C.J.N.L. SEPTEMBER 2007

Provincial’s Programme

Sep 06-17 : Visitation: Bangladesh Sep 20-21 : Consult Sep 29-30 : PCFs’ meet: Dhyan Ashram Sep 23-05 : Class & Visitation: RTC, Santiniketan Oct 07 Oct 07 : B.Upadhyay: Seminar: Goethals Oct 12-13 : Province Arrupe Days Oct 13-14 : Consult: DA Oct 18-25 : JCSA: Bangalore

Oct 27-31 : Visitation: Chennai Nov 01-04 : Visitation: VJ, Delhi Nov 08-11 : Superiors/Directors workshop Nov 11-18 : Visitation: SXC Nov 20-21 : Consult Nov 23 : Loreto college Nov 25-Dec 11 : EAPI: Manila: Course & Retreat Dec 12-13 : Consult

From the Provincial’s Desk.

Our Santal mission has a very young team. Our involvement has been widened with social outreach programmes; education in the boarding is being systematized. Education being a very effective instrument of social and cultural advancement, we are seriously concerned about the education of the Santal community. They continue to remain literally on the margins of the larger society. Education provides them with awareness of their rightful place in the Society and provides the pedagogy to remove the blocks that keep them on the margins. ‘Lead India campaign’ could motivate us to strengthen the leadership in the Santal community. In this venture we have the mandate of many of our province assemblies. In our own area of specific involvement in the province let us try and support the ‘Lead Santal’ campaign in whatever way we can.

Can we think of more creative and effective ways of teaching in our boarding schools? What could be a more refreshing approach in the formation of the children in the boardings? How do we reach out to the parents of the children, inviting them to be agents of social change in their own

way? How can we make the parent-teacher-boarding network an effective instrument of ‘community learning/building’? How could Santal culture contribute towards the social culture of the larger society, in the richness and specificity of Bengal? These are some of the questions that came up in me after the visitations.

The recent jubilee celebrations of eight of our men enlivened us once again. Not a few recalled their experience and enrichment in the Santal mission. What are the stories that we would recall at the time of our own jubilee, twenty or thirty years from now? George Pattery, S.J.

˜ APPOINTMENTS ˜

˜ By Father General

Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, Rector of Dhyan Ashram, 04.08.07

˜ By the Archbishop and Fr. Provincial

Fr. Thomas Pullenkav, Spir. Director, Morning Star College

OUR VISION BOOKLET: “ENVISIONED FUTURE….”

Yes, it takes a full nine months for the human child to complete its miraculous journey within the world of the mother’s womb. Thereafter begins the child’s life journey in the world along with others. This second journey is going to be marked with many concrete ‘Action-Implementation Plans’ by the child’s parents about the child’s orientation.

In a similar manner, the Calcutta Jesuits met in October 2006 in two retreat groups and engaged in a collective process of conceiving, reflecting, sharing and shaping a Common Vision for the Province, under the able animation of Fr. Paul Vaz, SJ (BOM).  Now ten months later, the long awaited child, our vision booklet, ‘Envisioning Future’, is born. Let us welcome her in our communities and commissions, and see how we, as Companions of Jesus, bonded together by one common mission, can together and in collaboration with others carry out our Action-Implementation Plans so that our life and ministries contribute towards the building up of God’s Kingdom among all peoples in Bengal.

Each member of the Province will receive a copy of the booklet 

A warn ‘thank you’ to all those who worked hard on the booklet, especially Fr. Joseph Pulickal and the Coordinators of the Province Commissions.

Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy

FINAL VOWS OF FOUR OF OUR MEN

Four of our men made their final and wholehearted commitment to the Lord and the Society, three of them (Frs. Raphael Hyde, Arul Joseph and Jimmy Keepuram) on the 15^th of August in the St. Xavier’s College Chapel: and, on the 2^nd of September, Fr. Stephen Raj in Premananda Ashram, Chamrusai,

In the finely decorated chapel of St. Xavier’s, a dancing group of Hostel boys led three voventes, the many Jesuit priests and the main celebrant, Fr George Pattery, Provincial, to the altar. Good singing was provided by the novices and Juniors of Dhyan Ashram. For such fraternal liturgies, perhaps hymns better known to the congregation could be chosen so that all may sing in shared prayer.

