The Calcutta Province

joyfully greets

our new General,

Father Adolfo Nicholas,

and warmly thanks

Father H. P. Kolvenbach

FROM THE SIDELINES OF GC –35.

“Here I am Lord, bent double, like a question mark, waiting for the answer to the urgent rhythm of despotic desire. Unbend my question and make of it a sign of indebted awe.” On a rainy and cold morning during the fourth week of GC, I was meditating on the following two lines of a poem written by Benjamin Buelta, s.j. the provincial of Cuba: Five of us in the drafting committee from five different continents, met, shared, listened to and articulated our mission/identity. This is but one of the examples of the numerous murmurings of the Spirit that happens in the GC.

l It is indeed very exciting to speak to CJNL from the ‘corridors’ of GC 35 in Rome. The impact of the unique and enriching experience of the first weeks of ‘murmuratio’ and the election of Fr. Nicolas, s.j. as the new Fr. General is still very vivid and palpable in GC. In a sense we can say that we participated in the grace of the First Fathers. The common search in inner freedom, availability and openness revealed to us the ways of the Spirit. That continues to strengthen us in our way of proceeding. On an everyday basis we are learning that diversities of perspectives could be points of enrichment and that a spiritual experience can ‘integrate’ diversities on a firm footing.

l The other precious gift of GC for me is the experience of working together in the deputatio ad negotiam. Fr. General is ever and fully present, with a query here, with a suggestion there, always with a smile that draws everyone into the proceedings. There are lighter moments too when Nicolas is lost and found knocking on the door at 8, Borgo S. Spirito, looking for the Chinese celebration of the New Year! At other times he is heard complaining (already!!) that he can’t walk around the streets of Rome anymore. He is being recognized!!!

l Here in GC, we are a happy lot but seriously into discussions, at times in the aula; at times in languages groups or assistancy groups, but always with something to share, to enquire, to learn and to listen to. There are occasional coughs and aches, physical and mental when we are tired of the work; our own Jeyaraj V. was down with flu. That is part of being in Rome and in GC.

l Are we all always talking and discussing? Not when the bugle calls us to silence every morning before the session. That leads to a profound experience of union in prayer. That silence is continued in the ‘silent’ presence of Fr. Kolvenbach in the aula – ever punctual to arrive and to leave! What a magnanimous way of being a Jesuit! Leaving it all to others and yet being present to everything!

l We prayed the other day: “It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. We accomplish in our life-time only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith…which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us”. We experience immense hope in this GC; we share that hope with our men in the province.

Fr. George Pattery.

d OFFICIAL ˜

w Schs. Pradeep Perez and Pankaj Pereira were ordained Deacons by the Bishop of Rajshahi on 09.02.08 along with the seminarians of the Banani Major Seminary. Pankaj’s priestly ordination will be held in his home parish, Bonpara, on 28.03.08. The date for Pradeep’s priestly ordination is yet to be finalized.

w Sch. Loudes Anthoo Roys has signed his dimissorials from the Society on 16.11.07

PRIESTLY ORDINATION CEREMONIES

Deacon Joachim Kajol Purification: It was a grand three-day program that began on 28.12.07 with the ‘Mongalonushtan’, a prayer service, which was held under a small shamiana on the Sholepur church campus, an hour’s drive from Dhaka. Kajol was prepared for the next day’s ordination with a symbolic smearing of “Holud” (Turmeric) on his palms. An impressive crowd of about 300 parishioners and relatives attended. Kajol was first brought in procession from his sister’s house, a km. away, and, at the end, all joined in rejoicing with much mirth and jubilation, accompanied by dancing and singing of kirtans.

The ordination took place under a large pandal put up on the big ground in front of the Church. Our own Jesuit companion, Bishop Linus Gomes, assisted the ordaining prelate, Archbishop Paulinus Costa. The concelebrants included all the Jesuit priests working in Bangladesh, led by Fr Aelred Gomes, and the delegation from Calcutta. Br. Chinta was in the forefront as our official photographer. Schs. Pankaj, Pradeep, Probash and Rohit were fully involved. One of Fr. Aelred’s sisters and her husband had come from Delhi as Kajol’s special guests

The ‘First Mass’ on Sunday, the next day, coincided with the First Communion of about 40 children of the Parish. Bishop Linus preached the homily. Fr Aelred gave his message and thanked specially the Parish Priest and the parishioners. Finally Kajol too thanked all who helped him become what he is today, starting from his deceased parents, and going on to his brothers and sisters, the formators and the Parish Priest with all his parishioners.

