August, 2014

VIRGIN MARY: OUR LOVING MOTHER

On August 15 every year with deep faith and devotion, we celebrate the great Feast of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Our Mother Church teaches us that Virgin Mary, “having completed the course of her life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”. Mary is the Sublime Masterpiece of God the Father. She is superbly beautiful in her perfect Love that the Angels never cease admiring the Holiest of all Virgins. We need to honour the Woman adorned with the sun, adorned with the Holy Spirit, thrice Holy and who fills the world and ranks as Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. She, the Immaculate Conception, is the Beloved Spouse of the Creator. She crushes the head of Satan. Jesus her Divine Son, is the Heart of her Heart, Soul of her Soul and the Spirit of her Spirit. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are One. She is the Queen of Angels and all creatures. Our loving Mother is the Co-Redemptress of our Redeemer whose Sacred Heart, burning with Love, was offered to be pierced too for our sake.

This same Mother Mary has appeared to many persons of different age in various times and places to guide, teach, support us and to warn the Church and the humankind. I am going to introduce three such apparitions of our times with messages which are of prime importance for our redemption. These are apparitions of Virgin Mary at Lourdes, Fatima and Garabandal.

1. The Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes

Beginning with her first apparition of February 11, 1858, Mary appeared eighteen times to Bernadette Soubirous, a girl of only fourteen years of age, When Bernadette asked the Lady who she was, she received this reply, “I am the Immaculate Conception”. Less than four years before, on December 8, 1854, Pius IX had raised the teaching about the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady to be dogma of faith. Through this dogma the Church teaches us that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary was from the first moment of her conception, by the singular, grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of merits of Christ Jesus the Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin, is revealed by God and therefore, firmly and constantly to be believed by all the faithful. (cf. The Christian Faith #708).

The Messages of Lourdes can be summed up in the following four points: a. Heavenly confirmation of the dogma of Immaculate Conception, b. Reparation for sins and personal conversion, c. Importance of prayer and specially the Rosary.

2. The Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady appeared six times to Lucia Dos Santos, age 9, and her cousins, Frncisco and Jacinta Marto, age 8 and 6 respectively at Cova da Iriva close to Fatima village in Portugal. The Apparition of Mary was preceded by three apparitions of an Angel. Our Lady appeared on May 13, 1917, June 13, 1917, July 13, 1917, August 19, 1917, September 13, 1917 and the last on October 13, 1917.

 Miracle of the Sun

During the last apparition the famous “Miracle of the Sun” took place at midday. The rain stopped suddenly and there appeared exceptionally bright sun, but not dazzling. The sun began to turn as if projecting in each direction bands of light of each colour that lit and collared the clouds, the sky, the trees, and the crowd. It stayed for some moments then it went back to its normal position, it stayed still for a small while and then it happened again. Suddenly it looked as if it stood out from the sky to fall headlong on the crowd that was looking terrorized; they fell to their knees and begged mercy. Meanwhile the visionary children saw a Lady dressed like the white of the sun with a blue cope, St. Joseph with the Child Jesus that blessed the world. Then after this vision they saw the Lord bless the world, standing next to our Lady of Sorrows. After these visions the Lady of Mt Carmel finished the miracle. The people then became aware that there clothes were completely dried.

The Main Messages of Our Lady given at Fatima

a) Penance

In the Gospels the word penance means  a conversion of one’s life, a turning away from sin, and a turning back to God. Our Lady insisted at Fatima: “Men must amend their lives, and ask pardon for their sins.....They must no longer offend Our Lord, Who is already so much offended.” Fatima message is a call for men to give up sinful practices which grieve God and draw down his chastisements on the world, and to make reparation for them. Our Lady told the children to make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell because there is no one to make sacrifices for them.

b) Prayer

Besides a call to penance, Fatima is in a special way a call for the Rosary. In each of the six apparitions Our Lady asked for daily Rosary, and especially as an instrument of world peace. After repeatedly asking for the daily Rosary, and identifying herself as “The Lady of the Rosary”, the Blessed Mother terminated the final apparition by showing the children three separate tableaux symbolizing the entire message of the Rosary. The first was the vision of the Holy Family – representing the joyful mysteries; the second a vision of Our Lady of Sorrows – representing the sorrowful mysteries; and the third is a vision of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – representing the glorious mysteries.

c) Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

In the second apparition on June 13, Our Lady let the children know that “Jesus wishes to establish throughout the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it.” Our Lady asked to make Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

3. The Apparition of Our Lady of Garabandal

Garabandal is a small village in the Santander Province in northern Spain, where Our Lady appeared to four girls – Conchita Gonzales, Maria Dolores (Mari-Loli) Mazon, Jacinta Gonzalez and Maria Cruz Gonzales. Maria was 12 years of age and others were eleven, and all were from poor families. From 1961 to 1965 Our Lady appeared to these girls, sometimes together, sometimes alone, innumerable times. During the apparitions the girls went into ecstasies. Powerful beams of strong light were focused on them, yet their eyes did not even flicker, blink or show any signs of discomfort. The flame did not burn them. On July 18, 1962 the Miracle of the Host took place. An Angel with a golden chalice gave Conchita on her tongue the holy Host. People saw the host, but did not see the angel.

Four Main Messages of Garabandal

Three great supernatural events were prophesied at Garabandal.

 a) The Warning

The first is a worldwide Warning from God to be seen and then felt interiorly by everyone on earth. At that moment, we will see the wrong we have done and the good we failed to do. The Warning will be sent to correct the conscience of the world and prepare it for the great miracle.

b) The Miracle

The Miracle will take place at the grove of pine trees on a bluff overlooking the village of Garabandal It will occur on a Thursday evening at 8.30 on or between the eighth and the sixteenth of March, April or May. (Visionary Conchita knows the date and will announce it eight days in advance.) It will be on the feast day of a martyr of the Eucharist and coincide with an event in the Church. All the persons present either in the village or surrounding mountains will see it. The sick who are present will be cured, sinners converted and the incredulous will believe. As a result of the Miracle, Russia will be converted.

c) The “Sign”

After the Miracle, a permanent visible supernatural sign will remain at the pines in Garabandal until the end of time as a proof of Our Lady’s tremendous love for all her children. The Sign that will remain, will be able to be seen, photographed and televised, but it will not be able to be touched. It will appear clearly that it is something not of this world, but of God.

d) The Chastisement

If the world still does not change after the Miracle, then God will send the Chastisement. 

Dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the glorious feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, let us also remember that she as our Mother who loves us immensely. She appears to the visionaries to guide us in the path of holiness, to teach us God’s will for our salvation and to warn us against the sin committed against God and imminent punishment if we do not repent. I invite all of you to reflect and meditate on God’s love, to pray to Our Lady of Rosary and to love the Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary. This will make our Feast spiritually meaningful and fruitful.

                                                                                                           Your Friend and Servant

                                                                                                            +Felix Toppo, S.J.

SACRED HEART CONVENT, BALARAMPUR

On 26^th July, 2014, Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J., blessed the new SSH convent house at St. Xavier’s Mission, Balarampur and offered the Holy Mass in the new house, invoking the God’s blessings and his continuous protection on them. Rev. Sr. Elsita, SSH, Provincial cut the colourful ribbon and inaugurated the new SSH convent. A good number of priests and Sisters came from neighboring parishes and convents to participate in the joy of SSH Sisters and prayed for their successful Mission.

After the blessing and Holy Mass a token of love was given by Sr. Elsita, SSH to all those who helped the SSH Sister to concretize their dream in Balarampur.

The SSH Sisters are managing the English medium School of the diocese of Jamshedpur in Balarampur. We wish you all the best in your apostolate!