After the Gospel, Frs. Arul and Raphael gave deeply felt short homilies.

In the felicitation meeting which followed Fr. Jimmy gave a thanksgiving message, and then Fr. Provincial congratulated the heroes of the days and thanked God and their families. Father Aelred Gomes, who had been successively their Master of Novices, PCF and Provincial, shared his joy about the rich growth of the seed he had sown and nurtured. A special joyful note was added by the presence of the father, mother, brother and sister of Fr. Raphael. The climax was a short but warm and smiling word of thanks by Fr. Raphael’s mother. Finally, over to Fr. Mani

and team for an enjoyable fellowship meal.

The turn of Fr. Stephen Raj came on 02.09.07 in Chamrusai. The day was chosen to coincide with the 5^th anniversary of the death of the much loved and remembered Fr. Jean Pierre De Cocq, apostle of Chamrusai. The Santal spirit displayed its full vitality and colour for the occasion, f.i, in the entrance and offertory processions. The celebrants, about 15 Jesuits and diocesan priests, joined the Provincial, Fr. George Pattery at the altar. Fr Solomon (DUM) province preached the homily in Santali on the holiness of Fr De Cocq. After the Eucharist, the children of the school took the audience to Assam to witness the dance of the tea-garden girls. In his address Fr Stephen recalled the moments he spent with Fr De Cocq, and requested the prayers of the people that he might walk in his footsteps. It concluded with a delicious meal prepared by the minister, Br. Chottu Hembrom, and a football tournament, the ‘De Cocq Trophy’. The celebrations were coordinated by the headmaster, Fr Paul Carlose.

MEGA-CELEBRATIONS OF OUR STALWARDS’ JUBILEES

Mega indeed they were in more then one way: in the unprecedented galaxy of Jubilarians, the variety and glamour of the characters, the fireworks of eloquence…Well, yes, it did take a rather long time before the guests could proceed to their well earned dinner, but is was all prayerful, vibrant and warm-hearted. And delay was unavoidable with such a mighty cloud of witnesses. The Holy Sprit swept away the miserly timings laid down by the Province Socius.

Fifty Years of Jesuit Life: Bishop Alphonse D’Souza, Frs. Alphonse Crasta, Michael Fohshow, Francis Koikara, P.C. Mathew, Anil Mitra, K. M. Thottam.

Fifty Year of priesthood: Fr. Albert Huart

After the solemn Eucharist presided over by Fr. Provincial surrounded by the eight jubilarians, there was a relaxed felicitation meeting in the College Auditorium, and then a fine agape in the College refectory. For the Eucharist good and lively singing was provided by the Parish Bengali Choir and the scholastics of Prabhu Jisur Girja, and for the felicitation meeting by the scholastics of Dhyan Ashram. It was a special joy to have with us our old companion and Provincial, Jubilarian Bishop Alphonse, in spite of the state of his health which of late has not been so good.

Archbishops Lukas Sirkar and Henry D’Souza and Bishop Salvadore Lobo graced the occasion by their presence. At the end of the felicitation meeting, Archbishop Lukas was requested to release the long awaited booklet Envisioned Future highlighting the road ahead for the apostolic discernment of the Province.

A big ‘thank you’ to all the members of the SXC community, especially Frs. Mani and Camilleri, who mightily contributed to this grand evening of fellowship.

The next evening the Jubilarians were special invitees at the Silver Jubilee celebration of the College Alumni/ae Association, with special emphasis on the Golden Jubilee of their dynamic and beloved Principal, Fr. P. C. Mathew. They were honoured each with a shawl, a trophy and a fine watch. They could witness an impressive cultural programme by the old students and a dazzling Carnatic classical dance performance by a large group of the present College students.

In the name of Fr. Provincial Fr. A. Huart gratefully received a 20 lakhs cheque presented by the old students’ association for the formation of young Jesuits for our Province.

z DOCUMENT ON HEALTH FROM THE J.C.S.A. z

The Jesuit Conference of South Asia has issued a document on health for distribution and consideration by all the members of the Assistancy. It contains a number of suggestions on topics related to healthful living, food habits, preventive care, limit on personal expenses, donation of blood/eye/organ/body after death, and a suggested Statement of Intent by Jesuits re: medical treatment in case they are incapacitated.

