Death Notice of Roslyn Sarola Gomes

With deep regret we inform you the sad demise of Elvira D'Costa (Tuital Coster Bari). Late Elvira is the mother of PBCA President Agatha Dipty Gomes. She was born on July 15, 1929 and passed away on June 03, 2019. We pray for the departed soul for her eternal peace and our sincere condolences to the family of late Elvira.

With deep sorrow PBCA is informing you the sad demise of Mr. Thomas Gomes. He passed away on August 28, 2017. He was brother-in-law of PBCA's Vice President Ms. Agatha Rozario.
Funeral Home:
McLaughlin Funeral Home
625 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel: (201) 798-8700

Viewing:
Friday September 1st, 4pm-9pm
Saturday viewing 1 1/2 before church ceremony at 9:30 am.
Parking available across the street.
Public transportation: NJ Path train, Journal Square station.

Church:
Saturday, September 1st, 11am Church Ceremony
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH
with Our Lady of Mount Carmel
3026 John F Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel: (201) 653-8814

Cemetary:
Rosemount Cemetary, Elizabeth, NJ
1109 Neck Ln, Elizabeth NJ 07201
Parking in Cemetary
Following Church Ceremony parting at 12pm to cemetary

Funeral Luncheon:
Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet
Located inside Hudson Mall behind Old Navy
701 Rte 440, Jersey City, NJ 07304
Mall Parking

http://www.ucanews.com/news/dhaka-cardinal-encourages-christians-to-stay-united/79129
Dhaka cardinal encourages Christians to stay united
Ongoing rift over credit union board election concerns prelate
Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario of Dhaka has called for unity in a bid to heal a bitter rift that has gripped Bangladesh's Christian community following the controversial election of a major Christian cooperative board.
"It is sad and at times scandalous to many people to see the recent divisions and disunity with Christian communities living both in Bangladesh and abroad," Cardinal D'Rozario said an email message sent out to 25 Christian leaders this week.
The prelate was expressing his concerns over ongoing rift between two groups of Christian leaders stemming from a disputed board election for the Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. of Dhaka, the country's largest cooperative with over 36,000 members.
The dispute revolved around some 200 selected voters, each representing 50 members casting votes, instead of a universal vote.
The unprecedented and unusual election sparked an outcry among ordinary Christians.
As a result, a group of disgruntled leaders formed a new Christian body called the Christian Association, Bangladesh, breaking way from Bangladesh Christian Association, the country's largest Christian social organization.
"Conflict of ideologies, of approaches and strategies, of leadership and interests, of power and positions … are seen in many Christian organizations and socio-economic institutions," Cardinal D'Rozario said in the email.
He said the ongoing dispute is threatening ordinary Christians.
Cardinal D'Rozario said his appeal for unity stems from the concerns of "simple people."
"Having listened to the voices of simple people, may I therefore, make an appeal to all concerned, to turn to the mercy and forgiveness of God; to turn away from revenge, hatred and undue judgments," he said.

Cardinals, who wear red hats and are known as "princes of the Church," are the most senior members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy after the pope
Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario, the highest ranked priest of the Roman Catholic Church in Bangladesh, has been promoted to a cardinal on Sunday, reports Reuters. Cardinals, who wear red hats and are known as “princes of the Church,” are the most senior members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy after the pope and serve as his principal advisers around the world and in the Vatican.
Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/10/09/bangladesh-gets-first-catholic-cardinal/

It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform our family and friends of the death of our beloved mother and grandmother Leela Rozario. She was a loving, beautiful soul of immeasurable courage and strength. Leela passed peacefully surrounded by her family and received anointing, as well as multiple prayers and songs offered by her family. A visitation and a funeral service will be in NJ.
Visitation/Wake: Friday, September 16th, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM McLaughlin Funeral Home (625 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306)
Funeral Mass: Saturday, September 17th, 11:00 AM St. John the Baptist (3026 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07306)
She will be buried in Florida, next to her loving husband Christopher Rozario. She is survived by her children, their families, and her grandchildren, with memories and many of her paintings.

Dear all, We are requesting you to attend the mourning gathering after Bengla Mass on May 29th Sunday, 2016. Bengla Mass at 6:00 PM St. John The Baptist Church Your presence is our success Thank you

The State Minister of Social Welfare, Department of the Government of Bangladesh and the president of Bangladesh Christian Association Advocate Promode Mankin passed away on May 11, 2016. He was 78. He died at Holy Family Hospital in India (Mumbai). He was a valiant Freedom Fighter, honest and dedicated to the nation building tasks. The nation has lost a patriotic political leader. We, on behalf of Probashi Bengali Christian Association express profound shock at the sudden death of Advocate Promode Mankin and express sympathy to his bereaved family members. He is survived by his wife, five daughters, one son, son’s wife, and a host of relatives to mourn his death. May God give him eternal peace.

Invitation to the Episcopal Ordination of Rev. Fr. Shorot Francis Gomes as the Auxiliary Bishop of Dhaka Catholic Archdiocese on 8 February 2016. The Episcopal Ordination is going to take place in the premises of Saint Mary's Cathedral, I Kakrail Road, Ramna, Dhaka on Friday 22 April 2016. You are cordially invited to participate in this program.
Program
Thursday, 21 April 2016 Mongalanusthan Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Friday, 22 April 2016 Episcopal Ordination and Holy Eucharist Reception and Lunch
Father David Gomes Convener Central Committee Thanking you Father Patrick Simon Gomes Convener Invitation and Reception Sub-Committee

Dear all, We regret to inform you the death of Christopher Gomes Babol on Saturday February 20, 2016 at Elmhurst Hospital Center of New York around 3:40PM. Mr.Christopher Babul Gomes left behind his wife Scholastica, his son Nicholas Gomes and his close relatives. He was born in 1957 and son of late Thomas and Elizabeth Gomes of Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Lets all share our sympathy by attending following: Wake Schedule : Friday February 26, 2016 From 4PM to 9PM at Kennedy Roth Funeral Home 41-45 58th Street, wood side NY 11377 Burial Schedule: Mass will be offered at Holy Rosary Church, Holy Cross College RD, Dhaka 1215,and Burial will be followed by the Mass at the Church Cemetery On Monday, 29th of February, 2016 May God Rest His Soul In Peace.

Dear all, We regret to inform you the death of Christopher Gomes Babol on Saturday February 20, 2016 at Elmhurst Hospital Center of New York around 3:40PM. Mr.Christopher Babul Gomes left behind his wife Scholastica, his son Nicholas Gomes and his close relatives. He was born in 1957 and son of late Thomas and Elizabeth Gomes of Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Lets all share our sympathy by attending following: Wake Schedule : From 4PM to 9PM at Kennedy Roth Funeral Home 41-45 58th Street, wood side NY 11377 Burial Schedule: Mass will be offered at Holy Rosary Church, Holy Cross College RD, Dhaka 1215,and Burial will be followed by the Mass at the Church Cemetery On Monday, 29th of February, 2016
May God Rest His Soul In Peace.

