Celebrating 20 Years December 2015 / VOL. 19 NO. 12 VOL. XX - NO. 01 - JANUARY 2016 Sowing Seeds of Peace times, and values its have to fall back on is our humanity. It is role as a holistic Ms. Sanjna Kapoor, this power of reasoning and empathy educator… a theatre personality that we need to evoke in our children. A few days later, I was and cofounder of And, I believe there is another critical overwhelmed at the Junoon, wrote this warmth and sense of ingredient- imagination. Pastor’s Corner column in THE So, in my small way, with Junoon, I hope I experienced at a WEEK dated contribute to this world by working with reception of the Freedom Theatre School November 29, 2015, children. I am in the midst of weekend students at the Palestinian Embassy in entitled 'Living with Terror'. I was so awed worships in Gurgaon with children aged Delhi. Six students with two teachers and moved, I thought it was the best nine to twelve. In the midst of all this from Jenin in Palestine, are working with reflection for a New Year message wherein gloom, I get such energy from this Jana Natya Manch (JANAM) to create a we speak of peace. The article is not just work… One of the most amazing street theatre piece that will travel across about 'living with terror', but 'sowing seeds moments was when Ajay spoke about eleven cities later this year. Both these of peace' in challenging situations. Wish his work as a filmmaker with Seeds of unique theatre organizations have lost you a Peace filled, Joy filled and Mercy Peace, an organization that works at their leader to brutal assassinations… filled New Year 2016. +Lumen, CSC conflict resolution with youth from today both these groups collaborate to Ms. Kapoor writes: "I am struggling to hostile regions. Ajay shared his sow seeds of peace and greater string words together to make sense of all experience in Palestine--the birthplace understanding across countries…" that is going on across the world. All I can of three major religions of the world, think of is our children, our hope for a more namely Judaism, Christianity and Islam, The 225th issue of LINK, our humble humane tomorrow. Unfortunately, ISIS, and yet it had been in a state of conflict Newsletter, finds its way into your Inbox too, is looking at children. It wants to for a millennia. He asked the children to as we open the New Year 2016. I want to recruit children into its evil doctrine. So, do some research on this and try to remind our Readers that since the first our counter 'indoctrination' needs to bear understand the causes for this state of issue in July 1996 then just two sheets of the wisdom of farsighted consequences. I turmoil. Clearly, this is not a school that cyclostyled paper containing the Report do not believe violence met with more shies away from the stark reality of our of the Clergy Meeting and the Bishop's violence can ever create true peace. All we Engagements today's LINK has news No Longer a 'Young Diocese'! items and snippets dotted with pictures and reports. Thanks in particular to Fr. Lying on the floor, his that has been, for his care and mercy Prasad the designer and Fr. P.J. Joseph deathbed, Francis of Assisi, despite our failings. We realize the year who churns out those Editorials month told his followers who asked ahead is also another after month. I am proud yet humbled to acknowledge that we have been him if he had something to tell opportunity He gives rigorously regular in bringing out the them, “Brothers, we have done us to 'begin again', to Editorial nothing; let us begin”. While LINK on the first day of each month. And make amends, restore we shall try our best this year too! ordinary mortals like us seem rather broken relationships, contented with our puny exploits, those Wishing you all a Joy filled, Peace filled, remember forgotten and Mercy filled New Year. like Francis seem to be afflicted by a prayers, and rekindle +Lumen, CSC hunger 'to begin again' because in their within us dying eyes, all they have done is 'nothing.' embers of warmth, It is a doubly poignant consideration for us sensitivity and has happened but because our hunger for not only having just stepped into a New compassion. miracles has not died. We have seen them Year, but having also completed this As a grown up Diocese twenty years - sown seeds yielding harvest - thirty January two decades as a Diocese. old, we bow our heads in gratitude to fold, sixty fold, and hundred fold! We th Since that exhilarating 11 day of January God and marvel at the work He is doing have seen the smallest of seeds turning in 1996, we have come past 19 Januarys. in our midst. We thank Him for our into the mightiest