June 2015 / VOL. 19 NO. 06

The important Lesson sanitation and hygiene materials.” It Rabbi Harold Kushner lives, all our complicated structures added, “They are also looking to shares this beautiful we spend so much time and energy address the need of trauma personal experience: I creating, are built on counseling for people was sitting on a beach sand. Only our who are out in open spaces one summer day, relationships with other and some in temporary watching two people endure. Sooner shelters around children, a boy and a or later, the wave will Kathmandu." The Team Pastor’s Corner girl playing in the sand. come along and knock from Caritas India that They were hard at work, by the water's down what we have worked so hard went to Nepal included a trained edge, building an elaborate sand castle to build up. When that happens, only counselor. Counseling, we have with gates and towers and moats and the person who has somebody's discovered is as important as medical internal passages. Just when they had hand to hold will be able to laugh. aid, food and shelter. It forges nearly finished their project, a big ('Stories for a Man's Heart') relationships and helps people wave came and knocked it down, Connecting with people is an manage trauma better. And that is the reducing it to a heap of wet sand. I important element even in moments important lesson! +Lumen, CSC expected the children to burst into of disasters. We know the recent tears, devastated by what had th LEARN KOKBOROK happened to all their hard work. But Nepal earthquake on 9 April killed thousands and displaced tens of Kokborok Language Learning Program for they surprised me. Instead, they ran up Priests and Religious will be held at Don the shore away from the water, thousands in a 7.9 magnitude quake. A Press Release from Cartias India Bosco Peace Centre, 10-22 (both days laughing and holding hands and sat inclusive) June 2015. Interested candidates down to build another castle. said, “The international Caritas network has begun procuring may contact 9436126649 or 9856240802 at I realized that they had taught me an the earliest. important lesson. All the things in our tarpaulins, shelter kits and water, The Ground beneath our Feet population is yet quite unclear. The just concluded ADC They have seldom been expressly against We would be foolish to dismiss these as elections in were the demand for separate state by sections insignificant matters especially in Tripura in many ways just another of indigenous people; they where most of the Christians belong to round of elections. The have set up of numerous indigenous communities. The hype, the hope and finally, English medium schools in reticence and lack of passion we knew it would be so, the indigenous-inhabited we Christians are known for, thank you very much. But could make it a cakewalk for Editorial areas of the state and now a great deal of Post- there is the possibility of fascist entities. The election analysis focused on the indications Kokborok language finally indigenous communities of of change that election results seemed to being included in the 8th Tripura, beset as they are with have showed. schedule. problems on all fronts, cannot Absence of palpable changes perhaps be censured if they notwithstanding, we are aware, elections Judging by the recent anti-minority, anti- warm up to the BJP for the sake of the seldom merely say who wins and who loses. Christian events that have been happening goodies they seem to offer. That would be They reveal lessons. The government at the in India with alarming regularity after the portentous for us who have implicitly and Centre was a factor in this elections much coming into power of the BJP government complacently considered certain domains more than it was a factor in the earlier in the Centre, one may conclude that the as 'our sure turf'. editions. For the first time perhaps, it was a party in question has little interest in the factor, even more than the government at plural tradition of this great nation. A party For us Christians, perhaps, it's not so much Agartala was a factor. that believes in and propagates the 'one about trying to stop this party or support There is no doubt the culture, one religion, one nation' theory that party. It's more about engaging even (BJP) is desperate to make inroads in to ADC cannot be expected to have a great deal of more urgently and passionately with areas of Tripura inhabited mostly by sympathy for small but distinct religious communities and peoples we serve. It's indigenous people. In the past months, and cultural groups. Why they have simply about not taking things for granted especially after that party came to power in picked on the Christian community which any longer. the Centre, we have seen them go overboard constitutes a mere 2.3% of India's J. Pulinthanath, SDB to please the indigenous people of Tripura. News from the Parishes [ 2 ]