Masses for deceased Bishop Michael Atul D' Rozario. csc: Today (24 Feb) Mass at 6 PM at Ramna Cathedral; tomorrow (Thursday, 25 Feb) at 5 AM at Rampura Moreau House and at Hashnabad parish at 9 AM. Then he will be taken to Khulna. On 26 Feb, Friday, Funeral Mass at Khulna Cathedral at 11 AM. After that burial in Khulna.

Vatican City, 8 February 2016 (VIS) – The Holy Father appointed- Fr. Shorot Francis Gomes as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Dhaka (area 12,000, population 23,539,280, Catholics 64,960, priests 115, religious 695), Bangladesh. The bishop-elect was born in Hashnabad, Bangladesh in 1965 and was appointed a priest in 1990. He holds a bachelor's degree in art from the Notre Dame College of Dhaka and a doctorate in moral theology from the Alphonsianum Academy, Rome, and has served in a number of pastoral roles in the archdiocese of Dhaka, including parish vicar, rector of the minor seminary and vice rector of the major seminary, and vicar general of the new diocese of Sylhet. He is currently vicar general of the archdiocese of Dhaka.
http://www.vis.va/vissolr/index.php?vi=all&dl=a433095f-a55f-4045-7e63-56b8a2b438b8&dl_t=text/xml&dl_a=y&ul=1&ev=1

Dear all,
We regret to inform you the death of Norman Apu Gomes on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at his residence, Bronx, New York. Mr. Norman Apu Gomes was born in India on April 4th, 1961, he left behind his loving wife Teresa Lima and three daughters Elana, Emily and Evline Gomes. Lets all share our sympathy by attending following:
Funeral Mass: Funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Church 2169 Blackrock Ave. Bornx at 10AM Saturday January 23rd. The viewing will be done for 1 hour prior to the Mass. Burial: Burial will take place at 9AM at St. Raymond's Cemetery 2600 Lafayette Ave. Bronx NY 10465 MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN PEACE

http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/another-priest-gets-death-threat-186937
Another priest gets death threat Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat
A Christian priest in Lalmonirhat has received a death threat.
Tapan Kumar Barman, also the administrator of “Lalmonirhat Church of God” in the town, got the threat in a handwritten letter on Thursday.
He filed a General Diary with Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station on Saturday night, said police, adding that they were investigating the matter.
Tapan told The Daily Star that he was feeling insecure. The letter claims that it has been sent from the alleged Bangladesh chapter (Dinajpur) of global militant group Islamic State (IS). It says Tapan would be beheaded soon as per an order from Syria.
The sender, introducing himself as “Commander IS”, claims to have received another order -- shoot dead whoever preaches Christianity in Dinajpur.
In the letter, the alleged IS unit also claimed responsibility for the recent bomb attack on Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur that left six people wounded.
Rabin Sarker, father of the church in Lalmonirhat, said there were 13 churches in the district but no one else from their community had received such threat.
”We are praying and doing our activities quite normally here,” he said.
Meanwhile, a local intelligence official, wishing not to be named, said they were working to find out the authenticity of the letter sent to Tapan.
”We are dealing with the matter technically,” he said.
The alleged threat comes days after Pastor Luke Sarker survived a deadly attack in October in Pabna and Piero Parolari, an Italian doctor and priest, was shot in the back of his head in Dinajpur in November.
At least a dozen Christian priests have received death threats through text messages recently

Dhaka, brutal attack on Catholic brothers leaves them fighting for life by Sumon Corraya
Rajesh D 'Cruze is a banker and his brother Ranjan D' Cruze works at a private company. They were attacked by more than five unidentified thugs. The dynamics of the attack reminiscent of the one against Fr. Piero Parolari, with gun and knife. Christian leader: "We have been victim of attacks for too long. We demand justice and security from the government".
Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Today, two Catholic brothers were seriously injured in the capital of Bangladesh. Rajesh D 'Cruze, a banker, and Ranjan D' Cruze, an employee in a private company are currently being treated in Dhaka Medical College Hospital but their conditions are described as grave.
Nirmal Rozario, general secretary of the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), told AsiaNews: "We unreservedly condemn this heinous attack and demand immediate action against the culprits."
The dynamics of the attack is not yet clear, but closely resemble the attempted murder of Fr. Piero Parolari, the PIME missionary priest (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions) attacked in recent weeks by still unidentified criminals. The two Catholics were in Arjotpara, in the Mohakhli, one of the most crowded areas of the capital home to offices, shops and institutional sites.
According to preliminary reports, they were approached at about 12 (local time) by more than five assailants, who savagely attacked them with guns and knives.
Some Christian leaders have visited them in the hospital and expressed total condemnation. Rozario adds: "Their health condition is critical. Please pray for them. "
The secretary of BCA reports that "this year there have been numerous incidents of violence against Christians. We want a just punishment for those who committed this crime. We also urge the government to ensure justice and security for all ".
In recent weeks several Christians have been threatened with death in a series of letters and text messages to targets, "guilty" of being foreign or "preachers of the Gospel in Bangladesh". The threats say the intended victims should "eat until they can", because soon they "will be killed."
Catholic sources tell AsiaNews that the tension is due to a power struggle going on between the ruling party and the opposition forces, particularly Islamic radicals.The country is governed by the Bangladesh Awami League [secular nationalist party - ed] led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Since being re-elected to lead the country in January 2014, Hasina is trying to boost economic growth and encourage a secular, democratic society. At the same time, several members of her party are under investigation for crimes of corruption and abuse of office.
Analysts also point to the attempt to marginalize the opposition, both the Bangladesh Nationalist Party that the most radical Islamic group, the Jamaat-e-Islami.
Recently, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for a high profile member of the opposition, accused of committing war crimes during the Indo-Pakistani conflict in 1971. The government supporters took to the streets to celebrate the verdict, but the opposition objected to the "political motives" for the execution.

Our youngest son Calvin Bryan D'Rozario who has completed his Bachelor Degree successfully in Software Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology ( RIT), Rochester New York in 2015. Calvin already got job in Fidelity Investment firm, one of the Internationally well renowned company as an Associate Software Engineer. Calvin seeks your prayers & blessings.
Sushil & Rina D'Rozario
Manhattan, New York

May many blessings come to you on your Confirmation day, and may God's love be in your heart to strengthen you along life's way. Congratulations and Best Wishes from PBCA.

Congratulating you on this very special day when you confirm your faith in the Lord. May God bless you always. - Probashi.

http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/11/26/islamists-issue-death-threats-to-10-christian-priests-in-rangpur
‘Islamists’ issue death threats to 10 Christian priests in Rangpur
A priest in Rangpur has complained that 10 priests working in various churches in the northern district have received death threats after another member of the clergy being similarly threatened in Dianjpur.



