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Message
Dear Readers,
Seek joy in what you give not
in what you get. Life is not made up of great sacrifices and
duties but made up of little smiles and kind acts of giving.
Even God loves a cheerful giver as the scripture says.
Giving requires good sense. The
manner of giving shows the character of the giver more than
the gift itself. Rich gifts are poor, when givers prove
unkind. He that gives quickly gives twice. Giving expands the
heart and remove creases of the heart. Rightly said, Paul
Gold- 'When God measures man, He puts the tape around the
heart, not the head.'
Rings and jewels are not gifts,
but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of
thyself. A man's giving in alms one-piece of silver in his
lifetime is better than giving one hundred when he is about to
die.
We must experience extreme joy
in giving because happiness depends on what we can give and
not what we can get. It is possible to give without loving but
it is impossible to love without giving.
So friends, we must saw before
we can reap ; we must give before we can get.
"What we keep to ourselves we
lose, what we give away we keep forever." - Axel Munthe.
Happy Giving !
Yours in Child Jesus,
Fr. Noas Lakra
Editor :
Fr. Noas Lakra
St. Xavier's Higher Secondary School
Post Box : 2
P.O. : Duliajan
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Fr. Noas Lakra
Mr. Raju Baruah
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Phone : House 0373/2324436
Fax : 91-373-2321496
E-mail : dibdiocese@hotmail.com
www.dibrugarhdiocese.org
Contributors :
Rt. Rev.
Joseph Aind sdb., DD.
Fr. Joy
Pallikunnel
Fr. Jacob
Edassery
Fr. William
Horo
Fr. Reuben
Dungdung
Fr. Noas Lakra
Fr. Robert
Kachua
Sr. Lins Fcc
Mr. Anthony
Bongkor
John Paul Tirkey
LETTER TO THE CLERGY FOR THE
YEAR FOR PRIESTS
VATICAN CITY,
18 JUNE 2009 (VIS) - The Pope Benedict XVI has sent a Letter to
the Priests of the World for the
occasion of the Year for Priests, which
has been called to mark the 150th
anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney. A
brief text of the English language version is given below:
Dear
Brother Priests,
On the forthcoming Solemnity of the Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus, Friday 19 June 2009 - a day
traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of the
clergy - I have decided to inaugurate a “Year for
Priests” in celebration of the 150th anniversary of
the “dies natalis” of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of
parish priests worldwide. This Year, meant to deepen the
commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of
a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s
world, will conclude on the same Solemnity in 2010.
“The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”,
the saintly Cure of Ars would often say. This touching
expression makes us reflect, first of all, with heartfelt
gratitude on the immense gift which priests represent, not
only for the Church, but also for humanity itself. I think of
all those priests who quietly present Christ’s words and
actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world,
striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their
will, their sentiments and their style of life.
He spoke of the priesthood as if in capable of
fathoming the grandeur of the gift and task entrusted to a
human creature: “O, how great is the priest! ... If he
realized what he is, he would die. ... God obeys him: he
utters a few words and the Lord descends from heaven at
his voice, to be contained within a small host”.
Explaining to his parishioners the importance of the
Sacraments, he would say: “Without the Sacrament of Holy
Orders, we would not have the Lord. Who put Him therein that
tabernacle? The priest. Who welcomed your soul at the
beginning of your life? The priest. Who feeds your soul and
gives it strength for its journey? The priest. Who will
prepare it to appear before God, bathing it one last time in
the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest, always the priest. And
if this soul should happen to die [as a result of sin], who
will raise it up, who will restore its calm and peace? Again,
the priest. ... After God, the priest is everything! ...
The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he
who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the
administrator of His goods. ... Leave a parish for
twenty years without a priest, and they will end by
worshipping the beasts there.... The priest is not a priest
for himself; he is a priest for you”.
St. John
Mary Vianney
taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life.
It was from his example that they learned to pray, halting
frequently before the tabernacle for a visit to Jesus in the
Blessed Sacrament. “One need not say much to pray well”
- the Cure explained to them- “We know that Jesus is there in
the tabernacle: let us open our hearts to Him, let us rejoice
in His sacred presence. That is the best prayer”. And he would
urge them: “Come to communion, my brothers and sisters, come
to Jesus. Come to live from Him in order to live with Him. ...
“Of course you are not worthy of him, but you need
him!”. This way of educating the faithful to the
Eucharistic presence and to communion proved most effective
when they saw him celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Those present said that “it was not possible to find a
finer example of worship. ... He gazed upon the Host
with immense love”. “All good works, taken together, do
not equal the sacrifice of the Mass” - he would say - “since
they are human works, while the Holy Mass is the work of God”.
He was convinced that the fervour of a priest’s life depended
entirely upon the Mass:
In today’s world, we priests should feel that the
following words, which he put on the lips of Christ, are meant
for each of us personally:” I will charge my minister stop
proclaims to sinners that I am ever ready to welcome them,
that my mercy is infinite”. From St. John Mary Vianney we can
learn to put our unfailing trust in the Sacrament of Penance,
to set it once more at the centre of our pastoral concerns,
and to take up the “dialogue of salvation” which it entails.
