www.jamshedpurdiocese.org
The Jamshedpur diocesan website “www.jamshedpurdiocese.org”
is under construction. It will be launched on 25th December, 2013
with the birth of Lord Jesus. The website will provide the valuable information
about the diocese, its mission and vision. Your valuable suggestions are
welcome for the better improvement and updating of the website. (Fr. Linus
Kindo)
SPIRITUAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We Christians have two very
important Feasts: Christmas and Easter. While celebrating Easter we celebrate
the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord, in Christmas we celebrate the
Incarnation of Our Lord. The mystical events of both these Feasts lead us to
understand the deep love God has for us. Let us reflect on the mystery of
Incarnation.
We can understand the
spiritual and mystical meaning of Christmas through the following Gospel verse,
“For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone
who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). This
verse speaks of various eternal Truths of our religion. Let us meditate on
them.
God and his Love: God is Alpha and Omega, All-powerful,
All-creator, Omniscient and Omnipresent, yet he is Love, Forgiveness and Mercy.
God Out of love he created man. In Isaiah we read, “Can a woman forget her baby
at the breast, feel no pity for the child she has borne? Even if these were to
forget, I shall not forget you” (Is. 49:15). He further says, “ I have loved
you with an everlasting love and so I will maintain my faithful love for
you”(Jer 31:3). God is God yet he loves his sinful and rebellious creature.
Human Being: God created man in his own image and
likeness (Gen.1:27). He gave man, his own creature, his own everlasting soul
and life. He gave freedom and will power. He gave him wisdom and intellect and
capacity to discern the good and evil. He gave him the Ten Commandments so that
man may live accordingly and be united to God in this mundane life and after
death. The Ten Commandments were a great sign of his love.
Sin and Salvation: Man rebelled against his Creator. He
disobeyed him. God could have destroyed man because he is just. He also is kind
and merciful. He is love. But man’s sin was so grave that no sacrifice known to
man could have appeased God. God in his wisdom and love offered his only
begotten Son to be sacrificed. To save his slave he gave his only Son. It was
necessary for the Son to sacrifice his life for our redemption. This is the
great result of man’s sin and God’s immense love.
Jesus Christ, Son of God: St. John the Evangelist
says, “In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was
God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came into being,
not one thing came into being except through him”(Jn 1:1-4). The Word is the
second person of the Trinity. Like his Father the Word is Alpha and Omega, all-creator,
all-powerful, omniscient and omnipotent yet he is love, forgiveness and mercy.
He is for us “the Way, the Truth and the Life”. He is the High Priest,
King-Shepherd and Prophet-Teacher. He is the Lamb of God and the promised
Messiah. He has been named, “Wonder-Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace” (See Is.9:5). He loves human beings and is ready sacrifice his
life for their redemption.
God Offered His Son to be Sacrificed:
The mystery of God’s immense love is in this fact that He offered his only
begotten Son to be sacrificed on the cross. The death punishment on the cross
was the most ignominious death during the time of Jesus. The crucifixion was
awarded only to the greatest of criminals. Carrying the heavy cross and going
up to the top of the hillock, being crucified cruelly and hanging on the cross
were both physically and psychologically painful. The pain and suffering Jesus
went through are beyond our imagination. Jesus Christ offered himself to suffer
pain, insult and abandonment and to die on the cross in our place for our sins.
That is his love.
Incarnation: For the sacrifice he was going make he
had to become a human being and that is why he was incarnated. This is our
Christmas. “For on the Feast of this awe-filled mystery, though invisible in
his own divine nature, he has appeared visibly in ours, and begotten before all
ages, he has begun to exist in time; so that, raising up in himself all that
was cast down, he might restore unity to all creation and call straying humanity
back to the heavenly Kingdom” (Preface of Christmas, 1). Christmas contains the
mystery of God’s immense love and the beginning of our redemption through Jesus
Christ.
