SAC DARPAN: INAUGURATION OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2015-16

Inauguration of the 36^th Annual Academic Year 2015-16 took place on 9^th July, 2015 with a solemn Eucharist presided over by H.E. Telesphore Cardinal P. Toppo, the Archbishop of Ranchi and the Patron of the St. Albert’s College (SAC) Ranchi. Most Rev. Felix Toppo S.J., the Vice-Chancellor of SAC, Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas, Most Rev. Telesphore Bilung SVD, Most Rev. Charles Soreng S.J., the Bishop Emeritus of Hazaribagh Diocese, Very Rev. Joseph Marianus Kujur S.J., the Provincial of Jesuits of Ranchi, and other 26 priests concelebrated at the Mass. Bishop Telesphore Mascarenhas in his homily said, “We are afraid of so many insecurities in life. The Gospel gives us assurance. The Lord breaks all the walls of insecurities and gives us peace and entrusts us with a mission. Let us allow the Lord to come in to remove our fears and give us peace. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom comes from the Lord, for the fear of the Lord is the only fear worth having.”

Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas breaking the Word of God

After the Holy Eucharist, there was a formal Inaugural Function at the SAC Auditorium. The Albertine Choir sang the welcome song. The dignitaries on the podium were, H.E. Telesphore Cardinal P. Toppo, Most Rev.Felix Toppo S.J, Rev.Fr. Rector, Deepak Tauro, Fr. John Crasta, the Registrar of the Faculty, Rev. Fr. Erik Breye, the dean of Post Graduate Studies, Fr. Bijay Kandulna, Rev. Fr. Suman Kumar. Ekka, the President of the Faculty, and Rev. Fr. Selva Raj, the Vice President of the Faculty. Apart from these several the other dignitaries present on the occasion were: Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas, Most Rev. Charles Soren S.J, Rev. Dr. Man Masih Ekka, the principal of Gossner Theological College, Rev. Fr. Joseph Marianus Kujur, the Provincial of Ranchi Jesuits and several other religious of Ranchi. Fr. Deepak Tauro, the Rector of the seminary welcomed every one present. In his message he said, “Let us learn from Christ who is the source of Wisdom. There is no short cut for success. Only hard work is the way to achieve it.” To invoke the blessings of God, dignitaries, guests and the student representatives Lighted the Lamp. Then, the President delivered his Inaugural Address. In his address, invited everyone to keep a moment of silence as an obituary for Fr. Lucas Tirkey, who passed away on 25^th of April, 2015. At the end of his address, the Cardinal declared the Academic Year 2015-16 Open.

Welcome to the former Rector, Rev. Joseph P. Pinto

Rector, Rev. Fr. Deepak V. Tauro Welcoming the gathering

Lighting of the Lamp

The Presidential Address

This was followed by the announcement of Results of the previous academic year and awarding of degrees. Fr. Selva Raj, the Vice-President and Dean of Philosophy announced the results of 27 philosophy students who were awarded with BPh Degree. Then the Registrar of the Faculty, Rev. Fr. John Crasta announced the results of MTh and BTh Examination held in the previous academic year. Brs. Alex Lepcha, Bipin Kandulna, Patrick Barla and Xavier Topno topped in BTh exams. Cardinal Toppo awarded the degrees. In the last academic year, 3 students – Frs. Bhushan Bara, Appunraj and Arulappan defended MTh successfully, 20 finished theological studies (BTh) and got ordained priests and 30 finished the philosophical and college studies.

Vice President announcing BPh Results

The Registrar Announcing the MTh and BTh results

The Vice Chancellor, Most Rev. Felix Toppo S.J. congratulated the students who completed their studies. In his address, he said, “we receive rewards for the good we do. They have received the reward due to their effort. The staff too have contributed in their effort. I congratulate them all.” He further said, “Go beyond knowledge and acquire wisdom. Pray and contemplate and have a deep love for God. We need to recognize the beauty of God. We need to go in search of beauty of God in nature where we find our own beauty.”

Fr. Bijay Kandulna who completed his Philosophy here in SAC and pursued his BTh and MTh from the University of Urbanianum, Rome presented the Schola Brevis on the topic, “The Trinity as Principle and Modal of Hindu Christian Dialogue: Trimurti, Saccidananda and Blessed Trinity.” This was a comparative study on Hindu concept and Christian concept of Trinity from the Missiological perspective.

Schola Brevis: Fr. Bijay Kandulna

At the end, H.E. Telesphore Cardinal P. Toppo blessed everyone with his elegant message. He invited us learn at all stages of life. More so, keep our surrounding neat and clean.