JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

Diocese of Jamshedpur

Vol. 47 No. 9                          Private Circulation Only                  September – 2017

    

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,

Pope Francis in his 'Amoris Laetitia,' or 'The Joy of Love' expresses few points that would keep a family together in love.

Make Time For One Another, Even If You're Busy

"Love needs time and space; everything else is secondary. Time is needed to talk things over, to embrace leisurely, to share plans, to listen to one other and gaze in each other's eyes, to appreciate one another and to build a stronger relationship. Sometimes the frenetic pace of our society and the pressures of the workplace create problems. At other times, the problem is the lack of quality time together, sharing the same room without one even noticing the other."  

Sometimes, Just Listen

"Instead of offering an opinion or advice, we need to be sure that we have heard everything the other person has to say. ... Often the other spouse does not need a solution to his or her problems, but simply to be heard, to feel that someone has acknowledged their pain, their disappointment, their fear, their anger, their hopes and their dreams.”

Accept Your Partner's Shortcomings

"It does not matter if they hold me back, if they unsettle my plans, or annoy me by the way they act or think, or if they are not everything I want them to be. Love always has an aspect of deep compassion that leads to accepting the other person as part of this world, even when he or she acts differently than I would like."

... And Be Generous With Their Imperfections

"We have to realize that all of us are a complex mixture of light and shadows. The other person is much more than the sum of the little things that annoy me. Love does not have to be perfect for us to value it. The other person loves me as best they can, with all their limits, but the fact that love is imperfect does not mean that it is untrue or unreal."

Never Go To Bed Angry: Hugs Can Help

"My advice is never to let the day end without making peace in the family," He writes, then quotes himself from 2015: "And how am I going to make peace? By getting down on my knees? No! Just by a small gesture, a little something, and harmony within your family will be restored. Just a little caress, no words are necessary."

Try To Find Your Partner Beautiful And Lovable

"Loving another person involves the joy of contemplating and appreciating their innate beauty and sacredness, which is greater than my needs. This enables me to seek their good even when they cannot belong to me, or when they are no longer physically appealing but intrusive and annoying."

Don't Hold Grudges

"Irritableness or resentment is a violent reaction within, a hidden irritation that sets us on edge where others are concerned, as if they were troublesome or threatening and thus to be avoided. To nurture such interior hostility helps no one. It only causes hurt and alienation."

Say Please, Thank You and Sorry

Francis quotes a speech he gave in 2013: "Three words need to be used. I want to repeat this! Three words: 'Please', 'Thank you', 'Sorry'. Three essential words!"

"Let us not be stingy about using these words, but keep repeating them, day after day."

Trust Is Key

"This goes beyond simply presuming that the other is not lying or cheating. ... It means we do not have to control the other person, to follow their every step lest they escape our grip. Love trusts, it sets free, it does not try to control, possess and dominate everything. This freedom, which fosters independence, an openness to the world around us and to new experiences, can only enrich and expand relationships."

Remember: Love Takes Work

"It is not helpful to dream of an idyllic and perfect love needing no stimulus to grow. A celestial notion of earthly love forgets that the best is yet to come, that fine wine matures with age. ... It is much healthier to be realistic about our limits, defects and imperfections, and to respond to the call to grow together, to bring love to maturity and to strengthen the union, come what may."

When You Argue, Acknowledge Your Partner's Perspective

"Never downplay what they say or think, even if you need to express your own point of view. ... We ought to be able to acknowledge the other person's truth, the value of his or her deepest concerns, and what it is that they are trying to communicate, however aggressively."

Aim To Disagree Without Being Hurtful

"Making a point should never involve venting anger and inflicting hurt. A patronizing tone only serves to hurt, ridicule, accuse and offend others. Many disagreements between couples are not about important things. Mostly they are about trivial matters. What alters the mood, however, is the way things are said or the attitude with which they are said."

Think Thoughts, Read Books: It's Important To Be Interesting.

"For a worthwhile dialogue we have to have something to say. This can only be the fruit of an interior richness nourished by reading, personal reflection, prayer and openness to the world around us. Otherwise, conversations become boring and trivial. When neither of the spouses works at this, and has little real contact with other people, family life becomes stifling and dialogue impoverished."

Appreciate and embrace marital-sexuality

"God himself created sexuality, which is a marvellous gift to his creatures," Francis writes. Sex should never be pursued for just one person's pleasure, or in a way that treats your partner as "an object to be used," Francis writes, and should always involve freely given consent. Sexuality is "meant to aid the fulfilment of the other," he writes, but "personal satisfaction" is involved as well — not just self-sacrificing service to your partner's needs.

