Annual Report of CRI Varanasi Unit 2020-2021

The CRI of Varanasi Unit is here to present the annual report of the unit for the year 2020-21. The CRI Varanasi unit always enjoys the support and the encouragement of Rt. Rev. Bishop Eugene Joseph. Varanasi CRI Unit has four zones namely Varanasi, Mau, Ballia and Gazipur. During this year of the pandemic each zone in its own capacity has contributed in kind and service to the sick and needy and also helped the victims of the flood in the relief work.  Here are some of the major events and activities that were executed during the current year.

Stand By Stan

 We, the members of CRI Varanasi kept a day of prayer on Sunday, 1st November 2020. Although each community was free, we suggested to have the holy hour from 6.30-7.30 p.m in order to pay our solidarity for Fr. Stan Swamy SJ and his fellow citizens.

Constitution Day of India

The Forum of “Indian Christians for Democracy” ICD and various secular organizations celebrated the Constitution Day of India, which was on the 26 November. In Varanasi, CRI, FORUM FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE along with SAJHA SANSKRITI MANCH had celebrated the Constitution Day from 3 to 5 p.m.at Shastri Ghat, Varuna Bridge. There were talks from eminent personalities of   different religions.  CRI represented by 20 members from different Congregations. 

At 4.30 pm we marched with candles to Ambedkar Statue and concluded the programe at 5.00 p.m. by taking an oath to protect the Constitution. 

Annual General Meeting- CRI region of URU

Annual General Meeting of URU Region was organized on a virtual platform on 05 December 2020 The resource person for the day was Justice Kurian Joseph…The theme for the day was “Gospel and the Constitutional values”. Fr. Biju CMI and the team had successfully completed their term and the new office bearers were elected.

President- Rev. Fr. Ishwaranand  IMS

Vice President-Rev Sr, Ishpriya FSMA

Secretary- Rev, Sr. Cecilia FSLG

Councilors- Rev. Sr. Pushpa Jacob UMI

                     Rev. Fr. Benny Thettayil CMI

                     Rev. Sr. Sheela OLP

Human Rights Day

We, the representatives of different Congregations gathered at Shastri Ghat, in solidarity with the Protesting farmers, on Thursday 10 December at 3.30 P. M. Once again, it was a solemn moment for the CRI, Varanasi, to celebrate the Challenges of the International Human Rights Day.  There were talks on different issues faced by the citizens of India.  Since we couldn’t have a large crowd, the numbers of participants were limited.

A  Day of Fast, Prayer and Penance on 26 January

We invited each and every member of the CRI and the respective Communities, of the Diocese of Varanasi to dedicate/observe Tuesday, 26 January, 2021 as a Day of Fast, Prayer and Penance to Uphold Indian Democracy and the Constitution. We suggested, the Communities to offer an hour of Prayer in the morning, to be in solidarity with the Farmers, and the millions of Indians, who are deprived of their constitutional rights. So that the Merciful God, provide all the citizens safety, security, dignity and rights, as enshrined in the Constitution.

A DAY OF RECOLLECTION

The CRI Varanasi Team had been reflecting, taking into consideration the Pandemic constraints, on the ways and manner of organizing a Recollection and Confession for the Members. We invited Fr. Dr. Francis Gonsalves SJ, the President of Jnana Deepa, Institute of Philosophy & Theology (JDV PUNE), to give us a talk on the Theme: JOURNEYING WITH JESUS FROM ACTION TO HIS PASSION, on Sunday, 21 March 2021, from 17.45 – 19.00 hours. There was confession arranged for the Varanasi Zone at Christnagar, Christu Jyothi Gurukul on 21 March from 9.00 A.M to 12.00 Noon. We requested all the other Zones to arrange it in their own respective Zones on the same day at their convenience.

ADORATION

After receiving suggestions and ways of going about from the members of CRI, to be as effective as we can be, as prophets in these trying times, the executive team of CRI Varanasi, suggested to have chain prayer in each and every one of our religious houses from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm on Friday, 23April 2021.A prayer schedule was drawn with half an hour duration for each house. Evening 7.00-8.00 had common adoration. It was a successful storming of heaven!

Stand by Stan (Mourning the death of stan swamy)

We, the members of CRI Varanasi, gathered together for a peaceful candle light protest, condemning the death of Stan Swamy on 12 July 2021 at shastri ghat. He was unjustly arrested and detained in the police custody for many months. He, along with his companions, were allegedly booked under UAPA, terming them as urban naxals in the Bhima Koregaon case.

Renewing the spirit of CRI in the zonal level

The executive members of local unit and zonal office bearers of CRI came together at Ghazipur on 21 August 2021. The agenda was to activate and to encourage the Executive CRI Teams of Zones: Mau, Ballia, Ghazipur and Varanasi, and to encourage them to continue the works which were carried on by them. 

Chain Adoration

The Varanasi team suggested having chain adoration in every religious house for an hour from 1st July to October at 6.30 P.M. to 7. 30 P.M. and along with it to do an act of charity, in the vicinity, through blood donation, medical help or distributing food items etc. it was a grace filled moment to intercede for the broken humanity.

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Local CRI Unit, Varanasi was held at Nav Sadhana, the regional pastoral center on 23rd October 2021. Fr. Neeti Bhai IMS was the resource person of the day through his presentation he led the participants into group discussion. The theme for the day was “Prophetically Following Jesus in His Mission”

Let us cherish life, cherish the value of every person to carry on the mission of Jesus Christ and be a blessing to all!