July 2015

Diocese of Jamshedpur

Vol. 45 No. 7                          Private Circulation Only                              July-2015

       

Pope Francis the Great Reformer

Holy Spirit has been active since the conception of the Church and the Lord has always been guiding the Church through the Vicar of Christ. Now, more than ever, the Vicar of Christ, His Holiness Pope Francis, stands as a shining light that shows way to the stumbling human race.

By the end of the first year of his Pontificate, every famous magazine hailed him as a great reformer, model leader. Vanity Fair declared saying that “the first hundred days have already placed him in the category of world leaders who make history”. At Christmas he was Person of the Year in Time magazine as well as in the Times of London. He was the subject of long articles in Rolling Stone and the New Yorker. He topped the list of Fortune magazine’s list of world’s greatest leaders. Forbes named him the fourth most powerful person in the world. Prospect magazine rated him as the fifth among the world’s top thinkers alongside economists and philosophers such as Amartya Sen. The Economist said that the Havard Business School should study Francis alongside IBM’s Lou Gerstner and Apple’s Steve Jobs as an example of “turnaround CEOs” who breathe new life into dying organizations, describing him as “the man who has  rebranded RC Global in barely a year”. The British Guardian decided Francis was now “the world’s loudest and clearest voice against the status quo” and the Financial Times said that he was “the leading global symbol of compassion and humility”.

Time named Francis its Person of the Year for pulling the papacy out of the palace and into the streets and for balancing judgment and mercy. It said that Francis won hearts and headlines with his common touch and rejection of luxury. It also suggested that he had changed everything even when he had changed no doctrine. It said that Francis was a maker PR operator. What drew people to Francis was that he was completely himself, acting in total freedom and honesty, indifferent to the headlines.  As the Financial Times noted, Francis “has a sincerity and authenticity that no world leader can match.”

In all his life Francis has always been sincere and authentic. After the election as Pope he chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. When he spoke to the faithful in St Peter’s square he bowed his head and asked for the blessing of the people. Then refusing to travel in limousine,  he traveled in bus to Santa Marta and instead of living in the papal palace he decided to live in two room apartment in Santa Marta. That is the simplicity, humility and authenticity of Francis. Francis spends a very long time among the people, kissing and embracing and shaking hands, especially the sick and the disabled persons.

Less than a month after his election he created a council of eight cardinal archbishops (C8) from across the world to advise him in the governance of the universal Church and to plan the reform of the Roman Curia. The cardinals are from India, Germany, the Congo, the United States, Australia, Honduras, and Italy. They meet once in every two months. Oswald Gracious from Mumbai is also in the C8.

Francis created 19 new cardinals (16 electors). This reflected the future direction he wants for the college: to increase the voice of poor countries, correct the Eurocentric imbalance in the college and reduce the number of curial cardinals. The newly created cardinals were mostly from the poor countries. At the consistory he told the cardinals to renounce being princes of the Church, to shun a “worldly mentality” of rivalry, jealousy, and factions, as well as “gossip, cliques, favouritism and preferences.” A cardinal, he said, “enters the Church of Rome, not a royal court.””Jesus, he said, came not to teach good manners but “to show us the only way out of the quicksand of sin, and this way is mercy.” He said they should “oppose arrogance with meekness” and use “the language of the Gospel: yes when we mean yes; no when we mean no.”

Just after the consistory, the first major overhaul of the Curia was announced: a new Secretariat for the Economy, headed by the Australian cardinal, George Pell, in turn accountable to a new Council for the Economy made up of professional laity experts as well as bishops with financial experience. A month later, in July 2014, cardinal Pell announced a series of reforms to the so-called Vatican Bank.

Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Pietro Parolin as the secretary of State, a sixty year old Italian career diplomat who is the antithesis of his predecessors. Where Cardinals Sodano and Bertone were driven in limousines, Parolin prefers to walk alone, a humble and evangelically minded reformer in the mold of Francis.

Pope Francis has become the most accessible of modern popes, almost always to be found at lunchtime in the Santa Marta restaurant, where he has his own table set aside, but stands in the queue with his tray like everyone else. Visitors report that he comes out of the Santa Marta to greet them personally.

Pope Francis has campaigned against “spiritual worldliness” and Vatican extravaganza. For example, Pope Francis was furious at a VIP banquet for 150 businessmen and journalists on the veranda of the Vatican Prefecture for Economic Affairs during the April 27, 2014, ceremony to canonize John XXIII and John Paul II, which reportedly cost its sponsors $25,000.

