Lead Us Onward ink LAgartala Diocesan News Letter Diocese of Agartala July 2013 Vol.17 No.07 Pastor’s Corner Editorial 4 things you cannot recover Family Agenda

At this time of the year, parents of These past weeks I missed a few flight students spent a great deal of time connections and had to be a 'stand by' flier truly an worrying about the admissions of their children. The anxiety-increasing experience! But it is also very tension one undergoes prior to passing the interesting to watch some people move in and out examination pales in comparison to the tension he and his family go through to get admission to the institution while others wait and whine about missing flights. The and course of their choice. story below is not about missing flights or anxious 'stand by' fliers, as you will notice…it's about life! With each passing year, the clamor for science stream God bless. +Lumen, CSC at the higher secondary stage seems to reach frantic levels. A young lady was waiting for her flight in At times, even more than the the boarding room of a big airport. As she students themselves, it is the would need to wait many hours, she parents that are insistent on decided to buy a book to spend her time. their children taking up She also bought a packet of cookies. She science. Despite the many sat down in an armchair, in the VIP-room instances of students with no of the airport, to rest and read in peace. Beside the armchair aptitude or marks for science making a mess of their where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, career because they have been pressurized by their opened his magazine and started reading. When she took out the parents to take up science, there seems to be no first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated but said change of attitude whatsoever. They are convinced there is no life, and no future, beyond science. nothing. She just thought: “What a nerve! If I was in the mood I would punch him for daring!” This not only shows an unwillingness to depart from For each cookie she took the man took one too. This was stereotyped thinking, but also lack of courage to tread infuriating her but she didn't want to cause a scene. When only less assuring paths. Oblivious to the fact that today one cookie remained, she thought, “Ah, what would this abusive there are non-science streams that also offer man do now?” Then, the man, taking the last cookie, divided it abundant employment opportunities, the parents into half, giving her one half. nurture in their hearts 'the science dream' for their Ah, that was too much! She was much too angry now! In a huff, sons and daughters right from their kindergarten days she took her book, her things and stormed to the boarding place. onward. When she sat down in her seat, inside the plane, she looked into The microscopic size of our families is a factor here for her purse to take her eyeglasses, and, to her surprise, her packet of sure. Having mostly one child or maximum two makes cookies was there, untouched, unopened! it difficult for the parents to leave even a small margin She felt so ashamed! She realized that she was wrong… She had of uncertainty as far as the future of their children are forgotten that her cookies were kept in her purse. The man had concerned. At post Madhyamik level, the science divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter, stream comes along as a panacea to all ills and as a while she was very angry, thinking that she was dividing her sure springboard to a secure future for their teenager. cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain One can hardly find fault with their choice! herself… or to apologize.” Career guidance for parents and counseling for The moral of the story. There are four things that you cannot families take on much importance in this context. Is recover: there something that we as a diocese, perhaps, the The stone …. after the throw. Family Commission, can do about this? The word …. after it's said. J. Pulinthanath, sdb The occasion … after the loss. The time…after it's gone. News from the Parishes [ 2 ]

Offensive and False Gachirampara Parish present along with a large number of The Tripura Times (a local daily) of Installation and Send off Salesian Fathers, Fr. Arun SVD and a nd June 5 gave its readers a The celebration on 2 of June, 2013 had group of Sisters from the Diocese. rude shock when it two faces. At first Fr. Prasanna Kumar Link News service reported in its headlines was installed as the new Parish priest of Benedict XVI St. parish, Ambassa Parish Converts to Islam. It Gachirampara. Pentecost Parish Feast went on to speak of the The Holy The solemnity of former pontiff's personal Eucharist was Ambassa Parish Feast is decision to change his name. The news presided over by celebrated on the day of item was not only in bad taste but was Most Rev. Pentecost Sunday every absolutely false and offensive. Lumen Monteiro year. This Feast attracts Together with the spokesperson of the CSC. On the other the parishioners in huge Diocese of Agartala, I swung into had a loving numbers. The solemnity action and shot out a letter of sendoff is marked with the displeasure