1 APRIL - 9102 Arrupe Niwas, P.O .Box 6, Hazaribag, Jharkhand 825 301 Vol .66 No. 04 Hazaribag Halchal Wishes all our readers The Peace and the Joy Of the Risen Lord! FR. PROVINCIAL’S PROGRAM APRIL- 2019 03-04 Charhi, visitation 06 Province Consult, AN 04.30 PM. 12-13 St. Xavier’s HAZ Visitation 21 Easter 25-29 Assistancy Assembly, JDV, Pune MAY-2019 01 Nirmala School Blessing, Patratu 02-4 SSC Sitagarh, visitation 07 Mahuadanr 11 CMC, Hazaribag 21-22 Province Summer Get-Together JUNE – 2019 10 Tertianship Academic Year Inauguration 21 First Vows- Sitagarha 27 Juniorate Academic year Inauguration 27-29 Bhurkunda visitation FR. GENERAL HAS APPOINTED Fr. Ranjit Tigga SJ, as a new Provincial of Madhya Pradesh Province (2 Apr. 2019) His installation as a provincial will take place on 17 May, 2019. Fr. George Mutholil SJ (KER) General Counsellor and Regional Assistant for South Asia. He will succeed Fr. Lisbert D' Souza SJ, (BOM) and will take over on 03 Dec. 2019. Fr. General has approved the appointment of Fr. Claudius Tauro SJ (DUM) as the Revisor of Hazaribag Province. Fr. General approved the appointment of three local superiors Fr. George Thomas as the Superior of St. Xavier's community Hazaribag. Fr. Sushil Lakra as the Superior of Arrupe Niwas community, Hazaribag. Fr. Nicholas Topno as the Superior of Charhi Community
Hazaribag Halchal Wishes all our readers The Peace and the Joy Of the Risen Lord!
FR. PROVINCIAL’S PROGRAM APRIL- 2019 03-04 Charhi, visitation 06 Province Consult, AN 04.30 PM. 12-13 St. Xavier’s HAZ Visitation 21 Easter 25-29 Assistancy Assembly, JDV, Pune MAY-2019 01 Nirmala School Blessing, Patratu 02-4 SSC Sitagarh, visitation
07 Mahuadanr 11 CMC, Hazaribag 21-22 Province Summer Get-Together JUNE – 2019 10 Tertianship Academic Year Inauguration 21 First Vows- Sitagarha 27 Juniorate Academic year Inauguration 27-29 Bhurkunda visitation
FR. GENERAL HAS APPOINTED Fr. Ranjit Tigga SJ, as a new Provincial of Madhya Pradesh
Province (2 Apr. 2019) His installation as a provincial will take
place on 17 May, 2019.
Fr. George Mutholil SJ (KER) General Counsellor and Regional
Assistant for South Asia. He will succeed Fr. Lisbert D' Souza SJ,
(BOM) and will take over on 03 Dec. 2019.
Fr. General has approved the appointment of Fr. Claudius
Tauro SJ (DUM) as the Revisor of Hazaribag Province.
Fr. General approved the appointment of three local superiors Fr. George Thomas as the Superior of St. Xavier's community Hazaribag. Fr. Sushil Lakra as the Superior of Arrupe Niwas community, Hazaribag. Fr. Nicholas Topno as the Superior of Charhi Community
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COMING EVENTS-2019 Socio-Pastoral Commissions meeting at Mahuadanr on 9th May 2019, (10.00 am to 04.00 pm.)
SCHOLASTIC’S PROGRAM: 10-13 May: REGAE Program in Ranchi 14-16 May: Group dynamics, at St. Xavier's Hazaribag 17-20 May: Schols’ Get-together in St. Xavier's Community Hazaribag 22-30 May: Scholastic’s Retreat at. SSC
18- 20 May: Training in Ignatian Spirituality for Laity, at SSC Sitagarha
PROVINCE GET-TOGETHER 2019:
Theme: Relevance of Social Apostolate and its Challenges in our Province/Zone Date: 21 May and 22 May Time: 08:15 A.M. (21-22 May- afternoon) Place: St. Xavier’s School Hall, HAZ.
