JUNE 2018 The Bridge 1

MC Sisters Diamond and Golden Jubilee CelebrationOn 12 April, 2018, the MC Sisters celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Sr. M Benedict, MC, Sr. Martina, MC and Sr. M. Rosario, MC, together with the Golden Jubilee of Sr. M. Gilbert, MC, Sr. Bibiana, MC, Sr. M. Esther, MC, Sr. M. Freda, MC, Sr. M. Gabrielle, MC, Sr. Melanie, MC, Sr. M. Nicholas, MC, Sr. M Pushpa, MC, Sr. M. Victor, MC, Sr. Amrita, MC, Sr. M. Joan, MC, Sr. Martin De Porres, MC and Sr. Nepancia, MC at Mother House. Archbishop presided over the Holy Eucharistic Celebration on this wonderful occasion.

J U N E 2 0 1 8

a newsletter from archbishop’s houseTHE BRIDGE

32 Mother Teresa Sarani (Park Street) Kolkata 700016

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, the centre of Christianity, invites us to step out and encounter a new spirituality of His Heart by focusing our attention not simply on His burning and generous love but also on those instances where He is being neglected by us. Just as his disciples, who deserted Him when they fell asleep

while He suffered alone in agony, whilst praying in the garden of Gethsemane, many of us too abandon Him often. Just like the disciples who failed to keep a watch, likewise we too fail. We fail to give homage through our ingratitude, forgetfulness and our lack of dedication to Him. Jesus' heart is always waiting. In His Heart we can experience the patient, generous love of God which does not coerce or threaten us. The love in the heart of Jesus only seeks our love. The heart of Jesus creates the sacred, personal space for that deeply hidden and intensely personal exchange between Him and us. It is now time for us to make some return for all that He has given us. This was the message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. He appeared to her to remind us how much He has given and still gives and how little we give in return. What exactly is it that Our Lord is asking of us? He has especially asked us to attend the Holy Hour of Reparation on First Fridays, participate in the Eucharistic celebration every First Friday and receive the Holy Eucharist, have exposition and enthronement of the image of His Sacred Heart in our homes. Keeping up the annual Feast of the Sacred Heart is also one of His requests. The Feast is on Friday, 8 June this year. These devotions are designed to focus our attention towards the great love He has for us and to make amends for all the indignities and sacrileges He is suffering due to our neglect and sinful lives.

Archdiocese of Calcutta will host the 27th World Day of the Sick from February 9-11, 2019 at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata as announced by Archb i shop P rakash Ma l l ava rapu o f Visakhapattanam & Chairman CBCI Office for Healthcare. Archbishop Thomas D’Souza presided over the meeting on 23 May, 2018 at Archbishop’s House to sensitize the Core Group in the presence of Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu and Rev. Dr. Mathew Perumpil, Director General, Catholic Health Association of India and the Archdiocesan Health Care Commission. 20 delegates from Rome and 20-25 delegates from other countries will attend, total over 300 participants. Archbishop Thomas D’Souza will be the Chairperson and Fr. Franklin Menezes, Director of Seva Kendra, will be the Organizing Secretary. The Core Committee will meet again on 19 June 2018 at 5 pm at Archbishop’s House. Kolkata has been chosen by Rome in view of Mother Teresa’s Congregation which is engaged in looking after the poorest of the poor.

Preparatory Meeting for the 27th World Day of the Sick

MC Sisters Diamond and Golden Jubilee Celebration

Fr. Dominic Gomes, VG

JUNE 2018The Bridge2

04Fr.KamalKishoreSoren

08Fr.DavidArockiarajMariasusai

10Fr.ArpudaDevrajArockiyaPrabhakar

16Fr.SusilSylvesterMurmu

18Fr.SandeepDungDung

18Fr.SandeepKumarEkka

18Fr.AlphonseSesuraj

18Fr.SalkuStephenSoren

19Fr.MichaelBiswas

20Fr.KeshabSenNayak

20Fr.UpendraNayak

20Fr.VanathuRaja

20Fr.AnandaA.Halder

21Fr.PeterTigga

24Fr.ClarenceImmanuelArijitBar

25Fr.RanjitB.D'Rozario

PhilipB.D'Souza01

01RobertJohnson

03SunilKujur

09GnanaPeppin

16JohnSoren

20XavierKujur

Birthdays

ARCHBISHOP THOMAS' PROGRAMME: JUNE 2018ORDINATIONAnniversaries

On 5 May, 2018, a solemn Eucharistic Celebration was held for Sr. Agatha Lepcha, Sr. Rashmi Lata Beck and Sr. Ebha Anjali Kujur who made their first

