LETTER from BARISAL - Dear Readers, It gives me pleasure to let you know what has been happening between September 2009 and March 2010 in our Oxford Mission (OM) family at Barisal.
Bishop Baroi's Farewell, 24 September. This began at 5.30 p.m. with an opening prayer by the Moderator, Bishop Paul S Sarker, who was the chairman. The chief guest was Bishop Baroi, together with his wife and six other people. The two Bishops were given garlands, and all nine guests were given flowers. For the next two hours there were speeches, songs, dances and sketches. A banquet for more than one hundred people then followed. The farewell took place in the Primary School hall, which was nicely decorated with paper decorations, balloons, fairy-lights and plants in tubs. The manager expressed his thanks and deep gratitude to the Bishops and guests who were there, and thanked all those who had worked hard to make this function a success and to all the departments of OM Barisal who had contributed towards a gift of money for the departing Bishop.
New term in the Hostels
The hostels opened on 28 September. Many of the children came back on that day, but some came later. The children came back in good health, and the school session started on 30 September. This is the last term of the year, and the promotion examinations took place before Christmas. We thank you for your prayers for the children, please continue to pray for them.
St Michael's Day
All the boys came to church at 7.30 a.m. for the Eucharist. At 7.15 p.m., there was a special supper with guests - the Revd Monindro Boidya (the parish priest), his wife and sons, the headmaster and his son, and two people from each family on the estate. There was a cultural function during the supper. Brother John gave a talk to those present, advising the boys to follow in the character of St Michael.
Old people's gatherings at St Peter's Parish Church, 16 October
This was held for all people over the age of 55 years. It began with a celebration of the Eucharist at 10.00 a.m., and after this, everyone was given a cup of tea and a large bun followed by a cultural programme and a lunch party. Fares for rickshaws home were provided for everyone.
Visit of the Bishop-elect the Revd Sunil Mankhin, 24 - 27 October
The Revd Sunil Mankhin was elected to be the Bishop of Kushtia and assistant to the Moderator, and was to be consecrated on 08 November. He is a Garo, the first Garo to be made a Bishop in the Church of Bangladesh. He came to Barisal on 24 October for a Retreat at the R.C Mission. He broke silence each evening and returned to the OM to stay the night. On Sunday evening, he was entertained to supper by the St Michael's boys, and on Monday evening was entertained to supper by the St Agnes's girls. There was a football match, in honour of the Revd Mankhin, held by the St Michael's boys at 5.00 p.m. on 27 October, and the Revd Mankhin left for Ohaka later in the evening. The invitees and boys were very enthusiastic about their football. We ask for your prayers that Rev Mankhin may have a fruitful ministry.
New Girls in St Agnes's Hostel
The girls arrived on 06 January, and on the same day the Epiphany was observed. There was a sung Eucharist at 10.00 a.m. and the Epiphany Church was bright with flowers and candles. Two lunch parties were held, one on the hospital veranda and one at a place adjacent to the OM area. Altogether, one hundred and fifty people were present.
St Agnes's Day and Confirmation
The confirmation took place during the Eucharist, and was followed by the first communion of the newly confirmed candidates. The Bishop, in his sermon, spoke of the importance of confirmation and union with Jesus. In St Agnes's, the festive day was combined with their observance of St Agnes's day, which falls on 21 January, but this year was observed on 24 January so that the Bishop could join in. A function, including a play of the life of St Agnes, was held in the late morning, and this also counted as a welcome to the new girls. A festive lunch with guests, including the Bishop and guardians, then followed. Later, the girls watched the boys' volleyball match. After church and supper, they watched television.
The Bishop came to breakfast in St Mary's with the Sisters and others. At midday, there was a song and dance, and each newly-confirmed girl received a bouquet. Some of their mothers, the manager and four Sisters had lunch with the girls. The Sisters gave each newly-confirmed girl a cross to wear. Sweets and apples were given to all the girls. In St Michael's, there were thirteen candidates. They talked with the Bishop after the service, and invited him to supper. After breakfast, they all went round the other hostels for a blessing, and then joined in St Agnes's programme from 11.30 a.m. At 2.00 p.m. there was a cricket match and Father Francis gave each newly-confirmed boy a new white T-shirt. After the cricket match there was a volleyball match. The newly-confirmed played against the previously-confirmed, and the latter team won. After Evensong, there was a special supper, and the guests were the Bishop, the Revd M Boidya (parish priest), the Revd S Boidya, guardians, the manager and the headmaster.
OM High School Cricloet Match, 22 January
This was a 'boys versus masters' match, and the boys won. Brother John played in the masters' team.
