News Letter – June, 2012
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
By Father Paul
Keenan
Growing up Catholic in the late 40’s and 50’s was a
rich experience. A typical Catholic home like ours was replete with religious
imagery, statues, crucifixes, religious pictures, fonts of holy water, holy
cards bearing images of Jesus and the saints – all of these were part of a
normal Catholic home. While it is understandable that some of the other faiths
believed that we were worshiping or praying to these objects, the truth is that
Catholics worship only God. The various religious objects of my boyhood – and
you find them in many Catholic homes today – were powerful reminders of the
presence of God. They "lift up our minds and hearts to God," as our
catechism taught us. Even, and perhaps especially, in troubled times, they
taught us that God’s love was ever near. There was something else that our
religious objects did for us. They helped us to recall our heroes. When we were
tempted to forget our goals and ideals they helped us to remember.
In our home one of the most powerful religious
images was a large picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that hung in the
hallway for all to see. When I say "picture of the Sacred Heart," I
do not mean to imply that it was a picture of an anatomical heart; rather it
was a reproduction of a painting of Jesus. In that painting, we see the heart
of Jesus surrounded by a crown of thorns, behind which lay a burning fire of
love. As you could well imagine from the place of prominence the picture had in
our home, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was important to us. During the
month of June, my parents kept a red vigil light burning beneath it day and
night. June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart and the Feast of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the first Friday of June. During that
month our family made a special novena to the Sacred Heart – nine days of
prayers in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart was not limited to one
month of the year. Catholics made a special effort to receive the Body of
Christ on the first Friday of every month, which was dedicated to the Sacred
Heart. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a seventeenth-century mystic, had received a
vision in which Jesus promised that those who made the First Friday devotion
for nine consecutive months would be given the grace of repentance at the
moment of death. Today in many Catholic churches throughout the world, the
Eucharistic Host is solemnly displayed and special first Friday devotions are
held in honor of the Sacred Heart.
For Catholics, the symbol of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus is a powerful image of the love of God. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the
heart of God was a key image of the God who kept covenant with his people. The
heart itself was the very center – the core – of a person. Time and time again
the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob begged his people not to harden their
hearts but to return to him. In the Gospels, when Jesus was challenged to
summarize the law of God, he stressed loving God with all our heart and our
neighbor as ourselves. The New Testament stressed love as the way to life,
"God is Love," wrote St. John; "and whoever abides in love
abides in God and God in them" (I John 4:16). To St. Paul, the presence of
love renders all other gifts worthwhile, while its absence renders them useless
(I Corinthians 3).
The Sacred Heart of Jesus, then, is meant to
symbolize the love of God and to evoke love for God from us.
What is so striking about the image is that the
Heart of Christ is depicted as both crowned with thorns and on fire with love.
Ringed by a crown of thorns, Jesus’ heart is the heart of the one who was
crucified. On the cross, Jesus was given a crown of thorns by his tormentors.
This was a gesture of mockery. His enemies believed that Jesus was attempting
to establish a kingdom on earth. The crown of thorns was meant to highlight the
apparent failure of Jesus to do so successfully. Instead of a majestic crown of
gold studded with diadems, this terrible crown made of dead wood was an image
of barrenness, futility and failure.
Besides its meaning as an instrument of mockery, the
crown of thorns was an actual instrument of torture. It was positioned so that
its points pressed into the skull, causing bleeding and excruciating pain. The
cutting remarks of those who tormented Jesus were reinforced by the thorns
cutting into his head.
Yet in the image of the Sacred Heart there is a
blessed irony. Though crowned with thorns, the heart of Jesus is aflame with
love. In the Gospel of John (1:5), the light of God is described as "a
light no darkness can extinguish." This is the meaning here. The divine
love burns on behind, despite and within the crown of thorns. To Christians,
the image is a potent reminder of the omni-potent power of divine love.
The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at once
glorious and suffering raises a puzzling question in the post-resurrection era.
Can divine redemptive love and divine suffering co-exist once Jesus has arisen?
