CRI VARANASI UNIT REPORT 2022-2023

Office Bearers Meet

The office bearers’ meeting was held on 6th December at Ghazipur Parish

Presbytery.  Executive members of the Varanasi Unit, all the leaders of the zones, and Sr. Benedicta SRA Regional CRI Secretary were present for the same. It began with a short prayer by Fr. Praveen IMS President of the Varanasi zone.

The President of the Varanasi Unit Fr. Benedict MSFS welcomed the gathering and explained the purpose of the meeting. It was mainly to know each other and to materialize the action plan of the CRI unit in the various zones.

Thereafter the secretaries of each zone read their reports. All felt that due to Covid 19 pandemic, many activities couldn’t take place. But everyone tried to reach out to the people in their capacity. Also, each zone explained the difficulties they faced to carry on the responsibilities because of the transfers.

Rt. Rev. Bishop Eugene Joseph, Bishop of Varanasi was present for the meeting to give his opinion and suggestions to CRI office bearers. He explained saying that the Diocese and CRI should go in parallel not bisecting each other. He appreciated and encouraged the CRI to go ahead with its activities.

Sr. Ashly Secretary of the CRI unit explained the Action plan drawn by the CRI Executive and requested the leaders of the zones to carry on in their respective zones. Sr. Shyja Vice President of the CRI Unit proposed the vote of thanks and Sr. Sumi the Co-Ordinator for formation prayed the concluding prayer. The meeting came to a close at 1.00 p.m. with a sumptuous meal.

Varanasi Unit Reaching out to the poor

The CRI Varanasi Unit took initiative in distributing winter clothes to the poor in our locality. It was a need of the hour at the beginning of January, especially for those who were struggling to meet their daily needs. It was some relief to the people of Koirajpur village. They received everything with a grateful heart.

Report of the CRI Varanasi Zone January 2023.

 On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 75th martyrdom anniversary the Sagha sanskriti Munch organized a prayer meeting on 30th January 2023 at 4 p.m. at Gandhi Ghat Varanasi.  The program began with a prayer song by the Prerna Kala Munch and then from sagha sanskriti Munch different persons highlighted Mahatma Gandhi through quotations, shayries, songs, etc., and showed respect, honor and promised to follow the path that Mahatma Gandhi showed in his life.

 On this occasion many of the CRI Varanasi zone members, Fr. Benedict the CRI President, and executive team members also participated and joined the prayer meeting. We showed our respect for Mahatma Gandhi and our country through our presence.   Hundreds of people witnessed this event. The program came to an end by praying “sarvo dharma prarthana”at 7. 00 p.m

Report of the CRI Ballia Zone January 2023.

  The Ballia zone met as one family on 11th December. They had a core group meeting in Francispur with the elected new Ballia Zone office Bearers before this meeting. They planned to discuss certain topics during the 11th December meeting.

Post Pandemic:

1. What are the challenges faced in the community, as an individual, and as a community during the Pandemic?

2. Community plays a vital role to build the atmosphere, to gather all. But a lot of fear existed during the pandemic even in religious congregations. What could be the reasons for it?

3. If I am strong, I can do all things with the help of Jesus Christ. What are the faith aspects carried out in the mission during this period?

4. Our relationship with the people is getting vanished because we fail to witness Christ among the people. How can we bring it back?

5. Does the media play a role to distract us from the mission entrusted to us in our communities?

6. What is our response to this present situation, especially in our mission?

7. What is our role in the mission, and how do we carry out all the challenges?

                    The above points were discussed in Piyariya on 11th December 2022 in our Ballia Zone CRI with all the members present. The meeting was effective and boosted the members to move forward with courage and hope. It was planned to have a Christmas gathering with the domestic workers on the 14th of January 2023 in Francispur.

Reaching out to the less privileged:

            The members decided to help the poor girls and boys in the mission.  It was planned to collect Rs 100 from each community per month. So that Rs. 1200 would be given to the poor people’s fund. In the year 2022 a girl Annu Bharti of class UKG, and Chilhakar who went through an operation was helped with medical treatment with Rs. 5000. In other missions like Singantharpur, Jammua, Birabadhi, and Bimpura were given Rs 2000 for particular students for their studies and to pay the school fee. The meeting went on well with a lot of encouragement.

Domestic workers gathering:

There was a gathering for the domestic workers on 14th January in Francispur. There were forty sisters and 20 domestic workers present and all enjoyed the program. The meeting began with a meaningful prayer service conducted by Sr. Ranjita SRA. Christmas gathering and Carol singing were well organized. They had a few games for domestic workers and for sisters and the domestic workers were honored with gifts.

