Contents
Editorial ...................................................... 03 Pope’ S Homily: The Canonisation Of St. Teresa.. 04 Mother Teresa A Teacher....................................... 06 Mother Teresa & The Rosary................................. 09 Media Focus On Mother Teresa............................. 10 Borduria Celebrates Mother’s Canonization........ 12 Dergaon: God’s Own Village................................... 13 First Communion At DB Parish Tinsukia............ 14 ‘International Social Media Day’ …....................... 14 PT Brothers’ Recollection ….................................. 15 Shower Of God’s Mercy …...................................... 16 Salesian College ‘Mercy Not Revenge’................... 17 Science and Arts Exhibition.................................... 18 Stakeholders Attend ‘Focus Group Discussion’... 19 DB Alumni Day At DBHSS Dimapur................... 20 In A Lighter Mood................................................... 20 Dibrugarh: “Centre of Salesian World”................. 21
Editor Fr. Jonas Kerketta sdb Sub - Editor Fr. Joseph Thuruthel sdb Design & Lay Out Fr. Christudoss sdb Publisher Fr. Provincial Don Bosco Provincial House PB. 40, Dimapur -797112, Nagaland Circulation Manager Fr. Chittissery Joseph sdb Editorial Team Fr. R. K. G. Nicholas sdb Fr. Christudoss sdb Fr. Paul Panii sdb Fr. Kulathunkal Joseph sdb Printing Rainbow Advertising, Guwahati-1 Editorial Office Bosco Communications Provincial House, Dimapur, Nagaland +91 -9436062842 Email: frjonassdb@gmail.com
The Highest Award St. Teresa of Kolkata (Mother Teresa) used to humbly say, “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Yes, may be her work and that of the MC Sisters, Brothers and voluntary co-workers, has been only a drop in the ocean of countless suffering humanity. But it has been a mighty drop which has sent strong ripples across the global ocean touching its shores with a tangible impact. And people cutting across all barriers of caste, colour, creed and nationality have recognized that drop and its source. Signs of recognition and appreciation have taken the form of different national and international awards for the ‘compassionate mother of suffering humanity’ or the ‘Saint of the gutters’. We can name some of those from the long list of 124 accolades: Padmashree Award (from the President of India) August 1962, Ramon Magsaysay Award 1962, Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding 1969, Pope John XXIII Peace Prize January 1971, John F. Kennedy International Award September 1971, Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding November 1972, Templeton Prize for “Progress in Religion” April 1973, Nobel Peace Prize December 1979, Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India) March 1980, Order of Merit (from Queen Elizabeth) November 1983, Gold Medal of the Soviet Peace Committee August 1987, United States Congressional Gold Medal June 1997. Of course, the greatest reward given to Mother Teresa is from God himself, namely, eternal happiness in heaven. Jesus has certainly fulfilled his promise, “For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ by no means will lose the reward” (Mk 9:41). On her part the universal Catholic Church has bestowed on her the greatest honour possible, by officially declaring her a saint under the title: St. Teresa of Kolkata. St. Teresa of Kolkata, pray for us! Fr. Jonas Kerketta sdb
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POPE’ S HOMILY
CANONISATION ST. TERESA OF KOLKATA
ON THE
OF
The Christian life, however, is not merely extending a hand in times of need. If it is just this, it can be, certainly, a lovely expression of human solidarity which offers immediate benefits, but it is sterile because it lacks roots. The task which the Lord gives us, on the contrary, is “Who can learn the counsel of God?” the vocation to charity in which each of Christ’s (Wis 9:13). This question from the Book of disciples puts his or her entire life at his service, Wisdom that we have just heard in the first so to grow each day in love. reading suggests that our life is a mystery and We heard in the Gospel, “Large crowds that we do not possess the key to understand- were travelling with Jesus” (Lk 14:25). Today, ing it. There are always two protagonists in his- this “large crowd” is seen in the great number tory: God and man. Our task is to perceive the of volunteers who have come together for the call of God and then to do his will. But in order Jubilee of Mercy. You are that crowd who folto do his will, we must ask ourselves, “What is lows the Master and who makes visible his conGod’s will in my life?” crete love for each person. I repeat to you the We find the answer in the same passage of the Book of Wisdom: “People were taught what pleases you” (Wis 9:18). In order to ascertain the call of God, we must ask ourselves and understand what pleases God. On many occasions the prophets proclaimed what was pleasing to God. Their message found a wonderful synthesis in the words “I want mercy, not sacrifice” (Hos 6:6; Mt 9:13). God is pleased by every act of mercy, because in the brother or sister that we assist, we recognize the face of God which no one can see (cf. Jn 1:18). Each time we bend down to the needs of our brothers and sisters, we give Jesus something to eat and drink; we clothe, we help, and we visit the Son of God (cf. Mt 25:40). We are thus called to translate into concrete acts that which we invoke in prayer and profess in faith. There is no alternative to charity: those who put themselves at the service of others, even when they don’t know it, are those who love God (cf. 1 Jn 3:16-18; Jas 2:14-18).
