SUBHAVNA. Diocese of Calcutta (CNI) For private circulation only. Issue: 12 Diocesan Newsletter. Continued on: Pg 4

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1 SUBHAVNA Diocese of Calcutta (CNI) For private circulation only Issue: 12 Diocesan Newsletter Mar - Apr 2010 Restoration of Heritage New School Bus blessed The newly blessed school bus Blessing of te restoration work of St. James Church Kolkata: On Sunday e 18 of April, Yes! The 146 year old St. James' Church on e very appropriate occasion of at 167, A. J. C. Bose road, better known 'World Heritage Day', e historic city to Calcuttan's as e 'Jora Girja', of Kolkata witnessed yet anoer effort officially commenced its conservation toward s e resto ration and and restoration work, rough an conservation of one of e city's iconic inaugural ceremony blessed by e Rt. marvels of ancient English Goic Rev. Ashoke Biswas, Bishop of Calcutta architecture. (CNI). Easter Rally 2010 Kolkata: Sunday, e 4 of April 2010, witnessed one of e largest interdenominational gaerings of e Christian community in e city of Kolkata. Organised by e United Christians of Kolkata, Easter Rally is one of Kolkata's most visible event of ecumenical unison. Leaders, members and representatives of various Christian denominations, churches and organisations of e city came in solidarity and gaered at seven different points of e city to rally and Continued on: Pg 4 Enactment of The Crucifixion of Christ Kolkata: On Saturday e 24 of April, 2010, Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas, Bishop of Calcutta (CNI), blessed a new school Bus for e Christ Church Girls' High School, Dum Dum at e St. Paul's Caedral. This new bus is expected to provide travel comfort and safety to e students of e school. The Bishop also offered a prayer for e drivers of e vehicle apart from specially blessing e bus. Staff members of e school along wi oer CNI presbyters and a few Diocesan staff were present at is blessing ceremony. SUBHAVNA 1 Mar - Apr 2010

2 EDITORIAL Lord Jesus our greatest teacher One-day seminar in commemoration of 200 years of e Bengali Bible The boy Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature and in favour wi God and man (Luke 2:52) Our Lord Jesus Christ is e greatest among great teachers in all human history. His teachings are absolutely timeless. They are applicable to human life at any generation. His messages are unparallel. His 'Sermon on e Mount' is perhaps e greatest piece of wisdom and literature. He taught us e 'Lord's Prayer' and e two greatest commandments 'Love e Lord God wi all your heart, soul and might' and 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' (Mark 12:29-31). His meod of using parables was a powerful and effective tool used to express revolutionary teachings rough e form of story. A teacher is a person who facilitates knowledge and helps one grow in wisdom. The teacher should be compassionate, virtuous and be able to interact wi students of different ages, from infants to adults, also students who are differently able. A teacher by virtue of his or her calling is to offer wisdom and compassion at all times. At e same time a teacher must be aware of his responsibilities especially in ensuring discipline. In e Gospels at times we hear Jesus Himself rebuking His disciples. We also see Him disturbed when He found e Jerusalem temple being turned into a market place (Maew 21:12-13). A teacher must ensure discipline. In school ey are entrusted to educate eir wards wi knowledge, wisdom and of course discipline. They are expected to act as a substitute parent at school and to offer love, compassion and wisdom in e model of e greatest teacher Jesus Christ. As teachers in e life of students let us renew our commitment to be not just academicians but also care-givers and inspirations in eir lives. - Mr. Supurna Sarkar Kolkata: William Carey, an English Baptist missionary, a Reformed Baptist minister, known as e Faer of Modern Missions and one of e founders of Baptist Missionary Society, was e first person to translate e complete Bible into Bengali in e year To commemorate is historic moment of conjuncture of e Holy Scriptures of Christianity and Bengali Literature or e bir of e Bengali Bible a one-day seminar was organised on Tuesday, e 9 of March 2010, at e Vidyasagar Hall of e Asiatic Society at Park Street, Kolkata. The seminar commenced at 10:30 am wi an opening song by e host staff members of e Asiatic Society, followed by a welcome address by Prof. Ramakan Chakrabarty, General Secretary, The Asiatic Society, Kolkata. Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas, Bishop of e Calcutta Diocese (CNI), was felicitated wi flowers and invited to deliver e inaugural address. The Bishop in his speech, said at presently e Bible has been translated in more an a 1,000 languages and at e translation of e Bible into Bengali represented e literary zeal of e Bengali Christian community. Reflecting on history, he stated at on October 1801, William Carey, published e first New Testament in Bengali. Then in 1809, he completed translation of e Old Testament. Though Carey had translated e complete New Testament and parts of e Old Testament into Bengali by 1796, he had to wait for fourteen more years to see e dream of his Bengali Bible come to life. So e complete translation of e Bible was done by William Carey between 1801 and 1809 William Carey and at is was indeed an historic era for Bengali language and literature. The Bishop en reflected upon e words of Tagore at recognised Carey as a pioneer in reviving e interest of many in Bengali Literature. Though e translation of e Bible into Bengali by William Carey and his disciples have been criticised by some as an attempt to anglicise e people of Bengal, one can never forget eir literary contribution to e Bengali community and language. William Carey later went on to translate e Bible into 35 oer languages and dialects. At is juncture Bishop recognised e efforts Published by: The. Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas, Bishop of Calcutta (CNI), from Bishop s House, 51, Chowringhee Road, Kolkata Editorial Board: Mr. Terence Ireland Rev. Shreeraj Mohanty Mrs. Pauline Mukherjee Rev. Swarup Bar Mrs. Isabella Simon Rev. Shyamal Pal Mr. Supurna Sarkar Rev. Argho Biswas Mr. Rev. James Gomes Rev. Nigel Pope Design Layout:, Programme Coordinator, Diocese of Calcutta (CNI) Printed by: Pranab Bhattacharjee at Kanika Press, 64, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata Ph.: SUBHAVNA 2 Mar - Apr 2010

3 Society to organise is remembered e works of Michael seminar in commemoration Madhusudan Dutt, in his poem of 200 years of e Bengali Visions from Past as a great effort to Bible. He en concluded narrate e general story of e Bible his address by quoting ese and a drive to interlace e beauty of famous words of William Bengal wi e Bible. He also Carey Expect great ings remembered e famous poem titled from God, do great ings Chariot written by Tagore in 1930, for God. Later translated by e Nobel laureate himself into Bengali, as a beautiful Prof. Pallab Sengupta, Vice- description of e Bir of Christ. President, The Asiatic The Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas making his inaugural address Society, Kolkata, in his The seminar en went on into presidential address, different sessions and continued of e Bible Society of India, founded in recognised e contributions of oers roughout e day. Eminent speakers 1811 and e Jesuit community in eir in introducing Christianity into Bengali were invited to speak on various topics. effortless job of translating and literature. In is regard, he stated at The event was a success and helped e constantly updating e Bible in several e Bengal Christian epoch dated back participants to gain a lot of important languages. to e penultimate era of e 16 insight about e Bible, its connection century. He remembered John wi e Bengali literature and e The Bishop furer said at William Thomas as e first Baptist missionary contributions of various people and Carey became an active member of e in Bengal, India and his efforts to institutions in making e Bengali Bible Asiatic Society in 1806 and at it was translate few books of e Bible before a reality. very appropriate on part of e Asiatic leaving in Prof. Pallab also Easter Rally 2010 Continued from: Pg 1 culminate at e St, Paul's Caedral grounds for a mass celebration and service to mark one of e holiest dates in e Christian Calendar, e resurrection of Jesus Christ, e celebration of Easter. The seven different points from where e rally commenced were; e Holy Trinity Church, Old Mission Church, Bishop Ashoke Biswas taking e evening service of Easter Rally Entally Baptist Church, Christ e King groups performed on e two side Diocese (CNI), in his message for e Church, St. Thomas' Church at Free stages. They presented various songs, day, requested e crowd to imagine School Street, St. Stephen's Church and dances and skits to create a perfect and e situation on e first Easter Greek Orodox Church. The rallies joyous mood for e festivity. A special morning, as it would have been some commenced