which was published in the programme was also organized in Sacraments of Baptism, following day's newspaper (see below) honour of Rev. Fr. George Godwin, who Confirmation, marriage rectification, with an apology by the daily's owner. is being transferred from here to reception in the church, and first Holy +Lumen, CSC Bangalore. Fr. Godwin served the Parish Communion. This year too Sacraments “The front page of yesterday's (5 June and the mission for six years. Now he is were conferred except the Sacrament of 2013) edition of 'Tripura Times' being appointed as one of the Councilors Confirmation due to the absence of our carried an article on Pope Emeritus of Karnataka Province Capuchins. dear Bishop. Benedict XVI that hurt the sentiments The presence of Fathers and Sisters from As the celebration began the Church of the . We feel sorry various parishes and communities added was filled with people while several that a story that does not have an iota of more meaning to the celebration. The others had to participate by standing truth got into the front page of a Daily day was made more colorful and outside the Church. Fr. Pinto we are long associated with and delightful by the Assisi school svd, was the main celebrant and Fr. respect. We hope steps will be taken to hostellers, through their singing during Jeevan Kennady svd, broke the Word ensure that such fake stories which the Holy Eucharist and cultural items. for us. The feast day celebration tarnish the image of the Paper and hurt Most Rev. Bishop Lumen Monteiro and culminated with the sharing of a the sentiments of people are not parishioners spoke well of Rev. Fr. sumptuous meal. Fr. Nabin Lakra, svd featured in the daily.” George Godwin. Fr. Prasanna, AFSPA Act OFM Cap. Tuikarmaw Parish Village Chapel Feast celebrated The announcement "With the Mandwi Parish improvement in the law and order Poticherry is one of the villages under Installation and Send off situation, and with militancy being St. Mary's Parish, Tuikarmaw. The Fr. Remol Marak, SDB, was installed as largely controlled, the AFSPA can now Village Chapel is dedicated to St. John the new Parish priest of Mary Help of be enforced in 32 police station areas the Baptist. The mondoli dates back to Christians Parish, 63 years when some faithful came from instead of 40" by Tripura Chief th Mandwi on 26 May Secretary Sanjay Kumar Panda at Bengal (present Bangladesh) and 2013. The Holy Agartala is certainly welcome news for sowed the seed of faith in their Eucharist was presided our State. In addition to pointing out to community. Now the community has over by Most Rev. an improved situation (which itself is Bishop Lumen good news), the draconian AFSPA Act Monteiro CSC, whose had been an infringement on our anniversary of the constitutional right to move around Episcopal Ordination it was on that day. freely. In the name of the Act the Rev. Fr. George Maliekal, SDB the security forces often resorted to Provincial Superior of Silchar Province excesses that impinged on the citizens' of the and Fr. freedom. The Act provides unlimited Cyril Tirkey the Economer were also powers to the security forces to shoot at present. grown to be 65 families. The mondoli's sight, arrest anybody without a The occasion also served as a day to say feast celebration took place for four warrant, and carry out searches without THANK YOU to Fr. George Rodrigues, days in a big way with three days of hindrance and insulates the security SDB, who after serving as Parish Priest novena and Eucharist and a grand forces from legal processes for any and Diocesan Youth Director, was clebration on the feast day. A special action undertaken under the Act. Ms. moving to Delhi on a Congregational mention is to be made a Noatia mondoli Irom Chanu Sharmila of Manipur has assignment. The Liturgy, the cultural that was born with this feast. During been demanding withdrawal of the Act programs, the flowers, the gifts and the the novena days 69 people were and is on an indefinite hunger strike for speeches that were given spoke volumes administered the sacraments of last 13 years. Tripura has shown the of the people's love for Fr. George. All initiation and 11 marriages were way; may other States follow! the mothas of Mandwi Parish were rectified. There were dance, Bible skit + Lumen Monteiro, CSC News from the Diocese [ 3 ] and Bible Quiz competitions Convent Blessing at Baijalbari Khowai 8th June 2013 conducted and at the end of the Srs. Vincensa, Pushpa and , Theresa, SCV, of Sisters of St. Vincent De Paul (with feast day the winners were Generalate at Mananthavaday, Kerala) arrived at Baijalbari in the second week of April awarded with prizes. MC Sisters and Adoration Sisters along with 2013. 8th of June 2013 was a red letter day for the three the Catechists prepared the people Sisters and for the mission of Baijalbari. Around 340 for the feast. The main celebrant on hostel students of Don Bosco hostel and other private the Feast Day was Fr. Jeevan SVD. hostels assembled at the mission grounds of Bajalbari CSC Frs. Kanikkai, Gaspar and C. and welcomed His Lordship Bishop Lumen Monteiro Abraham CSC concelebrated the with great exuberance and joy. Rev. Fr. George Feast Day . 