Father Reverend Barnabas Hemrom, the chief of the Baptist mission’s Rangpur region, filed the complaint (general diary) at the Kotwali Police Station on Thursday.
He received the threat by post on Wednesday afternoon.
Father Hemrom told bdnews24.com a postman had delivered the letter in a yellow envelop at 5pm on Wednesday.
“Atul Roy, son of Ganesh Roy from Uttarparha village at Komalpur in Dinajpur Sadar Upazila,” was the sender’s address.
The letter said, “This time our plan is to kill one by one all those who are preaching Christianity in Bangladesh.”
“Our country will be run only under Muslim laws,” it said.
The other nine priests named in the letter are of the Bible Church of God, Jehovah Shalom AG Church, Talitha Kumi Church, Tanka Baptist Church, Daudipukur Baptist Church, Dhhap Udaypukur Catholic Church, Hasya Talitha Kumi Church, Koilochia Bible Church and Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church.
These churches are situated in Rangpur town, and the Pirgachha and Mithapukur Upazilas.
Kotwali Police Station OC Abdul Kader Zilani said they learnt of the threat in the morning and a police piquet had been posted at Father Hemrom’s church.
Detectives had already begun investigating the incident, he added.
Father Carlos Babu Totyo of a Catholic church at Birganj, in Dinajpur, had received a death threat in a text message on Wednesday, a week after unidentified assailants shot at Italian priest Piero Parolari in the district.
Radical group Islamic State has reportedly claimed credit for the attack on Father Parolari and posted the threat to Father Totyo.
Father Luke Sarkar, a Bangladesh national, had been knifed in his church in Pabna on Oct 5. He has recovered from his injuries.
Police said they arrested the regional commander of banned outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in connection with the attack on Father Luke.

http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/11/26/christian-priest-in-dinajpur-threatened-with-death-by-dec-20
Christian priest in Dinajpur threatened with death by Dec 20
Dinajpur Correspondent, bdnews24.com
Published: 2015-11-26 02:04:53.0 BdST Updated: 2015-11-26 02:06:19.0 BdST
A week after the shooting of Italian priest Piero Parolari in Dinajpur, another priest in the northern district has been threatened with death.
Father ‘Carlos’ of a catholic church at Chawkbenarasi in Birganj Upazila’s Nijparha Union, some 35 kilometres from Dinajpur town, received the threat in a text message on his mobile phone on Wednesday.
Birganj Police Station OC Jahangir Hossain told bdnews24.com the SMS was purportedly sent by the Islamic State. It threatened him to kill within Dec 20. Islamic State has reportedly claimed the attack on Father Parolari in front of Mirzapur BRTC depot in Dinajpur on Nov 18. OC Hossain said he met Father Carlos on hearing of the news of the threat. He said the SMS, received at 7:55pm, read, “Father Carlos, take Salam from IS. You will be killed within December 20 following order from the organisation, whether you stay in Nijparha or Dinajpur. Eat whatever you want.” Sister ‘Alo’ of the church said the missionaries in the church were ‘in panic’ following the threat.

http://www.ucanews.com/news/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-shooting-priest/74654
Islamic State claims responsibility for shooting priest
Bangladesh's Catholic bishops call extremist links a 'grave concern'
Rock Ronald Rozario and Stephan Uttom, Dhaka Bangladesh November 20, 2015
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for shooting an Italian Catholic priest in Bangladesh, the latest in a series of attacks on foreigners in the Muslim-majority South Asian nation.
Father Parolari Piero, 64, from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, was shot several times in the neck and head by three attackers in northern Dinajpur town on Nov. 18.
"Security detachments of soldiers of the caliphate in Bangladesh carried out some unique operations (including) ... targeting the Italian crusader foreigner," the jihadist group said in a statement, according to the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence group, which monitors jihadist activities online.
The jihadist group earlier claimed responsibility for the murder of Italian aid worker Cesare Tabella on Sept. 28 in Dhaka, and the fatal shooting of a Japanese man on Oct. 3 in northern Rangpur district.
The group has also taken credit for bombing a major Shiite gathering in Dhaka on Oct. 24, which killed two and injured dozens of others.
After the Nov. 18 attack, Father Piero underwent surgery in Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, but was later flown to Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka for better treatment.
In Dinajpur, police detained 11 members of the hard-line Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party for questioning over Father Piero’s attack.
Police have tightened security in all churches and the homes of foreign missionaries since the attack, said Dinajpur police chief Ruhul Amin.
"The (Islamic State) claim of attacking Father Piero is shocking and a matter of concern for us. We have been living in fear and restricted our movements since the attack," said Father Anthony Sen, parish priest of Queen of Fatima Church in Thakurgaon district in Dinajpur Diocese.
On Nov. 18, hundreds of Catholics staged a demonstration in northern Rajshahi to protest the attack.
The Catholic bishops’ Justice and Peace Commission and the Bangladesh Christian Association will jointly hold a protest rally on Nov. 21 in Dhaka.
"We don’t know what the extremists want to achieve by attacking the church and missionaries but it has become a matter of grave concern. We ask the government to investigate the case properly and punish the attackers, no matter who they are," said Theophil Nokrek, secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission.
Attacks on Christians and priests are rare in Bangladesh. However, in early October, a Bangladeshi Protestant pastor narrowly escaped death after three members of the banned local militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh tried to slit his throat.
Once considered a moderate Muslim-majority country, Bangladesh has seen a rising tide of radical Islamist violence in recent times.

http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/dozen-priests-get-death-threat-175291
12:00 AM, November 20, 2015 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:47 AM, November 20, 2015

A dozen priests get death threat Rafiul Islam
A deep sense of insecurity has gripped Christian priests in the country.
Two priests have narrowly escaped attacks on their lives recently while at least a dozen others have received death threats in a little over a week's time.
They now fear attacks on their lives anytime.
Five priests yesterday told The Daily Star that they all had received text messages on their phones on November 11 and 12 which asked them to prepare for death.
"Eat whatever you like the most. Only five days are left. Not more than that," reads an SMS received by a Savar-based priest at 1:25pm on November 11.
The SMSs received by the other four had almost identical texts.
The next day, the Savar priest received another text message from the same number. This time it said, "One day has elapsed. Should we arrange your burial or let your family do it? Inform [us] today."
"I really am scared. Now I have limited my movement to the church compound," said the priest, whose quarter is within the premises.
The five priests, who serve churches in and around the capital, wished anonymity on security grounds.
They told this correspondent that at least seven other clergymen who had received the same threat. At least five of them had registered general diaries with different police stations of Dhaka.
Most of them have restricted their movements.
"I always remain afraid that somebody is following me to kill," said a priest of a Mirpur church.
According to Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), the country has around 3,000 churches served by as many priests.
On Wednesday, unknown gunmen shot an Italian doctor-cum-pastor Piero Parolari in Dinajpur. Earlier on October 5, pastor Luke Sarkar escaped an attempt on his life when three suspected radicals tried to slit his throat in Pabna.
Parolari is now under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka while Luke fled his area on October 28 without informing anyone about his next whereabouts.
"We do not write anything against any religion. We do not even run conversion campaigns. Why did we become a target?" said a clergyman in the capital.
"The kind of uncertainty we are in is unprecedented," he added.
BCA Organising Secretary William Proloy Samadder feels the same.
"We now feel unsafe to an extent that we experienced never before," he says.
"We are receiving information from across the country that priests are getting death threats," William says, claiming the number of clergymen to have received such threats would be at least a few dozens.
Khandaker Lutful Kabir, who commands the Rab unit responsible for law and order in Savar and Mirpur areas, said that they had received such allegations and beefed up security for the churches and the priests.
"We are in constant touch with them," he said.
Asked whether they were satisfied with the security arrangements, several pastors replied in the negative.
"The government has to do more ... Even though several days have passed since the text messages were sent, the security agencies failed to track down any of the senders," said a clergyman.

