JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

Diocese of Jamshedpur

Vol. 47 No. 3                          Private Circulation Only                  March– 2017

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2017

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God “with all their hearts” (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and to grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is the faithful friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive.

Lent is a favourable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. At the basis of everything is the word of God, which during this season we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply. I would now like to consider the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Let us find inspiration in this meaningful story, for it provides a key to understanding what we need to do in order to attain true happiness and eternal life. It exhorts us to sincere conversion.

1. The other person is a gift

The parable begins by presenting its two main characters. The poor man is described in greater detail: he is wretched and lacks the strength even to stand. Lying before the door of the rich man, he fed on the crumbs falling from his table. His body is full of sores and dogs come to lick his wounds. The picture is one of great misery; it portrays a man disgraced and pitiful.

The scene is even more dramatic if we consider that the poor man is called Lazarus: a name full of promise, which literally means God helps. This character is not anonymous. His features are clearly delineated and he appears as an individual with his own story. While practically invisible to the rich man, we see and know him as someone familiar. He becomes a face, and as such, a gift, a priceless treasure, a human being whom God loves and cares for, despite his concrete condition as an outcast.

Lazarus teaches us that other persons are a gift. A right relationship with people consists in gratefully recognizing their value. Even the poor person at the door of the rich is not a nuisance, but a summons to conversion and to change. The parable first invites us to open the doors of our heart to others because each person is a gift, whether it be our neighbour or an anonymous pauper. Lent is a favourable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ. Each of us meets people like this every day. Each life that we encounter is a gift deserving acceptance, respect and love. The word of God helps us to open our eyes to welcome and love life, especially when it is weak and vulnerable. But in order to do this, we have to take seriously what the Gospel tells us about the rich man.

2. Sin blinds us

The parable is unsparing in its description of the contradictions associated with the rich man (cf. v. 19). Unlike poor Lazarus, he does not have a name; he is simply called “a rich man”. His opulence was seen in his extravagant and expensive robes. Purple cloth was even more precious than silver and gold, and was thus reserved to divinities (Jer 10:9) and kings (cf. Jg 8:26), while fine linen gave one an almost sacred character. The man was clearly ostentatious about his wealth, and in the habit of displaying it daily: “He feasted sumptuously every day” (v. 19). In him we can catch a dramatic glimpse of the corruption of sin, which progresses in three successive stages: love of money, vanity and pride.

The Apostle Paul tells us that “the love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Tim 6:10). It is the main cause of corruption and a source of envy, strife and suspicion. Money can come to dominate us, even to the point of becoming a tyrannical idol. Instead of being an instrument at our service for doing good and showing solidarity towards others, money can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace.

The parable then shows that the rich man’s greed makes him vain. His personality finds expression in appearances, in showing others what he can do. But his appearance masks an interior emptiness. His life is a prisoner to outward appearances, to the most superficial and fleeting aspects of existence.

The lowest rung of this moral degradation is pride. The rich man dresses like a king and acts like a god, forgetting that he is merely mortal. For those corrupted by love of riches, nothing exists beyond their own ego. Those around them do not come into their line of sight. The result of attachment to money is a sort of blindness. The rich man does not see the poor man who is starving, hurting, lying at his door.

Looking at this character, we can understand why the Gospel so bluntly condemns the love of money: “No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money” (Mt 6:24).

3. The Word is a gift

The Gospel of the rich man and Lazarus helps us to make a good preparation for the approach of Easter. The liturgy of Ash Wednesday invites us to an experience quite similar to that of the rich man. When the priest imposes the ashes on our heads, he repeats the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”. As it turned out, the rich man and the poor man both died, and the greater part of the parable takes place in the afterlife. The two characters suddenly discover that “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Tim 6:7).

We too see what happens in the afterlife. There the rich man speaks at length with Abraham, whom he calls “father” (Lk 16:24.27), as a sign that he belongs to God’s people. This detail makes his life appear all the more contradictory, for until this moment there had been no mention of his relation to God. In fact, there was no place for God in his life. His only god was himself.

The rich man recognizes Lazarus only amid the torments of the afterlife. He wants the poor man to alleviate his suffering with a drop of water. What he asks of Lazarus is similar to what he could have done but never did. In the afterlife, a kind of fairness is restored and life’s evils are balanced by good.

The parable goes on to offer a message for all Christians. The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, who are still alive. But Abraham answers: “They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them”. Countering the rich man’s objections, he adds: “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead”.

The rich man’s real problem thus comes to the fore. At the root of all his ills was the failure to heed God’s word. As a result, he no longer loved God and grew to despise his neighbour. The word of God is alive and powerful, capable of converting hearts and leading them back to God. When we close our heart to the gift of God’s word, we end up closing our heart to the gift of our brothers and sisters.