words of the Apostle Paul: “I have indeed received much joy and comfort from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philm 1:7). How many hearts have been comforted by volunteers! How many hands they have held; how many tears they have wiped away; how much love has been poured out in hidden, humble and selfless service! This praiseworthy service gives voice to the faith and expresses the mercy of the Father, who draws near to those in need. Following Jesus is a serious task, and, at the same time, one filled with joy; it takes a certain daring and courage to recognize the divine Master in the poorest of the poor and to give oneself in their service. In order to do so, volunteers, who out of love of Jesus serve the poor and the needy, do not expect any thanks or recompense; rather they renounce all this because they have discovered true love. Just as he Lord has come to meet me and has stooped down to my level in my hour of need, so too do I go
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to meet him, bending low before those who have lost faith or who live as though God did not exist, before young people without values or ideals, before families in crisis, before the ill and the imprisoned, before refugees and immigrants, before the weak and defenseless in body and spirit, before abandoned children, before the elderly who are on their own. Wherever someone is reaching out, asking for a helping hand in order to get up, this is where our presence - and the presence of the Church which sustains and offers hope - must be. Mother Teresa, in all aspects of her life, was a generous dispenser of divine mercy, making herself available for everyone through
many who no longer had tears to shed for their poverty and suffering. Her mission to the urban and existential peripheries remains for us today an eloquent witness to God’s closeness to the poorest of the poor. Today, I pass on this emblematic figure of womanhood and of consecrated life to the whole world of volunteers: may she be your model of holiness! May this tireless worker of mercy help us to increasingly understand that our only criterion for action is gratuitous love, free from every ideology and all obligations, of-
her welcome and defense of human life, those unborn and those abandoned and discarded. She was committed to defending life, ceaselessly proclaiming that “the unborn are the weakest, the smallest, the most vulnerable”.
fered freely to everyone without distinction of language, culture, race or religion.
For Mother Teresa, mercy was the “salt” which gave flavour to her work, it was the “light” which shone in the darkness of the
Courtesy: Vatican Radio Courtesy: Vatican Radio, 4 Sept. 2016
Mother Teresa loved to say, “Perhaps I don’t speak their language, but I can smile”. Let us carry her smile in our hearts and give it to She bowed down before those who were those whom we meet along our journey, esspent, left to die on the side of the road, see- pecially those who suffer. In this way, we will ing in them their God-given dignity; she made open up opportunities of joy and hope for our her voice heard before the powers of this world, many brothers and sisters who are discouraged so that they might recognize their guilt for the and who stand in need of understanding and crime of poverty they created. tenderness.
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MOTHER TERESA A TEACHER IN THE GLOBAL CL ASSROOM Edmund Burke has aptly said, “Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.” Or as Gilbert West highlights, “Example is a lesson that all men can read.” Each year India celebrates Teachers’ Day on 5 September, the birth day of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President and an erudite philosopher and educationist. Teachers’ Day 2016 saw another great teacher on India’s, nay, on the world’s educational horizon, St. Teresa of Kolkata, who taught in the ‘global classroom’ through her exemplary life. She continues to do so, through her Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, who, spread across 133 countries, are imparting practical lessons in loving service to the countless victims of neglect and indifference.
Darjeeling she received from God the “Inspiration” or special message involving a “call within a call”. Till then she had been principal of St. Mary’s School at Entally, Kolkata, and had taught History and Geography in that school run by the Loreto Sisters. Her “call within call”, demanded her to leave the Loreto Congregation and to dedicate herself to serve the “poorest of the poor”. After patient waiting and requests she received official permission through Archbishop Ferdinand Perrier of Kolkata in January 1948 to leave her first religious “call”. Dressed in white, blue-bordered sari she left the portals of her beloved Loreto Convent on 17 August 1948 to enter the world of the poor.
After a short medical course in the Holy Mother Teresa was a member of the Lo- Family Convent Hospital in Patna, Mother Tereto Sisters from 25 May 1931. On 10 Septem- resa returned to Calcutta and found temporary ber 1946, on her train journey from Kolkata to lodging with the Little Sisters of the Poor. On
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21 December the 38 year old ex-Loreto nun ventured into the slums for the first time. Children started crowding around her. Without a classroom, desks, chalkboard, paper and other requirements, she began her first class for the slum children by scribbling alphabets on the wet ground with a stick. What were her academic qualifications? Besides her schooling and nine years of teaching experience as well as brief medical course in Patna, she had no qualifications in health care or social work. But she could speak fluently five languages and was a great communicator. What urged her on to venture into the uncharted arena was the clear invitation of God, “Come be my light” which she received in the afore-mentioned “Inspiration”. Since then she spared no efforts in brining light and joy in the life of suffering millions all over the globe while herself suffering from her doubts or the so-called “dark night of the soul” for over 50 long years.
The great scientist Albert Einstein did not claim all the credit in bringing transformation in others, “I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” Mother Teresa in her humility attributes all good actions to God, “I am only an instrument in the hands of God”. In relation to the magnitude of the problem facing the poor of the world, she considers her work insignificant though useful, “…what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” She recommended the practice of the virtue of humility which she considers the “mother of all virtues.” Alfred Mercier underscores the importance of doing things joyfully, “What we learn with pleasure we never forget.” Mother Teresa too highlights the value of serving others joyfully, “…The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it”. How similar it is to what the Bible says, “Each one should give, then as he has decided…for God loves a cheerful giver” (2Cor.9:7).