Copyright:
Any unauthorised use or reproduction of The Daily Star content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.

http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/dozen-priests-get-death-threat-175291
12:00 AM, November 20, 2015 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:47 AM, November 20, 2015

A dozen priests get death threat Rafiul Islam
A deep sense of insecurity has gripped Christian priests in the country.
Two priests have narrowly escaped attacks on their lives recently while at least a dozen others have received death threats in a little over a week's time.
They now fear attacks on their lives anytime.
Five priests yesterday told The Daily Star that they all had received text messages on their phones on November 11 and 12 which asked them to prepare for death.
"Eat whatever you like the most. Only five days are left. Not more than that," reads an SMS received by a Savar-based priest at 1:25pm on November 11.
The SMSs received by the other four had almost identical texts.
The next day, the Savar priest received another text message from the same number. This time it said, "One day has elapsed. Should we arrange your burial or let your family do it? Inform [us] today."
"I really am scared. Now I have limited my movement to the church compound," said the priest, whose quarter is within the premises.
The five priests, who serve churches in and around the capital, wished anonymity on security grounds.
They told this correspondent that at least seven other clergymen who had received the same threat. At least five of them had registered general diaries with different police stations of Dhaka.
Most of them have restricted their movements.
"I always remain afraid that somebody is following me to kill," said a priest of a Mirpur church.
According to Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), the country has around 3,000 churches served by as many priests.
On Wednesday, unknown gunmen shot an Italian doctor-cum-pastor Piero Parolari in Dinajpur. Earlier on October 5, pastor Luke Sarkar escaped an attempt on his life when three suspected radicals tried to slit his throat in Pabna.
Parolari is now under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka while Luke fled his area on October 28 without informing anyone about his next whereabouts.
"We do not write anything against any religion. We do not even run conversion campaigns. Why did we become a target?" said a clergyman in the capital.
"The kind of uncertainty we are in is unprecedented," he added.
BCA Organising Secretary William Proloy Samadder feels the same.
"We now feel unsafe to an extent that we experienced never before," he says.
"We are receiving information from across the country that priests are getting death threats," William says, claiming the number of clergymen to have received such threats would be at least a few dozens.
Khandaker Lutful Kabir, who commands the Rab unit responsible for law and order in Savar and Mirpur areas, said that they had received such allegations and beefed up security for the churches and the priests.
"We are in constant touch with them," he said.
Asked whether they were satisfied with the security arrangements, several pastors replied in the negative.
"The government has to do more ... Even though several days have passed since the text messages were sent, the security agencies failed to track down any of the senders," said a clergyman.

Copyright:
Any unauthorised use or reproduction of The Daily Star content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.

http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/11/18/italian-priest-shot-in-bangladesh
Piero Parolari, 78, has lived and worked as a missionary in Bangladesh for 25 years — 12 of them in Dinajpur. He is a doctor.
A source in the Dinajpur diocese told bdnews24.com that Father Parolari, after his morning prayers at the Suihari Catholic Mission, was cycling down to the St Vincent Hospital, which is run by the local diocese.
Locals told police that three men on a motorcycle swept past Parolari and fired at him.
The missionary was hit on the neck and fell down from his bicycle.
Locals rushed him to the Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors attended to his injuries.
A doctor at St Vincent Hospital told bdnews24.com that Parolari’s condition was now stable.
Parolai was sent to Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon for better treatment, the doctor added.
The motive of the attack was as yet unclear.
Piero Parolari is the second Italian national — and the third foreigner — to have been attacked in Bangladesh since September.
He is also the second Christian priest to be attacked in the country.
Father Luke Sarkar, a Bangladesh national, had been knifed in his church in Pabna on Oct 5. But he has recovered from his injuries.
Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella was shot dead on Sep 28 at the Gulshan diplomatic enclave in Dhaka.
On Oct 3, Japanese national Kunio Hoshi was shot dead in the northern district of Rangpur.
US monitoring group SITE claimed that Middle Eastern radical group Islamic State had owned up responsibility for both the murders.
But the Bangladesh government and security agencies ruled out the involvement of the IS and said 'elements out to destabilise the country' were behind the murders.
Police have arrested some professional killers and the brother of a former BNP councillor for suspected involvement in the murder of Tavella.
A local BNP leader has been arrested over the murder of Kunio Hoshi, who had converted to Islam during his stay in Bangladesh.

Several foreign governments have issued travel advisories for their citizens after these killings, asking them to adopt great caution during their stay in the country.
The Australian and South African cricket boards have put on hold the tour of their men and women cricket teams to Bangladesh.

» 10/17/2015 BANGLADESH Expropriation of lands in Bangladesh: 100 Muslims occupy Christian home in Dhaka by Sumon Corraya The attackers wanted money in exchange for the house. They threatened to kill the residents. Christian activist: "Grave injustice to the Christian community. In Bangladesh we are a weak minority and this is why Muslims are attacking us. "
Dhaka (AsiaNews) - About 100 Muslims attacked a Christian family living in Dhaka and forced them to leave their three room home. Tapon Cruze tells AsiaNews: "They wanted to shoot me. They told us that they would kill us if we had opposed the expropriation of our house ", not far from the Catholic Church of the Holy Rosary in the capital.
The incident happened on October 15, and the victims report that they were assaulted without any legitimate reason. The criminals were accompanied by the police, "who witnessed the expropriation and did nothing to stop it. We lost our possessions, money, and we're out of the house".
The man reported that a Muslim land grabber Azijulla, wanted them out of the house by force. "He asked for money in exchange for our property. They are cheating us. We have appealed to the Christian community and the media. We met the pastor of the local church".
Nirmal Rozario, general secretary of the Bangladesh Christian Association, said: "I visited the place occupied by Muslims. They are committing a grave injustice against the Christian community. In Bangladesh, Christians are a weak minority and this is why Muslims are attacking us".
Bangladesh has a population of 152 million inhabitants and isMuslim majority (89.8%). The Christian community (0.2% of the population) and Hindu (9.1%) are subject to numerous attacks and to expropriation of land. Experts point out that the reason is not so much religious as economic.