Dear friends, Lent is the favourable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbour. The Lord, who overcame the deceptions of the Tempter during the forty days in the desert, shows us the path we must take. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need. I encourage all the faithful to express this spiritual renewal also by sharing in the Lenten Campaigns promoted by many Church organizations in different parts of the world, and thus to favour the culture of encounter in our one human family. Let us pray for one another so that, by sharing in the victory of Christ, we may open our doors to the weak and poor. Then we will be able to experience and share to the full the joy of Easter. (His Holiness Pope Francis)

The New Apostolic Nuncio to India Arrives

The New Apostolic Nuncio to India His Excellency, Most Rev. Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro has arrived in India. The Apostolic Nuncio touched Indian soil at 7.51 a.m. on 16^th February, 2017. He was received at the Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport by His Eminence Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, His Eminence Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly; Most Rev. Anil Couto, Archbishop of Delhi; Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX, Secretary General of CBCI; Most Rev. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Archbishop-Bishop of Faridabad; Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, OIC, Bishop of Gurgaon and the Officials from the Nunciature, Msgr.  Henryk M. Jagodzinski and Msgr. Tuomo T. Vimpari.

This is the New Apostolic Nuncio’s first ever posting in an Asian Country as he has served mostly in the Secretariat of State, in Italy and in Latin American countries. As stated by him except for a short visit to Korea and another one to Japan, he has not otherwise been to Asia.

We thank God for the gift of his person to us. We wish him all God’s blessings and much joy and happiness in our Beloved Country. May our Lady, Queen of Apostles guide him and accompany him. 

A Workshop on Laudoto Si at Chaibasa

‘Laudoto Si’ is the very famous encyclical of Pope Francis released on May 24, 2015, where Pope genuinely feels the cry of the earth in his heart. He is perturbed by her cry and he is appealing to every person living on this planet to pause for a moment and to listen to her cry and do all within his/her reach to wipe her tears. The Pope expresses his deep sense of aguish at the greed, the irresponsible use and abuse of goods, selfish lack of concern, looking for easy quick profit, the acceleration of changes, irrational confidence in progress and human abilities, the throwaway culture, care not attitude towards the poor such and more. These have burdened the earth and laid her waste. She is groaning and crying because of the hurt inflicted on her.

The messages of Laudoto Si which are very inspirational and exceedingly relevant, the Catholic Charities, Jamshedpur felt that the messages of Pope must be made known to all people possible in the diocese. Keeping this thought in mind C.C.J organized a workshop on 24^th February, 2017 at St. Xavier’s Welfare Centre, Chaibasa for Kolhan Porahat. There were more than 300 people present. Fr. Christo Das, the Director of SIGN, Ranchi and Mr. Gladson Dungdung from Ranchi were the resource persons. Both in their talks highlighted the message of Laudoto Si and connected them to the situations of Jharkhand. Because Jharkhand too is heading towards destruction while accelerating development at the cost of the poor, exploitation of the natural resources with little consideration for environment and the existence of the other, especially the adivasis and the marginalized people of the land. Both the resource persons urged the participants to become aware of the global and local situation today and be awakened to the collective responsibility of the care of the earth and the care of one another so that we may be able to offer a better future for the coming generations. Fr. David Vincent the VG of Jamshedpur Diocese, Fr. C.R. Prabhu, Fr. Halan Bodra, Sahaya Thason and many other priests, religious, sisters and faithful of Kolhan Porahat were present. C.C.J offers a big thanks to all for your cooperation and help.

One-day Workshop for those involved in Health Work

One-day workshop was organized for all sisters and fathers involved in health work in the diocese on 25^th February, 2017 at Vikas Bharti, Sundernagar. First of all, Fr. C.R. Prabhu welcomed and wished them all the very best for the workshop. The workshop began with the lighting of lamps followed by sharing of works done by various health centers. Fr. Christo Das, the director of SIGN, Ranchi was the resource person. He in his talk highlighted the importance of coming together and sharing of experiences with one another. Under the guidance of the resource person, it was decided that all the health centers would focus more on total immunizations, adolescent health, formation of Saheli Group and regular meetings of all the sisters and fathers involved in health work. There were 30 participants from various health centers of the diocese. Congratulations and thanks to Sr. Lui OSU, who took the great efforts in organizing the workshop.        (Fr. Birendra Tete)

Diaconate Ordination of Bro. Walter Purty

On 4^th February, 2017 Bro. Walter Purty was ordained a deacon along with five brothers of different dioceses at St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur by Most Rev. Abraham Viruthakulangara, the Archbishop of Nagpur. The solemn mass began with a procession at 6 am. After the homily candidates were presented to the bishop and they took the oaths of celibacy, poverty and obedience before the congregation. To witness this joyful event deacons’ family members, many priests, religious and a good number of faithful were present. After the mass newly ordained deacons were felicitated. Soon after the felicitation programme a delicious meal was severed for all. We congratulate Deacon Walter Purty and wish him all the best for his future ministry. (Bro. Cornelius Orea).

