JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

Diocese of Jamshedpur

Vol. 47 No. 4                          Private Circulation Only                  April– 2017

The Holy Father’s Message for the 32nd World Youth Day

Palm Sunday, 9 April, 2017

The following is the extract of the Message that the Holy Father Francis is sending to young people throughout the world on the occasion of the 32nd World Youth Day, which will be celebrated at diocesan level on 9 April 2017, Palm Sunday, on the theme “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (Luke, 1:49).

Dear Young Friends,

At the conclusion of the Kraków World Youth Day, I announced the next stop in our pilgrimage, which with God’s help will bring us to Panama in 2019. On this journey we will be accompanied by the Virgin Mary, whom all generations call blessed (cf. Lk 1:48). This new leg of our journey picks up from the one that preceded it, centered on the Beatitudes, and invites us to press forward. I fervently hope that you, young people will continue to press forward, not only cherishing the memory of the past, but also with courage in the present and hope for the future. These attitudes were certainly present in the young Mary of Nazareth and are clearly expressed in the themes chosen for the three coming World Youth Days. This year we will reflect on the faith of Mary, who says in the Magnificat: “The Mighty One has done great things for me” (Lk 1:49). 

Our age does not need young people who are “couch-potatoes”

According to Luke’s Gospel, once Mary has received the message of the angel and said “yes” to the call to become the Mother of the Saviour, she sets out in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was in the sixth month of her pregnancy. Mary is very young; what she was told is a great gift, but it also entails great challenges. The Lord assured her of his presence and support, yet many things remain obscure in her mind and heart. Yet Mary does not shut herself up at home or let herself be paralyzed by fear or pride. Mary is not the type that, to be comfortable, needs a good sofa where she can feel safe and sound. She is no couch potato!

It was a long way to the house of Elizabeth, about 150 kilometers.  But the young woman from Nazareth, led by the Holy Spirit, knows no obstacles. Surely, those days of journeying helped her to meditate on the marvellous event of which she was a part. So it is with us, whenever we set out on pilgrimage. Along the way, the events of our own lives come to mind, we learn to appreciate their meaning and we discern our vocation, which then becomes clear in the encounter with God and in service to others.

The Mighty One has done great things for me

The meeting of the two women, one young and the other elderly, is filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit and charged with joy and wonder. One of the great gifts that the Virgin received was certainly that of faith.  Belief in God is a priceless gift, but one that has to be received. Elizabeth blesses Mary for this, and she in turn responds with the song of the Magnificat (cf. Lk 1:46-55), in which we find the words: “The Mighty One has done great things for me” (v. 49).

Mary’s is a revolutionary prayer, the song of a faith-filled young woman conscious of her limits, yet confident in God’s mercy. She gives thanks to God for looking upon her lowliness and for the work of salvation that He has brought about for the people, the poor and the humble. Faith is at the heart of Mary’s entire story. Her song helps us to understand the mercy of the Lord as the driving force of history, the history of each of us and of all humanity.

When God touches the heart of a young man or woman, they become capable of doing tremendous things. The “great things” that the Almighty accomplished in the life of Mary speak also to our own journey in life, which is not a meaningless meandering, but a pilgrimage that, for all its uncertainties and sufferings, can find its fulfilment in God.

Being young does not mean being disconnected from the past

Mary, in the Magnificat, echoes the praises of her people and their history. This shows us that being young does not mean being disconnected from the past. Our personal history is part of a long trail, a communal journey that has preceded us over the ages. The genuine experience of the Church is not like a flash mob, where people agree to meet, do their thing and then go their separate ways. The Church is heir to a long tradition which, passed down from generation to generation, is further enriched by the experience of each individual. Your personal history has a place within the greater history of the Church. Being mindful of the past also helps us to be open to the unexpected ways that God acts in us and through us. As young people, you too can do great things and take on fuller responsibilities, if only you recognize God’s mercy and power at work in your lives.

Some of you, particularly those hurt by certain situations in life, might want to “reset” your own past, to claim the right to forget it all. But I would like to remind you that there is no saint without a past, or a sinner without a future. The pearl is born of a wound in the oyster! We need to learn how to make past events a dynamic reality on which to reflect and to draw lessons and meaning for the present and the future. This is no easy task, but one necessary for discovering the thread of God’s love running through the whole of our life.

Many people say that young people are distracted and superficial. They are wrong! Still, we should acknowledge our need to reflect on our lives and direct them towards the future. To have a past is not the same as to have a history. Television is full of “reality shows” which are not real stories, but only moments passed before a television camera by characters living from day to day, without a greater plan. Don’t let yourselves be led astray by this false image of reality! Be the protagonists of your history; decide your own future.