What most impressed us, visitors from Calcutta, was the joy and enthusiasm with which the large number of parishioners prepared and took active part in the celebrations, even contributing generously to meet the expenses. Fr. Vincent Patrick

Deacon Sacaria Shaju Joseph: “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul” This challenge by an elderly and lame student – Inigo – made the world’s greatest missionary - St. Francis Xavier. Parents instil in their children the missionary zeal. On New Year Day the faithful of the Valillapuzha parish, especially Shaju’s parents, gave thanks to God for the gift of vocations (his sister is a Salesian nun). “This new priest is a New Year gift of God for the church in Bengal", said Mar Paul Chittilapally, Bishop of Thamarassery, in his homily. The colourful and solemn liturgy began at 9.15 a.m. with a procession. Shaju’s parents led him to the altar for the bishop to lay consecrating hands on him. Fr. E. Kurian, P.C.F., assisted the Bishop as one of the Archdeacons. Several Jesuits, including Shaju’s Master of Novices, Fr. Korkoniyas Moses, were delighted to join in this day of joy. Shaju reminisced the ups and downs of his long journey to this great day as he thanked his formators, companions and the parishioners for the part they had played in his pilgrimage. It all concluded with a festive lunch. We wish Shaju an enriching priestly ministry. Fr. M. Benny Thomas

ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGE UPDATE

Fr. George Ponodath, our new Rector, took formally charge on 22.11.07, last day of Fr. Provincial’s visitation. In the Eucharist Fr. Provincial thanked Fr. J. Maliyekal for giving leadership to the community for six years in spite of his major accident, and prayed for George’s new mission. The community is very grateful to Fr. Maliyekal for guiding us in his inspiring and unassuming style.

v As per tradition the SXC community invited our Catholic teachers and also the doctors who take care of us, for the dinner on the feast of St. Francis Xavier. Fr. Rector thanked them all for their generous service to the institution. The College had their Eucharist, organized by the AICUF, with Fr. Raphael Hyde as the main celebrant. The School has their own on the school ground.

v On Dec. 12 the community celebrated Fr. Pierre Jacob’s 70^th birthday with a special dinner.

v For the last three months Fr. Joe Mani had extra-heavy maintenance work: re-wiring of the whole house and of the whole institution for the new phone system, painting of rooms, and, along with Fr. George Camilleri, clearing the space for the new building coming up along the servant quarters

v The school sports were held on Dec. 8 for the senior department, and the next day for the primary one. The chief guest for the seniors was Fr. Christian Mignon who has been Chief Judge of the Sports Day march past for the last 21 years.

v Fr. Sebastian James arranged a 3-day retreat for the Catholic boys of the school at Dhyan Ashram, Dec. 15 to 17, directed by Fr. Sunny George. Fr. Sebastian also took about 20 boys to Kalna for a 3-day exposure program in the Kalna area.

v The SXC Alumni/ae Association organized a Book Fair, Dec. 19 to 22, on the Hostel ground, with panel discussion and cultural programs in the evenings. It concluded with their 22^nd annual reunion and dinner on the college ground.

v The Vice-President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari, an old student of the College, was the Chief Guest for the first Valedictory Function of the College after it became Autonomous. Prof. S. Das, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Calcutta University, gave the keynote address. Mr. Abdul Kalim, Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly, was also present.

v Prof. Michael Trevan , Dean of the Faculty, Agriculture Sciences, on behalf of Manitoba University, Canada, signed a memorandum of understanding with Fr. P.C. Mathew, SXC Principal, for collaboration at various levels.

v In January the departments of Commerce and of Business Administration released their annual magazines, YOU THINK and EXECUTIVE respectively, both well appreciated by the other colleges.

v ‘Prayas’ - the College to Village and Village to College program - started at the initiative of Fr. Felix Raj, has opened a centre at Kostamat under Raghabpur Parish. It was inaugurated on Feb. 2 in the presence of Fr. Felix, local leaders and the Jesuits of Raghabpur.

v Fr. Dominic Savio presented a paper on the impact of WTO on the Sikkim economy at the conference organized by the North Bengal University, Feb. 23 to 26.

v Xavotsav, the annual cultural function of the College Students’ Union was held from Jan. 22 to 24. The ‘Beyond Barriers’ concert organized by the College alumni had to be postponed to the 28^th on account of heavy rain.

v The School Alumnorum Societas had their XXXth reunion ‘Chrysalis’ on Feb. 2. Dr. Shashi Tharoor, former Under-Secretary-General of the U. N., was the Chief Guest.

E ARUNODAY NEWS E

E The pre-novices had a taste of life in rural Bengal when they spent two weeks with Bengali families in Raghabpur parish. They came back for Christmas with exciting stories and of course with the complaint that time was too short. Heartfelt thanks to Fr T. J. Thomas for arranging their stay in the villages.

