SHEPHERD’S
VOICE
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
After the solemn feasts of the Nativity of Our Lord,
the first Martyr St. Stephen, St. John the Apostle, Evangelist and Martyr and
the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we celebrated the solemn Feast of
Mary, Holy Mother of God on the first day of the New Year. Elizabeth, filled
with the Holy Spirit, called her “the Mother of my Lord”(cf.Lk.1:43). “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 the Father’s eternal Son, the
second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church confesses that Mary is
truly Mother of God –Theotokos”(CCC495).
We know for sure that Mary, who gave birth to the King of Kings who rules
heaven and earth forever, will always pray for us and protect us. Together with
the Church let us offer our life and mission to the Mother of God.
I am glad to inform you
that the CBCI with its Notification given on September 1, 2014, dissolved the
BIJHAN Regional Bishops’ Council (RBC) and constituted Bihar and Jharkhand as two
RBCs. The official division took effect from November 26, 2014 after Archbishop
William D’Souza, S.J. officially read out the CBCI Notification during the
RBC-CRI-CDP annual meeting in Patna. The Bishops of Jharkhand RBC had a meeting
on December 19, 2014 in which Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. was elected its Chairman
and Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi Archdiocese, Theodore Mascarenhas, its
Secretary. Later the Chairman appointed Fr. John Crasta as the Deputy Secretary
of Jharkhand RBC. The Jharkhand Bishops have decided to call their Regional
Council as Jharkhand-Andamans RBC.
I would like to make
some suggestions which could be our roadmap for some important and relevant
diocesan and parochial activities for the year 2015.
1.
EVANGELII
GAUDIUM (EG): This is an Apostolic Exhortation of Pope
Francis on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World given on Nov. 24,
2013. On December 18, 2014, During the “Christmas Milan cum Pastoral
Reflections”, held in the Bishops’ House, Golmuri, Fr. John Crasta clearly and
powerfully elucidated the thematic spirit of EG. The Document touches Our
Lord’s fundamental teachings which are truly relevant for our times. I
encourage all of you to read, reflect and actualize its spirit - the Joy of the
Gospel - in your life and mission.
2.
WAKE UP THE WORLD: Pope Francis issued a
letter for the Year of Consecrated Life,
which started throughout the universal Church on the first Sunday of Advent, 30
Nov. 2014 and will end on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple,
2 February 2016. The Pope expressed his expectations for the yearlong
observance, including that consecrated men and women would examine their
presence in Church life and respond to the “new demands constantly being made
on us, to the cry of the poor”; and, spelt out the horizons of the Year of
Consecrated Life. During “Christmas Milan cum Pastoral Reflections”, mentioned
above, Fr. Jerome Cutinha, S.J. gave a summary of the Pope’s Letter and
reflected expertly on the various strengths of our diocese, difficult
challenges we have to encounter often and many opportunities which are open to
us for new evangelization. I encourage all of you to read the Pope’s letter and
reflect upon it, so that you can look at the past with gratitude, live the
present with passion and embrace the future with hope.
3.
SYNOD OF BISHOPS: Pope Francis has
convoked III Extraordinary Synod of Bishops to deliberate on the topic, “The
Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization”. In our
millennium the problems connected with the family are becoming increasingly
more complicated day by day. Let us
organize seminars on this theme on the diocesan, deanery and parish levels.
4.
AD
GENTES: Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples, on the occasion of 50th Anniversary of
the promulgation of the II Vatican council Decree ‘Ad Gentes’ has asked us to study it. Further, He has suggested to
have solemn Eucharistic celebrations, both on the diocesan and parish levels,
keeping in mind the central theme of “Ad
Gentes”. I encourage all of you to revisit the Decree ‘Ad Gentes’. We will try to organize study-seminars on this Decree
for the priests, religious and laity.
5.
NEW POLITICAL SCENARIO: A new political
scenario has emerged in India and
Jharkhand State. Anti minority statements are being voiced and
activities, carried out. With regard to these, the Prime Minister is keeping
silence, which is dangerous for the Church and for the unity and integrity of
the country. It is true that persecution is part and partial of Christian life,
as Our Lord has said, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too” (Jn
15:20). Nevertheless, we should keep in mind that we have our fundamental and
constitutional rights. At times with our Lord we have to say, “If there is some
offence in what I say, point it out; but if not, why do you strike me”
(Jn.18:23). The need of hour is unity among us. We need to come together to
read the signs of our times and to make right action plans. Let us join hands
and hearts with one another and pray to the Our Lord Jesus Christ so that,
remaining strong in our faith, we may continue to fulfil his mission of
evangelization in Jharkhand State and Jamshedpur Diocese in particular.
I once again wish you a
Happy and Prosperous New Year! Let us continue to pray for one another!
+Felix
Toppo, S.J.
Bishop of Jamshedpur
PDDM
CONVENT BLESSING & FINAL PROFESSION
ST.
