C

At 6 p.m. on 6^th March, at the Church of Gesu, Fr. General, Fr. Nicolas Adolfo presided over the well-prepared and prayerful concluding Eucharist. In his homily Fr. General reminded us to recall, relish and live the Goodness of the Lord that we experienced during the GC; to take it to the ends of the earth, going beyond the geographical frontiers, into the lives of people. Fr. Mark Rostaert, Secretary of the GC and now one of the General Counsellors, thanked the Good Lord for providing us ‘a man of God and therefore a good man’ to guide the Society. It was a reassuring tribute to the leadership of Nicolas. A week earlier a visibly moved GC bid farewell to Fr. Kolvenbach,

paying rich tribute to him and to his patient labours for the Society. He will eventually go to Beirut to start the new, ordinary and invisible phase of his life – typical of the Jesuit way.

Earlier in the morning of 6^th March, GC concluded formally in the aula, with no further ‘intercession’ being requested. Four of our men shared in the ‘aula’ their experiences of GC in a prayerful and discerning way: ‘that we Jesuits as a body are a blessing’ for the world; that ‘the newness of God’ is being rediscovered in our coming-together, that ‘our unity-in-diversity’ is real and confirms our way of proceeding

GC 35 has passed five decrees: on Identity/Charism; Mission; Governance; Obedience and Collaboration with others, besides a response to the Letter of the Pope. The fruits of our labour await the reception of the whole Society spread across the world. We look forward to share the rich experiences and challenges of GC-35 with the province, first on 14^th April, and later in the province assembly at the end of May.

I leave for Belgium to meet with friends and relations of Calcutta Jesuits, especially to meet the relations of our Belgian fathers, scheduled for 15^th March. A couple of my appointments have been delayed due to the exigencies of GC and the Holy Week; hence my return to Calcutta is delayed till the end of March.

As our identity document says: ‘Jesuits know who they are by looking at Him who embraced differences and newness, going to the frontiers… His imagination and love for our world is inexhaustible… He invites us continually to share with Him, in His mission of setting the world on fire with His love. Fr. George Pattery, s.j.

12 April: RK Mission Lecture.

13 April: Shantinir. ‘Kalahrdaya’ Blessing.

14 April: GC 35 Day in the Province/Budget

Meeting.

15-16 April Consult.

17-20 April Visitation: PJG, Kolkata.

22-25 April. Visitation: Arunoday,

: Barasat

PRIESTLY ORDINATION: Deacon Pankaj Ignatius Pereira will receive the priestly ordination on the 28^th of March in his own parish in Bonpara, Bangladesh.

The long awaited Diaconate Day arrived for the Third Year theologians on Feb. 23. It was a day of great joy especially for Schs. Johnson Padiyara, Joseph Kulandai, Joseph Raj, Maria Joseph, Martin Puthussery and Xavier Savarimuthu. They were ordained Deacons by Bishop Anil Couto of Jallandar in a solemn Eucharistic celebration. The theme for the liturgy was “Passion for Christ, Passion for Humanity”. The new deacons pronounced their promises to follow Christ and serve Him and humanity in the presence of over 1,500 faithful gathered in the Millennium Hall of St. Xavier’s School, Delhi.

If we add the two deacons – Schs. Pradeep Perez and Pankaj Pereira - ordained in Bangladesh on 09.02.08, this is the highest number of deacons ever for our province. ‘A bumper crop’ as someone rightly pointed out. Fr. Charles Pollet, our former PCF, Fr. E. Kurian, the present PCF, and Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj from ISI graced the occasion. The whole programme was well organized by the staff and students of Vidyajyoti. Sch. Mahananda Singh

Pankaj and Pradeep received the Diaconate together with 15 other seminarians and other religious at the Major Seminary in Dhaka on Feb. 9. Bishop Gervas of Rajshahi Diocese was the ordaining prelate, and over 50 priests concelebrated in what was probably one of the biggest Diaconate celebrations at the Seminary in recent times with the congregation overflowing onto the wide verandah encircling the Chapel.

Bishop Linus and Fr. Aelred conducted a month-long intensive English course for 38 aspirants and postulants of several Congregations at the Centre of the Bangladesh Conference of Religious in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka during January-February. The 14 young men and the 24 young women were a lively lot, keenly participating in all the exercises, starting with prayer and Mass in English in the morning and ending with an English movie at night, with some five hours of classes and group study during the day. A team of five Sisters from various Congregations helped to conduct the course: three with the teaching and two with the board and lodge.