Does not the victory of Jesus over sin and death abolish the crown of thorns?
Was not the resurrection of Jesus a triumph over sin and death? Basking in the
resurrection, do we not say, "O Death where is your victory; O Death where
is your sting" (I Corinthians 15:55)?
In the Book of Revelation, written by John, the
author of the Fourth Gospel, there is an intriguing suggestion about the
co-existence of divine glory and suffering. The Book of Revelation is a
mysterious and image-rich account of a vision given to John of the end of time
and of the entry of creation into the fullness of glory. In Chapter 5, John
speaks of seeing a lamb looking as if it had been slain. It symbolizes the Lamb
of God, Jesus Christ the Savior. It is a jarring image, for one would expect to
see the Savior in complete glory. John seems to be saying here that somehow in
Christ, glory and suffering co-exist. Back in the Fourth Gospel, Jesus showed
something similar in the passage about the appearance of the risen Christ to
Thomas the Apostle (20:24-28). Clearly, Jesus is in his glorified state, yet He
invites Thomas to place his hands into the wounds from the crucifixion. The
mystery that John seeks to communicate is that somehow, even in glory, there
remains a close connection between divine life and suffering.
That is a mystery that the image of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus imparts as well. The divine heart is radiant with love, yet crowned
with thorns. Somehow, even in God, it tells us, the vestiges of suffering
remain an intricate part of God as we know Him.
What does this mean for us? It means that to
approach God implies coming into the presence of One who is deeply touched by
the reality of suffering and sorrow. Our expectation tends to be that to be God
means to be above the reality of pain. This is, indeed, mysterious to us, for
we are accustomed to believing that God in his omnipotence would destroy all
evil. We sometimes become deeply angry when He does not. "Why does God
allow bad things to happen to us?" It is a question often on our lips. The
answer has to do with the relationship between divine initiative and human
response. Looking at the Sacred Heart, one wonders why the flame of divine love
does not destroy the wooden crown. It seems that there is something about the
crown of thorns that is self-replenishing even in the face of God’s love. The
story imaged here is that of the ongoing battle between good and evil. The
image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus tells us that God’s heart is as affected by
that struggle as ours.
For Christians, and for others as well, that might
seem to be bad news. It might appear to be saying that in the face of evil, God
is as helpless as we often feel ourselves to be.
Yet that is not the message that the Gospels or the
devotion to the Sacred Heart proffer. The Christian insistence is that the
passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ results in the ultimate triumph
of good over evil, a triumph which is not yet fully realized in our world to
date. The images of the glorious, yet wounded, God do not imply a lack of
victory. They tell us, rather, that even after the victory has been fully
manifested, the history of the human struggle for and against the ways of God
will always be significant and never be trivialized.
What this means, I think, can be exemplified in the
story of a friend of mine. She tells the story openly, and I should add that
the priest in whom she confided was not I. As my friend tells this story, she
was for many years engaged in actions and relationships that by her own
admission were immoral. One day, while reading a simple newspaper story, she
was overcome by the realization of how damaging her actions had been to so many
others and to herself. Filled with remorse, she spoke to a priest and poured
out her entire story. When she had finished, she waited for the priest to
condemn her. Instead, he shook his head and, with deep compassion, remarked,
"How you have suffered. How you have suffered."
That encounter touched my friend deeply and
literally changed her life. The priest’s compassion acknowledged both her sense
of sinfulness and the deep anguish that had plagued her life for years. He did
not justify or excuse her actions or in any way pretend that they or the
anguish didn’t exist. Yet, behind them, he offered the assurance of God’s love
and forgiveness. All of that, the thorns and the heart, enabled my friend to
turn her life around. Now she spends her life helping others like herself to
experience that same love. The thorns are still there, but now they are
transformed so as to enable her to use her experience for good.
We see something similar when any suffering becomes
redemptive. I have seen people ravaged by divorce help others when their
marriages have fallen apart. Alcohol and drug abusers often become effective
counselors for other substance abusers. They do not forget their pain; but now,
instead of destroying them, it transforms it into something useful for others.