Fr. Hector D’Souza states in the introduction: “It is a desire of the JCSA that as many of us as possible donate blood regularly and make a written pledge to bequeath our usable body organs like eyes, kidneys, liver etc. to the needy, an even the rest of the body for purposes of medical research” (and, we might add, medical education).

(I can almost hear Babu Beckers’ three cheers in heaven! Ed.)

You will all receive a copy.

For eye/organ/body donations, in our Province, rather than the procedure suggested in this booklet, it will be more practical for you if you ask the Socius for the required forms. He will see to the formalities. Fr. Socius

.

RE-LAUNCHING OF THE LTS UNIT IN ST XAVIER'S COLLEGE

The LTS Unit of St Xavier's College, Kolkata, was launched anew on August 15. When it opened in 1961, it was the first unit in the city. It ceased to exist by 1991 after Fr Pilette left India. 15 years later, some of the dedicated LTSers who have

now joined SXC as students came together to re-launch the unit with the support of the College authorities.

Fr. P.C Mathew, Principal, Mr. Albert Gomes, Arts and Sc. Vice-Principal, Frs. A. Huart, P.J. Joseph and Sebastian James lit the Panchapradeep, officially inaugurating the Unit. The presence of Fr A. Huart, first LTS Guide in Kolkata 46 years ago, brought back nostalgic moments from the past. The role of Fr P.C Mathew who, as Provincial, took the bold step of appointing Mrs. Stockman National LTS Promoter after Fr Wirth went back to Malta was recalled. He spoke about the great contribution the LTS to building leadership in SXC in the past, and called on the members to continue the tradition. Mr. Albert Gomes voiced some of his concerns as an educationist, and invited LTSers to come up with innovative solutions. The presence of Fr Patrick Eaton, a supporter of the LTS, was appreciated.

Incidentally, the first National Centre of the LTS was at St Xavier's College till 1979. The return of the 'mother unit' of the LTS there is significant as, from July 2^nd, 2008, the movement is heading towards its Golden Jubilee.

Other Programmes in the month

 A new LTS Unit was inaugurated in St Claret School, Barrackpore, on 02.08.07. A Training Programme was organized on August 9 for the Animators who could not be present for the first such training in July. A similar Programme for the LTS office bearers in schools was held on August 12. The second preparatory meeting for the LTS Sangam 2007 was held on August 19.

Fr. John Rogers

ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGE: UPDATE

The Calcutta University has given permission to SXC to start two more postgraduate courses: M. Com and M. Sc. Physics with specialisation in Astrophysics. The classes for both courses will begin from the first week of September.

The Prayas Project - village to college and college to village - started by the B.com and B.BA departments has adopted a village, Debipur under Raghabpur parish, for the overall development of the village. Students have started staying there to study the situation with the full support of the P.P., Fr. T. J. Thomas.

The new building along the servant’s quarters has started coming up under the watchful care of Frs. P. C. Mathew, Mani and Camilleri.

Prof. Kushal Sengupta, a senior professor in the Political Science department, passed away on 23.08.07.  

In the 53^rd inter-Jesuit elocution contest held in Shahibgunj, the students of S.X. Collegiate School, Calcutta, bagged the over all first prize, thus retaining the rolling trophy.

OO UDAYANI DIARY OO

O A TOT workshop - The Right Based Approach (RBA) – for selected partners of CRS was conducted by Fr. C. Amal SJ (MDU). Fr. Probal Gomes now is a RBA trainer.

O The annual JESA meeting was held at ISI, Bangalore, Aug. 11 & 12. It was attended by Fr. I. Jothi. The outgoing JESA Secretary Fr. Joe Xavier summed up the ‘Trends in Social Action in the Assistancy’, while the new Secretary Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj shared his vision on ‘The Way Forward’.

O Independence Day celebrations were held for the female inmates of the Presidency Correctional Home on Aug. 16. The counsellors organized various competitions - singing, handwriting and recitation. Officers from the Family Counselling Centre (FCC) were the chief guests.

