JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

         33^rd GENERAL BODY MEETING OF CBCI CONFERENCE-BANGALORE

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The 33rd General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India held at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences inaugurated on 2nd February, 2018 ended on 9th February, 2018 with a solemn thanksgiving mass presided over by the New President, Cardinal Oswald Gracias and a Valedictory Function which followed. The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, was present at this concluding event. The Theme of the General Body Meeting was: “I am with you always to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20) - “United in Diversity for a Mission of Mercy and Witness”.

The members elected Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay as the New President, Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios Metropolitan Bishop of the Eparchy of Mavelikkara as the First Vice President and Most Rev. George Mar Njaralakatt Metropolitan Archbishop of Tellicherry as the Second Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India for a period of two years. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas SFX continues his three year term as the Secretary General of CBCI.

The Bishops following Jesus their master rededicated themselves to their mission of service and witness: feeding the hungry, comforting the disturbed, promoting the dignity of the marginalized, healing the sic k, giving hope to the hopeless, freedom to the captives, forgiveness to the sinners, and justice to the poor.

Given that Christianity came to India over two thousand years ago, the Bishops underlined the contribution of the Church in India to nation building and service to all Indians irrespective of religion, region, culture, race or language. According to the Bishops, India needs the Church and the Church needs India. No one should doubt our loyalty or our commitment to the nation. They appealed for true nationalism that can lead our motherland to genuine peace, harmony, progress and prosperity. Authentic nationalism respects the human dignity of every citizen and calls for integral and inclusive development that percolates to every strata of our society.

The Catholic Bishops wish to urgently call all people of goodwill to uphold the rule of law guaranteed by our Indian Constitution. In a climate of violence, they appealed to all fellow citizens to shun mob culture and vigilantism in favour of peace.

The Bishops desire to continue and intensify their collaboration and partnership with the Government at the Centre and in the States to reinforce our work of nation-building through educational, healthcare and social upliftment activities.

In service to the nation, especially to the Dalits, Tribals and other backward classes, the Christians will join hands with all men and women of goodwill, to ensure the integral and holistic human development of our beloved country which is measured by the scale of human index, and not merely by economic statistics.

The Bishops urged all Indians, to resolve to go beyond narrow domestic walls of every kind in order to establish a truly secular, socialist and democratic nation as is enshrined in the Constitution of India. Dialogue with followers of other religions and with ecumenical groups is the need of the hour.

The General Assembly resolved to promote transparency and accountability in society. They plan to encourage and train lay people and youth for involvement in vitally important areas of our national life such as politics, civil services, defense, law and judiciary.

The Catholic Church will ensure the implementation of the CBCI Policy of Dalit Empowerment in every diocese, work for the protection and integral development of the Tribals and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and take special initiatives for the relief and welfare of farmers, fisher folk, migrants and other deprived and exploited communities by providing care, comfort and hope to them in their distress.

An important mission to be undertaken by the Church is to work towards increasing the awareness about ecological issues and protection of the environment according to the teachings of Laudato Si, the Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis.

The Bishops reaffirmed the love of all Christians for our beloved country as we continue to pray constantly for it and its wellbeing. They pointed out that the Christian faith gives us hope to move ahead to continue our work for unity in diversity so as to establish peace and harmony and make our country live up to its exalted calling.

The Members of the 33rd General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India entrusted themselves in all that they do for the Church and society, to the loving care of Mary, Mother of Mercy.

(Extract from the Press Release of CBCI Plenary Assembly-2018)

Pope Francis establishes new feast of Mary as ‘Mother of the Church’

ROME - Pope Francis, whose devotion to Mary is well-known, on Saturday established a new feast for the Catholic Church devoted to Mary as the “Mother of the Church,” to be celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost.