Santir Rani Parish, Mariamnagar each Sunday in which many gathered Immaculate Conception Parish, Confirmations at the Centre to pray and thank the Lord with the Moharpara rd children. Kudos to the Resource On Sunday, 3 May, the Catholic This month we had many parish Community at Mariamnagar had an Persons, Meena Marak, Meena Jamatia and Agnes Reang, the teachers activities. On 10th May we had our who spare their leisure time for Parish Council Meeting. Following mission work; and to Supriya and was Kanika Ronga our parish youth who discussed: collaborated with the Fathers in this In order to venture. Fr. Kitbok CSC keep a track of those St. Paul's Parish, Kumarghat come to the church, Youth Day- 2015 weekly experience of encounter with the The Parish of Divine, as some of our youngsters attendance Kumarghat register is received the Holy Spirit. Bishop Lumen organized 'Youth Monteiro CSC presided over the th th made compulsory for every mondoli. Day' on 9 and 10 Sunday Eucharist and administered the Financial accountability and of May 2015. The program was aimed Sacrament of Confirmation to seven transparency and the need to support at bringing together the catholic youth youngsters of our Parish. Using the the Church by way of tithes were also from different villages of the parish. occasion to convey his pastoral discussed. It was decided to have the Total number of youth participated in concerns the Bishop exhorted the Marriage Preparation Course in the this mega event are 145 from various community to live their call to month of October. Every young man mondolis of the parish. They day began evangelize, always cooperating with the and woman of marriageable age has to with football tournament for the boys Holy Spirit who provides life, strength enroll their names for the Course. and throw ball tournament for girls. nd and energy. Fr. Ronald, SDB On 2 May we gave a sendoff to Sr. Competitive Spirit, Team Spirit, unity Jeewanlata, SSpS, who rendered her etc were exhibited during the event. At valuable services at Notre Dame School St. Mary's Parish, Tuikarmaw the end Kanchancherra mondoli was Faith Formation Program and Parish. We wish all the best for her the winners of tournament and higher studies. This time of the year where the children Sunaimuri mondoli remained the th On 13th May we celebrated the 76 runners up. In the evening We had Birthday of Fr. Thomas Thengumpally, election of the new officers bearers that CSC, the pioneering and zealous followed a talk by Mr. Thomas missionary of Tripura. We wish him Darlong on the topic Carrier guidance. good health, joy, happiness and many He asked the youth to aim high and more returns of the day. have a personal goal to achieve in life. th On 13 May Fr. Hormis was invited to At the end of talk we had rosary in share a topic on Peace and Hharmony Church. After the supper cultural from the Biblical and Christian are in their holiday, the Parish took an competition were organised. Various perspective along with many other occasion to organize a faith formation Mondolis exhibited their skills and religious leaders Khowai on the program for the Children. The program talents through dances, singing, and occasion of the birth anniversary of was held in four different villages with skits. The Masli Reang Mondoli won Shri- Shri Ravisankarji. He spoke in children as the target group. The first the first prize of the cultural th th Bengali quoting the Bible, explaining program was from 8 to 10 of May at competition, Masli Garo Mondoli won the Beatitudes, and sharing the message three villages viz, Pottichery, Kalabon the second prize. The youth day was th of love and peace to a crowd of about and Duptoli. The second one was held successfully concluded on the 10 of th th 200 men and women. He ended with a from the 15 to 17 of the same month at May through the Holy Eucharistic prayer song “Make me a channel of Itchachara for its children and its other celebrations. It was parish mass your Peace----” We conducted 8 zonal four neighbouring villages. The attended by all the Mondolis of the youth leaders Meetings to youth from children came out in many numbers parish. During the Holy Eucharist Fr. Nelsi, Sirduk and Singlung who with their enthusiasm to learn. At the Agi Paul CSC stressed the role of the participated in the leadership end of the three days we could see the youth in the Church. He invited the programme, held at St. Xavier's School, children were well informed about the youth dedicate their life to the Lord and Pathaliaghat organized by the Diocesan prayers and the sacraments, they were he appreciated their team spirit and Youth Director Fr. Remol SDB, on the also entertained with short video clips their total participation in the youth theme 'Unity in the church and the role and action songs. The response of the day of the parish. After the Holy of leadership'. The Seminar was children and their parents were amazing Eucharist the Prizes were distributed to meaningful. It helped and enabled them and encouraging for the organizers. The the winners appreciated. to renew their commitment and grow in event was concluded with the Fr. Alfred CSC leadership. Fr. Ishwar, CSC celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Glimpses from the Diocese - SCC North

Other Events in the Diocese [ 3 ]