Your Friend and Servant

+Felix Toppo, S.J.           

                                                                                         

Zara Hat Ke programmes: St. Xavier's Church, Chaibasa

With joy we share that this year in the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of St. Xavier's Church is doing some Zara Hat Ke programmes. We had Monica day celebration not only in the parish but 55 men and women went to Ulahatu for pilgrimage and on 3rd Sept. 2017 we had celebration of Sainthood Day of St. Mother Theresa of Kolkata; there was one solemn Mass in the parish. After the Mass, there was a silent prayer procession from the Church to Sadar Hospital with the lighted candles. At the hospital campus in front of the Mother's statue, we had a short prayer, garlanding on the statue by Sisters from MC, Fr. Augustine Kullu, Mr. Asish Birua and Mrs. Elisaba Dungdung. After this programme, St. Xavier's Boys School children presented a Nukad Natak on Mother Theresa and with short prayer we ended the prayer session. It was followed by a Fruit distribution to the inmates of the hospital; 185 patients were given fruits and 20 TMC children were given towels. The celebrations continued with a blood donation camp in the other side and it continued till 1.30 PM. 36 units of blood was donated. We thanked all the Law Administration, Hospital Administration and all our parishioners, donors for the day. Our parishioners bore all the expenses for the day. (Fr. Halan Bodra)

Feast Day Celebration at St. Mary's Church, Bistupur

St Mary's Church, Jamshedpur celebrated its feast day which is also the feast day of Assumption Our Lady. The celebration began with the Holy Mass at 10:00 am  by Rt Rev Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. Rev Fr Edward Saldanha, Rev Fr Puthumai Raj and Rev Fr Pradeep Marandi concelebrated the Mass. After the Eucharistic celebration, there was a short cultural programme in which Sacred Heart Convent School, St Mary's Hindi School, St   Mary's English High School, Xavier's School, Gamharia, St Xavier's School, Khasmahal and the parishioners presented one cultural programme each. During the cultural programmes, Sr. Christy, SJT and Mr John Lakra; Area Leader were felicitated for their contribution to the Church and the community. The Bishop presented them with the Scroll of Honour and a shawl on behalf of the parishioners. In this event, four children of our parish were recognized for their good performance. The cultural programme was followed by fellowship meal. About 750 parishioners joined the celebration. (Mrs. Manisha Topno)

Workshop on Sustainable Development Goals

The Catholic Charities organized a workshop on Sustainable Development Goals for its staff on 25th September, 2017. The goal of this workshop was to strengthen and motivate the staff with the mission and vision of United Nations and thereby to apply them in the working areas, so that the staff may be able to play a role in achieving these goals. The aim of the United Nations is to achieve these 17 goals by the end of 2030. Dr. Gaurav Anand from JUSCO was the resource person, who explained the every 17 goals in details. Mrs. Dr. Nilima Bara from JUSCO was very kind enough to get us the resource person. The CCJ family offers Dr. Gaurav Anand, Dr. Mrs. Nilima Bara and all the CCJ staff for their active participation and cooperation.

The Annual General Body Meeting of Catholic Charities.

The Annual General Body Meeting of Catholic Charities Sundernagar was held on 18th August 2017 in the office of CCJ at 5 pm. The President, Dr. Felix Toppo,S.J chaired the meeting. He invited the SJVK team to sing a bhajan and lead the house in prayer. After the prayer, President extended the warm welcome to all the members' especially Sr. Beena Kujur SSH (Vikas Bharti) and Fr. Birendra Tete, Asst. Director. After that a minute of silence was observed in the name of Late Fr. George Mannarakam the former member of the general body.

The President then expressed the heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Rev. Fr. C. R. Prabhu the former Director of the Organization by honouring him with a shawl. He also wished the new director Fr. Alwin C.V all the best for the new adventure. There was a sharing on different topics such as the achievements, challenges, outgoing and incoming of the staff and about the various projects. The president thanked the director and the staff for their good and hard works.

Distribution of Mango Saplings

Keeping in mind the message of Pope Francis in Laudato Si, the Catholic Charities took the initiative to reach more than 500 grafted mango saplings to different Parishes and Institutions of the diocese. It was very well accepted by the Parish Priests and the Head of the different Institutions. The Catholic Charities offers a big thanks to all for your cooperation. May we come forward more and more and take initiatives to protect and care for our loving mother earth.