The Archdiocesan Commission for Education & Culture meeting chaired by Archbishop Thomas D'Souza was held on 16 May, 2018. Sr. M. Cyril, IBVM, who resigned due to ill health, was thanked for her immense services to the Archdiocese. Fr. Joy Cyprian D'Souza, Secretary, informed that a day's seminar will be held on 23 June, 2018 for teachers on contract or on probation. The Commission is thinking to have mock tests for ICSE & ISC students to learn from personal guidance to overcome errors. A suggestion for a website exclusively for the Archdiocesan Education Commission may help many students, parents and teachers. Since the Archdiocesan Education Fund (AEF) is not sufficient, it was proposed to encourage our students to apply for the Minority Scholarships for Higher Education and sponsorship from Donor Agencies.

vows at the FC Novitiate in Barasat. His Grace, Archbishop Thomas D'Souza, in his powerful and meaningful homily exhorted them to give their life in full control of the Divine Shepherd and follow Him wherever He leads them. The hall was filled with the family members of the Sisters and well-wishers.

Celebration of the Founder's Feast and Silver Jubilee

Ć Ĉ F r i A B H

0 2 S a t 3 :0 0 p .m . T o C h a m ru sa i N ig h t h a lt

0 3 S U N 0 8 :0 0 a .m . S t. Ig n a tiu s’, C h a m ru s a i H o ly M a ss ; C o n firm a tio n

0 4 M o n 0 5 :0 0 p .m . A B H D io ce sa n Y o u th C o m m iss io n M e e tin g

0 5 T u e 0 6 :0 0 a .m . D a y a D a a n , N im ta la H o ly M a ss fo r M C C o m m u n ity

0 6 W e d 0 5 :0 0 p .m . P u sh p ik a la y a , P ic in ic G a rd e n H o ly M a ss: O C D F a th e rs

0 7 T h u A B H

0 8 F r i 0 4 :3 0 p .m . S a c re d H e a rt C h u rc h , A d ra H o ly M a ss: C e n te n a ry C e le b ra t io n s

0 9 S a t 0 9 :3 0 a .m . C h u rc h o f O .L a d y o f H a p p y V o y a g e , H o w ra h

P R IE ST L Y O R D IN A T IO N o f D e a c o n s A N JE E T E K K A & R IT E S H K U JU R

1 0 S U N 1 0 :0 0 a .m . Im m .H e a rt C h ., M o n s a d a H o ly M a ss ; C o n firm a tio n

1 1 M o n A B H

1 2 T u e A B H

1 3 W e d 0 5 :0 0 p .m . S t . A n th o n y ’s S h rin e , K o l. H o ly M a ss: F e a st o f S t . A n th o n y

1 4 T h u 0 5 :0 0 p .m . B e th a n y P re -N o v it ia te ,B e h a la

H o ly M a ss: C lo s in g C e le b ra t io n o f S ilv e r Ju b ile e

1 5 F r i 1 0 :0 0 a .m . A B H M e e tin g o f V o ca tio n P ro m o te rs

1 6 S a t 0 6 :3 0 a .m . 1 0 :3 0 a .m .

H o ly C ro ss C o n ., A u x iliu m S e v a K e n d ra C a lc u tta

H o ly M a ss fo r th e C o m m u n ity R e g io n a l Y o u th C o m m . P ro g ra m m e

1 7 S U N A B H

1 8 M o n 0 8 :0 0 a .m . M C M o th e r H o u se H o ly M a ss fo r P ilg r im s fro m H o n o lu lu

1 9 T u e 0 5 :0 0 p .m . A B H M e e tin g : W o rld D a y o f th e S ic k 2 0 1 9

2 0 W e d A B H

2 1 T h u 1 0 :0 0 a .m . S E V A K E N D R A /P A R K H O T E L N a tio n a l C o n c la v e o n T ru ck D riv e rs

2 2 F r i 0 9 :3 0 a .m . S E V A K E N D R A C A L C U T T A T e a c h e rs’ T ra in in g P ro g ra m m e (T T P )

2 3 S a t 1 0 :0 0 a .m . K h a ra g p u r T T P (M id n a p o re D e a n e ry )

2 4 S U N 0 8 :0 0 a .m . 0 6 :0 0 p .m .