Mother Mary: Mary’s role is undisputable in the
redemptive work of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Angel Gabriel proclaims the
unique grace and vocation Mary received from God. He says, “………Look! You are to
conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be
great and will be called Son of the Most High……The Holy Spirit will come upon
you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow…”(See Lk 1:
28-35) Mary is co-redemptress. Elizabeth, her cousin, filled the Holy Spirit
reveals the greatness of Mary by saying, “Of all women you are the most blessed,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit
from the mother of my Lord?” (Lk 1:42-43).
My dear brothers and
sisters, to get the eternal life we need to believe in the mystery of God’s
immense love for us. We need also to believe in and love Jesus Christ, the Word
Incarnate. I wish you grace-filled Happy Christmas in the name of the “Wonder
Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace”.
Your
servant and friend,
Bishop
Felix Toppo, S.J.
GROUND
BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE NEW CHURCH AT MALUKA
On 3rd November, 2013, Bishop
breaks ground to build a parish church in Maluka. Maluka has seen perhaps the
oldest mission station in Kolhan initiated by Msgr. John Bodra and the
Catechist Theophil Purty. Baring two, no other
parish in Kolhan region has any formal church. So it is in fitness of things
and time, Fr. Junas Purty and his parishioners have taken steps to have their
own a beautiful Church. At a colorful function, in the presence of local Mundas
and Manki and a large number of parishioners our Bishop along with Fr. Prabhu,
local leaders and representatives of the Community, broke the ground. Hopefully
the Church will be ready in a year’s time.
The parishioners have to raise the needed funds for this.
Earlier the Bishop administered
Confirmation to 32 Children and gave First Communion to 16 Children during the
beautifully prepared Sunday liturgy. The Bishop congratulated Fr. Junas Purty,
the Sisters and all the parishioners.
RAHARGORA: CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
A warm welcome to Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J., by the entire
Catholic community at Holy Family Church Rahargora on 17th November,
2013 was a unique one. The women of the parish welcomed him in traditional cultural
manner by making him walk on leaves from the main gate to the Church.
There were 12 children for Confirmation and 10 for first Holy
Communion. The children were very well prepared to receive the sacraments. The excellent
hymns during the liturgy created a very devotional atmosphere in the Church.
The Bishop preached on the mysteries of the Holy Eucharist, Body and Blood of
our Jesus Christ our Lord and the Holy Spirit to strengthen the faith of the
people in the Holy Eucharist.
After the Mass there was a short felicitation program. The
lay leadership in organizing and executing the programmes was the important
feature in the community. Congratulations!
A GIGANTIC JUMP BY SJA
SISTERS ON KASIDA MISSION
On 9th November, 2013, Bishop
Felix Toppo, S.J., blessed the new SJA convent house at Kasida and offered the
Mass in the new house, invoking the God’s blessings and his continuous
protection on them. Rev. Sr. Provincial cut the colourful ribbon and
inaugurated the new SJA convent. A big number of lay people came from Ghatshila
and Maubhandar who participated in the Holy Mass and prayed for the SJA
Sisters.
The SJA Sisters have started an English medium School in Kasida.
Congratulations dear Sisters and wish you all the best in your apostolate at
Kasida!
FIRST
COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION
10th
November, 2013 was a memorable day for 42 boys and girls of Our Lady of
Guadalupe, Church, Telco who received the Sacrament of Confirmation and 30
First Holy Communion.
The Confirmation certificate was given
to all the boys and girls who received the Sacrament. At the end of the
programme all shared the snacks and tea. Congratulation to Fr. Leo John
D’Souza, the parish priest and his associates!
NATIONAL
SCC CONVENTION AT GOA
75 Bishops, delegates from 120 diocese,
6 000 lay delegates participated in the First National SCC Convention held in
Goa from 18-21st November, 2013. From Jamshedpur 20 delegates were led by Fr
Cyril Tigga to participate in it. The Theme was: SCC: A new way of being Church in the neighbourhood. The detail
information can be found in www.archgoadaman.org
The Inaugural Mass was said by His Grace
Savatore Pennacchio. The whole liturgy was well arranged with melodious singing.