Dhanbad Deanery Annual Picnic

It was time to unwind and soak in relaxation leaving past the daily grind and humdrum of life. So, in a novel venture, the Purulia deanery parish - Catholic Ashram, Purulia - hosted on its campus, on Sunday, February 5, the annual picnic of priests and religious of Dhanbad deanery. That kept the hosts, Fr. Vijay Bhat and Fr. Eugene Ekka, on their toes from morning to ensure welcoming and providing the picnickers everything best went off well.

Doing things in style naturally comes to the hosts was evident from each detail of arrangements having meticulously been done. The delicious spread - its appetizing aroma hitting our noses - laid on for seventy plus priests and religious, was tempting.  It was not yet time though to satiate our palate before Fr. Amatus Kujur’s formal welcome to all picnickers followed by Fr.  Pius Fernandes’ key note   "Urdu speech" heavily interspersed with    "Shairies” that regaled one and all. His speech also included a note of thanks for the hosts'   "Khula” and “Udaar" dil.

Lunch over, we moved into the pandal specifically erected by Fr. Eugene Ekka in the School playground for games.  Soon, Sr. Margaret Mary, AC, and Sr.  Violita, AC, settled down to conduct the housie game.  From its very start fun and more fun ruled the game with winners having been given away prizes after each round.

Then followed the balloon breaking game. A riot of scramble is what it was - each menacingly pouncing and trying to burst the other’s inflated balloon. While the about 40 minutes’ game was full of fun and laughter, it was also a game of sheer agility and strength giving younger priests the benefit of upper hand over all others, making them romp home with the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prizes. Not to let down the spirit of runners - up as well as of the deserving, there were attractive consolation prizes too. Fr.  Vijay Bhat believes in what begins well ends well. So, he made sure that tea prepared with his own hand was served to us before we began our homeward journey back. By all standard our deanery picnic was very enjoyable and above all the hosts’ hospitality warm and cordial. A big thank you once again Fr. Vijay and Fr. Eugene. The picnic is over. Long live the memory.   (Fr. Amatus Kujur)

  

The unique experience of Candidates at Vianney Niwas with Rita and Betty

Each person feels and experiences people in unique and special way so also the candidates did with Rita and Betty. They arrived at the candidate’s house on 20^th of February,2017. The arrival of these two great women put a beautiful smile on their faces and they were happy to see the young and energetic candidates. The seven candidates greeted them with the Indian style “Jai Jesu”.

They were with the candidates from 20^th to27th. They were giving some classes on Expressions in English, grammar, personal interaction, English rhyme, creative way of making a story, some English action songs and so on. All these activities brought newness in the way of learning and gave boosting to their learning. The candidates benefitted from their classes very much. Besides the classes they shared with them their life style in Canada. They showed much affection and love towards us, so that we cannot forget their love which was showered upon us. Their stay at Vianney Niwas was a remarkable experience and worth sharing.   

           

On 25^th February on Saturday we had gone to Burigora on the occasion of the silver jubilee of Rev. Fr. Ranjit Kumar Beck CSsR. Dear Betty and Rita were with us. It was a great day for all of us to visit the place because many of us did not know that place. We participated in the solemn Eucharistic celebration of mass. Mass was presided over by his Excellency Rt. Rev. Bishop Felix Toppo, SJ and a number of priests were also present for this great occasion. After the Eucharistic celebration there was felicitation program. The program was indeed mind blowing and thrilling. We were overwhelmed with joy and happiness by every program that they performed on stage. We enjoyed the sumptuous food that was prepared. Afterwards we proceeded back to our destination. (Bro. Balaji)