The Jesuit Formation Centre in Mothbari, some 40 kms north-east of Dhaka, is coming up nice and strong with the concrete pillars and beams rising day by day. We expect the ground floor roof to be cast by early April, and thereafter we hope to see one floor of the five-storey structure added every month. If all goes well, the building will be completed between July and December of 2009. Fr. Joseph Mistri, who now stays there most of the time, is our man on the spot keeping a keen eye on the work going on.

Fr. Jerry Gomes has taken a two-month break from his teaching at the Bonpara catholic high school in order to do his M.Ed. exams in Dhaka. Fr. Kajol has replaced him there besides also helping with English classes at the Minor Seminary, where he resides. Fr. Aelred Gomes

The 28^th Annual Conference of the Bengal Economic Association, organized under the leadership of Fr. Felix Raj, Secretary of the Association, was held in SXC on Feb. 16 and 17. 220 economists from universities and colleges from all over Bengal and 150 of our own students and teachers participated in the deliberations on the impact of globalisation on labour, the service sector and the micro-finance in Bengal. Fr. P.C. Mathew welcomed the delegates and chaired the valedictory function. Prof Andre Beteille, Chairman ICSSR, gave the valedictory address. Fr. Dominic Savio was the local organizing committee secretary.

On Feb. 23 Fr. Felix Raj gave a talk at the Ramakrishna Mission Cultural Centre on The World is in Need of Harmony and Peace.

On Feb. 26 His Excellency the Ambassador of Belgium to India visited SXC, founded and nurtured by Belgians for many years, and interacted with the staff and students of both the school and college.

On Feb. 24 the College teaching and non-teaching staff along with family members (about 220 in all) went for a steamer picnic to the Bauria jute mill.

A hearty welcome to Br. Kishore Ekka who joined the community in the beginning of February. He will assist the Minister for the maintenance work.

The refectory is being renovated by Fr. Joe Mani, Minister, with the help of Fr. George Camilleri and Br. Kishore, all three of them working extra time to complete the work fast.

Fr. Maliyekal is back from his home visit, looking very much refreshed.

On Jan. 26 the School celebrated Republic Day. The investiture of the School Captain and House Captains was held on this occasion. Dr. Saroj of the Cancer Hospital, Thakurpukur, was the Chief Guest. The School donated 5.6 lakhs to the Cancer Hospital.

A picnic was arranged on Jan. 23 for our boarders and candidates in Arunoday, Barasat. It was an occasion for our pre-novices, candidates and boarders to play a game of basketball and enjoy a delicious meal together.

◘ The Rector's birthday was celebrated by the boarders and candidates on Feb. 21 with a high tea. The boys took this occasion to express their gratitude to the Rector and his team for making their boarding life enjoyable.

◘ Two boarders are appearing for the Madhyamik examination, and 14 are preparing for the Higher Secondary.

◘ Our 13 candidates are making good progress in English, singing, washing, cleaning etc.

Premananda Ashram offers a magnificent view with the replastering and the new tinned roofs on both the buildings. The new kitchen is also taking shape.

There will be around 120 new boarders and 17 day scholars joining us in this new academic year beginning April 9. The process of new admission began on Jan 20; the selection list was released on March 02.

The outgoing Class IV students are burning the midnight oil preparing for their annual exams beginning on March 6.

From the Parish: Fr. Stephen Raj is approaching the priests in neighborhood to come and speak on different themes to our parishioners on each Friday. This initiative is well appreciated by the people.

On March 9 Women’s Day was celebrated by women from the 15 SHGs. A team of five doctors will spoke on various health problems. The programme concluded with cultural items by the various groups.

Dadu’s (Fr. A. Ernst) second death anniversary will be commemorated on March 14.

From the Juniorate: We had a 5-day course on "Street Theatre" under the guidance of Fr. Jothi and team (Mr. Saradindu Biswas, Mr. Ashit Acharjee and Mr. Ajay Chakraborty), focusing on the injustice towards the downtrodden and the voiceless. It helped us to think how we as religious can help them solve their problems.

On Feb. 23 we had our Academy Day on our playground. We put up an English drama, prepared during the Street Theatre course, based on social issues. The Loreto Novices presented a graceful dance based on the life of their foundress, Mary Ward. With Fr. Saju’s help we too presented a dance to a popular Bhupen Hazarika number. The Bengali comedy kept the audience convulsed with laughter. It concluded with a grand dinner with all the invited guests.