During the Inaugural Session Procession of Bibles in many Languages and Their enthronement
was very impressive. Bishop Bosco Penha gave a very inspiring talk on SCC and
he answered many questions raised by the participants.
On the Second Day the Bishops and
delegates were sent to different parishes. Archbishop Albert D'Souza and Bishop
Felix Toppo, S.J. were sent to St Thomas Church, Aldon Deanery. Archbishop presided
over the Mass and Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. preached to the 1500 faithful present
in the Eucharistic Celebration.
CHOTANAGRA
GETS ON THE DIOCESAN MAP
Chotanagra village is in Saranda
Forest, part of Manoharpur Block on the road from Kiriburu to Manoharpur. The
area is taken care of by Kiriburu parish.
Fr. Richard Miranda, then the PP of Kiriburu had initiated missionary
work in those villages in Saranda Forster. Today it is a growing Christian
Community. Under the leadership of Kiriburu parish-priest Fr. Suresh Xaxa ofm (cap), the people of this upcoming community have
built a small mud-wall Church for their Sunday worship. On 14th of
November, Bishop Felix Toppo S.J. along with Fr. Prabhu and ten other priests
blessed this in the presence of nearly 400-500 people. After a beautiful Ho
Liturgy and Swagut, the local Christian community fed the whole village.
Chotanagra is developing into an independent parish in not too-distant a
future. Congratulations to Fr. Suresh Xaxa and his team for the great work.
WRITE UP ON
KHUNTPANI CELEBRATIONS ON NOVEMBER 8TH
A week before the Khuntpani feast celebrations,
Frs. Prabhu and Camille Hembrom spent nearly 3 days holding meetings with local
Mundas-Manki and local leaders to resolve the conflict that had arisen
concerning status of St. Joseph’s School in Khuntpani. And thus prepared for
the smooth and tension free celebration of the feast of our Lady of Khuntpani.
The annual feast of Khuntpani Shrine was
celebrated on 8th November, 2013, with great joy and festivity. On
that day the Church in Chotanagpur remembered the divine intervention of God in
the community through the first Baptism, which took place at Khuntpani in the
year 1873, and thanked God for the same. A large number of faithful from
different parts of Jharkhand gathered for the Solemn Holy Eucharist. Bishop
Felix Toppo, S.J., was the main celebrant of the concelebrated Solemn Holy
Eucharist. During the homily he exhorted the faithful to be firm in their as Mother
Mary. The celebration began with the blessing of the memorial stone, lighting
of the lamps and by venerating Khuntpani Mata by the Bishop and Priests who
were present for the Holy Eucharist. After the Holy Eucharist, in order to
accelerate the festive mood, school children from Carmel schools presented welcome
song. Congratulation to Fr. James and team!
GROUND-BREAKING
FUNCTION AT SAPAROMGUTTU, MAZGAON
St. Xavier’s School, Saparomguttu in
Mazgaon block will have proper classrooms. Thus far, over 400 boys and girls up
to class 6, have been under the thatched-roof- open sheds. At a colorful
function, on 22nd November, in the presence of Deans of Chaibasa and
Jamshedpur, several guests, Staff and students, Fr. Prabhu blessed and broke
the ground, Fr. Edwin Coelho smashed the coconut; Frs. Camille Hembrom,
Benedict Hembrom and Dileep Marandi did the ground breaking. It is hoped that
in a year’s time, the children will be able to study in a pukka building. Congratulations to Fr. Benedict Hembrom and
his faithful team for the great work they are doing.
MUNNA
–MUNNI FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN CHAIBASA.
Traditionally, Chaibasa parish
organizes an annual event of football
tournament for the primary school children of Kolhan-Porhat. This year 18 teams of boys and 11 Girls’
teams participated in this 3-days of matches.