In an age that often tries to "fix" bad
decisions and misfortunes and make them "go away," the image of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus is a powerful reminder that merely taking away those
moments may rob them – and us – of their deeper gift. When our painful moments
(our crown of thorns) can be transformed so that they no longer destroy us, but
assist us in helping others, they allow us to realize our essential goodness
and enable us to live our lives in new and positive ways.
And in the end, the image of the Sacred Heart
reminds us that when we open ourselves to that transformation, we are drawing
near to the heart of God.
(http://www.soulfulliving.com/sacred_heart.htm
{Father Paul Keenan: Popular speaker, author and radio co-host of WABC Radio’s
"Religion on the Line,"})
News from the
Diocese
CHAIBASA
As part of the celebration of Golden Jubilee of the
Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ, made his pastoral visit to St. Xavier’s
Church, Chaibasa, on 29th April, 2012, and spent half a day with the
parishioners. The day began with the Holy Eucharist. During the Holy Mass 67
children received the Sacrament of Confirmation. The lively signing and the
entrance dance made the liturgy a memorable one. Fr. Edwin had conducted a
special Crash-course for the students who are studying in Government schools.
The response and the cooperation from the parents and children were
commendable.
MERCY CONVENT
On 30th April, 2012, sisters of Mercy
Convent, Baridih, celebrated the House feast, which was on 1st, May.
The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist, which was presided over by Most
Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ. He used the occasion to thank the sisters for their
selfless service to the ailing and needy in the society and exhorted them to
share the love of Christ among the people. The celebration came to an end with
a delicious meal.
ST. JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL,
GOLMURI
The youth of the Parish conducted drawing & poem
writing competitions on 15th April, 2012, for two age groups, under 12 and 15.
As many as 46 students participated in it. The winners were awarded with
certificate and a special prize while all other participants received
consolation prizes. Fr. Camille Hembrom appreciated the dynamic effort of the
youth. Fr. Vijay Kachhap,S.J., Fr. Jottin Jose, OP., Bro. Jacob, DDS, Miss.
Pushpa Topno & Mrs. Anjali Ekka gave away the prizes and thanked the youth
and participants.
The ‘Sarhul’ Feast was celebrated on 29th April,
2012, at St. Josephs’ School grounds. The celebrations began at 9 am with the
Solemn Eucharist. Rev. Fr. Hilarius Kongari, S.J., was the main celebrant.Fr.
Joseph Surin, S.J., Fr. Camille Hembrom and Fr. Anand Toppo, OFMCap, too were present
for the Holy Mass. Shortly after the Holy Mass and refreshments, the cultural
programme began in which Mr. Ajay Linda, City S.P., was the Chief Guest. In his
address he emphasized the importance of cherishing the tradition. The
celebration, in which nearly 2000 people participated, came to an end at about
2 p.m. after an agape meal.
St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre conducted Dance, Singing
and Speech competitions from 8th to 10th May, 2012. It was highly appreciated
and was an opportunity to discover new talents. (Bro. Jacob DDS)
Please Note:
Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ has left for U.S. and Canada.
He will be out of the Diocese from 29th May – 07th
July, 2012. In his absence Rev. Fr. C.R. Prabhu, the Vicar General, will take
care of the ordinary office of the Diocese.
|
HIP HIP HURRAY!!!
Nothing tastes sweeter
than success. Yes, this is what the Loyolian family is experiencing since the
declaration of ICSE & ISC 2012 results. ISC 2012 has broken all previous
records. The topper – Akash Agarwal has scored a 95% in the Science stream
& Manisha Agarwal a 93% in the Commerce Stream. Five students have scored
above 90%. The minimum score here is 50%. ICSE 2012 is no less either, has broken
all records of yester-years. The topper is Gaurav Kumar with a 96%. Ten
students have scored above 91% marks. The minimum percentage is 57 and in
Computer students have scored a 100%.
