MahipalDecember 2018 No. 4

Archbishop’s Message

Monthly News Letter of Ranchi Archdiocese St. Francis XavierPatron of Ranchi Archdioces

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, There are two most significant feasts in Christainity :Christmas and Easter. While with Christmas we celebrate the IncarnationofourLordJesusChrist,IntheEasterwecelebrateHisPassion,DeathandResurrection.Themysteryofboth thefeastsrevealsGod’sunlimited,indescribableandprofoundloveforus.LetusnowreflectonthemysteryofChristmas. WeconsiderthemysteriousspiritualtruthsofChristmasas in theGospelaccording toJohn,chapter3,verse16.Hereweread,“GodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonlySon,sothateveryonewhobelievesinhimmaynot perish but may have eternallife.” In the context of Christmaslet us reflect over the followingexpressions : God, world, love,gavehisonlySon,faithandeternallife.God and His love : Not havingbeen created by anyone, GodexistsonHisownand thatHe iswithout end. He is omnipotent,omnipresent, omniscient,creator of all, supremely divine,unknowable yet knows all and iseverlasting.Inaddition,HeisaffectionateFather,allmerciful,allforgiving and allmerciful.God is Love.AsHe created humanbeing on account of His love, He immensely loves them. Hesaid,“Ihavelovedyouwithaneverlastinglove;thereforeIhavecontinuedmyfaithfulnesstoyou.”(Jer31:3)Healsosaid,“Canawomanforgethernursingchild,orshownocompassionforthechildofherwomb?Eventhesemayforget,yet Iwillnot forgetyou.See,Ihaveinscribedyouonthepalmsofmyhands.”(Isaiah49:15-16)World and the man :Here‘world’isintendedtomeantheentirehumanrace.“GodcreatedhumankindinHisimage”(Gen1:27).HeputHisownsoulinhim,grantedhimeternallife,freedom,willandabilitytodiscerngoodfromevil.Inaddition,HegrantedhimtheTenCommandmentsthroughMoses.TheseCommandmentsarethetenwillsofGod.ThroughtheirobservancewemayalwaysremaininHiscompanyandmayfinallyreachheaven.Infact,itisGod’swillthatallofusupontheearthandbeyondadore,worshipandglorifyHim.Sin and Salvation :Humankind revoltedagainst itsownGod,

theCreator.HewentagainstGod’scommandments.The thirdchapter of the Book of Genesis symbolically describes thehumankind,God’scommandmentstoAdamandEve,temptationsbytheEvilone,fallofthehumankindandeventualpunishment.Even as the JustGod punished him, He did not destroy him.ButintheeyesofGodman’ssinissogravethatitcouldnotbeexpiatedbysacrificinganimals.ThereforeGodgaveHisownSonwhowouldofferHisownlifeassacrificefortheforgivenessofthesinofhumankind.UnprecedentedisHismercy.Beyondwordsis

Hislove!HegaveHisownSontoliberateus fromsin.ThedeathofChristwasessentialfordestroyingoursins.Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of God : EvangelistJohnmakesthefollowingnoteregardingJesusChrist, “In the beginning was the Word,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.HewasinthebeginningwithGod.All thingscameintobeingthroughhim,andwithout him not one thing cameinto being. What has come into being” (John 1:1-3). Lord JesusChrististhesecondpersonofthe

BlessedTrinity.HeindeedisGod.Heisallpowerful,creatorofall, omniscient, embodiment of all virtues, omnipresent and allpervasive.Heis“theway,andthetruth,andthelife”(John14:6).HeistheCreator,theSustainerandtheLiberator.HeistheHightPriest,RoyalShepherdandProphet-teacher.HeistheLambofGod.He is theSaviour.He is the promisedMessiah.ProphetIsaiah describes Him as, “He is namedWonderful Counselor,MightyGod,EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace”(Isaiah9:6).God offered His own Son :ThedepthofGod’simmenseloveliesinthefactthatHe“solovedtheworldthathegavehisonlySon,so thateveryonewhobelieves inhimmaynotperishbutmay have eternal life” (John 3:16). Punishment by crucifixionwassynonymoustoutmostinsultandcruelty.Thatiswhysuchapunishmentwasawardedonly to thegreatest of all culprits.Theimmensepainofcarryingthecross,climbingittothetopofCalvary,beingnailedonthecrossandthusremainsuspendedtilldeathisbeyondimagination.Additionally,mental,spiritualandpsychological sufferingof theconvictedperson isalsobeyonddescription.GodofferedHisSon toenduresuchsufferingand

Best Christmas

wishes to

all! May Lord

Jesus, the Divine

Child bless you

throughout the

New Year

2019!

