Free Fruit Plant Distribution by CAB.

FRANCIS SUNIL ROSARIO

Kolkata: At the initiative of CAB President, Mrs. Angelina Mantosh Jasnani, a free plant distribution was organized to visit North 24 Parganas Deanery on Aug 13 among the beneficiaries of this project were Sisters of Charity, Gerosa /Oasis Convent, Barasat, Providence sisters, Missionaries of Charity, Green Park, John Mary Vianney Minor Seminary, Novitiate, Daughters of the Cross, (FC) and Proggaloy, Diocesan Pastoral and Development Centre. Collaborating with the Forest Department, West Bengal, the honourable Minister of disaster Janab Jawed Khan, the Police, the CAB President took this initiative to visit the centers to distribute 1500 plants free of cost. Distributing free fruit plants was to cooperate with the concerned departments towards protecting environment and promoting Green revolution. After distributing hundreds of such fruit plants, there are still in the stock.

Before these get over, the institutions interested may contact the CAB office in Kolkata. Due to Super cyclone Amphan (May 20), West Bengal suffered colossal damages. Many fruit trees and vegetation were uprooted. The poor and the marginalized suffered the most. Some drastic changes in India’s environmental policies recently goes against environmental concerns in favor of profit by the corporate sectors, devaluing and even destroying the lives of million of Indians. The natural disasters are not under our control, however the roots of our collective failure to be stewards of creation is due to some destructive policies implemented at the cost of the most vulnerable in society becomes our matter of deep concern. 

The encyclical of Holy Father, Pope Francis, ‘Laudato Si’ is a call to address the fragile ecosystems that are deeply encroached, polluted and destroyed. Distribution of free plants is to find a set of solutions to environmental problems caused by some natural environmental disasters. This encyclical also calls all humanity towards a Free Fruit Plant Distribution by CAB, Kolkata spirituality and spiritual tradition, and to educate people in regard to proper treatment of the environment. Due to lockdown, such input sessions could not be organized for the children, to conscientize them and to teach them the ways to protect environment and  God’s creation, project like, ‘plant a tree and nurture that’. One of the concerns of Holy Father Pope Francis is to protect God’s creation and our environment. His encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, speaks thus, “…our common home is falling into serious disrepair” and “the Gospel of Creation,” explains why this should be of concern not only to Catholics but to all humanity by considering our place in creation. The encyclical highlights, some of the environmental problems specific to our day and how they impact especially the poor: pollution, climate change, scarcity of drinking water, loss of biodiversity, and human isolation from nature. 

Creation belongs to God who entrusts it to us to have a dominion over it; this involves cultivating the earth to satisfy human needs and keeping the earth by protecting and preserving it, both because of the inherent goodness of the creatures it contains and because these diverse creatures give glory to God and lead us to knowledge of God. Contrary to what some environmentalists maintain, human beings are not just one species among others, but rather the existence of each individual human “presupposes a direct action of God and a particular call to life” (par. 81). May the initiative of CAB bear much fruits in their creative action towards protecting environment and God’ s creation. This will help this oldest Lay association to reach out to those living in the margins of our society. They are the beloved of God and CAB can do wonders to help them to gain dignity and life.

Fortis celebrates Independence Day with discharge of 94 year old COVID patient .

KOLKATA : The 74th  Independence Day became truly special for Fortis Hospital Anandapur today as it also coincided with freedom from COVID-19 for a 94 year old priest from Don Bosco who hoisted the tricolour becoming a symbol of hope and clinical excellence. Reverend Father Peter Vincent Lourdes from Don Bosco was diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to a private nursing home. He was eventually brought to Fortis Hospital and was being treated under the supervision of Dr Basab Bijoy Sarkar, Consultant Internal Medicine at Fortis Anandapur.

After days of treatment he was tested negative and regained his strength in due course. Today the Father hoisted the tri-colour in presence of the doctors, nurses and caregivers to celebrate the Independence Day. He was later wheeled out to a big round of applause from everyone at Fortis. "My oldest COVID patient Rev. Fr. Peter. won the battle against coronavirus and is going home today. It was heart-warming to see him so happy. Really a great honour and pleasure for me to be able to cure him and send him back home, fit and rule", said Dr Basab. We are very happy with the care that has been provided by all the doctors and staff at Fortis. 

