Diocese of Jamshedpur
Vol. 45 No. 5 Private
Circulation Only August-2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am presenting to you a small summary of Pope
Francis’ Encyclical letter LAUDATO SI’.
The Pope writes about the miserable conditions of the natural world and the
suffering poor. He also gives some solutions to remedy this unfortunate
situation of ours. Please read this summary and if possible read the full text
which is really a wonderful letter.
LAUDATO SI’: ON THE CARE OF OUR COMMON HOME
Pope Francis issued his first Encyclical letter, Laudato
SI’ on May 24, 2015. This encyclical is focused on the idea of ‘integral ecology’, connecting care of the natural world with justice for the
poorest and most vulnerable people. Only by radically reshaping our relationships with God, with our neighbours
and with the natural world, he says, can
we hope to tackle the threats facing our planet today. Science, he insists,
is the best tool by which we can listen to the cry of the earth, while dialogue and education are the two keys that can “help us to escape the spiral
of self-destruction which currently engulfs us”.
At the heart of the Pope’s reflections is the question: “What kind of
world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now
growing up?” The answers he suggests call for profound changes to political,
economic, cultural and social systems, as well as to our individual lifestyles.
Chapter 1 sets out six of the most serious challenges facing
“our common home”:
·
Pollution, waste and
our throwaway mentality: “the earth, our home, is
beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth”.
·
Climate change: “one of the
principle challenges facing humanity in our day” but “many of those who possess
more resources and economic or political power seem mostly to be concerned with
masking the problems or concealing their symptoms”.
·
Water: “Access to safe
drinkable water is a basic and universal human right” yet entire population and
especially children get sick and die because of contaminated water.
·
Biodiversity: “Each year sees the
disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species” and the consequences
cannot be predicted as “all of us, as living creatures, are dependent on one
another”. Often transnational economic interests obstruct this protection.
·
Breakdown of society: Current models of
development adversely affect the quality of life of most of humanity and many
cities are huge, inefficient structures, excessively wasteful of energy and
water.
·
Global inequality: Environmental
problems affect the most vulnerable people; the greater part of the world’s
population and the solution is not reducing the birth rate but counteracting
“an extreme and selective consumerism”.
Chapter 3 explores six of the
deep root causes of these growing crises:
·
Technology: While it can bring
progress towards sustainable development, without “a sound ethics”, it gives
“those with the knowledge, and especially the economic resources… an impressive
dominance over the whole of humanity”.
·
The technocratic
mentality: “the economy accepts every advance in technology with a view to
profit……yet by itself the market cannot guarantee integral human development
and social inclusion”.
·
Anthropocentrism: we fail to
understand our place in the world and our relationship with nature.
Interpersonal relations and protection of human life must be set above
technical reasoning so environmental concern “is also incompatible with the justification
of abortion”.
·
Practical relativism: environmental
degradation and social decay is the result of seeing “everything as irrelevant
unless it serves one’s own immediate interests”.
·
Employment: Integral ecology
needs to take account of the value of labour so everyone must be able to have
work and it’s “bad business for society” to stop investing in people to achieve
short-term financial gains.
·
Biological
technologies: GMOs are a “complex environmental issue” which have helped to resolve
problems but bring difficulties such as concentrating land “in the hands of a
few owners”, threatening small producers, biodiversity and ecosystems.
So where do the solutions lie?
Here are six of the best solutions:
·
In “The Gospel of Creation”:
Chapter 2 examines the Old and New Testaments to show how human life is
grounded in our relationships with God, with our neighbours and with the
created world. We must acknowledge our sins when we break these relationships
and realize our “tremendous responsibility” towards all of God’s creation.
·
In Integral Ecology: Chapter 4 explores
this new paradigm of justice which means “the analysis of environmental
problems cannot be separated from the analysis of human, family, work-related
and urban contexts”, while solutions must be based on “a preferential option
for the poorest of our brothers and sisters”.