E Christmas and New Year were celebrated in the right spirit with gusto. Fr John Rojerse came to help out. The New Year midnight celebration was held here at Arunoday together with the religious communities around. Though it was very cold, the excitement was no less. It included the burning of Old Man 2007 and a solemn dance.

E On account of the cold, health conditions were rather bleak till mid January with many falling sick

E We hosted a recollection for the formators of the Barasat-Barrackpore region – a first of its kind in this area. There are twelve formation houses around here. Now we are preparing for a formees’ get-together to be held on February 2.

E Fr Carvalho took a short break from his outdoor ministries due to cold and cough, and a not-so-serious tumble, but now he is again fully active in the field.

E The boarders and candidates from St Lawrence’s came for a day’s outing with Frs. E. Kurian, Noel D’Souza and Sch. Markus. In the basketball match, the Jesuit team – mostly our pre-novices - beat the boarders thanks to the excellent coaching of Sch Roshan. It was a sight to watch Fr Kurian playing for the Jesuit team and even scoring some points. Unfortunately we could not find a pair of short-pants for him.

E For more news and some pictures, please log on to http://arunodayjesuits.blogspot.com/

Fr. Sajeev Painunkal

L.T.S. NEWS

l The first LTS Orientation Day of the year at R.K. Academic Point, Howrah, was held on Jan. 4. The school is run by Mr. Rajendra Singh, an active member of the LTS Alumni/ae Association, who started an LTS Unit in the school. 

l A new LTS Unit was inducted in St. Joseph's School, Rourkela, Orissa on Jan. 11. The orientation of the class VIII students was conducted by Fr John Rojerse who stressed the positive contribution of students towards the national youth movement. With this new unit, the LTS has now spread its wings over 19 Indian states. On the next day Fr John trained the new animators into the LTS methods and spirit. 

l A new LTS unit for secondary section of the Our Lady Queen of Missions, Salt Lake, was inaugurated on Jan. 18. Fr John introduced the new members to the LTS way of life. 

lFr. John visited the LTS Units in Lucknow from Jan. 20 to 25. Though there are 4 LTS units there, he could visit only two of them – St Mary's School Unit, Manaknagar, and St Agnes School – as the other schools were given holidays due to the cold wave in North India. Ms Bajpai, Animator of St Agnes School, Lucknow, was appointed new coordinator of the Lucknow LTS Units.  

l Two schools (St Augustine's and St Mary's, both in Ripon Street) held a Zonal Workday on Jan. 27, organized by St. Mary's School. Participants spent the first part of the day in making greeting cards. They then formed into groups to prepare a skit on the theme: Students of Today, Leaders for Tomorrow. This brought up many innovative ideas. A quiz was also held on the LTS way of life.  Kanupriya Newatia

St. Xavier’s College Unit

NEWS FROM CHITRABANI

] Fr. P.J. Joseph and team spent about five days (Jan 17-23) in the Madhya Pradesh Province video-shooting as part of the project of making a video film for the MP Jesuit Province to celebrate the centenary of the Christian presence there. In the last leg, Jabalpur, Bhopal and Bilaspur were visited.

] Fr. P.J. attended the World Peace Conference (Jan 30 – Feb 5) in Chennai. It was organized by the Fatima Centre based in Canada. Over 700 bishops and priests from various ASEAN countries attended.

] Br. Carlo and Mr. Dilip Majumdar along with Fr. P.J will leave for Dhaka on February 5 to attend the meeting of RVA Bengali Service Council, and also the Listeners’ Meet in the Rajshahi diocese – about 4 hour’s journey from Dhaka.

UDAYANI UPDATE:

January is the month of picnics and sports. We helped to organize sports for the children and women at various places where we are involved.

While training courses and workshops on various issues were conducted in Kalna, Pandua and Jhantipahari, we are slowly and systematically shifting our Head Office from 75/1 Ballygunge Place to St. the Lawrence H. S. premises. This took a lot of paper work to formalize the shifting, and of labour to clear up the building for the demolishing contractor. By mid February we hope to start the foundations of the new building.

Our New Phone N^o and Web ID are:

Telephone N^o. (033) 2485 1941 Web site: udayani.org.in

Address: Udayani Social Action Forum, St. Lawrence H. School, 27, Ballygunge Circular Road

Kolkata – 700 019

FROM THE DIASPORA

From Maria Joseph I. in Afghanistan: This year Herat is very much affected by heavy snowfall. The temperature dropped to -30^o C. People weren't prepared for such cold weather. Many are dying. Though we did go to a few villages in December to provide some relief material, rations and warm clothes, they weren't enough. We are trying to help out those are worst affected.

