News Letter for November
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Lead Us Onward Ink DIOCESE OF AGARTALA Agartala Diocesan Newsletter November 2011 VOL. 15 No.11 To lead with humility Pastor’s Corner LThe world and especially its music-savvy youth in the digital “intense and disturbing”. The country may not his love and his passion. In his resignation letter era have mourned the death of have delighted him but through his inventions he Steve Jobs says, “I hereby resign as CEO of Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, had developed many a fan among the Indians. Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, who revolutionized the world of Eric Porteous of Life Teen says: "I as chairman of the Board, director and technology. The 56-year-old never really knew much about Apple employee.” Notice those words, “I technology wizard died of Steve Jobs. I've never really would like to serve if the board sees fit.” pancreatic cancer on October 5 at Palo Alto, been into technology and all the He goes on to say later, “I believe Apple's California in the United States. “His invention the nuances that come with it, so all I brightest and most innovative days are iPod, the iPhone and the iPad are among the really knew about him was what ahead of it.” This man, who was like a god prized possessions today. Rarely will we get to others told me. Then in late to many, cared more about the future of see a genius like him,” says journalist Alpana August an announcement came the company than what happened to Kaul. Condoling Jobs death, Prime Minister that shocked many: “Steve Jobs him." Manmohan Singh said “he was truly an resigns as CEO of Apple.” A question for all of us who minister in the innovative man and taught us new ways to Intrigued by this, I read a few role of leadership; is our ministry about connect and communicate.” articles, including his resignation letter, and us or about something greater? Do we get The Silicon Valley icon started Apple Computer learned one important lesson from Steve Jobs: caught up in our pride, or do we lead with with friend Steve Wozniak in his adoptive parent's humility. humility? So, rest in peace Steve Jobs. You gave garage in 1976 and touched dizzy heights in Now, some of you may be shocked by this, and us MacBooks, iPods, iPhones, iPads and more. digital technology. Prior to entering the world of others may not be, but when this man who had You gave us Apple Care plans to protect our technology in a big way, Jobs came to India in revolutionized the world stepped down from his purchases. But the most important lesson you early 70s in search of enlightenment or 'nirvana' seat of power, do you know what he cared about taught us was that the best “care plan” is to lead but returned dejected seeing the poverty and most? Apple. When the whole world made it with humility. squalor. His biography says he found India about him, he made it about something greater: +Lumen, CSC In Quest of 'Sacred' Kokborok Editorial of worshippers in Tripura's numerous scenario, that can sound to be an exceedingly village chapels will not even notice there has ambitious program. In fact, normal, Efforts are on throughout conversational Kokborok often runs into English-speaking Catholic been some 'difference' in the Mass they just attended. Even those that notice differences problems for lack of commonly agreed and world to get familiar with the understandable vocabulary. There is a great new text of the Mass, which might find it hard to pinpoint them. deal of consternation among sections comes into effect later this month. The biggest about the incursion made by Bangla overhaul in liturgy since Vatican II has resulted The changes seem easy enough to handle and even into Kokborok. Some prefer Roman in a set of worship documents, which, script for Kokborok; some others according to proponents, are 'richer in its get accustomed to, given the fact that the community as a prefer Bangla. There are people who poetry, more relevant in its references to God feel that Kokborok ought to steer clear and fuller in its allusions to the Bible and whole is in the 'getting-used- to' stage with regard to of both Bangla and Roman script but church needs'. The Church also feels confident retreat into the “fabled” Koloma they will bring about 'fully conscious and attending Mass and might as well get used to the new script. And so on, the list goes on. active participation' of the lay people in the One only hopes the pursuit of Mass, the central act of Catholic worship. liturgy. There is, however, a more challenging area: devotional Kokborok takes wings although