How to remain connected, following the example of Mary

It is said of Mary that she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19, 51). This unassuming young woman of Nazareth teaches us by her example to preserve the memory of the events of our lives but also to put them together and reconstruct the unity of all the fragments that, put together, can make up a mosaic. How can we learn to do this in practice? Let me offer you some suggestions.

At the end of each day, we can stop for a few minutes to remember the good times and the challenges, the things that went well and those that went wrong. In this way, before God and before ourselves, we can express our gratitude, our regrets and our trust. If you wish, you can also write them down in a notebook as a kind of spiritual journal. This means praying in life, with life and about life, and it will surely help you to recognise the great things that the Lord is doing for each of you.

Reading the Magnificat, we realize how well Mary knew the word of God. Every verse of her song has a parallel in the Old Testament. The young mother of Jesus knew the prayers of her people by heart. Surely her parents and her grandparents had taught them to her. How important it is for the faith to be passed down from one generation to another! Be familiar with the Bible, God’s word, reading it daily and letting it speak to your lives, and interpreting everyday events in the light of what the Lord says to you in the sacred Scriptures. In prayer and in the prayerful reading of the Bible (lectio divina), Jesus will warm your hearts and illumine your steps, even in the dark moments of life (cf. Lk 24:13-35).

Mary also teaches us to live “eucharistically”, that is to learn how to give thanks and praise, and not to fixate on our problems and difficulties alone. In the process of living, today’s prayers become tomorrow’s reasons for thanksgiving. In this way, your participation in Holy Mass and the occasions when you celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be both a high point and new beginning.

Elizabeth helps the Virgin to understand more fully the greatness of what God is accomplishing in her and the mission that he has entrusted to her. But what about you? Do you realize how extraordinarily enriching the encounter between the young and the elderly can be? How much attention do you pay to the elderly, to your grandparents? With good reason you want to “soar”, your heart is full of great dreams, but you need the wisdom and the vision of the elderly. Young people have strength, while the elderly have memory and wisdom. As Mary did with Elizabeth, look to the elderly, to your grandparents. They will speak to you of things that can thrill your minds and fill your hearts.

Creative fidelity for building the future

It is true that you are still young and so it can be hard for you to appreciate the importance of tradition. But know that this is not the same as being traditionalists. No! When Mary in the Gospel says: “The Mighty One has done great things for me”, she means to say that those “great things” are not over, but are still happening in the present.

A society that values only the present tends to dismiss everything inherited from the past, as for example the institutions of marriage, consecrated life and priestly mission. These end up being seen as meaningless and outdated forms. People think it is better to live in “open” situations, going through life as if it were a reality show, without aim or purpose. Don’t let yourselves be deceived! God came to enlarge the horizons of our life in every direction. He helps us to give due value to the past so as better to build a future of happiness. Yet this is possible only if we have authentic experiences of love, which help us concretely to discern the Lord’s call and to respond to it. For only that can bring us true happiness.

Dear young people, may you too cultivate a relationship of familiarity and friendship with Our Lady, entrusting to her your joys, your worries and your concerns. I assure you that you will not regret it!

May the maiden of Nazareth, who in the whole world has assumed a thousand names and faces in order to be close to her children, intercede for all of us and help us to sing of the great works that the Lord is accomplishing in us and through us.

From the Vatican, POPE FRANCIS

FINAL STATEMENT

OF THE XV NATIONAL MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE DIOCESAN PRIESTS OF INDIA (CDPI)

Held at Seva Kendra, Calcutta, the City of Joy

On 15^th to17^thMarch, 2017

We, the 113 members of Conference of the Diocesan Priests of India (CDPI),under the patronage of the CCBI, gathered from 67 dioceses of our beloved country at Seva Kendra, Calcutta, the city of St. Teresa from 15^th to 17^th March 2017,awed by the spirit of evangelization that blossomed in this very sacred city of St. Teresa, have studied, reflected and prayed together under the guidance of our patron Most Rev. Udumala Bala together with His Grace Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, the Archbishop of Calcutta and other six bishops, on the theme: Life and Mission of St. Teresa of Calcutta Reflected in the Life and Mission of the Diocesan Priests. As the fruit of the deliberations at the three day-conference, we, the diocesan priests of India, find St. Teresa of Calcutta an exemplary model of silence, profound friendship with Jesus and evangelization through her life.

Having experienced profound peace in our hearts during our Shanti Yatracum pilgrimage from Seva Kendra to the tomb of Mother Teresa at the Mother House and having prayed the Holy Eucharist at her tomb, we are awed and moved by the whole-hearted total surrender she made to her Master and Lord Jesus in intimate friendship. We are deeply touched by her ardent (ever burning) desire to love only Jesus, to give only Jesus and to live only for Jesus. The choices that Mother Teresa made in her life, though might have appeared insane and illogical according to the worldly standards, finally turned out to be the right choices of Christ himself.