Addressing a group of Catholic doctors he linked abortion with throwaway culture, saying that “each child who is unborn, but is unjustly condemned to be aborted, bears the face of Jesus Christ...who even before he was born, and then as soon as he was born, experienced the rejection of the world”.

The radicalism of Pope Francis comes from his willingness to go to the essentials, to look back to the Gospel; despite his powerful intellect, his political mind, and his theological sophistication, his belief is primitive, undiluted: God is sovereign, the devil is active, we must discern and choose. Francis sees the devil not as a myth or theological proposition but a daily reality, the “prince of this world” who hates holiness and tempts through riches, power and pride to persuade us to look to our own resources, not God’s.

Pope Francis believes in the power of prayer to perform “diplomacy of the impossible”. Thus on September 8 2013, Francis knelt before an icon of Our Lady in St. Peter’s Square while leading a three hour peace prayer vigil for Syria, accompanied by tens of thousands of people and begged God to bring to an end the barbaric, heartrending carnage in that country. (cf. The Great Reformer by Austin Ivereigh, 2014 (pp.368 -391)

Let us not be mere observers or admirers of our beloved Pope. But let us heed to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and translate it into our life. Let us also be humble and courageous, modern but humane.

+Felix Toppo, S.J.

Bishop of Jamshedpur

POPE FRANCIS’ NEW ENCYCLICAL ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Pope Francis’ new Encyclical on Climate Change, Laudato Si, was published on June 18, 2015 in Rome. He is the first Pope ever to publish an Encyclical Letter on this topic of Climate Change and Environment Protection. This Encyclical, comprising of 6 Chapters with 246 Articles, expresses a sense of distress at the dangerous situation which is developing, stresses the importance and urgency of finding a solution and urges world leaders to take responsible decisions. It develops a spirituality for our times to respond to this crisis. Pope Francis seeks to bring ethics and morality into the discussion on climate change and a sense of responsibility towards future generations in our use of the riches of nature. It challenges world leaders to care particularly for the poor and not to let economics be the deciding factor for policies.

This encyclical letter also explores the relationship between care for creation, integral human development and concern for the poor. The timing of the encyclical is significant: 2015 is a critical year for humanity. In July, nations will gather for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa. In September, the U.N. General Assembly should agree on a new set of sustainable development goals running until 2030. In December, the Climate Change Conference in Paris will receive the plans and commitments of each Government to slow or reduce global warming.

            All the Episcopal Conferences are directed by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace to take appropriate steps to make available this important Encyclical Letter of the Holy Father to the faithful, to fellow believers and to all people of good will, who care for our Planet and are concerned about the future of human kind. This important document will also be made accessible to the Media, to the Academic world and to the Civil authorities for serious reflection and common effort to protect the Environment and Ecology. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India will, in due course of time, come out with various programmes to address the concerns raised by the Holy Father in this Encyclical.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES / SJVK/VIKAS BHARATI

CCJ/SVK conducted their 2-days Annual evaluation on 5-6 of June 2015 at their Centre at Sundernagar.  Frs. Prabhu, Alwin  and their entire staff – 60 of them -with the help of an expert external team went through a process of critical evaluation and analysis of every program and activity CCJ/SJVK had during 2014- 2015.  Our Vicar General Fr. David Vincent was the Chief Guest and he inaugurated the process by lighting the traditional lamp and chanting of the mantras.  Fr. Augustine Ezhakunnel SJ of XITE, Ms Dilith Castleton of Tata Steel,, Dr. Tapas of Manas and several other experts guided the deliberations. Fr. David the Chief Guest also released the Annual Reports of CCJ/SJVK on the occasion. Everyone expressed great satisfaction at what was achieved in these two days.

Model Farms :  Samekit Jan Vikas Kendra in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute, (IRRI)Govt. of India, Delhi is working on setting up 6 Model  Rice Farms- 3 in Singhbhum West and 3 in Seraikela-Kharswan.  IRRI is providing us with Drought-Resistant paddy seeds.  Fr. Alwin is spending a lot of his time in villages in organizing trainings for the farmers in several villages.  He already conducted 6 such farmers’ training camps. CCJ-SJVK is also promoting new forms Lac cultivation as part of Livelihood Promotion.

