SCC Day Commemoration at Christ the King Church

SCC Day Commemoration at Christ the King Church, on November 6, 2022. The celebration began with a Bible procession led by a devotional group dance. The Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes, ceremoniously enthroned the Holy Bible, which was followed by the veneration of the Bible and solemn Eucharistic Mass cocelebrated by the parish priests, Fr. Basil Mandi and Fr. Ananda Haldar. In order to create a sense of expectation, solemnity, and reverence before the procession entered the church, Mrs. Lynette D' Souza, the day's moderator, spoke to the congregation about the significance of the enthronement of the bible and how they should honour it on ceit is held toward them. A sense of expectation, solemnity, and reverence was created before the procession entered the church by Mrs. Lynette D' Souza, who served as the moderator for the day. She informed the congregation of the significance of the enthronement of the bible and instructed them on how to revere it once it was held toward them.

A brief summary of the BEC/SCC was provided by Dr. Linda Louis, the SCC Parish Coordinator , who also highlighted how the BEC embodies all the traits of a real synod: lay people, clergy, and religious groups travelling side by side in unity. A quick summary of the numerous events that took place over the year was given to the entire congregation. In his moving homily, Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes discussed the importance of the SCC/BEC in the Church and how Pope Francis places a strong emphasis on a synodal church. He spoke brilliantly about life and life beyond death. Additionally, he exhorted the congregation to affiliate with the SCC/BEC, which currently satisfies all synodality requirements.

After the communion, the Secretary, Mrs. Jacqueline Tandon, expressed her gratitude to the main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes, as well as to all the priests, choirs, action bodies, and parishioners in attendance who had packed the church for the celebration, and added to the significance of the day.

Light refreshment s were offered to the members and other parishioners in the church hall shortly after the Holy Mass.The parish priest Fr. Basil Mandi, gave a welcome talk after the Bible enthronement ceremony, which marked the start of the day’s activities.

Following the lighting of the lamp by Fr. Dominic Gomes, Dr. Linda Louis, Mrs. Glynis Vincent, a member of the parish council, and Mr. Mazumdar, a parishioner, Dr. Linda Louis, the parish coordinator, delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining the history, development, and future goals. She also focused on how each unit conducted their Gospel Sharing meetings each month and the types of Action Plans carried out through the presentation and the charts of various units depicting the tasks. For the purpose of helping newcomer s and current members understand the fundamental tenets of BEC, Sr. Rashmi Soreng delivered a brief overview of the Four Marks of BEC, which are: ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC church.

Thereafter, the moderator, Mrs. Lynette D'Souza, made an announcement for the cultural programme. After the SCC/BEC kids and members led a devotional dance and song, a performance based on Matthew chapter 25 and a quiz on the Gospel of John were presented. The finest part of the day was how animatedly the room buzzed each time a new question was put to them. By including the congregation and members in action songs and energising and encouraging the throng, Sr. Rajni and Sr. Rashmi kept the momentum going. The parish priest, Fr. Basil Mandi, thanked everyone for helping to make the SCC day a success and also noted that everyone needed to give the Lord the first priority and be devoted and dedicated in the mission taken. He then extended an invitation to a delectable fellowship lunch to the entire crowd.

Everyone was closely observing the charts of the various units that were on display while eating their lunch. It was a happy and fulfilling moment when they gave their positive feedback because many were influenced, inspired and motivated by the presentation and the powerful life changing testimonies shared by certain members. Following lunch, all the facilitators stayed behind to praise the Lord for the day through prayers and gospel sharing.

Mega Bible Convention and Healing Prayer in Kolkata

 On 25th, 26th and 27th October 2022, after two years’ gap due to Covid Pandemic, Fatima Charismatic Prayer Group organised a Mega Bible Convent ion and Healing Prayer, at Holy Child School,CIT Road, Kolkata-14. Around 3,000 faithful turned up, from far and near, to listen to the Word of God, praise and worship Him, and participate in Healing Services.Fr George Arackal V.C. -Director,Divine Voice Retreat Centre, Chopra , North Dinajpur was the Chief Preacher . Each day’s programme comprised : Invocation of the Holy Spirit,Reading of short scripture passages, their amplification by Fr Arackal, Holy Eucharist, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. On 25th October Bishop Emeritus Salvadore Lobo celebrated the Holy Eucharist. He said every baptized Christian is called upon to preach the Good News. He recalled US President Abraham Lincoln who said that the Bible (the most widely-read book on earth), is the best gift God has given to humans, to understand right from the wrong.

On 26th, Fr Dominic Gomes- Vicar General, Archdiocese of Calcutta spoke on Luke 13:22- 30 where Jesus said: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.... those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” He exhorted the audience to be rock-solid in their faith. On the concluding day’s Eucharist Fr Ramesh Cherian- Director, Auxilium Parish Renewal Centre, said “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24). He felt for Christianity to grow in India more martyrs are needed; and except the Kandhamal (Orissa) carnage, Indian Christians have not faced much persecution as Europe has. Had it been so, Christians in India would have been more than 2.3%now. The gems of wisdom from Fr George Arackal’s engrossing preaching are: 

• “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19–20). By praying and reading the Bible we invite His Spirit among us.

• One does not have to be a Christian to follow Christ.Christ is for all.

• We must give up all superstitions – cat crossing the road, ill omen, horse shoe on doorposts for protection.

• To live Christ-centred lives we must forget others’ past faults, and reconcile/renew ourselves to save our souls including those of others, in sync with the Convention’s theme: “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isiah 65:17).

• We must cut ourselves off from harmful persons, habits, greed for money, addiction (alcohol, drugs, mobiles, carnal pleasures, etc).

• Jesus served the destitute and the sick irrespective of caste, creed and colour.

• Jesus was totally sinless. Even when the high priests accused Jesus and the mob bayed for his blood, Pontius Pilate declared him faultless. Even then Jesus made the supreme sacrifice by dying on the cross to redeem us from sin – “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18).

• Jesus’ mission is to promote Life, not death. On the concluding day, Fr Arackal prayed for the recovery of the sick. He blessed children, students and married couples. Many bore witness that they had recovered from numerous long - standing ailments thanks to Fr Arackal’s powerful intercession. Credit for smoothly organising the event goes to the team work of Fr James - Spiritual Director, Fr Amar Bagh-CSSR Director, Probodh Ray, Richard Gilbert, Subhas Das, Vincent Biswas, Jerome Gomes (Catering In-charge), sisters of Holy Child School for magnanimously offering their school premises and the wonderful choir.

—ByISAACHAROLDGOMES