BLESSING OF CHAPEL AT MURKUM

11^th July, 2014, Friday was a very happy and memorable day for the faithful of Murkum. On this day a newly built beautiful chapel was blessed by Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. The chapel was built in loving memory of late Joan Henneberry with the help of Rita Danis and friends from Canada. Besides this, the parishioners of St. Mary’s Parish also contributed toward this great cause. It was built under the leadership and supervision of Frs. Chonas Xalxo and David Vincent. The faithful from neighboring villages as well as St. Mary’s parish came to participate in the blessing ceremony of the chapel. Congratulations and thanks to the faithful of Murkum and Frs. Chonas and David for their hard work.

CONGRATULATION DSWC, GOVINDPUR!

DSWC, Dhanbad has got approval from Indian Nursing Council to conduct Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) training at Nirmala General & Leprosy Hospital, Govindpur. ANM training will be conducted from October 2014. Forms will be available from 1st of August, 2014. The interested candidates are welcomed to collect the form from the office. For more details please contact Fr. Bipin Pani, the director of DSWC: Cell No.09006139951, E-mail ID- jtpani@gmail.com.

REV. SR. RUBY KUJUR, DEANERY SPIRITUAL GUIDE OF MAHILA SANGH

Chaibasa Deanery, Mahila Sangh is extremely happy to get Rev. Sr. Ruby Kujur, OSU as their spiritual guide. She has been already vested with her responsibilities from July, 2014. Under her guidance Mahila Sangh is hoping to move forward strengthening themselves spiritually. We wish her every success in all her undertakings.

TALDANGA:  LIFE MEANS TO MOVE ON

The summer vacation was dull and monotonous due to the extreme heat. Children were eager to get back to school. This was evident when the smiling faces were seen walking into the campus on 19^th June.

Once again the Loyolians fell into the rhythm of activities. Students were on their toes to begin. On 21^st June the Elocution and Speech Contest was conducted for Classes VI to X. The finalists had been short listed before the school closed for the vacation.

A mixture of emotions tickled our hearts on the 27^th of June, when we bid farewell to Rev. Fr. Paulus and warmly welcomed Rev. Fr. C. Lobo as the School Manager.

The month end was a time to test the mind. On 28^th June G.K. Contest was held for classes I to XII. On 30^th June there was a Spelling Contest.

Our new Principal Rev. Fr. Augustine Topno took over on the 7^th of July, 2014. There was a short prayer service during the morning Assembly, welcoming him into the Loyola Family.

The Inter-House Football tournament is in progress. The final will be on Loyola Day.

Students are being prepared for the Zonal level, football tournament.

Representatives from Classes IX, X & XII participated in the  Bible Quiz and the Kriss Memorial Quiz, held on the 19^th July. (Rita Sen)

SUNDERNAGAR: PRATIKSHA

On July 1^st the Regional Propaedeutic seminary was reopened with the Eucharistic Mass offered by the Bishop Felix Toppo., Bishop of Jamshedpur who was the chief guest for the inaugural day of Pratiksha. This year the seminary is blessed with 52 candidates from different dioceses of this region. In his message to the young seminarians, he brought the theme of being aware of the Presence and the Power of God in one’s life through the active and personal profession of faith in a simple and humble manner. Frs. Linus Kindo and Tobias Kujur concelebrated the Holy Mass along with Fr. Oscar, the Director and Fr. Amrit Ekka, the minister. Fr. Director Oscar Beck welcomed and wished all the students to have a pleasant stay.

VIANNEY NIWAS

Thirteen (13) new candidates from six different neighbouring diocese, arrived at Vianney Nivas, Nildungri, Jamshedpur in the beginning of July 1^st, 2014. They are all happy and doing well in their beginning stage of formation. Frs. Roque Cardoza and Herman Tigga are helping them out to learn and discern their vocation, for the great mission of Jamshedpur Diocese. The Diocese of Jamshedpur welcomes and wishes them ALL THE BEST.

FEAST OF SACRED HEART SISTERS

Priests and religious of Jamshedpur deanery gathered together to celebrate the Congregation’s feast of the Sisters of Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Joseph’s Convent, Golmuri. Sr. Suchita, SSH gave a warm welcome to all the guests. The Candidates sang a feast day song to which the whole congregation joined and wished all the Sacred Heart Sisters. Fr. Camille Hembrom, Parish Priest and dean of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Golmuri said grace over the meal.

