Bible Sunday Quiz in Christ The King

 DOMINIC J. AZAVEDO

Christ the King Parish Christian Life Cell (CLC). under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Stanley Velloz President CLC, provided an educative and entertaining evening on Bible Sunday 21st February 2021. The evening was educative because Mr. Velloz Quiz Master had done a thorough study and intelligently drafted the questions on the Gospels of Matthew. Mark, Luke, and John. The quiz was entertaining because the participants due to the 32A years of SCC monthly Gospel meetings were acquainted with the tens but missed the details. Some answers were revealing and showed the research put-in by Stanley. 

Stanley questioned on Early Ministry of Jesus, lessons from the parables, fill in the blanks, identify the places,Crucifixion,Resurrection & Ascension of Jesus.etc. 

The 30 plus participants were divided into 4 groups.The leaders were: Anita Mondal (Luke). Sybil Azavedo (Matthew). Linda Louis (Mark). and Neville Louis (John). For the benefit of the Bengali speaking Mr. Ajoy Chaudhury the score and time-keeper translated into Bengali. The scores were close: John scored 80 points, Matthew 75, Mark 70, and Luke 65. All went home happy as Fr. Basil Biman Mandi our Parish Priest offered chocolates, singaras, and tea for all. Stanley's election as President (MC on 14th August 2016 brought life in the Parish as he took his responsibility seriously from 2016 itself by having from 11th September 2016. 1 hour Bible Classes every Saturday in Bengali and on Sundays in English. Initially. he was helped by Fr. Franklin Menezes. (Salvation History). Then by Fr. Jesu Retchahar. (Gospel of Mark): Fr. Ranjit Rozazio. (Matthew). Stanley Velloz (Luke and Acts of the Apostles) and the same topics were taken for the Bengali speaking by Fr. Stephen Tudu as Stanley till 15th March 2020 when the lockdown forced the Bible classes to be stopped. 

Before the Bible Classes Stanley did a survey of the Parishioners and discovered that 50 families were without Bibles so with help from CLC members collected funds and on 21st August 2017. Fr. Dominic Gomes Vicar General offered the Bibles at a special Mass. The CLC also saw to the Animation of the Liturgy Cell., Catechetics Cell, Catechism Teachers, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers and Ministers of Hospitality. 

ARCHDIOCESE OF CALCUTTA CELEBRATES BIBLE SUNDAY

 

FR. DOMINIC GOMES VG

LIVE THE WORD ! WOE TO ME, IF I DO NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL

Pope Francis In his Apostolic Letter "Misericordia et Misen" to mark the end of the Year of Mercy had called for to be celebrated a "Bible Sunday" to appreciate the inexhaustible riches contained in the constant dialogue between the Lord and his people.. Bible Sunday Ls adayo Mitch the Cubelic Church celebrates the continuing Impact the Bible has on Individuals and communities the world over. There is an increasing hunger among Catholics to study the Bible in.depth. and in a way that integrates Saipem with Catholic doctrine. An Angel gives Ezekiel a scroll and says: "Son of man feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you." Then I ate it and it was sweet as honey in my mouth. (Ezekiel 3-31) Then only the Prophet was able to go and preach with wisdom and understanding the very words the angel gave him to chew and swallow (Ezek.33: Rev.10:9; Jer.15:6: Isa.9:20:Gen.41:211) What we get out of the Bible will largely depend on how we approach the Bible. So how must the lord of God be approached? Unless we live a sustained and disciplined life of prayer we will never have the reverence the profound humility or the grace we need to see the Scriptures for what they really are for Jesus Christ became flesh for our salvation and hence "the name by which he Is called is The Word of God". One of the greatest gifts of our time is the rediscovery of Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church and the faithful as the Church celebrates the First Sunday of Lent on 21st February 2021. The Archdiocese of Calcutta's Bible Commission under the guidance of Fr. Dominic Gomes. Vicar General has been making preparation for the last two weeks to celebrate Bible Sunday in all Parishes. The Theme for Sunday the Word of God (SWD) chosen is: "LIVE THE WORD, WOE TO ME,IF I DO NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL (1st Corinthians 9:16).