The decision was announced in a decree by the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, released on Saturday, 3^rd February, 2018 by the Vatican Press Office. The decree observes that the veneration of Mary as Mother of the Church has ancient roots in Catholic tradition, reaching back to St. Augustine and St. Leo the Great. The title, the document says, is rooted in New Testament accounts about Mary. “She became the tender Mother of the Church which Christ begot on the cross, handing on the Spirit,” the decree said. “Christ, in turn, in the beloved disciple, chose all disciples as ministers of his love towards his Mother, entrusting her to them so that they might welcome her with filial affection.”

In 1964, at the close of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), Blessed Pope Paul VI formally declared Mary as the “Mother of the Church,” and invited Catholics to invoke Mary’s help under that title. During the Jubilee year of 1975, the Vatican produced a special Mass, called a “votive Mass,” for Mary under the title of Beata Maria Ecclesiæ Matre, or “Blessed Mary Mother of the Church,” and also approved inserting the title into various prayers in honor of Mary. With the new decree, devotion to Mary as Mother of the Church now becomes an approved feast for the universal Church.

“Having attentively considered how greatly the promotion of this devotion might encourage the growth of the maternal sense of the Church in the pastors, religious and faithful, as well as a growth of genuine Marian piety, Pope Francis has decreed that the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, should be inscribed in the Roman Calendar on the Monday after Pentecost and be now celebrated every year,” the document said. “This celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored to the Mystery of the Cross, to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed, the Virgin who makes her offering to God,” it said.

The decree stipulated that the feast should appear in all calendars and liturgical books. It also said that once translations of the texts for the new feast are approved by bishops’ conferences, they will be published after the congregation gives its confirmation. Last October, Francis transferred primary responsibility for overseeing many matters of liturgical translation from the congregation to bishops’ conferences around the world.

Diaconate Ordination of bro. Cornelius Orea

On 3^rd of February, 2018 was a remarkable day for Bro. Cornelius Orea, as he was elevated to the Sacred Order of Diaconate along with eight brothers of different dioceses at St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur.  The Brothers were conferred the order of Diaconate by His grace Most Rev. Bishop Abraham Viruthakulangara, the Archbishop of Nagpur in the Solemn Holy Eucharist Celebration. In his homily, Archbishop exhorted the Deacons to be faithful to their promises and obligation to the duties.

A good number of faithful, priests, religious, family members of deacons, relatives and well wishes were present to witness this joyful event. The melodious choir led by Brothers of Seminary added a celestial tune to participate the faithful more meaningfully in the celebration of Holy Eucharist. Soon after the Holy Eucharist, the newly ordained Deacons were felicitated by the community. The celebration concluded with the fellowship meal. We heartedly congratulate Deacon Cornelius Orea and wish him all the best for his future ministry. 

Catholic Charities, Sundernagar: DKA- KFB Partners Meeting

The Catholic Charities was honored to host the DKA – KFB partners’ meeting from 25 – 27 February. The representative of 44 NGOs from North-East and North India participated in this meeting. Dr. Eva from Austria, the In-Charge for India was the chief facilitator. A team of DKA – KFB from Jorhat, Assam played an important role in arranging the meeting at Catholic Charities. It was a very good opportunity for CCJ team to learn from the different NGOs in our country.  There were also the exhibitions of the works of the NGOs which provided an excellent platform for one another to learn and to discover different ideas for works. Prior to the meeting Fr Prabhu welcomed all and expressed the immense joy for housing and organizing meeting at Catholic Charities. On 25^th evening there was a cultural program, Most Rev. Bishop Felix Toppo was the chief guest. The members of the SHGs performed tribal dance namely Munda dance from Charbandia, Ho dance from Tonto and Santhali dance from Kadamdih, which was well appreciated by all the participants. On 26^th there was an exposer visit to women cooperatives namely Toklo, Sankodih and Kadamdih. “It was excellent and educational” was the answer when it was asked about the visit. Under the guidance and supervision of Fr. Alwin and Fr. Birendra everything was well arranged, they left no stone unturned in order to organize this meeting successfully. A big thanks to Dr. Eva, DKA-KFB team and CCJ and team for organizing it effectively, Vikas Bharti Sr. Beena and team for their great hospitality and Sr. Luisa for taking care of the health of the participants.