Mother Teresa had a profound respect for human life, even of unborn babes. In the 1971 war between East and West Pakistans an estimated 200,000 women were raped. Mentally devastated some of them committed suicide. Many wanted to abort their babies. MothThrough her practical words and actions er Teresa begged them to have their babies and she teaches the greatness of little things, “Not all give them to her, “The Sisters will take care of of us can do great things. But we can do small you, and we will find a good home for the bathings with great love”. Much before the 2014 bies” (Maryanne Raphael, What Mother Teresa Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai Taught Me, 2007, p.87). Rightly does Ken Blanchard tell teachers, could say, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world”, Mother Teresa “Your role as a leader is even more important had confirmed the importance of doing things than you might imagine. You have the power humbly and gradually, “If you can’t feed a hun- to help people become winners.” Mother Teresa dred people, then just feed one”. and her Sisters have helped over 22,000 people to die dignified deaths (Maryanne, p. 136). She Mother Teresa was not a scholar in the common parlance of the day but her few books such as, Life in the Spirit (1983), A Simple Path (1995), In My Own Words (1996), and No Greater Love (1997) do serve to reveal her deep spirituality as well as her practical wisdom.
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has even made discarded children into winners. For instance, Gautam, a polio-stricken orphan was abandoned at the age of two. Mother Teresa picked him up and cared for him in Shishu Bhavan, Kolkata. He was later given to Dr. Patricia Lewis. Today Gautam Lewis is a successful entrepreneur and a flight instructor in London. The examples of Mother imparting precious lessons through concrete actions in the global arena, are innumerable. And the impact of her example has inspired thousands of Sisters, Brothers, Priests and lay coworkers to join hands and carry on her work for the “poorest of the poor.” She has inspired even a left-winged agnostic, Malcolm Muggeridge, a British journalist of international fame to embrace Catholic Church in 1982 with his wife Kitty and to produce a film on her and her work entitled Something Beautiful for God as well as to pen a book with the same heading.
receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in December 1979, she said, “We are not social workers. We are contemplatives in the world touching the body of Christ 24 hours.” And on his part Jesus has emphatically promised, “For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ by no means will lose the reward” (Mk 9:41). Mother Teresa has been given 124 national and international awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in December 1979. The official conferring of Sainthood by Pope Francis in the name of the universal Catholic Church is a fitting gift to this humble but profoundly edifying teacher around the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2016.
Long fellow in his A Psalm of Life says, “Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime. And, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.” May the “Saint of the gutters”, now christened ‘St. Teresa of Kolkata’, inspires today’s mankind to leave Mother Teresa loved and served the poor behind footprints for future generations to foland taught valuable lessons to mankind be- low. cause she saw God in suffering humanity. On Jonas Kerketta sdb, Dimapur
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MOTHER TERESA & THE ROSARY
“Cling to the Rosary as the creeper clings hand she to the tree…for without Our Lady we cannot went “in stand” (St. Teresa of Kolkata). haste” like Mary, in search of souls.” Three years after her death, the late Pope The Rosary was her favourite and conSt. John Paul II said of Mother Teresa: “As the stant prayer. She prayed the Rosary anytime, years pass, her memory remains more vivid anywhere, but was especially fond of praying than ever. We remember her with her smile, the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament. her deep gaze, her Rosary” (John Paul II on 5 St. Teresa of Kolkata, by her example September 2000). and especially by her silent witness of clinging At the time of her beatification he re- to Our Lady through the Rosary – and by her marked: “Is it not significant that her beatifi- words, taught her followers and each one of us cation is taking place on the very day on which to pray and to work in union with Our Lady. the Church celebrates World Mission Sun- The practice of praying the Rosary in the street day? With the witness of her life, Mother Te- became part of the Missionaries of Charity way resa reminds everyone that the evangelizing of life, and the hallmark of the Sisters as they mission of the Church passes through chari- made and (still) make their way through the ty, nourished by prayer and listening to God’s slums, going in haste with Our Lady in search word. Emblematic of this misof souls. sionary style is the image that Let us honour Our Lady and shows the new Blessed clasp“sing her glory wherever we go ing a child’s hand in one hand by praying the Rosary with love while moving her Rosary beads and devotion daily and on the with the other. Contemplation streets.” and action, evangelization and human promotion: Mother “This month of October Teresa proclaimed the Gospel must be very special to each one living her life as a total gift to of us, as it is the month during the poor but, at the same time, which Our Lady invites us all in steeped in prayer” (John Paul II a very special way to contemplate on 19 October 2000). with her the mysteries of Jesus’ life that she shared so fully, through The experience of God’s our fervent praying of the Rosary. thirsting love was at the root of the exceptional capacity to love that character- Yes, we must always be very faithful and never ized Mother Teresa’s life. Jesus’ words “I thirst” give up praying the Rosary.” uttered on Calvary echoed in her heart and she Let us heed her voice and follow Mothunderstood that the echo of the same words er Teresa’s example of praying the Rosary daily is still resonant in the cries of the poor on the with great love and fervour. Calvaries of the world. Like Mary, she stood at DL Correspondent the foot of the Cross, and with the Rosary in
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MEDIA FOCUS on Mother
Teresa
List of some books on Mother Teresa:
• Something Beautiful for God, Malcolm Muggeridge, (Harper & Row, Publishers, 1971) • Mother Teresa: Her People and Her Work, Desmond Doig, (Harper & Row, Publishers, 1976) • Such a Vision of the Street, Eileen Egan, (Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1985) • We Do It For Jesus, Edward Le Joly, (Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd.,1977) • Servant of Love, Edward Le Joly, (Harper & Row, Publishers, 1977) • Always the Poor, Mother Teresa: Her Life and Message, José Luis González-Balado, (Liguori Publications, 1980) • For the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God, Kathryn Spink, (Colour Library International Ltd, 1981) • Mother Teresa: The Love of Christ, edited by Georges Gorée and Jean Barbier, (New York: Harper & Row; London: Fount Paperbacks, 1982) • Words to Love By, edited by Frank J. Cunningham, (Ave Maria Press, 1983) • Stories of Mother Teresa, José Luis González Balado, (Liguori Publications, 1983) • Messenger of God’s Love, Edward Le Joly, (St. Paul Publications, 1983) • I Need Souls Like You, Kathryn Spink, (Harper & Row, Publishers, 1984) • My Life for the Poor, José Luis González Balado and Janet M. Playfoot, (Ballantine Books, 1985) • Meditations on The Way of the Cross, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Brother Roger of Taizé, (The Pilgrim Press, 1987) • Heart of Joy, José Luis González-Balado, (Fount Paperbacks, 1987) • Love: A Fruit Always in Season, edited by Dorothy S. Hunt, (Ignatius Press, 1987)
• One Heart Full of Love, José Luis GonzálezBalado, (Servant Books, 1988) • Mary, Mother of Reconciliations, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Brother Roger of Taizé, (Paulist Press, 1989) • Loving Jesus, José Luis González-Balado, (Servant Books, 1991) • Seeking the Heart of God, Reflections on Prayer, Mother Teresa & Brother Roger, (London: Harper Collins, 1992; San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1993) • Mother Teresa: A Woman In Love, Edward Le Joly, (Ave Maria Press, 1993) • Suffering Into Joy, Eileen Egan and Kathleen Egan, OSB (Servant Publications, 1994) • The Joy In Loving, Jaya Chaliha and Edward Le Joly, (Viking/Penguin, 1996) • A Gift for God: Mother Teresa of Calcutta, foreword by Malcolm Muggeridge, (Harper San Francisco, 1996) • Mother Teresa, Navin Chawla, (UK: Sinclair-Stevenson, 1992; Rockport, MA: Element Books, Inc., 1996) • Mother Teresa, Kathryn Spink, (HarperSanFrancisco, 1997) • Mother Teresa’s Reaching Out In Love, Edward Le Joly and Jaya Chaliha, (Barnes & Noble Books, 2002) • Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta: The Making of a Saint, Mario Cardinal (CBC Radio-Canada and Novalis, 2003)
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• I Thirst [Booklet], Rev. Goerge W. Kosicki, CSB, (Marian Press, 2004) • “I Loved Jesus in the Night”, Teresa of Calcutta: A Secret Revealed, published by Darton, Longman and Todd in February 2009 or Paraclete Press in September 2008.
• Jesus is My All in All,Praying with the “Saint of Calcutta” compiled by Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk (Random House 2008) • Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, compiled and edited by Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk (Random House 2007)
Pictorial Books:
Films on Mother Teresa:
• Teresa of Calcutta, Robert Serrou, (McGraw-Hill book Company, 1980) • Mother, Mark Tully, (FormAsia Books Limited, 1992) • Works of Love Are Works of Peace, Michael Collopy, (Ignatius Press, 1996)
MC Publications:
• Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Fruitful Branch on the Vine Jesus, Oscar Mondadori, edited by Missionaries of Charity, (Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, 1998) • Jesus, the Word to be Spoken, compiled by Brother Angelo Devananda, (Servant Publications, 1986) • Total Surrender, compiled by Brother Angelo Devananda Scolozzi, (Servant Publications, 1986) • Thirsting for God, compiled by Angelo D. Scolozzi, M.C.III.O., (Servant Publications, 2000) • Life With Mother Teresa: My thirty-year Friendship With The Mother Of The Poor, Fr. Sebastian Vazhakala, MC, (Servant Publications, 2004) • Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady, Fr. Joseph Langford, M.C. (Our Sunday Visitor, 2007) • Mother Teresa’s Secret Fire: The Encounter That Changed Her Life and How It Can Transform Your Own, by Fr. Joseph Langford, M.C. (Our Sunday Visitor, 2008)
MTC Publications:
• Where There is Love, There is God : Mother Teresa , Edited with an Introtuction by Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C., Ph.D. (Random House 2010)
• Something Beautiful For God (in UK, by BBC), • Mother Teresa And Her World (Japan, Shigeki Chiba/ FSP), • Mother Teresa (USA, Jeannette Petrie), • Mother & Me (UK, Gautam Lewis), • Love Till It Hurts (India, Pauline/DSP), • Mother Teresa An Unexpected Encounter (USA, Leigh Warton), • Nirmal Hriday – Home Of The Pure Heart (India, Bappa Ray), • Madre Teresa (Italy, Lux Vide), • In The Name Of God’s Poor (USA, Dominique Lappiere/Hall Mark), • Mother Teresa – The Legacy (USA, Jeannette Petrie), • The Making Of A Saint (Canada CBC / Radio Canada), • Missionaries Of Charity (France, France 2), • Revelation In Kolkata (France, France 2), • My Karma (India, Korak Day / Amar Nijer), • Mother Of The Universe (India, Jose Anthony Kurisunkal), • Precious Love (USA, Fr. George Torok/ Halel Video), • Seeing The Face of Jesus (USA, Morning Media), • Mother Teresa The Living Legend (India, Sunil Jindal), • From Saint To Sainthood (India, Payal Mohanka), • A Call Within A Call (India, CBCI), • All For God’s Love (India, Abhijit Dasgupta/ Sukriti TV), • The Fifth Word (Spain, Pablo Marcet), • The Letters (USA, William Riead – Hollywood). • Mother Teresa (Canada, Olivia Hussey)
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BORDURIA CELEBRATES
Mother Teresa’s Canonization
Borduria is the only place in Arunachal Pradesh which Mother Teresa visited peronally. Hence her Canonization was celebrated with joy and solemnity at Borduria. People were excited to know that she is raised to the height of Sainthood for they said “Mother Teresa has blessed and walked in our land”. In order to prepare for this day we had two days of spiritual preparation, a day for women and men fol l owe d by youth of the village. We got won-
derful response from the people including for the spiritual preparation. Bro. John Bagh and his team led the people in prayer and made them experience God’s mercy, love and blessing. They attracted men, women and youth through their dynamic animation. On 4th September, celebration began with procession from Borduria public ground to the Church. Holy Mass was celebrated by Rt. Rev. George Palliparambil sdb DD, Bishop of Miao. Large Number of people participated in the Holy Eucharist from the Borduria Parish. After the Holy Mass we had cultural programme followed by festive meal for all.