D o n B o s c o C h u rc h , L ilu a h S a c re d H e a rt C h u rc h , D h a ra m ta la

H o ly M a ss ; In sta lla tio n o f n e w P P H o ly M a ss fo r th e P e o p le

2 5 M o n A B H

2 6 T u e 0 4 :0 0 p .m . A B H M e e tin g : S C C C o n v e n tio n 2 0 1 9

2 7 W e d 0 8 :3 0 a .m . 0 6 :0 0 p .m .

S e v a K e n d ra C a lc u tta S t . M a ry ’s C h u rc h , R ip o n S tr .

H o ly M a ss: G e n e ra l C h a p te r o f S iste rs o f P ro v id e n ce o f G A P H o ly M a ss: 2 n d d e a th a n n iv e rsa ry o f A rc h b ish o p H e n ry D ’So u za

2 8 T h u 0 9 :0 0 a .m . 1 0 :3 0 a .m . 0 4 :0 0 p .m .

A B H A B H A B H

A B C D : E x e c u tiv e C o m m itte e M e e tin g A B C D : A n n u a l G e n e ra l M e e tin g M e e tin g : B e n g a l R e g io n a l B ish o p s ’ C o u n c il

2 9 F r i 0 9 :0 0 a .m . 4 :0 0 p .m .

M o rn in g S ta r S e m in a ry , B K P . – d o –

G o v e rn in g B o a rd -S ta ff m e e tin g G o v e rn in g B o a rd M e e tin g

3 0 S a t 0 6 :3 0 a .m . 0 8 :3 0 a .m . 1 1 :0 0 a .m . 1 2 :3 0 p .m . 0 5 :0 0 p .m .

– d o – – d o – – d o – – d o – L o re to C o n v e n t, E n ta lly

H o ly M a ss: fo r th e n e w a c a d e m ic y e a r In a u g u ra l F u n c t io n M e e tin g w ith se m in a ria n s L u n c h ; d e p a rtu re H o ly M a ss: P e rp e tu a l P ro fe ss io n : IB V M S rs

First Profession at FC Novitiate, Barasat

Archdiocesan Commission on Education and Culture

On 12 May, 2018, Archbishop Thomas D' Souza, concelebrated the Holy Eucharist offering thanks to the Lord for St. Mary Mazzarello, on the Foundress' Feast Day and for the 25 years of dedicated service of Sr. Jancy, Vice Principal of the Auxilium School, Dum Dum. During the Holy Mass, Sr. Jancy renewed her Religious Profession vow and received a crown of silver roses from the Archbishop and a garland from the Superior, Sr. Teresa Adampakallel. Sr. Jancy t h a n k e d t h e entire assembly for making the ce l eb ra t i on a very meaningful one.

Two-Fold Eucharistic Celebration at SeramporeThe Immaculate Conception Church building and extension behind the Entrance at Serampore which had undergone renovation was blessed by the Archbishop on 6 May, 2018. Archbishop Thomas D'Souza and Fr. Dominic Gomes, VG were welcomed from the main road to the Church premises with a beautiful traditional dance led by the Mahila Sangh. The Archbishop presided over the Eucharistic Celebration along with Fr. Dominic Gomes VG, Priest in-Charge Fr. Umakant Porichha and few other priests. 21 adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation. A Cultural program was held soon after the Eucharistic Celebration where Fr. Umakant Porichha, SSCC Priest-in-Charge thanked the Archbishop, all the invitees and benefactors for their gene rous con t r ibu t ion to the renovation of the Church.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan Coordinating Team Meeting

The Bridge 3

Vocation camps in the Archdiocese of Calcutta!

JUNE 2018

On 14-16 May, 2018 a three day summer camp was conducted for over 40 girls of different age groups at St. Teresa's Church, Moulali. Camp for the boys and girls of

classes 9 to 12 will be held from 31 May - 3 June, 2018 at Don Bosco Nitika as the school closes for the summer break. The children enjoyed taking part in the prayers and various activities like bracelets making, craft, slide shows, singing action songs followed by a sumptuous lunch. At the end of the day the MC Sisters lead the children in prayer and candle light procession followed by an inspiring talk by Fr. Elias D'Mello.

