DEACON GEORGE TOPNO ORDAINED PRIEST

Deacon George Topno was ordained a priest by Most Rev. Vincent Barwa, the Bishop of Simdega (Jharkhand) diocese on March 18, 2019 at his home parish of Jaldega.

The ordination ceremony had many rituals that is part and parcel of the tribal culture of Jharkhand – colourful dance procession, washing and wiping of hands, etc. George was helped to walk to the altar,  by his father and siblings, stepping into the baskets they  placed before him.

Fr. Jose Mathew, the Salesian Provincial of New Delhi and Fr. Naresh Kujur the Vice provincial and about 45 priests, most of them Salesians from the Chotanagpur area.

Fr. George Topno was member of the staff at Sumedha Centre for more than a year, as Administrator. Sumedha Centre was represented at the ordination by Fr. Jose Parappully, the Director of the Centre.

The ordination was followed by a felicitation ceremony and lunch for all.

The ordination ceremony and felicitation were held in a specially prepared (roof made of tree leaves) shamiana, next to the old parish Church.

On the 19^th March Fr. George said his first Mass at his home.

Fr. George will take up his first assignment as priest at Don Bosco Jokbhla as Administrator and Assistant Parish Priest.

Sumedha Centre conveys to Fr. George heartiest congratulations and best wishes and blessings for a very satisfying and fruitful priestly life and ministry.