By I P Sarto
Dumka, Oct. 12, 2023: Around 2,000 people on Oct 12 attended the inaugural Eucharist of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) and Synod convention at Dumka, about 250 km northwest of Kolkata.
The congregation danced before the Eucharist to express their joy of meeting each other and to thank God for the opportunity to hold the convention. “To enlarge the Space of the Tent” is the theme of the convention as proposed by Pope Francis for the Rome Synod.
Jesuit Archbishop Felix Toppo of Ranchi, presided over the Eucharist concelebrated by eight bishops of Bengal and Jharkhand regions and about 100 priests. It is a time to thank the Almighty God for the blessings showered upon Jharkhand region and specially Dumka Diocese, said Bishop Julius Marandi of Dumka, the host.
Bishop Vincent Aind of Bagdogra and Regional Chairperson of BEC in West Bengal and Sikkim inaugurated the convention by raising the flag of BEC and lighting the lamp along with representatives of youth, women, men, priests, religious Sisters and Bishops from various dioceses.
After inauguration, a tribute was offered to Cardinal Telesphore Toppo who died on Oct.4. He was the second bishop of Dumka.
About 600 participants from 20 dioceses are participating in the October 12-15 convention. The youth of Dumka conducted prayer and worship. The students of various schools led the dance processions.
“I was happy to see large number of laity participating in the convention, said Suman Xalxo from Jalpaiguri.
Various committees in Dumka of the organizing team left no stone unturned to make the inauguration a solemn one, said Father Sonaton Kisku, vicar general of Dumka.
The youth leading the prayer was very meaningful, said Sisters of Mary Immaculate Anastasia Kujur from Bagdogra diocese.