30 children Maliekal, SDB the Provincial Superior of Silchar received their first Holy Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco and Fr. Cyril Communion on the Feast day. The Tirkey the Economer were also warmly welcomed by celebrtions ended with a all. Besides the children there were a sizable number of fellowship meal for the whole Baijalbari Catholics, Salesian Fathers, and a small group of Sisters. village. Fr. Abraham, CSC At 5.45 pm Bishop Lumen Monteiro prayed and blessed the temporary Convent, while Fr. George Maliekal, SDB inaugurated the same. Bishop Lumen expressed his CONDOLENCES gratitude to the three pioneering Sisters from Mananthavady. Besides he expressed his appreciation to Fr. Paul who facilitated the coming of the Sisters and who got the LINK and the Diocese of Convent ready in a short time in spite of the repeated cyclonic storms and other Agartala express their calamities. heartfelt condolences to The Convent blessing was followed by the Holy Eucharist in which twelve priests the Montfort Brothers on concelebrated. A short reception and cultural program followed which was made the loss of Bro. Joy Alex, colourful by various dances of the hostel children. His Lordship appreciated the SG and pray for the smartness of the children. The function reached its conclusion with a vote of thanks by Sr. Vincensa, SCV, who impressed everyone with her fluent speech in Kokborok. All repose of his soul. those present were given snacks and thus the program had a fitting conclusion. Fr. Paul, News from JUST (Jana Unnayan Samiti Tripura) IGA for SHGs JUST introduced a new Income Generation Activity (IGA) namely turmeric cultivation for SHG with the support of its donor agency MISEREOR. The objective is to promote sustainability of SHGs through IGAs. Turmeric is chosen as it is a tropical herb and can be grown on different types of soil under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Rich loamy soils having good drainage are ideal for the crop. The condition suits Tripura hence, the donor agency of the project and Jana Unnayan Samiti Tripura (JUST) have particularly encouraged the SHGs to cultivate Turmeric all throughout the 6th phase of the project from 2012 to 2015. Firstly, the main strategy is to start cultivating among 100 SHGs functioning under JUST and later to encourage cultivating individually among the SHG members in order to sustain the project and their livelihood. Accordingly, the SHGs cultivated about 20000 kgs of Turmeric in 2012. These groups have achieved incredible success in 2012. Few groups sold their produce and few groups decided to wait for another year to sell their produce. Seeing the incredible success of the previous year, in May and June 2013 the SHGs from Jampui and Khowai areas together cultivated an additional of about 6000 kgs of Turmeric. The SHGs are now hoping that turmeric cultivation would fetch them good income and support their family and thereby sustain their livelihood.

Visitors at Health Camps conducted at six relief camps Bishop's House Under KFB project six medical camps were organized sBro. Richard Cardoza, from 20th May, 2013 at different relief camps namely; SVD from Orissa Kaskaopara, Khakchangpara, Hamsapara, Ashapara, sCSC Brothers Saroj, Ratan, Liton, Ujjal and Khasithaipara and Naisaupara. Dr. Motilal Debbarma, and Nipu from Bangladesh Mr. Milan Debbarma, Medical Representative (MR) along sSr. Pushpa's family from with Mr. Bruno Msha Project Coordinator examined 373 Orissa patients. Of which 178 were male and 195 were female sFr. Gaspar CSC, General who came for checkup were suffering from various Administrator from diseases like Diarrhea, Fever, Jaundice, Colic, TB, various Rome types of skin diseases, white discharge, malnutrition, etc. s Fr. Alwyn and Mr. After the medical camp, the camp inmates extended their Stephen from gratitude to JUST for conducting such Health camps in Chennai times of need. Fr. Jeevan Kennady, SVD News Notes from all over [ 4 ]

NESCOM Organizes Two-Day Rome during the Worldwide Eucharistic floods in Uttarakhand, Workshop on Media Adoration which took place in St. Peter's were rescued in the North East Social Communication Basilica. The Year of Faith event is the first ongoing multi-agency (NESC time in the Church's history that such a rescue and relief OM) celebration was held simultaneously around operation even as organize the world. The initiative, which was under thousands are still d a two the theme of "One Lord, One Faith" trapped or missing in the hills. day involved also parishes, religious Almost everyone from the worst hit worksho congregations and lay associations around Kedarnath town has been rescued, media p in North East Social Forum, Guwahati, on the world. The Holy See also invited those reports. 