JOSEPH’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
We would like to inform you that the
forms for the fourth batch of Community College will be issued from the 5th
of January onwards. Three courses will be conducted this year,
Diploma/Certificate course in Health Assistant, Diploma/Certificate Course in
Desk Top Publishing and Course for Office Assistant. Since there is a great
demand for these courses, please send your wards as early as possible with a
letter from the Parish Priest to avoid disappointment. Hostel facilities for
the girls only; this will be taken care of by the PDDM Sisters (Sr. Miriam,
PDDM).
Our
address is as follows:
ST. JOSEPH’S COMMUNITY
COLLEGE (SJCC)
Jesu
Bhavan Gate No.2
Old
Purulia Road, Mango
Jamshedpur
- 831012, Jharkhand
DIAMOND
JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF A.C. SCHOOL, DIGWARDIH
The wondrous dance by standard 9
extolled upon the richness of life. The moment we are born we embers upon the
unknown promise land of our dreams. The dance was a transparent portrayed about
life’s spectacle. The forthcoming feisty was imaginary of the descterity of
little starlets in form of a Portuguese dance.
Later, the enlivening shower of
ideologies by the chief guest to the students, teachers and the audience was a
notable aspect of the celebration.
Furthermore, the awesome moves of the
Bhangra dance enthralled the audience to tap their feet to the emerging music.
The next sequential songs of grace provided solace to the zealous atmosphere.
A cultural manifestation of Dandiya
dance taking up the next place in the event list was one of the phenomenal and
entertaining sphere of the occasion.
Finally the most awaited presentation of
the day knocked the day of the door of the time. It was the visual display of
the lady of Carmel, mother marry portraying the perpetual virginity of Mary and
her immortal iconize.( http://www.carmelschooldigwadih.in/diamond1.php)
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF DSWC
Soon after the Mass as a tribute to the glorious past of this institution, students of Nirmala School, a unit of DSWC staged a cultural program. The program began with a prayer dance. Then Bishop Felix welcomed all the Guests. Program went on for an hour. During the Program Fr. Bijay Bhat honored the doctors, who served leprosy patients through DSWC for more than 5 years. Cardinal honored all the past administrators and the Directors, for their wonderful contribution in bringing down the incidents of leprosy in Dhanbad. Bishop Felix awarded the Teacher of the Year and the Student of the Year 2013-2014 of Nirmala School, Govindpur. During the program Golden-Jubilee-Souvenir was released by Cardinal. The theme of the Souvenir was “Being Found Faithful”. Program was concluded by vote of Thanks proposed by Fr. Bipin, the Director of DSWC. It was a wonderful program conducted and staged by children of Nirmala Girls’ Hostel, Govindpur, a unit of DSWC. At the end delicious lunch was served for everybody (Fr. Bipin Pani).
CHRISTMAS
MILAN CUM SHARING
Clergy and Religious working in the
diocese of Jamshedpur came together on 18th December, 2014 to
witness the birth of baby Jesus. There were around 130 participants in this
Christmas Milan. It was an opportunity to come together and share the joy of
carrying out together the various ministries of the diocese. To strengthen the
bond among priests and religious in pastoral activities. Fr. John Crasta,
professor of moral theology from St. Albert’s College Ranchi, shared the pastoral
reflection and enlightened the participants with his inspiring input based on
Evangelium Gaudium. To be a religious means to be joyful. Fr. Jerry Cutinha,
S.J. Superior and professor of XLRI Jamshedpur addressed to the gathering
placing the challenges ahead in the life of a religious.
The Christmas Milan and this short
beautiful sharing came to the culmination as the Christmas carols started in
front of the crib. All sang the carol together; cake was cut and wishing each
other HAPPY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2015. A sincere thanks to all for
your cooperation!
DIACONATE
ORDINATION OF BR. MANOJ TIGGA AND BR. MARIA CHARLES
Deacon Manoj has been assigned in Maluka
Parish for his diaconate ministry whereas Deacon Maria Charles will persue his
MTH studies in St. Albert’s College Ranchi for next one year. We wish them all
the best!
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 from 12-17 April, 2015 at Pratiksha
(Seminary), Jamshedpur. 10th & +2 pass boys please contact to
the Vocation Offices for more information at following address:
The Vocation
Promoter
Bishop’s House
P.O. Golmuri
Jamshedpur-831003
Jharkhand
Phone No.:
09572752429
The Vocation
Promoter (S.J.)
Inigo Niwas,
Candidate House
St. Xavier’s High
School
P.B. No. 10,
Chaibasa P.O.
W.
Sighbhum-833201
Phone No.: 9798736320/09546721569
HEARTY
CONDOLENCE
Fr. James Surin lost his mother Mrs.
Paulina Surin on 10th December, 2014 in Torpa, Khunti due to paralysis
attack. She was 72. Hearty Condolences Fr. James Surin!
Fr. Anand Toppo, Cap.ofm lost his mother,
Mrs. Fulmani Toppo on 9th December, 2014 in Ambikapur, MP. She was
74. Hearty Condolences Fr. Anand Toppo!
BIRTHDAY (JANUARY)
Date
|
Name
|
11
|
Raju Felix Crasta
|
21
|
Selva Raj
|
28
|
Gyan Prakash Topno
|