After all this, just to relax, we went on Feb. 25 to the seashore at Bokhali for a community picnic. It was a memorable day for all. Schs. Sandeep & Felix

 From the Novitiate: At the end of January we transplanted paddy saplings in our field. We hope Fr. Jeyaraj, our Novice Master, will be back from Rome for the harvest.

In his absence Frs. Bruylants and J.S. Peter took care of our classes. Fr. Bruylants' classes were a mini-GC in itself with group discussions on various topics and postulata of GC-35. Fr. Peter took us through the Enneagram and the Constitutions,

On Feb. 21 we went to Abhilasha, the Loreto Novitiate, for a quiz on the life of St. Ignatius. It was really enriching. Since the groups were mixed, both novitiates won and lost.

The 8 1^st Year Novices are preparing to leave for their one-month hospital & street children experiment. The 9 2^nd year ones are getting ready for their begging experiment. Kindly remember us in your prayers. For a more colourful presentation of our experiments, remain keyed up for the next issue. Novices David & Leve

♥ On Feb. 2 we took part in the Annual Formees’ Gathering at Auxilium Convent, Barasat. Fr Sajeev was the main architect behind the whole programme. Fr Carvalho actively participated in the ice-breaking games and group sharing. The pre-novices staged a short contextualized skit based on “The Council of Jerusalem.” Fr André Bruylants was the Chief Guest, and conducted a class on “The Mission of St Paul”.

♥ The next day, the M.C. Sisters of Green Park invited us for lunch. It was a unique experience meeting, talking and dancing with the mentally challenged inmates. We were taken up by the Sisters’ motherly love and care.

♥ On Feb.10, we went for the first time to our parish church, Our Lady of Lourdes, for the feast day. We spent half the day with the parishioners, enjoying the cultural programme.

On Feb. 16 one of our newly ordained priests, Fr Zenith William, visited and blessed our community. Sch. Roshan Tirkey

◘ Fr. Patrick Eaton had a growth in the throat. It was surgically removed, and a biopsy was made. Thank God, it was found non-malignant.

◘ Br. Marydasan went to Kerala for a rest and check up, and was hospitalized there. His condition is now improving.

BIRDS FLYING BACK HOME: Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, back from GC35, will land in Kolkata on 17.03.08. Fr. Julian S. Das, after completing his tertianship in Manila, on 14.03.08

♦ After much deliberation and discernment, the pavement children who used to come for classes to our Ballygunge Place building are given a shelter within the premises of St. Lawrence. They will enter through the main gate like the regulars! A small shed is put up next to the chapel behind the present Udayani office for the children and their parents for daily classes and for SHG meetings.

♦ The Udayani Building at Ballygunge Place is now completely demolished. The contract for the new building is allotted to Mr. S. Ghosh of Basumati Construction. On March 8 the blessing of the building site was solemnized by none other than Fr. Noel D’Souza who graduated from short to long pants in this old building. He has been a regular visitor at the site ever since the demolition work started. The new building is scheduled to be completed within 15 months.

♦ Preparation in all our centres is on for the International Women’s Day. This year our celebrations will be held on March 8 at Dhabhabi, Kalna, and Presidency Jail, on the 9^th in Raghabpur and Gurap, on the 12^th at Pandua. For the last few months we have been working with special emphasis on the ‘anti–human trafficking’ in all our operational areas.

♦ The well equipped Social Work library of Udayani is highly sought after these days by many students and professionals. We have around 5,000 books and documents. Around 50 socially relevant journals and magazines are preserved and bound for reference, as well as an innumerable number of paper clippings. A collection of around 200 VCDs, DVDs and VHS cassettes on social issues and people’s movements is regularly updated. The Library and documentation section is open for anyone socially concerned.

Web site: udayani.org.in Address: Udayani Social Action Forum, St. Lawrence H. School, 27, Ballygunge Circ. Road Kolkata – 700 019 Fr. I. Jothi

◄ The Annual Get-together of the CLC Bengali Communities was set on Republic Day at PJG, but the weather frowned on all, dampening the spirit of the citizens of India including the CLCers. Yet, thanks to the Holy Spirit, it turned out to be an entertaining and interesting day for the 60 participant who braved the weather. Frs. J. Englebert, Peter Samikannu and Br. Christuraj inaugurated the celebration. Fr. Peter conducted an interesting extempore speech competition. A lively quiz session was anchored by Ms. Molina Vincent. A song contest, steered by Mr. Ratan Gomes, Bengali Choir Master, and Ms. Molina Vincent brought up some hidden talents. Fr. Joseph De Souza, Vice Eccl. Asst. of CLC Kolkata, celebrated the Holy Eucharist. Mr. Dilip Gomes, Province Promoter (Bengali Region) ably organised the entire proceedings.