O A day of interactive session with the families of prison inmates was held at Don Bosco Park Circus on July 29 in collaboration with the Prison Ministry and the five NGOs selected to collaborate for the ‘Back home children’s education Project’. From Udayani we mobilized family members and children from villages in the Burdwan District and city where we are working for the last one year. A team from the National Commission for the Protection of Child Right (NCPCR) and the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) interacted with the children and parents. They appreciated the work done by the prison authority and NGOs, and promised to take up the issues of the children with the Central Govt.

Finally we have managed to start the project in full swing in the 24 Parganas, including villages under Raghabpur parish. A day of orientation and training was conducted for the 20 animators on August 18. Besides coming to understand the project, the animators individually prepared three-month action plans. The spirit is high.

O A day of training for the City Animators was organized in our Office on Aug. 25. As the city coordinator has resigned on personal grounds, we had to shoulder the responsibility. Fr. Probal Gomes is appointed City Coordinator, and will be helped by Sr. Vandana Narayan SSCC, the former coordinator, for a period of three months.

O Since all due permissions for pulling down the present Udayani Building and putting up a new one, discussions are on with the contractors to start the work shortly. Our office will move to St. Lawrence till the work is completed. Fr. I. Jothi

v PRABHU JISUR GIRJA: DIARY v

v On August 4, on the occasion of St. Ignatius’ feast, our parishioners felicitated the Jesuit community in the packed Formation Hall which echoed with songs and laughter. The credit goes to Fr. Timir Singha for motivating young people to make the day a great success.

v As per tradition of this house, St. Ignatius’ feast is incomplete without the presence of the Bambina Sisters of Beadon Street. They were invited on August 4. We had a prayer service and an entertainment programme. Thanks to Fr. Joe for the delicious food.

v On Aug. 10, we had a special guest, Fr. John Lee S.J., Delegate of the China Mission. He gave us inspiring talk about the work the Jesuits do there. Through a powerpoint presentation, he explained the possibilities of helping the China Mission.

v On August 15, after the Eucharist in PJG Church, the national flag was hoisted by a little girl to mark the 60^th Independence Day of India. Two parish girls gave inspiring speeches. On the same day, we celebrated 40 years of religious life of Frs. Joseph C. De Souza and Patrick

Walsh, and 40 years of Final Vows of Br. Thomas Carlo. We were happy to have Frs. Joe and Pat’s relatives as our guests.

v A team of our parish youth led by Sch. Rashmi participated in an Inter-Parish Talent Contest held in Liluah, and was judged 2^nd runners up. Congrats!

v All the scholastics are actively involved in Sunday ministries, in spite of study pressure due to the internal assessment at the end of August.

v Fr. P.J. Joseph went to Mangalore to attend CBCI meeting on Communication.

Schs. Jeyapalan & Joy Prafful.

ARUNODAY NEWS

The joint celebration of St Ignatius’ Feast and Arrupe Day started with a prayer service at 11 a.m. About 35 guests from the communities around came to share our joy. Fr. A. Carvalho shared some thoughts on the life and inspiration of Fr Arrupe. The pre-novices put up a short play on the vocation of the young Arrupe. Then all were treated to a tasty lunch. The day concluded with a basketball match between two groups of our budding stars.

On August 15, we joined the nation to mark the 60^th year of Independence. After the Mass, we had a march-past; the flag was hoisted by the youngest member of the community. In the evening we went to the RNDM formation house for a fun-filled get-together with games, singing, dancing, and food in abundance. It concluded with a fine prayer service.

The number of pre-novices has been kind of stable with even numbers joining and leaving. Now that the inflow has stopped, they are eleven, all improving in many ways.

For more news and some photos, log on to www.arunodayjesuits.blogspot.com

Fr. Sajeev Painunkal

FROM OUR MEN HERE AND THERE

] From Bangladesh: Bishop Linus Gomes and Fr. Aelred Gomes spent some weeks with us in Calcutta after the 6^th of July. Sch. Pradeep Perez, recently returned from Belgium after completing his theology, was also with us for a short time.

] From Peter Samikannu: “I will be reaching Kolkata on the 26th of October. At the end of September I will have the public defence of my thesis. From October 1 to 8, I will be in the Holy Land. Then return to Spain. On Oct. 17, I leave from Madrid for Frankfurt with another Jesuit of my community.

