World Disability Day at Seva Kendra Calcutta

-Stephen Gonsalves

Kolkata: Disability Day, or the International Day of People with Disability, is a day that has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992. Seva Kendra Calcutta held a confluence of persons with disability from Missionaries of Charity Shanti Dan and other communities with whom Seva Kendra Calcutta is engaged in. The aim of Disability Day, held on December 3 2017 was to encourage a better understanding of people affected by disability, together with helping to make people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people, and how one can contribute to caring for them.

Sr. Karuna M.C. from Shanti Dan shared her experience in caring for people with disabilities as well as raise awareness about the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life - spiritual, social and cultural. At the start of the evening’s programme Fr Franklin Menezes, Director of Seva Kendra Calcutta stated that Disability Day is not concerned exclusively with either mental or physical disabilities, but rather encompasses all known disabilities, from Autism to Down syndrome to Multiple Sclerosis all of which requires compassion and healing. Shanti Dan residents  comprising of 45 girls with various disabilities, performed cultural activities spiritual songs, dance and skits, which were ably led by Sister Superior of Shanti Dan.

At the start of the programme Fr Franklin Menezes stated that Seva Kendra Calcutta was launching the constructing a full-fledged residential center for those who are physically challenged. This center would be residential one with all facilities for rehabilitation, education, medical treatment and social  integration. The center, to be located on the outskirts of Kolkata, already has available land which has been donated by another organization called Swanirbhar. At this event “Dus Ka Dum” was launched which is a local fundraising event by all who are interested in this venture. Each coupon is priced at Rs.10 and hence the name. The first brick for the foundation was also presented at this occasion. The same will be blessed by His Grace Archbishop Thomas D’Souza on the day the foundation will be laid.

The Chief Guest for the evening was Rotarian Ms. Lovina Khan, Managing Trustee of Open Arms Education Trust; who stated that she would fully support such a venture by Seva Kendra Calcutta and committed to donate Rs.10,000 from Open Arms Education Trust. Others who donated for the cause were Guests of Honor Mr. Sharik Khanand Mr. Shamir Alam. A large gathering of the staff of Seva Kendra Calcutta and many of the others from the neighborhood communities participated at this event, which was another milestone for Seva Kendra Calcutta.

A Wonderful Time, A Powerful Time - Archdiocese of Calcutta Synod 2017

On Saturday, 30 September 2017, as Kolkata celebrated Mahadashami, the curtain came down on a historic event at Barrackpore's Morning Star College and Regional Seminary. The Diocesan Synod of Calcutta – the first ever hosted by the 183 year old archdiocese – concluded with a solemn eucharistic celebration, which in addition to the synod Members, saw attendance by many laity from the city and suburban parishes.

Know your Synod

What: The Diocesan Synod of Calcutta, AKA Synod 2017.

Why: The aim of the synod was to consolidate data from the parishes into a viable pastoral plan for the archdiocese; through discussion, debate and finally consensus building. Concrete proposals for new laws, structures, thrusts and strengthening of the existing.

When: Between September 26 – 30, 2017, with the working days being 27 – 29 September.

Where: At the Morning Star Regional Seminary at Barrackpore, a Kolkata suburb.

How: Every workday the synod Members would discuss 4 of the 12 pastoral plan Concerns. They would formulate proposals which would be presented to the General assembly each afternoon for larger discussion and finally put to vote (voting at the synod was consultative – done solely to get the feel of the assembly).

Who: The synod Members consisted of members of presbyterial council, major superiors of congregations, presidents of archdiocese groups/organisations, APPCoT members, Diocesan directors and secretaries, all parish priests and lay representatives of every parish.

Culminating four years of effort, the synod was convoked by Archbishop Thomas D'Souza to consolidate all the input received and gains made into final shape as a Pastoral Plan for the archdiocese. Taking a year to plan, an expanded team of the existing Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan

Coordinating Team (APPCoT) designated Synod Preparatory Commission prepared papers, animated the selected delegates (“Members”) and dived into the myriad of logistical tasks such an event entails. A prayer for the success of the Synod was composed and churches were requested to pray it at Mass, for the success of the celebration, which was to be “Entrusted to the Lord; Established by Him.” A day before the synod began Holy Hours were observed across the archdiocese. Finally, on 26 September 2017, the synod members began to arrive at Morning Star. The movement of the synod was imminent.

Anthem

The synod had not one but three versions of the anthem!Music for the official English version was a gift from the conductor of a Mumbai choir, the Bengali version was translated and set to music by Dilip Rosario and there was a third, unofficial version, performed by gospel group Voicestra at the venue in slow rock style. To listen to the anthem, visit Archdiocese of Calcutta.in/synod.

Ceremony of the Scroll

A solemn ceremony marking the close of the working days of the synod. The archbishop hands over files containing the proposals come out during the deliberations to his Diocesan Directors and Secretaries of Commissions, charging them to study the same and keep ready for implementation, when the synodal decrees confirming them are issued. The synodal secretaries symbolically record the list of the files in a scroll, which is read from to summon each Diocesan head and then retained by the archbishop. At the close of this ceremony archbishop Thomas D’Souza imparted an apostolic blessing– a form of blessing associated with papal authority, and rarely invoked unless the occasion is deemed solemn enough.

Synod Diary

DAY 1, 26.09.2017

Delegates arrive. Registration. Mass. Health check up by Heath Care
Mission.

DAY 2, 27.09.2017

Solemn inaugural Mass. Information session, working groups, general assembly working session, cultural program by hosts.

DAY 3, 28.09.2017

Mass. Information session, working groups, general assembly working session, cultural program by Kolkata Christian Choir.

DAY 4, 29.09.2017

Mass. Information session, working groups, general assembly working session, cultural program by Voicestra, Ceremony of the scroll.

DAY 5, 30.09.2017

Interactive General Session. Solemn closing Mass, including the synodal declaration of the archbishop. Fellowship lunch. Departure.

The synod officials

President - His Grace Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, archbishop of Calcutta
Vicar General - Father Dominic Gomes
Prolocutor -  Father Gregory Monterio
Officiating Secretaries - Ms Anancia Fernandes and Ms Bemvinda Periera
Reporting Secretaries - Sr Sabrina Edwards IBVM and Fr Jothi I SJ

Members

Priests - 88
Religious women - 23
Lay men - 37
Lay women - 13

A total of 161 Members attended the synod – over 90% of Members selected. Assisting the organisation were 6 non-members in the secretariat, 11 youth volunteers and 8 brothers from the seminary. The Rector of Morning Star College Rev. J Santhanam and Minister, Fr Harshvarddhan played important coordinating roles.