To the Most Holy Virgin I entrust this Year for
Priests. I ask her to awaken in the heart of every priest a
generous and renewed commitment to the ideal of complete
self-oblation to Christ and the Church which inspired the
thoughts and actions of the saintly Cure of Ars. May his
example lead all priests to offer that witness of unity with
their bishop,
with one another and with the lay faithful, which today, as
ever, is so necessary? Despite all the evil present in our
world, the words which Christ spoke to His Apostles in the
Upper Room continue to inspire us: “In the world you have
tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the
world”. Our faith in the Divine Master gives us the
strength to look to the future with confidence. Dear priests,
Christ is counting on you. In the footsteps of the Cure of Ars,
let yourselves be enthralled by Him. In this way you too will
be, for the world in our time, heralds of hope, reconciliation
and peace!
BXVI-LETTER/YEAR
FOR PRIESTS/... VIS 090618 (4360) WWW. Vatican.va
St.
Theresa of Child Jesus – Digboi
Rev. Fr. Cyril Purty
St. Theresa of Child Jesus Parish – Digboi gave a
third priest to the Diocese of Dibrugarh when Deacon Cyril
Purty of Bogapani – Line No. 10 of the T. E. was ordained a
priest on April 26, 2009 by Rt. Rev. Joseph Aind Sdb DD at the
Tea Garden Bihutuli stage, attended by above ten thousand
people including 58 priests and some 60 religious sisters.
Earlier in 1999, Fr. Philip Purty and Fr. Louis Dhan of the T.
E. were ordained.
The program began at around 9.30 am when the Bishop
and the priests were led to the altar by a dancing troop of
Adivasi young maidens who danced graciously balancing a well
decorated pot each on their heads to the mandar tal. More than
ten thousand people who had gathered to witness the events
prayerfully stood as the ordaining prelate along with the
deacon and the priests went in procession to the altar and
gave them a standing ovation.
During the celebration of the Holy Eucharist the
Deacon was examined by the Bishop and once satisfied with the
candidate’s willingness and worthiness to be a priest of God
he ordained him by laying his hands and saying the prayer of
consecration. He was then vested with the garments of alb,
stole & chasuble necessary to say mass as priest. He was also
provided with a holy pattern with bread on and a chalice
filled with wine, authorizing him to preside over the Holy
Eucharistic celebration. Obeying the commission of Jesus,
every Catholic priest consecrates the bread and wine into the
body and blood of Jesus during the holy mass.
The choir led by Fr. Robert Kachua and his team and
accompanied by the modern as well as Adivasi classical musical
instruments such as keyboard, guitar, drum set, madars,
nagaras, flute & kartal etc. sang beautifully the hymns and
bhajans of the liturgy and brought about a prayerful
atmosphere in the celebration.
Later, the newly ordained, Fr. Cyril Purty was
felicitated with a variety of cultural program that included
jhumur, bihu, prayer dances, action songs, film dances etc
entertaining everyone to their heart content. Humbled by the
great elevation, Fr. Cyril attributed everything to God. He
said, “Today I am ordained a priest by Rt. Rev. Joseph Aind. I
thank him sincerely. It is the work of God. It is not my
achievement; I give all credit to God and God alone. Whatever
I am today it is by the grace of God.”
Kudos to the Parish Priest of Digboi, Rev. Fr. Ambrose
Ekka and his team who managed every aspect of the program very
efficiently. The entire crowd was accommodated well and fed
sumptuously.
Fr. Cyril
Purty, the 6th of
the seven children of Johan and Late Cecilia Hansoy joined the
St. Joseph’s
Minor Seminary Dibrugarh in 1999 after his higher secondary
and began his studies for priesthood. He completed his
philosophical and theological studies from Good Shepherd
Seminary – Dimapur & St. Albert’s Seminary – Ranchi
respectively. He is the 76th Diocesan
Priest of the Diocese. Fr. William Horo
COMMUNION ‘09
A Jesus Youth Family Gathering of
Priests & Religious in North East
(On 10th to
12th June 2009
at DAN Carmel Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur, Nagaland).
Moved by the
power of the Holy’s Spirit, the role of Jesus Youth within
India and outside India has been constantly on the rise and
move to a great extend. Today this Jesus Youth Movement has
spread to furthest end touching 25 countries around the World.
Indeed this Movement is playing vital role in spreading the
gospel values in the hearts of the young boys and girls around
the world.
This year
‘Communion’ – 2009 for North-East was something marvelous and
wonderful that attracted 76 priests and religious from various
dioceses of North East. During those three days session
various topics relevant to youth animation were covered by
animators of Jesus Youth. Some of the thought-provoking and
enriching sessions that impressed all of us were the sessions
of Praise and Worship, Sharing of spontaneous testimonies from
the Jesus Youth, Taize prayer, Adoration before the Blessed
Sacrament, Mass and Music everything was very touching and
challenging.
Thanks to the
Bishop of
Nagpur,
Kohima and Imphal for arranging this programme. We wish all
God’s blessing upon the Jesus Youth International & Nation
Coordinator and his team members for spreading the message of
Christ all over the World. As the Scripture says “Go, then,
to all people everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize
them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I
will be with you always, to the end of the age.”
Fr. Noas Lakra
Valediction programme of 13 Days
Foundation Training on Village Planning
The 13 days training to 66 facilitators organized
separately by Seva Kendra and NESPYM on Village Level Planning
ended on 9th May
at Cathedral Training Hall. The Deputy Commissioner of
Dibrugarh district Mr. G.D. Tripathi, IAS was the Chief
Guest, Fr. Philip Purty, Director of Seva Kendra, Mr.
Swarup Bhatta, Programme Coordinator from NESPYM, Mr. Pinaki
Haldher Programme Communication Officer, UNICEF, Mr. Praveen
Bhandari, District Support Officer, UNICEF, Ms. Sujatha
Suchibrota were all present in the concluding ceremony of
Village Planning training.