of shrubs. Sheer habit made us refer to ourselves as a Bishop Lumen whom He has kept as the As Time's winged chariot continues to 'young Diocese' into a few extra years head of the flock for twenty years now hurry past and as we, yielding to even, hardly noticing that the Diocese had and for his many qualities of the heart inescapable changes recede into horizons outgrown its need of the adjective and and head that certainly are an asset for yonder, God fulfils His miracle in many perhaps thus gave away a bit of ourselves, the Diocese. ways. We, miracle watchers on the shore unwittingly. We want this Diocesan Jubilee to be a of Time sometimes call it 'twenty years', Having arrived at the start of another year 'New Beginning' not because nothing sometimes 'twenty centuries'. Happy we cannot but thank Almighty God for all New Year! J. Pulinthanath, SDB Christo Mela 2016 [ 2 ] KHUMULWNG PARISH ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH, GACHIRAMPARA Tuikarmaw and Kathliya. One of the main purposes of Inter- SCC Zonal Meeting Youth Convention Religious Christmas Mela at St. Alphonsa St. Mary's parish Tuikarmaw organized three days youth convention on the Parish is to unite and minimize the ill-talks th th st among different denominations in addition following days 19 20 and 21 December to spreading the message of Christmas. It 2015. The Theme of the youth convention was miracle that most of the denominations was COME TO ME. The theme was chosen and faiths such as Baptists, Believers, keeping in mind the year of Mercy. Fr. Assembly of God, New Life Baptist Pradeep from Kolkata animated the On 25th November a Zonal meeting on sessions for the youth. There were sessions Council and Hindus participated in SCCs was organised at Gachirampara Christmas Mela held on 18th and 19th on importance of youth leadership in the Parish. Fr. Lancy, CSC, the Secretary for church, importance of the sacrament of December. The Christmas Mela began with SCCs, Fr. Bosco Family Commission Christmas Carols and Prayer service marriage, how youth can bring difference in Secretary, Fr. Arul, CSC, Zonal the society. Every evening competitions followed by formal inauguration by Bishop Coordinator and Fr. Ishwar were also Lumen Monteiro by switching on the lights like bible skit, bible quiz, dance, and singing present for the meeting along with their were conducted and winners were given in the crib. Different denominational group representatives. The programme started singing, dancing and drama on Christmas prizes at the end of the convention. There with Bible sharing followed by welcome was special time set for the youth to seized the hearts of the audience. Leaders speech by Fr. Prasanna and sharing by from different faiths delivered Christmas experience mercy and compassion of God each parish on progress and an Action through the sacrament of reconciliation. messages. We are happy that the inter- Plan. The meeting ended at 2.30 with a religious Christmas Mela is an instrument There were 100 youth participated in this fellowship meal. youth convention. Fr. Alfred, CSC bringing different people together on the Fr. Prasanna Kumar, OFM Cap Catholic platform. Fr. Arun Minj, SVD HOLY SPIRIT PARISH, AMBASSA ST. RAPHAEL PARISH, KAMARANGA St. Arnold Kachucherra TUIKARMAW PARISH Village Church blessing: Blessed Christ the King Procession was trod and are the poor Holy Mass was offered by more than 400 A Village Chapel was blessed by Bishop people in St. Arnold Lumen Monteiro on the 29th of November Kachucherra, at Srirampur 20kms from Ambassa Parish. The Kamranga/Kamolpur. The Chapel was faithful gathered in entirely designed, funded and constructed Boloram Market, 4 by the parishioners. It is an example of kilometers away faith sharing and mutual help. The Chapel from the Parish St. Mary's Parish Tuikarmaw organized is dedicated to the memory of Blessed Centre to begin their Christo Mela on 21st December in Mother Teresa of Kolkatta, the apostle of procession with a hymn to the Holy Spirit. collaboration with seven other Christian the poorest of the poor. 13 catechumens As they began some were hesitant, few were denominations from South Tripura District. were baptized on this occasion. The joy cautious and others were exited to cover the The theme was 'The Word Became Flesh and of the occasion was shared in a common 4 kilometers to reach the destination. Dwelt among Us'. It was a moment of joy meal prepared by the non- Christians of Politically engrossed onlookers thought it and a sign of unity. Shri. Manindra Reang the village. could certainly be an election march by a the Honorable Minister for Jail and PGP was Fr.