T h e A r c h d i o c e s a n P a s t o r a l P l a n Coordinating Team held its 3rd Monthly Review Meeting on 10 May, 2018 at Seva Kendra, Calcutta to discuss the renewal of the faith communities in the Parishes of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Fr. Franklin and Mr. Stephen suggested concrete ways for the implementation of the Parish Pastoral Plans in the Archdiocese to the 3 deanery coordinators. They also reminded all the coordinators that making the schemes and scholarships available to needy catholic students was equally important. Fr. Dominic stressed on first collecting the contact details of the Cell representatives of different parishes in the Archdiocese which was imperative for implementation. The meeting came to a close after each deanery coordinator presented the reports of the previous month.

Three Day Summer Camp

Calcutta and Howrah-Hooghly DeaneryA combined Vocation Camp for Calcutta and Howrah-Hooghly Deaneries was organised in Seva Kendra, Calcutta from 28-29 April 2018. Fr. Michael Biswas, Fr. Kamal Kishore and Fr. Jesu Retchahar gave sessions on the theme "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few." 15 boys from the Parishes of the Deaneries participated in the camp. Fr. Moloy D'Costa, the Dean of Calcutta, was the main celebrant for the final day Eucharistic Celebration.

24 Parganas (N) Deanery The Vocation Camp for the (N) 24 Parganas Deanery was organised by Fr. Ananda Halder from 12-14 April, 2018 in Proggaloy, the Archdiocesan Pastoral and Development Center.

25 boys from the Parishes of the Deanery participated in the camp with the theme: "Vocation: A gift of the love of God." Fr. Anthony Rodrick, the Dean of (N) 24 Parganas and Fr. Henry Saldanha were the main celebrants at the Eucharistic Celebration on both the days.

Midnapore DeaneryFr. John Soren and Fr. Sandeep Ekka organised the Vocation Camp for Midnapore Deanery from 16-18 April 2018 in Seva Kendra Extension, Hijli, Kharagpur. The theme was "Whom shall I send...? I will go! Send me." 16 boys part icipated in the camp. Talks were given b y F r. S i m o n , F r. Mohan, Fr. Peter and Fr. Sudhir Tudu, the Dean of Midnapore.

A final Vocation Camp for all the selected boys who had attended the earlier Vocation Camps was organised in the Deaneries from 4-5 May 2018. Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Calcutta met the boys individually and gave a

group reflection on priesthood. The boys were given sessions on Ministries in the Archdiocese, Seminary Formation and Personal Testimonies by Fr. John, Fr. Sandeep, and Fr. Michael.

The Regional CRI, West Bengal – Sikkim organized a seminar on the preparatory document of the Synod 2018: “Young People, the F a i t h a n d V o c a t i o n a l Discernment” which will be held in October 2018. The resource person was Dr. Soroj Mullick, SDB. The inaugural prayer was by Sr. Joicy M, Provincial, RNDM. Fr. Soroj highlighted how our Holy Father in his five years had focused on: 1. Joy - Evangeli Gaudium - Apostolic Exhortation.2. Mercy - Misericordiae Vultus ("The Face of Mercy").3. Family – Amoris Laetitia - a Post-Synodal apostolic exhortation. .4. Youth - “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment” Preparatory Document. 5. Periphery - numerous discourses.

On “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment”

Final Profession of MC Sisters On 24 May, 2018, 10 MC Sisters took their Final Profession (Vow) at St. Teresa’s Church, Moulali. Archbishop Thomas

D’Souza presided over the Holy Eucharistic Celebration. A well prepared Liturgy and singing by MC Sisters brought heavenly bliss a t t h e E u c h a r i s t i c Celebration.

The Bridge4 JUNE 2018

The Bridge is published monthly from Archbishop’s House, Kolkata.

Published by the Office of the Vicar General, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta, India. Contact the VG at: +91 9830416538 © 2018 RCAC | JUNE 2018 | Designed & Printed at: COLOUR DROPFor Private Circulation Only

Thank you for reading The BridgeKindly send in news of

programmes within the Archdiocese

and in special regard to Archbishop's

visits to different parishes, to

Fr. Dominic Gomes, VG.