We are now on winter vacation, yet very busy with the winter training Programs (English, computer and teachers' training) in three different places for teachers and university students. I am here in Kabul for about a month giving training to 60 technical school directors. This will get over by this week. Then I will go to Bamiyan in the first week of February to begin the training program for teachers and university students. This will be for about 1 ½ months. Next I will go back to continue the training programs in Herat where we have three such programs for six weeks - one for the university students, another for the technical school students and the third for teachers.

z From Fr. Amulya: My tertianship in Goa is getting over by Feb. 26. I am planning to reach the Province by the end of the same month. I went to Tamilnadu for the Ignatian experiment. I was working with JRS, visiting almost all the camps of Sri Lankan refugees, and also some primary schools for children in these camps. It was a totally new experience. A happy surprise was to discover that Fr. Mangal Das’ ‘STAGE’ educational package has become the Tamilnadu State syllabus (they call it the ‘ABL’ method, although it is exactly what Fr. Mangal prepared for the Santal children, except of course for the Tamil subject). I remembered how Fr. Mangal initiated Jothi, C. John, myself and some others into this system. Now, after 20 years, it has become the Tamilnadu syllabus up to Class VIII. The sad part of it is that no one here seems to know who developed this system. Unfortunately we, Jesuits, could not make use of his wisdom.

z From Patrick Bara in SXC, Ranchi: During our Puja holidays we had singing &

homily competition and English classes on Tofel by Fr. Sawarn Tigga. Our semester exams were held from Dec. 01 to 12. We were then assigned for Xmas ministry to three different places (M.C. Sisters in Jail Road, Hinu, and Hindpirih) to teach Christmas hymns.
We had a Xmas eve gathering along with the community members. For the 26th, Children’s Day: the programs were arranged by the Manresa Scholastics. Bishop Vincent Barwa gave an encouraging message to the children. We then had our annual triduum under the guidance of Fr. Anselm Ekka. On Dec. 31, after the evening prayer, the Manresa family bade farewell to Old Man 2007, burning him in effigy.

We resumed our classes with a new vision on Jan. 3. Xavier Utsav will be on Jan. 27 to 29, so preparations are on. We are also involved in the college basketball tournament. We (Anil and I) are keeping well. Anil is going to write his environmental exam on Feb. 3r. Do remember us in your prayers.

h HEALTH BULLETIN h

Fr. Mathieu Schillings had a heart attack while he was in SX Durgapur for his retreat. He was first hospitalized locally, and then transferred by ambulance to the Birla Medical Calcutta Hospital in Kidderpore. There they detected a triple blockage. He underwent a very successful angioplasty on 29.01.08. Fr. G. Camilleri and Fr. Raphael Hyde could follow the thrilling operation on a wide screen along with many doctors and nurses. Fr. Mathieu has now rejoined Shantibhavan, as good as new.

[ Meeting of the Jesuits in Science Forum: 23 & 24 February 2008 at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. All Jesuits involved in science teaching and research are welcome. Contact Fr. S. Ignacimuthu, Coordinator, Loyola College, Chennai – 600 034.

X HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL NEVER DIE X

V Fr. John Pimenta (BOM) 18.01.08 Vinayalaya 93/60

( : < POSTAL AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES, PHONE Nos, etc. ( : <

Fr. Sebastian Nallail: E-Mail Id: Sebastian.nallail@gmail.com

Fr. Joseph Paul Remedios, S.J.

(11.08.1933 – 10.01.2008)

Homily delivered by Fr. Boris D’Santos at the funeral Mass

in the chapel of St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta on the 12^th of January 2008.

We are gathered here to bid farewell to Fr Joseph Paul Remedios – a beloved Priest of God – a beloved man of courage and a man of Faith – we have not come to mourn but rather to pay tribute to and thank God for this gift of Paul.

These last ten years, I observed Paul (from school days I have known him as Paul) as he accepted his painful Cross of Parkinson’s disease with Faith, but not fatalistically. I could not help but ask myself where did his strength and courage come from, and the answer was so apparent – his Faith in God, Jesus Christ.

As I look back at my friendship with Paul I see how this Faith was the bedrock of that courage, and how it did blossom!

