A TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS LUCAS SIRKAR SDB

THE FINAL FAREWELL

Most Rev. Lucas Sirkar (84) S.D.B Archbishop Emeritus of Calcutta passed away on Sunday. 18 April, 2021 at 1pm at Aradhana Mandir. Krishnagar. West Bengal due to cardiac arrest. His funeral took place at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Redeemer at Krishnagar on Tuesday 20 April. 2021 at 10. am Archbishop Lucas was the Metropolitan Archbishop of Calcutta from 2002 to 2012 and the Bishop of Krishnagar from 1984 to 2000 He was born on 24 September 1936 at Barisol in Bangladesh. He pined the congregation of Salesians of Don Bosco and ordained priest on 20 April 1968. At the age of 47 he was appointed as the seventh Bishop of Krishnagar diocese in West Bengal on 22 June 1984 and ordained Bishop on 22 September 1904. His Holiness Pope St. John Paul Second appointed him as the Coadjutor Archbishop of Calcutta on 14 April 2000. At the age of 65 he succeeded Most Rev. Henry Sebastian D'Souza and became the Archbishop of Calcutta on 2 April 2002. On 23 February 2012. Pope Benedict XVI accepted Archbishop Sirkar's request for resignation, citing advanced age. On retirement. Archbishop Sirkar spent several years as a priest and member of the Salesian community of Bandel Basilica ministering to pilgrims at historical Marian shrine of Our Lady of Happy Voyage. Archbishop Sirkar founded two congregations Adoration Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Adoration Brothers of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. St Mother Teresa of Kolkata once asked Bishop Sirkar to have religious engaged in Eucharistic adoration in each parish. The two congregations are his answer to her request. Archbishop Sirkar never came on the way of creative ministries. He was supportive. He was well grounded at the grassroots. He loved the poor, the downtrodden and those most marginalized in our society He is priest for 52 years and bishop for 36 years .

The funeral service started at 10 am in the Cathedral of Krishnagar Diocese on 20th April 2021. Bishops present were: Bishop Syamol Bose of Baruipur. Fulgens Tigga of Raiganj, Salvador Lobo Apostolic Adm of Asansol. Bishop Emeritus Joseph Comes of Krishnagar. His Grace Archbishop Thomas D'Souza Apostolic Adm of diocese of Krishnagar officiated the funeral services. There were prints from all the Parishes of the diocese of Krishnagar Fr Moly D'Costa represented the clergy of Kolkata Archdiocese. Before the Eucharistic celebration began there was laying of wreaths by the main celebrant Archbishop Thomas D'Souza, followed Bishops, Priests, representative, Sisters congregations In the diocese, the laity etc.. 

Rich tributes to the late Archbishop were given by the Apostolic Adm. Archbishop Thomas D'souza and others Archbishop Thomas read out the condolence messages from Secretary of Evangelization of Peoples, Home and from the Apostolic Nunciature, New Delhi. It was followed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria SDB the Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The life sketch of Bishop Lucas was given by Sr. Martina. Adoration Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary founded by Bishop Lucas, and others : Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI, Sisters of Charity etc... The Funeral oration was delivered by Emeritus Bishop Joseph Comes SUN of Krishnagar Diocese. lie highlighted the great missionary spirit of late Bishop Lucas Sircar and his simplicity of life. Bishop Lucas was a great Missionary. 

EASTER RALLY - A WITNESS TO CHRIST’S RESURRECTION

 DOMINIC AND SYBIL AZAVEDO

Kolkata: The Easter Sunday Rally on 4th April 2021 from Bishop's College, Beck Bagan to St James School gave an opportunity once again after a gap of a year due to Corona virus to give witness to the people of Kolkata that Christians do believe in the Resurrection and that Christ lives even today. Thanks to the Calcutta Diocese of the (Church of North India (CNI) kit taking the initiative for the rally like other years. When the proposal to have the Easter Rally this year was taken to the leaders of the Churches, starting with Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Calcutta, all were very enthusiastic. Of course, It was kept at a low key by organising it only from one point. Bishop's College to St. James' School Ground Instead of from the four points as was being done in the past years and saw to it that everyone was wearing a mask. Those who did not have, were given from the 200 kept for the purpose. At 4.30 pm.. the Rt Rev Bishop Paritosh Canning (CNI) started the procession with a prayer in Bengali at Bishop's College along with the parishioners of Christ the King Church.The enthusiasm and exuberance demonstrating the lay of the Risen Lord could he seen by the roadside and side buildings' people by the dancing, singing and shouting and by the nearly 100 placards made by the CNI. In the hands of the participants showing that the Lord has Risen and is alive even today (leads of Churches and Educational Institution were walling at St. James ground for the procession. Among the heads were Rev. Ivan Satyavrata, Senior Pastor of the Assembly of God Church; Rev. Abir Adhikari, Vice-President of the Calcutta Diocese. CNI: Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta; Pastor Asis Senate of Calinga Baptist Church; John Ghosh Secretary CNI Calcutta Diocese: Terence Ireland Principal of St. James' School: and Fr. Dominic Gomes. Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta and many others. The faithful were greeted by the beautiful singing and music of Rev. Nilav Kolay and his team at the Praise and Worship session. Rev. James Gomez, Vicar of St. James' Church, welcomed the congregation. Rev. Sukrit Roy said the Opening Prayer.

Archbishop Thomas In his short but inspiring speech said that the situation today of corona virus. elections. etc.. allows us to focus more on the Risen Lord. For one year, our churches were closed and worship in common was not held but God in his Providence has made us aware that we are together despite our handicaps and difficulties_ We have come today to express the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today we do not have a large gathering,but we must remember what the Lord said that where two or three are there, He is there.What unites us is divine but what divides us is human. Jesus has destroyed death and he is now with us. Scripture Readings were done In Bengali by Sr. Suchitra Bodhak, in Hindi by Mr Baldev Kayak of the Salvation Army, and in English by Rev. Dr. JC Lalramnainam of the Mizo Synod Mission. Kolkata. Greetings were shared by Rev. Abir .Adhikari Vice president of the Calcutta Diocese CNI. he told the congregation that the backdrop lines on the stage were the inspirational lines from Rt Rev Bishop Paritosh Canning (CNI)

After Rev Ivan Satyavrata's greetings. Rev. Martin A. Pakhare who worked hard to organise and see to the smooth functioning of the evening programme, on behalf of the United Christians of Kolkata proposed the vote of thanks. Pastor Asis Sarkar said the Closing Prayer and gave the final Blessing. A word of thanks was specially given to Mr. Francis Ganpat. Secretary of the Ecumenical Commission of Calcutta Archdiocese, for getting all the Volunteers for the program and helping Rev Martin to see to the methodical movement of the events of the evening.