◄ The General Assembly of CLC Bengali Communities was held at PJG on Sunday Feb. 10 .Twenty leaders from nine units attended to evaluate problems and chalk out future plans. Fr. Joseph De Souza initiated the theme of the Assembly – the Three Pillars of CLC: Spirituality, Community and Mission. Mr. Dilip Gomes followed up after the units’ reports. He then set the participants into groups for a discussion based on questionnaires. Suggestions were evaluated, and plans were taken for future action, among them: 1) An Ignatian retreat followed up with temporal vows: three consecutive days for the youth units of Guma, Barasat and Monsada from June 6 to 8; three Sundays for the Kolkata youth units on April 20, 27 & May 1^st; for the Adult units on May 27 to 29. 2) A one-day Liturgical Training Seminar on Sunday, July 6.

Fr. Zenith William concluded the Assembly with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

☼ The LTSers of the Town Unit and of the SXC Unit took a day off on Feb. 23 to visit Dhyan Ashram, for picnic-cum-recollection. They spent time recalling the positive experiences, persons and events that had helped them mature as persons. They also played a few games to feel part of one family.

☼ The inauguration of the new Junior Town Unit was held on Feb. 3. It is meant for the plus-two level LTSers who do not have a unit in their schools. There was a prayer dance, a song and a flute recital. The presence and words of encouragement of some LTS Alumni/ae members instilled confidence in the younger ones to continue their work for the nation.

☼ Fr John Rogers took classes for the 1^st Year Philosophy students of Morning Star College, Barrackpore, from Feb. 1^stto22. It was an enriching experience for him.

☼ Frs. Sajeev and John gave a 3-day retreat to the SXC hostel boys, Feb. 10 to 12, at Dhyan Ashram. Fr K. Thottam had made all the arrangements. It was a wonderful opportunity for the boys to spend time in the lap of nature and gain a positive outlook on life.

☼ The young adults in the LTS family are getting ready to bring out a newsletter called Rhythm – Voice of the Adult LTSers. The LTSers of SXC are busy editing its first issue for mid-March. They also take care of the publication of the Yearbook 2007.

“Building Strong Neighbourhoods – Religion and Politics in Secular India” By Fr. Vincent Sekhar, S.J. E-mail: sekharsj@rediffmail.com (308 pages, Rs. 199.00 [15% discount from the author], by Claretian Publications, Bangalore)

SPECIAL RETREATS ON GC 35, open to all Jesuits of the S.A. Assistancy, facilitated by Fr. Jerry Rosario (MDU) 1. - At Mount St. Joseph, Bangalore, April 2 (night) to 20 (p.m.) Contact: Fr. William D’Souza (Rector: 080-26581473) Bannerghatta Road, IIMB P.O., Bangalore, 560076. – 2. - At Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur, May 5 (night) to 13 (noon). Contact: Fr. Britto Peter (PCF: 9442626581), St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 6, Dindigul 624001.

IGNATIAN SEMINAR 2008, May 15 (6PM) to July 15 at Vinayalaya, Mumbai. Director: Paul Coutinho, S.J. Information and Registration: coutinhosj@hotmail.com. For all personally interested in using Ignatian Spirituality in their ministry. Method: in-depth study of the basic writings of St. Ignatius. No lectures. Personal study and study groups. The Director will do a final summing up. Total Cost: Rs 15,500/-

PROGRAMS FOR YOUNGER JESUITS ORGANISED BY JESA in collaboration with ISI, Bangalore, ISI, New Delhi & Bagaicha, Ranchi (interested scholastics will contact the PCF).

1. - Socio-Cultural Analysis (Indian Context and the Global trends) in ISI-Bangalore, April 14 (5 p.m.) to 28. Contact: ajoexavier@gmail.com or 09480092170

2. - Socio-Cultural Analysis, in Bagaicha, Ranchi, May 2 (a.m.) to 8, organized by the Central Zone PCFs for their scholastics, but open also to other province men, religious and activists. Contact: stan.swamy@gmail.com or 0651-3203079

3. - Research Methodology and practical learning of SPSS software for Social Research, in ISI-New Delhi, April 21 (p.m.) to 27 (4 p.m.). Contact: jesadelhi@gmail.com or 09868476957

Liturgical Service Centre, Prabhu Jisur Girja: new Ph.: (033) 22658403