On behalf of Mrs. Nupur Gomes wife of Mr. Nirmol Gomes, Ikrashi, Nawabgonj, Dhaka I am writing this mail to you for your kind consideration and help to get financial help for her medical treatment from the charity fund. Now she is sick and suffering from Metastatic Adenocarcinoma (Cancer). Monthly need four times chemotherapy. This is huge cost comes for her treatment and it is not possible to bear all cost by her husband. The family is very poor. Mr. Nirmol is working as a cook in Dhaka with a low salary. All the details are attached (Church Letter, Doctor advise, Hospital report, advertisement etc). If you need more information pls let us know. To donate please contact Sebastian Ponkoj Rozario at 718-809-6909

Hello all,
as you know our mother Marcella Gomes who has passed away on September 23rd after fighting a long battle with a deadly disease. We would like to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support during this difficult time. We are also requesting you all to keep my mother and our family in your prayers and thoughts while we are grieving her loss.
She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, mother in-Law and a fun loving Grand ma and a Great grand ma. She enjoyed good quality music, good friends and spend quality time with her family.
She was born in the household of Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Mathelda Gomes at BoroGolla, Polton Bari in 1942. She was married to Mr.Peter Gomes from Kashinagor Fokir Bari under Golla Mission.
Our Mother Marcella Gomes left behind her husband, Peter Gomes, sons (Richard, Anthony, Collins and Patrick), daughters (Jacqueline, Mini, and Rosaline), daughter in- laws & son in-laws and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Viewing Place: Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD 20901
Viewing Date and Time: Friday, 2nd of October, 2015, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Funeral Mass: Saturday, 3rd October, 2015, 11:00am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 4101 Norbeck Rd, Rockville, MD 20853.
There will be another viewing before the Funeral Mass from 10:30 -10:50 am at the church on the same day (3rd October)
Burial: Burial will take place after the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland
For additional information, please call Collins @240-463-4842

Thanks,
Collins Gomes

Dear all, with deep regret we are informing you the death of Lucas Gomes. He passed away on Thursday September 10th, 2015 at Winthrop- University Hospital, Long Island, New York. Late Lucas Gomes left behind his family. We express our deepest condolences for the loss of Lucas Gomes. We will keep him in our prayers.
Wake Schedule: Thursday and Friday September 17 and September 18 from 5 PM to 9 PM and Saturday September 19 from 8 AM to 9:10 AM at Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Homes, INC. 47 Jerusalem Avenue Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Phone: (516)931-0262
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015, 9:30 AM at Holy Family Church, 17 Fordham Avenue Hicksville, New York (516) 938-3846
Burial at St. Charles Cemetery Conklin Ave Pinelawn, NY (631) 249-8700
After the Burial, lunch will be served at Asian Buffet 276 W. Old Country Road Hickville, NY 11801 Phone: (516) 433-6688
May God Rest his soul in Peace.

It is with deep sadness that announce the passing of Mrs. Chitra Sikder , wife of Romeo Sikder,on Saturday August 8th 2015.
Funeral Location : Provenzano Lanza Funeral Home 43 Second Avenue,New York,NY 10003 ( Corner of 2nd Ave Btw E 2nd & 3rd St in Manhattan) Viewing time : Monday August 10th at 4:pm to 9pm ( Prayer / Memorial service will between 7-7:30 pm)
Burial Mass Location: Immaculate Conception Church 414 East 14th Street, New York,NY 10009 ( Corner of E 14th St Btw 1st Ave & Ave A in Manhattan)
Burial Service Location : Saint John's Catholic Cemeteries 80-01 Metropolitan Ave, Middle Village , NY 11379-2991

Dear all, We are deeply regret to inform you the death of John GOMES. He passed away on Friday July 3rd, 2015 around 2:55 AM at Christ Hospital,in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. He had a massive heart. Late John Gomes left behhind his family.We express our deepest condolences for the loss of John Gomes. We will keep him in our prayers. Wake Schedule: Thursday, July 9th and Friday, July 10th pm at the following address: Kennedy-Roth Funeral Home 41-45 58th Street (Between Queens Blvd and Roosevelt Ave) Woodside, NY-11377 Phone: (718) 424-5430 Funeral mass will be held at the following address Saturday, July 11th, 2015 at 9:45 AM Our Lady Of Fatima Catholic Church 25-02 80th Street, (Between 25th and 30th Ave) East Elmhurst, NY-11370 Phone 718-899-2801 Burial will be at Calvary cemetery after the funeral mass (First Calvary, Section-54 called Pope John Paul section) 49-02 Laurel Hill Blvd Woodside, NY 11377 (718) 786-8000 May God Rest his soul In Peace

Dear all,
We are deeply sorry to inform you the death of RAYMOND GOMES (PBCA ADVISER) on Friday June12, 2015 around 9:30 am at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York, USA.
Mr. Raymond Gomes viewing will be on Thursday (June 18th) and Friday (June 19th) from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the following address:
Kennedy-Roth Funeral Home
41-45 58th Street (Between Queens Blvd and Roosevelt Ave)
Woodside, NY-11377
Phone: (718) 424-5430
Funeral mass will be held at the following address
Saturday 20, 2015 at 10:00 am
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
31-30 61st Street (Between Northern Blvd and 32nd Ave)
Woodside, NY-11377
Burial will be at Calvary cemetery after the funeral mass (First Calvary, Section-54 called Pope John Paul section)
49-02 Laurel Hill Blvd Woodside, NY-11377
(718) 786-8000
May God Rest his soul In Peace

We regret to inform you that our dear Aunt Gita Hilda Gomes, recently (June 4th) passed away in Toronto Canada at the age of 70, and she leaves behind her only daughter Aneeta Gomes & her family. May the Lord grant her eternal peace and give comfort to those she left behind and in mourning.

Dear all, We regret to inform you that the death of Cassiano Leo Gomes on Sunday May 24th, 2015 around 11 AM at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York at the age of 71 years. Late Cassiano Leo Gomes left behind his family. We express our deepest condolences for the loss of Cassiano Leo Gomes. We will keep him in our prayers. Wake Schedule: May 28th Thursday from 6PM -9PM, and May 29th,Friday 5PM-9PM, and Saturday May 30th before burial mass At Leahy McDonald Funeral Home 111-02 Atlantic Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11419 Tel: 718-849-0785 Burial Mass: Saturday May 30th at 9AM CHURCH OF HOLY CHILD JESUS 111-11 86th Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418 Burial: St. John Cemetery 80-01 Metropolitan Avenue Middle Village, NY 11379 Tel: 718-416-8600 May he rest in paradise with the Lord.

We regret to inform you the death of Abraham Rozario ( X - Teacher of Nagori High School, Dhaka) on March 17th, at the age of 72 years. We express our deepest condolences for the loss of Abraham Rozario. We will keep him in our prayers. Wake schedule: Friday March 20th, from 3:00PM to 9:00 PM Saturday March 21st, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM At ORTIZ FUNERAL Home 2121 Westchester Ave Bronx NY 10462 PH # 718-931-1500
Burial Mass: Saturday March 21st , 2015 at 10:00AM At Santa Maria Church 2352 St. Raymond Ave Bronx NY 10462 Ph # 718- 828-2380 Burial: St. Raymond Catholic Cemetery 2600 Lafayette Ave Bronx NY 10465 Ph # 718- 792-1133
May Lord grant him eternal peace.

We regret to inform you the death of Rev. Nirmal Costa on March 17th at 12:25 PM Bangladesh time, the funeral will be in Bonpara on the 18th March 11AM. We express our deepest condolences for the loss of Rev. Nirmal Costa We will keep him in our prayers. May the soul of Rev. Nirmal Costa and all faithful departed, rest in peace.