·
In Dialogue: Chapter 5, entitled
‘Lines of Approach and Action’ stresses the need for “honest and open debate,
so that particular interests or ideologies will not prejudice the common good”.
The Church does not presume to settle scientific questions or to replace
politics, but it can promote dialogue on global and local governance,
transparent decision-making, sustainable use of natural resources, as well as
engaging in respectful dialogue with other people of faith and with the
scientific world.
·
In Education: Chapter 6 urges
schools, families, the media and the churches to help reshape habits and
behavior. Overcoming individualism, while changing our lifestyles and consumer
choices, can bring much “pressure to bear on those who wield political,
economic and social power” causing significant changes in society.
·
In Ecological
Conversion: Chapter 6 also highlights St Francis of Assisi as the model of “a more
passionate concern for the protection of our world”, characterized by gratitude
and generosity, creativity and enthusiasm.
·
In Spirituality: Finally Chapter 6
and the two concluding prayers show how faith in God can shape and inspire our
care for the environment. The Sacraments, the Trinity, the model of the Holy
Family and our hope for eternal life can teach, motivate and strengthen us to
protect the natural world that God has given us.
Your friend and servant,
+Felix Toppo, S.J.
Bishop of Jamshedpur
Justice Sunday 16th
August 2015 – Ecological Justice
The
office for Justice, Peace and Development from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of India (OJPD-CBCI) invites all the people of God to reflect on “Ecological
Justice” during this year’s Justice Sunday Celebration.
The
Bible affirms the value of life – human life, the lives of all creatures, and
the life of the planet. God calls us to respect the creation that God has given
us as a gift. It is not a thing for selfish exploitation or the profit of the
few. Pope Francis in Laudato si reminded
us that widespread indifference and selfishness worsen environmental problems.
Our
nation India is said to have achieved rapid economic growth over the past
decade. But the ecological impact has often been ignored, and the rural poor
largely left behind. Experts say that over-exploitation of natural recourses
and economic disparity are the two factors causing the collapse of
civilizations. The Catholic Bishops of
India has a clear grasp of the complex ecological issues in February 2014 when
they declared: “We stand for sustainable development of peoples and human
ecology” (Final statement of the 31st CBCI General Body Meeting,
Pala, 2014, no. 5.8).
As
our beloved Pope Francis recalled on 26th June 2015 during his daily
morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, we are called to ‘dirty’ our hands like
Christ who – without shying away – approached the excluded of his time. In
Jesus getting his hands dirty, touching and healing lepers, Francis stressed,
we are taught that we must have this closeness in the Church.
Against
this milieu, the CBCI Office for Justice, Peace and Development makes an appeal
to all the Christian faithful in India to stand up for ecological protection
and raise their voice for ecological justice. This appeal is in consonance with
Pope Francis’ recent encyclical ‘Laudato
si”.
B.C.C/ S.C.C - TRAINING
PROGRAMME
Rev.
Fr. Camille Hembrom & Fr. Pradeep Marandi Organized one day training
programme of the “Basic Christian Community” in St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre
Hall, Golmuri on July 19th, 2015. The area leaders and the
representatives of various committees hailing from different parishes of
Jamshedpur took part in it. The programme was ably conducted by Fr. Cyril
Tigga, S.J.
The
participants were told about the importance of B.C.C in making the local church
active and alive. The “Word of God” helps us to be more firm in our faith and
reminds us of our Christian responsibilities towards our needy neighbours. The
youth of the parish facilitated in making the entire programme a success. It
also prepares us all to host the forthcoming B.C.C convention well in the month
of November this year.
ST. XAVIER’S ENGLISH SCHOOL, CHAKRADHARPUR
After
the First Term exam, from 6th of July the preparations for the newly
constructed Xavier Bhawan commenced. On the 18th of July Xavier
Bhawan was inaugurated. Mr. John Joseph Benjamin Tirkey D.P.O was the chief
guest for the occasion. Rt. Rev. Dr. Felix Toppo S.J. and Ms. Jobha Majhi MLA
(Manoharpur) were the Guests of Honor for the occasion. Fr. David Vincent, Sr.