28-29 May 2013, for the media persons of participating across the globe to pray for Today, the focus of the rescue efforts will the NE region. Fr. Joe Eruppakkatt ssp and two intentions by the Holy Father. The be on Gaurikund and Rambara more than Mr. Michael Peria, experts in Journalism Pope's first intention was: “For the Church 5,000 people are believed to be trapped in and New Media respectively, addressed the spread throughout the world and united this narrow valley. The NDRF team 55 participants. The participants tip toed today in the adoration of the Most Holy reached Rambada this morning. into the hall to learn journalistic skills and to Eucharist as a sign of unity.” According to the Home Ministry be at home with social media and web second intention focused on those suffering statement, a total of 50,422 pilgrims were apostolate. Fr. Gilbert ssp, the organizer said around the world, particularly those who are still stranded at various places and over in the inaugural speech,” let us be a victims of slavery, war, human trafficking, 13,000 people are said to be missing. communicating church to be relevant drug running, and violence. mattersindia.com today”. Most Rev. George Palliparambil, the The Diocese of Agartala joined in this Bishop of Miao, and the Chairman of historical event with Bishop Lumen Urbaniana University to honor NESCOM while celebrating the Eucharist leading the Adoration at St. Joseph Church Menamparampil for the participants on the second day, Agartala while several Parishes and A University in Rome has decided to expressed his joy and satisfaction at the religious communities also joined Pope honor Archbishop Thomas overwhelming response to the workshop. Francis in prayer. Menamparampil, a promoter of non- 's will be bigger aggressive evangelization, for his “shining “Francesco Effect” mesmerizes Church than the World Cup example” of dedication and commitment It seems Pope Francis is attracting huge World Youth Day 2013 in is to Christian mission. In a letter addressed gatherings at the Vatican Square for the less than six weeks to the retired archbishop of Guwahati, Wednesday audience away. The event is Assam, the Pontifical University of and Sunday Angelus! crucial, not just for Urbaniana said it wants to confer on the Even on other days, the the Church Salesian prelate an honorary degree in roads to the Vatican are almost half the Missiology for developing a new way of really filled with people world's Catholics evangelization during his “long and moving toward the live in Latin fruitful pastoral care.” The University, the Vatican Square, indicating that the Italians America and yet letter adds, recognizes and encourages have accepted the Holy Father in their this is where the Church faces the toughest new methods and ways to spread the hearts. Recently a friend of mine, Fr. Davis competition with dynamic Evangelical among people who have not heard CMI, who was blessing houses in a parish, movements and the rise of secularism - the Christ's good news. It has invited the told me that he noticed every house has a result of growing affluence in the region archbishop to Rome to receive the degree picture of the new Pope. When he asked but for Brazil as well: the World Youth Day when it starts the new academic year in them how they felt about the Holy Father, is the first of three huge events that will November. It also wants him to present a they answered with a broadened smile, bring the South American giant into the paper on the occasion. 'carissimo' (beloved) 'Il Papa tre grande (the limelight of international attention. The prelate is known for introducing the Pope is great). Pope Francis is changing the The other two events are: the FIFA World Asian Church to a new way of Catholic Church with an infectious style that Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. evangelization, which he calls he had practiced on the streets of Buenos Vatican Insider caught up with Brazilian “whispering the Gospel to the soul of Aires. He is now applying them to the cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Asia.” mattersindia.com Universal Church. The whole Church is Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated being shifted from a bureaucratic set up to a Life and Societies of Apostolic Life small parish. He prefers to call himself the Your Eminence, are Rio and Brazil all set Bishop of Rome rather than the Pope of the for the WYD? Universal Church. (India matters) In terms of facility preparation things are BISHOP’S PROGRAMME FOR JULY 2013 going very well. Initially, the police, Cathedrals and Dioceses around the particularly in Rio, focused their attention 01-15: Mission Appeals, USA World synchronize to Year of Faith on the World Cup and the Olympics as they 15-20 FABC Event in St. Peter's Basilica 19 million had not quite realized the scope of this join the Pope in India Leadership Seminar, event. Whilst the World Cup will attract Bangkok On Sunday June 4 at 300-500 thousand spectators, a million and 5pm Rome time, a half to two million people will be here for 21: Parish Mass, SJC cathedrals and the WYD. Vatican Insider Agartala dioceses around the 27-28: St. Alphonsa Parish world synchronized Uttarakhand floods update Feast, Khumlwng with the Holy Father in A total of 33,192 people, stranded due to 29-30: PSC Meet, Caritas Delhi

Published at: Jeevajyothi Diocesan Centre, Bishop's House, Airport Road, Durjoynagar, Agartala 799 009, Tripura, Tel:91-381-2342401, Email: [email protected], www.agartaladiocese.org