JANUARY, 2013

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We begin our New Year Liturgy with Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Let us say, “Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth of the King who rules heaven and earth for ever”. Mary is Mother of Jesus. Mary is acclaimed by Elizabeth, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit and even before the birth of her Son, as ‘the Mother of my Lord’. In fact, the One whom she conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none other than Father’s eternal Son, the Second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church Confesses that Mary is truly ‘Mother of God’ (Theotokos).

Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived free from all stain of Original Sin, Her Immaculate Conception is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, Jesus Christ. Chosen to be the Mother of the Saviour, God did not allow sin to contaminate her, which makes a model of holiness of life for all Christians.

The Blessed Mary became a Mother without loss of her virginity. In fact her Motherhood and virginity were united in a perfect and divine way. Her faith in and love for God was perfect. She played an active role in Christ’s redemptive work. Lord Jesus is our redeemer and Mother Mary is co-redemptress. She is Mother of Christians and the Church, model of womanhood and sign and hope for the world.

On Sunday, October 14, 2012 we inaugurated the ‘Year of Faith’. Blessed Virgin Mary is our Model of faith. Through Baptism we have entered the ‘Door of Faith’. Now we need to grow deeper and deeper in the Christian faith. In my Pastoral Letter on the ‘Year of Faith’ (Sept 21, 2012) I suggested some activities for the parishes which could help to deepen our faith. During the Priests’ Meeting on December 18, 2012 many more suggestions were made for much more meaningful celebration of the ‘Year of Faith’. The suggested activities are: to write a history of the Diocese, to have a workshop on the Assessment Report presented by Fr. Paul Fernandes, S.J., to update the salaries of the catechists and the staff, to improve the coordination and integration of the Diocesan priests and Religious, to set up health fund for medical care for the poor, to renew the zeal and commitment to evangelization, to continue to have renewal programs which were conducted during the Golden Jubilee Year, to recite the Nicene Creed instead of singing during the Mass, to take Apostles’ Creed for Sunday homilies, to organize Charismatic Prayer and Worship and pilgrimages in the parishes, to organize diocesan level retreats for priests, to show religious movies and to catechize the parents of the children before Baptism and Confirmation.

The above suggestions are very good. Let us promote these activities so that all of us may grow in faith, hope and love and march towards the Fullness of Life.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God may guide us in deepening our faith in God Our Father, Her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit!

           

                                                                                                +Felix Toppo, S.J.

                                                                                                Bishop of Jamshedpur  

         

CHAKRADHARPUR: ANGELA HOSPITAL GOLDEN JUBILEE

“My soul glorifies the Lord my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has done great things for me”. (Lk. 1:46-47)

This was the song which Sr. Clemencia Kujur, OSU recited with gratitude to God Almighty on 15^th December, 2012, as she celebrated the Golden Jubilee of her religious profession at St. Angela Hospital, Chandmari. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ. was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Solemn Eucharist. Her sister Martina, M. C. along with other family members and relatives were present for the occasion. A good number of priests and religious of the diocese joined in thanking God through the Eucharistic celebration. The Ursuline communities in CKP together with the nurses of the St. Angela Hospital and students of Carmel School led the liturgy with beautiful singing and dancing. The celebration came to its end with a delicious meal. We congratulate Sr. Clemencia, OSU and wish her God’s abundant blessings and happy and fruitful life in the years to come.

ST. ROBERT’S HIGH SCHOOL PARSUDIH

The year 2012 was a year of blessing for St. Robert’s High School family. We are ever grateful to the Almighty for the enormous blessings.It was a long cherished dream of getting the final Permanent Affiliation for School. Many Principals put their efforts in their own way. Finally Fr. P.D. Johny’s hard work brought the long nourished dream come true. On 18^th March 2012 our school got the Permanent Affiliation from J.A.C.

 In the year 2011 during summer, the whole of Jamshedpur, especially Parsudih area had experienced a terrible water scarcity. We had a hard time to purchase water and fulfill the need for the school and house. So, Fr. Johny P.D. our Principal, rose according to the need of the situation and knocked at the door of “TSRDS” for a “Deep Bore – Well” and after getting the green signal, we had to get the permission from the DC. After accomplishing this Herculean task, finally on 18^th Jan.12 we got a deep Bore-well in our compound to meet all our water problems once and for all.

