MINISTRIES

Kolkata, 30 August: Auxilium Parish, Kolkata, and its three chapels at Motijhil, Dhapa and Hatgachia celebrated the Feast of St. Monica on Sunday, 30 August, with special focus on mothers. Mothers took an active part in the Holy Masses at all four locations by proclaiming the Scripture readings and intentions and presenting the offerings at the altar. Following the Eucharistic celebrations, the mothers gathered near the altar to receive a special blessing from the celebrants and the assembly, with prayers for their strength, guidance and well-being.

The celebration highlighted the life of St. Monica and her perseverance in prayer for her family. The parish community joined the mothers in thanksgiving and prayer, seeking St. Monica’s intercession for mothers and their families. The observance concluded with prayers for the continued faith, well-being and strength of mothers in their family and Christian vocation.

JALPAIGURI, 30 August: More than 1,500 mothers gathered at Don Bosco Parish, Oodlabari, Jalpaiguri, on 30 August to celebrate the Feast of St. Monica. The celebration marked the culmination of a month-long spiritual preparation organised and coordinated by the parish Mother’s Association (Mahila Sangh), which included daily prayers, a Bible quiz and a novena dedicated to St. Monica.

The solemn Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Sunit Kishor Kiro, Assistant Parish Priest, and concelebrated by Fr. (Dr.) Aju Kurian, Rector. Members of the Mahila Sangh prepared and conducted the liturgy. In his homily, Fr. Sunit highlighted St. Monica’s perseverance in prayer, selfless love for God and steadfast trust in divine providence.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, MSMHC candidates and mothers from various parish sub-centres presented a cultural programme. The day-long celebration concluded with a fellowship lunch shared by the participating mothers and the faithful.

Siliguri, August 1, 2026: The parish community of St. Alphonsa Quasi Parish celebrated its patronal feast in Alphonsa parish, 1st August 2026.

The solemn Holy Eucharist was presided over by Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling-Sikkim. He was joined by nine priests in concelebration. In his homily, Bishop Lepcha reflected on the life and witness of St. Alphonsa, India’s first woman saint, urging the faithful to embrace compassion and service.

A special highlight of the liturgy was the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to 12 young people when Bishop reminded them of their responsibility to live as witnesses of Christ in society.

The celebration also recalled the Salesians’ pastoral presence in Samthar, begun nine years ago in 2017 under the leadership of Fr. Savio Rai, whose missionary efforts continue to inspire the faithful in the hills. Today, the quasi parish under Suruk parish, located 7 km away, has grown to 74 Catholic families and runs a Don Bosco School up to Class 8, serving as a vital centre of faith formation and education.

The occasion further honoured achievements within the community: the first MBBS doctor Miss Jennifer Lepcha (Purulia Medical College & Hospital) from the parish was felicitated with a “Samman Patra.” Bishop Stephen Lepcha was also presented with a “Samman Patra” and a painting in his likeness, as a token of gratitude and esteem from the faithful.

In Nepali language, the term “सम्मानपत्र” (Samman Patra) translates into English as a “Letter of Honor” or “Certificate of Appreciation.”

Following the Eucharistic celebration, parishioners, clergy, and guests shared an Agape Meal prepared by parishioners.
-Fr. CM Paul SDB

KRISHNANAGAR, July 25: A new Santhali book titled The Eucharistic, authored by Fr. M. C. Syriac, was released during the felicitation programme following the Perpetual Profession of Bro. Uttam Murmu at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Krishnanagar. The volume was formally unveiled by Provincial Rev. Fr. Sunil Kerketta, SDB, along with Fr. Ramesh, Rector of Savio Bhavan. The first copies were presented to former Provincial Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria, SDB, and Bro. Uttam Murmu.

Speaking on the occasion, Fr. Joseph Pauria highlighted the central place of the Eucharist in Christian life and encouraged the faithful to deepen their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. The release of the Santhali edition marked a significant contribution to Christian literature in an indigenous language, making Eucharistic spirituality more accessible to Santhali-speaking faithful. The launch formed one of the highlights of the day's celebrations, which brought together members of the Salesian family, clergy, religious and lay faithful in a spirit of thanksgiving and fellowship. The source document identifies the book as being released during the programme but does not explicitly state that it is in Santhali; that additional detail comes from your clarification.