Loyola is all set to
move ahead. It has new blocks to accommodate more sections; and an improved
Computer lab; all for a superb academic performance. We are indeed inspired to
improve every academic year.
The students of the
school put up a short and touching programme on 28th April, 2012, in
honour our Principal, Fr. Edward, who celebrates the Silver Jubilee of his
Ordination. (Rita Sen)
LANGUAGE CLASS
15 days of intensive language classes were organized
for the Seminarians. The two language courses organized were Ho and Santali.
While Fr. John Mundu & Fr. Gregory D’Silva took up the challenge to teach
the Seminarians Ho language, Fr. Manu Horo took up Santali. The fathers have
transmitted the good knowledge of the language to the students and thus now
they can read, write and understand the language. After the classes on 24th
May, 2012, Fr. Roque Cardoza organized a get together of seminarians at Vikas
Bharati. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ, took time to be with seminarians on that
day and to interact with them.
KIRIBURU
Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ made the Diocesan Golden
Jubilee Pastoral visit to St. Joseph’s Church, Kiriburu, on 13th
May, 2012 and spent the day with the parishioners. The day began with the Holy
Eucharist. In his homily he invited the faithful to listen to God’s calling and
to lead a life according to the call. During the Holy Mass 67 candidates
received the Sacrament of Confirmation. After the Holy Mass the parishioners
staged a variety entertainment programme. The celebration came to an end with a
meal.
DIVYA BHARATI,
CHAIBASA
Rev. Fr. George Anthony returned on the 6th
May from Darjeeling and conducted a Three-Day Training programme for the Catechists
and Lay Leaders in Divya Bharati, Chaibasa from 8-10 May, 2012, in which 23
persons participated, mostly from the Parishes of Jamshedpur Diocese. He is
expecting a better response for the next one. From 28th-31st
May, he helped out Fr. Walter Crasta in conducting a three day “Marriage
Preparation Course”in Ho Language for the couples in St. Theresa’s, Jhinkpani.
XLRI
On the 24th May, 2011, Priests and
Brothers of the Province and the Diocese gathered together for a Holy Eucharist
to thank God for his abundant Blessings. He has blessed us with new priest and
has allowed many to celebrate their Jubilee in the service of our Lord. It also
was the perfect occation to make the final profession, so did Fr. Romanus
Kerketta. Fr. Michael T. Raj was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Holy
Eucharist.
SINI-SERAIKELLA
Our Lady of
Nativity Church, Sini: The Parish Community bid farewell to Fr. Barnabas who is on a
transfer to Maharashtra. Fr. Richard Tirkey, MSFS will take over as Parish
Priest on 1st June. Fr. Vincent Minj, MSFS was busy beautifying St. Xavier’s
School campus last month and now has gone for his home holidays. Goodbye Fr.
Barnabas and Hearty Welcome to Fr. Richard.
Assisi Sisters
(ASMI), Sini:
Srs. Vianny & Mary Francis had gone to Guwhati for the inauguration of the
new house of ASMI Sisters in the month of May. Under the leadership of Sr.
Jessy Francis, the superior of the community, a large group of people of
different faiths, numbering about 120 have gone to Potta, Kerala for a Charismatic
Retreat. We congratulate Sr. Jessy for her great work.
St. Francis De
Sales School, Seraikella: After the painting, the school has now a new look. Fr. Shijumon,
MSFS, the Principal is just back from his vacation. Construction of Staff
Quarters is in progress. Bro. Raju Kosanam has left for his Philosophical
studies to Bangalore from the school community. Frs. Peter Kujur and Sylbester
Kullu, who were the students of Loyola B.Ed. College, are on transfer to
Fransalian schools in Nanded (MS) and Delhi respectively. Plans are being
prepared for the construction of a new school building. The teachers are
presently undergoing training, to use the Class Edge Programme (Smart Class) of
Tata Interactive Systems which are to be introduced from this academic Session.
The DEO of Seraikella-Kharsawan inspected the school in the first week of May.