The Holy Eucharist being the pivot of her life, she not only bent down to worship Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament, but also bent down to serve the same Jesus whom she saw in the poorest of the poor, in the dying ones of the gutter and in those suffering with incurable diseases. The saint of the gutter, as she is known, taught us with her own life that holiness should not be a luxury of some, but an urgent exigency and pastoral priority for every diocesan priest for whom Mother Teresa had a special love always. She taught us through her life as to how to be drawn towards the loving Father and at the same time as to how to be drawn towards the people in love. Because of intense love for her Spouse, she was also able to see His face in every person regardless of caste, creed, language or status. Thus, she became a Mother not only for Calcutta, or India, but a Mother for the whole humanity.

The echo of the cry of the crucified Jesus on the cross: “I thirst”, which Mother Teresa heard in the depth of her heart, has been reverberating in our hearts as well. We would very much love to carry the infinite love of the crucified Jesus to dark holes of the poor in our own parish territories.

We, the diocesan priests, appreciating our own divine gift of priesthood, shall strive to imbibe the important values lived by Mother Teresa, especially her spirit of Catholicity that urged her to reach out to all the suffering irrespective of their creed, caste or country. It shall be our endeavor to minister to all the economically or spiritually marginalized in our parishes – which go beyond the confines of our faith community.

We resolve ourselves:

·         To celebrate the Holy Eucharist remembering the maternal advice of Mother Teresa: “O priest of Christ, celebrate this Mass as if this is your first Mass, this is your last Mass and this is your only Mass”.

·         To respect the human dignity of every individual with whom we come into contact, without being judgmental.

·         To carry out our priestly ministry and all that we do with utmost love.

·         To endeavor to exercise our priestly ministry in such a way that it becomes a source of inspiration to all.

Most Rev. Bp. UdumalaBala            Fr. I. Raymond Joseph                     Fr. Philomin Doss

Patron of CDPI                                   Executive Secretary                            President of CDPI

Bishop of Warangal                            CCBI Commission for Clergy            Archdiocese of Pondicherry

           

International Womens' Day celebration: Golmuri
 

About 450 Mahilas from Jamshedpur deanery from various parishes, Sini, Chandil (55 nos.), Moubhandar Mosabani and Chaibasa joined together for the International Womens' Day Celebration. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, S.J in his sermon in the Eucharistic Celebration at the Cathedral emphasized about the importance of women empowerment and the role of women in the society, especially in the family.

The solemn Eucharistic celebration was followed by a one-day seminar at St. Joseph’s Welfare Centre, Golmuri. Rev. Fr. Camille Hembrom, the dean of Jamshedpur inaugurated the seminar and thanked the women present for their invaluable service to the society, especially the Church in Jamshedpur. Many senior members of Mahila Sangh were felicitated in the function. The discourses of Brahmakumari Anju and Mr D P Singh impressed all present. Rejuvenated by the talks and the assurance of the support by society, the women left for home with a beautiful memory to cherish. (Manisha Topno)

International Women’s Day at Catholic Charities

It was a joyous and exhilarated day for all the women as they came from far and wide to participate in the international women’s day celebration on 10^th of March at Catholic Charities, Jamshedpur. All were in festive mood as they brought dhol and nagara, played them and danced. They also put up 20 stalls to exhibit their products, Mrs. Rita and Betty grabbed this opportunity to buy things for themselves. There were more than 500 women participants. This year, the theme of the celebration was “Be Bold for Change.”  The chairperson of Jamshedpur Zila Parishad Mrs. Bullu Rani Singh was the chief guest, who in her speech encouraged and highlighted the roles and contribution of women in family, society and country. Prior to that Fr. C.R. Prabhu welcomed all and enlightened the gathering about the works and efforts of the Catholic Charities for the welfare and development of women. He also said that women need to be bold to transform themselves and the society. The Catholic Charities family offers a big thanks to all the staffs for their help and support.

International Women’s Day at Kuchai

Samekit Jan Vikas Kendra, Jamshedpur organized the International Women’s Day at Kuchai, Kharswan. Addressing the gathering Mr. Simon Marandi the B.D.O. and the chief guest said that the contribution of women in the development of country and society cannot be ignored. Women are not less than anybody in any field. They need to be strong, energetic and steadfast in order to change the social circumstances. The development of the society and the country is possible only when women are awakened. Fr. C.R. Prabhu the director of SJVK also said that there is a distinct identity of women in the world because of their contributions and achievements. Women play a vital role in the development of the society and therefore they need to be strong and firm. On this great occasion 750 women and many local leaders were present.