We regret to inform you the death of Ragina Gomes ( PBCA former President Mr. Steve Mohon Gomes's wife ) on Wednesday March 11th 2015 at the age of 64 years. We express our deepest condolences for the loss of Regiga Gomes. We will keep her in our prayers.
Wake schedule: Monday March 16, and Tuesday March 17th at 4 PM to 8 PM Park Ave. Funeral Home 121 Park Ave, Brooklyn,NY 11205 Funeral Office Contact Number : 718 834 9797 or 800 893 8877
May her rest in paradise, with the Lord.

We regret to inform you the death of Christopher Rozario (PBCA X- President Joseph Kishore Gomes's father in-law) on March 2nd, Monday, 2015 at Florida at the age of 85 years. We express our deepest condolences for the loss of Christopher Rozario. We will keep him in our prayers.
Wake schedule: Thursday March 5th, from 10 AM to 2PM TM Ralph Funeral Home 371 N.W. 2 ND Street Sunrise, Fl 33325 Ph# 954-587-6888
Burial Mass: Friday March 6, 2015 at 1PM St. Gregory The Catholic Church 200 North University Drive Plantation, Fl 33324 Burial: Our Lady Queen of Haven Cemetery 1500 Fl - 7, Worth Lauderdle, Florida May he rest in paradise with the Lord

Archbishop Paulinus Costa, DD died of cardiac arrest on Saturday. He was 78. Rev. Paulinus Costa, who was Archbishop of the archdiocese of Dhaka from 2005 to October 22, 2011, breathed his last around 3 pm on January 03.

Dear all, We regret to inform you the death of BENJAMIN ROZARIO ( PBCA ADVISER) on Saturday, December 20, 2014 around 11 AM at Hackensack Hospital, New Jersey< at the age of 72 years.Late Benjamin Rozario left behind his family. Let's all share our sympathy attending following:
Wake Schedule: Tuesday & Friday December 23rd & December 26th From 4 PM to 9 PM At McLaughlin Funeral Home 625 Pavonia Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306 Ph # 201-798-8700
Burial Mass: Saturday at 11 AM St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic Church 3026 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Burial: Holy Name Cemetery, 823 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN PEACE

Dear all,
We regret to inform you the death of Denis Gomes on Sunday, December 7,2014 around 12:30 PM at Jamaica Hospital Queens, New York. Mr. Denis Gomes left behind his family. Let's all share our sympathy attending following:
Viewing date and time:
December 16th Tuesday, 2014, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Viewing Place
Elcock Funeral Home 130-02, Liberty Ave South Richmond Hill NY 11419 Ph# 718-845-7408 We request you to keep him and bereaved family in your prayer Thank you On behalf of the Gomes Family

Dear Friends,
Please join us at Chritmas Reunion with friends and family!
Queen of Angels Church Auditorium
44-04 Skillman Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Sunday, December 28, 2014 4:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Bengali Mass: 4:00 P.M.
Special Attraction for Christmas Reunion Program: Mr. Apurbo Ganguly
Registration: $15.00 (7 years and above). $20.00 if registered after 15th December.
If you are interested to sponsor lottery prize please contact at earliest!
   

Event Date	Event Venue	Event Contact
Friday, December 05, 2014	Richmond Hill, NY	Purnima (718) 510-6807
Saturday, December 06, 2014	Manchester, CT	Hemonto (860) 328-0672 Shomir (860) 913-6274
Sunday, December 07, 2014	Hartford, CT	Prosanto (860) 856-0389 Sujoy (860) 424-7210
Friday, December 12, 2014	Woodside/Sunnyside/Astoria, NY	Nomita (718) 267-6017 Agatha (917) 392-7058
Saturday, December 13, 2014	Jersey City, NJ	James Adi (201) 577-8981 Rony Hatti (201) 988-5613
Sunday, December 14, 2014	East Elmhurst, NY	Rani (917) 488-0320 Shamol (917) 807-7576
Friday, December 19, 2014	Manhattan, NY	Rina (646) 454-1267
Saturday, December 20, 2014	Long Island, NY	Lawrence (516) 587-3322 Kanon (516) 338-4421
Sunday, December 21, 2014	Jamaica, NY	Sheila (347) 951-2281 Derrick (718) 288-9557

Please contact for further details:

Agatha Dipty Gomes	Gabriel T. Gomes	Jude Purification
(718) 510-7665	(917) 723-5664	(201) 892-9909

Probashi is inviting you to send followings to publish in Tepantori.

• Articles, Stories and Poems
• Greetings and Advertisements
• New Born
• Wedding
• Graduation / Communion
• 25th / 50th Anniversary
• Death News

Thank you,
Probashi Bengali Christian Association
P.O. Box - 1568, New York, NY 10159-1568
Email: pbcanews@gmail.com
Tel: (718) 510-7665
Fax: (866) 332-8376 (for Tepantori only)
Online submission: Contact Form

Please join us at PBCA's Upcoming Events

Bangla Mass
Sunday, October 19th, 2014
3:30 P.M.
St. Augustine Church
10 Campfield Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114
After Mass there will be cultural show with refreshments

Happy Ween Party
Saturday, November 1st, 2014
7:00 P.M.
Queen of Angels Church
44-04 Skillman Avenue
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Dinner will be served

Bangla Mass
Sunday, November 2nd, 2014
5:00 P.M.
Saint John the Baptist Church
3026 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07301
Refreshments after Mass

With deep regrets and sadness, we are informing you Mr. RubenM Quiah passed way on October 8th, 2014 at 7:45 AM. We extend our deepest condololenc On their loss. All PBCA members and their family are invited to be a part his last respect and pray for his soul. Viewing schedule Friday, October 10, 2014 from 5 PM - 9 PM Saturday 9AM At Funeral Edward D' Jamie 141-26, Northern Blud. Flushing NY 11354 Tell - 718- 461-2660 Burial Services: Saturday, October 11, 2014 After Viewing If you need further information, please feel free to contact PBCA Vice President Gabriel Taposh Gomes at 917-723-5664 Thanks

Dear all PBCA Members,
Please join our beloved leader late Ratan Barua's prayer which is held on Sepetember 28th Sunday, 2014 at 12:00 noon. It's located at 87-38 112 Street Richmondhill New York Thanks

We are deeply sorry to inform you that PBCA's X-President Mr. Simon Gomes's mother Mrs. Stella Gomes passed away on Tuesday, September 2nd at National Hospital, Lakshmi Bazar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The place she used to work as an RN. She was born on August 10th, 1936.

We extend our deepest condolence. All PBCA members and their family are invited to be a part of her last respect and pray for her soul.

Memorial Service will be held on Monday, September 8th, 2014 at 3 PM at Holy Cross Church, Lakshmi Bazar, Dhaka.

Burial Services: Monday September 8th, 2014.
Burial services will take place at Warri Cemetery Dhaka , Bangladesh.

