C.J.N.L. JULY 2007
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
FROM FR. PROVINCIAL’S DESK.
Our college, schools, boardings and formation centres have come
alive once again with the new academic year. The parents, teachers, students
and candidates look up to us, to learn the art of right living. Perhaps we are
so immersed in the details of administration that we have no time to teach.
Moulding our institutes into temples of learning is an art that needs to be
cultivated with care, creativity and contemplation. These temples are built on pillars of 3 R-s. Reverence for
wisdom: to thirst for knowledge and to be amazed by the unfolding newness that
leads one to the Eternally Present; Respect for persons irrespective of
their religion, language and status and to honour differing points of view; and
especially to come to the aid of the poor; Restore the integrity of the
earth and care for the environment and thus recognize the web of life that
envelops and nurtures us.
Can we insist on reduction / avoidance of polythene bags in our
campuses and communities? Can we further conserve energy by reducing the use
and wastage of water, electricity & fuel? Can we become ‘tarumitra’ caring
for trees and nurturing our environment?
The best educationist is a good student as well. When did we
last chance upon a book that opened up new perspectives on life and challenged
our ‘false selves’? When did we last enter upon a conversation that filled our
‘inner room’? When was the last time that we let silence teach us? How can we
further accompany our students in their journey of life? Ignatian pedagogy
presents enormous possibilities. Fr. George Pattery.
FR. PROVINCIAL’S PROGRAM
|
July 04-05 : MSC Staff Orientation & GB Meeting July 09 : BRTC: Class July 10-24 : Retreat: Atmadarshan, Patna July 26-27 : Province Consult July 29-31 : Visitation: Gurap Aug 01- 02 : Kalna Aug 03-05 : Pandua Aug 06 : GKP Meeting. Aug 08-09 : Visitation: Jhantipahari-Mirga Aug 10-11 : Visitation: Bankura Aug 12-13 : Visitation: Chamrusai Aug 15 : Final Vows Aug 17-22 : N.Zone Meeting: Patna Aug 24-25 : Province Consult Aug 27-31 : Visitation: St. Lawrence Sept.02 : Final Vows: Chamrusai Sept 04 : Jubilee Celebrations |
Sept 06-16 : Visitation: Bangladesh Sept 20-21 : Consult Sept 29-30 : PCFs Meet: Dhyan Ashram Sept 23-05 : Class & Visitation: BRTC Oct 07 :B.Upadhyay: Seminar: Goethal’s Oct 12-13 : Province Arrupe Days Oct 15-16 : Consult Oct 17-25 : JCSA: Bangalore Oct 28-31 :
Visitation: Chennai Nov 03-06 :
Visitation: VJ, Delhi Nov 08-10 : Regional CRI Meet Nov 10-18 : Visitation: SXC Nov 20-21 : Consult Nov 25-11 : EAPI: Manila, Course & Retreat |
˜ APPOINTMENTS ˜
˜ By the Vatican
● The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Paschal Topno, S.J. of Bhopal , for reasons of age.
● Archbishop Terrence Thomas Prendergast, S.J., Metropolitan Archbishop of Ottawa (Canada). Fr. Prendergast has been Archbishop of Halifax from 1998
˜ By Father Provincial
● Fr. Arul Joseph: Acting Superior of the Bankura-Mirga-Jhantipahari community (19.06.07)
● Fr. Peter Arockiasamy: Prefect, Higher Secondary, St. Xavier's, Burdwan (from Jan. 2007)
● Fr. C. John: Director, Jhantipahari- Mirga (Aug. 2007)
˜ Beatifications: 188 Japanese who suffered martyrdom between 1603 and 1639, including four Jesuits, Frs. Pedro Kibe, Diego Yuuki Ryosetsu, Julian Nakaura and Br. Nicholas Keian Fukunaga, are to be beatified. The beatification ceremony will take place in Japan at a
˜ Young Priests’ meeting (ordained
in 2000 and after): recollection and sharing at Dhyan
Ashram on Wed. 4th July, at 6.00 pm
˜ Paul Chindambaram left the D.A. novitiate on 24.05.07
THE VOCATION
PROMOTION SCENE
Vocation promotion camp, April 30 to May 4, was conducted in Dhyan Ashram for the boys who have completed class XII. 23 boys from 6 districts of Bengal took part. Frs. Augustine D’Souza, Anil Mitra, Korkoniyas Moses, Probal Gomes, Andre Bruylants and Cyriac helped by giving input sessions or celebrating Mass for them The 2nd Year Novices, Sch. Bijoy Mardi and Sch. Rakesh Makhal led the boys through a meditation each morning. Bijoy also conducted games. Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy screened the film ‘The Mission’. A big ‘Thank you’ to Br. Marydasan for providing a home atmosphere for all, and to Fr. Paul Carlose for his support and guidance. The boys enjoyed the whole program, including working in the field, swimming, cleaning the pond and catching fish. For many it was the first experience of such a camp.