between 3:00 to 3:45 pm skit on e crucifixion and resurrection two ousand years ago. A time when from ese seven different churches of Jesus Christ was performed by e ere were no newspapers, no media, and joined at St. Pauls at 5:30 pm for a members of St. Teresa of Avila Church. no internet and no mass awareness. It joint service. More an 5,000 people was a time when just a handful of 12 had gaered at e grounds to be a Archbishop The Most. Rev. Lucas Sircar, men (e Disciples of Christ), came to part of is event. brought e opening greetings, know about e resurrection. Now welcoming everyone. The Rt. Rev. after two ousand plus years, millions From 4:30 pm onwards, different Ashoke Biswas, Bishop of Calcutta of people know, realise and believe SUBHAVNA 3 Mar - Apr 2010

4 at e prophetic words of His resurrection are fulfilled. The Bishop en reminded e gaering at resurrection proclaims e ultimate victory over dea. Then reflecting back on e initial disbelief of e disciples in witnessing e resurrected Lord Jesus Christ on e first Easter morning, two ousand years ago, Bishop asked everyone including himself, to ask e question Have I seen e risen Lord Jesus Christ? Resurrection awaits us beyond dea and it is a promise of a new life. Through Jesus only can we get e streng of spirituality and e real challenge ahead of us is to accept Jesus in our lives. To have fai at God sent His only begotten son to salvage us from darkness to light. Restoration of Heritage Continued from: Pg 1 Restoration of e Church in progress The 'Inauguration and Blessing of Conservation' commenced wi a morning devotion service followed by e blessing ceremony. Rev. Nigel Pope, Presbyter-in-Charge of e church, said at is was indeed a great opportunity to be able to start e work of restoration. And at is was not just a beautiful Church wi Goic architecture, but also a congregation of beautiful people. He en shared, at heritage was someing passed down rough generations and at it did not necessarily refer to an edifice. As followers of Christ one also needed to conserve and regularly restore eir After e church service, Bishop heritage of fai. Rev. Nigel en said Ashoke Biswas addressed e at e Church should be preserved, gaering and shared his immense joy, so at future generations could in being able to initiate e restoration worship in it, wi e same grandeur work of is historic church. He en and glory. He en prayed at let our laid mortar on e wall as an iconic fais be not preserved as in gesture to officially commence e refrigerators but grow as in conservation work. incubators. St. Thomas' Home celebrates World TB Day The St. Thomas' Home was founded by Ms. Joan Evans on e 17 of November 1976 on an enclosed portion of e Church cemetery land at 158 Belilious Road, Howrah in e State of West Bengal, dedicated by e en Bishop of Calcutta (CNI) as a project of e Diocese of Calcutta. st Since e 1 of April 2004 it is working in cooperation wi A young Ex-TB patient receives a gift e German Doctors for Developing Ms. Pranati Pakhira, specially anked Countries. Initially started wi a e home auorities for inviting her to capacity of 16 beds, today e Home is occasion. She reflected how e has more an 85 beds catering to home had always considered her as indoor & outdoor patients, one of eir own, inviting her at each immunisation programmes, P. P. M. and every of its events. She also said Projects, social development activities, at presently it is essential to make an rehabilitation work and training and effort to bring TB affected people more education programmes. close to us. On Wednesday e 24 of March, e Dr. N. K. Saha, e Resident Medical home celebrated World TB Day wi Officer (R. M. O.) at e home, said at great enusiasm and meaningfulness. is event was organised to mainly The programme commenced wi an spread awareness about Tuberculosis. introduction about Tuberculosis. Mr. He also stressed at today treatment N. K. Nayak, e Administrator of e of TB is completely free in Government home specially anked Ms. Pranati hospitals and oer places like St. Pakhira, Local Councilor of e area Thomas' Home, wi free medicines and oer dignitaries for eir gracious and care, so one need not be scared presence. He en specially and hide is disease any more. mentioned e selfless dedication of Dr. Tobias Vogt, who has come from Mr. Suvabrota Das from Arunima Germany sacrificing his personal family Hospice encouraged everyone present life to work and serve among e TB to make a promise on e World TB affected communities of is region. Day, to play an important role in spreading awareness about is SUBHAVNA 4 Mar - Apr 2010

