ANNUAL BANDEL PILGRIMAGE: OUR LADY OF BANDEL VISITS TWIN CITIES OF HOWRAH & KOLKATA FOR THE FIRST TIME.

 CHRISTINE CRAMER

The attraction towards Our Lady of Bandel sends spirit-filled grace to many young and old to take up the radical challenge to walk the way exploring individual and group devotions with prayers and songs carrying with them candles, flowers and incense. The Annual Pilgrimage is held every year on the second Sunday of January. This year the walking pilgrimage could not be possible due to the Pandemic restrictions and norms in force. Instead a curtailed version of the pilgrimage was organized. The Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB) took the initiative for the first time in history to organize an alternate programme within Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions. The Statue of Our Lady of Bandel was welcomed warmly in the Twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata Parishes. This could only be possible by the committed and dedicated team of three Office Bearers of the Catholic Association of Bengal namely Mrs Angelina Mantosh Jasnani the President. Mr. Colin Fitzgerald the Treasurer and Mrs Margaret Coelho the Assistant Secretary with the coordination of Father Ramesh Cherian. Rector of Auxilium Parish who humbly requested Fr. T L. Francis. Prior of Bandel Basilica to allow the statue to come to the Twin Cities as Marian Devotees could not make the annual pilgrimage on foot this year due to the Pandemic Restrictions. Father John Chain the Parish Priest of Auxilium was very kind to allow the scheduled program at Auxilium Parish. The CAB is very grateful to both Fr Ramesh and Fr John for their generous support. 

The CAB Happy Voyage Church Howrah Parish Unit took charge of the Eucharistic Celebration. Mrs Christine Cramer the President with the unit team members had made all prior arrangements. The Statue arrived at the Church of Our Lady of Happy Voyage Howrah at 11 AM in a tempo decorated with flowers and garlands with beautiful Marian devotional hymns playing in the background. The Parish Priest. Fr. Victor David and Co - Pastor Fr. Devraj Fernandes welcomed Our Dear Mother. The Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic Celebration who sought the blessings for all Pilgrims from Our Lady with showering garlands and venerating her with Aarti. The pilgrims were blessed with Holy Water while entering the Church in a Solemn procession with the Holy Cross in front. The Choir led the faithful with their mesmerizing hymns welcoming Mother Mary by singing Ave Maria. In his homily Fr. Dominic mentioned a miracle of Mrs. Dorin Frazer who was suffering from severe appendicitis pain in 2002 and was rushed to the hospital. In the emergency room she saw the image of Our Lady of Bandel calling her, being under medication, she immediately left for Bandel and drank the Holy Water from the fountain in front of the Grotto. She was instantly cured and the pain disappeared. This testimony of Mrs Dorin Frazer is a MIRACLE done by Mother Mary. She is always listening to our prayers when we tall to her in difficult times. Being the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ too. Fr. Dominic also mentioned the role of Mother Mary in the Baptism of our Lord. After the Mass tea and biscuits was served to all pilgrims by the CAB Howrah Unit Members. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Colin Fitzgerald. Thereafter the Statue was taken to Auxilium Church Gobra. The procession was vehicular. Those pilgrims who wished to walk at their own pace did so. The Parish Priest of McMinn Fr John Chalil and Fr. Remesh Cherian the Rector of Auxilium Retreat Centre welcomed Our Lady at the Gates of the Church with a group of women showering flowers and garlands on Mother singing hymn too. The second hall of the day schedule began at 2 PM. The Auxilium Men group 'Kirtans' sang Marian Hymns. giving praise to Mother Mary. At 2.45 PM the rosary procession began with the statue going around the compound of the Church with devotional hymns. Thereafter the pilgrims who walked from Howrah to Auxilium were blessed. A group of Women belonging to the Bengali Congregation put up a dance performance to welcome Our Lady of Bandel. At 3.30 PM a powerful Charismatic one hour Eucharistic Adoration was conducted by Fr. Ramesh Cherian The laity raising their hands glorying and worshiping Our Lunt with Shouts of Alleluia and Praises. with the Charismatic Choir singing soft hymns felt the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in Church. Children, Men, Women, youth,elderly all participated in the Adoration and Benediction. A Solemn Eucharistic Celebration followed soon after the Adoration and Benediction Fr Dominic Gomes. Vicar General, Fr Orson Wells. Fr Anthony Paul, Fr John Chalil, Fr Remesh Cherian,Fr. Moloy D'Costa the Dean of Kolkata who was the main celebrant together served Holy Man. The Man was celebrated in Bengali. The homily was given by Fr. Orson Wells the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Vailankanni. Picnic Garden. He very beautifully spoke on the devotion of Mother Mary and elaborated on her help whenever we reach out to her in prayers. She is our Mediator to her Son Jesus Christ. All the pilgrims received a blessed photo of St Joseph being the year dedicated to St. Joseph and Rosaries distributed by the CAB Members. The day ended with refreshments generously contributed by the Auxilium Volunteers. 