] Candidacy, Stage I: in Lawrence. This is meant for boys who have completed Class X. No board studies for them but ten months of intensive private coaching mostly in English with also some basic Bengali and Santali along with some spiritual initiation. Fr. E. Kurian is the Director, Frs. Alphonse Crasta and Sch. Markus Hembrom are the teachers. The aim is to prepare them to join the following year the stage II candidacy in St. Xavier’s, Burdwan. There are at present 17 such stage I candidates: 7 from Bengal, 5 from Orissa , 2 from Jharkhand and 2 from Kerala. This is the second year that this stage I candidacy is conducted.
Stage II: after completing the stage I candidacy, they go to join Class XI and XII, English Medium, in St. Xavier’s, Burdwan. This is the first year that this stage II is conducted. They do not stay in the school premises but in a rented flat under the supervision of Sch. Thomas Divianathan who will also be teacher in the school. At present there are 9 such stage II candidates.
] Pre-novitiate: At Arunoday, Barasat, for
boys who have completed Class XII or graduation. At present there are 12 such pre-novices: 2 from
Bengal, 4 from Tamilnadu, 1 from Andhra, 1 from Jharkhand, 4 from Orissa. 4
more are expected by the first week of August: 1 from Orissa, 1 from Kerala and
2 from Tamilnadu. Fr. K. Amulya
SCHOLASTICS’
SUMMER PROGRAM
From April 15 to 19 we had a four-day live-in program at Jhargram. Fr. E. Kurian, our P.C.F., and Sch. Mahananda Singh, coordinator for the 2007 summer program, had arranged things well. A big ‘Thank You’ to Fr. Kuriakose Thakanickal, Parish Priest, for the good accommodation. There we got involved in cooking, taking a survey of the Catholics, teaching English, conducting a leadership workshop, etc. We also prepared youngsters for the sacrament of confirmation, conferred for the first time in this village. The candidates were very eager to learn, and we did a great job catechizing them within a short period. Our deacons Arulappan, Shaju and Zenith preached during the daily masses, spiritually feeding both the villagers and us. Fr. Joseph Pulickal guided us in the survey for the first two days. The cultural program on the last day was greatly appreciated, and gave us a chance to appreciate one another’s talents.
v Prior to this we were separately engaged in different places. Schs. Joseph Raj and Kulandai made a survey in Kalna. Schs. Johnson and Martin stayed in Nandigram in solidarity with the people in the disturbed situation. Some were in Talit to learn Santali, and others stayed with Bengali families of Raghabpur and Kalyanpur parishes to learn Bengali.
v A seminar on Fr. Pedro Arrupe was held at Dhyan Ashram on May 21, 2007. Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy gave us a bird’s eye view of his life through a fine power point presentation. Sch. Thomas D. put up an exhibition with photos and quotations. In small groups we studied and reflected on Fr. Arrupe’s “The Jesuit Way of Life”.
v For this year the mode of our general sharing was different. The new priests Frs. Joseph Pulickal and Paul Carlose shared with us their experiences during their formation years. We then shared in three separate groups moderated by Frs. E. Kurian, Jeyaraj Veluswamy and Cyriac.
v For the last two days Fr. Paul Carlose took us through the basics of accountancy..
