Parish & Mission News

from Kolkata News of the Salesians (KNOTS) July - Sep 2021

Provincial’s Message

Fr. Peter Lourdes, kicks off week long preparation for World Grandparents Day 2021

17 July, Kolkata: A week-long preparation for the World Grandparents Day to be held on July 25, was kicked off today by Fr. Gilbert, the Catechetical Director from Don Bosco Nitika through a zoom interaction. Around 90 participants took part in this event.

Fr. Gilbert presented the idea behind dedicating a day for Grandparents by Holy Father Pope Francis on January 31 with the theme, ‘I am with you always.” Pope Francis chose fourth Sunday of July that coincidently falls close to the Feast Day of St. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

The great attraction of the event was the message from Fr. Peter Lourdes, SDB, a 95-year-old Salesian priest who himself was a covid survivor. He spoke about his early years, his educational qualification, the pandemic, ecology, his relationship with God and his old age. “…coming to terms with retirement and old age is a spirituality…,” was a takeaway point from the talk of father.

Fr. Gilbert further highlighted on the Day of Grandparents and explained why Pope Francis established this day with his attractive PowerPoint presentation.

Wide celebration of World Day for Grandparents and Elderly at various Salesian parishes

The call by Pope Francis to celebrate a day in honour of grandparents and elderly was taken seriously by many parishes in the province who took initiatives to make this day a special one for them.

Kolkata: 38 grandparents and elderly were honoured here at Auxilium Parish, Gobra, by organizing a whole day spiritual program. The day was set aside for them, where they were asked to make a prior appointment for the event due to covid restrictions.

The program was animated by Auxilium Renewal Centre members under the guidance of Father Ramesh and Sr. Sandhya, FMA. Fr. P.A. John, the Parish Priest highlighted the points placed by Holy Father and pointed out the importance of grandparents in the families. The participants were prepared spiritually with the Rosary service, one hour of Animation by Sr. Sandhya, Adoration service and Confession. Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. PA John, the Parish Priest. The event finally concluded with the giving away of spiritual gifts to the participants as a token of appreciation.

Mirik: The Salesian Youth Ministry (SYM) of Don Bosco Parish, Mirik and its subcenters observed the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly today with around 30 Baje-Bojus at various centers. The

day was made special for them with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Parish Priest, Fr. Mathew Pulingathil, who highlighted on the message of Holy Father, “I am with you.” The SYM animated the whole program by praying for their good health and felicitated them with gifts and khadas.

Samtar: Don Bosco samtar made the day of 14 grandparents and elderly special by organizing a free medical check-up camp for them, followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Fr. Savio Rai.

The youth who had gone for training at North Point Darjeeling were provided with essential medicines and medical kits which they could provide for the needy. They made use of the training they received and the medicines basically Vitamins were given to the old and the aged. They too were felicitated after the mass with the cutting of the cake and honoring them with gifts.

Dhajea: The Quasi Parish of Dhajea along with the youth group concluded its two week-long celebration of World Day for Grandparents and elderly by felicitating them with khadas, grandchildren seeking blessings and offering the Holy Eucharist for their intention at Salesian Novitiate chapel.

Fr. Peter Lepcha, the Parish priest, highlighted the theme of the Holy Father, “I am with you,” specially emphasizing on the supporting role played by grandparents in the absence of the parents.

On the other hand, the youth went about house to house of each grandparents honouring them, interviewing them and spending some time with them. They even recorded their precious thoughts in their smart phone for making the event memorable and to keep the legacy of the elderly of the community.

Bandel: Bandel Basilica celebrated World Day for grandparents amidst the lockdown with around 95 participants. The youth of the Parish animated the program of the day beginning with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by the Prior Fr. NJ Johny in the presence of Fr. MJ Jose and Fr. Saroj Mallick.

Fr. Saroj, in his homily highlighted the message of Holy Father, “I am with you,” and the important link that the grandparents and the grandchildren need to develop in an environment of love. Mathew Mondal while addressing the grandparents recalled the nostalgic experience of his childhood with his grandparents. Grandparents on their part too came forward to express their sentiments of gratitude and honour that they received through the celebration of this event.

Hooghly: Polish ambassador to India, Prof. Adam Wojciech Burakowski and his 9-year-old daughter, Marta Agnieszka, made a short visit to Bandel Basilica and Don Bosco Seminary today.

Prof. Adam, who came to pay a visit to the Honorary Consulate of Poland in Kolkata, made it a point, to visit some of Bengal’s historical legacies left behind by foreign countries. Accompanied by the Chief Consular Officer of Kolkata, Joydeep Roy, he visited Bandel Basilica, a 440 years old Portuguese church, before moving to Sacred Heart Church, Chandanagar, a French colony.

“Being a devout catholic, he spent most of his time in prayer,” said father Jose Pathickal, Headmaster of St. John’s School, Bandel, who guided him around the Church premises. He visited all the places of worship in the church and moved to Don Bosco Seminary. He and his daughter were greeted with smiles and welcome songs by the seminarians. Being fluent in Hindi and Urdu, Prof. Adam spoke a few words in Hindi and English encouraging the seminarians to work hard to achieve their goals in life. His two-hour visit ended with lunch and he moved towards Chandanagar.

Prof. Adam Burakowski is a Polish diplomat, political scientist and historian. He is serving as an ambassador of Poland to India since December 2017. He resides in Tilak Marg, Delhi with his wife and four children.