The Quotation of the Week (April 29-May 5, 2012)

A Hindu gentleman in the centenary celebration of Bandura Holy Cross High School, Dhaka District

Photo (Bandura: January 12, 2012) © Jerome D'Costa

A Doodle: Fish

A doodle on hilsa fish

Doodle (Dhaka: March 5, 1993) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (April 22-28, 2012)

A quotation on 'Life' by Thomas Merton, compiled by Jerome D'Costa

An Accident in the Parkway Mall, Toronto

An early evening accident happened today in front of the Macdonald's Restaurant in the Parkway Mall, Toronto. According to a spectator, the driver of the van is said to have a heart attack while in the vehicle, resulting in his van ploughing through other vehicles parked there. 

When we arrived in the mall, we found the accident scene as portrayed in the following photos that speak for themselves. 

Photos (Parkway Mall, Toronto: April 21, 2012) ©Jerome D'Costa

Two Bengali Books on Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC, Published So Far

The Catholic Church declared Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC (1920-1977), of the Archdiocese of Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Servant of God – the first step in his canonization process. He was the first Bangali (Bengalee) principal of Notre Dame College, Dhaka and the first Bangali bishop and archbishop in Bangladesh. Catholics and non-Catholics alike appreciated his virtuousness and exemplary life. 

Until now, two books in Bengali on the life of Archbishop Ganguly have been published in Bangladesh. We present below some information on these two books.

      1. Bangladesh Mondolir Gourab Archbishop Ganguly (Archbishop Ganguly: The Pride of the Bangladesh Church) by Bernard Swapon Gomes (Dhaka: Archbishop T. A. Ganguly Memorial Trust, Archbishop’s House, 1988). 

This 36-page booklet gives a portrait of the archbishop’s childhood; his studies at Bandura Holy Cross primary and high schools; his time at the Little Flower preparatory seminary at Bandura of Dhaka District; his philosophy and theology studies at St. Albert’s Major Seminary in Ranchi of Bihar State in India; his higher studies (M.A. and Ph.D.) at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; his teaching and principalship at Notre Dame College of Dhaka; his elevation to the position of the auxiliary bishop and later to the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka; his death and crowded burial; and, finally, his contributions and  qualities that endeared him to people of all creeds.  

     2. Dibaloker Ujjal Nokkhotra Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC (Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC: The Bright Day Star) by Father Adam S. Pereira, CSC (Dhaka:  The Congregation of Holy Cross – Bangladesh, Moreau House, Bonosree, Rampura, 2011). 

 

This latest 165-page biography portrays the complete life of Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC: his birth and childhood, studies and seminary life, priesthood, and entrance to the Congregation of Holy Cross, his ministry as a priest, his life as a bishop and archbishop, his untimely death, and the Church announcement of him being the Servant of God. 

This book has some additional information and photos on his life that is not available in the first booklet mentioned above.

These two books are a must for those interested in the life of the Servant of God Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC.

In Photos: Inauguration of Bandura Holy Cross HIgh School Centenary Celebration

The three-day centenary celebration of Bandura Holy Cross High School in Nawabganj Upazilla of Dhaka District was inaugurated on January 12, 2012. About four thousand school alumni, current students and some members of their families including a number of dignitaries were present there. 

Among the dignitaries were: Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Advocate Promode Mankin (school alumnus), State Minister for Housing and Public Works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan (alumnus), Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario CSC, Bishop Linus Gomes SJ (alumnus), Bishop Theotonius A. Gomes CSC (alumnus), and Bishop Bejoy D'Cruze OMI (alumnus).

The following photos give a glimpse of the inauguration day of the centenary celebration:

Dignitaries taking their seats on the stage

Dignitaries acknowledging greetings from the audience

Letting loose of balloons (above) and pigeons (not in picture) as part of the inauguration

Dignitaries from another angle

(L-R) Brother Binoy Gomes CSC (Provincial of Holy Cross Brothers in Bangladesh), Advocate Promode Mankin (State Minister for Cultural Affairs), Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario CSC (Archbishop of Dhaka), Abul Kalam Azad (Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs) and Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan (State Minister for Housing and Public Works)

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Advocate Pormode Mankin speaking of his experience as a former student of Bandura Holy Cross High School

Brother Chandan Benedict Gomes, CSC, the Headmaster of Bandura High School, speaking to the audience

Dignitaries seated among the audience

More of the dignitaries

A section of the audience

Another section of the audience

A section of the alumni

Another section of the alumni

Alumni with members of their families

More alumni with members of their families

Some priest and Broher alumni

More of the ex-students in front rows with current students on the back

Alumni with current students

Alumni with members of their families

Some of the volunteers for the celebration

Children dancing for the inauguration

Another scene of the children's dance

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Promode Mankin presenting a wall clock to Headmaster Brother Chandan Benedict Gomes, CSC, for the school

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan presenting a copy of  US-resident school alumni Dr. Nuran Nabi's book, Bullets of '71: A Freedom Fighter's Story, to Brother Chandan Benedict Gomes, CSC, for use in the school library

A renowned singer entertaining at the cultural show

These dancers also demonstrated their talent at the cultural show

All photos (Bandura: January 12, 2012) © Jerome D'Costa (alumnus of the school)

The Quotation of the Week (April 15-21, 2012)

Flowers in College Park, Toronto

 Photo (Toronto: November 4, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa