VOL. XXI - No. 08 - August 2017 Pastor’s Corner August 15Two Important Festivals Editorial WeSome are Backyard the Cathedral Matters Thank You Lord The 15th of August makes me nostalgic--as a It is a known fact that the Catholic institutions in citizen and as a believer! It is the day when the Tripura, without being exclusivist, cater to the commemorates the Assumption of welfare of the indigenous people mostly. The Church Mother Mary, a tradition present since the 6th has its reasons for it and by and large, no one has century, and in 1950 Pope Pius XII emphatically serious problems with that. Except for a few Agartala declared that "the ever Virgin Mary, having schools and their completed the course of her earthly life, was cosmopolitan clientele, all assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." Church institutions and service The other is India's becoming independent from British rule. At centres are located in tribal areas. midnight in 1947 Pandit Location is not everything but it is a Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled message, a statement about one's the National Flag at the red preference and intent. Fort to mark the freedom The contribution that Church, of our country with these through its educational and other institutions, makes to the tribal words, “At the stroke of the groups in Tripura is perhaps not as voluminous as it is elsewhere; midnight hour, when the but they are definitely very evident and unambiguous. People world sleeps, India will across social and ethnic divides acknowledge its contribution in the awake to life and field of education in a major way, and to a lesser extent, its health freedom.” care and social uplift efforts. While India has made rapid strides especially on the economic The Church in Tripura has not only been unabashedly pro tribal, but front (India is the world's third-largest economy on purchasing it has also become quite pronouncedly a 'tribal Church sans power parity), many social problems continue to haunt us. tribalism' in the sense that most of its members are tribesmen, According to Viraj Mehta, Director and head of India and South emanate a tribal fragrance and yet strive to be Catholic. With the Asia, India faces seven key challenges: passage of years the sights and sounds that adorn our services are “Education and Skills-- India has 487 million workers, but more becoming increasingly tribal. Perhaps, rightly so. than two-thirds of Indian employers report that they struggle to In such an emerging scenario, one assumes there is more than mere find workers with the right skills. cordiality and civility between those that together constitute the Urbanization-- More than one-third of Indians live in cities. Church laity, religious, clergy. One assumes there is heartfelt Meeting their needs while safeguarding the environment will relationship, ties made strong by Faith. require innovative models of urban development. With a relationship of that sort supposedly in place, how can one not Health-- India faces the double burden of infectious diseases and be surprised at the intolerance and aggression that some member a dramatic rise in non-communicable diseases, now estimated to individuals display towards Christian or Catholic Institutions? account for more than half of all deaths. How is it that in times of crisis in an institution, the chief antagonists Sanitation-- Many health challenges are linked to sanitation. P.M. are, in some instances at least, 'our own' people? (I keep qualifying Modi has introduced 'swach bharat'. But the challenge is to these near rhetorical questions with 'some', ''few', lest I be blamed identify and implement the right way to provide 1.2 billion for generalizing). Often this is more disturbing than the very Indians with a clean environment! problem that engenders it. Gender-- There is a need for India to closely examine the norms It surely does make us think. Where, who, what has gone wrong? that allow violence and a broader pattern of gender discrimination J. Pulinthanath, SDB to continue. Water-- India's large population places a severe strain on its LINK wishes its Readers natural resources, and most of its water sources are contaminated by sewage and agricultural run-off. Happy Pastors Day on Transparency-- The vast majority of Indians say transparency is August 4, the Feast Day of their number one concern. Transparency issues are not just a daily irritation; they are a drag on the whole economy, hampering St. John Mary Vianney. competitiveness, growth and development.” There are other challenges like communal disharmony, human trafficking, cross border terrorism, vigilantism, environmental degradation, etc.; the list goes on. Challenges of this complexity LINK wishes everyone and magnitude cannot be solved by governments alone; they Happy Independence Day require a collaborative approach involving business and political and Happy Feast of our Lady leaders, members of civil society and academia, youth groups and social entrepreneurs, YOU and ME. On this Independence Day of the Assumption on let us, in the words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru “take the pledge of August 15. dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.” +Lumen, CSC Parish News [ 2 ]