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH’S OF CLUNY, TELCO

Sisters of St. Joseph’s of Cluny rejoiced as they celebrated the feast of their patron saint on 15^th July, 2014. They invited all the priests and religious as well as teachers and some important people of the town to join in the celebration. All the invited guest join the thanksgiving Eucharist celebration presided by Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. Special prayers were offered for the Sisters of St. Joseph’s of Cluny. At the end of the Mass all shared the fellowship meal served by the Sisters at Telco Club hall.

KUNTPANI SHRINE

Fr. James Quadros, the ever energetic missionary is actively engaged in spiritualy renewing the Quasai Parish of Khuntipani. The quasai parish has 5 well formed BCC groups. New groups are being formed in other mandalies of the parish. Sr. Sunita F.C. and the Catechist Mr. Bagun Dongo Co-ordinate BCC apostolate in the mandalies. The people are busy in the field work. The BCC gatherings are held in the late evenings. On 22^nd July, 2014 Charismatic renewal programme was held in khuntpani guided by St. Joseph’s Charismatic team, Golmuri.

ST. XAVIER’S CHURCH, CHAIBASA

Fr. Halan Bodra and Fr. Pradeep Marandi after taking charge of the parish, with great enthusiasm have started visiting their parishioners. St. Xavier’s Boys School had a colourful programme to welcome Fr. Halan Bodra the new Secretary of the school. On the same day the final of the inter-house football match was held. The new secretary gave away the prizes to the winners. In his speech he recalled his school days and his participations in football and hockey events in the school. The new principal, Fr. Sahay Thasan was given a warm welcome by the boys on 26^th of July. A well arranged programme was held in the school where boys put up small colourful items and depicted their talents. Fr. Puthumai Raj the outgoing principal thanked the students and staff for their co-operation and wished that they will continue to co-operate with Fr. Sahay. Mr. Shekhar, recalled the great events during Fr. Puthumai’s tenure in the School- 75 years Jubilee celebration, state level basket ball championship, District level Basket Ball, football and field events. All these were conducted with meticulous preparations and with the co-operation of District sports associations. He also recalled that during his tenure as principal, he encouraged the boys to take part in all the events organized at the district and state level by education department.

There was a great applause by the students when it was announced that he personally supervised the preparation for these events with the help of the assigned teacher and always the team came back to school with prizes. Finally Sr. Nilam DSA gave the vote to thanks to all present in the programme.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES, SUNDERNAGAR

Catholic Charities gets a New Health Coordinator in the person of Sr. Anupama SRA. She has begun taking her job seriously, by visiting various Health Centres in the diocese. She is organizing a diocesan level meeting of all Health workers on 31^st August. The Staff of CCJ& SJVK welcomed her into their team.

Sr. Thomasina SCJM joined CCJ & SJVK as the Financial Administrator in the last week of July. Her many years of experience in handling finances is a great asset to the Organization. CCJ & SJVK, while thanking the respective Provincials, welcomes both of these wholeheartedly and prays for a very fruitful ministry.

Fr. Halan Bodra, the previous director, spent the whole month of June day & night in the villages where works of CCJ & SJVK are in progress.  We place on record the wonderful work he has almost single-handedly done in the service of the vulnerable groups in our diocese. May God bless him abundantly.

Frs. C.R. Prabhu & Alwyn C.V. along with their team of Coordinators of different works have been visiting various centres, getting themselves acquainted with the persons and their work.  They have planned that while Fr. Prabhu spends a little more time in the office, Fr. Alwyn would spend time in the villages. In the meantime, the Governing Board and the General Body of CCJ & SJVK will hold their annual meetings on August 8^th, 2014.

SMART Programme

With the help of Jharkhand Government, CCJ/SJVK has been organizing Skill-trainings, especially in the field  of Textile industry. These short courses of 45 days to 3 months prepares the candidates-mostly school drop-outs from the villages for simple jobs. The Government itself takes care of the placements for these boys & girls. The CCJ& SJVK has already organized 10 such courses and most of these candidates are working gainfully in the Textiles Mills in South India.