Blue Army Shrine Our Lady Of Fatima

670 Mountianview Rd
Asbury, New Jersey 40214

Date: Sunday, September 7th, 2014
Please register by August 31, 2014
Registration Fee: per person $60.00
Please write your check for "PBCA" and mail to PBCA mailbox.
Registration fee is non-refundable.
Registration fee includes bus fair, breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Bus Schedule:
Bus Leaves 8 A.M. from 73rd Street and 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY
and 8:30 A.M. from 116 Garrison Avenue, Jersey City, NJ

Contact for details:

Agatha Dipty	Gabriel T. Gomes	Christopher M. Gomes	Jude Purification
President	Vice-President	General Secretary	Treasurer
(718) 510-7665	(917) 723-5664	(917) 538-0232	(201) 892-9909

We are deeply sorry to inform you that our beloved brother, Martin Julian Gomez passed away on August 2, 2014 around 9:15am at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland, USA. Martin was the son of late Andreas Gomez and Mrs. Elizabeth Gomez. He was born on October 30, 1962 at Dhaka, Bangladesh. Martin leaves behind his wife, Shandha and two sons, Matthew and Noel. VIEWING from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on August 6 (Wednesday)
Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home 4400 Powder Mill Road Beltsville, MD 20705 301-937-1707 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- VIEWING from 9:30AM to 10:30 AM on August 7 (Thursday) before mass at: St. Camillus Catholic Church 1600 St. Camillus Drive Silver Spring, MD 20903 Mass at 10:30 AM on August 7 (Thursday) Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906 after mass.

http://www.ucanews.com/news/thousands-rally-in-bangladesh-against-attack-on-nuns/71481
Thousands of Christians protested across Bangladesh on Monday following an attack on nuns in the north of the country earlier this month. About 2,500 Christians were joined by Muslim and Hindu groups in Rangpur, where the attack took place. At least 50 men armed with knives and iron bars assaulted and injured two nuns on July 8. “No way can we accept this heinous attack on these dedicated people,” Father Anthony Sen, secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission in the Catholic diocese of Dinajpur which covers Rangpur, said at the protest. "The culprits must be brought to book immediately and prosecuted in a fast-track court. The government must ensure that this kind of incident never takes place again and that the security of minorities should be guaranteed.” There were also smaller rallies in other cities across the country including the capital Dhaka, where nuns held hands and lined major roads. The assailants stole cash and valuables worth one million taka (US$12,821) during the Rangpur raid. Rabiul Alam, chief of Mithapukur police under Rangpur district, has confirmed that 10 people have since been arrested. “In initial interrogations they said robbery was their only motive behind the attack, and we found that at least two of them are professional robbers with previous criminal records,” he said. But many clergy called the raid a “planned terrorist attack” on the Church by Muslim land owners following what they say is a history of land grabbing and intimidation. Christians and Muslims in the area contacted by ucanews.com said they blamed Asaduzzaman Saja Fakir, a Muslim who has been in a long running land dispute with the Church. He has links to the opposition Jatiya Party, which enjoys a strong following in Rangpur. Local Catholics have accused Fakir of targeting priests and nuns who have resisted his alleged attempts to take back land that the court ordered him to hand over to the Church in 2010. In another incident, more than 50 mostly tribal Catholics were injured when they were attacked by men linked to Fakir after erecting a boundary wall on disputed land, also in 2010. Both sides filed criminal cases against each other. The court later delivered an injunction notice to maintain the status quo on the land. “These are all false allegations intended to malign me and my family,” Fakir said. “No one can prove that I have ever grabbed land. I purchase it legally.” Fakir added that he would hold a press conference soon to defend himself against what he called “propaganda”.
Source: UCANEWS

PLEASE JOIN WITH US TO MAKE THIS PICNIC SUCCESS THANK YOU

PBCA PICNIC AT JULY 20TH 2014 AT BELMONT LAKE STATE PARK AT LONG ISLAND BIRCH PAVILLION PLEASE JOIN WITH US

PBCA UPCOMING EVENT
JULY 13, 2014 BENGLA MASS AT QUEEN OF ANGELS CHURCH AT 6 PM REFRESHMENT WILL BE SERVE AFTER MASS. PLEASE JOIN AT MASS. THANKS

We are deeply sorry to inform you that our beloved leader Mr. Ratan Barua passed away peacefully on April 1st, 2014 Queens, NY. We extend our deepest condolences.All PBCA members are invited to be a part of his last respect to our prominent minority leader Mr. Barua. PBCA schedule April 4th from 5:30 to 6 PM at Leo F. Kearns Funeral Home. The funeral Services will be held at:
Place: Leo F. Kearns Funeral Home 103-33 Lefferts Blvd, Richmond Hill, NY 11419
Time: Friday, April 4, From 5-8pm Saturday April 5, From 2-9pm
Memorial Service will on April 6, 2014 At : Sri Lanka 215Pl Hillside Ave. Jamaica From: 11 to 3pm

We are deeply sorry to inform you that Mr.Gabriel Costa passed away peacefully on Thursday March 27th, 2014 at his own residences Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh cause of respiratory failure. He was born in January 21, 1929. His son Mr. Hendry Sobol Costa and his family are New York Residences. We extend our deepest condolences on the loss of Costa's father.

Dear all PBCA Members,
Please join with us at Sunday, March 2nd at Queen of Angels church located 44-04 Skillman Ave NY at 5pm. We will be holding a Farewell mass for Rev. Nirmal Costa due to the father’s shortly announced illness. We give thanks and praise to have a priest of his statue to come to our tri-state area and bless us as a community. Service will start promptly at 5pm sharp and light refreshments will be available afterwards. Thank You

We are deeply sorry to inform you that Mr. Flavien Fernandez passed away caused by cancer on Monday 17th, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital.
MEMORIAL PROGRAM JOHN TIENEY FUNERAL HOME ASSUMPTION RC CHURCH ST. JAMES CEMETERY
219 WEST CENTER STREET 285 WEST CENTER STREET 360 BROAD STREET
MANCHESTER, CT-06040 MANCHESTER,CT-06040 MANCHESTER, CT-06040 TIME
02/19/2014 FUNERAL SERVICE OPEN CASKET VIEWING 11.15 A.M. 12.15 P.M.
02/19/2014 MASS AT ASSUMPTION CHURCH 01.00 P.M 01.45 P.M
02/19/2014 ST.JAMES CEMETERY SERVICE STARTS AT 2.00 P.M.
02/19/2014 HOME PRAYER/DINNER STARTS AT 7.00 P.M. We extended our deepest condolences the loss of Fernendez family. May God Bless his Soul in heaven. From: Probashi

With deep regrets and sadness we are informing you that Mrs.Teresa Datta passed away peacefully on Friday, November 29th at Square Hospital Dhaka, Bangladesh in her 78th years. Her two sons Mr. Emmanuel Samir Datta and Mr. Joseph Polash Datta are Connecticut residences. Mrs. Datta was hospitalized due to critical condition caused by brain hemorrhage. We extend our deepest condolences on the loss of Datta-mother.

