In this month, many things has been changed in our Community as well as around Kurdeg block.
Our Superior is in Tamil Nadu preparing his papers for the extension of Visa; it takes a long process to get through for those who were helping him and also because of the police.
This month an announcement was given that electricity will be provided, so we, Brothers, started cutting a branch of the tree which is in front of our house.
On 7th some of the aspirants’ parents came to visit us and asked about the health of their children. As they could not send money by post, so they requested us to send it through some Brothers who are passing through Eluru Community (Br. Superior for example).
On 10th of this month, we celebrated the feast of “Nawa Khani,” known as ‘new grain festival.’ Though it was drizzling, many people came for the Mass; our Brothers were helping in the Mass. We had the holidays of Dhasara for few days. Brothers were training the students for the hockey matches and the tournament.
Our Brother Superior returned from Tamil Nadu on 12th night; as it was holiday we all went to pick him up in the evening; but, because of ‘HUDHUD’ cyclone, the train route was diverted; he was supposed to arrive at 5:45pm but he finally reached at 1:00 am (next day). We were just waiting in the vehicle, seeing how some people were donating blood in front of the Rourkela Junction. We all reached home at 3:30am, very tired.
Some of these days seemed very cloudy, even some days we had Government Holidays because of the Cyclone, but during these days of holidays there was no rain at all; rather, in the working days, it rained.
On 16th of this month, the awaited “Olympian Michael Kindo Munna Hockey Tournament” started. There were around 24 teams that played; out of this, 4 teams are from our Boys’ Middle School. These matches are conducted to encourage the small kids to play putting some more effort and skills. The rewards, goats, were given for the teams in final stages (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th). One of our Kurdeg Team won the First Goat. Other prizes were also given (hockey sticks and balls, shorts, t-shirts and even money).
On 17th our whole Community went to Ranchi to meet a Jesuit Priest (regarding matters of the land), and after that, we purchased things for the winter season as well as other things that are needed for our community for we are going to have electricity (a microwave oven and a laser printer).
As the hockey matches were going on for three days, on 19th of this month, Mission Sunday, it was held the Final match. Michael Kindo, a former Indian Hockey player (world champion and bronze medal in Olympiads) came that day, since the tournament was organized in his name. At the end, the goats were distributed, as usual Kurdeg team got first prize.
On 21st our Brothers started Vocation Promotion in the area of Gumla; it was a good visit; they met the Bishop of Gumla and the Provincial of St Anne’s Sisters of Ranchi. They arrived the next day at home, for in many places holidays of Diwali started.
On 23rd it was an important day: We fixed a bulb connected from the electricity pole and wires, and we had power, though it was like a candle light; but we were satisfied and happy of getting, at least, this much. On this day only, people celebrated Diwali here. Our bulb was like a Diwali light gift for us.
This day we had a Community outing to Kurdeg: we bought some crackers to celebrate Diwali; at night we had fireworks, even Fr. Bipin, after hearing the sounds, also came and enjoyed with us.
24th was the birthday Br. Anand; we celebrated in our Community; as usual, soon after the Mass he had to say some message and give some sweets. At supper, we celebrated well all Brothers (ehem!).
25th of this month, we bought a motorbike, Scooty kind, “Hero Maestro,” which is the first vehicle that will be very helpful for marketing and to go around near villages for house visit. The following day was Sunday and the parish priest came to bless our vehicle and had lunch with us.
On 27th some electricians came from Simdega to electrify (make connection) our parish as well as the Church, with their help, we also did for the school and for our house in a proper way. We use electricity, at present, without payment, because, yet there is not a proper connection and the form to fill and get the electricity will come after one month, at least.
On 28th Br. Raja was reading in the Mass in Hindi; it was a first attempt, that with the help of the Brothers he did, not so bad. It was market day, there came some people with an elephant carrying things. These areas are known for elephants just demolishing things or eating away everything they find in the fields.
On 29th we went to Ranchi for the purpose of meeting the Jesuit Father who is assisting us in registering the land. That day we had lunch in a Religious house of Sisters, from Spain, Trinitarian Josephines. It was also good experience to learn and share our experiences about those places of vocation promotion. Later we purchased some grocery items for our community.
These days the Headmaster and the Priest were in Ranchi to make High School as Government fully aided. They were absent some days, so the Brothers were taking care of the School.
As we can see, in this month we had many changes in our community and environment.
