Month of May is known as Mary’s month, especially the first day is month reminds us the feast of St Joseph the worker, though it was a government holiday except the High School others had working day. In our parish this feast was celebrated on the next day.
On 2nd was the seminar for the parents, many had participated in this function. Br Efra and Br Raja went in search of a place for the vocation camp in Simdega it was little difficult to change place of the camp. They reached the place called Binthaintolli by vehicle there we were waiting for Br Abhay and Br Xavier. As it was getting late we moved from that place with Fr Sulaiman who was the parish priest. We came noon to Samtoli parish as well had lunch there.
We picked Br Abhay in Simdega and send Br Xavier to Rourkela so the teachers of the Schools were leading the songs in that day.
3rd vocation camp started in some as we have sent the letters most of the candidates came to Poornapani we fetched them from there to Binthaintoli. Fr Sulaiman the parish priest of Binthaintoli return with us. Around there were 10 boys and 3 aspirants and Br Sandip Kullu was helped us that day. Two more boys and Br Sumilan were expected to arrive the next day. Br Abhay was at home taking care house and school.
4th as was Sunday we celebrated Eucharist with the people of Parish. At the end of the mass parish priest introduced us as well all those who were attending the vocation camp. All the programs were going on well safe and sound. Evening we played to gather with the hostel boys at the end all the boys bath in a pond near the parish.
5th we was English and intelligent test for the Boys soon after we had personal meetings, noon time they dedicated some hours practicing some programs. At night we had programs some of the kids from the hostel too participated just for a minute. These days Fr Tobias who was in charge of retreat center was taking care of us well and good.
6th last day of the camp in Binthaintoli and Fr Ajith Singh is priestly ordination day also he was not willing to celebrate it. In Binthaintoli soon after the breakfast we wanted to leave as vehicle delayed we haired a small vehicle to send some boys in it to Simdega. We started to go for house visit from Lasia to Kutungia where the boy could not know the way to his home by going in vehicle. We reached home at 9:30pm Br Abhay was waiting for us.
7th Fr Raphel was celebrating his 22 years of his priestly ordination day. For the Eucharist some from Youva sang, Mahila sang and Catholic Sabha came to great him on this day. We religious also greeted him soon after mass he invited all the staff members of the schools for lunch. Brothers had house visit in the part of Bolba. They returned with Br Sumilan. We had fellowship meal to gather in the parish house at night.
8th Br Sumilan was leaving to his house before leaving he took a lesson in the High School. In late morning in the School we had farewell for Br Sandip. Br Selvan is in train back to Kurdeg. Everything goes well and safe and sound. Next day, Br. Selvan arrived in Kurdeg, but at the same time, Br. Raja is leaving for Bangalore (lessons in Dharmaram). We went to Roukela and we dropped Brother in the Station, that day our car punctured and on returning we met heavy rains… and nearby Kurdeg, lots and lots of cows… (going for market). We arrived late home, but Brothers were waiting for us.
Next days were days of farewell, especially for our Brothers Sandip and Selvan: in the Parish, in the Schools, in the Sisters’ Convent, in some families, etc. Br. Selvan finally left on 14 May. In Rourkela we enjoyed his generous invitation while eating a delicious ice-cream.
Br. Sandip went home for holidays and visiting the family. But Brothers Efraim and Abhay stayed on that day in Rourkela Bishop’s house. The following days we had family visit of some candidates from Rourkela Diocese (and even Sambalpur). During two days we travelled many kilometres, finding the houses of the candidates. Finally we did our job under a sun of justice, and every day we ended very tired. Thanks that in Bishop’s house of Rourkela there is electricity and we could sleep more or less (so many mosquitoes…). On 16 we visited Br. Sandeep Minz’s house and family. We had nice stay and meal there (tasting the refreshing ‘jharia’, very necessary for this hot weather). At the end of the day, we three came to Bishop’s house.
Next day, 17, early morning we went to Railway Station. A Dominican Sister from Eluru was coming to our place of Kurdeg for recruiting some girls. We all went to Kurdeg, Brothers Efraim, Abhay, Sandeep, the Sister and one candidate. Once in Kurdeg, at night, Br. Danid Tirkey joined us. So the house was full.
On 18, Br. Abhay remained alone in Kurdeg, taking care of the house. Brothers Sandeep Kullu and Dinesh Ram visited him some days later. On that same 18, afternoon, the rest of people left Kurdeg via Thetaitangar until Rourkela. Br. Sandeep Minz went to his house, but Br. Efraim and Sister and candidates went to Eluru. Br. Superior was on his way to Bangalore to attend the National Convention of Narbi (Assembly of Religious Brothers in India) held at CRI Brothers’ College. The experience was very nice. Many Brothers gathered for the occasion (more than hundred). On his way back, Br. Superior stopped also in Eluru. He was back in Kurdeg on 29. Some of our future aspirants from Kurdeg parish were at home.
Last day of the month, 30, Br. Abhay went for holidays and visit to his family. In the evening, Br. Sandip departed for Eluru and then his new appointment in Bangalore CRI Brothers’ College for Theological studies. Br. Paul Raj joined him from Eluru. At home, Kurdeg, Br. Superior remained alone, though sometimes accompanied by some of the future candidates from this parish. They nearly couldn’t understand each other.
The chronicler of Kurdeg