After completing 67 matches in all spread over 3 days, the First Trophy
among boys went to St. Theresa’s school Jhinkpani , the First Trophy among
girls was bagged by St. Thomas School in Gandedungri. The Second prize among
the boys went to St. Paul’s Maluka while St. Paul’s Girls of Goilkera
were the runners –up. The SDO Chaibasa inaugurated the tournament and
Mr. Lalit Sharma, Chairman Chamber of Commerce gave away the trophies at the
end. Congratulations to Frs. Puthumai
and Edwin Coelho!
BIJHAN
DIOCESAN PRIESTS CONFERENCE
30 diocesan priests from the different
dioceses of Bijhan Region spent two days in reflecting the on the Challenges
and struggles of the Diocesan priests. Fr. George Monopilly of Daltonganj was
the resource person. Fr. Prabhu the VG inaugurated this convention. It is a
pity that many more priests could not attend this me convention. Congratulations to the Organisers!
JAMSHEDPUR
PRIESTS’ MEETING
This year’s final meeting of priests and
Sisters working in parishes and Institutions, both the diocesan and the
religious will be held on December 18th at 9.30a.m., at the Bishop’s
House, Golmuri. It would conclude with Christmas Milan for priests. All our
priests-both diocesan and religious are requested to participate in this
meeting.
DIOCESAN
JUBILEE SCHOLARSHIPS DISTRIBUTED
The Diocesan Jubilee Scholarship
Committee during the year 2013 is disbursing Rs. 6.50,000 in scholarships to
204 needy & deserving students. 175 students of Primary and High School
students, 15 College students and 14 candidates of ITI, Nursing and Livelihood
training have been selected for these scholarships. Last month, the selected
candidates of Kolhan-Porhat received these scholarships during a special
function in St. Xavier’s School, Chaibasa from the hands of S.D.O.
Chaibasa. Our Bishop Felix Toppo, SJ
distributed these scholarships to the selected candidates from Dhanbad region
during a public function in Dhobatand –Govindpur. Fr. John Ottaplakal of
Purulia distributed the scholarships for the selected students of Purulia
district. And Mr. A.B. Lall, the Head of Tata-Plant, Tata Motors, Telco gave
away the scholarships to the selected candidates of East Singhbhum district
during a function after the Christ the King procession on 24th
November. Thanks to those who have helped in mobilizing funds and
congratulations to those who received these scholarships. (Fr. C.R. Prabhu,
Vicar General)
CHRIST THE KING FEAST
CELEBRATED & YEAR OF THE FAITH
CONCLUDED WITH ANNUAL PROCESSIONS
THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE
This year, November 24, 2013 is the last
Sunday of the Liturgical year and the Feast of Christ the King is celebrated in
all the parishes with colorful religious processions. This Sunday is also the
concluding day of the Year of Faith.
CKP is the only parish in our diocese dedicated to Christ the King. Bishop Felix Toppo, SJ was in Dobatand parish
as the Chief Celebrant, where whole of Dhanbad Deanery gathered in, to take out
the Procession and conclude the Year of Faith..
Fr. Prabhu was the Main Celebrant for the Procession and the Mass in
Telco parish for Jamshedpur City parishes. Fr. Eugene Ekka joined St. Paul’s
Church in Maluka; Fr. Vincent David was the Chief Celebrant in CKP parish, Fr.
Linus Kindo was the Chief Celebrant at St. Paul’s at Maluka, Fr. James Kalapura, S.J. was the
Chief Celebrant at Sacred Heart at Adra where Purulia deanery come together,
Jesu Marsal at Chandil, St. Barbara’s at Mosaboni, St. Joseph’s at
Charbandia organized their own
processions and celebrations at their parish level. Congratulations to all
parish priests and their coworkers for the extra-ordinary manifestation of their
Faith.
ST.
JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL, GOLMURI
27 children received the First Holy
Communion on 3rd November 2013 in the solemn Eucharistic celebration presided
by Fr. Camille Hembrom. Traditional welcome, devotional dance and melodious
hymns elevated the spiritual experience of all. (Br. Jacob, DDS)
UPASANA,
MANGO
In the month of November, we had 16
Jesuit Deacons from the Central Zone, making their Ordination Retreat from
19-27 October. It was directed by Fr. George Anthony. It was followed by two
days of Pastoral Orientation by Fr. Cyril Tigga. The Deacons were very happy
with the place, atmosphere of silence, Director’s Inputs as well as Jerry’s
special cuisine during journey with the Lord. Jerry is busy cultivating exotic
vegetables which in another month we’ll start to taste. Fr. Joe Surin also made
his annual retreat at the same time as the Deacons. Fr. Benedict Minj is still
helping out in Omra and Pradeep Marandi has left on the 27th Nov.
for Cochin to attend the ICSE Principals meet. (George Anthony)
YOUTH CAMP
Youths from Charbandia, Omra and
Goilkera numbering 200, had one day Youth Camp in Charbandia to discover their
talents and goals of life. Fr. Dileep Marandi the resource person of the
programme helped them to identify their strengths and goals of life. Fr. Ranjit
Kindo and his team from TRTC, Lupungutu also came and met the young yours and
girls, giving them the information about job oriented training and
opportunities offered by TRTC. Youths profited much from the camp.
Congratulations to the parish priests of Charbandia, Omra and Goilkera!
KRUS VEER RALLY
IN DHANBAD
Two different important activities at
St. Anthony’s Church Dhanbad were remarkable. It was the day of great joy with
unique experiences for 15 children, who received the first communion during the
Holy Mass on 10th November, 2013.
On 17th November, 2013, Krus Veer
Rally of Dhanbad deanery was organized at St. Anthony’s Parish Dhanbad, was a
wonderful opportunity for the school children. 187 children from different
schools of deanery came together for a day of reflection and fun. The programme
began at 8:00 am with an inaugural talk given by Fr. Amatus Kujur, the dean of
Dhanbad deanery. Children with great enthusiasms participated in the various
activities of rally like, singing, games and bible quiz competition. The team
of 3 children from each parish took part in the quiz competition which was
taken from the gospel of saint Luke. It
was well done by all children. 3 Sisters from Carmel Convent and parish council
member of the St. Anthony’s Church gave all the needed help for the success of
the Krus Veer Rally. It came to conclusion with the Holy Mass presided over by
Fr. Amatus Kujur at 3:00 pm. Congratulations and thanks to all the Krus Veer
animators of the deanery.
ST.
MARY’S ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL, BISTUPUR
“Let the children come to me”. This year
on the occasion of children’s day, we had a unique celebration in both the
blocks. An Antakshri competition was conducted in Senior Block which was a
fantastic & a fabulous show everyone enjoyed and appreciated it. In the
evening junior block had a lot of fun and enjoyment through the Bal Mela. It was a grand success as
nearly 4000 people had visited the different stalls put up by the teachers
& non-teaching staff. This shows an active participation of our parents
& guardians in the school activities. Thanks to Fr. David Vincent under whose
able leadership the students are given a lot a opportunity to develop their
potentiality in order to become better human beings.
Along with these activities, our
students had participated different inter school competitions and won many
prizes and awards. Many teachers were sent to update themselves to attend workshops
conducted by different schools like Jusco, Kerala Samajam & XLRI. Our
teachers have become more creative & effective in their teaching. After the
hectic, activities, pogrammes and workshops the school started the unit test.
HEARTY
CONDOLENCE
Fr. James
Surin’s
lost his father Mr. Thadeus Surin on 17th November, 2013. He was 81
years old.
Fr. Prabhu’s nephew, Montu Fernandes who fell off from a
local train in Mumbai while returning home from his work, died on 11th
November.
BIRTH DAYS (DECEMBER)
|
Date
|
Name
|
|
04
|
Ajay Tiru
|
|
04
|
Junas Bhengra
|
WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2014
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