Sr. Veronica HC who has been working in CCJ-SJVK for nearly 8 years is leaving us by the end of this month.  At the beginning she was taking care of Women’s Desk.  When she realized that Vikas Bharti urgently needed someone, she stepped in; later on she also helped out in the Teasurer’s  Office. She was a precious person, involved in all the programmes of CCJ/SJVK and Vikas Bharti. She developed hundreds of self-help groups, amalgamated them into 12 Women’s Cooperatives for Income Generating Activities and finally brought them under one federation. Sr. Veronica is leaving the green forests of Jharkhand and moving to the deserts of Rajasthan. We thank her immensely for her generous life of service. We wish her well as she takes up her new assignment in Rajasthan.    We thank the Holy Cross Congregation for making her available to us.  In her place, Sr. Deepti HC has already taken charge.  We welcome her wholeheartedly.     

(Fr. C. R. Prabhu)

HEARTY CONDOLENCE

Fr. Sameer Soreng lost his beloved Father Emil Soreng on 11^th of June, 2015 due to old age and high blood pressure. He was 83 years old. Fr Sameer was fortunate enough to be at his side at the time of his death. Frs. Tobias Kujur, Junas Purty, Bipin Barla, Alwin, and Michael represented the diocese at the burial and expressed our solidarity. May his soul rest in Peace!

 
 
First Vows - A ‘YES’ to the LORD

June 13, 2015 was a remarkable day for the sisters of Sacred Heart as six of their candidates, Divya Kerketta, Preeti Rani Nayak, Esther Nayak, Juli Suna, Santwana Paik and Manjusha Minj received their first vows in Golmuri at Cathedral parish in the presence of His Excellency Most. Rev. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo and Most. Rev. Charles Soreng. His Eminence presided over the Holy Eucharist. The candidates submitted their vows in the presence of the church authorities with full devotion and dedication. Various religious nuns, priests and laity witnessed the celebration. In the previous day a short ceremony was conducted for the blessing of the new Religious sarees by Rev. Fr. David Vincent, the Vicar General.  The sarees thereafter were given to the candidates by their Superior General, Sr. Roshni SSH. The candidates performed entrance dance and welcomed the Cardinal by the tribal custom. Bible procession and anjali to Holy Species added grace to the ceremony. Most. Rev. Charles Soreng preached the homily in which he insisted on the importance of religious life and congratulated the candidates for their dedication.

Congratulation and All the best to all the newly professed.

The Feast of St. Antony of Padaua

June 12, 2015 was blessed with showers of blessings as the feast of St. Antony was magnificently celebrated at Cathedral parish in Golmuri. The saint has a special place in the heart of commoners, as he performs miracles in the life of the people. The devotees took out a grand procession with the statue of St. Antony from Vallankanni grotto to the Cathedral. Rev. Fr. Camille Hembrom presided over the Mass and Fr Edwin Coelho gave a wonderful sermon. The church bedecked with colourful flowers added beauty to the celebration. People showed their gratitude and piety to the saint by offering thanks giving Mass for all the favours received from God through the saint. The choir brought forth a prayerful atmosphere during the celebration. The feast was celebrated in various parishes across Jamshedpur with lots of enthusiasm and excitement. The feast remained a memorable one as usual. Congratulations to all who worked hard for the wonderful and meaningful celebration. Fr. Maria Charles

St. Joseph’s parish, Anandpur: First Holy Communion

7^th June 2015: It was a joyous day for the Parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church, Charbandia as they celebrated two great events; the First Holy Communion and the Solemnity of Body and Blood of Christ. On this auspicious day 157 children received the First Holy Communion. The Eucharist Celebration was presided over by Fr. Maria Charles and assisted by Fr. Valerian Lobo, the parish priest. In his homily, Fr. Maria Charles emphasized the importance of the Holy Eucharist:  Holy Communion is the center of our life, though we cannot see it through our eyes, it is the very Body and Blood of Christ. The celestial choir, with their wonderful singing made the Eucharistic celebration very heavenly. A large number of people were present to witness this occasion.

The preparation of the children took almost two weeks. They were divided in different groups; four catechists, a priest and a nun prepared the children for this event. On the previous day of the celebration, Sacrament of Reconciliation was arranged not only for the children but also for the parents of the children. Six priests were present for the confession.  At the end Fr. Valerian Lobo thanked all for their support and service. The choir wished all the best for a new life to those who received the Lord for the first time. The celebration ended with distribution of snacks

Fr. Valerian Lobo

St. Joseph's school Bilai Pahari

 

St. Joseph's school Bilai Pahari has been shifted to the new school building as Fr. Edward Saldanha took over as the Principal on 15th June. Access to the new School has been made easy as it has a short cut way to come to school through the convent campus. It has more than 400 students in the school. Everything has been shifted to the new campus. The new School is spacious and clean with facilities of clean drinking water, toilets, cycle shed and a big playground. 