FROM AROUND THE PROVINCE
BOKARO, ST. XAVIER’S On 18th March we began the New
Academic Year. On 26th Mr. P. Murugan IPS, SP of Bokaro was the Chief Guest for the inauguration of the New Academic Year. We felicitated the Class Toppers and other students who did outstanding in their academic improvement. Two of our students, Vaishnavi Prasad (Class 11) who authored the fiction ‘An Unfathomable Love’, Published by Educreation, New Delhi and Eshan Raj (Class 9) who wrote a Science Fiction ‘Burnt Roses’ were specially felicitated by the school. On 30th Mr. P. K. Singh, CEO, Bokaro Steel Plant was the Chief Guest for the Prep Parents’ Orientation programme. He inspired the Parents with his challenging and encouraging words of wisdom. Board exams are over and we will begin the Class 11 classes from 8th April. Sr. Grace FCC got the news of the critical state of her mother and left for home on 28th. While she was on her way home, her mother passed away on 29th. Funeral is expected to be on 2nd April. Fr. Provincial came for his visitation. Patki Jesuits came for a few hours during the visitation CHARHI, MASI MARSAL
On 6th March, we entered into the Lenten season with a holy mass for the faithful in the high School hall. On 10th March after the Sunday mass we had monthly meeting of Catholic Sabha, Mahila Sangh and Youth to discuss important issues of the Parish. One of the urgent needs was to build a Church for Charhi
Parish. On March 12th middle school began final exams. Sch. Sasi, Mr. Bablu Hembrom and Sr Sibiria went to attend seminar on rules and regulations of hostels in Arrupe Niwas. Fr. Emile purchased a new bike (Luna Heavy duty) for his pastoral mission. He attended REGAE program at Hazaribag.
On 16th March Sasi and Fr. Birendra went to Boitika to install new computers in the School. Fr. Cyril came to assist Fr. Nicholas for offering the holy mass in Charhi while he was away for Gami mass. Middle school students finished their exams on 18th and all left for holidays. Schols. Sasi and Prawin Vikas went to Ranchi to get their police clearance from the passport office to apply for Spanish Visa. The results of annual exams was given out on 28th March. ANKUR Fr. Cyril Toppo went to Shembaganur TN, to attend the JIGSA, program for a month along with Frs. Rajesh Kispotta and James Dungdung. Fr. Philemon Tirkey comes to Ankur to teach the candidates. Sch. Arockia too helps out the Ankur Candidates to improve their spelling. Fr Sibrus Barwa goes to St. Xavier’s high school Sitagarha regularly, to know the administrative work of the school. The Vocation camp which was organized under Fr Arvind Beck at Ankur went on very well. He was assisted by Fr. Philemon and Sch Arockia. Sch Vikas. Fr Anand Beck has joined Ankur, Robert's Community on 01 April, 2019.
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HAZARIBAG, ARRUPE NIWAS Arrupe was busy, not unusual, with
important meetings. Fr. P. J. James conducted a meeting for hostel prefects who came from our 16 schools and colleges where we are running boy’s and girl’s hostels. Then at the end of the month, 53 Jesuits from the five provinces of the Central Zone took part in a two and a half days packed REGAE programme to get ideas from those at the grassroots level apostolates on apostolic preferences. The meeting was conducted by Fr. P.J. James and his team members from MP, Ranchi, Hazaribag and Dumka Raiganj provinces.
Fr. Francis Marian went to Jesu Jaher, Dumka for the REGAE Program on 03 of April. He will stay a few more days in Dumka after the Program. In the beginning of April, we were visited by Mrs. Helene Meese, whose father and mother have been generous benefactors to many projects. Hence, with Bob Slattery, she went to see these projects, dispensaries in Pakripath, Chiro, Jamuniatanr and Kakarkilo, the girls’ hostel in Tundtoli and the school in Churadahor. Many thanks to the Sisters in these places who prepared very well for the visits of Helene and extended gracious hospitality, and also to our men in those places. One of the many highlights of Helene’s visit was attending Mass and joining in a meal in a remote village of Jamuniatanr village. HAZARIBAG, ST. XAVIER’S
The new school session opened on 25 March with 200 young hopefuls admitted to the Prep Classes. There were some early interruptions in view of the CBSE exams in the Inigo Hall. The exams are now over.
Fr. Philemon Tirkey returned from tertianship in South Africa and is staying with us. He has been taking some classes at Ankur. On 30th March he accompanied Fr. Peter Jones to Delhi. Peter has to personally appear at the Australian High Commission as a condition for getting a new passport. Bro. David Xalxo stayed with us for a few days on his return from the Brothers’ gathering in Pune. Bro.
