austraLasia
#2389
Salesians start up in Bangladesh
MYMENSINGH: 28th March 2009 -- Several people have been asking
recently of Fr Francis Alencherry, his whereabouts and activities.
Somewhat providentially, the same Fr Francis had written to austraLasia
very recently indicating that he had received his visa (finally) for
Bangladesh and was in the process of taking up residence. But let him
tell the story himself in a more recent communique......
"Finally I have reached Bangladesh, the land of my
mission. I reached BIshop's House Mymensingh shortly before midnight on
24 March, accompanied by Fr Joseph Pampadiyil, vice provincial. From
25th evening to 26th noon there was the monthly recollection of the
clergy of the diocese. On 26th morning there was also the Chrism Mass.
These occasions gave me opportunity to get to know the clergy of the
diocese and to be introduced to them. Spending a day in prayer together
with them was a good way of initiating my ministry in this diocese.
"In the afternoon of 26th the bishop and the parish
priest of Ranikhong, in which the first Salesian presence will be set
up, took the two of us to Utrail, the place chosen for this first
presence. The journey by car from Mymensingh to Utrail took a little
more than an hour and a half, even though the distance is only 55 km.
At present a part of the road is in quite bad condition, but there is
reasonable hope that it will soon be repaired.
"On reaching Utrail we were given a very warm
welcome with flowers, songs and dances by the children and the few
people who had gathered there. We were introduced to the people and I
could see that there was general satisfaction that the Salesians had
come to stay among them.
"After the welcome ceremony we went around studying
possibilities and seeing the various sites that could be used for our
apostolate. We spent about three hours there and then returned to
Mymensingh, for lack of overnight accommodation.
"My immediate attention is on preparing a place for
the community to stay at Utrail and to buy some lands for our works. I
hope to stay in Utrail to conduct the Holy Week services. That will
give me a chance to meet the maximum number of people. According to the
parish priest's calculations there should be around 3,000 faithful in
some 18 villages in the parish entrusted to our care.
"The bishop and clergy are very accommodating and
hospitable. They have received us with open arms and expect a lot from
us. I am sure, with God's help the sons of Don Bosco will not
disappoint them.
"I am hoping that by December 18th this year we will
be able to solemnly inaugurate this new Salesian presence as a souvenir
of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of our Congregation".
------
Utrail or Birisiri is part of the Mymensingh Diocese of Bangladesh,
bordering Meghalaya State in North East India. The majority of the
Catholics there belong to the Mandi (Gari) tribe and are a people in
great need. A parish, youth centre and school are expected to be built
there as settings for the Salesian apostolate. Currently Fr Emil Ekka
of Kolkata Province is in preparation for joining Fr Francis at Utrail.
An invitation to join the Bangladeshi Mission has been sent out to
volunteer missionaries from other Indian and non-Indian provinces.
_________________
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Title: australasia 2389
Subject and key words: S Asia Bangladesh
Date (year): 2009
