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Formation News
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Final Yes to God Kolkata: Br. Roshan Ekka and Br. Sanjay Kumar Bilung made their perpetual commitment as Salesian brothers on 18 and 24 of May in a private ceremony at Don Bosco Kalimpong and Don Bosco Mirpara. Fr. Martin Lakra, the Rector of the community, received the Vows of Br. Roshan Ekka in the community Chapel.
Two Brothers say
24 May, on the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, Br. Sanjay Kumar Bilung, made his commitment to be with the Lord and the young forever here at Don Bosco Mirpara. Fr. Jaison Nedumkallel, the Rector of the community received his vows. Br. Roshan hails from the Salesian parish of Christ the King Church, Hesag, Ranchi. Born to Mathias and Rose Ekka Br. Roshan made his first Profession on 24 May 2013 as a Salesian Brother. He has three sisters and two brothers, one of them, the eldest, Br. Ravi Ekka belongs to the Salesian Province of Guwahati and is currently pursuing his studies in Theology. Recalling his vocation, he says, “the one to ignite my Salesian vocation is my eldest brother Ravi. He would narrate me, in his letters, about the beauty of Salesian life and vocation. Convinced, I made up my mind and joined Kolkata province.”
First Profession
of Nine Novices at Dhajea
Dhajea: 24 May, on the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, nine novices pronounced their first vows at Nazareth Bhavan Novitiate, Dhajea.
Moses makes his First Profession
Fr. Samuel Mondal, the novice master, received the vows of novice belonging to Guwahati and Kolkata province namely Beg Alphar, Hereh Essak, Khardewsaw Johnystar, Murmu Joy, Rai Jacob, Singh Prajnnadeepta, Tigga Manish, Topno Sanjit and Toppo Shailesh.
Fr. Peter Lepcha, the Bursar and Socius, preached the retreat and prepared them spiritually for the First Profession.
Fr. Nirmol Gomes, the confessor, along with the pre-novices of Kolkata and Guwahati led the choir. Salesians from nearby communities, sisters and few parishners were present for the solemn occasion. Khonjonpur: On the feast of the Visitation of Our Lady, novice Moses Hasda made his first profession at Khonjonpur (Bangladesh).
Fr. Francis Alencherry, the Bangladesh Salesian Mission Coordinator received the vows. Cl. Moses Hasda, became the first novice to make his novitiate and receive his first profession in Bangladesh.
Moses, who was supposed to make his novitiate in Nazareth Bhavan, Dhajea, had to do his Novitiate in Bangladesh, under the guidance of Fr. Jose Pampadyil due to COVID.
Bp. Stephen Lepcha makes a short visit to SCS
Sonada: The Brothers from Salesian College Siliguri and Sonada Campus, made their spiritual retreat in preparation for the renewal of their vows from 14 May to 20 May at Sonada.
At the conclusion of the retreat on 20 May, Fr. George Thadathil the Provincial Councillor received the of vows of 21 Brothers. 9 Practical trainees and student confreres also renewed their vows in different communities.
Shillong: After a week-long retreat at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong, acolyte Nijo John and Hansel Arvind Dutta were ordained deacons by Most Rev. Victor Lyngdoh, Archbishop of Shillong, on 1 July.
Deacon Nijo is placed in Auxilium Parish for his Diaconate ministry while Deacon Hansel is in the Don Bosco Joypur Parish. Dhajea: On 25 May 2021, the initiation ceremony of nine novices took place at Nazareth Bhavan, Dhajea.
Four novices belong to Guwahati Province namely: Marak Joe Jimmy R, Nongsiei Banshanlang, Orea William and Tirkey Ashok. Beck Amit, Mardi Nicolas, Nayak Babikanta, Nayak Rohit Kumar and Singh Abhishek Oscar, belong to Kolkata province.
They placed their hand on the hands of the Novice Master Fr. Samuel Mondal as sign of complete surrender.