Francis Mathias went on from Pune to Mangalore to visit his family. While there he had treatment in Concetta hospital for his right knee which had been troubling him for some time. The doctor diagnosed osteoarthritis and hypourecemia. He aspirated the knee and placed a compression bandage. He recommended rest. Francis is now back in the community.
Fr. Suleman had a new wheel chair as he had found walking too difficult. Thanks to the CMC Sisters for the loan of their wheel chair for a few days. Before his passing away he had an attendant to help him. We are grateful to the boys from Ankur who had been coming daily to help him. Sisters, including Sister Dr. Laisa, and family members visited him regularly. At Sule’s request Bishop Gabriel administered the Sacrament of the Sick in the presence of the community.
Bishop Gabriel returned to home base on 29th. He went through the process of getting a new passport. Fortunately he didn’t have to travel any further than the Hazaribag Post Office. He returned to the Assam hills on 7 April.
Fr. Bill Dwyer made two trips to Xavier Publications and Catholic Press, Ranchi, to submit the corrected proof of a Hindi translation of the Autobiography of St. Ignatius, with title Þ,d rhFkZ;k=h ds laLej.kß of
published by Xavier Publications. It should be off the press by the end of April.
On the last weekend of the month our community had 30 guests from Hazaribag, Ranchi and Dumka Provinces attending the REGAE in Arrupe Niwas. HAZARIBAG, PRERANA
On 1st April Fr. Christopher went for the house blessing of his brother. Fr. Thomas Joseph returned from Koderma with a very satisfactory health checkup. He went to Lokai for a spiritual check up of 8 days. On 10th Fr. Shyju along with Fr. Tony went to Chatra to find a solution for the Jugiadih land. There seems a ray of hope in settling the land dispute. Fr. Shyju along with Sr. Blessy CHF and Ms. Anastasia went to Keyondtand to give a retreat to the Parishners. On 29th
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Fr. Christopher conducted the Mahila Diwas for the Dalit women from the town. There were about 300 women who participated in the meeting.
We were blessed with the company of a cousin brother of Fr. Arun Kujur and Sr. Maya SCN and two theologians from Pune. MAHUADANR, ST.XAVIER’S COLLEGE
St. Xavier's college, Mahuadanr is accredited with Grade B to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Bangalore which is an autonomous Institution of the University Grant Commission (UGC) from First April 2019 for a period of five years.
A three member NAAC Peer team had visited the college on 27th and 28th March. The team was given a warm welcome by the principal, staff and students of the college. The visit was well planned and executed by the college administration. The team members stayed in Daltonganj and traveled to and from to Mahuadanr. The visit started with power-point presentation of last five years of college report by the Principal Fr. M.K Jose followed by visit to all the departments, meeting with Parents and alumni, students, inspection of the various facilities including science and Geography labs, computer lab, class rooms library, botanical garden, green house, canteen, hostel etc. The first day's activities were started at 11 am and got over by 5.30 pm. The second day's visit included the office of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The members checked all the files, reports of the IQAC, departmental reports, appointment letters, attendance registers etc. Then the co-coordinator of IQAC Sr. Kaslin Juliet presented the report of activities of the cell. The final report was prepared by the team on the second day and the exit meeting was conducted at 5 pm in which the chairperson of the team presented the peer team's final report to the Principal. The Principal is deeply grateful to the IQAC, staff and students for their valuable contributions. Sch. Sanjay Martin looked after the team's travel arrangements, Fr. John Tirkey
supervised all external arrangements while Fr. Gaudentius Kongari remained as the major source of inspiration for the success of the accreditation.