Jyotsna (Provincial), Fr. Richard Miranda and Fr. Vernon D’souza then lit the
inaugural lamp to start the cultural program. This was followed by a prayer
dance and welcome song and a host of other cultural programs. The Chief Guest of
honour then gave very inspiring speech which really enlightened the audience,
especially the children. Good numbers of Priests and Religious were present on
this occasion. The school welcomed Sr. Tessy, Sr. Tresa and Sr. Divya who are
presently staying at Xavier Bhavan.
From
the 20th to the 23rd practices were on in full swing for
the inter diocesan school competitions to be held in Adra on the 25th.
On the 21st students took out a rally in support for the Swachh
Bharat Abhyaan which was followed by a inter house quiz competition in
which Yellow house which was represented
by Ankan Biswas and Beethica Surabhi Rath stood first. Anshu Bhageria and
Bhupinder Singh from the Red house came in second and Green house represented
by Tayzeen Arifa and Harsh Bajra stood third. On the 24th the
students and some teachers departed for Adra to participate in the Inter
Diocesan school competitions. (Theodosius
Salvadore)
Krusvir animators Meet – Chaibasa
Krusvir animators of Chaibasa deanery met at Divya
Bharati on 4th and 5th July 2015 to refresh their ministry with the
little children and to plan future actions how to inculcate religious and moral
values in them. Fr Sahay Thasan, the Principal of St Xavier's Boys, Chaibasa,
Fr Edwin Coeloh, Bishop's House Golmuri and Sr Michael osu, Headmistress,
Carmel School, Chakradharpur addressed the 22 animators while Sr Neelam, DSA
led the group to plan for the coming programs.
St.
Xavier’s English School, Chaibasa
The
School reopened on 15th June, 2015 after the summer Vacation. ICSE
Result 2015 was declared on 18th May. The school had every reason to
celebrate – it was a resounding 100% pass result. Seven students capped with
feather with overall marks above 90%.Highest marks of 93.2% was achieved by
Ghanshyam Bandiya. 40 students got distinction while 55 students secured first
class.
On
16th June, St Xavier’s School family celebrated the birthday of our
dear Principal, Sr. Sheetal. A wonderful cultural programme was organized in
the school.
Our
new school council took oath in the Investiture ceremony on 19th
June. Sr. Jancy, our Vice Principal Presided over the ceremony. This Year, the
council members were elected by teachers based on student’s academics as well
as personality. The students are busy with the term exams now. And we are
hoping for the best results. (Sr. Jancy
UMI)
Damien Social Welfare Centre (DSWC), Dhanbad
On 19th July 2015 a long standing dream of Damien Social
Welfare Centre (DSWC), Dhanbad started to become true, when Most Rev Felix
Toppo, SJ, along with Arup Chaterjee, MLA Nirsa, BD Laroia, the Governing Body
member of DSWC, D Kumar a close associate of Nirmala School, Govindpur and
hundrends of people from close by village participated in the earth breaking
ceremony of Vocational Training center of DSWC at Kaladih, close to Nirmala
General & Leprosy Hospital. On this occasion
the hostellers of Nirmala put up a remarkable cultural programme.
When DSWC had a Vocational Training Institution at Gomoh, then Director
of DSWC Rev. Fr Vijay Bhat had planned to shift the VTI to Kaladih, as it is
closer to Dhanbad town. Unfortunately VTI, Gomoh had to close down for various
reasons. Now once again VTI is being started to conduct formal technical
training like Fitter and Electrician and non formal training like wielding,
Beautician course, tailoring so that 10th passed as well as school
drop outs boys and girls could benefit from it. Let us hope for a better
future. (Fr. Vipin Pani)
Confirmation
in Adra, July 5, 2015
On
arrival in Adra on the eve of Confirmation day, in spite of a drizzle, Bishop
Felix Toppo, S.J. was given a rousing welcome by Frs. A. Alphonse and Puthumai
Raj along with the parishioners. Young dancing belles led the Bishop to the
Church where a well arranged and well attended Benediction was conducted for
half an hour. Thereafter the Bishop had meetings, first, with the women
representatives of the parish and then with the members of the parish council.