CRI-AGBM Annual General Body Meeting

The Conference of Religious India was held on 11^th & 12^th Feb. 2017 at Vikas Bharati, Sundarnagar. The meeting began with a prayer and lighting of the lamp. After the welcome by the CRI president Rev. Fr. Kuruvilla S.J., all the secretaries of the deaneries presented the report.  Rt. Rev. Bishop Felix Toppo SJ, in his key note address emphasized on the responsibility of going into the depths of consecrated life. Rev. Fr. Peter Francis S. J., the resource person shared about journeying joyfully through the desert of doubts. Fr. Peter in his three sessions, further focused on prayer, personal integrity, community spirit and faithful mission. Fr. Peter, the Golden Jubilarian as a Jesuit and Bishop Felix being the bishop of Jamshedpur Diocese for two decades were honoured by presenting a shawl and flowers. Sr. Hilda D’ Souza SJC thanked everyone, especially Fr. C.R. Prabhu and his team for the facilitation of convenient stay for the 63 participants. The following are the new executive team of CRI: Fr. Kuruvilla S.J. -  President, Fr. Antonyraj SJ - Vice President, Sr. Hilda D’ Souza SJC - Secretary and Br. Jacob KJ DDS - Treasurer. Sr. Mariam SJT the former secretary was thanked for her tremendous help and support that she rendered for the smooth function of CRI in the past. (Br. Jacob DDS)   

Jnanadeepa Vidyapeeth, Pune: 

We congratulate Fr. Raju Felix Crasta who has successfully completed the Pre-Doctoral Programme at Jnanadeepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. He has defended two papers, (1. Avibhāga-Bhedābheda as the Semantic Axis of the Philosophy of Vijñānabhikṣu: A Study of the Vedānta in the Light of the Brahmasūtras According to the Vijñānāmṛtabhāṣyam of Vijñānabhikṣu. 2. A Hermeneutical Exploration of the Mahāvākya Tattvamasi and its Significance.) under the guidance of Prof. Henry D’Almeida and Prof. Stephen Chundanthandam on 27^th of February, 2017 in the presence of several people including Fr. Augustine Topno of our diocese, student scholastics of Jamshedpur Province and friends. The guides and everyone present expressed their admiration and congratulations. As we congratulate Fr. Raju, we pray for his successful completion of his doctoral thesis.   

BIRTHDAY Babies (March)

Date	Name
12	Maria Charles
13	Chonhas Xalxo
14	Elvius Dungdung
15	Birender Tete
21	Dileep Marandi
27	Raphael Monteiro
31	Henry Sequeira
31	Nicholas Kerketta

BISHOP’S ENGAGEMENTS

MARCH 2017
02	Thur	05.30 pm	Executive Meeting of CBCI SME NI	Ranchi
03	Fri	09.00 am	CBCI SME NI Gov. B. Meeting	Ranchi
05	Sun	10.00 am	International Women’s Day	Golmuri
15	Wed	05.00 pm	Inaugural Session of CDPI National Conference	Kolkata
16-17	Thur..	AM-PM	CDPI National Conference	Kolkata
19	Sun	11.00 am	Blessing of new MC Convent building	Baradwari
21	Tue	09.30 am	Diocesan Consult/ JDC G.B. Meeting	Golmuri
		01.30 pm	Priests Senate meeting	Golmuri
23	Thur	09.30 am	Meeting of junior priests
25	Sat	10.00 am	Blessing of the new Convent Building of St. Anne	CBSA
26	Sun	06.30 am	Confirmation	Adra

On Thursday, April 6, 2017, we will have a Diocesan and Religious Pastoral Clergy Meeting, Recollection with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Chrism Mass and Felicitations of our Jubilarian Priests (Fr. Fabian Bhuiyan, S.J, Fr. Ranjit Beck, CSSR, Fr. Xavier Ekka, S.J and Fr. John Sumbrui, S.J). I earnestly invite and encourage all the priests and religious to participate in the programmes.

                      

·         Diocesan and Religious Pastoral Clergy Meeting: 9.30-12.30 a.m. (Bishop’s House, Golmuri)

·         Recollection and Sacrament of Reconciliation: 3.30-4.30 p.m. (St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri)

·         Chrism Mass and felicitation of Jubilarians: 5.30 p.m.  (St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri)

·         Fellowship Meal at St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre Hall

Please inform Fr Jilson about the number of participants from your parish/community at the earliest (8521608509).

The Call to the priesthood… Can you hear it?

The Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur and Society of Jesus, Jamshedpur province have programs such as vocation seminar and meetings for prospective candidates for priesthood. The Vocation camp for the diocese and Jesuit province of Jamshedpur will be held from 2^nd to 7th April, 2016 at Vianney Niwas, Neeldungri, Jamshedpur. 10^th and +2 students are invited to join the vocation camp. Contact to the Vocation Offices for more informations at:

Fr. Linus Kindo/ Fr. Michael Deogam

Bishop’s House

P.O. Golmuri

Jamshedpur-831003

Jharkhand

Phone No.: 09572752429/7549106549

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