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Fr. Pradeep Soreng SDB
DERGAON: God’s own Village Dergaon, shortened version of the original name ‘Deor gaon’ which meant ‘God’s village’, is a town with a population of approximately 14,000 inhabitants in the Golaghat district of Assam. Ecclesiastically it is under Golaghat Parish in the Diocese of Dibrugarh. Some remember it mainly for being famous for the marauding army of roaming monkeys, who had once become an election issue! But Dergaon can truly boast of having a police training center, DKD College, which is one of the three best colleges in Northeast India, many good educational institutions including Don Bosco High School, Dergaon. The Dergaon mission took shape when on 11 March 1993, Fr. Theophilus Ganlari sdb, then parish priest of Golaghat, bought 10 bighas of land at Dergaon. From 1994 Fr. Benjamin Toppo sdb looked after the centre from Golaghat. Two more bighas of land were purchased. On 11 January 1995 Fr. Mathew Narimattam sdb took charge of the centre and looked after it from Jorhat. A room in the house of Mr. Amulya Hazarika served as his office. On 07 February 1995 Fr. Mathew and Fr. Theophilus came to reside in a rented house at Dergaon. It was blessed by Fr. Mathew Pulingathil sdb, Rector of Rua Home, Jorhat. A thatched shed was built and the nursery classes began on 01 March 1995 with 84 students in two divisions. The school was blessed by Fr. Varghese Palathingal sdb, Provincial of Dimapur Province.
The foundation stone of the new school building was blessed by Fr. Variyathukalayil Joseph sdb, Economer of Dimapur Province, on 24 February 1995. The two Salesians shifted to the new building, one staying in the office and the other in the staff room. On 17 January 1996 Sr. Bernadette FMA and Sr. Rani FMA arrived to commence their apostolate. On 24 January 1996 the ‘Maria Niwas’ Convent was inaugurated by Fr. Varghese Palathingal sdb and blessed by Bishop Joseph Aind of Dibrugarh, in the presence of Sr. Ivy D’Souza, the FMA Provincial. A hostel, meant primarily for the Mising students, was begun on18 January 1998. Don Bosco School, Dergaon, which began with 84 nursery students in a thatched shed, has now grown into a full-fledged Don Bosco High School with 1100 students. On 24 Oct. 2015, on the second day of the Province-level DB Bicentenary celebrations, the students of Don Bosco, Dergaon, bagged the second prize in the junior category of the Don Bosco Quiz competition. In the 2016 HSLC examinations Don Bosco School, Dergaon, obtained 100% pass results, with 53 of the 57 candidates passing in the 1st division. Currently the confreres at DBS Dergaon are: Fr. N. J. Cyriac (In-Charge, Headmaster & Administrator, Fr. E. C. Michael (Asst. HM & Counselor), and Fr. Anthony Toppo (Law student). DL Correspondent
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First Communion at Don Bosco Parish Tinsukia Don Bosco Parish, Tinsukia conducted a programme of two weeks duration for the first communicants. There were 125 boys and girls from different villages of the Parish. A team of Fathers, Sisters, Novices, Catechists and others were involved in preparing the children for the reception of the first confession and communion. The children were very enthusiastic and attentive in the classes. They made their first confession on 23 July. On 24 July 2016 the
children received the sacrament of first Holy Communion. Their parents, brothers, sisters, friends and relatives were present to witness to this great event. The main celebrant of the day was Fr. Shaji Valiaparampil sdb the Parish priest. The children were given a rosary and a holy picture each after the holy Eucharist to remember this great day. Fr. Roy Mathew sdb, Tinsukia
SCHE HOLDS ‘INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA DAY’ To create awareness of the pros and cons of social media, Salesian College of Higher Education (SCHE), Dimapur, observed the 7th ‘International Social Media Day’ organized by the Media Club under the supervision of Dominic Khnayo and Cl. Sebastian Kamsuan sdb in the SCHE’s Bernick Hall on Speaking as the chief guest, social communication delegate of Dimapur Province, Fr. Jonas Kerketta sdb underscored the relevance of social media in today’s world. He highlighted how governments of different countries were toppled by the power of social media, e.g. the ‘Arab Spring’. Fr. Jonas said, “human beings are by nature sociable, and therefore they find in social media
suitable means to communicate.” Earlier on, SCHE principal, Dr. Policarp Xalxo sdb in his welcome speech spoke on the usefulness of social media. He exhorted the students to use the social media for personal growth as well as for social uplift. SCHE Asst. Professor, Cl. Sebastian Kamsuan sdb presented a multimedia presentation highlighting the origin and the impact of social media in the world. Over 200 students participated in the programme. They were sensitized on the value of social media through notice boards and hoardings. Cl. Sebastian Kamsuan sdb
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PT BROTHERS’
Recollection cum Meeting
Carrying the good wishes of our communities, 26 Practical training (PT) brothers marched to Provincial House for our trimonthly Recollection-cum- Meeting on 30 and 31 July 2016. Our little aches and anxieties were drowned in the ocean of smiles on the faces of one another.
