It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mother Susila, the founder and Superior of Christa Sevika Sangha (CSS). Mother Susila, aged 87, died peacefully in Birdem Diabetic Hospital on 16 May after a long period of ill-health. Gill Wilson, ex-Editor, Oxford Mission News, has written the following obituary. more >>
Following John’s death on 25 April 2011, at least 200 family and friends attended a Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Church, Winchester on 10 May. During his address, Charles Corrie, John’s son, spoke about John’s early life living in Jerusalem and then of being sent to boarding school in the UK which he seemed to have loved, getting scholarships both to Winchester and later to Trinity, where he graduated in Law. His first post following graduation was with Burmah-Shell, who sent him out to India in 1951. John loved India and, despite arriving when the scars of partition were still sore, met fascinating people through his work and his travels, some of whom became life-long friends. While John was working in India and on his second leave home, he met and married Gill, their happy marriage lasting over 50 years. He worked over much of the whole sub-continent, including Hyderbad, Bangalore, Bombay and Calcutta. On leaving Burmah-Shell, he used his entrepreneurial skills in various areas of work until he finally retired. more >>
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, today the opposition called a ‘Hartal’ (strike) covering the whole country. There are many reasons behind it, but the main reason may be due to the trial of war criminals who carried out a lot of crimes during the liberation war of Bangladesh. It seems that political troubles are going to slowly increase again. Last Sunday, there was an earthquake in Sikkim, India, and many parts of India and Bangladesh were more or less affected by it. Today’s newspaper says about 100 people have been killed by this earthquake in parts of India, and it is almost certain that that number will increase. more >>
The Summer Vacation siesta in our Mission compound was broken with the noisy shrills and laughter of the Hostel Boys returning with tanned faces and leaner physiques, in early June 2011. The ‘Mashis’ (female attendants) hugged all the 36 toddlers back to their St. Nick’s Home dormitory. The Warden and Assistant Warden smilingly welcomed 94 ‘big boys’ into their Hostels. The ‘back-stage’ managing staff wasted no time in organizing the fresh schedules and requirements for the total 130 boys. more >>
My daughter, Ruth, and I had the pleasure of a two-week trip to Kolkata, which included a stay at the Oxford Mission in Behala. This was my second visit (the previous one eight years ago with my husband and two sons) and my daughter’s first. more >>
This is an exceptional letter from the CSS. We knew that, one day, we would have to send this news, but never thought the shadow of mourning would come to us so soon. It is hard to believe that we are now without our beloved Mother Susila. However, we must accept the will of God for our lives and community. May his will be done. more >>
Dear Friends, I am happy to report to you about our activities that happened between May and September. Most of these remain the same, therefore, the routine/common things such as observation of hostel days, various competitions, yearly sports/athletics and aquatics competitions, observations of Bengali New Year’s day, pre-Christmas in the hostels etc. during the period are eliminated from this report. more >>