Thomacin & Maria Joseph S.
J ARUNODAY PRENOVITIATE UPDATE J
J After five weeks of hibernation, Arunoday came back to life with the arrival of our prenovices - old and new. We started the year earlier this year so as to have a combined programme for the outgoing prenovices and the new ones. So they all started arriving on the June 7. The older ones were with us till June 20 for a refresher course in English after which they left for their new home, the novitiate of Dhyan Ashram. Their presence provided a good initiation for the new comers in many ways.
J The Academic Year was inaugurated on June 19 evening with a Mass celebrated by Fr Provincial. It was also the birthday of Fr Carvalho. A birthday match was organized between the community Jesuits and the outgoing prenovices. The seniors had a tough time beating the youngsters.
J Our new regent, Sch. Roshan Tirkey, reached on June 18.
In the meantime we had Sch Thamacin
to help us with the teaching. After some additions and subtractions we are left
with lucky thirteen prenovices. A few
more are expected in the coming days.
Let us pray for more good vocations. Fr. Sajeev Painunkal
DHYAN ASHRAM: FAREWELL
AND WELCOME
Farewell to Fr. A. Bruylants and Installation of New Rector: The whole community - Jesuit and the non-Jesuits - gathered on June 20 to offer a thanksgiving Eucharist with Fr. André Bruylants, Rector since 2002, to bid 'Farewell' to one who has been a most loving ‘Boro Father’ to one and all not only within DA but without as well. In the homily Fr. Bruylants mentioned each of the co-workers by name, describing how each one had been doing his/her best to take special care of his health. The staff, especially the working staff, were moved to tears! Then came the handing over of the mantle to the Acting Rector, Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy. Br. Marydas, Minister, read out the appointment letter. The liturgical shawl changed shoulders, and the new Rector carried on with the Mass. There followed a short farewell program and table fellowship.
The 2007-2008 Academic Year at the DA Juniorate began with a morning Eucharist presided over by our Acting Rector - Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy. In the homily he stressed the importance of openness to feedback and correction, and eagerness to make the best of the numerous opportunities that come by in the juniorate.
Later in the morning
was the 'Schola Brevis'. Fr.
Vincent Patrick, the Dean, welcomed the Staff and the 20 new juniors
from 5 different provinces. He had a special word of thanks to Fr. Andre Bruylants, former Rector and
Dean of the Juniorate. Then Sch. Pandab
Hansda, an alumnus of the DA juniorate, who has just completed his MSW
at Loyola College, Chennai, with a First Class First, gave a down to
earth and inspiring address. with many practical tips from the SMART and
ASK theories, challenging the juniors to keep up the Jesuit MAGIS. In
conclusion, the juniors introduced themselves and recited together the prayer of St. Ignatius for greater
generosity. Fr. Cyriac Sebastian
First
Vows Celebrations:
‘Prabhu, Dekheccho Moder, Tai Eshecchi Tomari Chorone" was the theme chosen by our four 2nd
Year novices for their First Vows celebration on June 21, feast of St. Aloysius
Gonzaga. Sandeep Tirkey, Anto Sujen, Antony Robert and Felix Tete were
solemnly received into the chapel with chandan on the forehead and a rose bud
pinned onto their new kurta by the probationers, as the congregation
comprising several Jesuit fathers and scholastics, our prenovices from
Arunoday, some religious sisters and friends sang the entrance hymn. The
Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Provincial and concelebrated by the Novice
Master and the Dean. We, 1st Year novices, did our
best to animate the liturgy with beautiful singing and a well decorated chapel.
Fr. Provincial in his homily highlighted the necessity of journeying
on in our lives, not stopping on the way at any cost. After the ceremony, the
newly professed and the guests were led with kirtan and dancing to the
refectory, and were congratulated with a song by the new 2nd Years.