Spiritual Significance of Christmas

ignominiousdeathinordertoliberatetheWorldfromsin.Incarnation of the Divine Son : DespitebeingtheinvisibleGod,theDivineSon incarnated in thehumannature.TheLordwhotranscends time, is nowbeing reckonedwithin it.ThroughHisincarnationGod’splanforoursalvationhasnowbeenrevealed.WiththetimelessWordassumingfrailhumannature, the latterwasnotonlyglorified,butalsobecameparttakerintheeternalglory;weweremadeparttakerinChristandconfidentofeternallife.(Cf.PrefaceofChristmas,No.2-3)Theangel’smessagetotheshepherds is for theentirehuman race, “Donotbeafraid;for see -- Iambringingyougoodnewsofgreat joy forall thepeople:toyouisbornthisdayinthecityofDavidaSavior,whoistheMessiah,theLord”(Luke2:10-11)Thechorusoftheangelsissimilarlysignificant,“GlorytoGodinthehighestheaven,andon earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:14)ChristmasisthemysteryofGod’sloveandthebeginningofoursalvation.Thereforeitisappropriateforustogratefullycelebratetheoccasionbothinwardlyandoutwardly.

The Virgin Mother Mary : The role of Mary, the Virgin andMother,isextremelysignificantduringChristmas.TheAngelsaidtotheImmaculateVirginMary,“Youwillconceiveinyourwombandbearason,andyouwillnamehimJesus.Hewillbegreat,andwillbecalledtheSonoftheMostHigh…TheHolySpiritwillcomeuponyou,andthepoweroftheMostHighwillovershadowyou…” (Cf. Luke 1:30-35) Thus Mary becamemother of theLord. Having understood such an immense grace of the HolySpirit,Elizabethexclaims, “Whyhas thishappened tome, thatthemotherofmyLordcomestome?”(Luke1:43) MydearBrothersandSisters, it isnecessaryforustobelieve in themysteriesofChristmassoas topart take in theeternallife.IwishyouahappyChristmasandaprosperousNewYearinthenameofthesame“WonderfulCounselor,MightyGod,EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace”(Isaiah9:6)!

Your Servant and Friend,Felix Toppo, S.J.

News & Views

Gumla Diocese celebrates her 25-year JubileeGumla. 11 November, Sunday. The25-yearjubileecelebrationof the institution of Gumla Catholic Diocese commencedtoday.ThecommemorativesolemnMasspresidedoverbyHisGrace,FelixToppo,SJ,ArchbishopofRanchiwasheldatSt.Patrick’sground.Hewasflankedby5PrelatesandDiocesanAdministratorsattheAltar.ProminentamongthousandsofthefaithfulandwellwishersparticipatingintheeventwereMother

GeneraloftheDaughtersof St. Anne, Sr. LindaMaryVaughan,ProvincialSuperiors of variousreligious congregationsand distinguished civicofficials.

While congratulating all Christian believers,Archbishop Felix Toppo exhorted them to evaluate thelast 25 years of Diocese as per the purpose of Jubilee.While reiterating thanksgiving and reconciliation as specificexpressionsoffaith,hesaidthecurrentsocialconditionsareas challenging as in the time of great Apostle Paul. Whiledismissingallegationsofcertaindivisiveelements,heurgedthefaithfultoundauntedlytreadthepathof justice, loveandpeacewith a discerning spirituality.His Lordship,PaulAloisLakra,theBishopofGumlaDioceseextendedwelcomeandgratitude particularly to the guests.Whilewishing the LocalChurch a better future, he exhorted them to stay united forpursuingthepathofuprightness,asalways. After the solemn Eucharist, a cultural programmewasheldforfelicitatingtheguests.PresidentofthediocesanCatholicSabha,Mr.SethKumarEkkarecountedthehistoryofGumlaDioceseandtheaspirationsofthecommunitythereof.

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At the First Catholics’ VillageAnnual Remembrance of Mother Mary at KhuntpaniKhuntpani. 8 November, Thursday. While commemorating the 6 charcoal makingMunda Catholic families of Khuntpani,thefirst inChotanagpurtohaveembracedLordJesusin1873

astheirMessiah,anannualdevotiontoMotherMarywasheldherewithsolemnityandthanksgiving.Thecelebrationstartedat8 in themorningwith devotion to theBlessedSacrament.Anhour later the ladies ofChaibasa ledArchbishop FelixToppo,S.J.,and60priestswithdevotionalsongandtraditionaldancetothecommemorativestoneslaberectedinfrontofMotherMary’s