Sonada 17 July 2021: Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling diocese visited Salesian Studentate Sonada on 17 July 2021. The community welcomed Rev. Bp Stephen with Songs accompanied by band. In the absence of Rev. Fr. James Chacko the Rector of Salesian Studentate, Rev. Fr. Pritam Barla, the Vice-Rector and Rev. Fr. Tomy Augustine, the Rector of College community, welcomed his Lordship to the Community.
Bp. Stephen address the community after the Welcome songs. At first he exhorted all to pray to Anne-Marie Javouhey, the foundress of the Cluny congregation as she is on her way to sainthood. He then spoke about the rich tradition of Salesian college Sonada and the number of Salesian missionaries who have studied at Sonada and have done great works for the Lord especially in the North East India. He also encouraged all the student brothers to study well and to take their formative years seriously. He firmly exhorted all present to become walking Jesus, teaching Jesus, and not sleeping Jesus. He expressed his joy to see the brothers who have just made their first profession and were getting ready for the future ministry. He thanked the community for the warm welcome.
33 Aspirants join Salesians of Kolkata
Community month unveiled at Salesian Studentate Pre-novices attend course on Youth Ministry
Kolkata: 35 boys joined Salesians of Kolkata from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisa and Bihar to begin their formation in the Salesian way of life by July 31. 23 class X pass boys joined the seminary at Don Bosco, Bandel while 12 class XII boys joined Savio Bhavan, Azimganj.
Fr. Patrick Lepcha, the Youth Director and Vocation Promotor of the province commenting on the number of vocations this year said, “in spite of the fact that covid 19 hampered vocation camps yet we have been blessed with 33 boys and still few are yet to join.”
While most of the boys of class XII have reached Savio Bhavan and have begun their formation, the last batch of 9 boys reached Don Bosco Seminary, Bandel on July 31.
Among 33 boys, 7 are form the Diocese of Berhampur, few form Rourkela and Sambalpur Diocese. 3 have joined from the Diocese of Simdega, Jharkhand. Fr. Patrick on July 31 took them around Bandel Basilica and placed them under the care of Our Lady of Bandel before they formally began their formation.
Sonada, 1 September: Inaugural service kicked off the Community month celebrations themed “Be the flame of Unity,” here at Salesian Studentate, Sonada.
The ceremony commenced with a hymn entitled ‘as we gather in this place today’ and at the same time there was lighting of the lamp by Fr. James Chacko, the Rector, Fr. Pritam Barla, the Vice Rector, Fr. Pawanjit Singh, the Dean of Studies, Fr. Asish Das, the Confessor and few brothers representing their own tribes. Thereafter, Fr. Rector unveiled the theme “Be the Flame of Unity” and declared the community month open.
Br. Pynshaibok read out a short introduction on the theme in which he stressed on the important role of the flame in purifying one’s life. Fr. Rector in his message emphasised on the word “unity”. He said, “we need to burn away our egoism, indifferences, cold-heartedness in order to experience the true unity in the community.” A hymn was played and everyone came forward to collect the biodata form, the spiritual bouquet and to pick a name for the spiritual friend. A theme song was sung by Br. Banhunlang and co. Br. Abhay Dung Dung before the conclusion, read out the various activities and events of the community month.
Azimganj: Fr. Patrick Lepcha, the Youth Director of the Salesian province of Kolkata conducted three day crash course on the Salesian Youth Ministry for Pre-Novices from 6 to 8 of September at Savio Bhavan, Azimganj.
Fr. Patrick began the course by highlighting to the Pre-Novices the importance of youth ministry in a Salesian’s life. He encouraged the Pre-Novices to “develop an interest for the young people as Don Bosco did”. The subject matter of the course was the first book of the Training Manuel for Pre-Novitiate: Salesian Youth Ministry Frame of Reference made easy for various stages of formation.
The three-day course was intense and highly informative. It was timely introduction to the Salesian Youth Ministry world to know who youth are and how each Salesian can make a difference by studying Don Bosco and his method of being with the young people. The class was brought to a conclusion with a motivational speech by the director.
