Lead Us Onward ink LAgartala Diocesan News Letter Diocese of Agartala April 2013 Vol.17 No.04 Pastor’s Corner Editorial Habemus Papam The Size of our Families

Habemus Papam “We have a ” announced the Proto Deacon, Cardinal While discussing vocations, the subject of 'small Jean-Louis Tauran. And the name of the man to emerge on the balcony in families' came up at the recent Pastoral Council is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina. The 265th meeting of the Diocese. It is a subject that has Successor of Saint Peter will go by the name of and is the first implications beyond vocations. non-European Pope in modern times, the first Jesuit Pope in history and the A visitor to Tripura seldom fails to note the size of its first from a developing country. The much-awaited choice is something of a surprise, as the new Pope was not foreshadowed prominently on the short families. It is small, for sure. Tripura's indigenous lists of various experts, though the 76- communities, especially certain tribes, seem to have year old was said to be a close second to proven wrong the notion that retiring Pope Benedict in the 2005 tribal communities tend to conclave. have largefamilies. Cardinal Bergoglio, a Jesuit intellectual who reportedly eschews the ornate Despite small families trappings of church power he travels by becoming the order of the day bus was elected in a swift five votes of a in most places and countries, it conclave of 115 cardinals, and is intriguing that tribal immediately appeared to say the Lord's communities here have so vigorously responded to Prayer to crowds on the Vatican plaza. the government-sponsored 'small family happy We in the Diocese of Agartala welcome our new Pope and pledge our filial love and obedience, as we pray for his Pontificate. family' campaign. Intriguing because in the state of A recent biography "Pope Francis" written by Mathew Bunson makes Tripura, numbers are everything past, present, interesting reading: "On February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the future, identity and destiny of its people. world when he announced that he was resigning the papacy and that the The size of families has a connection with land too. would gather in to elect his successor. Halfway 'Land'has been at the centre of all the ethnic conflicts across the world, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos that happened and still lie latent in this land. The Aires, Argentina, prepared for his journey to Rome and the conclave. He bought a return ticket, and his friends, aghast at the state of his battered old indigenous community needs to realize that land, all shoes, implored him to accept the gift of a new pair. Wearing his new shoes, land, unless inhabited and cared for, simply goes he set out for the Vatican. away. Present-day tribal families, many of which Two journeys one for the whole Church and another for one of her members have only one child or two at the most, seemhardly ended in the chapel filled with the frescoes of Michelangelo, beneath the equipped to deal with this challenge. gaze of the “Last Judgment.” Although one assumes it to be the result of education On March 13, the College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Bergoglio to serve as the 265th Successor of Peter. and enlightenment, the small family syndrome could As pontiff, Francis stands now truly as the bridge builder. His origins, his in reality be a symptom of a deeper malaise afflicting learning, and his own years of service as a pastor over a city that has some of the community a tendency to hedonism and the wealthiest residents in South America and some of the poorest has abandonment. The anti-life base on which small prepared him for this role. He was a shepherd to them all, and he labored to families are often built could wreck the moral fabric help everyone in his care encounter Christ. And now he will work to do the same for the world. of the society and also forfeit blessings of God. We see in the election of Pope Francis the loving and merciful hand of God's It is highly probable that most children of small providence. As he told the reporters who had been covering the memorable families will, finally, turn out to be spoilt brats, but events unfolding in Rome: “In everything that has occurred, the principal they are still lucky because they got to be born. If only agent has been, in the final analysis, the Holy Spirit. He prompted the they would extend that chance to whomever God decision of Benedict XVI for the good of the Church; he guided the cardinals in prayer and in the election.” Long live Pope Francis! +Lumen, CSC News from the Parishes [ 2 ]

