FR. PROVINCIAL’S PROGRAMME

 

February:

03      : Kalna/Ankurkala

04-11 : Raghabpur: Visitation

14-15 & 22 : Province Consult

16-24 : P.J.G.: Visitation

27-4th March : Vidyajyoti: Visitation

March:

07-11 : Chennai: Visitation

11-17 : JCSA, Dhyana Ashram, Chennai

18-19 : Trichy: Visitation

22-23 : Province Consult

24      : MC Meeting: Burdwan &

            Durgapur

27-31 : Arunoday: Visitation

29      : Ministry Commission Meeting

April:

09.18 : Dhyan Ashram: Visitation

19-20 : Province Consult

22-25 : Burdwan: Visitation

 

FROM FR. PROVINCIAL’S DESK.

    The Province Congregation has been an enlivening experience in terms of the fruitful discussions and the moving sharing. The postulates discussed and sent up reflect our apostolic zeal and our rededication to the Society’s concerns. Fr. General reminds us in his New Year letter: “As their example encourages us to reject consumerism, bourgeois living, and mediocre work, the first Jesuits invite us to prepare for the 35th GC by making the Society, more than ever, a corporate body united in prayer.”

 

    v The Arrupe Year invites us to an action-plan based on our vision perspectives. The province commissions will chalk out an action-plan for the next five years, especially on the thrust areas. Along with this, I recommend two other action-plans: revisiting the writings of Fr. Pedro Arrupe and those of Brahmabandhab Upadhyay in this centenary year.

 

    v Vidyajyoti in the January issue contains a thought-provoking article by Fr. Rudi Heredia on ‘Inclusive Development’, while a much-acclaimed article in The Way (Oct 2006) recaptures the spirit of Bl. Peter Faber:  “For each person he met, he (Faber) was a saviour of something deep within that was being lost; he was not eloquent or brilliant; rather he bore humbly people’s burden. To each individual soul he was redemptively attentive. … Everything is precious to him because everything is open to God” 

                                                                                                                           Fr. George Pattery.

 

˜ APPOINTMENTS   ˜

 

 ˜ By the Vatican

    ♦ Fr. Rodrigo Mejía Saldarriaga, of the East Africa Province, Apostolic Vicar of Soddo-Hosanna  in Ethiopia.

    ♦ Father Angelus Kujur, of the Dumka-Raiganj Province, Bishop of Purnea.

 

 ˜ By the Provincial of South Asia

    ♦ Victor Edwin (DEL), JCSA Secretary for Dialogue

 

CALCUTTA PROVINCE CONGREGATION

 

    The 2007 Calcutta Province Congregation was held in Dhyan Ashram from Saturday January 20th , 6 p.m., to Tuesday  23rd,  7.30 p.m.

     Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy was elected Elector, and Frs. Felix Raj and Charles Pollet 1st and 2nd substitutes.

    A report on the work of the Congregation -  including Fr. Provincial’s ‘State of the Province’ address and the full text of postulates including the reasons is attached for our communities. We give here the main text of the postulates Nrs. 1 to 5 addressed to the General Congregation; postulate Nr. 6 to Fr. General.

     z POSTULATE 1:  Based on the Gospel values, on the stress of Vatican II on the dignity of the human person (GS Chap. 1), on the universal sense of equality emerging in the world and on the fact that all of us share in one and the same Jesuit vocation, this Provincial Congregation recommends that

  1. the distinction of grades be abolished
  2. All formed members be eligible for responsibilities of government in the Society.

     z POSTULATE 2 : Reaffirming the Society’s commitment to promote faith that does justice, we earnestly urge GC 35 to devise/create effective strategies and structures to counter the adverse effects of globalization, and to take a strong stand on behalf of the indigenous people displaced from their natural resources and alienated from their cultures. It will maximise our effectiveness if we associate with other groups and people of good will.

     z POSTULATE 3: This Congregation requests that, when discussing collaboration and association with the laity, a positive consideration be given also to the development of such collaboration with non-Catholics, non-Christians and people of good will as well.  Guidance and orientations are expected.

     z POSTULATE 4: We request the GC-35 to reaffirm the Society’s commitment (GC 34, decree 20, No 430) to promote international awareness about the degradation of the environment, and to encourage pertinent local actions against the root causes, such as human greed, consumerism in response to our conscientiousness to be stewards and co-creators (Theology of creation and eco-spirituality) with concern towards the future generation through sustainable development. This new awareness should move us towards greater frugality, also in our manner of living both personally and in our communities.

     z POSTULATE 5:

We request that the General Congregation, while discussing community life in the Society, give due consideration to the needed renewal of its liturgical life, in particular the Eucharist and Prayer in common.

     z    POSTULATE 6.   In accordance with the perpetual nature of the first vows, Fr General be requested to prevail upon the JCSA to reconsider the decision and practice, recently introduced, of dismissing Brothers and Scholastics who fail certain academic examinations.

