Kolkata: The evaluation of the SCC National Hindi Convention proved a great energizer to the Kolkata Archdiocese in its effort to progress the SCC which has been existing in the Archdiocese for the past 30 years. The evaluation was held at Archbishop’s House on 9th November, 2019. In spite of the bad weather conditions, due to cyclone Bulbul, on 9th November 2019, the Religious Priests, Sisters and lay Animators attended the meeting held in Archbishop’s House at 10:00 am. The Meeting started with a Bible procession, a song sung by Fr. Dominic Gomes, Vicar General, and the participants.
The Word of God was read in Hindi and Bengali. Words of appreciation were given by Fr. Dominic Gomes, to the Parish Priests, Sisters and lay Cooperators who came forward to make the National
Hindi Convention a great success. He also apologized for some issues which went wrong as regards transport, etc. on 25th October, the first day of the Convention.
There was a sharing session, from the parishes, which iterated that the SCC must be spread in the Kolkata Archdiocese in order to strengthen the faith of each other. Many Parishes expressed that though the weather was bad, the people moved with full support and dedication to meet the delegates at the railway stations/airport or and to pick the outstation delegates from their parishes and take them to the houses/parishes/institutions. They also shared how difficult it was in the beginning to convince
the parishioners to keep the delegates in their homes but as time came near, the parishioners just came forward themselves and volunteered to play host to the delegates. There were some delegates who reached at midnight, but that also did not stop the families from welcoming them into their homes.
The 26th October 2019 “Exposure Program” held in every parish was a real lifetime memory event, as in most of the parishes all the parishioners participated and gave support in whatever way possible. It made everyone realise that neither age nor color comes in the way when everyone comes
together as one family in Christ. Everyone realized that the Holy Spirit was present and working through each and every member so nothing could affect whether it was the bad weather condition or transport not reaching on time or even if it did not reach, everyone was at the St. Xavier’s College Ground on the 25th and 27th October 2019.
The touching point of our delegates staying with us was that they became a part of our families. There was no barrier of language and they too, like family members, visited houses around them. The
departure made great impact on our Parishioners. They were in tears while departing from each other. As a result, they are now in touch with them. Some parishes have made WhatsApp groups. Some offered gifts as a token of their love and the outstation guests also too have invited them to their houses. Some of the points to reflect and a strong message given by Father Soosai, it was that it was
an extraordinary moment of Grace descended on all. We now need to capture this beautiful opportunity and not allow it to fade but keep our churches alive vibrantly with SCCs – the grassroot Churches in every neighborhood. The meeting ended with a fellowship meal.
The Word of God was read in Hindi and Bengali. Words of appreciation were given by Fr. Dominic Gomes, to the Parish Priests, Sisters and lay Cooperators who came forward to make the National
Hindi Convention a great success. He also apologized for some issues which went wrong as regards transport, etc. on 25th October, the first day of the Convention.
There was a sharing session, from the parishes, which iterated that the SCC must be spread in the Kolkata Archdiocese in order to strengthen the faith of each other. Many Parishes expressed that though the weather was bad, the people moved with full support and dedication to meet the delegates at the railway stations/airport or and to pick the outstation delegates from their parishes and take them to the houses/parishes/institutions. They also shared how difficult it was in the beginning to convince
the parishioners to keep the delegates in their homes but as time came near, the parishioners just came forward themselves and volunteered to play host to the delegates. There were some delegates who reached at midnight, but that also did not stop the families from welcoming them into their homes.
The 26th October 2019 “Exposure Program” held in every parish was a real lifetime memory event, as in most of the parishes all the parishioners participated and gave support in whatever way possible. It made everyone realise that neither age nor color comes in the way when everyone comes
together as one family in Christ. Everyone realized that the Holy Spirit was present and working through each and every member so nothing could affect whether it was the bad weather condition or transport not reaching on time or even if it did not reach, everyone was at the St. Xavier’s College Ground on the 25th and 27th October 2019.
The touching point of our delegates staying with us was that they became a part of our families. There was no barrier of language and they too, like family members, visited houses around them. The
departure made great impact on our Parishioners. They were in tears while departing from each other. As a result, they are now in touch with them. Some parishes have made WhatsApp groups. Some offered gifts as a token of their love and the outstation guests also too have invited them to their houses. Some of the points to reflect and a strong message given by Father Soosai, it was that it was
an extraordinary moment of Grace descended on all. We now need to capture this beautiful opportunity and not allow it to fade but keep our churches alive vibrantly with SCCs – the grassroot Churches in every neighborhood. The meeting ended with a fellowship meal.
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