Kathalcherra Parish Parish and Salesian Community life's aim “Let Christ Shine in You” his celebrate Jubilee of Confrere motto from the day of his Priestly Maria Songho Women in Shillong th Everything that could turn green had Mariamnagar is the ideal spot for Ordination on 29 January 1966. The outdone itself in greenness and celebrating Jubilees, Anniversaries, Twin Jubilee Celebrations ended with a everything that could even dream of Pilgrima very sumptuous dinner. blooming or blossoming was in bloom ges, Fr. Ronald, SDB and blossom - this was the experience of Marian women of Kathalcherra Parish as they Devotio Diocesan Youth Commission had days out at Shillong. It was a dream n and Faith Formation Program for Parish come true for 34 women of Maria encounte Youth Leaders Songho, because for most of them it was rs with “Let it be done for you according to your a maiden visit. This was also an occasion the Divine. The historic Platinum faith (Mt.8:13.) A three days Faith to mark the jubilee year of Maria Jubilee Celebrations in August 2014 Formation program was conducted Songho. Forgetting the hustle and bustle was followed by another historic from 15th to 17th May 2015 at St. Xavier's, of their daily living, with the blessings of and first of its kind Jubilee Pathalia Mama Mary they savored the beauty of Celebration in Agartala Diocese on ghat for nd God in nature. Nature itself cooperated 2 May 2015 the Diamond Jubilee the in a mysterious way to make their days of Religious Profession and Golden Parish memorable. The sunlight was a Jubilee of Priestly Ordination of Youth benediction. Women themselves Rev. Fr. Isaac Mattappillil, sdb. A leaders. enjoyed each and every minute, love and splendid event! A very beautiful The concern from each other and the Saturday evening in May! Bishop program generosity of Holy Cross Fathers in each Lumen Monteiro, CSC, a throng of began with a short inaugural function centre they visited. There was a smile of Priests, Sisters, the Salesian Pre- and welcome address to the Resource satisfaction and joy as they returned to novices and some parishioners Persons and all the youth. Sr. Regina their home with grateful heart to God and gathered together at Mariamnagar to Mareem, MSMHC, the NERYC the priests of our Parish. Sr. Suman B.S. greet the Jubilarian with Directress along with Sr. Barnadeth Christ the King Parish, Depacherra acclamations of “Ad multos Annos, Kropi MSMHC the new in charge of Ad multos Floreat, Ad multos YSM/YCS North Eastern Region VBS for school Children Coronas. Plurimosque annos vivat. animated the program. Fr. Sunny, SDB, Christ the king parish has organized VBS for Vivat, vivat, vivat!” (May he live th th the Parish Priest and Rector of Don the school children from 12 May to 15 and flourish for many years). Fr. Bosco Parish Nandanagar, took a May. About 250 children from all 30 Isaac presided over the session on Faith and the Bible and mondoliesOur ofReaders the parish W riteattended this concelebrated Holy Mass inside the conducted a Bible Quiz. There were 30 program. Various competitions besides daily Church at 6:00pm. The “open air Bible classes were conducted and prizes Youth Leaders who participated actively distributed. It was a wonderful time for stage” felicitation programme that in the program. Several subjects of children to familiarize with the gospel and lasted an hour was very lively and present youth problems were discussed towards the end of the course all children heartwarming. The messages in the sessions, like, responsibility of were distributed Bibles. delivered by Fr. P. V. Paul sdb, by catholic youth, abuse of Media Couples for Christ Bishop Lumen csc, Fr. Sunny sdb, especially of the use of mobile and rd On 23 May 2015, Parish organized couple Fr. Kannala sdb, and one of the Pre- internet, prayer life, Church history, etc. seminar. 80 couples participated in this novices enthralled everyone present were emphasized. There was a daily one seminar. Fr. Bhuban, Mr. Oshim, Mr. Pradip delightfully humorous, deeply hour Adoration service with lots of Minj, and Mr. Thanda were the resource inspiring, admirably praising the singing and intercessory prayers. On the person. Fr. Prasad our parish priest in his Jubilarian and fondly recalling great inaugural address highlighted three elements last day there was a planning session for ; love, commitment and sacrifice for the moments from his past 79 years. It each Parish in order to strengthen the success of happy married life. During was a grand celebration to thank faith Parish Youth. Fr. Vijumon SDB the theMass couples renewed their marital God and to set afire our inner Principal and Rector of the Pathaliaghat bonds. All participants expressed their yearnings by marveling at the community supported the food happiness and gratitude to the organizers. example set by Fr. Isaac of “fidelity expenditure from beginning till the end Rosary Rally and steadfastness in a life of th of the program. We thank him On 30 May 2015, Rosary commitment as a Religious and immensely. Fr. Remol Marak, SDB month was concluded with Priest of God” truly a very Rosary rally. 60 faithful from meaningful celebration in this “Year Pastoral Centre, Champaknagar local mondolies with much of the Consecrated Life”. The Catechists spirited before Pentecost devotion and prayers to our concluding talk by Fr. Isaac revealed lady of holy Rosary visited all Sunday not only his gratitude towards God, 30 mondolies of the parish. The theme of the Catechists' renewal his family, the Salesian The rally was concluded with program was- “Eucharist: the source and Congregation and the participants of Eucharist in the parish church. summit of Christian life” held at Pastoral Fr. Bhuban Sirkar the Jubilee celebrations, but also his Global News - Tidbits [ 4 ]