KHUMULWNG PARISH oneness among the members. We Farewell & Welcome to Priests Topics like early church at Jeevadhara Minor Seminary leadership, Biblical leadership, community celebrated the family and Christian vocation to lead a nd rd feast on 22 and 23 of June with value based life was discussed. the motto “Reach to Enrich”. To The Leaders were asked to talk make the celebration more about their leadership role and colourful and enriching we responsibilities in their local divided the community in to two communities. At the end of the groups namely St. Alphonsa and training an Action Plan was St. John Maria Vianney. There discussed and agreed upon that were ample opportunities for the all Leaders would take utmost Seminarians to unleash their interest in organizing and helping hidden talents and capabilities, the Priests to animate the faithful sharing their innovative ideas and pastorally in the Parish. June was an important day for St. strategies to emerge as winners Late Ananda Sing Jamatia Alphonsa Parish and Diocesan Minor in the competitions. Everyone got Football Tournament enough chances to come forward Seminary at Champaknagar. Two To mark the third death and explore their talents and events- farewell of Fr. Roshan Kujur anniversary of late Mr. Ananda abilities. The meticulous planning SVD and welcome of Fr. Stany Sing Jamatia, St, Mary's Parish and hard work of Fr. Rector and Periera SVD- took place Tuikarmaw organized Football the Staff kept everyone simultaneously. The parishioners Tournament for the Catholic Youth preoccupied and in a spirit of and the seminarians felicitated them of the Parish. Eight teams healthy competition throughout with lovely cultural items- singing, participated in the Tournament the event. Fr. Stany Pereira, SVD dance and skit. Farewell of Fr. which began on 15th July 2017. Roshan brought sadness but Ms. Alponsa Jamatia daughter of TUIKARMAW PARISH welcome to Fr. Stany brought joy late Mr. Ananda Sing inaugurated and happiness to the congregation. Village Chapel Feasts the Tournament. Late Mr. Ananda The parishioners and seminarians During the months of June and Sing Jamatia who was the Hostel expressed their heartfelt gratitude July three village communities-- Warden and the Office Staff of and thankfulness to Fr. Roshan for Pothicherry, Laximcherra and Holy Cross Mission, Tuikarmaw, his commitment and dedication to Bortoli celebrated their village was a very responsible and the parish and the Minor Seminary. feasts respectively, after the generous person and was a great Fr. Stany was welcomed three patron saints. Prior to the assert to Tuikarmaw mission. Fr. wholeheartedly to the Parish and the Feast Day celebrations the Alfred, CSC Seminary. The joyful occasion ended faithful were prepared spiritually the three days of Novenas and with fellowship lunch in the parish AMBASSA PARISH premises. Fr. Arun Minj SVD special Adoration followed by Women's Annual Sabha Reach to Enrich - Jeevadhara Charismatic Inner Healing prayer Minor Seminary service was conducted. The faithful experienced the special blessings of God during these days of preparation in view of their Feast. Fr. Paul CR, CSC the Parochial Administrator of the Parish animated the Charismatic Inner healing Prayer in these Women of Ambassa Parish villages. New Catholics in these organized Women's Annual Sabha villages received Baptism. Every th at Village Bagmara on 24 and village community organized th 25 June. There were 200 competitions for children and participants from various villages youth. At the end of every feast of the Parish. The program began day celebrations there was festive with the lighting of the lamp by meal served for all. Family feast is a unique celebration the Resource Person and Women of every formation house. It was Leadership training Seminar leaders of different mondolis. time for the community members to 50 Parish Leaders from all the Mrs. Lata Marak Women President come together as a family and villages gathered at the parish of Ambassa Parish welcomed the celebrate the joy of being in a Centre on July 16for a daylong Resource Persons and all the community and acknowledge the Seminar on Leadership in the participants. Women from talents, skills, potentialities and local Church. Fr. Cyprian Pinto different villages presented their capabilities and foster a sense of SVD was the Resource Person. Annual Reports. Sr. Susheela News from the Diocese [ 3 ]

