Saturday, December 31, 2016

 Diocese of Jamshedpur

Vol. 47 No. 1                          Private Circulation Only                  January – 2017

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF
THE 50th WORLD DAY OF PEACE 1 JANUARY 2017

Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace



At the beginning of this New Year, I wish peace to every man, woman and child, and I pray that the image and likeness of God in each person will enable us to acknowledge one another as sacred gifts endowed with immense dignity. On this occasion, I would like to reflect on nonviolence as a style of politics for peace. I ask God to help all of us to cultivate nonviolence in our most personal thoughts and values. May charity and nonviolence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society and in international life.

A broken world
While the last century knew the devastation of two deadly World Wars, the threat of nuclear war and a great number of other conflicts, today, sadly, we find ourselves engaged in a horrifying world war fought piecemeal.  In any case, we know that this “piecemeal” violence, of different kinds and levels, causes great suffering: wars in different countries and continents; terrorism, organized crime and unforeseen acts of violence; the abuses suffered by migrants and victims of human trafficking; and the devastation of the environment.

Violence is not the cure for our broken world. Countering violence with violence leads at best to forced migrations and enormous suffering, because vast amounts of resources are diverted to military ends and away from the everyday needs of young people, families experiencing hardship, the elderly, the infirm and the great majority of people in our world. At worst, it can lead to the death, physical and spiritual, of many people, if not of all.

The Good News
Jesus himself lived in violent times. Yet he taught that the true battlefield, where violence and peace meet, is the human heart: for “it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come” (Mk 7:21). Whoever accepts the Good News of Jesus is able to acknowledge the violence within and be healed by God’s mercy, becoming in turn an instrument of reconciliation. To be true followers of Jesus today also includes embracing his teaching about nonviolence. The Gospel command to love your enemies (cf. Lk 6:27) “is rightly considered the magna carta of Christian nonviolence. It does not consist in succumbing to evil…, but in responding to evil with good (cf. Rom 12:17-21), and thereby breaking the chain of injustice”.

More powerful than violence
Nonviolence is sometimes taken to mean surrender, lack of involvement and passivity, but this is not the case. When Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, she clearly stated her own message of active nonviolence: “We in our family don’t need bombs and guns, to destroy to bring peace – just get together, love one another… And we will be able to overcome all the evil that is in the world”. The achievements of Mahatma Gandhi and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in the liberation of India, and of Dr Martin Luther King Jr in combating racial discrimination will never be forgotten.
The Church has been involved in nonviolent peacebuilding strategies in many countries, engaging even the most violent parties in efforts to build a just and lasting peace. I emphatically reaffirm that “no religion is terrorist”. Violence profanes the name of God. Let us never tire of repeating: “The name of God cannot be used to justify violence. Peace alone is holy. Peace alone is holy, not war!”

The domestic roots of a politics of nonviolence
If violence has its source in the human heart, then it is fundamental that nonviolence be practised before all else within families. The family is the indispensable crucible in which spouses, parents and children, brothers and sisters, learn to communicate and to show generous concern for one another, and in which frictions and even conflicts have to be resolved not by force but by dialogue, respect, concern for the good of the other, mercy and forgiveness. From within families, the joy of love spills out into the world and radiates to the whole of society.  An ethics of fraternity and peaceful coexistence between individuals and among peoples cannot be based on the logic of fear, violence and closed-mindedness, but on responsibility, respect and sincere dialogue. The politics of nonviolence have to begin in the home and then spread to the entire human family.

Holy Father’s invitation
Peacebuilding through active nonviolence is the natural and necessary complement to the Church’s continuing efforts to limit the use of force by the application of moral norms; Jesus himself offers a “manual” for this strategy of peace-making in the Sermon on the Mount. The eight Beatitudes (cf. Mt 5:3-10) provide a portrait of the person we could describe as blessed, good and authentic.
It is a challenge to build up society, communities and businesses by acting as peacemakers. It is to show mercy by refusing to discard people, harm the environment, or seek to win at any cost. To do so requires “the willingness to face conflict head on, to resolve it and to make it a link in the chain of a new process”. Every such response, however modest, helps to build a world free of violence, the first step towards justice and peace.
From the Vatican, 8 December 2016

His Holiness Pope Francis

Dear brothers and sisters, let’s make this year 2016, a year of spiritual progress. I wish every one of you a very Grace-filled New Year; May God Bless You All.

