Reviewing of SCC program in Midnapore.

FR DOMINIC GOMES VG

On 14 February 2022. an important SCC meeting was held at Sacred Heart Church in Kharagpur to review the progress of SCC growth in the Midnapore Deanery. The meeting was called by Fr. Dominic Gomes (SCC Diocesan Coordinator). It was attended by Fr. Reginald Fernandes (Dean of Midnapore, Fr Gregory Montiero,Fr Mohan Mandi, Ft. Sudhir Tudu, Fr. Sebastian Xalxo SJ, Sisters , Mr. Raphael Mandi, (Coordinators for SCC In Midnapore) and Mr Pabitro Joseph (Common Good Program. Seva Kendra Calcutta. One of the main points of concern taken up for discussion was the rather slow growth of SCC activities. In the Deanery mainly due to the slowdown caused by the restrictions following fears of a (Covid third wave) In January this year. In last October a very comprehensive animation workshop was held for SCC lay and religious facilitators from all the Parishes in the Deanery. Following this workshop extensive plans were made for the expansion of set and the participants went back very enthused. However, people naturally got engaged in other activities during the Advent season and for Christmas celebrations followed by covid restrictions in January,2022.

It was also felt at the meeting that because of Parishes being situated over a wide geographical area, it was difficult to monitor and guide grassroot based programs like SCC on the ground. So the Parishes were listed into six different zones according to their proximity to each other and a person suitably stationed was appointed to guide the Parishes In these Zones, There is already an extensive program drawn up for the Deanery so that the division of area and responsibilities will greatly facilitate monitoring and guiding the SCC units in the parishes. For overall coordination, it was decided that Mr. Raphael will send the details of his program and work at the end of every week to Fr. Reginald Fernandez who will then inform the Zone in-Charge to facilitate the programs in the respective Parishes. Also, another refresher-cum-advanced workshop will be organised sown on the theme of "SCC Evangelizes Families" for the facilitators who had attended the previous meeting. 

Feeding of the Poor at Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary, Kolkata.

On 5th of February 2022 at 12.00 noon, The Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary with the generous support of AnnBandhu foundation inaugurated the feeding of the poor programme in the presence of Mr. Mahesh Kumar Sharma. the Councilor of ward no 42 of Burrabazar area in Kolkata. This programme was the initiative of Fr. Franklin Menezes, the Pro Vicar of Cathedral of the Most Holy .

Rosary to feed the poor people of the area. The inaugural programme began with prayer song from Rabindra Sangeeth. sung by the Bethany Sisters of the Parish. The feeding programme was begun with the prayer and by distributing the meals to 140 poor people of the area. The programme provides the nutritious vegetarian meal for Rs. 6- for six days of the week except on Sundays. 

This meal is cooked at community kitchen run by AnnBandhu foundation with the help of general's donors and distributed to the feeding centres with the motto 'food for all". The programme was welcomed by the local councilor and appreciated by the local people as the ministry of God to feed the poor. Fr. Soumitra Makhal was the emcee of the day.