5 disease. He en said at TB is mostly eir success stories of how after being a poor man's disease and at it greatly severely down wi TB, ey had now affects families living Below e completely recovered. Poverty Line. Also at most of e HIV affected patients succumb to and die of At e end a mass awareness puppet Tuberculosis. At is moment he also show was presented by G. M. L. F. mentioned about e healing ministry Balarampur, Purulia. It was shared at of e Diocese of Calcutta (CNI), which more an 17 crore work days are lost is passionately working to better e in India every year due to TB. Furer lives of people affected wi TB and more an 3 lakh children drop out of AIDS. school every year due to is disease. About 1,000 individuals die every day Later in e programme individuals and and more an 5,000 get affected by children came up to e stage to share TB. A puppet show about TB awareness by GMLF nd 142 Anniversary of Bhowanipur Congregational Church Samar Bairagi, a serving in is parish. He had also memorial plaque in started e Monday prayer cell, which w h o s e has blessed many a lives. remembrance was also inaugurated by Bishop Ashoke Biswas, specially Bishop Ashoke. anked God for e life and work of Bishop Bairagi had Bishop Samar Bairagi. He said at is nd ministered here 142 anniversary reminds us of e from 1970 to priests who had served here, past members and e present Rev. John Nelson congregation. So an anniversary Ali, remembered reminds us of e past, e present and Bishop Ashoke Biswas along wi Rev. Biswajit Biswas in front of e e words of Bishop e future, where we can learn from newly inaugurated plaque in memory of Late Bishop Samar Bairagi Bairagi, back in our previous mistakes, act in e best Kolkata: The Bhowanipur 1982, when e late Bishop handed interest of e present and create a Congregational Church situated at 43 over e charge of Bhowanipur Church healy environment for e future. Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani (Elgin Road), to him, and had said at is Hence a congregation had a great nd celebrated its 142 anniversary on congregation was like a treasured gift responsibility on its shoulder. Tuesday e 9 of March The to him and at every member in e celebrations began wi a church congregation were very precious to He furer said at Bishop Bairagi was service at 6:00 pm. Rev. Biswajit him. Rev. Ali said at he was indeed given a pastoral responsibility of a Biswas e Presbyter-in-Charge of e privileged to receive is responsibility good shepherd. He knew each of his church welcomed everyone present from Bishop Bairagi. sheep personally. Bishop Biswas also and specially anked Rt. Rev. Ashoke said at today he recognised many Biswas, Bishop of Calcutta Diocese Mrs. Papia Durairaj, daughter of e among e congregation, who came to (CNI), for gracing e occasion wi his late Bishop anked e congregation Christ rough Bishop Bairagi. presence. The guests were welcomed for bestowing is special honour to wi flowers by e parish children. her faer on is very special day. She After e church service, e said at for twelve years her faer congregation gaered at e church Rev. Sukhendu Biswas in his opening had served in is church and shared a lawn for an evening of fellowship, prayer remembered e various great loving relationship wi each of where past church programmes were ministers who had served in is its members. Her faer, she said had projected on a movie screen. church, especially e late Bishop received a spiritual renewal while SUBHAVNA 5 Mar - Apr 2010

6 Congregational Renewal for Effective Engagement in Mission (CREEM) Kolkata: On e 17 of March 2010, e first inaugural meeting of CREEM, was held at e Union Chapel on 137 Lenin Sarani, Kolkata. A total of four CNI churches participated in is initial meeting. They were namely; Union Chapel, St. George's Church, Nahazari CNI Church and Kalagachhia Jibon Jyoti Upasanaloy. Participants of e first CREEM meeting Rev. V. V. Gain, e Presbyter-in-Charge of Union Chapel, introduced e concept of CREEM to e members present. He said at ere were different ways in which a church could carry out its mission or work wiin e CREEM programme in CNI. He shared en reminded e gaering today community. It could spread e 'Word at how is programme was renewed we are here as a unified Church and of God' by preaching and it could also by e Diocese of Calcutta and at Rev. at its mission was to spread e news help in decreasing e suffering of e V. V. Gain had been inducted as its at 'Jesus is Alive'. The Church he said people wi