Kolkata, 3 May – Auxilium Parish in Gobra marked a significant milestone on May 3, 2026, by hosting a joint celebration for International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day. The event drew a large gathering of parishioners to recognize the pivotal role of women in both the family and the local church community. By aligning the celebration with the first Sunday of May, the parish combined the spirit of "Give to Gain" with the Mother’s Day theme of "Strength, Love, and Sacrifice," filling a gap left when the March observance was deferred.

The festivities commenced with a solemn Holy Eucharist presided over by Parish Priest Fr. E. J. Anthony. In a display of communal harmony, the liturgy was prepared by the parish’s three linguistic groups, reflecting a unified approach to worship. During his homily, Fr. Anthony drew from the readings of the Fifth Sunday of Easter to speak on the dignity of women, describing them as vital pillars of faith and service.

The program transitioned to the parish hall for a cultural assembly anchored by the Women’s Cell leadership, including President Mrs. Kanchan Osta and Secretary Mrs. Prasina Mondal. A major highlight of the afternoon was the formal recognition of seven "Inspirational Ladies" for their decades of selfless commitment to the parish. The honorees—Sr. Margaret Ghosh FMA, Mrs. Rina Topno, Mrs. Sandhya Gomes, Mrs. Charmaine Bajaj, Mrs. Anna Sarkar, Mrs. Lucy Lin, and Mrs. Bharati Das—provided moving testimonies regarding their service.

Performances by women and young girls followed, tackling contemporary social challenges through song and dance while affirming the progress of womanhood. The event concluded with a creative Religious Fashion Show, where participants portrayed biblical figures and saints to provide a catechetical lesson on holy women in history. The day ended with a fellowship meal, leaving the congregation with a deep sense of joy and communal solidarity.
-Amit & Kanchan Osta

KATIHAR – Salesian Deacons Bernard Mardi and Suleman Tudu were ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, December 27, 2025, in a solemn ceremony presided over by Most Rev. Francis Tirkey, Bishop of the Purnea Diocese. The ordination, held at Don Bosco School, Katihar, marks a significant addition to the clergy of the Salesian Province of Kolkata and the Diocese of Purnea, drawing a large congregation of faithful, clergy, and family members to witness the commitment of the two new priests to the service of God and the Church.

During the central ordination rite, Bishop Tirkey invoked the Holy Spirit and laid hands upon the candidates, a defining tradition of the sacrament. In his homily, the prelate emphasized the dual role of the priest as both a shepherd and a servant, urging the ordinands to pursue lives of holiness and dedication. The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Fr. Joseph Pauria, Salesian Provincial of the Kolkata Province, and Fr. George Kerketta, Vicar General of the Purnea Diocese, alongside numerous priests from across the region.

The newly ordained priests have completed over a decade of formation. Fr. Bernard Mardi hails from Kaliganj in the Bardhaman district of West Bengal and is the son of the late Cornelius and Monica Mardi. Fr. Suleman Tudu is a native of Pathargama in the Godda district of Jharkhand, born to the late Turu and Elizabeth Hansda. Their ordination was highlighted not only as a personal milestone but as a testament to the enduring faith and prayers of their families and local communities.

Following the liturgical services, the solemnity gave way to a vibrant felicitation program organized by the Don Bosco School community and local parish groups. The event featured traditional songs and dances performed by the youth of St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s hostels. In their vote of thanks, Fr. Mardi and Fr. Tudu expressed deep gratitude to their formators and specifically acknowledged Fr. Denis Murmu, Rector and Principal of Don Bosco Katihar, for his role in organizing the event.

The celebration concluded with a fellowship meal, symbolizing the unity of the gathering. As the crowds dispersed, the event left a prevailing sense of hope and spiritual renewal, with the local Catholic community welcoming two energetic new laborers to the mission of serving the youth and the marginalized in Eastern India.