Bodhjungnagar Parish Mandwi Parish meeting Don Bosco and Ark was the Maria Sangho Annual Meeting Welcome to the Gor-Mik Ark reference to the ark of Noah where one The Parish level Maria Sangho Annual “Every grain of sand and every drop of could take shelter in the midst of the Meeting was water goes to make a mighty ocean.” storms of life. enthusiastically TheThe dormitories can accommodate organized by the opening around 50 youth and the hall around Bodhjungnagar words of 100. It is meant for conducting small Mondoli Maria Mr. Tarun programs on faith and self- Sangho group Debbarma - development. Our sincere thanks on 24th February Land extends to the former Provincial of the at the Parish Centre. 76 enthused Acquisition Salesians, Rev. Fr. Joseph Almeida women from all over our Parish s Officer. sdb., who was instrumental in participated in the meeting. The purpose He was procuring the help from generous of the Annual gathering was to reorient commenting on the occasion of the benefactors. Fr. George Rodrigues them to the service of Maria Sangho and inauguration of the Gor-Mik Ark- th Diocesan Youth Director to elect its office-bearers. After the Diocesan Youth Centre, on the 17 Sunday Mass they began their meeting March 2013 at Mandwi. The make- by praying the Holy Rosary. Fr. Jilson, shift structure (of wood and tin) he said Kamaranga Parish in his input session {using power point was just a small beginning of the work Annual Parish sabha 2013 presentation}, explained and ahead for youth of Tripura and he said The second Annual parish sabha of St. highlighted the works, aim, purpose and today Mandwi has started that in a very Raphael Parish, Kamaranga was held nd rd objectives of the Legion of Mary. The small way. on 2 and 3 March at Katalotma election process resulted in the At the Holy Eucharist the Bishop, Most Mondali. “Make our faith greater” (Lk bifurcation of the Maria Sangho into Rev. Lumen Monteiro, CSC, spoke of 17:5) three zones, from which the Parish level the need to understand and forgive one was the office bearers were chosen respectively. another. He called on the people to theme. The Executive Body of the Maria stand united and work with one heart Delega Sangho of our Parish comprises the and mind in the interest of the common tes President, Secretary, Treasurer and two good of the parish. from other elected members. The men-folk Soon after the Holy Mass the Youth Kanail {a handful of them}, volunteering to Centre was inaugurated by the Chief al prepare the lunch for the entire Maria Guest Mr. A. Halam CEO of TTAADC. Halam Sangho people, added colour to their Although he was to inaugurate the three para, Janthum, Adorso and Sanaia Annual Gathering. different parts of the centre viz. Boys Reangpara arrived at Katolotma in the Bishop's Visit to St. Andre-Mission Dormitory, Girls Dormitory and the evening. Most Rev. Lumen Monteiro, It happened on 10th March 2013. The Multi-purpose Hall, he unhesitatingly CSC, Bishop of Agartala, was parishioners offered his privilege to Fr. Chinnappa solemnly received by the parish ofof Caritas India Delhi and to Fr. community. Inauguration of the Parish Bodhjungnag Mariaraj of Bodhjungnagar Parish. The sabha and parish level Year of Faith ar were blessing of the centre was then conducted by lighting candles by privileged to performed by the Bishop. After a short Bishop and representatives of have our dance performance by the youth, the mondolis. After an introductory Bishop Most program ended with lunch. session, an hour of Adoration of the Rev. Lumen Pleasant weather (which is always 6* Blessed Sacrament strengthened the Monteiro, CSC, with them, presiding lower than Agartala ) and uninterrupted parish unity. On the following day over the Sunday Liturgy. After the power supply from the electricity board opportunity was given for Sacrament children's Mass Bishop gave away were purely divine intervention, for till of Reconciliation followed by prizes to children for their performance 6.30am there was absolutely no power community catechism. One of the in the Catechism Exams. At the end of supply, as one of the coils of the main points was the reporting session. the Parish Mass, the families who transformer had burnt the previous Based on the report presented our secured the first three places in the Crib- evening. Power failure resumed at Bishop shared his observation and Competition {held during 4.30pm but by then the programme had exhorted the faithful for greater Christmas}were also rewarded with seen a blessed end! cooperation and unity in the mondoli prizes for their spiritually-aesthetic Bro. Philip, SG, Principal of Montfort and in the parish. He also took a sense. The children and the parishioners School at Champaknagar, among session on the “Year of Faith.” were extremely happy to receive their others, intrigued by the name given to Thanksgiving Holy Mass was at 12.00 prizes from the hands of their Bishop. the centre were explained that Gor was noon followed by a fellowship meal The parishioners eagerly await the the short form for Maria Gorretti, Mik for everyone present. Participants official visit of