a social service coordinator. Two oer presbyters of had two very distinct roles; one of perspective. Rev. Gain en specially e Diocese, namely, Rev. Abir 'Social Action' and e oer of anked e participating churches, Adhikary and Rev. Shreeraj Mohanty 'Spiritual Motivation'. Today CNI as a The Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas, Bishop of along wi Rev. Gain would implement church, wants its congregational Calcutta and also Mrs. Papia Durairaj is programme first in eir members to be more aware of eir and Mr. Satyajit Das, who were to take pastorates. Then slowly e process responsibilities. Efforts such as CREEM two sessions later in e day. w o u l d b e t a ke n f o r w a r d b y will certainly help in taking is cause implementing e concept in oer forward. Bishop Ashoke Biswas in his keynote pastorates of e Diocese. The Bishop address, talked about e inception of Good Friday Service at Duff Church Kolkata: Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas, message for e day by Members of Duff Church Bishop of Calcutta Diocese (CNI), referring to e Book of John honoured e members of Duff chapter 19, from e Bible, Church, by delivering e message for which speaks about Jesus' nd Good Friday on e 2 of April suffering on e cross. He said The morning service at is 161 year at Jesus started to prepare old church commenced at 8:30 am, himself before crucifixion. On wi Rev. Sorojit Biswas, Presbyter-in- 'Thursday' Jesus told His Charge, anking e Bishop for his Disciples to share food and visit. This was followed by a lovely wine, in His remembrance, till song by e church choir. e day he came back. Till date we Christians take bread and wine as never forget at ey were servants, Bishop Ashoke took is opportunity to e body and blood of Christ in His meant to serve ose who followed specially encourage everyone to join in remembrance. Jesus en washed e em. And today e Cross reminds us solidarity at e Easter Rally, scheduled feet of His Disciples, to teach em at at whoever wants to tread is pa to be held on Sunday e 4 of April ough one day ey shall become would have to submit himself to He en commenced e preachers and masters, ey should servant hood. SUBHAVNA 6 Mar - Apr 2010

7 The Bishop specially addressed e John, because He had complete trust teachers of our community and said and fai in John. Similarly today as at parents send eir children to part of is congregation and as em wi great expectations and it is a Christians, we have been handed over great responsibility, which e some responsibilities by oers and teachers must execute wi all of eir especially by God. As Christians today honest efforts. He also said at Jesus we need to honour is trust of oers gave e responsibility of His moer to and God. 'Confirmation' of new candidates CNI Clergy Retreat Bishop Ashoke Biswas leading e Retreat Retreat of Confirmation candidates in progress at St. John s Church 'Confirmation' is a holy sacrament beautiful chorus performance. Rev. admitting a baptised person to full Sukhendu Biswas, reminded e participation in e church. It is one of members present at is sacred e most special days in a young occasion was an initiation right to Christian's life. It is e day he can adulood. He furer reminded e proudly share 'Holy Communion' wi children at Christians are e all e oer members of his Church. In anointed ones and at A Christian on oer words it can be referred to as e his knees could see much more an a graduation day in Christianity. philosopher on his toes. On Saturday e 20 of March a special Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas, e Bishop of retreat was organised for e 125 Diocese of Calcutta (CNI), reminded teenagers who were to be confirmed everyone at e main motive of is as members of different churches retreat was to prepare oneself for e under e Diocese of Calcutta (CNI) in 'Confirmation'. He said at is day e year This retreat has been an we have gaered here because we are annual event of e Diocese for e last one in Christ. Bishop furer 5 years. Bo e children and eir encouraged e candidates to regularly parents are invited to is one-day attend church, read and contribute to retreat in preparation to e children's 'Subhavna', e diocesan magazine 'Confirmation'. and to regularly take part in Holy Communion. This year e retreat was held at e St. John's Church at Council House Street, The retreat was a success, followed by Kolkata. The parents and family e confirmation of 33 English members of e 'Confirmation' speaking candidates on Saturday e c a n d i d a t e s w h o l e h e a r t e d l