A Kisan Mela at Tentla, Potka

India is mainly an agricultural country. Agriculture is the most important occupation for most of the Indian families. But, most of the times the hard work of the farmers and their products go unnoticed, we fail to appreciate and acknowledge their untiring efforts that they put in the field. Therefore the Catholic Charities organized a fdlku esayk (Farmer’s Fair) cum Exhibition on 14^th, February in the premises of Tentla Panchayat Bhavan. The main objective of the Fair was to bring the farmers together, exhibit their products and to interact with the government officials. Mrs. Menka Sarder, the MLA of Potka was the chief guest, who in her speech highlighted the different schemes and scientific methods of cultivation. She was very happy to see so many farmers present. Fr. Prabhu electrified the gathering with his thought provoking speech on kitchen garden and organic farming. There were 300 farmers who came up with their products to exhibit. On this occasion 2 water-pump sets were given to two farmers by BTM Mr. Kaushal Jha. Mrs. Sukurmuni Tudu the Pramukh, BDO of Potka Mr. Prabhas C. Das and many other Block officials were present. A booklet written by CCJ  lCth dh [ksrh was released by the honourable Chief guest Mrs. Menka Sarder and others.  Last of all Fr. Birendra Tete proposed the vote of thanks to all for their untiring and constant support.  Thanks to Fr. Birendra Tete and entire team of CCJ for organizing it successfully.

A Seminar on 5^th Schedule

Fr. Polidor Kujur and Fr. Birendra Tete in collaboration with the vkfnoklh cqf˜thoh eap  organized One Day Seminar on 5^th Schedule and current issues of Jharkhand for the tribal leaders and tribal Intellectuals on 4^th February 2018 at Catholic Charities, Sundernagar. On this occasion Victor Malto, Premchand Murmu, walter Kandulna were the resource persons. There were more than 50 participants from different parts of East Singhbhum and Saraikela Kharswan district. Thanks to Fr. Polidor Kujur SJ and Fr. Birendra Tete for arranging and organizing this event very fruitfully.

(Fr. Birender Tete)

St. Xavier’s English School, Chaibasa

The month of  February was the busiest of times as the Annual Examinations were to be held from 12^th February to 23^rd February, Students worked hard towards achieving the best results that they are capable of by the time they complete the year. The importance of the hard work of teachers and the help and encouragement offered by parents will also become apparent. For students of class XII the board exams started for seventh of February and for class X from 26^th of February. We wish all of our exam students well. As the end of term approaches, this is a chance to thank everyone who has, in whatever way contributed to another incredible busy and successful year.

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 2018
01	Thur	05.30 pm	GB Meetings of CC, SJVK & Vikas Bharti	Sundernagar
03-06	Sat…	AM-PM	Visitation of the Seminarians	Lucknow
08	Thur	10.00 am	International Women’s Day at Catholic Charities	Sundernagar
11	Sun	08.30 am	Women’s Day at Loyola School	Bistupur
15	Thur	10.00 am	CBCI-SME NI GB Meeting	Mandar
17	Sat	10.30 am	Community College. Graduation programme	Mango
		5.00 pm	Meeting with Heads of Catholic Schools – JSR	XLRI
20	Tue	A.M.	Blessing of the New Wing of the School	Kumardhubi
21	Wed	02.00 pm	Meeting of the College of Consultors	Golmuri
22	Thur	AM-PM	Clergy Meeting / Recollection / Chrism Mass	Golmuri
23	Fri	08.30 am	Junior Priests’ meeting	Golmuri
25	Sun	AM	Palm Sunday Liturgy at Mercy Mass Centre	Baridih
29	Thur	05.30 pm	Maundy Thursday Liturgy in the Cathedral	Golmuri
30	Fri	03.00 pm	Good Friday Liturgy	Mosaboni
31	Sat	11.00 pm	Easter Vigil Mass in the Cathedral	Golmuri