3500+ faithful at the Holy Cross High School grounds.

Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of the Archdiocese of Calcutta was the main celebrant along with Bishop Salvadore Lobo, Bishop Emeritus Linus Gomes, Bishop Joseph Suren Gomes, Bishop Stephen Lepcha: Darjeeling, Bishop Vincent Aind: Bagdogra, Bishop Cyprian Monis: Asansol and
several other Bishops. Also present were Monsignor Partick Saw Zay Han: First Secretary Apostolic Nunciature Delhi and Rev. Fr Laurentue Dankuja from the Pontifical Academy of Rome.

While ordaining Rev. Fr. Shyamal Bose as a Bishop, Archbishop Thomas resonated that a Bishop’s prime duty was not to rule but to tend to his flock and listen patiently to their suggestions for wholesome growth of the community. After praying with all fellow bishops, Archbishop Thomas
D’Souza put his hands on Fr. Shyamal Bose’s head, anointed him as the new Bishop and presented to him the Bishop’s ring, cap, crown and Crosier.

Thereafter the Archbishop, all the bishops, Vicar General and Provincials greeted him with warm hugs. In his address, Bishop Shyamal Bose first thanked his father as his first teacher & catechist
and his late mother. He went down from the altar to his aging father to seek his blessing. Then he thanked Bishop Linus Gomes who ordained him on 5th May 1991, Bishop Salvadore Lobo for being his mentor, and all his religious colleagues.

The memorable event ended with a brief cultural programme and a short presentation on the
life sketch of Fr Shyamal Bose (now Bishop) prepared by Joachim Ashim Campoo. The Liturgy was admirably conducted by Fr Kanauj Roy and Fr Tushar Augustine Gomes. Considering Bishop Shyamal Bose’s interest in empowerment through education, it will be quite an engaging task for him to be a Fisher of Men and to teach his flock the Art of Fishing to address unemployment or under-employment in his diocese.

Sr. Inigo Challenges the Religious of Kolkata to be Mystic Missionaries

FR. GILBERT CHOONDAL, SDB

Kolkata: “Kolkata is one of the most beautiful places on earth where great wise people taught through their lives. They were mystics and missionaries of this land. Today’s Religious are called to be mystic missionaries.” These challenging words of Sr. Inigo to CRI of Kolkata City stirred circa 100 Religious who had gathered at the auditorium of the Holy Child School of Sisters of Charity at CIT Road on 6 July 2019.

Former mother general of Sisters of St. Anne of Madras (Madhavaram), Sr. Inigo, is a national Religious celebrity for challenging the status quo of Indian Religious life through her powerful rhetoric. To help them review their religious life, she presented a series of great personalities, beginning with the wise men from Kolkata.

She began her reflections by introducing the life and teaching of St. Mother Teresa, Tagore, Vivekananda, and Subash Chandra Bose. They all sanctified the land of Kolkata in their own ways! Then, she brought in examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela and St. Oscar Romero. “Normally, we Religious always look up to Catholic personages for inspiration. She projected great people from non-Catholic sector for our spirituality,” said one of the participants.

The half day programme at the auditorium was a reflection cum discussion on the theme, 'Commitment in Religious Life'. Sr. Pushpa, the president of CRI-Kolkata ably organised the half day programme well. There were moments of introspection and group sharing on the theme animated by Sr. Inigo.

Preparation for National SCC Hindi Convention

DOMINIC AZAVEDO

Kolkata, June 22-23: Fr. Vijay Thomas, SCC National Coordinator for SCC had organised a two-day animation programme for the SCC animators and Parish Team members in preparation for the National SCC Hindi Convention. After a Bible procession and veneration of the Bible at the Archbishop’s House venue, Fr. Vijay assessed the accommodation position. Till now, 832 Families have offered to welcome the delegates into their homes, provide breakfast and dinner on October 25 and 27, 2019; and also dinner for those who arrive on 24 October.

All Dioceses who are sending delegates to the Kolkata Convention are having their own Convention to be effective in Kolkata. Fr. Vijay recounted being in Bilaspur for the preparatory Convention – about 1000 participants were coming from outside and the Bilaspur people were ready to warmly welcome them into their houses. As people were saying that houses in Kolkata are small, Fr. Vijay gave an anecdote to show this was not relevant, concluding that it is the generosity and the bigness of one’s heart that is seen and not the space in the house. The food offered must also be very simple for people; they are not coming for food, or to see the size of the house but to build fellowship for Christ. “Occasions will pass away but Memories will remain! The First Convention in Goa was held in 2013 and people still have fond memories; and still write and keep contact with each other, this is SCC Fellowship!” Fr. Vijay said.

23 Bishops will be coming for the Convention and hence on 26 October, for the parish exposure day, there will be at least one Bishop per Parish. Fr. Vijay told the participants that they will have to go back and mobilise their parishioners and invite all parishioners on 26 October, when the outside delegates will be their guests.Fr. Vijay emphasised that an SCC Day is a must before the Convention - like a rehearsal. The participants were then put in groups, Parish-wise. All the groups reported that “SCC Day” is being planned and scheduled in July/August, 2019, they are also getting the non-SCC members in the Parishes to be aware of SCC and they are trying to form more SCC groups in the Parishes. Committees for Welcome, Liturgy, Food, Cultural programme, Finance, etc., were being set up according to the programme given to them by Fr. Dominic Gomes, Vicar General and SCC Coordinator for the Calcutta Archdiocese.

On 23 June, the garlanding and aarti was done by Bishop Clement Tirkey of Jalpaiguri (SCC Regional Chairperson for the Bengal/Sikkim region.) Fr. Vijay gave a great session on the Art of Listening – he concluded the session by putting the participants into groups of three: one to talk, one to listen and one to evaluate according to the talk he gave. The programme ended with a meaningful, lively Mass - Fr. Dominic played the synthesizer and guitar, singing in Bengali, Hindi and English. Mrs. Daisy Samuel proposed the Vote of Thanks. Both Fr. Vijay and Fr. Dominic are to be commended for their unceasing hard work towards planning the Convention, and this important animation programme.