of self-acceptance, self-responsibility, selfassertiveness, living purposely and personal integration will help in building good selfesteem. The second session was animated by Fr. Jonas on Print Media. He covered up various topics namely, characteristics of news, basic writing structures, headlines, lead writing, Our recollection was animated by Fr. news gathering, and the importance of writing. Jonas Kerketta on the theme, ‘The Spirituality After the short sharing of the PT brothers, of Salesian Assistance.’ He urged us to cultivate Fr. John Bosco Perianayagam, Vice Provincial, loving and creative presence and assistance of exhorted the participants to develop selfthe young people entrusted to our care. The confidence, self-responsibility for personal first day concluded with the sacrament of formation and to keep on equipping oneself reconciliation. so as to face the new challenges adequately. In The second day began with the Holy his concluding words, Fr. Provincial spoke on Eucharist presided over by Fr. Nestor, the importance of following the house timeProvincial of Dimapur Province. His homily table and on Salesian animating presence. All touched upon the Evangelical Vows with the brothers were grateful to the Provincial the emphasis on the vow of Poverty. He said, House community for all the arrangements “Detachment from the passing earthly things done. It was a great encouragement for the will lead us to be more attached to God.” There young confreres to experience the keen interest were two sessions in the morning. In his multi- and support from our superiors in our journey media presentation, Fr. Varghese Chittilappilly towards religious and priestly vocation. dealt on effective teaching strategies and building self-esteem. He said that the practice
Cl. Sebastian Kamsuan sdb, Dimapur
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SHOWER OF GOD’S MERCY
AT MARGHERITA Sometimes Christians say that the sense of sin is diminishing and less and less people frequent the sacrament of confession. Conversion is an ongoing reality and Christ’s call to conversion continues to resound in the lives of the Christians. This second conversion is an uninterrupted task for the whole church, who, at once holy and always in need of purification, follows constantly the path of penance and renewal and clasps sinners to her bosom. This endeavour of conversion is not just a human work, it is the movement of a human heart drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first (cf. CCC1428).
time for confessions as comfortable as possible by providing stand fans for all the confessionals. Confessions went on till two o’clock in the afternoon. There were 27 priests to hear confessions. It was wonderful to see so many priests approached by a large group of youngsters to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. The confessions were immediately followed by torrential rains, symbolically showing that all the sins were washed away. The weather became cool and pleasant again. Fr. Nazarius Lakra sdb, Don Bosco Tinsukia
Last 20 July 2016 was a day of celebration of conversion and forgiveness. There were 1,600 youth gathered in the Divine Retreat Centre at Margherita (Assam) for retreat which was organized by the priests belonging to the Society of Vincent De Paul. The Church was packed to full capacity and more youth were struggling to enter the church due to the overcrowding. Confessions began at 9.00 am. Penitents began streaming in from all sides. The day was quite hot. Resident priests tried to make the
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SALESIAN COLLEGE Stages ‘Mercy
As a sign of gratitude to all who associate and collaborate with the Salesian College of Higher Education (SCHE), Dimapur, a concert with “Mercy not Revenge” was held on August 6 and 7 at Fr. Paul Bernick Memorial Auditorium. In commemoration of the Year of Mercy, Fr. Tom Karthik sdb, Rector of SCHE, scripted a one-act play entitled “Mercy not Revenge.” It was acted out to drive home the urgent need of mercy and forgiveness in our wounded society and bring about healing and peace in our region. The programme also featured many blossoming artists who performed various items: multi- media presentation, dances,
not Revenge’
songs, mime, instrumental and choir-pieces etc., which added colour to the concert. The wide variety of entertainment was directed by Fr. Gyan Sandeep Kujur sdb, Vice-Principal and counselor of SCHE. The first day was attended by students, hostellers and villagers from Salesian College youth centres. On the following day, the audience consisted of neighbouring institutions, benefactors and well-wishers. About 1,300 people participated in the two-day entertainment extravaganza. Cl. Sebastian Kamsuan sdb, Dimapur
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AMGURI Organizes SCIENCE AND ARTS EXHIBITION “Science has changed the World. Science Some of the eye brow raising moments of the can still change the world for the better”. day were; salt water being used to generate elecDon Bosco High School Amguri gave tric energy, ice-cube being used to make homeample opportunities to the students by orga- made air cooler, electronic quiz board, etc.
nizing Science and Arts Exhibition on 20th Along with the chief guest, the parents August 2016. Sri Vivek Shyam, Circle Officer and students visited the science exhibition as Revenue, Amguri was the chief guest for the well as the Art gallery. The day was made more occasion. meaningful with the presence of some other The programme started at 9:00 am with neighboring schools and past pupils. a Bible Reading by Kasturi Borah of Class-x. the anchor Madam Samsun (one of the teachers) highlighted the events and introduced the guests to the school. After the welcome speech by Rev. Fr. MP Thomas (Rector) the chief guest gave his exhortation. “Parents and teachers are ‘gods’ we see by our human eyes”, said the chief guest in his speech. At the end of his speech, he declared ‘Science and Arts Exhibition’ open.