Planning for Spiritual Activities:

       All the members were thanked for their very presence and cooperation with CRI. They planned to have a sharing and input session on Community life in Bhirabadi, during the Lenten season. All agreed to participate to improve the relationship with one another.

  They planned to meet the prisoners in the Jail. They decided to meet DM and move forward to do this mission in Ballia more effectively

Report of the CRI Mau Zone January 2023.

The CRI Mau had few activities for the people during the last two months.  Following are the two main activities.

1. Christmas celebration for poor and Orphan children: The Christmas Celebration for these children was on 22 December 2022. It was good to see so many children in colourful dresses. They sang Christmas songs, cut cakes, and wished one another.

2. Christmas celebration for the domestic workers:

The CRI Mau Zone organized Christmas Celebration for domestic workers on 29 January 2023. It was held at Mirpur Mission. The supporting staff came in good numbers for the program. In order to make it more meaningful, different games were conducted and prizes and gifts were distributed to honour them. It was a joy to see smiles on their faces as acknowledged their presence and hard work in the communities. They had lunch together and dispersed to their respective communities. 

Report of the CRI Ghazipur Zone- January 2023.

CRI Meeting of Ghazipur Zone was held on 11th December 2022, at Vidya Niketan Ghazipur. The meeting began at 9:30 a.m. It started with a prayer led by the FSM sisters. Sr. Alphonsa SRA the president of Ghazipur zone welcomed all sisters and fathers to take part in the meeting. She also introduced and welcomed Fr. Benedict MSFS, the resource person of the day.  

Fr. Benedict MSFS the resource person introduced himself saying that he was a simple human being and it was a privilege to be there with them. He began his talk by quoting the message of Pope Francis regarding the Synod where the main aim of the pilgrim church was communion, participation, and mission. He said that the religious and priests are becoming, part of the synodal church.  This is possible only when we encounter, listen, and discern every day in our life with the help of the scripture. It is each one’s duty to take part in the synodal church as well as to make a way for the last and the least to join as a co-pilgrimage. He pointed out saying that religious life is all about growing in the spirit of God, renewing oneself spiritually, and reconciling every day with God, human beings, nature, and self.

He challenged them, saying that, as committed religious and priests, how much one has control over oneself. We are weak in emotional management, we become impatient, we hurt and hurt others and even we lose the sense of confidentiality. Today there is a lot of scandals, abuse, misuse, mismanagement, and superficial mechanism in the church and we all are finding it difficult to witness the Gospel values of Christ. It is we, who are directly, indirectly, and partially involved in all the aspects of church functions.

He asked them not to be too passive and critical but be creative in everything. Taking some steps to follow the gospel value, denying oneself to follow Christ, serving the least, carrying the cross, and finally following Christ with hope and fidelity. He highlighted the methods to make good confessions and build relationships with God, oneself, others, and nature. He directed them to make an action plan with the question ‘how to be a radical follower of Christ and how to deny oneself on the basis of the synodal method.’

They had confession followed by a holy Eucharistic celebration. After lunch, the reporting of the group regarding the action plan as well as the previous report was delivered by Sr. Vimla SCC the secretary of CRI Ghazipur zone. Presented the minutes of the previous meeting too.

THE ACTION PLAN

·      Domestic workers get together on 22 Jan.2023. (Contribution from all the communities.)

·       To help the Khrist Bhakta Movement to deepen their faith.

·      Job orientation program and placement for the youth.

·      Bring back the religious community spirit of oneness and togetherness by

reading the newspaper and sharing at the table, community games and recreation, giving positive stroke and feedback, appreciating and encouraging.

Find ways and means to build up community life strong, vibrant, and dynamic

CHARITABLE EXERCISES ON THE OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS

The parish have a special concern for the poor, widows, mushers, old aged people, differently abled, rickshaw pullers, young boys and girls, etc. The CRI members have provided for the needy blankets, saris, shawls, and provisions. They visit the families and pray.

They had a Christmas celebration on December 26, 2022, with the prisoners at the zonal level. They had put up a cultural program such as – a nativity play, dance, and carol singing.  Apart from the celebrations they distributed blankets, shawls, cupcakes,

and buns. Many sisters participated in the Christmas celebration with the prisoners; sisters from Rasulpur FSM, Vidya Niketan SRA, St. Mary’s School SRA, Lourdes Convent, and the students and the candidates. Special thanks to donors who supported the success of the Christmas celebrations with prisoners; Fr. Anand donated 50 blankets, OLP sisters Zamania gave 500 buns, St. Mary’s School Ghazipur supplied Cupcakes, SRA candidate house sponsored 500 buns, FSM sisters gave 250 Cupcakes, Lourd’s inter-college Ghazipur distributed 220 blankets and shawls.

Sr. Ashly SAP                                                       

Secretary CRI Varanasi Unit