These days we were going hospital to see Br Selvan who was admitted in Holy Cross Hospital, in Kunkuri. Everywhere we can find propagandas of Election parties, and some time we struggle to get vehicle to move, even to go to hospital. One important day of this was on Tuesday, many people came especially because there was a great expectation: a helicopter was coming bringing a political party leader. The politician came late afternoon for a meeting in the market, but more than the people in the market they gathered in the ground where the helicopter was. As it was late and there was no fuel (fuel came late) so the whole night had to remain in the ground; the pilot took refuge at our house. As there was no moonlight, the police, who were taking care of the helicopter, came that night with parish priest asking for light and to switch on generator; they promised us to return the fuel for that night. It was an unforgettable night since whole night we had electricity so we slept well with fan. The next day it took off leaving the surroundings full of dust.
On 2nd we went to discharge Brother from the hospital to bring him back to Community but it was not possible for doctor suggested to keep him one day more in the hospital; because of this, we were planning to shorten one day our annual retreat which will start a day after. Thank God the next day Brother Selvan took an effort and returned to Community safe and sound; we all had rosary and evening prayer in Community.
On 4th we started our annual retreat in a Redemptorist Father’s house in Khentatoli (Gumla Dt.). We started in the evening. Two Priests were guiding our retreat even one day we celebrated the Eucharist with their Provincial that was very inspiring and touching homily, besides the talk of the Priests every day we had some topic about our Founder as well the Institute. Everyday a Brother was guiding prayers as well as in pairs we prepared some topics to share in the evenings. It was a special moment for us to share many things of our Community as well as to be calm for a while out of our own routines. At the final day we tried to get vehicle to return home, after a lot of struggle and paying little more, we got. As there was Election, almost all the vehicles were taken for the election purpose. And in many places, police stopped us and checked.
On 11th our schools started to work till noon only, most of the hours spending in song practice for the Holy Week. The next day Br Selvan was caught by policemen in Kurdeg; that was the first time he has been stopped by them. In the evening our neighbor, the servants of the Parish, brought some Palms for the Sunday. On Palm Sunday many participated in Holy Eucharist. We had a short distance procession. In the time of the rosary instead of our cat, a small goat accompanied us.
On 14th High School Brothers got the salary of the last month. In the evening some Brothers went to Kunkuri with Br Selvan who was asked to check his health soon after the retreat as there was no vehicle available we postponed until this day; everything went on well. Sister Superior from Convent accompanied us.
On 15th A Jesuit Brother, Alok Ekka, from Hatha, had a visit to our house; he was preparing the songs for these days of the Holy Triduum. Every day new students are joining in the schools; this day was a confession day to all the students. The next day most of the priests were taken for the election duty, including our parish priest.
On 17th Holy Thursday was a voting day in Simdega district. Brothers voted early in the morning, later we went for fishing in a small pool in the garden of the Priests. It was clouded in the evening and rained a little, so that many could not come for Holy Eucharist of the Supper of the Lord. At night we had supper in the parish house together with a Jesuit Deacon and a Salesian Priest. The Holy Hour of Adoration was with all the Religious at 11pm to 12 midnight. We closed the Church.
On Good Friday so many people came to the parish ground. First, there was a representation of the Way of the Cross followed by the Liturgy of the Passion and Death of our Lord. At night, as Community, we had prayer for a while in front of the Cross; we went to bed little late, Next day we had a walk with Mother Mary, we walked a short distance, until a dam. In the evening we were helping in decorating altar and preparing things for the Vigil Mass together with Sisters and Brother Regent. Lot of people came for the Vigil Mass. We went to bed around 4.30am. On Easter we greeted many Communities and Brothers. We were all tired so we had good rest in the afternoon.
21st April, some of our Brothers, Br Abhay, Br Sandip and Br Raja renewed their evangelical vows in the Eucharist. Afternoon we had community meal together, and some Brothers headed to the Frist Profession in Eluru. In the same train some of the families were coming but we did not know each other. We all gathered next day in Eluru Station.
On 23rd April was the profession of the Brothers. The ceremony was presided over by the Bishop of the diocese; some Brothers from Madurai community they also came as well as almost all the families of the newly professed Brothers. In the evening we had a cultural program. Our Brother Superior spoke on behalf of our Community.
On 24th it was the Anniversary of our first profession, so soon after the Eucharist the Brothers gave sweets to all the children in Eluru and in Kurdeg too. One hostel boy in Kurdeg ate so kind of a nut which made him for hours unconscious, everyone was so much worried about him. Thank God nothing happened to him. Br Selvan left that night to Tamil Nadu from Eluru to advance his Passport application. Next day Brothers left Eulru with all the Aspirants who are going for holiday as well with the parents of a newly professed Brother. Around 8 am all arrived to Eluru station then all come to know that trains were delayed, even an aspirant who came at 6 am was at the station waiting for his train. Our train arrived at 4:30pm; it was horrible day of staying in the station. Brothers reached Rourkela at 11:30 am. Brothers from Kurdeg came early and they too waited to pick us up in the station.
On Sunday there was First Communion Mass in our parish: 71 children got this sacrament. As community we had lunch together with priests in the Sisters’ convent because from their hostel 5 girls took first communion. Br Efra and Br Abhay went to pick up Br Xavier to go to Gumla Vocation Camp which will start from following day.
On 28th April, it was a normal day: morning lessons were going on in the schools, in the evening there was a call for Br Sandip whose uncle got accident that he needed to go, so, following day he went home; as it was Tuesday Brs. Efra and Raja went for market to buy things, on this same day, the 10th standard results were published in the evening but only on the net. On 30th the result for the 10th Board exams were published only the first marks of the State on the newspaper. According to the percentage, it is better than last year; many have passed.
The Community of Kurdeg.