shrine.TheArchbishop lit ceremonial torch at the venue.Theladiesthengaveatraditionalritualbathtothestoneslabbeforeanointing itwithoil.Rev.Fr.AugustineTopno,AdministratorofJamshedpurDiocese,offeredprayersinHodialect.AheadofthesolemnMass,ArchbishopToppoandallconcelebrantspaidtheirrespectstoMatherMaryintheshrine. The choir of Chaibasa through melodious hymns

effectively turned the solemn liturgy devotional. Theparish priests of Chaibasa and Khuntpani deserveappreciation for organizing and conducting thecelebration smoothly. At least 10 to 12 thousanddevotees participated in the occasion and visited theshrine.LocatedontheChakradharpurRoad,Khuntpanivillageis12KMawayfromChaibasa. While writing to his superiors, Jesuit Fr.AugustusStockman,thefirstCatholicmessengeroftheGospel tohavestepped in theChotanagpursoil,had

informedthat28MundaspeakingAdivasisof6charcoalmakingfamiliesinKhuntpanihadembracedChristianityon9thNovember1873. He added that they were baptized on this date by theArchbishopofCalcutta.TheywerearguablythefirstCatholicsofChotanagpur.Thecommunityhassincegrownphenomenallytonowconstituteanunprecedentedlylargechurch.

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Ranchi. November 27, Tuesday. The believers and wellwishersfilledtheImmaculateConceptionofMaryCathedral

this evening to witness the investitureof Pallium upon their new ArchbishopFelix Toppo, SJ. On the outset HisExcellency, Archbishop GiambattistaDiquatro,ApostolicNuncio to India andNepal ceremonially placed the Palliumupon Archbishop Toppo’s shoulders infulfilment of the juridical requirementof the Holy See. He pronounced thePapal mandate thereof and beseechedGod’s favour upon the newArchbishopofRanchi.HisExcellencyalsoconveyed

the prayers, blessings and affectionate wishes of PopeFrancis both toArchbishop Toppo and the Local Church.

TheremainingHolyMasswaspresidedoverbyArchbishopFelix Toppo, flanked by his Auxiliaries, Most Rev. Bishop

Telesphore Bilung, SVD, andMost Rev. BishopTheodoreMascarenhas,SFX.WhileHisExcellencyoccupiedadistinctthrone, theeightBishopsof the regionaccompanied themaincelebrantattheAltar. Inhisexhortation,ArchbishopFelixhadrecoursetoawellknowndeclarationofProphetIsaiah,whichLordJesushadembracedasHisown––“ThespiritoftheLordGodisuponme ...” (Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18)As for theGospelreading (from John 5:1-11), theArchbishop reflected overLordJesus’calltothefishermanPeter,invitinghimtopartakein the proclamation ofGoodNews.While commenting onthespecialApostolicorEpiscopaldutytowardscommunitybuilding,herecalledwhatLordJesussaidtoApostlePeter–– “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catchingpeople.”(Luke5:10). AftertheEucharisticcelebrationtheFaithfulkissed

the new Archbishop’sring, wished him well and receivedhis blessings. The Ursuline Sistershad commendablydecorated the altar and theparishchoiraddeddevotion through theirsinging.Asthemasterof ceremony, Rev. Fr.Sebastian Tirkey did

a commendable job.SodidRev.Fr.TheodoreToppo, theParishPriest,inraisingavoteofthanks.

Pallium granted to Archbishop Felix Toppo

The Bishop who owes special allegiance to the successor of Saint Peter through the Pallium, is supremely obliged to nourish the Church’s Faithful with spiritual food and water. This implies that he sustain their Faith, love them and discharge peace and justice to them; he is obliged to partake in their joys and sorrows, ensure safety against wolves (implying the enemies of souls) to those who have gone astray; bring them back to the sheep fold. May he dedicate his entire life to this noble task.

(From Archbishop Felix Toppo’s exhortation at the Pallium investiture ceremony)

Bishop Telesphore Bilung’s Programme December 2018

1-7 Retreat Indore 8 FinalProfession 10.30am Mariam Toli

Samlong 9 VillageChapelBlessing 08.00 am Jaratoli26 to28

SVDGathering Jharsuguda

30 Ordination 09.00 am Aragate

Programme of Bishop Bilung : Jan-20194-6 Ordination Rourkela

7-15 CCBIPlenary Chennai

Programme of Archbishop Felix ToppoDecember 2018

Dt Events Time Place01 MeetingwithNotreDameSup.Gen. 10.00 am ABH02 GoldenJubileeofSt.BarbaraChurch 09.00 am Mosaboni03 MassatStXavier’sCollegeAuditorium 06.30am Ranchi 03 MeetingwithSNDProvincial 11.00 am ABH07 Parents’DayProgrammeatSDBSchool 04.45pm Kokar08 MassDSASisters,FirstProfession 08.30am Samlong10 Golden&SilverJubileeofMCSisters 10.30am Doranda14 MasswithOCDs inCarmelNiwasatChuna

