March 19, 2022 was a another Red Letter day in the annals of Sumedha Centre.
The renovated hostel building at Don Bosco Jharmari is the new home of Sumedha Centre.
The building was blessed and inaugurated today by Rev. Fr. Davis Maniparamben, the Salesian Provincial of New Delhi, in the presence of Fr. Ambrose, the Procurator of the Simla-Chandigarh diocese, a good number of Salesians and the participants 43rd Sumedha Sadhana (17 March-May 31, 2022).
The blessing ceremony began at the entrance lobby, where a statue of St. Joseph, patron saint of Sumedha was placed. This statue was blessed and carried by Fr. Jose Parappully, Director of the Centre, into the Chapel while Fr. Provincial, Fr. Ambrose and Fr. Thomas Anjilikuzhyil, Assistant Administrator at Sumedha, went around the building blessing it. All moved then into the new chapel.
Fr. Parappully welcomed all and gave an introduction in which he thanked all those involved in renovating the hostel building and getting it ready for the inauguration, He especially mentioned the Don Bosco Jharmari community who have been very cooperative and generous.
Br. Cyriac Kurias, of Don Bosco Technical institute, New Delhi, who volunteered to plan and execute the renovation works, and provide for the various facilities and utilities and who had made several trips from Delhi to Jharmari to supervise the works was thanked in a special way. Sumedha Centre is deeply appreciative of his generosity and practical compassion.
The participants of the Sumedha programme who worked hard
to get the place ready from the time they arrived., the workers especially Mr
Joseph, the DBTI electrician and plumber, and Mr Abir, the electrician of the New Delhi Salesian Provincial House whom the Provincial Economer Fr. Biju
Abraham had made available, both of who had been here for several weeks working day
and night, were also thanked..
Then the Holy Eucharist began, presided over by the Provincial. The homily on St, Joseph was preached by Fr. Ambrose. At the end of the Mass, Fr. Joseph Kezakkekkara, the first Salesian Provincial of New Delhi and who had encouraged the setting up of the Bosco Psychological Services and later the Sumedha Centre, expressed his appreciation for the services that Sumedha Centre is offering.
Mass was followed by a festive lunch. It was partly catered by Mr. Johnson of New Delhi, arranged by Br. Cyriac Kurias, and partly by local caterers arranged by Fr. Bhushan Barla, the Principal Don Bosco Jharmari,.and Fr. Yesudas Karakkattu, the Administrator of Sumedha Centre.
Bishop Ignatius of Simla-Chandigarh presided at the Holy Eucharist at 11.00 am the next morning. Fr. Davis Maniparamben, the Salesian Provincial of New Delhi, welcomed the Bishop and thanked him for allowing the Sumedha Centre to operate from the diocese. Bishop Ignatius expressed his happiness that Sumedha Centre is now in his diocese and welcomed the Centre and its staff and programme pariticipants to the diocese. He gave a very instructive and moving homily on how the Sumedha Centre can be of great help to priests and religious. Bishop stayed for lunch and left afterwards.
The same evening the fist Sumedha Sadhana at the renovated hostel building commenced with an introduction from Fr. Parappully. There are 18 participants (6 men of whom 2 are Salesians, one from the Panchim province and the other from the Dimapur province; three are three diocesan priests and one religious priest) and 12 religious women from 10 different congregations.
The paintings in the new Chapel of the Emmaus journey (Luke 24, 13 ff) were done by Br. Mathew John of Don Bosco Technical Institute, New Delhi. Sumedha Centre is deeply appreciative of his work.