the Bishop in May 2013. was for Mickey Maggone the went back rejuvenated. Fr. Mariaraj, csc youngster who turned a new leaf after Fr. Joachim Kullu, SVD News from the Diocese [ 3 ] Agartala Parish sponsored by the parishioners political issue and above all a St. Joseph and Inauguration of themselves. The idea of conducting fundamental human right. Women's Pontificate Bible test is to create an interest in Commission, Diocese of Agartala, St. Joseph's Parish Agartala Bible reading, increase knowledge organized a day's program on celebrated the Feast of our Patron of the Bible and thereby increase HIV/AIDS at Sirduk under on 19th March. This was also a Moharpara Parish. The main faith. It is the need of the hour for Resource Persons were Dr. Ashok fitting occasion, with our Bishop, everyone of us to equip ourselves to celebrate the Debbarma and Sr. Susheela Xess. Dr. with the Word of God. Inauguration of Ashok in his talk spoke on HIV/AIDS, Fr. Arun Minj, SVD Pope Francis' how it spreads and the preventive Pontificate. measures. The Seminar was very Indeed it was our WOMEN COMMISSION inspiring and enriching. There were dream to host one International Women's Day 105 participants who benefited from such a great feast celebrations at Agartala in our parish with RECTORS' Meet at Nagpur the spiritual Diocesan Minor Seminary renewal. We The National Program for Rectors of prepared with a Minor Seminaries was organized by Triduum. On 16th March the theme the CCBI Commission for Vocations, Women's Commission, Diocese of Seminaries, Clergy and Religious from was Faith: Basis for Christian Life th th by Fr. Mariaraj csc. On 17th March Agartala, organized Women's Annual 6 to 10 March at Nagpur. There were gathering and Women's day 52 Minor Seminary Rectors from all the theme was Eucharist: Source th th of Christian Living by Fr. Jeevan celebration from 7 to 9 March 2013 over the country. The Resource th Persons Fr. Amirtharaj, O.P., and Fr. Kennedy SVD; on 18 March the at JUST. The Theme of the Celebration was “Women Sower's of John Kulandai the Executive Secretary theme was St. Joseph: Our Patron Faith in the Family”. The program was of the CCBI Commission animated and Saint by Frs. Joe Paul CSC and initiated with an inaugural session of guided the program efficiently. Various George Kallungal CSC. th prayer song, the lightening of the lamp issues were discussed extensively, On 19 March we had a candle-light by the Chief Guest Most Rev. Lumen such as: Importance of Minor procession with the decorated Monteiro, csc, Bishop of Agartala, Fr. Seminary in the whole Priestly statue of St. Joseph. Our beloved Jeevan SVD JUST Director, Fr. Roby, Formation; Dimensions in Priestly Bishop Lumen Monteiro, CSC, csc, Administrator, Fr. George Formation; Recruitment and Selection; presided over the Holy Eucharist Kallungal csc, Fr. Nabin svd, Fr. Understanding a Minor Seminarian; and 12 priests concelebrated. Davis sdb, Dr. Purnima Roy Spiritual Formation in Minor After the Holy Eucharist we had Chairperson of Women Commission Seminary; and Skills in Spiritual fellowship meal. We express our Tripura. Sr. Susheela Xess Women's Direction. The Seminar concluded heartfelt gratitude to all those Commission Secretary gave the with the formulation of national level contributed to enhance the feast day welcome address. Bishop Lumen minor seminary semester-wise celebration, both spiritually and enlightened the participants on the curriculum. The Seminar united minor monetarily. We wholeheartedly relevance of the theme. The Resource seminaries Rectors from all over the acknowledge the service done by Persons who gave various input country. It was a great opportunity for the religious Sisters in our parish to sessions include Fr. Jeevan SVD on the formators to evaluate and make have a meaningful celebration. Women's role in the family; Fr. Nabin necessary improvement. Deacon Pappy Valan, CSC SVD on Women, sower's of Faith in Fr. Arun Minj, SVD Khumlwng Parish the Family; Dr. Purninma Roy on Year of Faith being tested! Women's Rights and Domestic Inter Religious Prayer Meet - The Year of Faith has created new Violence on Women; and Sr. Eva BS for Peace zeal and enthusiasm to read the Bible on Women Empowerment and An “Inter-religious prayer meeting and learn the quotations among the Education. Women leaders from for peace” was organized in Nirmal parishioners of St. Alphonsa Phaish, different parishes presented the Shishu Bhavan, Agartala on activity report and the action plan for Khumlwng. Few Bible chapters are February 26 with the theme, given to read and learn (by heart) the 2013. In the evening the women participants put up colorful cultural “Know God Know Peace, No God quotations every month. Then there programs and the winners were given No Peace” by the Ciocesan is a Bible Test conducted every prizes. commission for inter-religious month in three