Regional Family Commission – West Bengal &Sikkim Trains Laity in Family Apostolate

 The Family Commission of the West Bengal & Sikkim Region conducted two training programs for the priests, religious and laity in Family Apostolate. The South Zone event was conducted from 7 - 9 February at Proggaloy, Barasat and for the North Zone it was from 14-16 February at Seva Kendra, Siliguri. 

Fr. Joseph Biswas, the Regional Secretary of the Family Commission took the initiatives of brushing up the content of the Marriage Preparation Course under the title, “Skills for a Happy Marriage” that will be followed in the eight dioceses of West Bengal & Sikkim Region.

The topics included: Vision of Marriage, Know yourself and your partner, Effective Communication in Marriage, Budgeting and Practical Aspects, Prayer and Fidelity in Marriage, Marriage Law, Sex and Sexuality, Responsible Parenthood and Conflict Management. A note on Tribal Marriage Ritual was added later on. While the Syllabus given by the CCBI commission for Family is followed, the local concerns are also addressed.

The delegates included priests and nuns and maximum being lay people from respective dioceses. While 30 attended in the South Zone, some 90 attended in the North Zone. Delivering the key note address at the opening of the session at Seva Kendra, Siliguri, Bishop Vincent Aind said, “Our call is to move from human family towards a Holy Family.Man makes family, finally, it is family that makes man.”He added, “Devoid of human love and affection, man is prone to lower himself to the state of animal.”

At the end of the training program each diocese prepared their action plan. Bagdogra diocese came out strongly to form team of resource persons and has planned to have a training program in the near future. The diocesan Secretaries of the commission are fully involved in training their resource team.

The following were the resource persons for the training program in the two zones: Jaya Doloi, Rita Rai, Basil Bhutia, Rajen Banerjee, Jesuraj Kumar Reddy, Gloria and Gerald D’Rozario, John Lobo, Gurupada Doloi, Bishop Vincent Aind, Fr. Joseph Biswas, Fr. Uttam Naskar and Fr. Gnana Peppin

Fr. Dominic Gomes recieves Mother Teresa Award

Fr. Dominic Gomes , Vicar General of the Archdiocese received the prestigious Mother Teresa International Award for social work at a glittering function held on the 23rd of January, 2023 at the St. James’ School, auditorium. Fr. Dominic was conferred the award for social work in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the poor and the marginalised in the Archdiocese of Kolkata. The Chief Guest, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Mr Andalib Elias along with Rev P.S.P. Raju, Former CNI Bishop of Calcutta presented the Award to Fr. Dominic in the presence of several dignitaries from the city and Bangladesh. 

Fr. Dominic in his acceptance speech dedicated the award to the poorest of the poor emulating the example set by St. Teresa of Calcutta. He stated that he was greatly indebted to Mother Teresa for her indelible inspiration in his priestly life. He further reiterated that Mother taught us to recognise many types of poverty, besides economic poverty, especially the spiritually poor; those neglected in our family; just by loving them can be transformative. He urged everyone to reach out in service and betterment of our fellow human beings.

The Award function witnessed stellar dance performances from the Chitrangada Dance Academy and a touching performance of song and dance by the children of ‘Voice of World – Blind School’. The Mother Teresa International Award was also conferred to 15 other distinguished awardees for their notable contribution in the fields of sports, music, education and social work. The Mother Teresa Award Committee holds an award function every year to further the legacy of St. Teresa of Calcutta.