Earlier in the month the college celebrated the International Women's Day; gave a rousing welcome to the Australian Mission CEO and her assistant who visited the college guided by Fr. Bob Slattery. Fr. Provincial Santosh Minj, Fr. George Thomas and Fr. Vinod Bilung from St. Xavier's college Ranchi were present for the Governing Body meeting on 25th March. Part One, Semester-1 Examinations started on 4th April and will get over by 16th April. PATKI, MASI MARSAL
Masi Mander Patki pastoral work we are busy in Lenten ministry. Two of our novices, Markus Besra and Masih Murmu are with us for the preaching ministry. Though some villages are busy in collecting Mahua they are finding time to attend the three days retreat. Catechists are accompanying the novices and Priests go for the last day for confession and mass. Fr. Gyan is going up-down to Kajarkilo for treatment for his facial massage to Santosh, the health worker, at Dudhmu. He has assured that Gyan’s face will have a new look soon. There are some improvements as Gyan tells. Gyan says in April it will be the last massage. Gyan has got one electronic massager also through on-line shopping which will help him to massage when he is in Patki especially on weekends. Gyan keeps himself busy in herbal medicines and also keeps himself busy in new on-line research after people coming to him for consultation regarding sicknesses.
After the entrance exam for the new comers the admissions for the new ones have taken place in the school as well as in the hostel. Fr. Kamal reports that more than 70 boys are admitted in the hostel. There are more to come. Santhals are our main target group. We are reluctant to take Mahatos but there are some.
This year social apostolate group has created awareness in the new villages as a result some more Santal children are
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coming to the school. The children were away for two weeks and our compound looked calm. The teachers were busy preparing final results on those days. Our oldest building is going through repairs and renovation and few rooms will be made for the community and Parish works.
Sitagarha P.T.E.C., GURWA One of the most rejoicing news of March was definitely, the festivity of St. Joseph, the patron saint of our college. Fr. Shyam was requested to offer the Holy Mass. He availed himself of this opportunity to have a reconciliatory session during the mass in order to restore the pristine healthy relationship between the trainees and the management. As you know that there was some unrest among the trainees both in the college and hostel, regarding their demands of various kinds. However, an urgent meeting was called by the principal and some negotiable settlement was brought about and the trainees decided to resume their classes. On the feast of Maha Shivratri, the feast of colours, most of our schools were closed where as the college had its regular classes.
On Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten season, we had morning masses in our places. Day of fast and abstinence was announced and observed. Thursday, 14th March was a happy day for us because some of our Australian visitors paid a kind visit to our institutions. Fr. Bob Slattery and Fr. Vincent took them around and showed them some of the new buildings coming up. Seeing these imposing and doubtlessly big buildings the visitors were quite thrilled. During this month, Fr. Vincent had a couple of visits outside, namely, to Lohardaga regarding the B.Ed. College and secondly, to Kokatta to meet one of his ailing friends.
Student’s counselor of the College: Fr. Francis Lopez’s Mob. 9931177402 E-mail is: [email protected] SITAGARH, ST. STANISLAUS COLLEGE,
As we entered into the Lenten Season the whole House became quiet. Ten Ursuline Tertians and four Montfort
tertians made their retreat with Fr. K.C. Stephen (DUM). Soon after the second week of the Lent the First Year novices went to different mission stations to preach Lenten retreats. Then the Second Year novices left for hospital experience to different hospitals of Jharkhand and Bihar.
Fr. Shyam had to suddenly shift to PTEC Gents’ hostel as Fr. Silas needed assistance in running the hostel for some time. Fr. Vinod Kerketta is away in Patna appearing for his postgraduate course exams that he has been pursuing through correspondence. Fr. Anil Aind, Master of the novices and Fr. Prabodh (MAP) are also out accompanying the novices in the field. Fr. Ranjit has been with us relaxing and going around studying the plant kingdom. As an expert in the plant kingdom he informs that there are many of the plants that he had studied about in the books but he is able to see them here around our House and nearby forest! Some of these plants are declared endangered plants in Jharkhand but are available around here in quite big number!
Our elderly members are a joy to the eyes seeing them having walks sometimes; and sitting in the corridors spending time praying for the Society! TARWA COMMUNITY
Our girl’s new hostel was blessed by Frs. Sushil Lakra, Bob Slattery and Tarwa community members along with Ms. Helen and Ms. Siobhan Moira Jordan. and various people were present in this small programme. We have lot of events in this month of March. Our School teachers were busy in conducting exams and preparing progress card for final examination. All students were busy preparing for examination.
Soon after their exams both the students and the teachers had same short of renewal programme for upper class Mr. Jugeshwer and team were conducting awareness programme, lower class was occupied by Sr. Saroj giving Health awareness and for the Teachers Fr. Tej Kerketta from Batuka put in the mood of learning more English and Maths. Our
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community is always indebted to these above generous souls for their generosity.