The programme ended by 12.30 pm. All those who witnessed the event appreciated the school authority and the students for their creativity and the beautiful exhibition.
The main purpose behind this exhibition was to provide a platform to the students to exhibit their inner talents. It strengthens their knowledge of the subject matter. Students can develop the skill of leadership and learn how to The day saw the original and rare scien- work in groups. tific and artistic temperaments of the students. Cl. Gangmei Samuel Augustine sdb
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STAKEHOLDERS Attend
‘FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION’
The Salesian Province of Dimapur, comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Upper Assam organized the ‘Focus Group Discussion’ (FGD) programme at the Don Bosco Institute of Development and Leadership (DBIDL), Dimapur, from 10 to 11 September. In four interactive sessions Mr. Conrad Saldanha, principal adviser to the Don Bosco Centre for Learning, Kurla-Mumbai, efficiently animated the participants. The FGD programme is part of the project undertaken by the Salesian Provincials Conference of South Asia (SPCSA) to elicit feedback from the four groups of stake holders – youth, parents, teachers and NGOs – on the life and activities of the Salesians with a view to streamlining and improving their services to the youth of the South Asian Region. On 11 Sept. student representatives from Don Bosco College (Itanagar), Don Bosco College (Golaghat-Assam), Salesian College of Higher Education, Bosco B.Ed. College and Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School (Dimapur), Don Bosco College (Kohima), as well as from Don Bosco College (Maram-Manipur) shared their views on issues like career, education, boy-girl relationships, their attitudes towards religion, their positive as well as negative views on Salesians and Salesian works. In the evening of the same day parent representatives frankly shared their perceptions on as well as expectations from the Salesians.
In the morning session on 11 Sept. teacher representatives from the above mentioned colleges deliberated and honestly expressed their views on Salesian personnel and their activities in Dimapur Province. They also offered their suggestions as to how the Salesians ought to plan for the next 10 years. In the afternoon five NGOs working under the direction of the Salesians shared their success stories as well as the areas where they need to improve. They freely expressed their views on Salesian personnel and activities and their expectations from them. Mr. Saldanha said he was greatly satisfied with the way the participants readily and frankly offered their valuable feedback on Salesians and their activities. He added, “when the 11 Indian Salesian Provinces of Bangalore, Chennai, Dimapur, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Konkan, Silchar, and Tiruchy meet in Guwahati on 17 Sept. to present their reports on the FGD programmes, the report from Dimapur too will be presented.” Fr. Perianayagam J. Bosco, chief coordinator of the province-level exercise, sincerely thanked the youth, parents, teachers and NGOs for their cooperation. He said their generous feedback would contribute much to present a fairly clear picture of the Salesian work in South Asia when Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, Rector Major, visits India in 2017. DL Correspondent
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DB ALUMNI DAY at DBHSS DIMAPUR
As part of the Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School alumni meet 2016, a newly constructed building and auditorium was blessed by the Provincial of Dimapur province, Fr. Nestor Guria sdb on 13 August 2016. Speaking on behalf of the past pupils, Dr. Apong Longchar, a paediatrician in Nikos Hospital, emphasized that school becomes dearest to a person after one’s own family. He exhorted his fellow colleagues to have an attitude of gratitude to wards their alma mater. The programme was graced by 400 past pupils of the school.
The following persons were elected as office bearers for a tenure of three years: L. Imtikumzuk as president, P. Phutoli Zhimomi as vice president, Yongkongnuksung as general secretary, Ruth as asst. general secretary, Anand Sethi as treasurer and Dr. Apong Longchar as advisor. Some of the features of the programme included Ao cultural dance, Lotha modern folk song, Shaolin Kungfu demonstration, school choir rendition, special performances by Paper Sky and George Wangyat Wangsu. Fr. Hriiyio Michael sdb, DBS Dimapur
IN A LIGHTER MOOD Caught off-guard A boy met his father with great fear, holding his examination report card. The father glanced at it and retorted, “You good for nothing! Do you know that a river stood between Lal Bahadur Shastri’s house and his school. Yet he never missed class and did well. You are sent to the best school and coming up with ‘D’ in four subjects!” The boy mustered some courage and thundered, “Papa, at your age Lal Bahadur Shastri was the Prime Minister of India!” I collect fares, not confessions The ticket collector on the train looking at the woman and her son, said, “I think the boy of yours is above 12. He needs a full ticket.” “How can he be over 12? I have been married for 10 years only”, the woman challenged the official. “Madam, I collect fares, not confessions”, replied the official.