Obituary: Rev. Fr. Siluvai Pitchai Man with a Golden heart

Rev. Siluvai Pitchai left behind a legacy of compassionate and selfless service to God and humanity. His minute concern for the poor the downtrodden and the marginalized reveals his huge heart that was meant to love all irrespective of who they were, rich and poor people of other faith and culture. His passing away has given shock to many miles faithful feel that they have become now 'sheep without shepherd'. This was not his age to least them who loved their pastor genuinely. To the dignitaries and common folk he executed same love and with dignity. Fr. Pitchai was one of the finest personalities among the clergy. All loved him for his inclusiveness and towards building healthy presbyterian fellowship and friendship. Rarely one encounters such pastors in life. In our diocesan endeavors he was my colleague in the Archdiocese of Calcutta. He was gentle, kind unassuming and very welcoming. His loving smile spoke louder than his words. He showed great hospitality to all, to his many guests and visitors to the CathedraL lk was available to all and was a model 'Servant Leader. Ile was ordained on April 24. 1990. A soft-spoken priest of God and with a big heart to induce all in his pastoral care. Both as a pastor in different parishes, i.e. Bamandanga and The Cathedral and as a Headmaster. he inherited his commitment to the mission entrusted to him. He did all that with great love for God's greater glory and with joy to everyone. There are hundreds of testimonies from his 'field hospital' those who were under his care and attention. Sr joan of Arc. MC. Superior of Missionaries of Charity. Nimtola said. les a huge loss for the Church in Kolkata. He was so kind and generous to all. His hospitality was unique. Ile was the 'man for the other'. During Christmas became to share his joy of Christmas with all the physically challenged children with cake. His sensitivity to the pastoral are was unique. Even though he had his health issues he never disclosed how' he felt. He empathized with those who suffered pain due to various reasons. He was a great pastor of souls.' 

A parishioner Mrs. Anuja Liang who lives in the heart of a whole sale market near Poddar Court spontaneously shed tears at the demise of Fr. Pitchai She said crying, We don't understand why he left us behind. This was not the time for him to go. We are now without a shepherd. He cased for us very sincerely he knew our needs. He organized novena to Our Lady of Vailankanni this year. He wanted to begin the novena to St. Anthony. Besides regular recollections during our liturgical year retreat once a year. During his tenure our spiritual life improved. He made us to take active part in liturgy through singing and prayers. He spoke little but his actions spoke louder. We all will miss him so much. We feel that we are pushed into the darkness. He was very special to us and we shall pray that God gives him eternal rest. Now that he is no more with us he will pray for us from heaven." In the heart of the busy thoroughfare and the biggest wholesale market in Asia, he witnessed the struggles of the people daily whose main concern was the survival. More so, during the pandemic Covid 19 that affected the lives of millions across the world. He reached out to all the faithful those who lived in fear and anxiety day in day out.The sufferings of flight separation of families isolation loneliness and extreme poverty discouragement and despair are some of the concerns of our post-modem pastoral care. His commitment to the cause of Kingdom values were immense. In his own way he tried to rebuild their hope and lives. The words of Pope Francis in 'Esangelli Gaudium' fits well with his life and mission."If we are to share our lives with others and generously give of ourselves we also have to realize that every person is worthy of ow giving. Not for their physical appearance their abilities their language their way of thinking or for any satisfaction that we might receive but rather because they are God's handiwork his creation. God created that person in his image and he or she reflects something of God's glory. Every human being is the object of God's infinite tenderness and he himself is present in their lives. If I can help at least one person to have a better life that already justifies the offering of my life. It is a wonderful thing to be God's faithful people. We achieve fulfillment when we break down walls and our heart is filled with faces and names!'

May his soul rest in peace! 

COVID-19 and CHRISTMAS-20

 

The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light, and on those who lived in the shadow of death, light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2). 

COVID-19 experience was an experience of darkness and shadow of death when the entire world was affected by the pandemic.Surrounded by the fear of death, mankind took to measures hitherto unknown and unfamiliar such as lockdown for months bringing life to a standstill. Places of worship remained closed and crises in different sectors affected human life. In our own country, the scenes of migrant workers returning home covering hundreds of kilometres of distance on foot and without food, will remain ever fresh in our memory! Darkness and shadow of death enveloped the world during this time. The "shadow" has its "light" too.

Thanks to lockdown,mother earth breathed a sigh of relief and returned to its "pristine" freshness. Families found more time to be together in sharing life and in prayer. People, both individuals and groups, helped the poor with an unprecedented generosity. Health protocols, online classes and meetings, webinars and conferences became the "new normals"! The service by doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, police and the ordinary workers who maintained the general services at the risk of their own lives, was truly heroic! CHRISTMAS-20 is bringing light of hope, peace and joy to all because Jesus Christ the Light has come into the world! When the world is helpless and afraid, the presence of Jesus amidst us gives us cause for confidence and joy. The birth of Jesus as a human being gives value to our human life. Jesus humbled himself to share in our humanity by becoming a human being so that we may share in the mystery of his divinity. To live as a Christian is essentially to love God and to love our fellow human beings. Let us live this love with maximum intensity: Let us have the humility to see Jesus incarnate very specially in the poor, the elderly, the sick and the needy. I wish all the readers of THE HERALD a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a PEACE-FILLED 2021.