Your friend in Lord
Bishop Felix Toppo, S. J.


Two new Auxiliary Bishops appointed for the Archdiocese of Bombay
Pope Francis has appointed two new Auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of Bombay. They are Bishops Elect Fr. Allwyn D’Silva and Fr. Barthol Barretto.  The Archdiocese of Bombay will now have four Auxiliary Bishops, the previous appointments being of Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes and  Bishop John Rodrigues who were appointed in May 15th 2013. The episcopal ordination ceremony will most likely be held in January 2017.

Christ the King Procession, Dhanbad
Sunday, 20th November morning saw a huge footfall on St. Anthony’s Church campus, Dhanbad, when hundreds of faithful from various parishes trooped in for the denary level Christ the King procession. With the benediction held at 9.45 am the procession started moving out of the campus parish – wise. A panoply of colourful flags, banners, placards and flexes appropriately greeted the vehicle – mounted Blessed Sacrament conspicuously held by Most Rev. Felix Toppo, S.J. as the serpentine procession slowly moved via Ambedkar Chowk and polytechnic more to Carmel School campus, repeated shoutes of ‘Khrist Raja ki Jai’ and ‘Khrist Hamara Raja Jai’ rent the air while the faithful recited prayers and sang religious songs all along the way. Dhowatand and Tundi parishes with their traditional musical instruments like dama-dumand added local touch to the procession.

By 11.10 am, thanks to the Dhanbad Carmel sisters, a spruced up Carmel School Campus with a beautifully decorated altar for the Holy Mass found itself near-packed with the faithful where Bishop wound up the procession with the final blessing before beginning the solemn Holy Eucharist. In his homily he said that Christ is the King of all hearts whose kingship we are publically proclaiming today. He is a king who loves the whole humanity. Following in his footsteps, therefore, we must also love one another without any discrimination thereby incarnating his love in today’s world steeped in hatred and division.

Seventeen priests concelebrated the mass with the Bishop. Over two thousand and five hundred faithful, besides many sisters, participated in the procession as well in the Holy Eucharist. The parish choir singing made the whole liturgy lively. The Eucharist was a rich and spiritually fruitful experience for the whole congregation. At the end of the Eucharist the parish priest thanked all for their cooperation in making the procession a grand success. The whole congregation was later treated to a good lunch. (Fr. Amatus Kujur) 

Diaconate Ordination of Bros Fabian Toppo and Alex Darwin


It indeed was a remarkable occasion for St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri, as two brothers of Jamshedpur diocese were elavated to the Sacred Order of Diaconate by His Lordshop Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. in the solemn eucharistic celebration held on 11th Deccember, 2016. Fr. Michael Deogam helped the faithful to understand the cermoneires and to participate init in a meaningful way through his timely interventions as the master of the ceremony.

Being a Sunday, the Cathedral was packed with the faithful. The family, relatives and friends of the ordinanti were seated at the front pews. Bishop, through his sermon exhorted the ordinati about the duties of a clergy. The whole Ordination ceremony was very well arranged and the choir added a celesial tune to it. There was a small felicitation for the deacons at the Bishop’s House. Congratulations to deacons Fabian and Alex.

Confirmation at Khuntpani Shrine
On 18th December, 2016, 11 children received the first Holy Communion and 38 children received the Holy Confirmation at Our Lady of Khuntpani Shrine by his Lordship Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J.  The faithful had gathered in a large number for the ceremony. The people were very prayerful and attentive all through the ceremony as the climate was quite good. The entrance dance was led by the Mahilasangh and the offertory procession was by the children. Congratulations to Fr. Junas Purty, Sisters and the catechists for the very well preparation of the children and for the wonderful celebrations.