] From Fr. Jean Englebert: I arrived in Belgium on July 3. First, visits to doctors - Result: heart excellent; I should sometimes give my computer a rest and take more exercise.

Now, at the invitation of Fr Peter Samikannu, I am going to the sources of the Society: Loyola, etc. From there to the South of France and to Corsica, invited by a friend, for a real rest, and then to Taizé. In September, I shall be applying for subsidies for new publications, To the Institut of les Presses Missionaires in Paris for the «Naba Swargadwâr», to Kirch in Not in Frankfurt for the translation and publication of their «Little Catechism of the Catholic Church».

Then to Rome, the Curia, the Secretaries for the Liturgy, CLC, Ignatian Spirituality, Apostleship of Prayer, and also the various generalates of congregations whose proper of saints I have translated in Bengali.
I have taken with me my laptop for holiday work on the Corsican seashore, translating the above-mentioned texts.

] From Fr. Amulya: the Goa tertianship began on July 28. We begin our long retreat on August 29. Do remember me in your prayers.

My first cousin, Sr. Celine Kannanaikal, has been declared Servant of God on July 29. The decree was read out by Bishop Varghess Chakalackal of Kanoor. She had been guided by several Jesuits. Her brother, Jose Kannanaikal, is a Patna Jesuit.

] Stop Press: Fr. Julian S. Das safely landed in Manila on 08.09.07 in preparation for his tertianship

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE FEASIBILITY

OF AN ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL FOR SANTALS

The Santal community is the largest tribe in India. They have a rich indigenous culture. The involvement of the Society of Jesus among them goes back to 1924 with the arrival of Maltese Jesuits. The Calcutta Jesuits have been involved with them for over forty years in W. B. The major focus of our intervention was in the area of pastoral care of Christians and of education of Santal children. 15 Calcutta Jesuits through 6 centres reach out to 1327 Santal boys and girls. The basic approach is as that of boarding-cum-school.

We have conducted a sample survey of different schools working where the Santal population is more. From the response, these institutes could be broadly classified into two: 1.- with a thrust for the Santals, 2.- with no trust for the Santals. In the former, 15 to 45% of the students are Santals, while in the latter only a single-digit number of students are Santals.

The opinion of the heads of those schools is that the performance of Santals children depends on their parents, whether working and educated. The over all performance is good; failures are not only among Santal students but also among others. At the primary level, it is very satisfactory but, in higher classes, the performance is bad. The critical period is from class 6 to 8. Generally girls do slightly better than the boys. There is lack of motivation from the parents as well as from the students. They integrate well with others, and excel in sports and cultural activities. On the academic side, all do not take part in essay writing, quiz, speech, etc. They lack self-confidence. Town students get good support from their parents, but not the village students whose parents lack motivation. Tribal students need extra help, and it is provided, with special remedial classes, mainly in maths. and science. Students are given concessions depending on need. Employed parents have no problem in paying. Generally there is no failure up to class 6. After that there is a problem, but in most cases the drop- outs get admission in other schools and continue their study. The teaching and non-teaching staff are very good to the tribals. English is important because it helps for jobs and also for self esteem. It is achievable if there are enough funds. We need to build funds for this.

All those who attended the meeting at Bankura on 27^th June 2007 were of the opinion that we should have an English medium school in the Bankura area.

The Committee’s observations: Education brings in transformation in society. There is a welcome shift in the attitude of Santal parents who now place high value on the education of their children. In this competitive knowledge era, English education opens opportunities for the students. But those deprived of this English education, even the intelligent ones, are forced to opt for lower options. Therefore we strongly recommend that an English medium school be opened. This will help in moulding deserving Santal children, enabling them to face the challenges of modern education. It will open the numerous opportunities for the deserving children of this vulnerable community.

The recommended location of the school would be in the Bankura district as there are no formal schools run there by Catholic institutions. A School in Bankura would cater to the needs of Santals in the Bankura, Purulia and Midnapur districts. According to the 2001Census, there are over 15 lacs of ST people in these three districts, mostly Santals.