St. Xavier's English School, Chaibasa

On 21st July Silver Jubilee celebration of the school was officially begun. The whole Xavier family assembled on the ground for the celebrations. The day began with a prayer, Scripture Reading from the Holy Bible followed by a prayer song. We were honoured to have the presence of Fr. Helen Bodra, the Chief Guest, Fr. Sahay Thason, Sr. Geeta and our principal Sr. Sheetal. The lamp was lit by the guests, sisters, some selected staff members and students. The School Choir presented a melodious Jubilee Song. A Dance Drama was presented by the students which led us to the memory lane of the glorious 25 year journey.

After this, a formal procession was led by the Xaverities. It started from our school and ended at the SPG Mission Compound via many areas of the town. The students enthusiastically displayed a stupendous road show. Soon it became the talk of the town. The next day, 22nd July was declared as a holiday.

The regular classes resumed from 23rd July. Various co-curricular activities were held in the school. The Telegraph organized, 'Telegraph Genius Aptitude Test' for Std I to IX on 1st August.

Marriage preparation course at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Golmuri

A Five Day Marriage Preparation Course was organized by Rev. Fr. David Vincent, the Parish Priest. The course was solemnly inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. In a nutshell, he threw light on “Amoris Laetitia” to instill desire in participants' mind and heart. There were 31 participants. The topics were wisely chosen to enlighten the participants-such as Biblical perspective on marriage, Sacraments, practical problems in married life, Canon law on marriage and its implications, Pope's teachings on marriage, practical tips for family issues. Topics were tactfully and meticulously dealt with by Frs. Valerian Lobo, Jilson T. L., Edwin Coelho, David Vincent,  Manoj Tigga,  Fabian Toppo and Mr. Bimal Lakra.

The participants highly appreciated the course. They came to conclusion that 'shadi barbadi nahi hai'. It is a life-long friendship and sharing of life and love. Congratulations and kudos to Rev. Fr. David Vincent and all the resource persons. (Fr. Manoj Tigga)

One-Day workshop on the current situations of Jharkhand

The Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur organized a workshop at Catholic Charities, on the current situations of Jharkhand in view of the New Laws and Ordinances in the state of Jharkhand on 31st August. Mr. Benjamin Lakra and Mr. Vinod Kispotta were the resource persons, who in their speech highlighted the pros and cons, opportunities and obstacles of the new ordinances. There were around 400 participants, who came from all over the diocese. A big thanks to Bishop Felix Toppo SJ and the Catholic Charities for organizing it so well. ( Fr. Birendra Tete)

Bible Quiz: 53

Mt. 19-16-26

Everyone of us wishes to attain eternal life as the young man in the gospel. Jesus is ever ready to guide us in this endeavour. It is not just following the Ten commandments but a total surrender to God and also having a loving concern for the neighbour as oneself that leads us to eternal life. So, let us go for it!

1.         Why did the young man come to Jesus?

2.         According to Jesus only One is good. Who is he?

3.         Fill in the blanks : I have …………. all these, what do I ……….

4.         Whom should I love as myself?

5.         If you wish to be complete, then go and ……….  Complete the sentence.

6.         What will be there in heaven for us?

7.         What was the response of the young man when he heard Jesus?

8.         Where is it that the rich person finds difficult to enter ?

9.         Where does the Pope live?

10.       Whose birthday is celebrated on 08th of September?

You are requested to send the answers latest by the first week  of September to the following address.

Director

Divya Bharati Pastoral Centre

Near Mudhra Hospital,

Chaibasa, Jharkhand – 833201

BIRTHDAY BABIES- September

Date	Name
05	Jeyraj Ignatious
07	Emmanuel Horo
09	A.    Alphose
11	C.R. Prabhu
13	Tobias Kujur
17	Nestor Soreng
19	Vijay Bhatt
21	Edward Saldanha
22	Benedict Minj
29	Pascal Toppo
30	Bipin Barla

BISHOP'S ENGAGEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 2017
02-10			TLIG Pilgrimage	Moscow
12	Tue	PM	To Ranchi   to  JSR
14	Thu	09.30 am	Meeting of JDC & JDES, Passing of Audit Report	Golmuri
16	Sat	AM-PM	To Kolkata to Jalpaiguri
17-23	Sun…		Retreat for the Priests of Jalpaiguri Diocese	Jalpaiguri
25	Mon	AM-PM	To Kolkata to Bangalore
27-29	Wed...		Standing Committee Meeting	Bangalore
30	Sat	AM-PM	To Ranchi to Anandpur

Contribution for the Diocesan News Letter

Your great work or the success story of your parish or institution may be an inspiration to others. It may help someone to restructure his/her priorities. Therefore, may we request you to send the news and stories of success / failures, pastoral activities for the “News Letter”. So that everybody could benefit from it. (You may send them to Fr. Jilson T.L - pajsrbishop@gmail.com)