After that all were treated to a delicious dinner prepared by our Br. Marydas and team. Novice Vivien Andrew
FROM ST.
XAVIER’S, KOLKATA
d We had our quinzaine from May 13 (the day our Rector, Fr. J. Maliyekal, returned from the hospital) to May 27. It was well organised by Fr. Mani and Br. Naike. Fr. Mani has done a lot of maintenance works without a break from early May to give a fresh look to our living rooms and guest rooms.
d A hearty welcome to Fr. A. Bruylants who joined the community officially on June 28.
d The non-teaching staff quarters, the famous green bench area and the carpentry have been demolished to give space for a new building with more facilities. Temporarily the non-teaching staff are staying in the Ananda Bhavan Hostel, and the AB Hostel boys have been shifted to the main hostel.
d On June 6 to 8, as part of Prayas programme - Village to College and College to Village - children from Gurap, Mirga and Jhantipahari were brought to the college. Programs were arranged for them by the B.com and B.B.A students along with the NSS. The camp was inaugurated by Fr. Mangal Das
d Like in previous years, our three different college departments- Arts, Science and Commerce - have been rated very high by the India Today national survey.
d On June 22 the feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga was celebrated in the school by the house named after him.
d On June 26, a Seminar on drug abuse was conducted at the
National Library for 25 schools. Our
students participated and came out first inthe quiz. Fr.
Dominic Savio
z ST. XAVIER’S SCHOOL 11TH
CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM z
The St. Xavier’s School 11th student cultural exchange program came to an end when the plane landed with our 15 students at the Kolkata airport in the early hours of June 3rd. The objective is to provide different types of exposure to the students so that they grow aware of themselves and of their surroundings, enabling them to bring a significant change to society. It gives them an opportunity to live in Irish families learning their culture, life and world view. It teaches them to stand on their own feet and surmount failures and frustration. Thus, once selected, they are told to find funds for their travel and other expenses. They have to find sponsors in and around Kolkata without depending on their parents. This gives them a chance to know what the world outside is like. "To be told 'we will get in touch with you, sir' as a euphemistic expression of a crude NO was a great learning for me", one of them remarked. To get the required amount they may have to walk in and out of more than 35 business houses. A
number of cultural programs are organized to make them flex their muscles of creative talent. Through a number of group activities they begin to realize the need of cooperation.
From September 2006 to May 2007 they underwent a variety of experiences. First they went to community centres to mentally and physically challenged people, or to old age homes to cleaning windows and doors, help out in the garden, but also talk to the inmates and develop a deep bond with elders. They also stay for two days with a Santal family in a village close to Gurap, experiencing the generosity of the simple people and witnessing the crude reality of poverty in rural Bengal. One boy observed: "I am quite surprised at the generosity of the people. I can see that they have no money in the house, yet they killed a chicken for me ! If I were in their place, I would not bother to spend so much on a stranger".
These students are the cultural ambassadors of the school. It prepares them serve others and be men for others for the greater glory of God. To this end no compromise is entertained so that the goal always remains Nihil Ultra. Fr. Sebastian James
FROM OUR MEN IN THE DIASPORA
v From Fr. Maria Joseph I. in Afghanistan: I reached Kabul on June 7 together with Dr. Ivan Netto, a psychiatrist from Pune. We were warmly received at the Kabul airport by Fr. Stan Fernandes. On the following day, we went to Herat together. On the way to the airport, we at first saw only dilapidated mud houses with high compound walls falling apart, but soon the scene changed as we moved right into heart of the city, with huge concrete houses, shopping complexes, mosques and market squares bustling with people busily walking about or engrossed in selling and buying things.
On the next day, I was taken to the various departments of the Herat University. I joined the faculty of Computer Science on the second day and began my teaching assignment. The students are very eager to learn and mingle with each other freely. It’s is coeducational. As there are not many lecturers, I have to handle many subjects – trying to finish the syllabus so that the final year students may be awarded with the BCS degree by end of 2007. Some students have already spent 7 years in the department due to various reasons – but basically due to unavailability of teachers. Right now the people of Afghanistan need a proper reconstruction programme to strengthen their educational system, health care, industries and infrastructure.