Xess SSpS was invited by the Installation and Blessing of first X-Ray Machine at St. Joseph Women of the Parish. There were Hospital, Agartala Input Sessions on various topics “It might take a year, it might take a day but like Family devotion to Mother what is meant to be will always find its way.” And th Mary; Women empowerment; indeed it has found its way on 5 July 2017. Our Family, Church and Society; joy is elated and exhilarated as a new page has Women's role in the family, and been marked at St. Joseph Hospital with the the great Women in the Bible. installation of a new X-Ray machine. We were There were also Sessions on greatly honored and privileged to have our dear herbal medicines. Resource Bishop Lumen with us to bless the X-Ray persons for the programme were machine and reinforce us with his inspiring Sr. Susheela, Sr. Cecilia and Fr. words. We also started the ECG which will be a great and immediate Ivan. The programme ended with help for the better treatment. Sr. Juby, SJA the solemn thanksgiving holy West Zone SCC Coordinators' Seminar & Evaluation Eucharist. Congratulations to the The 9th West Zone SCC Seminar, Evaluation and Planning was held at local women who took lead to Mandwi Parish on 8th July. There were 18 Coordinators along with 4 bring about a change in the family Priests and one Sister who participated. The and society. Mrs. Lata Marak Seminar began with Bible enthronement, veneration and sharing. The Seminar was KATHALCHERRA PARISH guided by Fr. Cyprian SVD, explaining the Tripple Celebration meaning of welcoming the Lord, the Word of God and the 7 Steps of Bible Sharing. The Coordinators participated in the Seminar and shared the Word of God with great interest. 'New wine in new wineskins' was the life word and 'Forming of new SCC Units' in all the parishes was the action plan of the SCC. Some observed that SCC has gone weaker due to the lack of interest and non-participation of men, 1. The first Sunday of July women and youth. Fr. Arun Minj, SVD witnessed triple celebration JUST News Roundup intermingled with sadness and joy. The Parish Maria Sangha Traditional Medicines made the priests to feel great and In the month of June JUST conducted a series of elated as they celebrated Fathers' training programs on preparation of traditional Day. They were lead in procession medicines under FARM NE-II Project assisted to the altar for the Eucharistic by Caritas India. The aim of the Training was to banquet. Prior to this Mr. Zonuna revive the traditional knowledge of traditional Darlong spoke on the importance medicines and help the traditional health of Fathers Day. practitioners to increase their practice and also 2. The Parish welcomed four take it as a profession and means of livelihood religious Sisters on this daySrs. for Income Generation. Mr. Monoranjan Sapientia, Christine, Jyoti and Debbarma was the Resource Person who demonstrated the preparation of different Charan as they have taken their types of medicines for different diseases. The Trainings were conducted at 15 target respective responsibility and Villages under the Project. Along with preparation of medicines the Resource Person serve in the Parish. also shared about their usefulness. The Trainings were done successfully and many 3. Then came the farewell of Fr. were interested to learn. Ishwar, CSC, and everyone's heart Health Camp Under IMCP-3 Project assisted by Caritas India, JUST was sad and heavy. On behalf of organized 3 consecutive Health Camps at Tamarai Para, the parish Mr. Lokhoram Reang Champarai Para and Budhajoy Para under Ganganagar voiced his sentiments for the R.D Block. The Health Camps were led by Mr. Vincent service and respect earned by Fr Debbarma, Mr. Sumit Debnath and Mr. Chandan Ravi Ishwar from Parishioners. Mr. Das. The other officials who took part in the Camp were John from KCYM, Mrs. Sadhana Mr. Ajit Sharma, CMO Office, Ambassa and Dr. Philip from Maria Sangha and Fr. Lancy Reang. About 245 patients came for the Health Camps too enunciated their affection for and were diagnosed and given free medicines. About 33 the person of Fr. Ishwar, who in RDTs were tested during the Health Camps of which 5 Pf and 2 Pv cases were turn expressed his gratitude and detected and treated with ACT, CQ and PQ. After the Health Camps the Field admiration for the love, joy and Supervisors and Community Health Volunteers were told to keep doing follow up till oneness he experienced in the the detected patients were completely well. Mr. Vincent Debbarma Parish. Sr. Prema Masquith BS World News Clips [ 4 ]