The Resource Materials a flex proclaiming the occasion is sent to be displayed In a prominent place outside the church. The Menu of suggestions for events based on the Bible to be organised In the Parish / Institution are any of the seven (7) events viz : Bible Symposium Bible Marathon, Bible Quiz /Bible Play/ Tableau Bible Distribution ,Biblical Film Show and Kids' Biblical Drawing contest. . Bible-related activities throughout the year to be executed In the Parishes are: (1) Survey of Bible Ownership (2) Talks on the Bible or Biblical themes (3) Biblical Prayer Services Promote or start Bible Study groups/courses (5) Bible sharing groups through SCC. (6) Bible Camps for the Youth (7) Enthronement of the Bible in the Families during every family visit by a priest. (8) Promote Lectio Divine in the Parishes. Families and Religious Institutions and (9) Encourage giving of Bible copies as a gift for every occasion. Isaiah 52:7 says: 'How beautiful are the feet of one who brings good news and by the Grace of God. 

This has been happening over the months of the PANDEMIC in 2020/21. Many programmes and services were organised on virtual social media through Google meet / Zoom by the Archdiocesan Bible Commission. The Word of God was the main foals for as our precious Lord Jesus has proclaimed in John 15:5 "I am the vine: you are the branches. If you remain In me and I in you, you will beau much fruit:apart from me you can do nothing." Programmes such as Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Coronation of our priests to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novena to Our Lady of Health Vailankanni. With God Nothing is Impossible Novena to St. Jude Maranatha Come lord Jesus. The Bible Commission members with a new zeal are now going to go all out with executing the follow up programmes to proclaim God's Word to the ends of the earth by bringing alive all the parishes in our Archdiocese to taste His word and to thereby live victorious In His presence. 

SCC ANIMATORS’ WORKSHOP TO STRENGTHEN FOUNDATIONS

JULIET K. & JACINTA LAKRA

The Small Christian Community Commission (SCC C) efforts to strengthen its foundations to grow and spread in the Calcutta Archdiocese continues on track with Phase 1 SCC Animators’ Formation workshop held at Seva Kendra Calcutta on 30^th and 31^st  January 2021. This residential workshop, the first in a series to be followed at regular intervals and at different levels, was attended by 40 lay persons, 7 priests and 6 Religious including Sr. Christin Joseph (National Service team member,  Fr. I.P. Sarto ( SCC Regional Director for West Bengal & Sikkim region &   SCC Commission Head for the Archdiocese,  Fr. Dominic Gomes.Starting with a fun-filled icebreaking self-introduction session, the pre-lunch sessions disseminated knowledge on key concepts of Adult Learning that highlighted that ‘Formations’ should be a life-oriented, inclusive, fully participatory process that is ongoing, systematic and goal oriented. Only in this way will the Formation journey be a joyous process of accompaniment that fosters maturity, equality, and co-responsibility. It stressed that Formation is not a linear but spiral process executed with interdependent effort by lay leaders, priests and religious, fully involving the community at all stages, thereby ensuring growth of all  leading to a genuine Communion of Communities.

The unique process of making every participant read and reflect on portions of a 9-pages presentation in sequence followed by the required inputs from the resource persons, Sr. Christin and Fr. Sarto, kept-up the focus of the participants and impressed the lesson. 

One topic of the first lesson in the DIIPA Introductory Manual ‘We need Small Christian Communities’ was facilitated by the Diocesan group of volunteers. This was explored through two questions, ‘Is there a feeling of community in the Church today?’ and ‘Is there a misguided sense of faith?’. The first question was presented through a Role Play and the second by Story Reading processes, both followed by ‘Bible Study’ of reading specific scripture passages in groups to examine what the Word of God teaches us about being a true community and having the right sense of faith. This was followed by a feedback from the participants that was summed up by the facilitators along with specific supplementary information and inputs. The entire three step process helped to impress learning and consolidate the knowledge gained by the participants.

This was followed by an action-reflection (not evaluation) process where each of the facilitators were led through a self-examination exercise to understand what they did right and where  their technique needed improvements. Here the resource persons and participants also contributed with their own observations.  This process will help Animators and Facilitators to ‘empty themselves’ mainly of their ego and fill the space with fresh knowledge with love and compassion.

The Bible was enthroned at the beginning with some innovations and closed with blessings on each day. The hour-long Adoration towards the end of the first day allowed all to surrender their efforts to Jesus as the only Lord and Master and sing praises with grateful hearts. The second day began with a very inspiring Sunday Mass where Fr. Sarto delivered the Homily to remind us of our Prophetic Christian role of being rooted in the Word of God, to live and proclaim it.

