Purushottam Nayak
Kandhamal: Priests , Religious, Laity of Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar gathered in Divya Jyoti Pastoral Centre, Konjamendi, Kandhamal for the Chrism Mass on March 27, 2018:

Father George Mampally, CM Parish Priest of Padangi of Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar gave a talk to the priests on “Effective witnessing God’s presence in the passion, death and resurrection”

The Chrism Mass begun at 11. AM. Msgr. John Barwa, SVD the Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar presided over the Eucharist. There were about 100 priests, 30 religious nuns and 30 laity and 34 seminarians for the occasion.

“We are the salt of the Earth. And to be fully salt of the Earth we need Holy Spirit. Without Holy spirit we won’t be fruitful in our mission,” said Msgr. John in his homily.

Despite suffering we have witnessed faith in Kandhamal. Chrism Mass gives an opportunity to pray for the survivors of Kandhamal anti-Christian persecution of 2007-2008. We are chosen and anointed to witness Christian values in our mission. It is the call of every individual to create the atmosphere of peace, unity and fraternity with Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities in the region asserted the prelate.

The prelate invited all the priests for the renewal of Commitment of Priestly service after the homily.

Before doxology Deacon Brother Divyaranjan Digal carried the vessel filled with olive oil towards the altar for the blessings of Oil of sick with singing “This is the Oil of Sick,” .
After the prayer of communion, Deacon Brother Ananta Uthansigh carried the vessel filled with olive oil for the blessings of oil of Catechumens and placed on a sanctuary with singing “This is the Oil of Catechumens”.

Deacon Depak Uthansingh carried the vessel filled with olive oil for the blessings of Oil of Chrism with singing “This is the Oil of Chrism”

The prelate poured perfume in the oil and mixed the chrism in silence.

It was a grace filled moment for entire Presbyterium coming together and praying together with local ordinary. Fr. Udayanath Bishoyi, Director of Divya Jyoti Pastoral Centre, Kandhamal.

Celebrating Chrism Mass together with presbyterium with the blessing of the Oil of Catechumens (OC), Oil of the Infirmity (OI) and The Holy Oil of Chrism (OS) manifests the communion of the priests with the local ordinary in the same priesthood and ministry of Christ added Father Bishyoi.

There was also release of Odia New Testament by Msgr. John.

The revised Odia version of New Testament begun in the month of March 2017 and completed in the month of March 2018. The total copies of the New Testament are 50,000 for Odisha region in the first edition.

Bishops of Odisha, the Chairman for Bible Commission for Odisha Bishops’ Council Msgr. Kishor Kumar Kujur Bishop of Rourkella, the committee consisted of Fr. Igantius Soreng, SVD from Rourkella, Father Ajay Sobhasundar and Father Mohan Nayak from Cuttack-Bhubaneswar toiled hard for the final print.