Now teachers are busy in new admission and re-admission. Our residence Bathroom is in progress if you come next time you may have new shower. Village people are generous enough to contribute for the upcoming Dalit Chetna Diwash. We are expecting many people to participate in this programme. The event is on (28-04-2019) Sunday. The theme of this programme is lkekftd dk;Z ,ao i;kZoj.k laj{k.k dh
LoZ.k t;Urh all are invited. One fine afternoon our emeritus Bishop Gabriel Kujur came to visit us. VIVEK SADAN
The month of March was a hectic time for all of us. The Pre-Novices were busy with their medical tests. Sr. Sunam SCJM, from Chiyanki, was very helpful to us in reducing the expenses by contacting government doctors and getting assistance from Sadar hospital. She personally came to Vivek Sadan to complete some of the tests. Our sincere thanks to Sr. Sunam. Soon after the test the pre-novices’ were busy in the preparation of the Assistancy exam. It was conducted on 25th April by Fr. Prabodh Barwa, Socius to the Novice Master.
The staff members went to Jamuniatanr to celebrate the birthday of Fr. Frederick Gidh. Fr. Geoff was given a memorable farewell by the community. We expressed our gratefulness to him for his contribution to the community and wished him a good luck as he is going for new
ministry at the Juniorate, Sitagarh. Now-a-days Fr. Ajit has dedicated his time and energy in giving the pre-novices drama practice. He was busy in correcting their pronunciation and teaching them songs since the drama is a musical drama. Frs. Victor Lakra and Sushil Osga have read the signs of the time and started preparation to celebrate Vivek Sadan Day. They are doing all the preparations ahead of time, before the seizure of vehicle begins for the forthcoming election.
Fr. Arbind Beck was out in Goa to attend JYMSA meeting at Xavier’s Retreat House Baga, Goa. There were 14 youth coordinators from different Provinces. The agenda of the meeting were- a. Personal sharing of our youth work, b. Discuss about UAP, c. Strategies for the coming Assembly elections, d. Next year national MAGIS. After the meeting at Goa he came to Hazaribag to conduct a vocation camp at Ankur. 21 boys came to attend the vocation camp. Fr. Philemon Tirkey, Schols. Vikas and Arockia Raj were in the camp as a team to conduct the camp. At the end of the camp 11 boys were selected for the Society. Special thanks to St. Robert’s community for making available all the facilities to conduct the camp. After the vocation camp he along with Fr. P. J. James and REGAE Team organized a REGAE Programme at Arrupe Niwas. We extend our sincere thanks to Arrupe Niwas, St. Xavier’s School and Prerana communities for giving a very good account of the Province to 47 participants.
FROM DIASPORA
JRS-Delhi My stay at Beschi Illam, Dindigul has
been extended till May 2019. I hope to return to Delhi by June -2019. In the month of December we had a couple of Teachers’ training programme for our CEC Staff to equip them to teach better. We began advance tailoring course for girls at our LSE centre at Mullaikudi. It is a three month course. Nine girls joined for this course.
In the month of January 2019, we
distributed scholarships for Sri Lankan
Tamil refugee students. Around 250 students benefited from this. A Human Resource Team from St. Joseph’s Institute of Management came to assess our Human Resources. They began their preliminary interaction with our administrative staffs. In February as a part of my part time study with CA Karthikeyan I presented two papers on Taxation of Trust and GST on trust and society.
We concluded AT course for our dropout girls at Mullaikudi Center with valedictory function at the same time we
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have to suspend all other classes at our centre since the centre was not registered as Girls hostel. The process for registration is going on. Meanwhile we conducted one month AT course at 13 camps. Around 195 students benefited from this programme. We had our Annual Evaluation meeting at ISI Bangalore from 9th to 11th March 2019. From there I left to Chennai to meet Magis donor representative Ms. Francisca from Italy. She was with us for two days meeting and interacting with our beneficiaries. Fr. Jeyakumar,
KOLKATTA JUNIORATE
The month of March began with the presentation on the abridged versions of the TED talks, which increased our self-confidence, self–steam and strengthened ourselves to face the public.
On 11 we had a long awaited Assistancy Standard Exam. On 13 we had get-together for monthly birthday celebration and for the farewell of Fr. Pierre Jacob, spiritual guide as he left for a home visit. On 16 we had gone to MC Brother’s community at Noorpur for an outing and there we had a friendly volley-ball match with them.