Bhatta10.30am Kokar

15 Blessingofnewpriests’residence,Govindpur 10.00 am Dhanbad16 AnnualSchoolFunction 04.30pm Kumardhubi22 AnnualSchoolFunction 01.30pm Aragate30 Mass,GoldenJubileeofFr.XavierLakra,S.J. 08.00 am Samlong

Programme of Archbishop Felix : Jan-201906 PriestlyOrdination,Dn.EdwinDung2(byF.T.) 08.00 am Kanke8-14

XXXI CCBI PlenaryAssembly. Till 1.00pm.

Chingleput

Archbishop’s pastoral visit to McMandroMcMandro. 4 November, Sunday. HisGrace, FelixToppo, SJ, the newArchbishop of Ranchi, made his first pastoral visit to McMandro today.HewaswarmlygreetedbyRev.Fr.EdwinMinj,theParishPriest,andtheparishnerswithculturalpleasantries,songsanddance.ThecommemorativeHolyEucharistwascelebratedintheparishquadrangle,asthereisasyetnochurchormulti-purposehallconstructedhere.Afterashort felicitation,HisGraceheldameetingwiththeparishnerswhomadeanardentpleatoconstructamulti-purposehall.Thattheyhavealreadyraisedsufficientfundfor the purpose is indeedadmirable, said theArchbishop.Before leavingthe place, he blessed the proposed site for the envisagedmulti-purposehall. ParishPriest and the parishners said that theywill forthwith dig thefoundation and conveniently build the edifice. Obliged for affectionatewelcome,HisGraceencouraged thecommunity to leadagoodChristianlife.HealsothankedFr.Edwinforthelatter’seffectiveleadership.

Forprivatecirculationonly.EditedforRanchiArchdiocesebyFr.CyprianEkka,S.J.News,reflectionsandsuggestionsmaybee-mailedto:

Lievens’ 125th Death Anniversary celebratedLohardaga. 17 November, Saturday. LievensAcademy, Lohardaga, celebrated today the 125thDeathAnniversary of its Patron, Servant of God, Fr.Constant Lievens with a colourful programme. Theday began with an Art & Science Exhibition by thestudents.Addedattractionoftheoccasionwasapencilsketchexhibitionon the lifeofFr.Lievens.MostRev.Telesphore Bilung, SVD,Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi,presided over the function and Mr. PriyadarshiAlok,IPS, Superintendent of Police, Lohardaga, was thechief guest. Distinguished guests, parents, teachersandstudentsfromtheneighbouringschoolsvisitedtheexhibition.

Glimpses of the life of Fr. Lievens werepresented through a dance drama in the evening.ChoreographedbyMrs.NupurKashyaap,theSchool’sdanceteacher,itremindedofthewaysGodstillkeepsthefireoflove,aspropagatedbyFr.ConstantLievens,aflame in theheartsofpeopledown thecenturyandquarter. His Grace, Felix Toppo, SJ, Archbishop ofRanchiandMostRev.TelesphoreBilung,SVD,wereamongahostofdignitaries,priests,sistersandparentsto grace the occasion and pay tribute to theApostleofChotanagpur.About150studentsparticipatedintheshow.

Celebration of Consecrated Life for 12 Samaritan Sisters Ranchi, 17 November.HisGrace,FelixToppo,S.J.,Archbishop of Ranchi,was themain celebrant atthe Holy Eucharist in which 12 Samaritan Sisterscelebratedtheirconsecratedlife.While5amongthempronounced their final vows received by Sr. AnnieThomsia,SuperiorGeneraloftheCongregation,other5 celebrated their silver jubilee of religious life. Theremaining 2 golden jubilarians commemorated their

fiftyyearsofreligiouscommitment.SrClementinatheGeneral councilor was also present at the occasion.AshortFelicitationprogrammeanda fellowshipmealfollowedsuccessively.

Conducted in Hindi by Ranchi Archdiocese Faith Formation Team5-Day Marriage Preparation & Retreat Programme

12th December 9.00 AM to 16th December 4.30 PMVenue : SDC, Ranchi / Registration cum Total Fee — Rs. 1500/-

Contact : Fr. Praful Tigga, Gram Guru Education Centre, Dr. Camil Bulcke Path, Ranchi-834 001. Phone: 9708547278

Please Note : Written recommendation / prior permission of the local Parish Priest essential