December 2010 Newsletter

Vol. 25 No. 12    

WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

---

Appointments:

• The Holy Father has nominated as Consultors to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, among others, Father Dieter Böhler, of the German Province, professor of the Faculty of Theology of Saint George in Frankfort (Germany) and Father Joseph Carola, of the New Orleans Province, professor of Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
• Father General has named  P. Yoshio Kajiyama new Provincial of the Province of Japan.
• Although appointed as the Provincial of Bohemia, Fr. Jan Adamik was unable to assume that office due to health problems.  Father General has asked Fr. Hylmar Frantisek to continue his service as Provincial of Bohemia.

The Region Superior’s Program

Fr. Lawrence will be in Kathmandu throughout December.

Announcements & Invitation

Deacons Anil Beck and Vijay Toppo will be ordained as priests on 12 February 2011 at St. Xavier’s Parish Church, Maheshpur, Jhapa. Vijay will celebrate his First Mass on 18th February in his home village Barahi in Sale Parish and Anil will celebrate his First Mass on 20th February in his home village, Shantipur in Mahuadaner Parish. Please take this as a personal invitation and bless them with your presence and prayers.

Scholastic Narun has applied to leave the Society and is staying with his family and friends now.

AROUND THE REGION

St. Xavier’s, Jawalakhel

We were blessed with visits of many Jesuit friends this month.  Father Bill Robins and his two batch-mates from Canada, Fr. Roger and Fr. Winston, along with Fr. Greg Sharkey paid us a short visit on their way to Tibet to meet Fr. Mike.

The experience of their overland Tibet including the apostolate of Mike sounded overwhelming.  All were welcomed by the students in one of the assemblies.

The community welcomes Deacon Anil Beck this month. Anil will be engaged in deaconate ministry in Baniyatar parish. It was a joy to have the pre-novices and Deacon Vijay Toppo with us for a night. The pre novices are currently on their village experience in Godavari.

For leisure of a different kind, Marty took a break from his make-busy days to stay at Alka and Norvic for a couple of days (Nepal rent-a-nurse holidays).  All community members took turns in keeping him happily hospitalized.

Seniors Sports Day on November 13th went off with hardly a hitch, followed by Joint School Cricket tournament the very next day.  Junior Sports Day took off on November 20 with much fun and many events. Parents (both mothers and fathers separately) won the tug of war against staff.  Gents’ Staff won first prize on the 4×100 relay field.  Parents took second prize and lady staff grabbed the first and the third in track and field.

Plus Two, a first for current students, First Term Report Card distribution fell on November 17. Both parents and students came to collect Report Card.  On November 27 other students will all receive Report Cards under the same conditions – to be collected by students and parents together.

Joint school activities (football, basketball, track and field events) were organized on November 21. Certificates were distributed to all participants.

Class 9 Field Trip to Lumbini lasted from November  24 to 27 with Br. Tek and five other teachers accompanying the group and mostly all returning on time.

Forthcoming events:  Inauguration and Blessing of the New building on December 3 in conjunction with Xavier Day and Science Exhibit (all students, their parents and friends of St. Xavier’s are invited); School Mela on December 18 will be an event to tickle any wallet. — Marty

Loyola Parish, Baniyatar

After a rather quiet October, life in the parish has picked up somewhat. Most of the parishioners are back from the village. The youth have been busy preparing for the IMCS South Asian program being held in Godavari Pastoral Centre from 23rd to 30th. They are actively involved as participants, volunteers and performers at the cultural night on 27th. We were privileged by the visit of the candidates from Pokhara on the feast of Christ the King. Along with them, Deacon Anil was also welcomed to the parish for his deaconate ministry. Deacon Vijay and Srs. Usha and Kamala from the Opportunity Village were also present on the same day.  Parish Council meeting was held to plan out for the Advent and Christmas. We wish all the readers of SS a grace-filled advent. — Jiju

St. Xavier’s, Godavari

The Sports Days of 29 and 30th October made the school premises very colourful with different teams out in action in their multicoloured vests.  Mr. Purendra Lakhey, Secretary to the National Karat and a parent of ours was the chief guest on the occasion. On 4th we had our staff meeting and evaluation of our school activities and sports days. Lots of new inspiration and vision were shared by our staff for the future betterment of the school. An intra- school quiz competition was organized by our senior students on the 12th.