From 18 to 20 Fr. Saju George SJ, took classes on aesthetics and introduced the history of Bharat Natyam dance and classical arts of South-Asia. In the South Asia essay and short story competition, two of Calcutta juniors have taken the first and second place in short stories. We had third semester exam from 27 to 29. And later we were busy in the preparation for the academic day. Sch. Ashim. Minj, SJ KERALA
Kerala is known as “God’s own country” with its rich culture and natural
beauty. There is diversity of culture, language, food, customs etc. We have learnt to adapt to the situation. The faster we did the easier life became. It is our pleasure to express our sincere gratitude to Rev. Fr. Santosh Minj, the Provincial Superior of Hazaribag, Fr. Sushil Lakra the Socius, Fr. Anil Aind, Fr. Prabodh Barwa the Novice masters, Fr. Pius Kerketta the PCF and to all the province members from whom we have received immense help and encouragements in our one year of Juniorate formation.
We are deeply grateful to Rev. Fr. George Mutholil, sj, the Provincial Superior of Kerala and to all the formators of SICJ, Fr. Arul the superior, Fr. Williams the Dean of studies, Fr. Prabhudas, Fr. Antony, Fr. C J Joseph, Fr. Xavier, and Br. George, for their constant support and encouragement in shaping us spiritually, intellectually and physically as Jesuits for the mission.
March 1st to 3rd we had (REGAE II) Frs. Sunny and Benny (KER) facilitated the programmed. It was a kairos moment: it was a moment of listening, examining, conversion, sharing and recommitting ourselves for the mission. On 31st we had Hindi mass with the migrants. We provided them a grand meal and gifts. Frs. Martin (CCU) Shin (KER) and Arul (MDU) were the celebrants on that day. Forty-five migrants were present. On March 12th we had ADF test. April 3rd we began our 3rd term examination and ended on 9th. With the exam we ended the Academic Year. On 10th night we departed from Trivandrum to Ranchi. Hope to see many of you in the near future.
Schols . James, John & Samuel sj.
FROM OVERSEAS
AUSTRALIA Fr. Bob Billings gives thanks to the Lord in that he feels he has had a very successful operation on his hip. He is completing his rehabilitation at Campion House in Melbourne. He hopes to be back in Hazaribag before Easter. Fr. Barry is also here at Campion House; Fr. Hans is in this
community. He is in very good spirit. He continues to catch up with family and friends and will join the Australian Province Assembly later this month. Hans goes from strength to strength. Besides providing companionship to the residents of the shelter home where he spends most of his
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time, he has also found himself at the centre of a dynamic group of believers in the vicinity. CAMBODIA
As time is moving forward life has become very hectic but enjoyable. The responsibilities and the activities have bound me tightly. Being busy with many activities I enjoy doing all the activities and learn a lot from them. In the 1st week of March we the regents of Cambodia Jesuit mission had monthly recollection at Xavier Jesuit School Sisophon. We four Jesuit scholastics and two seminarians came together and shared our life and mission. It was a moment of grace for each one of us, I felt united and supported. For the Ash Wednesday Mass I joined the Francis Xavier Church Sisophon, all the parishioners came in the evening and we had prayer and followed by the holy Eucharist, preparing to walk with the Lord during this grace filled season of lent. Every year Xavier Jesuit School gives a golden opportunity for the students to go for educational excursion to the various historical, heritage of Cambodia. On 16th of March grade 7, 56 students along with four teachers went to Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, the largest monument of the Angkor group and the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief's and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world. To get inside the Angkor Wat the foreigners have to pay 37$. I was so excited and glad that the security at the gate of Angkor Wat considered me that I am Cambodian; hence I need not pay the entry fee. So I entered freely and visited all around. The frequent meeting with various leaders and group keep me very tight, yet I enjoy and learn from them. The first semester exam got over in the school. For two days we had meeting with the parents. We had to meet parents of each student individually. It was a good opportunity for me to meet the parents and know the family situation and their problems and concerns for their children. At times after listening to them I felt helpless. I organized the scout camp; it was
from 30th to 31st of March overnight in the school campus. 62 students participated in the camp; they came from our neighbouring villages and schools. On this auspicious occasion, it was a good opportunity for the students to show their talents and abilities through various scout activities. Seeing their energy, excitements, their youthfulness, I felt much energized. Meticulous planning helped the camp to run smoothly. Day by day the temperature is increasing, but time to time unexpected rain makes the weather very pleasant. I am enjoying my good health. Thank you for your prayerful support. Let’s continue to pray for each other in this grace filled season of lent that we may experience God’s unconditional and compassionate love more deeply. In advance Happy Easter to each one of you. May the risen Christ enlighten and fill our hearts with his love to work for the greater Glory of God! Deepak NAIROBI, KENYA
The tertians here have completed their Long retreat and are now studying the Constitutions. Yesterday I addressed the Jesuit Superiors and Directors of works of East Africa Province. Their meeting was followed by a celebration to felicitate Bro. Vincent Soreng SJ (84), originally from Ranchi Province, whom Pope Francis has recognized with a Medaglia Pontificia (Papal Medal) for his contribution to environmental conservation through the promotion of horticulture and forestry. Bro. Vincent came to Sudan 47 years ago along with other Ranchi Jesuits who played a key role in laying the foundations of this East African Province in collaboration with missionaries from other parts of India and the world.