Santal children need accompaniment both during class as well as outside. Therefore the school should be a boarding school with hostels for boys and girls. It should have good and qualified

staff. We should create an atmosphere of higher learning both in the school as well as in the boarding. In order to impart good language skill, language labs should be set up. Special attention should be given through extra coaching and remedial classes for language, science and maths. There should be vocational camps on motivation, personality development, etc. Different exposure visits could be undertaken in order to motivate the students. A Tie-up with our urban schools may help to achieve good academic results along with financial support.

Culture is an integral part of any society, and each culture is unique and has great value for the particular community. The proposed school should integrate both Santali and Bengali cultures so that all will grow in mutual appreciation.

The school should be open to all communities but with around 50% of Santal children. The admission should be based on the merit and intelligence of the students, not on financial affordability.

It will be difficult to keep KG children in the hostel. Our mission centres could start nursery schools that would prepare children for Class I in the school.

Fr. Eric Tigga, SJ, Convener of the Committee

Ministry Commission meeting

The meeting was held on 25.08.07 at Xavier Sadan to consider the above report.

Fr. Eric Tigga, leader of the three member team, briefly presented the report. .

The chair person, Fr. Charles Pollet, then invited the members for clarifications or comments.

On the Need: It was felt that it is a real need at this juncture for parents, children and the Jesuits. Parents might not express this right now, but those who live close to them can sense their deep desire for a better - and English - education to their wards.

On the ability of Santals to cope with English education: Some concern was expressed on this point. The experience of Gayaganga and Sahibgunj were recited where the Jesuits had to change

the medium to vernaculars (in fact not the Santals’ mother tongue but the language of the majority of the area).

Examples were also cited from Sahanagar, Bolpur and Adhra, as to how the children do well if they are given extra coaching and close accompaniment.

On the location: The Chattna block was suggested as a college is coming up there shortly, and enough land is available. The area between Bishnupur and Chandrakona in Bankura district would be suitable for the following reasons: a) Strong presence of Santals, b) Non- presence of Church so far, c) Children travel from this area to either Bankura or Chamrusai for education, d)

The church is entrusting the area to the Society for exploration and evangelization. All agreed that this location would be suitable.

The final opinion was that we should work towards realizing this project. This centre needs be an inter-ministerial hub, with the various Province Commissions - social, pastoral and educational – being involved. This pioneering work needs be entrusted to very dedicated and able workers in the province.

h HEALTH BULLETIN h

♥ Bishop Alphonse D’Souza was encouraged by Fr. Provincial to come to St. Xavier’s on August 25 for a general health check up and rest under Fr. Camilleri’s motherly care. Though he is improving, he may need be with us for some weeks.

♥ Fr. Christian Mignon had a fall in his room on July 11. No fracture, but a good deal of blood lost. He was admitted in the (formerly so-called) A.G. Hospital for a few days.

♥ The chests of two of our great men, Frs. André Bruylants and Anil Mitra, were decorated not with medals of valour but with pace-makers for the heart. Both are ticking away with new vigour.

♥ Not to be left out of the epidemic of falls among our men, Fr. G. Camilleri himself took a hard one on the St. Xavier’s grounds, and had to get stitches for a deep cut at the base of the skull. This could not stop him from dashing around.

♥ Fr. Adrien Wavreil underwent a hernia operation on Aug. 16, and then left for Belgium for a holiday.

♥ Fr. Gaston Roberge was hospitalised for observation on Aug. 26 as he was down with malaria and high blood pressure.

♥ Fr. Charles Pollet was admitted for a hernia operation on August 28, and was soon back on the roads.

[ NATIONAL SEMINAR ON BRAHMABANDHAB UPADHYAY, organised by the Goethals Indian L. & R. Centre, Sun. Oct. 7, 2007, 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Inaugural address by Fr. Gispert Sauch. All welcome.

[ THE 30^th ISSUE OF THE MOHONA SAMOYIKI is out of press and available at the Daughters of St. Paul and PJG. It offers: an interview of Rosraj baul taken by Fr. Srijan. Two articles about by young ladies about their sufferings in a patriarchal society like ours. Memories of a recent journey to Europe. A moving confrontation with poverty in Kolkata. A long stay in Vishnupur. The history of the last fifty years of the Krishnagar Diocese, and recent news on the Bengali world. Fr. M. Schillings

[ THE MARIAN COEDUCATIONAL SCHOOL: Fr. Patrick Eaton communicates: the school was granted affiliation by the Executive Committee of the Council for ISCE Examinations, thanks to the support of Mrs. Gillian Hart, ex-Anglo-Indian MLA, and Mr. Neil O’Brien, Chairman, and to the prayers of Mother Teresa and the many well-wishers.