While he was admitted, he was unable to recall our faces. Now that he has recovered, he recognises us. We are delighted he has returned to his normal health and doing so well," added one of Father's associates. Mrs Richa Singh Debgupta, Senior Vice President at Fortis Healthcare Ltd said, "Fortis Hospital group is putting its best efforts to fight the battle against COVID-19. It is very encouraging to see the way the team is tirelessly working towards recovery of each and every patient. It was humbling to hear from Fr. Peter's associates that they feel like he has been given a new life". 

A Tale of Two Priests: Two Years in Two Days!

Fr. Gilbert Choondal SDB

It was a new world for me when I reached Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata on 5 June 2018 after twenty years in Bangalore. The following day, when I went to the chapel early morning to pray, I saw a frail priest sitting alone praying with the fan in maximum speed. It was so hot then. Coming from an airconditioned city like Bangalore, Kolkata was like a burning hell for me that morning. He introduced himself and told me: "Fr. Gilbert, if you wish, you can put on the AC. It is quite hot here." That was the first face of Fr. AC in my life. He was the first one to introduce about the life at Nitika Don Bosco. During the breakfast, I came across another priest, Fr. MC Mathew who was limping and walking towards the dining Hall. 

He had a subtle smile. He introduced himself and his illness, Parkinson's Disease. These two priests made lasting impression in my life for the past two years. But, within a span of two days both were gone. Fr. AC Jose was a man of multiple faces. I saw him spending long hours in the chapel especially at 3 pm daily. He was there to help me in my catechetical ministry with his compositions of Biblical rhymes. He personally encouraged me for all my new catechetical initiatives at Nitika. I saw him regularly leaving for Charismatic prayer at a church in the city on every Wednesday. During lockdown, He continued the service by sending recorded adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with his talks for the faithful on Wednesdays. 

The other face of Fr. AC was more visible to the locality around. He was the face of the poor at Nitika Don Bosco. He introduced the parallel tuition for slum children at Nitika Don Bosco where circa 400 children benefit free education and food. His love for the poor was obvious at the slum at Kapali Bagan.(about two kilometres from Nitika). Once I had the privilege to visit this slum along with Fr. Mathew George who was his close collaborator and see for myself this living proof of his charity-works. He continued to serve and feed the poor of this area without interruption from the day one of Lockdown. It was touching to see the visuals of their homage to Fr. AC after hearing about his death. I had the privilege of being the part of his food for the poor by feeding 400 poor people during my jubilee sponsored by my family.

He organised the feeding and asked me to serve them. Amidst all other unwanted celebrations, this event was a memorable moment of Grace in my life. Fr. MC Mathew came to my life as a person who was struggling with his own body. The man who was able to speak and walk a little could not speak much or walk the last months of his life. He was gradually becoming weak finally confined to wheel chair and bed. His inability to move and speak made him silent witness to our own community life. Seeing him sitting alone in his chair or lying in his bed and occasionally tears falling from his eyes were not that uncommon sight in the last few months. He had his share of physical and mental pain. He was prepared well to meet his creator the week before he met Him. Thanks to his brother, Fr. Cyriac and Fr. Patrick Lepcha who prepared him well and he had a peaceful death on 17 July 2020. While his body was taken to Bondel Church, I had to take Fr. AC to Fortis Hospital that day evening.

Fr. AC had developed difficulties with regard to prostate related issues and grown weak. He was saying en route that he might not return. I had to enthuse him to be positive and proactive. The man who blessed many people passed silently to the emergency ward in Fortis as I was the last one to accompany him. Hardly anyone knew that was his last journey. It was shocking for me to receive the death news from Fortis on 19 July evening and communicate to other fathers. He has run his race. He was elated to meet his Creator to hear His Words: "When I was hungry, you gave me food (Mat. 25:35)." Adieu Fr. AC. You are still alive in and around Nitika. You actualised the words of St. Chrysostom to the poor of Nitika Don Bosco Locality "Do not honour the Eucharistic Christ with silk vestments, and then, leaving the church, neglect the other Christ suffering from cold and nakedness (St. John Chrysostom from 4th Cent.)." Dear Frs, MC and AC. as you enjoy His everlasting presence, pray for me, a sinner, now and at the hour of my death, Amen.