Nearly 750 students come to school by cycling and we had no provision for the cycle stand. Finally the long awaited proposal of TELCON – A dream become true and now we have a beautiful, spacious cycle stand, inaugurated on 10^th April 2012.

A long awaited dream of having a decent toilet block for our children and staff is almost getting completed.

A new, well established computer room and well equipped library wing are under progress.

We had a wonderful Annual Sports Day Meet on 11^th Nov. 2012. Mr. Ashok Ghosh (Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs & communication – TATA steel was the chief guest & Sri Bageecha Singh – Arjun Awardee was the Guest of Honour.

Our school staff members under the able guidance of our Fr. Principal are touching the new horizons of achievements. (Asha Toppo & Reena Kujur)

ST. JOSEPH’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE, MANGO

It’s a long time since we gave you news from St. Joseph’s community college. The students of the 4th batch of Community College have just finished their Midterm exams and are getting ready for Christmas. We will have our Christmas Gathering on 22^nd December 2012.

As the Year begins these students will go for their internship to Mercy Hospital, they will have their internship from the month of January 2013 to 9^th of March 2013.

New Batches for Conversational English classes will begin from the January 2013. We are also happy to inform you that we will be issuing forms for the new batch of Community College (5^th Batch) from 7^th January to 9^th February 2013. We will continue with the two trades, DTP and Health Assistant courses, please announce in your parishes and encourage all the students who can't go for further studies to come and join the Community College, we will equip them with skills that will help them to gain confidence in themselves as well as learn one trade which will help them to get a job and make their lives useful and fruitful.

We take this opportunity to wish all our readers a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

GOLMURI: DIACONATE ORDINATION

“I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me” (Jer. 3:15). This promise of God is realized once again as three of our seminarians Brs. Alwyn C. V., Sameer Soreng and Nestor Soreng were ordained deacons by Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. on 12^th December, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri. On this occasion 25 priests and approximately 200 people including the family members of deacons participated in the Holy Mass to witness this important event in the life of these deacons. The Golmuri Choir by melodious singing helped the congregation to take part in the liturgy with devotion.

The beautiful liturgy was not the end of the celebration. After the diaconate ordination all the people were given tea and snacks, whereas all the priests, religious and their family members joined together for a fellowship meal in auditorium of St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre.

All the three deacons Alwyn C. V., Sameer Soreng and Nestor Soreng were appointed in three different parishes St. Xavier Church Chaibasa, Christ the King Church CKP and St. Paul’s Church Maluka respectively for their diaconate ministry. Congratulations to the newly ordained deacons and best wishes in their diaconate ministry!

KUMARDUBI TALDANGA

Though the year 2012, is coming to an end there is no sagging in the activities of the Loyolians. The zeal is continued all through the year. The Loyola family has gone through a lot of ups & downs in 2012 but we thank the Lord for His blessings that have enabled us to overcome all odds.

The students of class ten & twelve turned up in full attendance to write the Pre-Mock exam. They have been shown the corrected scripts & it is hoped that this will greatly boost their preparation for the Mock & ISC – ICSE 2013.

The eleventhers had a great experience at Carmel School Dhanbad on 30^th Nov. They participated in a number of contests and bagged the 2^nd prize in Collage making.

The 4^th Annual Sports Meet was held on 8^th Dec. The school ground was well decorated with proper pandals for parents, guests and the students. The Chief Guest was Mr. R.K. Dhan IPS Superintendent of Police Dhanbad. The Guest of Honour was Mr. Bhaskar Sarkar CEO Maithon Power Limited, Maithon. Both of them delivered very inspiring speeches and praised the performance of the students as athletes.

The March-Past was quite an admirable sight. All the four houses did well. They were given a special training by an NCC personnel. The rhythm and colour of the Drills enthralled one & all present.

To make the students aware of their responsibility towards the society and help the marginalized in the society, we have decided to dedicate the week, 11^th to 18^th of Dec., as Social Service Week. Children are generously contributing various items like clothes, soaps, grains, pulses, sugar, oil etc. Collected material will be given to the Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre at NIRMALA Leprosy Hospital, Govindpur, Dhanbad. This is the theme of our Christmas Celebration – reach out to the most needy with love and compassion.

