Three New Deacons for the Archdiocese
On 29th September 2018, Bros. Naresh, Manoj, and Roshan were ordained deacons for the Archdiocese of Patna. Most Rev. William D'souza SJ, the Archbishop of Patna ordained them.
50 Years for the Lord
Fr. Jose Mattathilani
Rev. Fr. Jose Mattathilani celebrated his Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination on 28th September 2018, at St. Joseph's Pro-cathedral, Bankipur, Patna. Present to grace the occasion were his relatives, friends, religious, priests, the coadjutor, and Archbishop. Fr. Jose thanked the Lord for His grace and Strength. He was the main celebrant and homilist. Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupur, coadjutor of Archdiocese of Patna in message termed him as simple, deeply spiritual. Most William D;souza SJ, thanked him for service and added the people gathered here is the witness to his ministry. The celebration ended with agape at the ground of St. Joseph's Convent School (Bihar Board).
Rev. Fr. S.
Peter who completed his 25 years of sacerdotal ordination. On 22nd
August, 2018, Archdiocese celebrated his silver Jubilee at Sewa Kendra, Patna
with thanksgiving Mass in which Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J., Coadjutor
Bishop Sebastian Kallupura and 45 Archdiocesan Priests were present. At present Fr. S. Peter is the Parish Priest
of Gulni Parish
Installation of Coadjutor Bishop
Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupura
The
Laity, Religious, and Priests of Patna Archdiocese are extremely privileged to witness
the great event of the Church in Bihar. On
10th August 2018, the newly elected Coadjutor Bishop was installed
officially in a Eucharistic Celebration held at St. Joseph’s Pro-cathedral, Bankipur,
of Archdiocese of Patna. There were 80 priests
from various dioceses of Bihar, above 400 Religious, and Laity present to
welcome the Coadjutor Bishop of Patna, Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupura. He arrived at the Archbishop’s House, and was
led by the Archbishop William D’souza, S.J., and the priests, and congregation
to the Pro-cathedral, where the Coadjutor spent some time in prayer.
The
Eucharistic Celebration began at 10.30 AM, which was presided over by his Grace
William D’souza, S.J., concelebrated by Most Rev. Kurien Valiakandathil, Bishop
of Bhagalpur, Most Rev. Cajetan Francis Osta, Bishop of Muzaffarpur, and Most
Rev. Peter Sebastian Goveas, Bishop of Bettiah, and many priests from Bihar. All the priests and bishops were welcomed by
a beautiful and prayerful welcome dance by the Candidates of Notre Dame Congregation.
Rev.
Fr. James Amakatt, the Vicar General of Buxar Diocese introduced the Coadjutor
Bishop Most. Rev. Sebastian Kallupura. In
his address he said, “Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupura, was born on 14 July 1953
in Teekoy under Pala Diocese in Kerala. When he was two years old, his family
migrated to Kottiyoor now under Mananthavady Diocese. After having completed
schooling at Kelakam, he responded to God’s call to be a missionary in Bihar,
by joining Mission Home, Pala in 1971. After the intermediate studies in Pala
from 1973 to 1975, he did his philosophical studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary,
Mangalore. Thereafter in 1979, he graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi
and did his Theological studies from Papal Seminary, Pune. He completed B.Ed.
in 1984 form St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. On 14 May 1984 his sacerdotal
ordination took place at his home parish Kottiyoor in Mananthavady Diocese.
As
a priest of the Archdiocese of Patna, Bishop Sebastian has served in various
capacities. He was assistant pastor at Jehanabad in 1984 and at Mokama in 1985.
He was Parish Priest of Sikendra for 5 years from 1986 to 1991 and the Parish
Priest of Mokama for 8 years from 1991 to 1999. After a year of spirituality
course in Bangalore, he served as the asst. diocesan treasurer of Patna
diocese. Then he was appointed as the Director of Sewa Kendra, Patna from 2003
to 2009. He was also the Director of Bihar Social Forum in 2009. He was nominated
Bishop of the diocese of Buxar on 7 April 2009 and consecrated its Bishop on 21st
June the same year. He was appointed as the Coadjutor Bishop of the Archdiocese
of Patna by Holy Father Pope Francis on 29th June, 2018. He is also
the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Buxar till another Bishop is
appointed for Buxar.
Most
Rev. William D’souza SJ, began the Eucharistic Celebration. He explained the
importance and the need of a Coadjutor Bishop in the Archdiocese of Patna. After
the proclamation of the Gospel Rev. Fr. Prem Prakash, Vicar General of Patna
Archdiocese read out the Decree of Most. Rev. Sebastian Kallupura’s appointment
as Coadjutor received from the Apostolic Nuncio and handed it over to the
Bishop which was shown to the College of Consulters and in the presence of Chancellor
of the Curia.
Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupura gave the homily in
which he clearly stated about his vision and mission in the Archdiocese. At culmination of the Holy Mass, Fr. Prem
Prakash acknowledged each and every one for the valuable services and hard
works to make the day a successful one.
By expressing his heartfelt appreciation to Fr. Prem, Archbishop blessed
the congregation and ended the Holy Mass.
Thereafter all the invited guests were led to St. Joseph’s School for
the fellowship meal. The Archdiocese prays for the Coadjutor and his mission
Church Blessing at Jahanabad Parish:
4th
August, 2018, on Feast of St. John Mary Vianney, a newly erected Church at Jahanadad Parish
was blessed and dedicated to Divine Mercy. The blessing and dedication ceremony
was presided over by Archbishop William D’ Souza,S.J in the presence Bishop Sebastian of Buxar Diocese and Bishop
Cajetan of Muzaffarpur Diocese. 45 priests concelebrated with the archbishop.
Sister
Roshni, the Superior General of Sacred Heart and Sr. Surbhi, the Provincial of
Sacred Heart were also present for the function. The ceremony began with a
magnificent reception of Bishops and Priests with Band Baza.
The whole ceremony
of blessing and dedication of the Church was a kind of admiration and marvel
for the people, for majority of them witnessed it for the first time in their
life so far. Congratulations and big thanks to Fr. Robert Kumar, the Parish
Priest for his hard work to complete the Church construction within two years. Patna Archdiocese is very grateful to the benefactors
who helped with their financial support to construct a Church for the people of
Jahanabad.
