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SVD Confreres’ Family Gathering Strengthens Bonds and Celebrates 150 Years of Mission
Gaibira, India, January 25, 2025 – The Indian East province (INE) Mission Office hosted two heartwarming gatherings for the families of SVD confreres, bringing together loved ones to celebrate faith, mission, and community. The events took place at SVD House, Gaibira, on January 25, 2025, and at Vidya Jyoti, Lungai, on February 2, 2025.
These gatherings were held with three key intentions: Commemorating 150 Years of the SVD Mission, Strengthening the bond between SVD confreres and their families and Promoting vocations to the Society of the Divine Word.
In Gaibira, 100 family members from 25 SVD confrere families from Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh attended the event, while the gathering in Lungai welcomed 170 family members from 60 SVD confrere families from Odisha and Jharkhand.
The events provided a meaningful exchange of missionary experiences. In Gaibira, Fr. Remish Tete, SVD, a Hungarian missionary, shared his inspiring journey of serving in Hungary. In Lungai, Fr. Gregory Minj, SVD, who has been serving in East Timor, captivated the audience with his insights into missionary life in a distant land.
Both gatherings also featured the screening of the new documentary on the SVD mission at 150 years in the Indo-Bangla Sub-Zone, presented by Fr. Luvis Ronald Pereira, SVD, in Gaibira and Fr. Dixson Lawrence D’Souza, SVD, in Lungai. The film highlighted the diverse missionary efforts and initiatives of the SVD across the region.
At both venues, Fr. Anuranjan Bilung, SVD, Provincial Superior of INE, presided over the Holy Mass and expressed deep gratitude to the families for their unwavering support of the SVD mission by offering their sons and brothers as missionaries serving around the world. He emphasized the strong spiritual connection between SVD confreres and their families, assuring them that SVD houses remain open to their loved ones and encouraging them to continue fostering vocations within their communities.
The Mass was followed by interactive gatherings, allowing families to share their experiences and connect with each other. In Gaibira, Fr. Rasal Xess, SVD, organized engaging group games, while in Lungai, Fr. Dixson Lawrence D’Souza, SVD, led a lively session that included interactive activities and prize distributions. Families were also gifted SVD@150 Jubilee calendars and rosaries as tokens of the special occasion.
A highlight of the event was the opportunity for SVD students and confreres to engage with the families, strengthening the sense of community and shared mission. The gatherings concluded with a fellowship meal, leaving participants with a renewed sense of belonging and gratitude.
The success of these events was made possible through the generous support of local SVD communities. Special appreciation was extended to Fr. Peter Toppo and the SVD confreres at Gaibira for hosting the gathering, and to the Vidya Jyoti seminary staff, including Fr. Sebastian Mangalathil, SVD (Rector), Fr. Avinash Jadav, SVD (Treasurer), Fr. Remijus Soreng, SVD (Prefect), and Bro. Maurice Lakra, SVD, for their dedicated efforts in organizing logistics and providing a warm welcome to all attendees.
The gatherings served as a beautiful testament to the deep-rooted connection between the SVD mission and the families of its missionaries, fostering faith, unity, and a renewed commitment to evangelization.
Fr. Luvis Ronald Pereira, SVD,
INE mission secretary & INE Mission Office, Jharsuguda
