Reported by Mrs. Cecilia Seymour

March 6th, 2022: A day’s orientation workshop was organized at Church of Our Lady of Happy Voyage, Howrah. by Fr. Dominic Gomes- Vicar General, and Director of SCC in Kolkata Archdiocese along with resource team members- Mr. Ravi Samping, Mr. JC Lakra, Sr. Rajni SMI , Mrs. Manju Linda & Mrs. Christine Krema

The Program started with Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Dominic Gomes & concelebrated by Fr. Devraj Fernandes followed by a solemn procession with the BIBLE, and Bible Enthronement.

Fr. Sunil Kujur, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Happy Voyage, Howrah, was generous to provide the basic amenities to make the day graceful and fruitful. A warm welcome speech was delivered by Fr. Dominic Gomes to the more than 50 SSC animators of Howrah Deanery. Neighboring five Parishes participated along with their Parish Priests - Our Lady Happy Voyage (Howrah), St. John Bosco Church (Liluah), St. Joseph the Worker Church (Santragachi), Nirmala Mata Maria Girja (Andul Road) and St. Michael’s Church (PremNagar).

The first session was on - ‘God’s Plan for marriage and family’, conducted by Sr. Rajni (Diocesan SSC Team Member). The participants were divided into groups for a discussion related to the given questionnaires based on the topic. It brought forth, the importance of marriage as a sacrament, and spiritual vocation since it is in God’s divine plan. SCC’s role was discussed to provide continuous catechesis on marriage and family values through Gospel sharing, personal testimonies and prayers conducted in families.

A brief and precise insight was given by Fr Devraj Fernandes, The Principal of St Aloysius School, on the values, purpose and works of SSC. As said earlier, SCC is Christ-centric, and its works should not be limited to the unit itself but render services to the church on a larger spectrum. The group then moved to the next session- ‘Forgiveness and Handling Conflicts With Love’. It was conducted by Mr. J.C Lakra and Mrs. Christine (Diocesan SCC Team Members). They focused on the importance of forgiveness, humility and tolerance in families in order to resolve family conflicts. The role of SCC was discussed on how to identify and resolve family conflicts like approaching families, encouraging them to have daily family prayers, Bible reading, attending family retreats and using positive affirmations to express and create a healthy environment in the families.

The session concluded by saying that as God has reconciled with the whole human race through Christ, we should also stand up as Christ’s ambassadors of forgiveness and reconciliation because without God’s help, we cannot forgive oneself or others…The next session was on the core theme of the day- ‘SSC Evangelizes Family’, led by Mrs. Manju and Mr. Ravi Samping (Diocesan SSC Members). Based on the words of St. John Paul II that SCC is the instrument of evangelizations, the importance of first evangelizing ourselves and then our families was emphasized. After group discussion, the role of SCC to become evangelizers by encouraging families to do gospel sharing and community prayer was stressed.

The participants then dispersed for a good fellowship meal followed by the last session- ‘Action Plan’ by Fr. Dominic Gomes and Team. The last session started with a gospel action song led by the Andul Parish. The participants actively enjoyed dancing and singing accompanied by melodious music. The participants were then requested asked to group themselves in their respective Parish groups along with their Parish Priests for the final action plan discussion. Each Parish submitted their action plans to Fr. Dominic Gomes. Some Action Plans submitted- were to have Gospel Sharing, Family Visits, identify and solve family conflicts, encourage daily family prayers and motivate others to join SSC units.

A few case studies were projected through SCC website. The words of the Gospel were put into action by the existing SCC units by conducting relief work programs during the recent Amphan flood- which consisted of re-construction of houses and dispatching of food, medicines and other necessary assistance.

Finally Fr.Gomes expressed his gratitude once again to Fr. Sunil Kujur and his SSC team for their dedicated support and generosity. He thanked in a very special way the presence and active involvement of the three Parish Priests- Fr. Remmy, of Nirmala Mata Maria Girja, Fr. Sebastian Xalxo of St. Joseph the Worker Church, Santragachi and Fr. Medard Tirkey of St. Michael Church, Premnagar. The day’s program ended with a thanksgiving hymn and final blessings by Fr. Dominic Gomes.