[ RETREAT FOR JESUIT BROTHERS of the North and Central zone, Oct 14, (p.m.) to 22 (a.m.). Optionally to 24 (p.m.) if you wish may to visit tourist centres around. Director: Fr. Joe Njarakulam, SJ (PAT). Venue: Pastoral Centre, Catholic Church, Jeolikote, Uttaranchal. Rs. 2,500. Contact: J. Tony Dias: E-mail: jtonydias_sj@rediffmail.com ; Mobile: 0-9431011284. Last date for booking: 30.09.07.

[ CATHOLIC NEWS UPDATE ASIA -Daily Dispatch of Catholic Information by E-mail, , compiling news from the reputed Catholic News Agencies, Websites, Episcopal Conferences of Asian countries and Catholic Periodicals. Address : 447/1, Indu Nagar, Ootacamund - 643 005, TN, India. Ph. 0423 - 2441471, Mobile : 094425 41471, e-mail: catholic.asia@gmail.com, kmselvaraj@dataone.in

Free for all – just send your request through E-mail with your name, address particulars.

[ THE ISLAMIC STUDIES ASSOCIATION (ISA) had its Managing Committee meeting at Saint Xavier's Jesuit Residence, Shahbad-Daulatpur on August 25. They honoured Fr Paul

Jackson SJ for his 50 golden years in the Society of Jesus, and his marked contribution to Christian-Muslim Dialog.

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

Fr. Mark Robson’s mobile Nr: 00977-984816031

X MAY ETERNAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM ! X

V Fr. Richard Lambert (PAT) 27.08.07 Patna 71/53

V Fr. Anthony Gerry Kindo (RAN) 22.08.07 Tongo 56/36

V Fr. Asirvadam M. Aloysius (MDU) 24.08.07 Dindigul 85/65

V Br. Isaac Ashok Kujur (MAP) 03.09.07 Ambikapur 66/44.

Fr. JOSEPH SASSEL, S.J

(10.07.1918 – 19.08.07)

Fr. Joseph Sassel was our companion in mission, working for more than forty years in the Calcutta Mission / Vice-Province / Province. On 14.04.1989 we went back to his home province (Southern Belgium Province), to which he remained applied ever since, while choosing to remain ascribed to the Calcutta Province.

He expired peacefully in the Kirchberg Hospital in Luxemburg on 19.08.07. The funeral was held on 21.08.07 in the Church of Christ the King in Luxemburg, followed by burial in the Notre Dane Cemetery.

He had been suffering from generalised cancer, and had been admitted in the hospital for palliative care on 11.08.07.

He was born in Marbourg, Luxemburg, on July 10, 1918. He joined the Society of Jesus at Arlon, Belgium, on 23.09.38. He came to India in 1945 and was ordained in St. Mary’s College, Kurseong, on 21.11.50.

He worked mostly in St. Lawrence High School as Prefect (1954 – 1964) and in St. Xavier’s Collegiate School as Prefect of the Primary Department (1965 to 1989). From 1979 he also looked after the Chinese Chapel over the weekends although he could speak no Chinese. Yet, with his gentle ways, he soon won the hearts of the Chinese faithful there.

Senior Jesuits of our Province and many old teachers and students of our schools fondly remember the gentle, quiet, smiling presence of Fr. Sassel among them.

After this return to his home province, he resided mostly in the Jesuit residence at Luxemburg along with Fr. Emile Gales. He was engaged in a variety of ministries, and kept good health until two years ago when he underwent a major stomach operation.

May the Lord make his gentle soul at home in His Kingdom which belongs to the mild in spirit.

A memorial Eucharist for the repose of his soul was celebrated in the Primary Department of St. Xavier’s Collegiate School at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, 08.09.07. Fr. Jerome Francis, Headmaster, who at the time had taken over the reins of the Primary from the departing Fr. Sassel, was the main celebrant. Fr. A. Bruylants gave the homily. Moving testimonies were given by retired or senior teachers and by old boys.

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