Renewed in Faith, Purified in Spirit, Spreading the Gospel to Every Heart

The Holy Family Church  Kestopur Kolkata joyfully celebrated BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community) Day on October 27, 2024. The day began with a vibrant Bible Procession led by parishioners, who journeyed from the church campus through the Kestopur village, singing praises in Hindi, Sadri, and Bengali to honor Christ’s glory. The procession’s order included:

• Cross bearer and candle holder
• Bengali BEC Units
• Main Bible carried under a canopy
• Incense bearers
• Hindi BEC Units
• Priests and clergy

Throughout the procession, the Bible was honored with three traditional aartis: the first at the Grotto, led by Reba Naskar; the second at the entrance by Juliet Minz; and the final aarti inside the church, led by the main celebrant.

Holly Mass

The Holy Mass began with an entrance dance performed by the Youth team from the Bangla Group, adding an element of festive spirit to the celebration. Smt. Anjela Gomes introduced the Mass in Bengali, while Sri James Constant Lakra welcomed attendees in Hindi. Rev. Fr. Manoj Soreng, the Parish Priest, led the Mass with the support of Rev. Arvind Tirkey, the Assistant Parish Priest.

The theme for BEC Day,

“Renewed, Purified, and Spread the Gospel Worldwide,” underscored the mission of the day. The First Reading was delivered in Bengali, and the Second Reading in Hindi. For the Gospel, Rev. Fr. Arvind Tirkey read from St. Mark, Chapter 10, verses 46 to 52. Rev. Fr. Manoj Soreng then gave an inspiring homily, sharing insights from the same passage.

Gospel Insights:Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

As Jesus and His disciples traveled toward Jerusalem, crowds followed them, filled with people drawn to His teachings, His compassion, and the hope He inspired. On the outskirts of the city of Jericho, they passed by a man who had long lived in darkness—a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus.

Bartimaeus sat by the roadside, familiar with the sounds of passersby but unable to see their faces. Life had been difficult for him; he relied on the kindness of strangers, his outstretched hand often ignored, his voice often unheard. But this day was different. He heard the excited murmurs of the crowd and the whispers of a name that carried power and hope—Jesus of Nazareth.

Though he could not see, Bartimaeus felt a spark of hope ignite within him. He had heard stories of Jesus—how He healed the sick, comforted the broken, and restored sight to the blind. With faith rising in his heart, Bartimaeus began to cry out as loudly as he could, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The crowd tried to silence him, hushing his cries and telling him to be quiet. But Bartimaeus wouldn’t be deterred. He cried out even louder, refusing to let this moment pass him by. “Son of David, have mercy on me!” he shouted with all his might.

And Jesus stopped.

Amidst the noise and the crowd, He heard Bartimaeus’ voice and felt his faith. Jesus turned and said, “Call him here.”

The people around Bartimaeus changed their tone; some smiled as they relayed Jesus’ invitation. “Take heart,” they said, “get up; He’s calling you.”

With newfound hope and excitement, Bartimaeus sprang to his feet, casting aside his cloak, and made his way to Jesus. Though he couldn’t see where he was going, he followed the sound of the voice that had brought him hope.

When he stood before Jesus, he heard a gentle voice ask him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

Bartimaeus’ heart swelled with faith, and he said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Jesus looked at him with deep compassion and said, “Go; your faith has healed you.”

And at that very moment, Bartimaeus’ eyes opened. For the first time, he could see the faces of the people around him, the world in all its color and light—and he could see Jesus. Overwhelmed with joy, Bartimaeus didn’t just go his way; instead, he chose to follow Jesus on the road, his heart filled with gratitude and praise.

Reflection on Bartimaeus’ Story

This story of Bartimaeus reminds us of the power of persistence, the courage to reach out to God even when the world tries to silence us, and the faith that leads to healing and transformation. Bartimaeus was not afraid to call out to Jesus, nor did he let others discourage him. His story is an invitation for us to call on God with our needs, trusting that He hears our voices, responds to our faith, and brings light to the darkest places in our lives.

Offertory Dance

An offertory dance, led by the women’s team from the Hindi Group, featured Smt. Punam Dungdung and Smt. Kanta Soreng in the first row, Smt. Snehlata Soreng and Smt. Roselima Soren in the second row, and Smt. Anjana Ekka with Smt. Dipti Binita Kerketta in the final row. Their performance added grace and devotion to the occasion. The doxology, performed by the Bangla Group, was beautifully presented, leaving a lasting impression on the congregation. The Mass concluded with a prayer led by Prakash Mondal.

Choir Teams

Special thanks to the Bengali and Hindi Choir Teams, including Sri Sujay Mondal and Smt. Shikha Mondal from the Bangla Group, as well as Sri Linus Dungdung, Smt. Sandhya Rekha Dungdung, Smt. Ushabela Kerketta, and Smt. Jyoti Lakra from the Hindi Group, for their devotional and melodious songs, which greatly contributed to the success of the program. Additional thanks go to Sri Anup Kujur and Sri Bimal Nag for playing the Mandar, creating a truly faithful atmosphere throughout the church.

Special Prayer

Special prayer has been done for Smt Usha Bela Kerketta and Sri Saroj Kerketta and for Smt Jyoti Lakra and Pradeep Lakra for their glorious 25Th Marriage Anniversary Day. Parishioner has been give them many congratulations to them.

Light Refreshments

After Mass, light refreshments were provided, followed by a procession in which the Bible was respectfully carried to the church hall. The cultural program began with the traditional lighting of the lamp and included engaging performances from each zone, featuring songs, dances, and skits led by Sri Akash Xalxo. A PowerPoint presentation curated by Jyoti Lakra showcased inspiring testimonies and the achievements of various BEC Units.

Conclusion

The celebration included a joyful birthday tribute to Rev. Fr. Parag Majhi, marked by a cake-cutting ceremony warmly attended by parishioners and children. The event was beautifully documented through photography and videography by Rafael Naskar and Santosh Soreng.

The BEC Day celebrations concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Rev. Fr. Manoj Soreng, leaving everyone spiritually uplifted and grateful for a truly meaningful day.