The Deputy Commissioner and the UNICEF team was given
a warm welcome by Fr. Philip Purty. Mr. Pinaki apprised DC of
the Village Planning in Dibrugarh District which started in
2005, the 5 Flagship Program in the Integrated Districts all
over
India and indicators on which UNICEF has been giving priority.
Mr. Parveen Bhandari in his speech said that UNICEF with these
two NGOs has covered 905 villages in the first and second
phase in which all the villages of Joypur and Lahoal blocks
are completed through village planning. The third phase will
cover the remaining 479 villages of the 5 remaining blocks,
Khowang, Tingkhong, Borbaruah, Tengakhat and Panitola blocks.
Mr. Bhandari also stated that the Block Level Task Force had
been held once a month regularly during the preceding year.
Sri G. D. Tripathi IAS, Deputy Commissioner of
Dibrugarh District began his addresss by welcoming all the
members present in the meeting and specially thanked the
partner NGOs Seva Kendra and NESPYM of Dibrugarh District and
UNICEF functionaries working for such a noble cause in helping
the community to take part in the process of development and
have a say in it. He further stated that rural and community
development issues are of great interest to him that is the
reason he has come to attend the valedictory session.
The Deputy Commissioner further emphasized that the
VLP programme generated the need and improved the level of
community participation which is a dynamic process for doing
away with any kind of stagnant state of affairs. The need to
use VPE process as a system to develop a data base which would
truly reflect a dynamic plan was also stressed upon. The
resources are being marked out and accordingly prepare a
database to identify the problems and also judge or measure
how we are able to solve the issues well. Further he pointed
out that through the participatory process of village
appraisal, where the visiting teams are able to apprise
themselves of the village set up and its particular
characteristics the people, its resources, its culture and in
the process also identify its Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK)
i.e. the locally available skills and mark out and encouraged
because even being deprived lot they have survived the
hardships of life and moving on. Through the VLP process, the
community that is the deprived lot has been able to make
demands to the systems thereby generating indirect pressure on
the delivery system. Further he stressed upon the need for
up-gradation of the Village Planning process and updating the
Village Action Plan. Mr. John Paul Tirkey
REHABILITATED VILLAGE IN DOOM DOOMA INAUGURATED
A new village named New Maria Basti, created within
Doom Dooma revenue circle in Tinsukia district to
rehabilitate the displaced families of Maria Basti Bakjan
Gutibari, was formally inaugurated by the Bishop Joseph Aind
sdb DD of the Diocese of Dibrugarh in the presence of Durga
Bhumij MLA on
Tuesday, 26th May 2009.
Fr. Philip Purty, director Seva Kendra, Dibrugarh was also
present,. and other political as well as the church leaders
were also present on May 26, 2009 at 2pm. Bakjan Gutibari
Maria Basti was washed away by the deluge of the Brahmaputra
in 2004, since then they were displaced. The New Maria Basti
consists of 44 semi concrete houses.
Officiating in the Holy Eucharist, Bishop invited
people to be grateful to God for the wonders God has done in
their life in the form of the houses they received. After the
Mass, Bishop Aind, lighted a lamp, prayed, cut the ribbon,
sprinkled the holy water in the houses and inaugurated the
village. Later, the Bishop spoke on the occasion and said,
“This New Maria Basti is a concrete example of God’s love for
you. Have more faith and more prayer and you will receive more
blessings.”
MLA Durga Bhumij of Doom Dooma constituency, the
leader who had helped villagers to get the land in 2007 also
spoke on the occasion and congratulated them for their courage
and determination to build their village. “Whatever I did for
you was my duty as your MLA,” he said and assured them of a
school, a prayer hall and a health centre. “You got two and
half kata of land from the government, be united among
yourselves and with the government,” he exhorted them.
Fr. Philip Purty, the man who masterminded the project
of building the village thanked Catholic Relief Service (CRS),
Guwahati on the occasion for its monetary contribution and the
people of the village for their cooperation. He praised Mr.
Anthony Bonkor who was immediate guide of the project. Other
leaders who were present for the inauguration ceremony
included Mrs. Rupjyoti Konwar-Mondal Congress Mahila Samity,
president, Kakopathar block; Ranjan-Tanti, Doidum, Zila
Parishad president; Mr.Ratan Tanti-councillor , Mankhowa; Fr.
Jacob- Parish Priest, Moran church; Fr. Hilarius Ekka-Parish
Priest, Doom Dooma church; Ms Juli Purty- President Zila
Parishad, Mankhowa , Fr. William Horo from Dibrugarh and
others. The day ended with a community meal. People gathered
for the inauguration numbered nearly five hundred.
The Seva
Kendra, Dibrugarh was associated with the people of Maria
Basti from 1980 in giving relief materials as since then they
were affected by the flood of the Brahmaputra every year.
Mr. Anthony Bongkor
ON YOUTH LIVELIHOOD
The Youth Director of the Diocese of Dibrugarh made a
research analysis on the youth livelihood. He visited some
establishment of self entrepreneurship and training centers.
He has been following up very closely the SHG Programmes. He
has made several visits to the SHG centers like Singlijan,
Margarita, Golaghat, Doomdooma and Sarupathar. These SHG have
started functioning in a progressive manner. These centers are
trying to promote their best personnel for the spread of the
cultural values.