ST. JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL, GOLMURI

 Fr. Camille Hembrom the President of Jamshedpur Diocesan Catholic Charismatic Service Team and its members organized a charismatic and intercessory prayer training program from 11^th to 13^th July at St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre from 7.30am to 4.00pm. 72 persons from different parts of the diocese attended it. Fr. Raphael Lakra the member of NST from Raiganj diocese and Br. Rajan Fernandez the vice president of NST from Mumbai were the resource persons. The members attended felt it was an effective training program. For the future charismatic ministry in the diocese, a core team and an executive committee were formed. The executive committee members are Mr. Ignatus Oraon, the President, Mr. Cosmos Thomas, the Vice President, Miss Kiran Ekka, the Secretary and Fr. Camille Hembrom the Spiritual adviser.

St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre is organizing a ‘Mechanic cum Forklift Training’ and a battery operated pallet Truck Operators “Job Oriented” course from 4^th August 2014. Training will be given by Qualified & Experienced Faculty members with Practical & Theory. Admission forms are available.          

The mobile no. of Assistant PP, Fr. Michael Deogam is 7549106549

ST.MARY’S ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL

The thread of love –Raksha Bandhan traditionally celebrates the sacred bond of trust between brothers and sisters. Dainik Jagran one of the leading news paper conducted an activity “Building new ties of trust beyond the family Raksha Parv”  by approaching the school students and asking them to send messages to their “other brothers ,the soldiers or  the jawans  at the border’’. More than two hundred students had taken part in this activity. The students had written emotional and inspiring messages to the jawans. St. Mary’s has gone a step forward for sending HEART touching messages and notes to their soldier brothers. The school events supported the classroom activities and offered new opportunities of learning. Taking the students beyond the classrooms redefined their experience, exposed them to their higher values of life and gave them real life situation to recognize their God given talents. For this the school had organized an inter school event for the first time called FELICITY. The students from twelve schools in and around the city had participated in it The chief guest for the event was Fr. Walter Crasta the vicar General of Jamshedpur diocese. In his speech he inspired the participants,   “whatever you may do, give your hundred percent as there lies the real joy and happiness.” An inter class  Mini FIFA world cup was organized in the school and fortunately the cup was taken by the students of std XI .Thanks to Fr. David Vincent for his initiative to organize these events in the school in order to make the students develop their potentialities.  

ST. XAVIER’S ENGLISH SCHOOL, CHAKRADHARPUR

The monsoon did not disappoint us this time. We had good Rain-fall so far. The first term examination for all the classes was over in the first week of July. The exams were very well conducted and the students are also happy that their exams are over. The classes have been resumed again with great confidence, so that the students can perform better in the next exam. The students are eagerly waiting for the results to come out on 26^th of July. Teachers are also busy in correcting the papers that they may present the result on the given date.

Competitions like creative writing and drawing were conducted on 5^th July and even on the same day there was an announcement made that the Rotary club is planning Rural libraries in order to reach out to rural students and our students were informed to bring their old books and other unused books for the library and the students did so. The students of class VIII –X during their S.U.P.W period conducted a food court and raised some donation for a Cancer Patient with the help of their S.U.P.W teachers. (Snehlata)

HEARTY CONDOLECE!
Rev. Fr. Vijay Bhat, lost his brother on 21^st July, 2014 in Mangalore. As he knew the seriousness of his sickness Fr. Vijay went to Mangalore a week before to be with his family. In the presence of all his loved ones his brother breathed his last. We remember and pray for his departed soul. May he rest in peace!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Ø  Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it. -George Bernard Shaw

Ø  Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. -John F. Kennedy

Ø  If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen. -Ronald Reagan

Ø  Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him. -Mahatma Gandhi

Ø  It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership. -Nelson Mandela

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

August:01 James Surin

 04 Amatus Kujur

 05 Cornelius Tigga

 08 John Crasta

 08 Norbert Kindo

 23 Johny P.D.

           28 Augustine Topno