During the Tihar holidays a Protestant youth group from the valley had a three day seminar in our school. There were around 300 of them; they were pleased with  our good hospitality. On 13th we had the Second Term report card day and 14th our senior boys participated in a joint school one day cricket match at SXJ. On 17th our Scout had a full day program. Girls had a cooking competition organized by Ms. Radhika and other staff members and judged by Fr. Victor and Mr. Gurung  where as the boys had a full day hike to Phulchoki led by Mr. Saroj. On the 20th our Junior boys and girls bagged Gold and Silver respectively in the 4 x 100 relay event conducted at SXJ. On the following day, our boys and girls also took part in the Joint School Sport Meet at SXJ.

Since Fr. Victor was out during the  Dasain holidays, he was left alone during the Tihar holidays to guard the house while Fr. Juel and Sch. Tej went to Pokhara, Beni and then to Tatopani with Br. Clarence, Fr. Arulanandam and Fr. Norbert. They also visited the land at Hemja which Fr. Norbet is taking care of. The journey was full of new discoveries and experiences for all of us. — Tej

St. Xavier’s College

As we are close to the end of the year, 2010, the college is bubbling with life. Some of the staff and many students are exceptionally busy with games and cultural competitions.  All are vying with one another for some certificates of credentials which will be awarded to the winners on Dec. 3, 2010 on the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier.

Fr. E.C. Sebastian, the Treasurer of the Region, was out for two important meetings in India in the early part of the month: COJET at Bangalore and P/RDD at Goa, the former is the good old Treasurers’ meet and the latter a re-incarnated version of the Fund Raising Efforts, now christened as Province/Region Development Directors.

Fr. Antony Samy, the Principal of the College was out in Bhuwaneshwar twice during the course of this month for the Jesuit Educators Meet and also to present a paper on the Importance of the Jesuit Education in the Present Day Context.

We had the third College Management Body Meeting during the Year 2010. Some deliberations were made regarding the future of the College and its University Status if it ever comes to be.  After the meeting Prof. Nirmal Shrestha hosted a sumptuous dinner at Rice and Bowl Restaurant, Tripureshwar for all, including the Jesuits in the valley.

The Social Work Field Director, Fr. Arulanandam had his share of show on Nov. 21, in the Watrin Hall where the campers displayed an exquisite report of their experiences.

Now the pick of the month:  Br. Clarence was awakened from his deep slumber by a distress- call in the ghostly hours of the night on Nov. 20.  ”A thief in the College” was the alarm.  Immediately he shot out of the room like a bullet not knowing if his night gown was in place or not. He was not sure whether he was running to the North or South in the pitch darkness. However he found himself at the college gate in a matter of seconds only to find that the thief had already escaped with his booty-free hands. Probably he might have found that it was not worth the trouble to carry away some chairs.  The thief seemed to have crept through an unlatched window from the neighbouring property.  The hue and cry of our German Shepherds was not heeded early enough.

About the joys and sorrows of the BSW Camps Fr Arock Writes: Close on the heels of the Dashain holidays, came the ‘Camp Experiment’ for the students of the department of Social Work which was not only a time of grit and grace for the students as well as the staff, but of  learning too. The whole department was actively involved in organising camps and guiding the students. Fr. Arulanandam deserves a pat on the back for his strenuous effort in organizing the camps at various parts of Nepal.