Inter-Christian Christmas Milan at St. Joseph’s Church, Charbandia
St. Joseph’s Church, Charbandia arranged an Inter-Christian Christmas Get-together under the banner of Bible Society of India on 19th December, 2016. People from G.I.L Church, Anandpur and C.N. I. Church, Manoharpur, along with the parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church had gathered in big number for the Christmas Milan. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J, the bishop of Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur was the Chief Guest for the function. There were many competitions and cultural functions. The people participated in all the functions with full vigour and enthusiasm.  Bishop Felix in his address stated that Christmas is a witness of God’s love. We may be of different churches, but Christ is the unifying factor among us. And Hence, we must live in the love of Jesus. Congratulations to all for the success of this programme.

First Holy Communion and Holy Confirmation at St. Mary’s Church, Omra

13th November, 2016 will be marked in golden letters in the annals of history of St. Mary’s Chruch, Omra as 50 children received the Holy Communion and 117 Children received the Holy Confirmation by His Lordship Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. The whole village had gathered for the celebration. God-parents of every child who was to receive the Holy Communion and the Holy Confirmation were asked to be with the children at the time of the ceremony. There was a small felicitation programme after the mass and the parishioners, in advance, celebrated the birthday of Bishop Felix and cut a cake and wished him all the best. Congratulations to Fr. Benedict Minj and George Ekka for the wonderful celebration.   
  
Inter-religious Christmas Gathering at St. Joseph’s Welfare Center, Golmuri

Frs. David Vincent and Camille Hembrom arranged an Inter-religious Christmas Gathering at St. Joseph’s Welfare Center, Golmuri on 22nd December, 2016. People from all walks of life, from different religions had gathered for the gathering. Mrs. Arpurtha Mary anchored through the whole programme and delighted all present with her wonderful commentary. Fr. David, the Vicar General of the diocese, welcomed the gathering and the youth from Gyandeep presented a song and a dance on the theme of Christmas. There were many cultural programmes by different groups and Christmas messages from various dignitaries. The Christmas carol by the junior choir of St. Joseph’s Cathedral mesmerized everyone present.
Rev. Deepak Anil Jojo, Mr. Indrajith Singh, Maulana Suliman Sahib and Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J, Bishop of Jamshedpur gave Christmas messages to the people. The main theme that ran through all the messages were- Peace, Love, Non-Violence, forgiveness, Common brotherhood and harmony.  Congratulations to everyone who worked hard for the success of this programme.

Denary Krus Veer Rally, Dhanbad
St. Anthony’s Church, Dhanbad, hosted a day long deneary-level Krus Veer Rally on Sunday, 13th November, 2016. A hundred and fifty children represented various parishes of the denary.
The programme began at 9.00 am, in the Church Hall with the first talk given to the children by Fr. Pascal Minj, on the meaning of Krus Veer. In his talk he emphasized the need for Krus Veer children to become true soldiers of Christ who stood for him at all times and in all situations. A bible quiz was jointly conducted by Fr. Samir Soreng and Bro. Ambrose. Dhowatand Parish bagged the first prize and Kumardhubi and Dhanbad Parishes won the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively. Action songs were also conducted by the parish youth.

After the lunch, games and group signing completions were held. In the group singing competition, Dhowatand again romped home with the first prize, Tundi with the second and the third prize went to Digwadih Parish. Dhanbad Carmel sisters joined hands with the team in conduction the games and singing competition. The climax of the day’s event was the Holy Mass at 3.30 pm. Followed by tea. All the children enjoyed every moment of the day and left for home at 4.30 pm. (Fr. Amatus Kujur) 

 St. Mary’s English School, Bistupur.