The watchful professor A famous professor was invited to deliver a series of lectures at a University in New York. His friends, who knew how aggressive the American journalists could be, warned him to be watchful. On arrival in New York, the reporters sought him out. The first question shot at him was, “Are you going to visit any nightclubs during your stay in New York?” “Are there any night clubs in New York?” the professor dodged the question with an evasive response. The next day he opened the morning paper to read an account of the interview. He got the shock of his life when he noticed that the story carried this gem, “The first question the eminent professor asked, on stepping ashore, was, “Are there any night clubs in New York?” DL Correspondent
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DIBRUGARH:
“THE CENTRE OF THE SALESIAN WORLD”
Surprised? Well, Rev. Fr. Pascual V. Chavez, 9th Superior General of the Salesians, was in Don Bosco, Dibrugarh on 26 and 27 February 2005. On 26 Feb. during the reception programme he said, “Today and tomorrow Dibrugarh is the centre of the Salesian world because the Rector Major of the Congregation is here”. The enthusiastic audience went berserk with unblemished joy as they thunderously applauded the Rector Major. Well known as the ‘Tea City of India’, Dibrugarh is located 439 km east of Guwahati. Mega projects like the Brahmaputra Gas Cracker and Polymer Limited, India’s longest rail-cumroad bridge at Bogibeel, and other upcoming modern infrastructures are transforming Dibrugarh into a vibrant city. Don Bosco, Dibrugarh includes Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School, Don Bosco Apostolic School, Don Bosco Memorial Evening School and Bishop Marengo College Hostel. Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh was officially established on March 18 in 1960 at the present Bishop’s House campus. In 1970 it was shifted to its present site. During its Golden Jubilee
Year in 2010 it was upgraded to Higher Secondary School (DBHSS). In the Province level DB Bicentenary related Gospel Choreography competition on 23 Oct. 2015, the students of DBHSS Dibrugarh bagged the third prize. In the 2016 HSLC examinations, out of the 142 candidates 139 passed, 115 in the 1st division. Two students, Suryajyoti Dutta and Wajahat Yusuf secured 13th and 20th positions, respectively. In the 2016 HSSLC examinations, all the 33 Arts students passed, 17 of them in the 1st div; all the 23 Commerce students passed, 10 of them in the 1st div. The first batch of post-Matric Aspirants reached Don Bosco Dibrugarh on 28 June 1982. Since then many boys have gone through the portals of the Apostolic School. The following have reached priesthood: Fr. Theotimus Lakra and Fr. Nicholas R. K. Guangdiat (studied in the Apostolic School in 1983-1988), Fr. Peter Salew and Fr. Samuel Elow (1984-1989), Fr. Rini Chakho James and Fr. Nabor Dungdung (1987-1992), Fr. T. P. James, Fr. K. C. James and Fr. Gangmei J. Joshua (1990-1996),
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Fr. Philip Kamei (1991-1997), Fr. Igness Hans and Fr. Surjit Kujur (1992-1998), and Fr. Blasius Tete (1998-2004). In 1988, Don Bosco’s death centenary year, Bosco Memorial Evening School (BMES) was added to cater to the educational needs of the poorer children in and around Dibrugarh. The children are required to pay Rs. 10/- as admission fees and Rs. 5/- as monthly tuition fees. After completing class V they join other Assamese medium schools. But those who pass class V in the 1st and 2nd ranks are admitted to the Assamese section of St. Mary’s School run by the MSMHC Sisters. Till their HSLC examinations their fees are paid by the BMES, which currently has 180 students from Nursery to class V. The Bishop Marengo College Hostel was opened in 1999 to help the poor Catholic boys with affordable boarding facilities. At present there are 62 Higher Secondary, College and University students residing in the hostel. In the course of its 56 years, Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh has shaped the lives of thousands of young people. Its students have excelled not only in academics but also in other activities like sports, music, fine arts etc. Some of the alumni are now serving as doctors, hoteliers, entrepreneurs, judges, politicians, musicians, cinematographers, etc. in different parts of India. The sprawling campus of the school consists of a magnificent school building, an audio-visual room, a library, a
canteen, hostels, administrative complex, a 700 seat auditorium, two soccer fields, two basketball courts, a mini park, etc. Parent’s Day, Teachers’ Day, Children’s Day celebrations, annual sports, exhibitions, scouting, picnics, intra and inter-school competitions, educational tours, etc. provide added impetus to the physical, intellectual and moral formation of the students in this school. A galaxy of luminaries has passed through this hallowed institution: Bishop Joseph Aind of Dibrugarh Diocese; Mr. Ranjan Gogoi, a current Supreme Court Judge; Sri Sarbananda Sonowal, the present Chief Minister of Assam, just to mention a few. The current DB Alumni President of Dimapur Province, Mr. Rajesh Singh, himself is an alumnus of DBHSS Dibrugarh. Lt. Mr. Purno Agitok Sangma, former Lok Sabha Speaker (1986-1988) had served the school as a teacher and boarding master before joining active politics. The present community of Don Bosco Dibrugarh consists of: Fr. Kamil Horo (Rector & BMEV incharge), Fr. A. Chinnapparaj (Vice Rector & Administrator), Fr. V. A. Thomas (Principal), Fr. Amil Kujur (Vice Principal & Hostel Warden), Fr. Job Kallarackal (Asst. Hostel Wn), Fr. P. K. Mathew (Confessor), Fr. Palatty Devasia (PA to Bp Joseph Aind), Cl. F. K. Emmanuel (Asst.), Cl. Kullu William (Asst.) as well as 54 apostolic boys. Fr. Kamil Horo sdb, Rector, DBS Dibrugarh
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Glimpses of Don Bosco, Dergaon, Assam
Glimpses of Don Bosco, Dibrugarh, Assam