Few girls are being trained for making manure out of
earth worm excretion and the demands in the Tea Gardens in and
around SHG Centers are above their expectation. Today, these
girls are getting orders from the neighboring tea gardens but
then they being few in number are not able to meet the
required demands of the people.
The SHG Centre at Singlijan is giving training for two
months in which rupees three thousand is charged for training.
After being trained they move out to their respective
localities to begin their livelihood. Today, this SHG centers
are being supported by SIRD (State Institution of Rural
Development) which finances two lakhs of rupees out of which
50% as subsidy, which means the institution would return only
fifty percent of the amount received from the sources. Today,
this SHG centres have progressed to a great extent in
providing self employment to number of youth to earn their
livelihood.
Well, we hope that the youth of the Diocese of
Dibrugarh would take up such issue than definitely it will
bring radical changes in their economical and social status of
life. From the youth ministry it has been observed that there
was lot of failures with regard to the continuity of the self
entrepreneurship where some have failed due to lack of
persistence and perseverance as well as not receiving proper
guidance and encouragement and also appreciation from the
society.
Fr. Reuben Dungdung (DYD, Dibrugarh)
COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSOCIATION -
DIBRUGARH
Community
Health Association Dibrugarh (CHAD) is devoted to an aim to
bring the rural population, the marginalized and the
vulnerable to a healthy society, through the process of
community health movement, where all people enjoy equality and
unity.
Training of PHL’S:-
The five days
of training programme for the parish health leaders was held
from 24th to
28th March
2009 at Mancotta, Christ Ashram. The total participants were
19 representing the 10 parishes. The resource persons were Fr.
Jacob Ed, Sr. Anna Toppno, Sr. Lins, Mr. Francis & Ms. Prisca.
The
following topics were covered during the PHL’S training:
i) General
awareness on personal and environment hygiene.
ii) Girl
child education.
iii)
Awareness on HIV / AIDS,
iv)
Waterborne diseases and its prevention.
v)
Communicable diseases and its prevention
vi) Uses and preparation of herbal medicine for the minor
ailment.
Annual
General Body Meeting:
Community
Health Association Dibrugarh celebrated its 23rd AGBM
on 28th March
2009 at Christ Ashram, Mancotta. The theme of the AGBM was “A
healthy mother begets a healthy child.” The day began with the
Holy Mass offered by Rt. Rev. Joseph Aind, Fr. Philip Purty,
Fr. Lazar, Fr. Augustine Toppo & Fr. Paulus Kullu
concelebrated the Mass. His Lordship, in his speech
congratulated all those who were involved in making community
health a reality in our interior villages. Inaugural session
began at 9.30 am by hoisting of the unit flag by Rev. Fr.
Andreas Indwar, the financial administrator of the Diocese. In
his speech he gave thanks to M.I’s PHL’s and VHW’s those are
working in the grass root level and making a healthy society
and community in the diocese.
Dr. P. C.
Hazarika, the Joint Director of Health Services Dibrugarh was
the chief guest. He unfolded the theme and spoke on the
various programmes under the NRHM project, also spoke about
the various ongoing initiatives that are being undertaken to
promote mother-child health care and reduce mortality. In his
deliberation he covered almost all programmes of the health
department such as project palna, majoni, project mamoni etc.
The PHL’s performed a street play on the theme which was very
miuch informative and educative. There were 85 participants
including the MI’s, PHL’s, Priests, Religious and well wishers
of CHAD. The days programme was concluded with lunch.
Awareness programmes held in the following areas:-
a) Dhuria
Parish on 21st to
23 Feb. ‘09. Villages are Borbam, Teposali & Juktoli.
b) Sasiya
Parish on 25th to
28th Feb.
’09. Villages are Torani, Bogari Bari & Borgorah.
c) Bimlapur
Parish on 14th to
16th March
’09. Villages are Samuda Basti No. 1, Gohaingoan & Moranhabi
No. 2.
d) Rajabari
Parish on 21st to
23rd March
’09. Villages are Gorajan, Bebijia No. 1 & Nouton Matti.
On 6th of
April ’09, Sr. Lins, President of CHAD and Programme
coordinator Mr. Francis went to meet Dr. S. N. Konwar,
District T. B. Officer (DTO) of Dibrugarh for the DOTS
training programme. The names of the persons for the DOT’S
Programme are given to Dr. S. N. Konwar. The names of the
persons are from the following parishes Cathedral, Dhuria &
Nilmoni.
On
22nd April
‘09 President of CHAD meet the state T. B Programme
Coordinator Dr. Adhikari and discussed regarding the training
of our health workers as DOT’S provider as to join with the
Govt. schemes like sputum collection and transportation etc.
On
6th May
’09 one day training programme was conducted in
Bethany
Village
for women on ANC, Immunization, hospital delivery etc were
stressed.
On
20th May
’09, there was meeting in Sivsagar at the office of District
T. B. Officer with the State T. B. Programme Coordinator Dr.
Adhikari, Dr. Dhiribjyoth, the WHO Consultant, Sr. Lins, CHAD
President regarding the selection of the centre. We do intend
to take Nazira as centre.
On 26th –
27th May
’09, School health programme was held in Naojan. Topic covered
was on Sex Education to the high school students.
On
29th May
’09, the Programme Coordinator of CHAD attended the Health
Mela at Borbam, Balbari High School. During this Health Mela
the joint director of Health Services Dibrugarh, Programme
Manager of NRHM and Doctors from all departments like
Medicine, Cardiology, Skin, Neurology, Gynaecology,
Paedfiatrics & Pathology were present. In this Health Mela
their was free check up and free medicine was given. The
participants from our projected areas came to the Mela was 57.