Accompanied by Fr. Masil and Sr. Lydia, the I year BSW students had their ‘Working Camp’ at Lele, inside the valley of Kathmandu for five days, exposed to the rural reality and followed by slum visits to Thapathali, Thirupureshwar and Sankhumul for another five days.

Baglung near Beny, the destination for the II year BSW students for their ‘Rural Camp’ led by Sr. Manjusha and Mr. Raj Kumar became reminiscent of the journey of the Israelites. The manual work and the tiring walks to the villages were the highlights of the camp events which made the students realize the sheer hard labour of the rural people. The hard reality of rural life ignited the spirit of enthusiasm among the students to strive for ‘magis’ and to learn from the ordinary rural masses.

Wedded to the principle of peaceful coexistence of diverse castes, ethnicities and religions, Dharan, a town for all those who migrated from the hills, was the location for the ‘Urban Camp’ ,and an important milestone in the lives of the III year BSW students. They cherish the sweet memories of togetherness with one another and with the folks there.  In the first phase of the camp, the students were exposed to three slums; Deurali, Gairigaon, and Falklane in the town. A pilot study initially undertaken by two of our students before reaching the spot, made it easier for the whole class to go for data collection later in the slums with a well prepared interview schedule. In the second phase of the camp, the students performed street plays along the streets of the slums, based on the observation they made during the time of data collection. As a culmination, a rally on AIDS awareness was organized and taken along the important streets of the town and ended with street plays enacted just opposite of the bus station at Dharan. In the last phase of the camp, the students were busy with laying roads and making bunds on the river bank. Fr. Arockiam and Ms. Jyotsna, to make this camp effective and memorable, have contributed in moulding and guiding the students. The stay at Navajyoti School by SCN sisters made the camp meaningful. Hats off to the Principal Sr. Nimi, Sr. Marina the Social Worker and the other sisters for their warm hospitality extended to us”. — Paul K.C & Arockiam

Kamal Niwas, Sanepa

In the middle of the month we were happy to welcome the candidates from Pokhara to our community and interact with them. Ajit and Basant still have a little hope that their exam will be conducted in December. Merlin had his term and Send-up exams with the gap of just a week <SIGH>!  Narun has applied to leave the Society and is staying with his family now. We wish him good luck in his new life. Jomon recently represented the Christian Community in a Satsang (interfaith) program on the occasion of Day for Prayer and Action for Children organized by Dr. Chinta Mani Yogi, the Founding Principal of Hindu Vidyapeeth-Nepal. –– Merlin

Jhapa

Frs. Ignatius and Mathew had a wonderful home visit and are back to the community and mission.  Fr. Sanctius too returned from Kathmandu after making his eight days of spiritual journey directed by Fr. Jomon.  Our Jubiliarian Fr. Bill made a trip to Tibet with his two Jesuit companions from Canada and Fr. Greg Sharkey.

We welcomed the newly ordained deacons, Vijay and Anil on their way back from Delhi, after finishing their Theology studies. They stayed a few days at Maheshpur.  Miss. Jyostna, St. Xavier’s College staff, spent her holidays at Maheshpur after her 3rd year rural camp at Dharan. We are also happy that Ajit spend some days in our community to make his 8 days retreat, directed by Fr. Bill.

The students and teachers of Moran Memorial School were seen practising hard during the vacation for the dance programme to be held on Parents’ Day and on Bill’s Jubilee. The LTS and Alumni together celebrated their Tihar festival by lighting the lamps in the school and by preparing and sharing sel roti and tarkari. Fr. Bill ran his physics department at Maheshpur during vacation.

We reopened Moran Memorial School on 9th November. The school started the PIE after the Tihar festival. The school building has a new look after the fresh painting.
The students and staff took a lot of interest to participate in the football and volleyball matches at Suryodaya School, Damak. They were rewarded with 1st place in football.

