SAC DARPAN: Annual Meeting of the Board of Bishops

July 23^rd was a busy day for the Albertine Family and its Board of Bishops. The day began with the Holy Eucharist presided over by H.E. Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo and concelebrated by fifteen other bishops and professors of SAC. The Rector, Fr. Deepak Valerian Tauro welcomed the gathering. Cardinal Toppo, in his homily invited everyone to detach oneself from earthly possessions, luxuries and riches to be worthy followers of Christ. Everyone is called to follow Christ. When we follow worthily, God showers us with blessings.

After the Holy Eucharist, there was photo session of Board of Bishops with the staff and students. After the breakfast there was a meeting of Bishops with the staff in the staff room. To begin with the meeting, Fr. Deonis Ekka invoked the blessings of the Almighty by singing a Bhajan and thereafter Most Rev. William D’Souza S.J., the Archbishop of Patna and the outgoing Chancellor of the College paid tribute to late Fr. Lukas Tirkey. Archbishop then officially handed over the mantle of Chancellorship to H.E. Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo. From this onwards, the Archbishop of Ranchi will be the Chancellor of SAC.

The change of chancellor was due to the change of Ecclesial body of bishops. So far the BIJHAN board was existing and this got bifurcated into Bihar Regional Bishops Conference and Jharkhand-Andaman Regional Bishop’s Conference. Bishop Felix Toppo S.J., is the present Vice-Chancellor of SAC. The incumbent chancellor handed over his office to the new chancellor by exchanging files and offering a flower sapling symbolically.

This was followed by the deliberations of the meeting. Various issues were discussed during the meeting: strengthening staff, formative aspects, spiritual and temporal issues etc. At 12.30 p.m a sumptuous meal was arranged in student refectories for all. In the afternoon, bishops met all the student in two groups including the day scholars – philosophers and theologians separately. Brothers expressed their concerns to the bishops.

In the evening at 6.30, a short felicitation programme was arranged by the students for the bishops, especially to thank the outgoing Chancellor and to welcome the new Chancellor. Br. Alex Lepcha anchored the whole programme. Second year theology brothers sang a welcome song while Br. Robert Tigga of third year theology expressed the words of appreciation.

During the programme, Sr. Pushpa who was helping the kitchen and farm was given a grand farewell. Archbishop William D’Souza felicitated her with a gift. In his parting message as Chancellor, archbishop William explained about the bifurcation of BIJHAN bishops conference and its proceedings. He exhorted that all the students need to discipline oneself in life. He said, “The road ahead of us is not dark, The rays of hope are in the horizon, Only we have to gaze into the horizon, allow the rays of hope penetrate us, sink in the rays of light of hope of Jesus our master and shepherd, where we need to emulate.” Further he said, “We discipline ourselves: intellectual disciple, emotional disciple, psychological disciple and physical disciple. Out body mind and spirit need to be disciplined to listen to the Word of God.” With the blessing of Cardinal Toppo, the day came to its end.

A little ‘thank you’ that you will say to someone for a ‘little favour’ shown to you, is a key to unlock the doors that hide unseen ‘greater favours’. Learn to say thank you and why no…

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