Health is a social economic and political issue and
above all a fundamental human right. Inequality, poverty,
exploitation, violence & injustice are at the root of
ill-health and death of poor and marginalized people.Sr.
Lins FCC (CHAD
– President)
STS. JOACHIM AND ANNE CHURCH,
MORANHAT
This year Moranhat Parish had a very beautiful
celebration of the feast of Easter with a strong crowd of
people. Fr. Paul Pudussery and Fr. Philip Purty were generous
with their presence during the Holy week services. After the
Easter celebration, our two touring sisters – Sr. Victoria
Kujur & Sr. Jemma Sebastian – were busy in the village
Christian communities, preparing the children for first
communion and preparing the couples for the sacrament of
marriage. Fr. Sebastian Ekka was fully occupied in the month
of April & May with the house blessings.
The Catholic community of Gorshinga is lucky to have a
pucca church with the active support of Fr. John Mannathany.
The church is almost ready. We thank Fr. John Mannathany for
his generosity towards the Catholics. The Marian devotion in
the Parish as well as in the various village communities was
celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm. The Khoownag circle
had a two days grand programme with Bible Drama, Bible Quiz &
Cultural dances. Fr. Ambrose Ekka, officiated the programme.
This year
St. Joseph’s
High School – Moranhat, had a fantastic Matric result. 61
students wrote matric and 61 passed. 51 got first division and
10 got 2nd division.
Two Catholics passed in the 2nd division.
Also 9 got distinction, 16 got star marks and 166 letter
marks. The parish celebrated the 10th ordination
anniversary of Fr. Sebastian Ekka on 21st of April – 2009. The fathers from neighbouring parishes
came to greet Fr. Sebastian on 1st of
May – 2009. Fr. Jacob Edassery
CHURCH RUN SCHOOLS IN UPPER
ASSAM
EXCELL IN HSLC EXAMINATION –
2009
Schools run by the Catholic Church in
Upper Assam
excelled in recently declared HSLC result securing four state
ranks, 10th, 18th and two 20th and obtaining as many as 1286
first division, 156 distinction and 423 letter marks.
The Catholic Church in
Upper Assam
ecclesiastically known as the Diocese of Dibrugarh runs 33
schools managed by different congregations as well as by the
diocese within its jurisdiction of five civil districts namely
Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat. 2157
students from these schools appeared in the HSLC examination
this year and 2094 of them passed out successfully keeping the
pass percentage to 97.08
The 10th rank holders, Mallika Priyadarshna belongs to
Sacred Heart School, Golaghat, the 18th rank holder, Tanaya
Sarma, is from Little Flower School, Dibrugarh and the two
20th rank holders, Prayasee Baruah and Shreyoshi Borah belongs
to St. Xavier’s Duliajan and St. Xavier’s Mancotta, Dibrugarh
respectively.
Bishop Joseph Aind sdb of the Diocese of Dibrugarh
attributed this success to God’s blessings, to a sense of
dedication on the part of the management of the schools
including the teachers and to the hard work of the students.
Talking to this correspondent the Bishop said, “Since 1951 the
Diocese of Dibrugarh is rendering service in the field of
education in
Upper Assam.
This excellent result is the fruit of God’s blessings upon the
dedicated service of my personnel including the teachers and
the tireless efforts of the students to scale the heights of
success.”
Fr. William
Horo
BISHOP BLESSES HIGHER
SECONDARY BUILDING OF
LITTLE FLOWER SCHOOL,
DIBRUGARH
Bishop Joseph
Aind sdb of the Diocese of Dibrugarh blessed the Higher
Secondary building of the Little Flower School, Dibrugarh on
May 30th 2009 in the presence of the former MP of Dibrugarh
constituency Mr. Sarvanando Sonowal, Sr. Teresa FMA,
Provincial of Guwahati Province, other Fathers, Sisters,
guardians and the students of both the High School and the
Higher Secondary.
Before the
blessing a reception was accorded to the chief guest, Mr.
Sarvanando Sonowal, the guest of honour, Rt. Rev. Joseph Aind
and other invited guests. At the reception Sr. Elsy, the
superior of the Little Flower Convent gave a word of welcome
to the guests and read a brief history of the FMA
congregation. The students put up a colourful cultural
programme which delighted the guests.
In his speech
the ex- Member of Parliament appreciated the works of the
Little Flower School and asked the students to take full
advantages of the opportunities and be ready to face the world
of competition. The Bishop too spoke on the occasion and said,
“Education is the part and parcel of our mission because we
believe that the education alone can liberate the people from
every evil.” It is to be mentioned that the Little Flower
School started its Higher Secondary section in 2008 for arts
and commerce streams and there are some 50 students in the
first batch. Fr. William Horo
EDUCATION BOARD OF THE
DIOCESE OF DIBRUGARH
FELICITATES RANK HOLDERS IN
HSLC/HS – 2009
The Education
Board of the Diocese of Dibrugarh felicitated the state rank
holders of HSLC/HS ’09 from its schools on June 1, 2009 during
a colourful programme organized in a newly built auditorium of
the Holy Name School, Sivasagar. Anusmita Dutta of St.
Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Duliajan and Prayasee Baruah
and the same school got 2nd and 20th rank respectively in
their HS/ HSLC examination whereas Shreyoshi Borah of the St.