Fr. George initiated to bring the 1st batch of SLC together during the Tihar holidays. He was partially successful to bring them together to share and have a meal together. PIE students enjoyed coming to our school during the vacation. Fr. Bill was also busy during the vacation coaching the PIE students in English and class 10 students in Science.

St. Xavier’s reopened on 9th November. The busy SXD Principal gives much time to coach the students in basket ball, football and volleyball and was rewarded with the school team winning the girls’ basket ball and volleyball inter-school matches held at Suryodaya School, Damak.

Vijay and Anil gave a two day retreat to Patapur faithful. Fr. Sanjay concluded the retreat with a Eucharistic celebration. Different Mass centers had All Soul’s Day prayers. In some places, it was the first time a priest offered the mass and blessed the tomb. Christ the King feast was celebrated at different mass centres on 20th Saturday. — Boby

Pokhara

The candidates had a five days’ trek guided by our experienced gurus Norbert and Arul. They were thrilled by the closer views of the Himalaya Mountains and some of them desired to go higher; we told them, “After you finish your higher studies.”  Now they are enjoying the hospitality of some Mandada families (near Godavari) during their village experience. Deacon Vijay joined Pokhara community early November and now he is guiding the candidates in the Godavari village, enjoying the hospitality of the Godavari community.

The pilgrimage to  Bandel and Kolkata was the highlight of the Tihar holidays for 15  parishioners and Fr. Arul, Sr. Annie, HCC, and Sr. Scholastica, C.J. They experienced warm hospitality on their way to and fro, from Frs. Sany and Savio and Adoration sisters  in Birganj; and Holy Cross Sisters  and Fr. Sebastian in Bhairahwa; and Jesuits in Prabhu Jesu Girja  in Kolkata. At Bandel and at Mother Theresa’s tomb Fr. Arul offered Mass specially for the intentions of the Region. They were delighted to meet Sr. Nirmala, the previous Superior General of the MCs. At Bandel they visited the tomb of Fr. John Prakash who was murdered in Sirsia two years ago.

Norbert continues to stay at Hemja though the St. Paul sisters have moved back to their residence at Bagale Tole. Cap gives him company by frequent visits. One of the Shishu Bikas Kendra teaching staff, Mrs. Srijana, left the job after 19 year of service as she plans to go abroad to join her husband soon. We are grateful for her services and wish her ‘bon voyage’. In the coming week Mathew will be giving a three days’ orientation program at Narayangarh for the young CST fathers from North India. — Mathew

Social Service Centers

On the auspicious occasion of Dasain and Tihar, the teachers of St. Xavier’s College donated some household materials to SXSSC. The Students from St. Xavier’s college also started taking tuitions for our boys of Class 8, 9 and 10. The BSW 1st Year students also held the closing ceremony of their Working Camp in the Center.

After Dasian was over, most of the schools, where our boys study, resumed regular classes although some had a longer vacation. Between Dashain and Tihar, the children of SXSSC had adventurous hiking trips to different places. On the day of Chaath, under the supervision of Br. Tek, 27 students went hiking to Phulchowki. Similarly, four Grade 10 boys studying in Tri-Padma School went to Manakamana for an educational tour organized by their school. During this period, two health camps were organized: a Mental Health Camp in Gafney Bhawan in Nakhipot and another General Health Camp was held in the SXSSC in Jawalakhel.

Prayers for the Departed

Fr. Thomas Kalariparambil, S.J. (PAT, 76/54) who passed away on 17 November 2010 at St. Xavier’s, Patna.

Happy Birthday

3 December       Fr. Antonysamy, Fr. James P.A.
12 December     Bishop Anthony Sharma, Sch. Merlin
13 December     Fr. Cap Miller
19 December     Sch. Augustus Ekka
23 December     Fr. Victor Beck
30 December     Sch. Anup Minj
31 December     Fr. Roy Sebastian

*** Please note that the next issue of Sagarmatha Samachar will be published on the 22nd of December. Please send in your contributions by the 20th of December.