 

    The warmest vote of thanks went to Br. Marydasan and team, and the community of Dhyan Ashram for their superlative hospitality.

 

] DIACONATE ORDINATIONS        ]

 

    On February 17, four scholastics of the Province will be ordained deacons at Vidyajyoti by Most Rev. Vincent Concessao, Archbishop of Delhi.

    Their names are: Arulappan Rayappan, E. Sacaria (Shaju) Joseph, Kajol P. Purification and  Zenith William.

    Our loving prayers accompany them as they take this important towards fuller sharing in the priestly mission of Christ the Lord.

 

SYRO-MALANKARA ORDINATION OF FR. JOSEPH PULICKAL

 

    The first ever Calcutta Jesuit to be ordained in the Malankara rite was none other than our new priest Fr. Joseph Pulickal. On 13 01.07 he was ordained by Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Bathery, who hails from the same parish.  The bishop brought along his own group of eight priests attired in black robes to assist him

    Unlike in the Latin Rite, the actual ordination takes place after the consecration as it is felt that the Holy Spirit is specially present after the consecration. It was indeed long but very devotional and inspiring. The participation of all, from altar boys, to lay people, was remarkable.

    Apart from the representatives of our Province, there were a number of priests and religious from the neighbouring parishes. As per custom, the new priest celebrates his first mass alone, which he did with piety, reverence and confidence. We thank the Lord for this New Year gift of our dear new priest Fr. Joseph Pulickal, and his parents, sisters, brother and relatives for offering their beloved child to the Calcutta Province.                                                    Fr. Maria Joseph I.

 

FROM THE UDAYANI SOCIAL ACTION FORUM

 

      ◘ On December 1, World AIDS Day was observed in all our study centres in the city. Seva Kendra Calcutta organized an ‘AIDS Awareness’ march from Wellington Children’s Park to Esplanade in which the Udayani staff and students participated, distributing leaflets and disseminating information by sticking posters. Udayani involved also our Help Groups in the rural areas of Baruipur block. On Dec. 9 about 100 SHG women assembled at the Dhapdhapi High School ground to keep the promise of putting a stop to AIDS in the rural areas. The Headmaster of the school and the leader of village panchayat were present. Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj, Fr. Probal Gomes and Mr. Saradindu Biswas addressed the women.

    ◘ On Dec, 10, Human Rights Day was celebrated. A one-day programme was organized by Manabadhikar Suraksha Manch (MASUM) near Rabindra Sadan. . Udayani participated through chart presentation on various issues, and also highlighted police violence against farmers at Singur through song, posters and paintings.

    ◘ Most people lack legal aid awareness. A study conducted at Convent Road, Calcutta, revealed that more than 95% of people do not possess voter ID, ration cards, and birth certificates. Udayani conducted a half-day legal aid awareness programme at Convent Road for the municipality employees on Dec. 17.  A High Court lawyer Mr. Nathal explained to them the importance each document and how to get it. Thanks to Sr. Vandana who found for us this good resource person, ever ready to help these people in future.

    ◘ LTS students took a time out with our slum children on Dec. 22 at St. Lawrence high School. Thanks to Fr. John Rojerse who guided the LTSers to conduct games, etc.

    Aware of the important of sharing with one another, on January 6, we held a get- together for all our staff members, including some fun-making games to make all feel comfortable and free in the group. .

     ◘ A good news is that all the 14 Self Help Groups (SHGs) at Ramnagar and Dhapdhapi will receive a first loan of Rs. 20,000 each from NABARD to start some kind of income-generating activities, thanks to the hard work of Mr. Saradindu Biswas..

    ◘ Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj gave a talk on the socio-economic and political status of Bengal to the youth of the Archdiocese at Sevakendra.

