Bishrail is located near Gangarampur town in the district of Dakshin Dinajpur in West Bengal. It is 500 Kms north from the state capital of Calcutta. Claret Seva Sadan Mission belongs to the diocese of Raiganj, having Bishrail as the main station sharing borders with Mehnidipura Parish in the west, Rajibpur Parish in the north and Rabuthhada in the south It has a pre-dominantly Santhal population. Basically it is an agriculture area and the major crops cultivated in this region are Paddy, Wheat and Jute.
The history of Claret Seva Sadan goes back to the time of Claret Vidya Niketan, The then Claretian Minor Seminary for north at Rajibpur inaugurated on 16th July, 1991. After many wandering experiences, reflections and disappointments the Community has spotted out the proposed plot of 10.27 acres in Bishrail on 4th July, 1995. The community of Claret Seva Sadan ventured into the promised land by putting a full stop to their Passover journey on 13th August, 1995 when they have tented in a Tin shed. The agreement of this mission was made with the Bishop of Raiganj for three years. Apart from the main station Bishrail with 52 families, the Parish has got 18 sub-stations consisting of 375 families in this community.
In June 1996 the community was constituted with three Claretian members and has animated the activities of Catechist Training, Women’s Association (Mahila Samithi), Farmer’s Association, Bamboo Handicrafts, Retreats, Village Tuition Centres etc. A Milestone was set in the Mission by the construction of a Community Hall on 4th December, 1996. In 1997, the Community has moved from the Tin shed residence to the new Community Hall. This time the Community has started to do a greater work in systematizing the tuition centre for the Santhal children and helping the homeless with housing projects.
In June 1998, the Community constructed a paddy go down to preserve the poor farmer’s crops and yielding at the times when the market price is low. Various village councils are set-up in different sub-stations in order to make the Santhal Tribal to stand united for their civic rights and to prevent themselves from the exploitations of the rich and the high castes. Awareness camps are organized to alert the Santhal Tribals against any atrocities caused towards them. Regular and periodic meetings are programmed to voice their grievances. We, The Claretians, are also pioneering in introducing and implementing Basic Christian Community Programs in the whole of Raiganj Diocese. As a curtain raiser two Basic Christian Community units were started on 10th November ’98. This will further help the people to embrace faith and enlighten the spiritual life of the Santhal Tribe.
The project will address the problem of housing of the flood victims. Without housing women, particularly young women, suffer the worst kinds of violence and insecurity, and are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and trafficking. Instances of rape, molestation, and women spending sleepless nights guarding their young adolescent girls are a common feature among victims of disaster. In addition to this accessing health care is a tremendous challenge for the people, especially women. There are countless incidents of women being denied treatment and turned away from hospitals.
LITURGY
Reading: Luke 6: 46-49
47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.[a] 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.”
Reflection:
As we plan to build the houses for the flood victims, let us listen to the invitation from Jesus to build our houses on the rock. The Christian life is to be built on strong values and principles based on faith. It is the Christian who is inspired by faith, would listen to God’s word and make his life secure when evil befalls him. Those who are timid and does not hear the God’s life giving word, tend to loose themselves and their lives at the altar of sin. This parable of Jesus speaks straight to our hearts and there is no vagueness in it.
When floods come, they destroy the houses which are built by sand and near the river beds. The poor does not have many options and they try to build near the river beds. As we in the comfort of our homes think about them, keep them in our prayers.
Intercessory Prayers
Leader: God our loving Father, you are generous to invite all of us to your eternal home. You also provide us with safe homes to live in this world. At this moment we remember and pray for all the victims of flood in Bizrail mission area. May your grace give them comfort and all possible help to them.
Let your response be: Lord you are our rock of protection.
Response: Lord you are our rock of protection.
Leader: Loving Lord, help all those victims of flood. May your guiding hand protect them from all difficulties.
Response: Lord you are our rock of protection.
Leader: We pray for all are helping the flood victims. May your grace bless them and give them your peace and love.
Response: Lord you are our rock of protection.
Leader: Lord we pray for the Claretian Missionaries present in Bizrail mission. May your loving arm strengthen them to work for the betterment of all those who are suffering in their area.
Response: Lord you are our rock of protection.
Leader: Merciful Lord, you have the power to make good out of evil. May this time of distress be also a time of grace for all the people affected by it.
Response: Lord you are our rock of protection.
Leader: God of peace, may your Word remain in our hearts and inspire us to be faithful to you always.
Response: Lord you are our rock of protection.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, we implore your mercy and blessings on all the people living in Bizrail mission. May they experience your Providence and your love for each one of them. Let us also become like the wise builder who built his house on the rock by listening to your Word and following it in our lives. We ask this through the intercession of Christ our Lord. Amen.