Xavier’s High School, Mancotta, Dibrugarh secured also the
20th rank in the HSLC examination. They were given a cash
prize of Rs.5000 each along with a Certificate of Merit and a
book, You Can Win of Shiv Khera. After handing over the prizes
to the rank holders, Bishop Joseph Aind sdb asked the students
to work hard and contribute positively to the society. He
appreciated the Education Board Secretary, Fr. Emil Baa for
organizing the felicitation programme. Fr. G. P. Amal Raj,
Principal of the St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary, Duliajan and
Fr. Alphonse, the principal St. Xavier’s Mancotta received a
very special accolade from the prelate for producing the state
rank holders from their schools.Fr. William Horo
DIVINE RENEWAL RETREAT
CENTRE – MARGHERITA
The Retreat centre which has been started here in this
parish is gradually soaring higher. The
vincentian
fathers who are already here from last
august ‘08 have
started conducting prayer services in the villages and now
there is a Chain Adoration programme in the
parish
church
since last March. It is the third consecutive month for the
Eucharistic Adoration service which is being conducted here.
The blessed
Sacrament is exposed at 9.00 a.m and it is concluded at 3.00
pm. everyday. Many villagers are coming everyday to adore the
lord and it is
bringing tremendous change in their lives. Personally, I feel
this is the way of living when the Lord said as recorded in
Mk.
1:15 “Repent and believe in the Good
news”. Now many people have realised to give God the first
place in their lives keeping in mind the words of St. Mathew
Mt. 7.33. “Seek first God’s
kingdom and the
rest shall follow thee.”
The temporary shed for the retreat house is taking its
shape and within two months it will be ready for use. The
people from other parishes and centres will be able to get
their accomodation. Thanks to the initiative of Bishop Joseph
Aind for this new venture.
There was the parish
feast Day celebration on 24th May where
bishop was also
present. The marian
drama and the quiz competitions which was organized by Mr.
Jeevan Xess and his team had real competitive spirit.
On 7th of June, a new Church was inaugurated by the
bishop in
Margherita-Basti line
which is also known as Dirok Basti
line. There were
around 700 faithful who had gathered for this programme. The
community thanked the Power and the Industry Minsiter Mr.
Pradut Bordoloi , the Bishop, and the Parish
priest for their
help towards the construction of this Church.
Fr.
Robert Kachua
Renewing faith in real
presence of christ in Eucharist
VATICAN
CITY,11 JUNE 2009 (VIS) - At 7 p.m. Solemnity of Corpus
Christi, Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on the
square in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, then led
a Eucharistic procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. In
his homily, the Pope commented on the words pronounced by
priests at the moment of consecration: “this is My Body ...
this is My Blood”.
Addressing
his remarks to priests, the Holy Father said: “Becoming the
Eucharist: let this be our constant desire and commitment! So
that the offer of the Body and Blood of the Lord we make upon
the altar may be accompanied by the sacrifice of our own
lives. Every day we draw from the Body and Blood of the Lord
the free and pure love that makes us worthy ministers of
Christ and witnesses to His joy. What the faithful expect from
a priest is the example of authentic devotion to the
Eucharist. They like to see him spend long periods of silence
and adoration before Jesus, as did the saintly ‘Cure of Ars’
whom we will especially recall during the imminent Year for
Priests”. “Aware that, because of sin, we are inadequate, yet
needing to nourish our selves from the love the Lord offers us
in the Eucharistic Sacrament, this evening we renew our faith
in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Such faith
must not be taken for granted!
“Today there
is a risk of insidious secularization, even inside the
Church”, Benedict XVI added. “This could translate into a
formal but empty Eucharistic worship, in celebrations lacking
that involvement of the heart which finds expression in
veneration and respect for the liturgy.”There is
always a strong temptation to reduce prayer to superficial and
hurried moments, allowing ourselves to be overcome by earthly
activities and concerns”, he warned. “With the
Eucharist”, the Pope explained, “heaven comes down
to earth, God’s tomorrow descends into the present moment and
time is, as it were, embraced by divine eternity”.
During the Eucharistic procession which traditionally follows
today’s Mass “we will ask the Lord in the name of the entire
city: Stay with us, Jesus, make us a gift of yourself and give
us the bread that nourishes us for eternal life. Free this
world from the poison of evil, from the violence and hatred
that pollute people’s consciences, purify it with the power of
your merciful love”.
After Mass,
the Pope presided at the Eucharistic procession along Rome’s
Via Merulana to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Along the
route, thousands of faithful prayed and sang accompanying the
Blessed Sacrament. A covered vehicle transported the Sacrament
in a monstrance, before which the Holy Father knelt in prayer.
HML/CORPUS
CHRISTI/... VIS
090612 (470)
WWW.vatican.va
DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART
OF JESUS
Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque with twelve
promises for those devoted to His Most Sacred Heart.
Promises for those devoted to the Sacred Heart are as follows:-
1. “I will give them all the graces necessary in their state
of life.”
2. “I will establish peace in their homes.”
3. “I will comfort them in their afflictions.”
4. “I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all
in death.”
5. “I will bestow a large blessing upon all their
undertakings.”
6. “Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite
ocean of mercy.”
7. “Tepid souls shall grow fervent.”
8. “Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.”
9. “I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall
be set up and honored.”
10. “I will give to priests the gift of touching the most
hardened hearts.”
11. “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names
written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.”
12. “I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My
all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on
the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of
final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without
receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe
refuge in this last moment.”