Conversion of St Paul, 25 January
This is the special day for the Sisters, being the anniversary of their foundation. The Brotherhood of St Paul has its special day on 30 June. Sadly, although it was the fortieth anniversary, the Sisters could not observe it as a great festival, as Mother Susila was ill - not at the Mother House in Jobarpar, but at the branch house in Barisal. However, the Jobarpar Sisters came to Barisal. The St Mary's girls were given a special breakfast of poratas, eggs, fried vegetables and tea. Father Francis gave the Sisters a cake, which they took into Mother's room. They sang for her and ate the pieces of cake, and Mother also had a small piece. Father Francis and Brother John came to lunch with the Sisters.
Farewell Function in OM High School, 02 February
This year, ninety-six pupils were taking their SSC (school final examinations). As they will not come back to school before the results are out, and those who pass will no longer be in the school, there was a farewell function before the examinations. There were speeches and songs, and a present giving ceremony. Each pupil was given a story-book.
St Michael's and St Agnes's picnics, 04 February.
The boys went to Jobarpar in a hired bus early in the”morning. The journey took an hour and a half, and the boys had breakfast, which they had taken with them, on arrival at Jobarpar. The cook and the boys cooked their lunch and had it in the OM compound in Jobarpar. They then had a volleyball match against the Nagirpar (a village near Jobarpar) team. In the evening, after the match, they returned to Barisal in the same bus and had supper in the hostel.
The St Agnes's girls had their picnic on the same day, but in their own compound. They gathered firewood and made fireplaces, with the help of the gardeners, by digging holes in the ground and placing bricks round them on which to place the cooking pots. They then helped with the cooking. The Standard 10 girls served the food, and then each girl took her food to the place of her own choice.
Most girls sat under the trees. The only 'formal' sitting arrangements were for the few guests. The girls enjoyed the food and the day very much.
High School Sports, 08 February.
The OM High School annual sports day started soon after 2.00 p.m. with the arrival of the chief guests. There were then readings from various scriptures, including the Bible, and flags were hoisted, including the national flag. The participants then sang the national anthem. Soon after that, the leader asked the chief guest's permission to lead a march-past. The pupils then formed symbols of a building, elephants, water-lilies and a bridge. The leader then asked for permission to begin the sports. There were races of different kinds, jumps, an arithmetic competition, musical chairs, ball passing and fancy dress, etc. The sports ended with the prize giving.
St Mary's Picnic, 12 February.
This annual picnic took place in their own garden under the trees. Many guests had been invited, including Caroline Corbould and Jean Degenhardt from England, who were visiting Bangladesh at the time. The Revd Mother Susila also joined us in her wheelchair. We were all delighted. During the delicious midday meal, there was an entertainment given by some of the girls. This was different from the common sort of entertainment, as the teachers and girls had used their own ideas, and it was very enjoyable. One of the Fathers from the RC Mission was also invited, and after the meal, he organised a game for the girls in their common room. It was a happy afternoon for them.
OM Primary School Annual Sports, 13 February.
The sports event began in the late morning with the arrival of the chief guest Mr SM Faruk, the Assistant Officer for primary schools in Barisal division. Flowers and 'badges' (rosettes) were then given to all the guests. There were readings from three scriptures, and the national flag was hoisted. Children with balloons threw them up as a welcome to the guests, some girls formed the 'martyrs’ memorial' and some boys formed a bridge. The sports included races, a competition, passing the ball, fancy dress, skipping, cock fight (no cocks, just boys!), etc. During the sports, the guests were given refreshments in the staff room, as they could not stay after the sports.
At the end, the chairman, the Revd James M Boidya, from the parish church, gave a short speech, saying 'well done' to the prize winners, and encouraging the others to give a better performance in the future. He then gave out the prizes.
Lent Gathering at St Peter's, 19 March.
This lasted from 10.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m., and the theme was Romans 9:17. There was one preacher from the Baptist church, and other sermons were given by the Revd James M Boidya (parish priest) and the Revd Monoroma Mitra. Prayers were said by the Revd Sudotta Boidya and the catechist. Afterwards, a simple lunch was served.
Clergy gathering, 21 - 24 March.
This was attended by forty-two people, including the Bishop of Dhaka, the Bishop of Kushtia and three guest speakers. There was a mixed programme of services, meditations, sharing and discussions.
We hope that the clergy were refreshed and inspired by their time with us, and stimulated by meeting one another. On the last evening, the participants were invited to supper in St Michael's hostel. They all liked the environment here in the OM. It was a very suitable place for such a spiritual gathering, as the participants found it peaceful and undisturbed.
That is all for this time. I am sorry that, owing to lack of time, 1 am unable to give you any details in this report of the families in the OM compound.
Yours in Christ,
TUSHAR KANTI BYAPARI
Manager, OM Barisal