y 27 of March and 92 Bengali speaking p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e r e t r e a t, candidates on e next day, Sunday e strengening e holistic nature of e 28 of March. whole 'Confirmation' process. The entire atmosphere was electrified by Kolkata: Clergy retreat is an annual event for e Presbyters and Deacons of e CNI Diocese of Calcutta. This year e retreat was organised for a period of ree days from 26 to 28 April 2010 at Nitika, Don Bosco, Kolkata. The Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas, Bishop of Diocese of Calcutta (CNI) led e retreat along wi his fellow Presbyters. Bishop Ashoke Biswas, in his introductory address welcomed everyone present and requested e participants to keep aside eir individual assignments for e next ree days and concentrate on seeking God's guidance and try to listen to what God wants to say. He furer encouraged e presbyters to attend e morning yoga sessions, which he felt was really helpful in relieving ones stress. Rev. John Caleb, Principal of e Bishop's College, Kolkata, introduced e retreat and shared e plan for e next ree days, e various sessions and activities. Then he went on to take e first session for e day 'History of Churches in India', where he also shared about e Church Union Movement and e formation of CNI. Mr. Philip Peacock, professor at e Bishop's College also conducted a few SUBHAVNA 7 Mar - Apr 2010

8 of e oer sessions during e retreat. These ree days provided an opportunity to e clergy to take eir minds off eir congregation and come togeer as chosen men of God to deeply retrospect and reflect about eir united ministry in e name of e Lord. Celebration of International Women's Day by DBSS, Calcutta DBSS, Calcutta observed International Women's Day at e St. Mary's Church on Sunday e 7 of March A total of 108 members from e following churches, NGOs and school participated in is one day workshop: Bhowanipur Congregational Church, Chinsurah Church, St. Mark's Church, St. James' Church (Kolkata), Jiban Jyoti Upasanalaya, Emmanuel Church (Kestopur), St. George's Church, St. Mary's Church, Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), Swadhina, SPCFIDS and La Martiniere for Girl s School. Trained and efficient NURSES and AIYAS, available on call, 24 hours a day. BOARDING FACILITIES available, exclusively for Christian Working Girls, at Maniktola, Kolkata. CALL TODAY: LADY ROGERS INDIAN NURSES' BUREAU The programme commenced wi a Participants at e International Women s Day celebration at St. Mary s Church word of prayer by Rev. Satcheda R. Sarkar. Rev. Sukhendu Biswas, perspective of gender justice, she said stands for 'TRAINING', which is Presbyter-in-Charge of St. Mary's highlighting Biblical references from a constant process educating ourselves Church, inaugurated e function by Mark 5:25, John 4, Maew 15, Luke of e good and e bad. welcoming e members present. In 10,11 & 13. He specifically stressed on his inaugural speech, Rev. Sukhendu e gospel of Luke as being specially Mr. Subir Sircar, Executive Committee Biswas, specially mentioned e focused on women's rights. Member, Diocese of Calcutta (CNI) success stories of women in different spoke on e position of women in fields, irrespective of e fact at Ms. Shreya Bhattacharya from HRLN religious institutions. He specifically women are marginalised at different specifically stressed at women stressed on e need for women priests parts and walks of life even till today. should be aware of eir rights and in e Diocese. He also expressed his shared her views on e different laws concern on women trafficking. Mrs. Rina Sircar, Coordinator, DBSS, for women in our country. en welcomed e participants and The oer speakers for e day were: explained e historical background of Mrs. Rupkaa Sarkar, Vice-Principal, Mrs. Mala Ray Chowdhury, Secretary, 8 March and e status of women in La Martiniere for Girls, urged e WFCS, St. Mary's Church, Mrs. Gouri our present society. She furer women to 'ACT'. Where she said 'A' Haldar, Asst. Secretary, St. Mary's stressed on e steps necessary for stood for a call to ACTION, and at we Church, Ms. Chhanda Ghosh from e ensuring social justice for women. must act after praying to God and ask NGO Swadhina and Rev. B. B. Mandal, for His constant guidance. 'C' stands Presbyter-in-Charge, St. Mark's Rev. Biswajit Biswas, Presbyter-inaccording to God's calling and try to Rina Sircar for 'CALL to GOD', where we must act Church. Charge, Bhowanipur Congregational Church, reflected on e Biblical understand what our talents are. 'T' SUBHAVNA 8 Mar - Apr 2010