On
Sunday, during the Solemn Eucharistic celebration, the Bishop conferred the
Sacrament of Confirmation on 34 young boys and girls. The Church was
beautifully decorated. The liturgy was well arranged and the singing was
melodious and devotional. After the Eucharistic Celebration, a cultural
programme was presented by the children and the parishioners in the Jubilee
Hall. Everyone enjoyed the good singing and meaningful one act play.
Thereafter, everyone had a fellowship meal. Congratulations to Frs. Alphonse A,
Puthumai Raj, the Confirmees, the parishioners for the active participation in
making the day a joyous and memorable one.
ST.
MARY’S ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL: BISTUPUR
Annual
prize night was celebrated with great fervor on 3rd and 4th
July at the school auditorium. Rev Bishop Felix Toppo was our chief guest. The
programme began with an invocation dance by our students followed by the lighting
of the lamp by the dignitaries. The principal Fr. David Vincent welcomed the
gathering which was followed by the presentation of the annual report. The
dance team enthralled the audience with their performance. The chief guest
motivated the students with his inspiring talk and congratulated the principal
and the staff for their efforts.
The
parent teacher meeting was held on 17th July. The programme began
with the interaction session conducted by the Lions Club; they touched upon the
topic on adolescence and this meeting was specially organized for the parents
of Std VII & VIII. This programme aimed at providing the parents an insight
in to our school and to seek their help in shaping the future of their ward. The
programme also focused on school rules, issues that the parents need to pay
attention to and on accompanying the teenagers, as this is a crucial period of
their life and as they need to develop confidence in themselves; thus helping
them to start believing in their knowledge limits. The parents appreciated and
thanked the Principal Fr. David Vincent for organizing such thought provoking session.
Well done Father. (Sr. Mariam)
BIRTHDAY
BABIES - AUGUST
Date
|
Name
|
01
|
James
Surin
|
04
|
Amatus
Kujur
|
05
|
Cornelius
Tigga
|
08
|
John
Crasta
|
08
|
Nobert
Kindo
|
23
|
Johny
P.D
|
28
|
Augustine
Topno
|
BISHOP’S
ENGAGEMENTS
AUGUST 2015
|
||||
03
|
Mon
|
04.00
pm
|
Meeting
in SAC with the Staff and Members
|
Ranchi
|
08
|
Sat
|
04.00
pm
|
Recollection
for Priests and Nuns
|
Golmuri
|
09
|
Fri
|
06.00
pm
|
Feast
Day Eucharistic Celebration- St. Dominic’s Prarthanalaya
|
Birsanagar
|
12
|
Wed
|
09.30
am
|
JDES
Meeting
|
Golmuri
|
13
|
Thur
|
09.30
am
|
Diocesan
Finance Committee Meeting
|
Golmuri
|
15
|
Sat
|
07.00
am
|
Confirmation
and Pastoral Visitation
|
Basahatu
|
22
|
Sat
|
10.30
am
|
Mass
at MCs Baradwari
|
JSR
|
25-28
|
SCC
Convention
|
Pune
|
||
NEW
TRANSFERS AND APPOINTMENTS
Fr. Gyanprakash Topno
|
Spokesperson/PRO
of CBCI
|
Delhi
|
Fr. Robert Toppo
|
Parish Priest
|
Mosabani
|
Dn. Baldeo Hembrom
|
Diaconate Ministry
|
Mosabani
|
Bro. Petrus Guria
|
Regency
|
Goilkera
|
Wish You all the Best !
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