The change has implications for us too, users of it's a great deal to ask of a language which in languages like Kokborok that got their use of 'sacred vernacular'. The Vatican seem to insist on using a 'sacred vernacular' in the course of time, seem to have lost much translated Mass prayers from the English vocabulary, abstractions and many other missal. The Nov 27 changeover, therefore, liturgy - one which people recognize as devotional language. It is tantamount to essential aspects. makes it imperative that we incorporate the The revised text of liturgy offers Kokborok changes into the Kokborok liturgy. evolving a sacred Kokborok - one which people can recognize as 'devotional and its speakers untold challenges. What do these changes mean to ordinary J. Pulinthanath, sdb Christians inhabiting the villages of Tripura? Kokborok'. Chances are that on 27th November, hundreds Now, given the present-day Kokborok 22 Link November Mission Congress at Ambassa: A Post Mission Congress at Ambassa Script (To be the Salt of the Earth and Light of Landmark 'Congress' teaching sessions were the Word) redefines Laity's Role in the The Mission Congress at Ambassa from centered on the words of Church Christ, 'You are the salt of Oct.6-9 was unprecedented. It was Agartala, 11 Oct 2011: The Catholic beyond all our expectations. The faithful the Earth and Light of the Church in Tripura is all set to see greater world.' Some of the gathered in large numbers from different involvement of laity in the Church's Parishes of the Diocese. The organizers Speakers were Mr. Daniel Jamatia mission. Calling the just-concluded MLA, Mr. Eugene Gonsalves, the had to redraw their plans and recast the 'Mission Congress' on Laity's role in estimates. Indeed it was a new Pentecost National Vice-President of All India Evangelization, a 'landmark' in the 15- Catholic Union, and Dr. Vincent for the faithful who took part in the year old history of the Diocese, Lumen Congress! Darlong from UNO Delhi. Besides Monteiro CSC, DD, the Bishop of instruction, the 'Congress' also spent We sang and Agartala, clarified that true lay vocation p r a y e d i n much time in prayer, devotional singing consisted 'not in running the Church but and listening to God's Word. The one voice in bringing Christ to the world.' thanking and congress also provided the participants, particularly the youth, who made up praising the Centered on the Biblical invitation to be Lord with more than half the gathering, 'the salt of ample opportunities to t h e the earth and accompanim showcase their talents in light of the singing and acting. ent of the melodious music. We listened world', the to the Resource Persons, missionaries C o n g r e s s and committed laity. There were cultural Mr. Paul Darlong, Chief focused on Organizer of the Congress dances and competitions showcasing the lay people's culture and faith. Strengthened by the sees the enthusiastic turnout role in the as a sign of faith. “Whereas Congress we bore witness acclaiming evangelizin we had expected only about 1200 Jesus our Saviour and Master through a g mission of the Church. Held at St. people, on the first day itself, the colourful procession in the Town. Arnold's Ambassa in Dhalai District, the registered number of participants Thanks be to God and to all those who four-day event (6-9 October 2011) crossed the 2500 mark. It made it possible. We go forth brought together 2500 people from the is a sign of our people's recharged in faith to be the Light of the 16 parishes of Tripura and provided eagerness to know more world and Salt of the earth. them, in the words of Bishop Monteiro, about Christ.” The Fr. Cyprian, SVD “ u n p r e c e d e n t e d i m p e t u s a n d purpose of the Congress, encouragement”. in Mr. Darlong's words Seminar at NVSC-Pune for Bishops was to “thank the Lord, of India The Congress concluded and to renew our faith”. The National Vocation Service Centre with the Annual Eucharistic Ambassa not having hosted such large (NVSC), Pune, a National Institute for the Procession in which over events earlier, there was anxiety about training of formators, administered by 3000 enthusiastic crowd of logistics and other facilities. The local C.B.C.I., organized a four-day Seminar for believers, clad in colorful organizers took it as a challenge and Bishops of India from 17th to 21st October cultural attire, braved the admirably rose to the occasion. “Despite 2011. The central theme of the Seminar scorching heat and walked many constraints, we tried hard to was: "PRIESTS FOR OUR TIMES- THE from St. Arnold's Lalchuri provide an ambience of prayer,” said Fr.