DSFS Sisters,
Seraikella:
Sr. Regina has already left the community to take up her new responsibility.
She is waiting for her Passport and Visa to fly to Italy. Sr. Marykutty, the
superior is on a transfer to Trivandrum, Kerala. Sr. Litty is appointed as the
new superior of the DSFS Community. Sr. Anu has left for Kerala for her Retreat
& Vacation.
OBITUARY
Rev. Fr. John Guidera: (06-09-1925 -
16-05-2012)
But his munificence
knew no bounds. His charity included Jesuit houses of formation all over India,
for which he personally gave subscriptions for the latest books, periodicals
and journals. Jamshedpur Jesuit Communities needed a house; DSWC needed all
kinds of things; the mission stations needed vehicles; John found the money for
them. He was generous to the core; human to the core. He was not made of
plastic. He was totally flesh and blood. He said things the way they were. He
was never found playing to the gallery. A towering and commanding personality;
yet so simple, guileless, innocent, forthright and strong.
He kept longstanding
friendships with people of different faiths, castes and backgrounds; especially
young men from lowly and poor families. They were ever special to him.
But the soft corner in
John’s heart was reserved for young Jesuits, priests and scholastics. As Jesuit
Provincial he related well with the Belgian Jesuits in Ranchi and the
Australian Jesuits in Hazaribagh. He strode Chotanagpur like a giant for the
good of the people. Whenever he visited Calcutta, he would stay at the
scholasticate in Prabhu Jesu Girja, and buy ice cream for the young Jesuit
scholastics.
John was a great
Christian.
The tribal Church was
his pride and joy. They shared his faith. He had a predilection for their sons.
He wanted all of them to arise and shine on the stage of life. He wanted
vocations from among them. The Singhbhum trail was his favorite area. He spent
very many years in Lupungutu, Chaibasa and Chakradharpur. Numerous were the
young men who owed their vocation to the priesthood and religious life to John.
He had a special love
for Christ’s poor which was, like Christ, for all, irrespective of caste or
creed. He used his many contacts in high places to benefit the poor. On one
occasion he went for dinner with XLRI graduates to Dr. J.J. Irani’s bungalow in
Northern Town. He spoke of the need of a couple of bore wells in Gomoh. The
next day the wells were in place. He wanted to see places like Gomoh,
Govindpur, Shakhabanga and Chaira grow. These missions and works were
instruments of Christ’s love coming among the poor, the downtrodden and the
marginalized.
John was a great
Jesuit. John was eminently suitable and available for a vast variety of Jesuit
works and responsibilities. And there was even a proposal that he work in the
United States in Jesuit work to support the mission. He was Parish Priest;
Headmaster; Minister; Dean of Administration and Finance, XLRI; Director of
XLRI for a brief period; Provincial for a full term of 6 years; Assistant Director of the Baltimore Mission
Office; Seminary teacher and spiritual director, in the Balasore seminary. He
was the Hostel Warden of St. Xavier’s School Hostel in Lupungutu and also the
Warden of the College Hostel in Chaibasa. And all this, played by ear; the
manner being ordinary.
As Jesuit Provincial,
he lived co-operation and collaboration among Jesuit Provinces, much before it
was in vogue. John had very great love for very many among the diocesan priests
of Jamshedpur Diocese. He established deep and lasting friendships with them.
High ecclesiastical dignitaries confided in him. He related well with one and
all.
Finally, John loved
life. He loved it with all its ups and downs. And he loved it with passion.
Saints do not run away from life. They love life and live it to the full.
Fr.
Emile Coelho, SJ
THE
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF JAMSHEDPUR
BISHOP’S HOUSE, GOLMURI PO, JAMSHEDPUR – 831
003
OFFICIAL TRANSFERS / APPOINTMENTS / STUDIES
Name
|
Designation
|
Parish / Institution /
Place
|
Fr.
Jerome Pereira
|
Priest
In-Charge
|
St.
Xavier’s Mission, Balarampur
|
Fr.