The last session of the workshop was devoted to planning for the immediate future. After a brief presentation of the scope of the work ahead in the SCC growth and strengthening process, the participants deliberated in Zone groups. The outcome of their planning had details of how and when they would approach other parishes and gave tentative dates when the  Diocesan Group of Volunteers led by Fr. Dominic would visit the different Zones in the four Deaneries to start the Zone Service Team formation workshops. It is expected that members of the National Resource Team, especially Fr. Sarto and Sr. Christin, will also be present at some of these workshops from time to time.

ANNUAL BANDEL PILGRIMAGE: OUR LADY OF BANDEL VISITS TWIN CITIES OF HOWRAH & KOLKATA FOR THE FIRST TIME.

 CHRISTINE CRAMER

The attraction towards Our Lady of Bandel sends spirit-filled grace to many young and old to take up the radical challenge to walk the way exploring individual and group devotions with prayers and songs carrying with them candles, flowers and incense. The Annual Pilgrimage is held every year on the second Sunday of January. This year the walking pilgrimage could not be possible due to the Pandemic restrictions and norms in force. Instead a curtailed version of the pilgrimage was organized. The Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB) took the initiative for the first time in history to organize an alternate programme within Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions. The Statue of Our Lady of Bandel was welcomed warmly in the Twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata Parishes. This could only be possible by the committed and dedicated team of three Office Bearers of the Catholic Association of Bengal namely Mrs Angelina Mantosh Jasnani the President. Mr. Colin Fitzgerald the Treasurer and Mrs Margaret Coelho the Assistant Secretary with the coordination of Father Ramesh Cherian. Rector of Auxilium Parish who humbly requested Fr. T L. Francis. Prior of Bandel Basilica to allow the statue to come to the Twin Cities as Marian Devotees could not make the annual pilgrimage on foot this year due to the Pandemic Restrictions. Father John Chain the Parish Priest of Auxilium was very kind to allow the scheduled program at Auxilium Parish. The CAB is very grateful to both Fr Ramesh and Fr John for their generous support. 

The CAB Happy Voyage Church Howrah Parish Unit took charge of the Eucharistic Celebration. Mrs Christine Cramer the President with the unit team members had made all prior arrangements. The Statue arrived at the Church of Our Lady of Happy Voyage Howrah at 11 AM in a tempo decorated with flowers and garlands with beautiful Marian devotional hymns playing in the background. The Parish Priest. Fr. Victor David and Co - Pastor Fr. Devraj Fernandes welcomed Our Dear Mother. The Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic Celebration who sought the blessings for all Pilgrims from Our Lady with showering garlands and venerating her with Aarti. The pilgrims were blessed with Holy Water while entering the Church in a Solemn procession with the Holy Cross in front. The Choir led the faithful with their mesmerizing hymns welcoming Mother Mary by singing Ave Maria. In his homily Fr. Dominic mentioned a miracle of Mrs. Dorin Frazer who was suffering from severe appendicitis pain in 2002 and was rushed to the hospital. In the emergency room she saw the image of Our Lady of Bandel calling her, being under medication, she immediately left for Bandel and drank the Holy Water from the fountain in front of the Grotto. She was instantly cured and the pain disappeared. This testimony of Mrs Dorin Frazer is a MIRACLE done by Mother Mary. She is always listening to our prayers when we tall to her in difficult times. Being the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ too. Fr. Dominic also mentioned the role of Mother Mary in the Baptism of our Lord. After the Mass tea and biscuits was served to all pilgrims by the CAB Howrah Unit Members. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Colin Fitzgerald. Thereafter the Statue was taken to Auxilium Church Gobra. The procession was vehicular. Those pilgrims who wished to walk at their own pace did so. The Parish Priest of McMinn Fr John Chalil and Fr. Remesh Cherian the Rector of Auxilium Retreat Centre welcomed Our Lady at the Gates of the Church with a group of women showering flowers and garlands on Mother singing hymn too. The second hall of the day schedule began at 2 PM. The Auxilium Men group 'Kirtans' sang Marian Hymns. giving praise to Mother Mary. At 2.45 PM the rosary procession began with the statue going around the compound of the Church with devotional hymns. Thereafter the pilgrims who walked from Howrah to Auxilium were blessed. A group of Women belonging to the Bengali Congregation put up a dance performance to welcome Our Lady of Bandel. At 3.30 PM a powerful Charismatic one hour Eucharistic Adoration was conducted by Fr. Ramesh Cherian The laity raising their hands glorying and worshiping Our Lunt with Shouts of Alleluia and Praises. with the Charismatic Choir singing soft hymns felt the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in Church. Children, Men, Women, youth,elderly all participated in the Adoration and Benediction. A Solemn Eucharistic Celebration followed soon after the Adoration and Benediction Fr Dominic Gomes. Vicar General, Fr Orson Wells. Fr Anthony Paul, Fr John Chalil, Fr Remesh Cherian,Fr. Moloy D'Costa the Dean of Kolkata who was the main celebrant together served Holy Man. The Man was celebrated in Bengali. The homily was given by Fr. Orson Wells the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Vailankanni. Picnic Garden. He very beautifully spoke on the devotion of Mother Mary and elaborated on her help whenever we reach out to her in prayers. She is our Mediator to her Son Jesus Christ. All the pilgrims received a blessed photo of St Joseph being the year dedicated to St. Joseph and Rosaries distributed by the CAB Members. The day ended with refreshments generously contributed by the Auxilium Volunteers. 