We, the Jesuits, are mainly helping out in two universities: Herat University and Bamian University, and to some extent in the Provincial Hospital too. While Fr. Jerome (JAM) and myself are involved in the Herat University, Fr. Stan (former provincial of Pune) and Sch. Jeyaseelan (MDU) in Bamian University. We have Fr. Santiago (former provincial of Andhra) province) the country representative of JRS, and Sch. Andy (GOA) who is teaching in the faculty of Literature in Herat university.
The people are warm and friendly to Indians, as the Indian Government is generously helping them with medical help (free medicine and doctors), construction of roads and bridges, and providing planes and buses for transportation. The presence of Jesuits is very much appreciated for their exemplary simple life style and their contribution towards educating the students and training the teachers. The new four-story building of the Technical Institute which was initiated by Br. Noel (PUN), was inaugurated on June 9th by the Minister of Education in the presence of
the Ministers of Planning and Industry, and the Commander of PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team of Italy) and local officials. I commend earnestly myself to your prayers and support.
v From Jerry Gomes in
Bonpara, Bangladesh: On the 4th Easter Sunday, a
vocation promotion program was organized by the Bonpara parish for nearly 600
participants. Different congregations shared about their charism and work, and
so did the diocesans priests. I shared
about the Society of Jesus with the help of a projector. Fr. Dino, the Parish Priest is open to all for vocation promotion.
A few boys are keen to join us.
On 18thMay,
I went to Satkhira Parish for a three-day Youth Seminar on 'God is Love' for 120 students of class 10 and above). I had
prepared 50 questions based on the Pope’s encyclical. Using participatory
methods, I conducted 4 sessions. At the end the participants were able to
answer all the questions. Jesuits worked in that parish till 1953. They had
come there in 1917. The parish at the time belonged to the Calcutta
Archdiocese. Jesuits left the place in 1930 but then came back in 1937at the
request of the people. They remained there till 1953. Fr. Henry Koster is well remembered by the elderly people. The
Xaverian Fathers whom I met have records about it. At Iswaripur, within the
jurisdiction of the Parish, the Jesuits had put up in 1601 the first church of
Bangladesh, no longer standing now. A Xaverian Father is working there now with
Munda tribals. It seems Jesuits did not stay there long. The Xaverian Fathers
do not have records of that time.
v
From our
Shembaganur Tertians: Fr.
Salvator Murmu and I are fine here. We had a guided tour of Kodaikanal on
June 10. To prepare for our long retreat starting on June 29, we went in pilgrimage to Oriyur, and also
visited places of interest like Rameswaram. As we try to enter into
the long retreat, we request you all to pray for us. Fr.
Benny Thomas
v
From Fr. Peter Samikannu: to CJNL Editor: “Please have some patience. I am not sending any
news now. I am sending myself in October.”
v Fr. Jean Englebert flew off on 01.07.07 towards Belgium for a holiday.
v FROM CHITRABANI v
v A Digital editing workshop started on June 25, with hands-on practice and classes every day for 30 days.
v In-house training in audio engineering: the participants remain with the recordist in the studio throughout the working hours, assisting, experimenting and learning in the process, this for one person at a time. It lasts normally for three to six months.
v Mangal Pandey film: we are producing a docu-feature film for the Barrackpore Cantonment Bboard on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first war of Indian independence. Logistical support is given by the military itself. Preliminary shooting has been completed. Incidentally our own Fr. Jean Englebert also acted in the film as a military officer.
v Film on organic farming: as a collaborative venture of Chitrabani, SEVA, an NGO has produced a film on organic farming. The premiere of the film will be held at CB at 4.30 pm on July 6.