Loyola family wishes you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS & A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2013.( Rita Sen)

JISU MARSAL PARISH CHANDIL

A long awaited dream for boys’ hostel building in Chandil Parish, which looks like a Church, was fulfilled on 16^th December with the blessing and inauguration by Rev. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. The construction of hostel building took nearly one year to be completed. Fr. Valerian Lobo and Fr. Pradeep Marandi worked day and night to raise local fund. The colourful inaugural function began with Holy Mass and celebrants were led to the Altar by Santhali Traditional dance. A short exciting cultural programme put up by the hostel children and parishioners compelled to clap hands and enjoy throughout. Whole programme ended with non-veg delicious meal. Congratulation, to Fr. Valerian, Fr. Pradeep and all the Sisters for their joint effort to make this inaugural function successful!

BHILAIPAHARI: INAUGURATION AND BLESSING OF “BAMBINO” BLOCK

The afternoon of Sunday December 16, 2012 had a joyful atmosphere at St. Joseph’s Hospital Campus, Bhilai Pahari. It was because Dr. Vojtech Elias (President) and Mr. Lubos Hajas (Chairman) of Likvidace Lepry, Check Republic had come here for the blessing and inauguration of the “Bambino” Block (Orphanage Block). They were accompanied by three young students from Check Republic. The Governing Board and the Managing Committee had a meeting with Dr. Fr. Vojtech Elias and Mr. Lubos at 3.00 p.m. Thereafter at 4.00 they were welcomed with tribal dance to the “Bambino Block”, which Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. blessed and dedicated. There are already 10 orphans living in the house. There was a short cultural program. Dr. Fr. Vojtech expressed his happiness and satisfaction at the great service St. Joseph’s Hospital was doing and assured to continue to collaborate in serving the sick. High Tea was given to all the present. Dr. Fr. Vojtech and his team left for Kolkata after that. Congratulations to Fr. George Manna and the JMJ Sisters!

BALARAMPUR : GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY

The Sisters of Sacred Heart of Balarampur were all smiles, when Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J, Fr. C.R. Prabhu, Fr. John Otto, Fr. Eugene Ekka and Mr. Ephrem Kispotta arrived for the ground breaking ceremony to construct a convent building. Fr. Jerome Pereira welcomed them all and offered them tea/coffee. At 11.00 a.m. together with the students of Standard Three, all gathered at the future convent building site. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J led the prayers and did the ground breaking followed by others present.

JHINKPANI: LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE

At 3.30 p.m. on 22^nd December, 2012 amid the Sisters, students, village leaders, Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. after the prayers laid the foundation stone for the presbytery in our new land property. According to Fr. Water Crasta, the parish priest, the new presbytery should be ready within eight months.

GOVINDPUR: NIRMALA DAY

Nirmala Day was solemnly celebrated by D.S.W.C, Govindpur Dhanbad on 9^th December, 2012.  It began with the Holy Mass at 9:00 am which was presided over by Rev. Fr. Amatus Kujur, the Dean of Dhanbad deanery. Fr. Bipin Pani, Fr. Ajay Tiru and Fr. James Surin were the concelebrants in the Mass.  After the Mass a beautiful cultural programme was presented by students and hostellers of Nirmala Girls’ School, Govindpur to entertain the guests.  Rev. Fr. Amatus Kujur, the dean of Dhanbad deanery was the chief guest of the occasion. Prizes were given by the Chief Guest to the winners of various school academic activities as debate, singing and G.K competition etc. At the end of the programme everyone shared the delicious lunch served by the DSWC community, Govindpur.

BISHOP’S HOUSE, GOLMURI

Finance Department: To assist in the office of Finance Department of the Diocesan Curia, Golmuri, Sr. Rita Colaco, PDDM has joned from 4^th of December, 2012. She is an experienced accountant and she will assist the diocesan treasurer in managing various accounts of the diocese. We extend Rev. Sr. Rita  a hearty welcome and wish all the best in all her undertakings.