Fr. George Manna and Fr. Edward Saldanha are on their toes to reach St. Joseph's school to new heights.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL, SERAIKELLA

St. Francis De Sales school has received its ICSE affiliation on 8th Jan 2015. The principal, Fr. Shiju and Fr. Joseph are on a transfer and the new manager Fr. Muthuswamy and Fr. Anthony the new principal have already taken charge of the school. The new school building and the science lab have become functional and the school has a new look. The DSFS sisters have withdrawn from Seraikella after completing five years of contract. Two sisters from ASMI Sini will be the new sisters collaborators in Seraikella. We thank Rev. Fr. Shiju, Fr. Joseph, Sr. Litty, Sr. Josemi and Sr. Sushila for their dedicated service for the last several years in Seraikella. We wish the new administrative team all the best. ( Fr. Shijumon)

Youth Seminar

A one day youth seminar was organized for the Jamshedpur Youth in St. Mary's School, Bistupur on Sunday, 7th June. Over 100 youth from the town parishes participated in the seminar. Fr. Raju Crasta, the resource person for the day, inspired them with his lively presentation to think differently and dream big while believing in themselves. He later presided over the Eucharist while Fr. Jilson, the preacher stressed on the importance of the Eucharist in the life of a Catholic. The afternoon session was taken by Mrs. Mary, who shared in details on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and means of prevention. The day had its worth for the participants. Sincere thanks to Fr. David and Sr. Miriam, SJT for their help and support.

(Fr. Dileep Marandi)

St. Mary’s English High School, Bistupur

For every Institution its academic performance  is the touch stone. Considering this criterion we can proudly say that despite our admission policies favoring the marginalized in the society the academic performance of our students has been commendable, This batch of 2014-2015 has surprised all the past batches. Std  12 has become second city Topper and Std 10 as become first city Topper. The credit goes to the hard working and dedicated staff members and efficient Principal Fr. David Vincent.  Congrats! After the summer vacation the school welcomed Fr. Linus Kindo, The Vice Principal and wished him all the best. The formation of the students council began with the election of the class representatives on 19^th June 2015.  The class representatives were elected from all the sections of the classes. This solemn occasion marked the embracing of the new leaders on a year long mission to safe guard and protect the sanctity of the school by enforcing rules and regulations and to be a shining example to all the students.

(Sr. Mariam)

Thank You & Farewell

1	Sr. Teresita Mary AC	Sacred Heart Convent, Bistupur
2	Sr. Sylvie AC	Carmel Jnr College, Sonari
3	Sr. Kiran Bandaria JMJ	Jeevanjyothi Convent, Telco
4	Sr. Jyothi Kisku JMJ	Jeevanjyothi Convent, Telco
5	Sr. Pushpa Jojo FC	Deepanjali Convent, Siadih
6	Sr. Veronica HC	Holy Cross Convent, Parsudih
7	Sr. Vandana SJT	St. Mary’s , Bistupur
8	Sr. Kanta SJT	St. Mary’s , Bistupur
9	Sr. Litty DSFS	DSFS Convent, Seraikela
10	Sr. Josemi DSFS	DSFS Convent, Seraikela
11	Sr. Sushila DSFS	DSFS Convent, Seraikela
12	Fr. Shijumon MSFS	St. Francis De Sales School, Seraikela
13	Fr. Joseph MSFS	St. Francis De Sales School, Seraikela

In a special way, we express our gratitude to JMJ sisters at Bhilai Pahari and DSFS sisters at Seraikela as they have completed their service in Jamshedpur diocese. May God bless you for your selfless service.

Welcome and All the Best

1	Sr. Marie Eugene	Sacred Heart Convent, Bistupur
2	Sr. Sandra AC	Carmel Convent, Dhanbad
3	Sr. Lini AC	Carmel Jnr College, Sonari
4	Sr. Deepti HC	Holy Cross Convent, Parsudih
4	Sr. Archana Kujur JMJ	Jeevanjyothi Convent, Telco
5	Sr. Seema Minj SJT	St. Mary’s , Bistupur
6	Fr. Muthuswamy MSFS	St. Francis De Sales School, Seraikela
7	Fr. Antony MSFS	St. Francis De Sales School, Seraikela
8	Sr. Luisa Joseph OSU	Catholic Charities, Sundernagar

We also welcome other religious who have come into our diocese from different religious congregations and wish them all the best.