Kenya is experiencing a severe drought resulting in massive crops failure and the threat of famine in as many as ten counties outside Nairobi. This is supposed to be the rainy season in Kenya. But unfortunately, not a drop of rain and it is quite hot. Meanwhile the Southern parts of Africa is slowly recovering from the cyclone and floods in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. I wish you all plentiful graces of
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the Lenten season and a very happy Easter! Fr. R.C. Chacko
PARIS, FRANCE
We both of us are keeping a good health despite our diverse and hectic academic schedules. As the spring season has set in, we have very good weather to be out. Life is beautiful here with wonders and marvels. It brings to us a lot of learnings and at the same time a challenge to grow in every aspect of life.
Our classes of French language in Catholic University and our theology classes in our Jesuit university keep us on our toes to catch up our daily life with courage and confidence. We are heading towards the end of our academic year as we keep on thriving to improve our sense of French language and a way of life here. We had a very fruitful Annual Visitation of Fr. François Boëdec SJ, the Provincial of French Province (EOF). During our personal manifestation, we greeted and expressed our gratitude to him on behalf of Hazaribag Province. We could also share some of our mission works of our Province. On his personal note, he expressed his happiness and readiness for his constant support to
our formation here. He also assured of the future collaboration with our province. We were touched by his act of welcome and generosity. On April 6, we had diaconate ordination of 12 Jesuits brothers from different parts of the world in our University Church. Out of them, six brothers were from the Indian Provinces: Ranchi, Madurai and Kerala (2 from each province). The Celebration of mass and ordination was also marked by the inclusion of cultural diversities and languages. On April 12, we had the reunion of Indian Jesuits at the ‘Crypte’ of Montmartre where our First companions and Founding fathers had pronounced their first vows. We started with the way of the Cross followed by the Holy Mass celebrated by our only Indian Jesuit Priest which was also concelebrated by our Newly Ordained Deacons. It was really a spiritual enrichment for us. We had our dinner and Sharing of faith by our Deacons in the nearby Jesuit Community. George spent one of his weekends with his community Group Fraternity in Bruxelles, the Capital City of Belgium. The rest is well with us. Kindly pray for us and be assured of our prayers as well. George & Amit
KINDLY REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Br. Thomas Karukaparambil (PAT) passed away on 9 March, 2019 at Kurji Holy Family Hospital, Patna. 79/55 Fr. Rajendra Tete's brother-in-Law, Mr. Bibianus Sanmani passed away at Korra on 05 April, 2019. (70) Fr. Suleman Minj SJ, (HAZ) passed away on 10 April, 2019 at St. Xavier’s Hazaribag. (71/47)
Fr. Dilip Ekka’s Elder Sisters’ son Mr. Nitesh Baxla of Hario parish passed away on 13 April 2019 at Tata Hospital, Jamshedpur. He died of burn injuries. (39) APRIL DEATH ANNIVERSARIES 04/1996 Ambrose Byrne 06/2004 John Hamilton –Smith
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HAZARIBAG PROVINCE 2019, STATUS – II
Shyam Kishor Tudu SSC Sitagarh, Juniorate Dean of Juniors