Obituary: Rev. Fr. Siluvai Pitchai Man with a Golden heart

Rev. Siluvai Pitchai left behind a legacy of compassionate and selfless service to God and humanity. His minute concern for the poor the downtrodden and the marginalized reveals his huge heart that was meant to love all irrespective of who they were, rich and poor people of other faith and culture. His passing away has given shock to many miles faithful feel that they have become now 'sheep without shepherd'. This was not his age to least them who loved their pastor genuinely. To the dignitaries and common folk he executed same love and with dignity. Fr. Pitchai was one of the finest personalities among the clergy. All loved him for his inclusiveness and towards building healthy presbyterian fellowship and friendship. Rarely one encounters such pastors in life. In our diocesan endeavors he was my colleague in the Archdiocese of Calcutta. He was gentle, kind unassuming and very welcoming. His loving smile spoke louder than his words. He showed great hospitality to all, to his many guests and visitors to the CathedraL lk was available to all and was a model 'Servant Leader. Ile was ordained on April 24. 1990. A soft-spoken priest of God and with a big heart to induce all in his pastoral care. Both as a pastor in different parishes, i.e. Bamandanga and The Cathedral and as a Headmaster. he inherited his commitment to the mission entrusted to him. He did all that with great love for God's greater glory and with joy to everyone. There are hundreds of testimonies from his 'field hospital' those who were under his care and attention. Sr joan of Arc. MC. Superior of Missionaries of Charity. Nimtola said. les a huge loss for the Church in Kolkata. He was so kind and generous to all. His hospitality was unique. Ile was the 'man for the other'. During Christmas became to share his joy of Christmas with all the physically challenged children with cake. His sensitivity to the pastoral are was unique. Even though he had his health issues he never disclosed how' he felt. He empathized with those who suffered pain due to various reasons. He was a great pastor of souls.' 

A parishioner Mrs. Anuja Liang who lives in the heart of a whole sale market near Poddar Court spontaneously shed tears at the demise of Fr. Pitchai She said crying, We don't understand why he left us behind. This was not the time for him to go. We are now without a shepherd. He cased for us very sincerely he knew our needs. He organized novena to Our Lady of Vailankanni this year. He wanted to begin the novena to St. Anthony. Besides regular recollections during our liturgical year retreat once a year. During his tenure our spiritual life improved. He made us to take active part in liturgy through singing and prayers. He spoke little but his actions spoke louder. We all will miss him so much. We feel that we are pushed into the darkness. He was very special to us and we shall pray that God gives him eternal rest. Now that he is no more with us he will pray for us from heaven." In the heart of the busy thoroughfare and the biggest wholesale market in Asia, he witnessed the struggles of the people daily whose main concern was the survival. More so, during the pandemic Covid 19 that affected the lives of millions across the world. He reached out to all the faithful those who lived in fear and anxiety day in day out.The sufferings of flight separation of families isolation loneliness and extreme poverty discouragement and despair are some of the concerns of our post-modem pastoral care. His commitment to the cause of Kingdom values were immense. In his own way he tried to rebuild their hope and lives. The words of Pope Francis in 'Esangelli Gaudium' fits well with his life and mission."If we are to share our lives with others and generously give of ourselves we also have to realize that every person is worthy of ow giving. Not for their physical appearance their abilities their language their way of thinking or for any satisfaction that we might receive but rather because they are God's handiwork his creation. God created that person in his image and he or she reflects something of God's glory. Every human being is the object of God's infinite tenderness and he himself is present in their lives. If I can help at least one person to have a better life that already justifies the offering of my life. It is a wonderful thing to be God's faithful people. We achieve fulfillment when we break down walls and our heart is filled with faces and names!'