Mosquito nets Distribution

In collaboration with SIGN Ranchi, the Catholic Charities, Jamshedpur has been busy distributing the mosquito nets to all the hostel boys and girls of the diocese. So far 20 hostels have been completed and remaining 13 hostels will be completed very soon. Due to lack of mosquito nets many students suffer from malaria as a result they are not able to concentrate on their studies and other activities in a good manner. Most of the places in the diocese are malaria prone area and therefore this small step of providing nets free of cost will help the students to keep away from malaria. Thanks to SIGN.

Dhanbad celebrates International Women’s Day

The International Women’s Day was Celebrated on Sunday, March, 5, at St. Anthony’s parish, Dhanbad, with fanfare and gaiety amidst high excitement. A huge mass of Mahilas from different parishes of Dhanbad deanery were accorded a ceremonial welcome to the accompaniment of drum beats and singing before the start of the programme.

The chief guest, Mrs. Manisha Minj, Rly, SP’S wife along with four others lit the lamp. She was also the main speaker for the occasion on the topic “respect for women’s dignity.” Opening her talk she declared “women are not house wives but are home makers.” Home making, she continued, is a sublime responsibility, a lion’s share of it, rests on women. Love and understanding mingled with diligence is the ultimate mantra of crafting a happy home, she added.

Dignity of women emanates from the fact of their being created in the image of God. Therefore, women are as equal and deserving of respect as men, she asserted. She batted for women and highlighted success stories of today’s many women who have carved a niche for themselves in almost all spheres including in the domains traditionally considered exclusively a male preserve.  Opportunities given, today, women can define their own destiny, she said. In the same breath, she was also critical of the man- woman disparity in this 21^st century and blamed the age – old male domineering mindset as the biggest factor for subjugation of women whose off shoot has been the continuing gender inequality. Men must place women on equal footing, she said.

“Nukkad” was part of the programme. So each parish represented by a group of twelve Mahilas beautifully staged a well- rehearsed Nukkad each based on the theme of St. John’s gospel passage, woman caught in adultery ( Jn.8:1-11)  portraying the dignity of woman. Besides the Nukkad, in a speech contest, on the theme of respect for women, one Mahila from each parish delivered a five-minute speech. One could see how vociferous each speaker was on the need for respect for women. As part of entertainment a merry go round game was also conducted which all participants enjoyed. 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prizes were given away for all above events. Later, a solemn Eucharist was celebrated in the church followed by tea before all participants made their homeward journey. (Fr. Amatus Kujur)

Sad Demise

Mr. Augustus Kullu (69), beloved father of Fr. Ranjit Kullu, passed away in the Lord on March, 12, 2017 at High Tech Hospital, Rourkela. His funeral was held on the same day in his native village, Churia Girja Toli, Salangapos Parish.We express our sincere condolence to Fr Ranjit Kullu and the grieving family and extend our prayers. May his soul Rest In Peace!

   

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

APRIL
Date	Name
03	Richard Miranda
12	Leo John D’Souza
16	Sahaya Thason
19	Paulus Bodra
24	Pascal Minj
29	Sushil Dungdung
13	Fr. Robert Toppo

BISHOP’S ENGAGEMENTS

                                     

APRIL 2017
03	Mon	06.30 am	Mass for the Vocation Campers at Vianney Niwas	Neeldingri
		08.30 am	Leave for Simdega
04	Tue	08.30 am	JH, OD & CG Bishops’ Meeting till 04.00 pm	Simdega
09	Sun	07.00 am	Palm Sunday at St. Mary’s Church	Bistupur
11	Tue	09.30 am/pm	Clergy Meeting/ Chrism Mass	Golmuri
13	Thur	05.30 pm	Maundy Thursday	Golmuri
		03.00 pm	Good Friday Services at Christ The King Church	Chakradhapur
16	Sat/Sun	11.30 pm	Easter Vigil Mass	Golmuri
22	Sat	09.30 am	Meeting of the Heads of Diocesan and Religious Schools	Golmuri
		02.30 pm	Meeting of the Heads of Diocesan Schools	Golmuri
23	Sun	07.00 am	Confirmation at St. Xavier’s Church	Chaibasa
		05.00 pm	House Blessing	Parsudih
24	Mon	09.30 am	Diocesan Consult/ JDC Gov. Board Meeting	Golmuri
		09.00 am	Bishops/Leaders of  Different Churches Meeting in SDC	Ranchi
25	Tue	07.00 am	Parish Feast, First Communion and Confirmation	Toklo
26	Wed	06.00 pm	Golden Jubilee of Sr. Eulalia Furtado, AC (Sup.)	Sonari
30	Sun	07.00 am	Confirmation, Guadalupe Church	Telco