CONGRATULATIONS
The following
11 Catholic students from five parishes of our Diocese who
were supported with a full Scholarship through CMC-AMA
Netherlands, for two years higher secondary course at St.
Xavier’s College, Balipara, Tezpur have all passed out
successfully in the higher Secondary Exam-2009.
NAME PARISH VILL/T.E
MARKS DIVISION
Lorence Barla
Naharkatia
P. Umatara T.E. 257 II nd
(Arts)
Manjulina Sanga
———————-
Deasam T.E. 203 IIIrd
Jyoti Bhengra
———————-
Boscobari Vill 292 IInd
Momi Bhagwar
———————-
Mohmari Vill 206 IIIrd
Anjoli Bara
Sarupathar
P. Tengahola Vill 282 IInd
Jyoti Lakra
———————-
Rajapukri Vill 324 1st
Jimmy Horo
Moranhat
P. Khoomtai T.E. 209
IIIrd
Didiam Xalxo
———————
Duliabam T.E. 261 IInd
Niraj Ekka
———————
DoomurDolong 199 IIIrd (Com)
Remis Surin
Naojan
P. Milanpathar Vill 291
IInd
Ajit Tirkey
Doigrong
P Suffela T.E. 321
Ist (Com)
Rev. Fr. Joy
Pallikunnel (Vicar General)
NEW MEN AT THE WHEEL FOR
MINISTRY
Regency brothers * John Minj & * Sanjeev Ekka
St. Joseph’s Seminary,Dibrugarh
Regency brother Robert Kujur
Boniface Apostolic Home, Dib
Chancellor Fr. Vijay Kumar Toppo
Bishop’s House Dibrugarh
Parish Priest Fr. John Mannathany
Naharkatia
Parish Priest Fr. Joseph
Manickathan Sarupathar
Parish Priest Fr. Rajesh Lakra Sdb
Golaghat
Assistant P.P. Fr. Cyril Purty
Cathedral - Dibrugarh
Chaplain Fr. Norbert Xess
Valankanny Shrine, Tamil Nadu
M.Th. Study Fr. Anthony Xalxo
Kristu
Jyoti College, Bangalore
Rt.
Rev. Joseph Aind Sdb. DD.
Annual Spiritual Retreat-2009
Dear fathers and brothers, there will be an annual spiritual
retreat preached by Bishop Anil Couto, the Bishop of Jalandhar.
The retreat will start from July 26th evening
and will end on 31st evening
– 2009. Venue: Bishop’s House, Dibrugarh
PRAYERFUL
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS!
July
05. Fr. Jose Kaniyampady Sdb
08. Fr. Gregory Dungdung
10. Fr. Edward Soymurum
14. Fr. William Horo
17. Br. Joseph Kizhakedath Cst.
August
19. Fr. Timothy Saldanha
28 Fr. Shantilal Kujur Sdb
30 Fr. Ambrose Ekka
September
02. Fr. Romanus Baghwar
05. Fr. Thomas Kalapurackal Sdb
07 Br. Benarius Topno Sdb
09 Fr. Xavier Paul
10 Fr. Sebastian Thekaparampil
19 Fr. Terence D’Souza
19 Fr. Anil Lakra
23 Fr. Anthony Xalxo
29. Fr. Philip Purty
29. Fr.
Andrew Vadakumpadam
PRIESTS MUST TEND CONSTANTLY
TOWARDS SANCTITY
VATICAN CITY,
20 JUN 2009 (VIS) - At 6 p.m. on 19th June-2009, Solemnity of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Pope inaugurated the year for
Priests, which has been called to mark the 150th anniversary
of the death of St. John Mary Vianney. Among those attending
Vespers in the Vatican Basilica were large numbers of priests
and seminarians from Rome. Before the celebration began, the
Pope prayed in front of the relics of the holy “Cure of Ars”,
brought to Rome by Bishop Guy Bagnard of Belley-Ars.
In his homily
the Holy Father explained how “the Heart of Jesus expresses
the essential core of Christianity: the fact that all the
revolutionary novelty of the Gospel was revealed and given to
us in Christ: that is, the Love that saves us and causes us,
even now, to live in God’s eternity”.
“His Divine
Heart appeals to our hearts and invites us to emerge from our
own selves, to abandon our human security and entrust
ourselves to Him and, following His example, to make of
ourselves an unreserved gift of love.
“If it is
true that Jesus’ call to ‘abide in His love’ applies to all
the baptized”, Benedict XVI added, “then on the Feast of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, day of the sanctification of the
clergy, that call sounds out with even greater force for us as
priests, and particularly this evening at the beginning of the
Year for Priests”.
The mission
of priests is “indispensable for the Church and for the
world”, said the Pope. It “requires complete faithfulness to
Christ and constant union with Him. In other words, it
requires us to tend constantly towards sanctity, like St. John
Mary Vianney”.
“Allowing
oneself to be completely conquered by Christ: this was the aim
of St. Paul’s entire life, to which we have been dedicating
our attention during the Pauline Year that is now drawing to a
close; this was also the goal of the entire ministry of the
holy ‘Cure of Ars’, to whom we will particularly address
ourselves during the Year for Priests. May this also be the
main objective of each one of us”.