categories- children, Sr. Susheela Xess SSpS dialogue. Leaders of different faiths youth and adults. The highest marks Moharpara Parish celebrated from Agartala Town were invited to obtained last February were 96 and Women's Day pray and share peace with the 90 out of 100! More interestingly, Women's Health is Nations Wealth. faithful of multi religious group of the two prizes for every month are Health is a socio-economic and about 80. News Notes from the [ 4 ] One remarked that an effort of this Lombardi stated, would allow the Pope kind[ 4 by ] the Catholic Church 50-100 Visitors at Bishop's House years ago would not have been to live in a communal atmosphere with those who reside there. Zenit.org possible. The speakers, irrespective >Fr. Raja from Patna Archdiocese of their religious affiliation, The tailor who has dressed appreciated this attempt by the >Fr. Santiago from Burunga every Pope since 1922 >Fr. Marcel from Badarpur Church. It was a unique opportunity Making bespoke clothes is tricky when you >Fr. Francis, MSFS Provincial for the “Children of God” to come don't know who will wear them. But from Guwahati together, sing together and pray Gammarelli, the Roman tailor that has >Fr. Henry, MSFS Bursar from dressed every pope since 1922, gets around together for peace amidst enthroned Guwahati scriptures of their religion. A sense that by catering for every eventuality. Unveiled in its window on Monday were >Fr. Selvaraj, CMF from Malda of belonging to the same “Kingdom three ivory cassocks in small, medium and >Fr. Savarinathan, CMF from of God” of love, peace, freedom and large a choice which it hopes will keep it Jamshedpur justice prevailed in the atmosphere. covered no matter who emerges from the >Mr. Girish Peter from Caritas We hope and pray our small effort as the next leader of the Patna will pay rich dividend of peace and Roman Catholic church. >Xavier & Blanch Lobo from New Alongside the robes would go a harmony in our multi faith and skullcap, a red velvet cape and four or five Zealand culture society. pairs of red shoes, said Lorenzo >Fr. Anand Jujur of Society of Fr. Cyprian Pinto SVD Gammarell our Lady of Africa i, one of the >Fr. Thomas OFM Cap from Vandana Mataji dies business's Imphal owners. Vandana Mataji, a Catholic nun who >Fr. Herman Dung Dung, SSP "We are pioneered Christian Ashram movement in from Jorahat providing India, died in Pune on Monday following more than >Fr. Chinnappa, Admin of Caritas age related illness. She was 92. The funeral three pairs India from Delhi of the nun, a member of Society of the of shoes Sacred Heart because of Jesus you can adjust a cassock or a suit but you congregation must wear the right size shoes," he said. , was held on BISHOP’S PROGRAMME FOR APRIL 2013 Source: The Guardian Feb. 26. Courtesy Vatican Stamps Commemorate 02-04: NE Bishops Council, CRIB Agartala The Philatelic and Numismatic Office 05-07: Pastoral Programs, Pope Francis decides to stay of the Governorate of Vatican City State Moharpara Parish in Domus Sanctae Martae has issued four stamps with the image of 09-10: CBCI-CARD Meet, Delhi Fr. Federico Lombardi, informed an angel raising the pavilion 13: Bethany Convent journalists that Pope Francis has (“umbraculum”) of the , Dharmanagar decided for the time being to stay in the Camera, the work of Italian artist 13-14: Parish Sabah, Bagbasa Domus Sanctae Martae house rather Daniela Longo. The stamps cost: €0.70 16-18: Globalization Seminar, than move into the . for mail to , with a light green Guwahati The cardinal electors reside at the background; €0.85 for mail to Europe, 21: Pastoral Program, Domus with a blue background; €2.00 for mail Nandanagar Parish Sanctae to the Americas, with a grey 22-23: GB & Caritas Council, Martae during background; and €2.50 for mail to St. John's Bangalore conclave. Oceania, on a yellow background. 24-26: Standing Committee, Once a Pope is The use of these stamps as postage is St. John's Bangalore chosen, the only available during the Sede Vacante, 27-30: Caritas Field Visit, newly elected ending with the election of the new N. Karnataka Pontiff transfers to a slightly larger Pope. Their philatelic use is allowed 30: CDC Meet, Agartala room- Suite 201 - until preparations are afterwards and the office will continue Clergy Meeting & finished in the papal apartments. Fr. to sell them to collectors. Zenit.org Recollection, Agartala Lombardi stated that now that the Papal apartment is ready, the Holy Father has chosen instead to move to Suite 201 for Agartala Diocese Congratulates: the time being and will use the the papal Sr. Santan Nago FS, Superior General. She is re-elected for a apartment for official audiences and for term of six years. Councillors: Sr. Florence Fernandez, his weekly Sunday Angelus address. Living at Domus Sanctae Martae, Fr. Sr. Mabel Figer and Sr. Concepta Jelki.

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