May his soul rest in peace! 

COVID-19 and CHRISTMAS-20

 

The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light, and on those who lived in the shadow of death, light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2). 

COVID-19 experience was an experience of darkness and shadow of death when the entire world was affected by the pandemic.Surrounded by the fear of death, mankind took to measures hitherto unknown and unfamiliar such as lockdown for months bringing life to a standstill. Places of worship remained closed and crises in different sectors affected human life. In our own country, the scenes of migrant workers returning home covering hundreds of kilometres of distance on foot and without food, will remain ever fresh in our memory! Darkness and shadow of death enveloped the world during this time. The "shadow" has its "light" too.

Thanks to lockdown,mother earth breathed a sigh of relief and returned to its "pristine" freshness. Families found more time to be together in sharing life and in prayer. People, both individuals and groups, helped the poor with an unprecedented generosity. Health protocols, online classes and meetings, webinars and conferences became the "new normals"! The service by doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, police and the ordinary workers who maintained the general services at the risk of their own lives, was truly heroic! CHRISTMAS-20 is bringing light of hope, peace and joy to all because Jesus Christ the Light has come into the world! When the world is helpless and afraid, the presence of Jesus amidst us gives us cause for confidence and joy. The birth of Jesus as a human being gives value to our human life. Jesus humbled himself to share in our humanity by becoming a human being so that we may share in the mystery of his divinity. To live as a Christian is essentially to love God and to love our fellow human beings. Let us live this love with maximum intensity: Let us have the humility to see Jesus incarnate very specially in the poor, the elderly, the sick and the needy. I wish all the readers of THE HERALD a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a PEACE-FILLED 2021. 

Queen of Peace Church, Tollygunge, Kolkata

 JULIET KARAK

'Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have. for such sacrifices are pleasing to God' Hebrews 13:16 

SCC has taught us how to share and care for others.The SCC Hindi National Convention brought an awareness of unity and love among all our people. The Poor were happy that though they had nothing much to offer let people in our Parish increased their love for the community of Jesus by accommodating them in their houses. Thus the hospitality of the Calcuttans made them experience peace and love for coming forward and welcoming them into their homes. The Convention left a message for everyone that we all need to reach out to each other in good and bad times. The Parish SCC also grew as 2 new groups were formed and the inactive groups started their SCC Meetings again. The Pandemic restricted each one of us in many ways but nothing stopped the SCC and other members of Queen of Peace church to reach out to their parishioners as well as the needy as the Holy Spirit continued to work through all of us. During the lockdown our Parish having a lot of poor parishioners who work mostly on daily wages approached the SCC Animators who discussed the matter with the Coordinators and with the help of our Parish Priest. Fr. Peter Pradhan and the Parishioners came forward and helped in giving ration in March 2020 to 44 families. with a budget of Rs. 300/-per family. The second time the ration was given in April to 79 families keeping a budget of Rs. 350/- per family and again in June. 40 families were helped with a budget of Rs 600/- per family. Apart from the help that was given through the Parish. many SCC groups individually helped many non-Catholics in and around their areas: the old and the needy were given dry ration and some were also given cooked food. The Amphan (Cyclone) had affected severely 7 families of our Parish. Their roofs were flown off and in some places. trees fell on their houses and damaged the roofs and the walls. The families were helped with Rs. 50001- in cash and with tarpaulins so that immediate house repairs could be done. All the SCC members kept in touch with the Parishioners and prayed (for each other) strengthening their faith by sharing the Word of God and advising them to read small passages from the Bible and also to send small Bible quotes to each other. The 1st SCC Anniversary of the SCC National Convention which was held in October 2019. was celebrated by Queen of Peace Church on 15th November 2020 keeping the current situation in mind of social distancing and avoiding large gatherings the Parish celebrated the SCC Day by having 3 High Masses in 3 languages: in Bengali. English and Hindi. The same program was followed by all the 3 groups attending the different Masses: Bengali at 730 am. English at 930 am and Hindi at 11 am. The Eucharistic celebration started with a beautiful dance in a grand procession by our Parish kids followed by flower girls sprinkling flower petals and welcoming 'The Word'. -The Holy Bible. The Bible was enthroned at the altar by the main Celebrants during all the 3 Masses: Fr. Peter Pradhan in Bengali Fr. Subhasis Mondal in English and Fr. Benjamin Roy in Hindi. An introduction was given in the beginning regarding the "Small Christian Community".