] BENGALI-SPEAKING CLC 30TH YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP ]
] From May 31st to June 3rd,
the Calcutta Archdiocesan Bengali-speaking Christian Life Community organized
their 30th Youth Leadership Training Camp at the PJG Formation Centre in
collaboration with the World Vision's Area Development Programme (ADP). 34
youth leaders from 7 CLC communities actively attended the camp about the CLC
Way of Life and leadership under the
leadership of Jesus Christ. Fr. Joseph De Souza conducted a session on
the CLC vision and a prayer session. Mr. Ashim Campoo of ADP World
Vision took a session on The Rights of
Children. Mr. Dilip Gomes conducted three sessions on Christ's leadership and on leadership techniques. He took great
pains preparing the program so that the participants may gradually grasp the
core points.
Mr. Dilip Gomes
HEALTH BULLETIN
v Bishop Linus Gomes was down with pneumonia and was hospitalized in Dhaka for some time. He is now back home, recovering well, though still weak. Fr. Aelred Gomes hopes to bring him to Calcutta after a few days.
v Fr. Sebastian Xalxo was in St. Xavier’s infirmary for some days, recovering from malaria.
v Fr. André Bruylants has a fall with his scooter while coming back from a Mass in Thakurpukur. Nothing broken, but quite a few strained ligaments.
v Fr. Adrien Wavreil underwent a hernia operation. Fr. Charles Pollet is scheduled for a similar operation soon.
Exam
Results : Madhyamik (W.
B. Board) 2007
|
SCHOOL |
Appeared |
1st
Div |
2nd
Div |
3rd
Div |
Compt |
Fail |
Highest marks |
|
St. Lawrence,
Kolkata |
134 |
112 |
19 |
1 |
2 |
- |
770 |
|
St. Paul,
Raghabpur |
102 |
09 |
85 |
07 |
1 |
- |
577 |
|
St. Xavier,
Haldia |
250 |
200 |
50 |
- |
- |
- |
746 |
Exam
Results : Higher Secondary (W.
B. Board) 2007
Divisions are no longer awarded from this year.
St. Lawrence, Kolkata sent up 250
candidates: all passed
St. Paul’s, Raghabpur sent up 77
candidates: 83.1% passed
St. Xavier’s, Haldia sent up 193
candidates. All passed except 3.
EXAM
RESULTS ICSE / ISC (DELHI BOARD) 2008
|
School |
Exam |
Appeared |
6 Points |
Pass |
Fail |
|
St.
Xavier's, Burdwan |
ICSE |
81 |
8 |
81 |
- |
|
|
ISC |
35 |
1 |
35 |
- |
|
St.
Xavier's, Durgapur |
ICSE |
155 |
4 |
154 |
1 |
|
St.
Xavier's, Kolkata |
ICSE |
159 |
9 |
156 |
1 |
|
|
ISC |
144 |
|
143 |
1 |
( : < POSTAL, E-MAIL Ids, PHONE, MOBILE Nrs., etc. ( : <
l Fr. Thomas Pullenkav: new Mobile Number: 94362 56766
l Fr. Korkoniyas Moses: Thozamai Illam, P.O. Kovalam, Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu – 629
702 Ph. 0462-246 993 E-mail Id: korkosj@rediffmail.com
l A number of postulates addressed to the forthcoming GC 35deal with environment-related issues. The Social Justice Secretariat has created the Ignatian Ecology Network to inform the Jesuits at large on climate change and its consequences. The site is www.sjweb.info/sjs
X ‘UNLESS THE
GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS INTO THE EARTH…’ X
V
Fr. Lawrence F. Rasquinha (KAR) 08.06.07 Mangalore 82/64
V
Fr. Lapeire Jordan
(MDU) 04.06.07 La Chauderaie,
France 95/74
V Fr Ignatius Barwa (RAN) 11.06.07 Mandar 55/33
V Fr. Norman Langenderfer (PAT) 16.05.07 Kurji 5/65
V The mother of Sch. Joseph Kulandai on 28.06.07
V Sr. Teresita (of St. Joseph of Cluny), 81, sister of Fr. Ruy Cordeiro, at Waltair on 21.05.07