Our Readers Views Pope's Twitter Account: More than 35M Thank you Bishop for the update on the Diocese through LINK. Subscribers; Instagram exceeds 4M followers May God bless you and your ministry. Fr. Manjaly, Shillong Thank you Bishop for the newsletter. ' Twitter account in nine languages, Fr. VM Thomas, SDB, Guwahati ??now has more than 35 million subscribers, reports You are amazing. Hearty Congratulations for your Vatican Radio. It has seen a sharp rise in the last determination and dedication in bringing out the Diocesan month, especially in English (with more than 11 Newsletter on the first of every month with out fail for the last million subscribers). The @Pontifex account, opened many years. May God continue to bless your efforts in the by Pope Benedict XVI on Dec. 3, 2012, is among the Diocese. Fr. Emmanuel, CSC, Agartala most followed in the world and the one that records Thanks for linking me with the Diocesan Link. the most retweets. Since March 19, 2015, Pope Cyprian, SVD, Agartala Francis is also present on Instagram with the account Thanks for the Link. It's always on time to link us with the Diocese. Sr Prema, BS, Kathalcherra @Franciscus which has recently exceeded 4 million Thanks for the LINK. I was very touched reading the Pastor's subscribers. “The Pope's ability to fuel public debate Corner, dwelling on the real meaning and purpose of our life. on complex issues is of great interest,” says Professor Thanks for reminding hundreds of your LINK readers, Paolo Peverini, lecturer in semiotics at the LUISS including me, on this very essential aspect of our life and Guido Carli University and consultant to the Vatican's inspiring us to look at our lives from God's plan for us. Secretariat for Communication. “In my opinion,” says Fr. Jolly, Delhi the professor, “we should especially emphasize the growth that characterizes the Instagram account, National News Roundup @Franciscus, which involves young users. This is the India's 14th President Mr. “capacity of Pope Francis,” the Italian professor Ram Nath Kovind underscored, to be “heard” by users who a few years ago, may have been a bit distant from the Church. At a glittering ceremony in the zenit.org/ deborahcastellano-lubov Central Hall of Parliament Delhi, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in Pope names new Secretary to Congregation as the 14th President of India on July 25, 2017. He is the second for the Doctrine of the Faith Dalit President after Mr. K.R. Narayanan to hold the Pope Francis nominated Bishop Giacomo Morandi as nation's highest office. In his speech after being Secretary, the “number 2,” of the Congregation for sworn in he said, "I'm honored to be sworn in as the the Doctrine of the Faith on July 18, 2017. The Italian 14th President of India. I would be carrying out my prelate, age 51, was until now, the undersecretary responsibilities with all humility… I will stand and (No. 3) of the same Dicastery since October 2015. represent all 125 crore fellow Indians. I understand Bishop Morandi, who also receives the dignity of the massive responsibility that this is...We are a Archbishop with this appointment, takes the former country of great diversity, yet have shown that unity post of Spanish Jesuit Monsignor Luis Francisco is the way forward." The country looks at the new Ladaria Ferrer, who was appointed Prefect of the President with great expectation! Let us pray for our Congregation on July 1. After various parish services, he was appointed Episcopal Vicar for catechesis, new President. +Lumen, CSC evangelization, culture, then archpriest of the Cathedral Chapter and finally Vicar general of the Bishop's Program for August 2017 Archdiocese of -Nonantola. The new Secretary of the CDF also has served as Professor of 01: Clergy Meet, Agartala Scripture and of patristic exegesis in Modena and 03: Dupcherra Chapel Blessing under . Mariamnagar Parish zenit.org/ deborahcastellano-lubov 04: Vianney Day Celebrations 05: Auxilium Foundation Day, Agartala Our Distinguished Visitors 05-06: Pastoral Visit, Gandacherra Parish 10: Catechists Program, Champaknagar · CSC Srs. Pushpa & Shikha from Bangladesh FMA New beginning, Mandwi · Fr. Kakkattupillil, VC Provincial Superior from 11: JUST GB Meet & AGM Kerala 12: Holy Cross College Graduation Day, · Fr. Mundackattu, VC Vice Provincial from Kerala Agartala · Sr. Taurina Vaz, FMM Provincial Superior from 12-13: Hatipocha Chapel Blessing under Delhi Tuikarmaw Parish · FMM Councillors Srs. Sophia, Kiran, Molly & 14: ADPC Meet, Agartala Rosily 15-24: Caritas India Field Visit Gujarat & · Sr. Paula FSM General Councillor from Rome Maharashtra · FMM Provincial Councillors Srs. Regina & Valsa 27: Confirmations, SFX Cathedral Agartala

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