Xavier Varsity starts Xavier Business School St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, has started a new Department of Management Studies at its Rajarhat Campus. This will be a two-year, full-time, residential Programme. St. Xavier's University offers hostel facilities for women and men. The hostel mess will provide both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. The MBA offered is a Two-Year Degree Programme. Four areas of specializations are offered – Human Resource, Marketing, Finance and Systems and Operations. The entire course covers 22 obligatory

management subjects ( O M C ) . F o r f u r t h e r details, visit: St. Xavier’s U n i v e r s i t y, K o l k a t a . Congratulations to Fr. Felix Raj SJ!

Feast of St. Joseph the Worker at St. Francis Xavier's Church, BowBazaarSt. Francis Xavier's Church, Bow Bazaar conducted Rosary and Divine Mercy Prayers followed by the Holy Eucharistic Celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker presided over by Fr. Hansel D'Souza, Parish Priest on 1 May, 2018. On 13 May, 2018 Mother's Day, Fr. Hansel D'Souza celebrated the Holy Eucharist at 7:15 a.m. at the Chinese Chapel, Weston Street and at 9:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier's Church, Bowbazar followed by the sharing of sumptuous snacks with all the women of the Parish.

Pentecost celebrated in Kolkata Churches

The Novena to the Holy Spirit was held at Fatima Church from 11 – 19 May, 2018, culminating in a whole night vigil on Saturday, leading to Pentecost Sunday. The celebrations were spear-headed by the Parish Priest, Fr. Mukul Mondal, CSsR. The novena preachers emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Catholics and enumerated the fruits, charisms and gifts of the Divine Spirit. The Novena and the Feast was organised by the Fatima Charismatic Prayer Group. Similarly, at Sacred Heart Church, Dharamtala, the Pentecost Night Vigil was organised by Fr. Jose A., SDB and team; and at St. Ignatius Church, Kidderpore by Mrs. Rosalind D'Cruz and conducted by Mr. Matthew Joseph and Team from USA.

Sr. Ann Imelda and Sr. Mary Desiree of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation celebrated the Golden Years of their Religious Profession on 20 May, 2018 at Anjali, Barrackpore. Fr. Dominic Gomes, Vicar General presided over the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration along with 12 priests which included Fr. Santosh SJ, Sr. Ann's brother and Fr. Ryan Rodrigues SJ, her grand nephew. The Pentecost Feast Day homily connecting the Holy Spirit's unstinting help with their lives was inspiring. T h e s i n g i n g w a s m e l o d i o u s a n d t h e p a r t i c i p a t i o n w a s p r a i s e w o r t h y . A felicitation programme w a s f o l l o w e d b y a sumptuous meal.

Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Code of Regulations for Anglo Indian and other listed schools

On invitation of Sr. Philomena, SCCG, Fr. Moloy D'Costa conducted a half-day session for the SCCG Sisters at Convent Road on 29 April, 2018 on issues of Minority Rights, Special Rules, ESI, Gratuity and CCL. Similarly, Fr. Moloy on invitation by Fr. Neethidas conducted a half-day session for the staff of St. Mary's School, Ripon Street, on the Code of Regulations for Anglo-Indian Schools, other listed schools and the Service Rules of the Diocesan Schools. On invitation by Sr. Elsie John, SCC, Fr. Moloy conducted a full day session for the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod on 12 May, 2018 at Dishari, Baruipur on the POSCO Act, the Child Protection Policy- CBCI, and other related rules for the administration of Schools.

Thanks to RESCO ENTERPRISE (LTD) for sponsoring

The Bridge issue for the month of June 2018

The new Superior General of Daughters of the Cross, Sr. Pushpa Purathur from Mumbai Province who will be assisted by the Assistant Generals Sr. Mary MC Laughlin, Sr. Moureen O'Brien from the English Province, Sr. Valeri Miranda from Mumbai Province and Sr. Jeenat Sanghara from Pakistan Province. The new Provincial for Calcutta Province is Sr. Regi Mathew, FC. The new Provincial Councillors are Sr. Catherine K., Sr. Antonia Arurandu, Sr. Cecilia Suriname and Sr. Pranita Lepcha.

Congratulations!

Sr. Pushpa Purathur FC

Sr. Regi Mathew FC