Don’t think for one moment that Paul was a ‘good-goody’, a quiet studious type – far from it. Paul and I go back to 1943 – both of us in Standard 1B, serving Mass, singing in the choir – but two scenes stand out. Two boys of 10 and 11 years, and Paul telling me “Let’s go to the Zoo”. It was the war years. Some parts of the Maidan and Kidderpore were restricted areas to civilians: How, I thought, were we to go – walking? So on that Thursday morning at the junction of Park Street and the then Chowringhee Road, there was Paul and I – and for the first time I was introduced to hitchhiking. Paul with his left hand thumb upraised, and before you knew it, an American jeep stopped and dropped us off at the Alipore Zoo – I kid you not! Serving Mass on Thursdays and Sundays and taking off to Loudon Square and catching fish (alright, Tiddlers) with our hands, and quite expert were we!

As we went up Standard by Standard, Paul the athlete and sportsman emerged representing the school in the First Eleven in Football and in Hockey. We were the Hockey Champions for three years running: Junior Cambridge, Pre-Seniors and Senior Cambridge, and what an athlete he was! In those days the races were in yards not metres, and Paul was a champ in the 300 and 600 yard races.

We did our Senior Cambridge in 1951 and our ways parted. He went on to do his I. Sc. in St Xavier’s College and then joined the Society in 1954.

I was to re-unite with Paul some 10 years later. I had just joined the Society when he was a young priest, newly ordained in 1966 and, so to say, I was on the outside looking in; and I saw the deepening of Faith and Courage. I saw a young priest as Prefect, Student Counsellor, Teacher here at St Xavier’s and later on at St Lawrence’s. His students still remember the effect he had on them.

♥ “He was my class teacher and loved me,” says T.P. Ray, who as President of the Saturday Club, would see that Paul could come and make use of the swimming pool when that therapy was recommended.

♥ “Sorry to hear. SXC loses one of its torch bearers” – Anindya Tarafder.

♥ “Sad news – old era is passing away” – Zahid Gangjee.

♥ “What a loss! What time is the Requiem Mass on Saturday?” – Sidharth Ghosh.

♥ “Thank you for informing me. Will be there at the Mass.” – Pradip Guha Thakurta.

♥ “Heard the sad news. I remember him well. A kind hearted, always smiling, sincere soldier of the Jesuit order. He was always helpful and left good memories to those whose life he touched. May God keep his soul. Amen.” – Bimal Maskara.

♥ “If my English is good today, it was due to Fr. Remedios.” – an old boy of St Lawrence.

He was Parish Priest and Prison Chaplain where his love and compassion would blossom. I remember him telling me of an incident… One of his “parishioners”, just released, came to him for help in starting some small business project. Paul gave him the loan and that was that. He met him a few months later and on enquiring about the loan, all he got was a grin and a dig in the ribs, ‘C’mon, Father…’ Rather than demand the loan, he wrote it off with a loving laugh. Seeing the indignant look on my face, he said ‘ They need love and understanding, not condemnation.’

When teaching Catechism to the young ladies of Loreto Entally, he was known as the “Jesus Father” not in derision, but in loving appreciation.

C. S. Lewis tells us that, and I quote: “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” These past ten years have been Paul’s ‘testing’ point.

As the Parkinson’s took over, Paul accepted this heavy cross not fatalistically – not for him ‘Che sera-sera’! He fought it with all the strength and vigour that was reminiscent of his football and hockey days, of his days in St Xavier’s, St Lawrence and Dhyan Ashram, but always with the proviso ‘Thy Will be done’. It was his Faith in God that gave him the Courage to accept this final test.

When we Jesuits pronounce our Vows for the first time, we say: “Almighty and Eternal God, I vow before the Most Holy Virgin Mary and the whole court of Heaven, to your Divine Majesty…” I am sure they were there on the 10^th of January 2008 greeting him.

Well done good and faithful servant….

Welcome Joseph Paul Remedios.

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1951 Senior Cambridge, St Xavier’s Collegiate School, Calcutta

1954 Intermediate Science, St Xavier’s College, Calcutta

1954–1956 Novitiate, Sitagarha ; 1957 Juniorate, Ranchi ; 1958 - 1960: Philosophy, DNC, Pune 1961–1962 Regency, St Xavier’s Calcutta ;1963 Basanti ; 1964-1967 Theology, Kurseong – 1968 School Prefect, St Xavier’s Calcutta ; 1969 - Tertianship, Sitagarha

1970-1977 Student Counsellor & Teacher, St Xavier’s, Calcutta ; 1978 Parish Priest, Stella

Maris & Curate, Jail ; 1979 Vocation Promoter & teacher in Dhyan Ashram

1984 Teacher, St Xavier’s Calcutta ; 1988 Teacher, Dhyan Ashram

1992 Teacher, Students’ Animator, St Lawrence High School, Calcutta

2000 Dhyan Ashram ; 2002 St Xavier’s Infirmary, Calcutta