th Centre, Champaknagar from 21st to catechists' duties and commitment to 20 General Assembly of 23rd on May 2015. 25 Catechists from the mission. He was greeted by the Caritas Internationalis the Diocese attended the priests and catechists As Chairman of Caritas India I had the program organized by Fr. on his 19th Episcopal privilege of attending the 20th General Joachim Kullu SVD. The Ordination anniversary. Assembly program began with Fr. Arun Minj SVD, of Caritas Recollection Talk, highlighted their Internationa Adoration and strength and weakness lis along Confession. Fr. Joachim emphasized in pastoral field in comparison to other with our the importance of Holy Eucharist in pastors and encouraged them to Executive one's life. He also dealt with various venture into evangelization with Director catechetical themes. Bishop Lumen renewed enthusiasm. The catechists Fr. Monteiro CSC spoke on the importance were filled with the spirit of mission Frederick of the Holy Eucharist as the source and and evangelization and left for their D'Souza. The Assembly began on 12th summit of Christian life and reiterated places on 23rd morning. May with the Holy Mass presided over Fr. Arun Minj SVD by Pope Francis in Saint Peter's Basilica who said whoever lives the mission of JUST News Roundup “Caritas” is a true witness of Christ. Speaking during his homily the Pope JUST gives ray of Hope to interior aware on the importance of SHG said “the Church's humanitarian and Ganganagar formation and how it will help them development organization reveals the JUST conducted a series of awareness for generating income and sustainable power of Christian love and the desire of programs on SHGs in the month of April development. As a result 236 women the Church to reach out to Jesus in every 2015 at some villages under Ganganagar have now decided to form SH Groups person, especially the poor and the R.D. Block. The women were made for their sustainable development. suffering.” Bishop's Program for June 2015 The outgoing President, Cardinal Oscar 02: Clergy Meet & Recollection, JUST Enables the Disabled Rodriguez Maradiaga, who completed Agartala Jana Unnayan Samiti Tripura through his eight-year mandate, opened the 07: Corpus Christi, Nandannagar CBR Project helps the people with proceedings which were held at Domus Parish disabilities of 12 Gram Panchayats Mariae from 12th to 17th May. 08-09: JUST Strategic Planning under “Especially now we feel Pope Francis' Seminar, Agartala Teliamura R.D invitation of a poor Church for the 11: Inaugural of Academic Year, Block. JUST poor,” noted the Honduran Cardinal. Minor Seminary linked the Caritas Internationalis Assembly meets 13-14: Pastoral Visit, differently every four years, to make plans for the Harina/Sindukpathar abled persons future and strengthen relations in this 16-18: Caritas Forum Chairmen & with the Rural federation of 162 national Caritas. Directors Meet, Delhi Develpment Cardinal Maradiaga specified that at 21: Confirmations Kedernal, Block through its Education and this meeting, entitled “One Human Depacherra Parish Social Welfare Departments. Family, Caring for Creation,” not only 23-26: ORIENS Seminar, Shillong Through linkage and continuous effort will there be the concern about global 28: Parish Feast, Kumarghat of JUST the CBR staff various warming but also about justice to 29: Foundation for Carmel resources were mobilized from creation and among peoples. Cardinal Teacher Training College, different departments in cash or kind Louis Tagle of Manila was elected the Gokulnagar for the disabled people. The identified new President of Caritas Internationalis. Our Distinguished Visitors beneficiaries namely Papi Sarkar and Noted Speakers included American · Fr. Roy, CSC, Assistant General Indrajit Shil are presently receiving Economist and Advisor to UN Jeffry from Rome disability pension @ Rs. 500/- per Sachs, Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, Prof · Fr. Descary, CSC, from Montreal, month and Mousami Shil and Nakul Beverley Haddad, Cardinal Parolin, Paul are receiving disability pension Cardinal Turkson, Canada Visitors at Bishop's House · Fr. S.M. Michael, SVD, Asia Pacific @ Rs 400/- per month from the Social Fr. Cedric Coordinator Welfare Department. Rate of Prakash, Dr. · Mr. L. Vittal Rao, B.Com, FCA from allowance are subjected to percentage Jacques Diouf, Bangalore of disability. In addition, eight and others. · Bro. Varghese, SG, from Mizoram Children with Disability (CwD) from On 18th and 19th identified areas are receiving Escort · Fr. Leo, CSC, Provincial from May the whole Allowance of Rs. 2,500/- per year Bangalore group went to Milano for Caritas Day at from the SSA. Mr. Deepan Gurung · Holy Cross Fathers from Arunachal the EXPO 2015. (+Lumen Monteiro, Mizoram and Meghalaya CSC)

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