Cyprian Lobo
|
Parish
Priest
|
Sacred
Heart Church, Adra
|
Fr.
James Surin
|
Deputy
Director
|
DSWC,
Dhanbad
|
Fr.
Jondko kandeyang
|
Parish
Priest
|
St.
Mark’s Church, Toklo
|
Fr.
Linus Kindo
|
Secretary
& P.A. to Bishop
Diocesan
Chancellor
|
Bishop’s
House, Golmuri
|
Fr.
Gerald M. D’Souza
|
Sabbatical
|
Adhyatma
Vidyapeetha, Bangalore
|
Fr.
Jilson T.L.
|
Studies:
Canon Law
|
St.
Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore
|
Fr.
Joseph Beck, C.Ss.R
|
Asst.
Parish Priest
|
St.
Xavier’s Church, Chaibasa
|
Bro.
Shibu V.R.
|
Theology
|
St.
Albert’s College, Ranchi
|
Bro.
Baldev Hembrom
|
Theology
|
Vidya
Jyoti, Delhi
|
Bro.
Prince Dhibash
|
Theology
|
Vidya
Jyoti, Delhi
|
Bro.
George Ekka
|
Theology
|
St.
Charles’ Seminary, Nagpur
|
Bro.
Ranjit Kullu
|
Theology
|
St.
Charles’ Seminary, Nagpur
|
Bro.
Alfred Balmuchu
|
Theology
|
Morning
Star College, Barrackpore
|
Bro.
Sushil Dungdung
|
Theology
|
Morning
Star College, Barrackpore
|
Bro.
Birender Tete
|
Theology
|
Papal
Seminary, Pune
|
Bro.
Jayaraj Ignatius
|
Theology
|
Papal
Seminary, Pune
|
Bro.
Mukesh Kerketta
|
Regency/Studies
|
Christ
the King Church, Chakradharpur
|
Bro.
Darwin Alex
|
Regency
|
St.
Paul’s Church, Maluka
|
Bro.
Fabian Toppo
|
Regency
|
St.
Joseph’s Community College, Mango
|
Bro.
Walter Purty
|
Regency
|
St.
Mary’s Church, Omra
|
Bro.
Isaac Tiru
|
Regency
|
St.
Xavier’s Mission, Balarampur
|
Bro.
Michael Mundri
|
Regency
|
St.
Mark’s Church, Toklo
|
Bro.
Jyotish Murmu
|
Regency
|
St.
Prabhu Marsal Church, Goilkera
|
Bro.
Amit Kindo
|
Regency
|
St.
Xavier’s Church, Chaibasa
|
Bro.
Sameer Panna
|
Philosophy
|
St.
Albert’s College, Ranchi
|
Bro.
Balaji Balaswami
|
Philosophy
|
St.
Albert’s College, Ranchi
|
Bro.
Binod Dungdung
|
Philosophy
|
Morning
Star College, Barrackpore
|
Bro.
Alex Kerketta
|
Philosophy
|
St.
Charles’ Seminary, Nagpur
|
Bro.
John Purty
|
Philosophy
|
Krist
Premalaya, Bhopal
|
Bro.
Sameer Ekka
|
Philosophy
|
Krist
Premalaya, Bhopal
|
Bro.
RanjitBaa
|
Philosophy
|
Masih
Vidyapeeth, Agra
|
Bro.
Rajesh Barjo
|
Propaedeutic
Course
|
Pratiksha,
Neeldungri, JSR
|
Bro.
Michael Dias
|
Propaedeutic
Course
|
Pratiksha,
Neeldungri, JSR
|
Bro.
Simon Kisku
|
Propaedeutic
Course
|
Masih
Vidyapeeth, Agra
|
Bro.
Naveen Crasta
|
Propaedeutic
Course
|
Masih
Vidyapeeth, Agra
|
Please Note: All the changes will take
place between 15th and 30th of June 2012 (both days
inclusive), unless otherwise agreed and informed to the Bishop or the Vicar
General.
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