In order to
be ministers of the Gospel “study is certainly useful, as is
careful and permanent pastoral formation, but what is even
more necessary is the ‘science of love’ which can be learned
only ‘heart to heart’ with Christ. It is He, in fact, who
calls us to break the bread of His love in order to remit sins
and guide the flock in His name. ... Only in this way will we
be able to co-operate effectively in the mysterious ‘plan of
the Father’ which consists in ‘making Christ the heart of the
world’. This plan is achieved in history as, little by little;
Jesus becomes the Heart of human hearts, beginning with those
called to be closest to him: that is, priests”.
“Even our
shortcomings, our limitations and weaknesses must lead us back
to the heart of Jesus”, said Pope Benedict. “If it is true
that sinners, by contemplating His Heart, must learn the
necessary ‘suffering of sins’ that leads them back to the
Father, this holds even truer for ministers in holy orders. In
this context, how can we forget that nothing makes the Church,
Body of Christ, suffer so much as this sins of her pastors,
above all of those who become ‘stealers of sheep’, either by
misleading them into a private doctrine or binding them with
bonds of sin and death? Dear priests, the call to conversion
and the recourse to Divine Mercy apply to us too. We too, with
heartfelt humility, must ask the Heart of Jesus to preserve us
from the terrible risk of harming the very people whom we are
required to save”.
The Holy
Father invited his audience to cultivate the same feelings
for” the dignity of priests” as those felt by the “Cure of Ars”,
in order to” accomplish our mission with generosity and
dedication, and to maintain an authentic ‘fear of God’ in our
hearts: the fear that, by our negligence or sin, we deprive
the souls entrusted to us from such goodness, or that we may-
God forbid! - do damage to them.
“The Church”,
the Pope added, concluding his homily “needs holy priests,
ministers who help the faithful experience the merciful love
of the Lord and who are themselves convinced witnesses of that
love”. The ceremony concluded with adoration and Eucharistic
blessing.
HML/VESPERS
YEAR FOR PRIESTS/... VIS 090622
(760) www.vatican.va
BOUQUETS ALL THE WAY
Dear father Noas,
It is really great that you have taken the Herculean task and
responsibility to compile the “Dibrugarh Diary” which I
thought would diminish after father Terence. But I knew in my
heart that father Terry would not let it happen. Thanks to the
Lord! Dibrugarh diary is something that reminds me of my old
days in the B.B.S. and whenever I get it I feel so much
attached to the Bishop’s House where I spent so much time. I
look forward to meet you and our first Assamese Mishing Priest
of the Universe when I am in Dibrugarh.
Kudos to you and your team!
Mr. T. Karmakar (Barooahs & Associates Ltd.,) Jorhat-1
Jottings From our Bishop's Diary
Month of April-2009
Date Day Programme
03 Fri Moranhat-St. Joseph’s School
04 Sat Sonari
05 Sun Sonari-Palm Sunday
07 Tue Dib-Chrism Mass
09 Thu Dib-Maunday Thursday
10 Fri Dib-Good Friday
11 Sat Dibrugarh
12 Sun Easter
15 Wed Guwahati
16 Thu Imphal
17 Fri Imphal
18 Sat Imphal
19 Sun Jubilee
21 Tue Dib-SJS
22 Wed Doigrong
25 Sat Philobari-SMI Conv-Jubilee
26 Sun Digboi-Priestly Ordination of Deacon
Cyril Purty
30 Thu Kolkota-Ranchi
Month of May-2009
Date
Day Programme
1-3 Fri-Sun Ranchi
6-11 Wed-Mon Goa
13 Wed Dib-LFS
14 Thu Dib-Vestition –SJS
16 Sat Golaghat
17 Sun Golaghat-Murphullani Blessing
18 Mon Tinsukia-Holy Child School
19 Tue Margherita
21 Wed Dib-Council meeting
22 Thu Duliajan-St. Xavier’s School
23 Fri Dib-St.Mary’s >Mariani Grotta
blessing
24 Sat Margherita-Parish feast
26 Sun Doomdooma- Mariabasti new houses
inauguration
27-28 Wed-Thu Guwahati-Social Forum
30 Sat Dib-LFS new building blessing>Sonari
31 Sun Sonari Feast
Month of June-2009
Date
Day Programme
01 Mon Sivasagar HSLC awarding
2-4 Tue-Thu Dib-Priests’ Recollection
05 Fri Dib-Boniface feast (BAH)
07 Sun Margherita-Dirok Church blessing
8-11 Mon-Thu Dibrugarh
12 Fri Dib-MC Convent
13 Sat Teok
14 Sun Mariani-Parish feast
15-16 Mon-Tue Dibrugarh
17 Wed Doigrong
18 Thu Nagaon-Jail ministry
19 Fri Dib-St. Mary’s
20 Sat Amguri
21 Sun Amguri-Parish feast
22-25 Mon-Thu Mumbai-Social communication meet
27-28 Sat-Sun Rajabari-St.Paul’s Year: conclusion;
Diaconate of Boniface Samad
29 Mon Jorhat-St. Paul’s celebration
30 Tue Dib-V.G. Hospital (Mercy Home)
The Diocese of Dibrugarh has launched its new website for all
those who would like to know more about the history of the
Diocese, its Boarding, Colleges, Dibrugarhians, Diocesan
Officials, Diocesan Priests, Diocese Overview, Former Bishops,
History, Hostels, Institutions, News letter, Parishes, Photo
gallery, Religious men, Religious Priests, Religious Women,
Schools, Telephone No., Vocational Centres etc.,
For
any data to be updated or corrected, please contact Fr. Joseph
Manickathan: jmanickathan@gmail.com
website:-
www. dibrugarhdiocese.org
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