PLEASE NOTE:

Bishop’s email has been change from  jsr_bishop@sancharnet.in to jsr_bishop@bsnl.in.

For official correspondence please use either jsr_bishop@bsnl.in or pajsrbishop@gmail.com

All the schools in Jamshedpur diocese are requested to collect the Service Rules & Conditions and the copy of the Diocesan Education Policy from the Bishop’s House.

We request the Local Superiors of each Religious Communities to send a fresh list of your community members to the Curia Office at the earliest.

Those who have contributed towards Nepal earthquake victims Fund

No.	Those who have contributed above 750/-	No.	Those who have contributed above 20,000/-
1.	Society Of  The Pious Disciples Of The Divine Master	1	Sacred Heart Convent, Sakchi
2.	St. Robert’s High School, Parsudih	2	Carmel College, Sonari
3.	Mr. Das, A.D. Construction, Bistupur	3	Carmel School, Digwadih
4.	Mr. Das, Gem Infrastructure, Bistupur	4	St. Joseph’s School Golmuri
5.	Assisi Sisters Of Snehabhavan, Sini	5	St. Mary’s Eng. High  School, Bistupur
6.	Miss Anita	6	St. Mary’s Hindi High  School, Bistupur
7.	St. Theresa’s School, Jhinkpani	7	St. Robert’s Church, Parsudih
8.	St. Xavier’s School, Balrampur	8	St. Xavier’s Eng. School, Chaibasa
9.	Mrs. Salomi Topno, Birsanagar zone no. 10	9	St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Mosabani
10.	Ursuline Convent, Chakradharpur	10	St. Xavier’s Girl’s Middle, High, Inter School, Chaibasa
11.	Jeevan Jyoti  Convent, Telco	11	St. Xavier’s Boys Middle School, Chaibasa
12.	Mother Theresa’s church, Siadih	12	SCJM  Convent, Baridih
13.	Jesu Marshal, Chandil
14.	Amar Jyoti School, Pardih, Mango
15.	Our Lady of Nativity Church, Sini
16.	Golmuri Youth

We thank you for the generous support. Those who are yet to submit the collection please do so at the earliest.

BIRTHDAY WISHES - JULY

Date	Name
13	Fr. Eugene Ekka
19	Fr. David Vincent
22	Fr. Cyril Fernades
24	Fr. John Ottaplakal
25	Fr. Jerome Pereira Fr. James Quadros
26	Fr. Linus Kindo
30	Fr. Joy Paul K.

BISHOP’S ENGAGEMENTS- JULY, 2015

JULY, 2015
01	Wed	06.00 am	Eucharistic Celebration at Pratiksha	Sundernagar
		04.00 pm	Eucharistic celebration cum farewell & welcome to the outgoing and incoming Rectors of SAC	Ranchi
02	Thurs	09.00  am	Meeting with Holy Spirit Provincial	JSR
03	Fri	05.00 pm	Cultural Program at St Mary’s E School	Bistupur
04	Sat	05.00 pm	Benediction for the Confirmees followed by Parish Council Meeting	Adra
05	Sun	07.00 am	Confirmation and Pastoral Visitation
09	Thurs	08.30 am	Eucharistic Celebration at SAC	Ranchi
		10.30 am	Inaugural function at SAC
15	Wed	10.30 am	Mass at Little Flower School	Telco
16	Thur	06.30 am	Carmel Feast: Mass at Sacred Heart Convent	Bistupur
		09.30 am	Diocesan Governing Body Meeting	JSR
18	Sat	04.00 pm	Blessing and Inauguration of SABS Convent	CKP
22	Wed	09.30 am	Meeting of Secretaries of JH-Andamans RBC	Ranchi
		03.00 pm	Bihar- JH-Andamans RBC Joint Meeting
23	Thur	AM-PM	Meetings with Staff and Students of St Albert’s College	Ranchi
24	Fri	09.00 pm	Governing Board Meeting of CBCI-SME-NI	Ranchi
		02.00 pm	Jharkhand-Andamans Bishop’s Meeting at ABH