    ◘ Fr. Probal Gomes gave a recollection to 50 youths of Prabhu Jisur Girja parish before Christmas. He left for Nairobi (Kenya) to participate in the World Social Forum (Jan.20th to 27th)

                                                                                                                            Sch. John Kerketta

 

G  FROM OUR MEN IN VIDYAJYOTI        G

 

    On Jan. 22, Vidyajyoti organised a one-day seminar on Brahmabandhab Upadhyay, the great Catholic theologian of Bengal, on the occasion of his death centenary. It started with the screening of a documentary film on Brahmabandhab made by our students, and with the hymn ‘Vande Sachidanandam’ led by Sch. Zenith William. Prof. Julius Lipner in the inaugural address spoke on Brahmabandhab’s significance for the 21st Century, highlighting issues such as the indigenisation of faith, patriotism and the Dalit challenge. Among those who presented papers and chaired sessions were several Bengali professors from different universities in Delhi. This was a special occasion for the Kolkatans of VJ.

    The third year theologians made their diaconate retreat during the Christmas holidays,  and are eagerly looking forward to their diaconate on 1ebruary 17.                       Sch. Martin Puthussery

 

c     FROM BELGIUM: INDIAN FESTIVAL  & CCU SHINING    c

 

      c  The Indian Festival in Brussels is about to get over.  There was music, dance, singing, performances and art exhibitions. Last week, Fr. Guy Vanhoomissen invited me for a Dhrupad (the most traditional Northern Indian classical music) concert by Gundesha Brothers. We were delighted to see Mr. Philippe Falise was the singer for the first half. Surprise! The master of  ceremony did not forget to mention that Mr. Falise, an ex-Jesuit missionary in Bengal, had found a new vocation in married life with a Bengali girl, now father of two children,, and working

at the Belgian Embassy, Delhi.  Anyway his 'Man bhajare Viswanath' in  Behag raga claimed the appreciation of the audience at the Brussels Planetarium.

 

    c   Today, 27.01.07, I see in the 'Libre Belgique' (the most esteemed daily newspaper in Belgium) an article by Fr. Charles Delhez, S.J., who recently visited India, particularly Calcutta. More than half of the two-page article deals with the Jesuit mission in Bengal, starting from the legacy of St. Xavier's College, the intellectual apostolate of Frs. Fallon and Antoine, the literary venture of Fr. Paul Detienne, the liturgical enterprise of Fr. Jean Englebert, the Bible translation of Fr. Christian Mignon, the translation of Western spiritual sources by Fr. Mathieu Schillings; and, of course, the pioneering work among the Santhals by our men. I hear appreciative whispering around the place about this well-written article.         Sch. Pradeep Perez

 

D  FROM THE GOETHALS LIBRARY AND RESEARCH SOCIETY  (GILRS)  D

   

     ◊  The CJNL can be viewed every month on our web. Click on to: www.goethals.org

 

     ◊ GILRS is organising a one-day National Seminar on "Brahmabhandav Upadhyay - His life and Contribution" on October 7, 2007. Those interested in presenting papers on any aspect of his life or work are welcome to sen  abstracts to the Director, GILRS

 

    ◊ Fr. Felix Raj attended the JEA Higher Education annual conference at St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad, Jan. 15-17. There were 21 participants. The 1sr day was spent on a Strategic Action Plan for JEA - Higher Education. The 2nd day was spent on a good discussion on the proposed Central Jesuit University. An interesting item of the day was the cultural performance in the evening by Ms Mallika Sarabhai and her troup. The 3rd day was for reports by principals of colleges. It concluded with a talk by the Provincial of India.
   

    ◊ GILRS conducted an Essay competition on - “Jesuit Education: a Means for Social Transformation” on the occasion of the Jubilee year.  The winners are: 1st Prize - Jishnu Samanta, St. Xavier’s School, Haldia ; 2nd  - Mainak Banerjee, St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata

   

    ◊ Publications by Fr. Felix Raj:
  - "Global Realities and Radical Spirituality", Bulletin of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata, January 2007, pp. 18-23.
  - "Young Jesuit Fights Arsenicosis", Indian Currents, 21 January, 2007, pp. 31-32. It is an article on Sch. Xavier Savarimuthu and his research work.

 

         X     MAY ETERNAL LIGHT SHINE UPON ON THEM     X

 V Br. Albert Soares (GOA)              03.01.07     Panaji, Goa      70/46   

 V Fr. Pierre van Stappen (BME)     19.01.07     Brussels           85/62

 V Fr. Albert Dussart (ACE)             24.01.07     Brussels           89/70

 

 V The sister of Fr. George Ponodath, Mariama, on 14.01.07