The joy of giving or the festival of philanthropy as it is known is celebrated all over in the month of October. In our school, it was celebrated with great enthusiasm from 10th to 18th of December. The school had various plans to help those in need. The teachers, parents and students joined hands together and contributed clothes, stationeries bags etc. The collected gifts and stationeries were given to children of the nearby village, home for the aged and to the orphan children. We thank Fr.  P. RAJ for giving us this wonder full opportunity to experience the real Joy in Giving.
The school is strengthened by the good will and generosity of our parents and sponsors. The Christmas prelude was beautifully presented with a combination of dance & skit. The singing of carol added to the gaiety of the season. The candle light glittered colourfully in the hands of our audience adorned the stage. The whole programme was enchanting and enriching as it was the combination of CAROLS’ and splendid dance performance embedded in the programme with smiles so gay we lavished wishes for Christmas and New Year.   

Bible Written Quiz for all
Divya Bharati Pastoral Centre presents a Bible Written Quiz for all. Please participate in the Bible Quiz for all. 1. Bible Written Quiz and 2. Rewriting the Holy Bible

1. Bible Written Quiz
Syllabus for  Logos Bible Quiz 2017
1-      Book of Numbers : Chapter 22 – 36
2-      Book of Proberbs: Chap. 21 – 31
3-      Mathew: Chap. 1 – 9
4-      Book of Revelation: Chap 4-9

Language:  English and Hindi
DIOCESAN LEVEL EXAM: Sunday, 10th September, 2017
Participants are requested to register their names as early as possible

2. Rewriting the Holy Bible:
Syllabus for Bible writing Competition - From the Book of Genesis to Ruth
Participants must follow NRSV Bible for English and Bulke Translation for Hindi
Written Copy to be submitted by the end of September 2017
For more details, please contact:
Director
Divya Bharati Pastoral Centre
Near Mudhra Hospital
Chaibasa, Jharkhand – 833201
Mob No: 9431571848   Email : ctiggasj@gmail.com  

Hearty Condolence
Mrs. Pauline Coelho beloved Mother of Fr. Edwin Coelho passed away on 19th December, 2016 at her house in Mangalore. Her burial was held on the next day in her village. We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers. May her soul Rest In Peace. 

BIRTHDAY BABIES – JANUARY
Date
Name
04
  SAMEER SORENG
11
RAJU FELIX CRASTA
21
SELVA RAJ
28
GYANPRAKASH TOPNO

BISHOP’S ENGAGEMENTS

JANUARY 2017
06
Fri

To Muri

07
Sat
09.00 am
Silver Jubilee of Sr. Sarita, OSU and Golden Jubilee of Sr. John Mary Ekka, OSU
Muri
12
Thur
PM
Jubilee of Fr. Peter Francis, XLRI
JSR
13
Fri
PM
To Charbandia

14
Sat
07.30 a.m.
Priestly Ordination of Deacon Pascal Dhanwar, sj
Charbandia
22
Sun
07.00 am
First Communion and Confirmation
Digwadih
25
Wed
07.30 am
Parish Feast : First Communion and Confirmation
Maluka
27
Mon
09.00 am
Workshop on FCRA at SDC
Ranchi
31
Tue
AM
CCBI Plenary Assembly commences
Bhopal

The Call to the priesthood… Can you hear it?

The Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur and Society of Jesus, Jamshedpur province have programs such as vocation seminar and meetings for prospective candidates for priesthood. The Vocation camp for the diocese and Jesuit province of Jamshedpur will be held from 2nd to 7th April, 2016 at Vianney Niwas, Neeldungri, Jamshedpur. 10th and +2 students are invited to join the vocation camp. Contact to the Vocation Offices for more informations at:


Fr. Linus Kindo/ Fr. Michael Deogam
Bishop’s House
P.O. Golmuri
Jamshedpur-831003
Jharkhand
Phone No.: 09572752429/7549106549

The Vocation Promoter (S.J.)
Inigo Niwas, Candidate House
St. Xavier’s High School
P.B. No. 10, Chaibasa P.O.
W. Sighbhum-833201
Phone No.: 9798736320/09546721569