Clergy Meeting: On Tuesday, 18^th December, 2012, the Diocesan and Religious Priests came together for the clergy meeting and Christmas Milan for the year 2012. The meeting began with a bhajan and welcome address by the Bishop. After that Fr. C.R. Prabhu lead the group in discussions and deliberations on various issues concerning the Year of Faith, life and relationship of the clergy in the Diocese. The meeting came to an end with a Christmas get-to-gether and a delicious meal.

Christmas Gift by Dr. Ajay Kumar, MP of Jamshedpur: On the happy occasion of Christmas Dr. Ajay Kumar, MP of Jamshedpur gifted some computers and lap tops to Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. as a help in educating the poor children. Thanks to Dr. Ajay Kumar, MP for his generous contribution.

CONGRATULATIONS!

On the Episcopal ordination of Most Rev. Anand Jojo, Bishop of Hazaribag we congratulate him and the diocese. He was consecrated on 8^th December, 2012 by His Excellency Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo.

Hearty congratulation to Most Rev. Binay Kandulna on his appointment of the Bishop of Diocese of Kunti. The solemn installation will take place on 12^th January, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Khunti.

With prayerful support and encouragement the Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur wishes God’s blessings and extends best wishes to   Most Rev. Anand Jojo, Bishop of Hazaribag and Most Rev. Binay Kandulna, Bishop of Khunti.

DIVYA BHARATHI, CHAIBASA

On the 2^nd of this month we had the CRI Meet of Chaibasa Deanery under the able leadership of Sr. Flora, UMI, President, Chaibasa CRI Unit and 36 Religious participated in the One day Meet which was facilitated by Fr. Hilary Lobo, SJ who through inputs and group discussions, animated the CRI Meet preparing them to celebrate the “Year of Faith” in a meaningful and fruitful manner. His availability and Power point Presentations were well appreciated and it ended with a Eucharist.

From the 7^th- 19^th of December, we had six couples from CKP, Noamundi and Chaibasa Parishes coming for the “Marriage Preparation Courses” which was held in Hindi and English. Fr. John Mundu also helped out in the various courses. Special thanks goes to the Parish Priests in taking extra care in encouraging couples to attend the courses.

From the 29^th-31^st, we had seven Jesuit Regents coming for their Triduum which ended in their Renewing their commitment to the Lord and also siepping into the New Year with renewed vigour and zeal.

During the year 2012-13, we had 23 programmes conducted in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre and in the New Year; the leadership will be carried forward by the new Director, Fr.Cyril Tigga, SJ.

-George Anthony

RIP NEWS

Fr. Richard Miranda: His mother Mrs. Alice Noronha Miranda died on 21^st December, 2012 in Mangalore. 

Fr. Robert Toppo: His mother Mrs. Lucia Toppo died on 25^th December, 2012 in Noadih, Gumla.

We wish you Fr. Richard and Fr. Robert Toppo a heart-felt condolence. May their souls rest in peace!

DIVYA JYOTI RENEWAL CENTRE, SUNDERNAGAR

To celebrate the Year of Faith, Divya Jyoti Renewal Centre, Sundernagar is organizing two weeks Retreat and Pilgrimage. The programme include five days retreat at Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor, Potta (June 2-7) and visit to important Churches in Kerala. Please announce the news in the parishes and centre. Last date to give the names: 31st January, 2013. For further details contact: Fr Sebastian Kallath VC, Mob. 8294923337. Happy New Year!

BIRTHDAY (JANUARY)

Date	Name
02	Gerald M. D’Souza
11	Raju Felix Crasta
21	Selva Raj
21	Walter Crasta
28	Gyan Prakash Topno

          The Call to the priesthood… Can you hear it?

The Diocese of Jamshedpur and Society of Jesus, Jamshedpur province has programs such as vocation seminar and meetings for prospective candidates for priesthood. Contact to the Vocation Offices for more informations at:

Diocese of Jamshedpur:                    
The Vocation Promoter                                                     

Bishop’s House                                                                 

P.O. Golmuri                                                                     

Jamshedpur-831003                                                          

Jharkhand                                                                          

Phone No.: (0657) 2318130/09572752429                     

Jesuit Province of Jamshedpur:
Fr. Somy Mathew, S.J.

Inigo Niwas, Candidate House

St. Xavier’s High School

P.B. No. 10, Chaibas P.O.

W. Sighbhum-833201

Phone No.: 09546721569