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".

Infant Jesus Church, Behala, Kolkata

 ABHIJIT MINJ

"Go to the ends of the World: teach them to carry out everything I commanded you". 

Matthew 28:20 .

To achieve the objectives of the 'The Prophetic Role Of SCC Today the theme of Small Christian Communities National Convention - Hindi held in October 2019 in Kolkata. SCC Animators of Infant Jesus Church,Behala under the leadership of the Parish Priest Fr. Patrick Rodriguez started approaching the parishioner safety. They visited Parishioner's to be part of the area-wise SCC units. Faith Formation Community activities were conducted not only at the Church but also at the Parishioner's houses on weekly basis. Undeterred by the pandemic restrictions members promptly took to innovative methods sharing the spirit of SCC: digital online meetings, whatsApp video meetings took shape Advocating family prayer helping elderly sick neighbours and needy children assisting the unemployed, providing online tuitions Bible' sharing sessions providing Internet connectivity and sanitary napkins to needy students paying continued salary to domestic helps by all members during the Lockdown and helping KMC cleaning staff calamity struck again with Super Cyclone Amphan causing widespread damage in the state during May 2020. The SCC members extended help to neighbours with relief operations in whatever way they could like reaching out to approximately 50 needy families, helping bustee dwellers by providing provisions, medicines, old clothes, paying house rent and also giving Financial assistance to repair houses. The Archbishop House. courtesy Vicar General, Fr. Dominic Gomes extended help by providing packets containing; rice, pulses,potatoes,onions,cooking oil, spices, kerosene oil, bread. etc: and tarpaulins. which were distributed locally to needy, supervised by our Parish Priest. As the lock down norms were eased out a concrete plan like training existing animators and members forming zonal networks consolidating existing units etc.

The First Anniversary of the SCC National Convention was celebrated on 15th November. 2020 It started at 9:00AM with a Bible procession followed by Enthronement and celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Fr. Patrick Rodriguez Parish Priest. The Bible Readings and the Prayers of the Faithful were read in Bengali Hindi and English. Alter Mass and tea break. the Input Session started at 11:00 AM with a short introductory speech by Fr. Abhay Minx followed by Sr. Pratibha sharing the importance of SCC as a New Way of Being Church. Then three groups were formed for the Gospel Sharing Session with the passage taken from Matthew 10:26-33. The Word of Life was: "Do not be afraid". The Action Plan was 'Reach out to more families of the Parish urging them to be a part of the neighbourhood SCC unit. Proclaim the Glory of JESUS CHRIST the saviour and KING without fear'. Testimony was given by Renu Valmiki a non-baptized who was inspired by the Gospel Sharing. Gospel sharing made me read the Bible more attentively and helped me understand it better. It has helped me to identify God's message all over again to lead a better spiritual and righteous life.

Celebrating First Anniversary of SCC Hindi National Convention 2019

 ■ FR. DOMINIC COMES

Kolkata:Last year from 24-27 October the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta was teaming with activity hosting over 2500 delegates coming into Kolkata from 15 Dioceses to attend the SCC National Convention 2019. There is no doubt that the convention was a big success in many ways. even the heavy downpour on that threatened to drown the event on the lust day dried up as continuous prayers praise and worship went up to send the sun out the next day. Behind the success of such a big event there is always a huge amount of sacrifice, hard work, and contribution that prevails with perseverance of the people involved who are far too many to be mentioned here. Undoubtedly the event manifested and was a witness to the spirit of unity within the Church and highlighted the importance of family - the Domestic Church in fulfilling the prophetic role of the Church.Moreover as one Religious Sister put it. It was so exciting and such a great joy to be working together with so many people for the success of such a great event. It was to recount and uphold this spirit funny and great joy that the Archdiocese celebrated the first anniversary of the convention with a day's program on Sunday the 15 November 2020 across all parishes of  Archdiocese.

All the various celebrations started with Holy Mass in the morning wish an entrance procession holding up the Bible accompanied by prayerful dance and singing and veneration of the Bible. After this in many Parishes a short animation preceded the SCC leaders presenting reports of the enonnous spiritual and temporal words done by SCC units during the dire times of the COVID -19 Pandemic and catastrophic aftermath of Super-Cyclone AMPHAN to help the most needy and poor families, elderly people and children in their neighbouring communities, Tasteful, colourful and entertaining cultural programs showcasing the talents of young and old alike culminated with thanksgiving and fellowship meals. For these celebrations too a great amount of effort was again expended by many people Laity, clergy and Religious under challenging conditions of pandemic restrictions. Encouragement by Archbishop Thomas D'Souza and led by Diocesan Secretary of the SCC Commission Fr. Dominic Gomes, animators and SCC members were holding regular meetings mostly online to guide and iron out every detail of the celebration program months in advance. 

Strengthening the Foundations of Small Christian Communities (SCC) in the Archdiocese of Calcutta (Part 1)

The formation and operations of Small Christian Communities (SCC in the Archdiocese of Calcutta slatted way back in 1989 by Sybil and Dominic J. Azavedo in Christ the King Parish Park Circus Kolkata. Now in more recent times, a concentrated and intensive drive for 'Awareness. Formation and Training of Small Christian Communities SCC) in all parishes of the Archdiocese of Calcutta' was carried out from April 2018 onwards by holding animation programs in the Parishes to make our people aware about the extremely important role of new evangelisation and social union that the SCC is expected to play in the modern amid, The efforts towards revitalisation of SCC bore good fruit at the time of the SCC National Hindi Convention on the theme of 'Prophetic Role of SCC' hosted by the Calcutta Archdiocese from 25th to 27th October 2019. 

This Convention was attended by 2950 delegates from 51 Dioceses of the country. The participants were lodged as guests in the homes of our parishioners at various places while some were hosted in our institutions too. The Annual Archdiocese Priests' Conference was held from 27th to 29th January 2020. It was facilitated by Bishop Ignatius Mascaranliss. Chairperson of the National SCC Commission (CBI New Delhi The growth of SCC was the main theme of the meeting where 85 priests deliberated on the concerns related to the effective spread of SCC, As a result of these efforts. in the past two years. many SCC units fainted in Parishes and some old ones were revised. It needs to be understood that the SCC units have a unique positioning by being rooted in and operating from the level of the family the domestic church)  families of believers who are living among non-Christian communities in the areas of the Archdiocese Coupled with this physical positioning its mission is based on the four operational principles or characteristics which make SCC well suited and situated for working towards Communion of Communities. The four principles are : (1 members of SCC Units are families living in a particular neighbourhood who meet in their houses giving them a sense of mutual belonging through continuous fellowship: (2) the central activity of Gospel Sharing helps them to live their life and build relationships based on the Word of God (3)SCC is firmly grounded to work as an extension of the universal church: (4) they minister to and care for each other by providing social services to all those around who are in need. In short we form- One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church. However. some major findings and learning that saw emerged as challenges, they are: - The church in modern times is challenged with peoples' focus on an overly secular life style at the cost of faith and belief which in turn is adversely affecting social values and ethics. Many SCC members (especially women and mothers) are concerned as other members of the family are 'too busy' to participate and be a part of SCC units. Lay leadership in a genuine 'servant leadership' form is not growing due to a combination of over clericalism and because few lay leaden are coming forward to take up responsibilities. 

Finally, there are very few trained animators who are reacting out to the Catholic population of over 1.5 lath in the 65 parishes and Mission Stations of the Archdiocese spread over a vast 30.000 square kilometres area in 10 districts of West Bengal.