Dear Community Members,
We regret to announce the death of Andrew Lincoln Gomes who passed away on November 9, 2013 at 4:30 pm at Washington Hospital Center. He turned 25 and died of Hodgkin disease/lymphoma (a type of cancer). Andrew Lincoln Gomes was a student of Data Group. We ask everyone to keep Andrew Lincoln Gomes and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.
I would like to request you to console the bereaved family at this difficult time.
Viewing:
Saturday, November 16, 2013 from
5.00 pm - 9.00 pm at Miller Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.
3200 Golansky Blvd Woodbridge, VA 22192
Phone: 703-878-2273

Funeral Mass:
Monday, November 18, 2013.
Final viewing at 10.00 am and funeral mass at 11.00 am
St. Camillus Church, 1600 St. Camillus Drive
Silver Spring, MD-20903
Phone: 301-434-8400 3.

Burial Services:
Monday, November 18, 2013.
Burial services will take place at 12.30 pm
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
13801 Georgia Ave,
Silver Spring, MD 20906
Phone: 301- 871-6500

If you need any further information, please feel free to contact:
Anthony P Gomes: 571-224-5642
Russel Gomes: 703-300-8756

Please forward this email to your friends and family on our behalf to join us in Lincoln's funeral. We appreciate your kind support.
Thanking you very much. Anthony Pius Gomes
on behalf of the bereaved family

KIRTON 2013 SCHEDULE

Dec 1st, Sunday	Richmond Hill, NY	Purnima (718) 510-6807
Dec 6th, Friday	East Elmhurst/Jackson Hts, NY	Shamol (917) 807-7576
Dec 7th, Saturday	Manchester, CT	Somir (860) 913-6274
Dec 8th, Sunday	Hartford, CT	Sujoy (860) 424-7210, Mukut (860) 839-9920
Dec 13th, Friday	Woodside/Astoria, NY	Jony (917) 607-2846, Nomita (718) 267-6017
Dec 14th, Saturday	Jersey City, NJ	James Adi (201) 577-8981, Jude (201) 892-9909
Dec 15th, Sunday	Manhattan, NY	Godfrey (646) 370-4253
Dec 20th, Friday	Corona/Junction Blvd, NY	Tipu (917) 774-6770
Dec 21st, Saturday	Long Island, NY	Lawrence (516) 587-3322, Tilu (718) 352-3393
Dec 22nd, Sunday	Sunnyside/Jamaica, NY	Patrick (917) 535-0140, Derrick (718) 288-9557

Agatha Dipty Gomes	Michael Tipu Gomes	Apurbo Boiragee
President	Vice President	General Secretary
718-510-7665	917-774-6770	917-279-3785

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X_ewvGVcfc&feature=share&list=UUXPKnmzA7eFp5ELmskkmUqA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgjOQwZkngM&feature=youtu.be

http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/appeal-for-help-19/

On Saturday 6 July the Holy Father appointed Archbishop George Kocherry as apostolic nuncio to Bangladesh. Archbishop Kocherry, titular of Othona, was previously apostolic nuncio to Zimbabwe.

With deep regret we announce the passing of Mr. Louis Prokash Gomes. He passed away on Friday, June 21st, 2013 from heart attack.

Funeral: Friday, June 28, 9 AM
Jhon F. Tierney Funeral Home
219 West Center Street
Manchester CT 06040

Viewing: June 28th 2013, 9 AM to 11AM

Mass: 11 AM to 12 AM
Saint Bridget Church
80 Main Street Manchester

Burial:
220 East Center St.
Manchester Ct 06040

May God rest his soul in peace.

‘Hundreds of Muslims’ Attack Christians in Bangladesh
June 17, 2013 | Filed under: News | Posted by: bdchronicle

Tumilia mission Muslim extremists went to the Tumilia mission, a Catholic compound, and physically harmed Fr. Abel when he came out of his room. A group of radical Islamists have targeted and attacked Christians in Bangladesh. Two incidents in recent weeks have left priests and seminary students among those severely beaten. In both incidents the attackers have operated with impunity.
On June 5, Muslim extremists went to the Tumilia mission, a Catholic compound, and physically harmed Father Abel when he came out of his room. Some say that the extremists went simply with the intention of robbing the property; however ICC sources confirm that this is ”targeted persecution on the Christians by the same group of Islamists.”
On June 6, another attack by the same group of radical Islamists occurred after a Muslim man died from a heart attack during a conflict between Christians and Muslims regarding trespassing. The Christians report that the Muslims continued to trespass on their land to steal mangos and their requests to cease and desist were ignored.
Blaming the Christians for the man’s death, the Muslims staged an attack on the entire village. Two of the Christians fled and sought shelter at the Catholic Church’s mission compound in Dinajpur, in Northern Bangladesh. However, a mob of Muslims numbering over 100 stormed in armed with local weapons.
“They broke the main gate, destroyed the barb wire fence and entered the compound. They beat up Father Uzzal, seminarians and destroyed some parts of the buildings … vandalized and looted everything,” says an International Christian Concern source.
“The police arrested some of the Christians and took them to the police station but did not take any action against the Muslims who were trespassing on the Catholic compound,” the ICC source continued. ”The Muslims wait for any excuse to attack the religious minorities.”
Not one perpetrator has been arrested in either of these cases. ”The priests are afraid to do anything against the perpetrators,” says an ICC source. ”Most of the time the Muslim extremists are protected by the [Muslim] ruling party. This is Bangladesh, where we [Christians] live without any security and protection from the government or law enforcing agencies,” the source continued.
Corey Bailey, ICC’s regional manager for Bangladesh says, ”According to their Constitution, there is Religious Freedom in Bangladesh, but that exists only on paper. Muslims attack religious minorities with impunity. This is outrageous and must end. I urge those interested in religious freedom to contact the Embassy of Bangladesh and demand better protection for religious minorities, as well as justice in these cases.”
Source: Charismanews
http://www.bangladeshchronicle.net/index.php/2013/06/hundreds-of-muslims-attack-christians-in-bangladesh/

Please read the attached files/pictures regarding the rescheduling of the special general meeting for Source & Solution Inc. This is the 2nd page to the letter. Thank You and I hope most memebers read and attend.

Please read the attached files/pictures regarding the rescheduling of the special general meeting for Source & Solution Inc. This is the 1st page to the letter. Thank You and I hope most memebers read and attend.

WE request to donate for my younger daughter Oishika Gomes; age 9.
Address: 302/A, Kathal bagan, Dhaka. Bangladesh. Tel: 01732-865755, 01727-307189;
Bank name: National Bank Ltd. Kawran bazar branch, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A/C no: 0004834076703.
For your kind conception we attach photographs and medical report.
Thanks,
with best regards
Theophil Linda Gomes & Family
Dhaka, Bangladesh.

This is very sad to announce that Mr. Tarsisius D' Costa (Tasu), who was born on March 27, 1937 at Choto Satanipara, Rangamatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh passed away this morning at 9:15am at his residence in Silver Spring, Maryland.

I would like to inform you all that the Viewing, Funeral Mass & Burial Services of Late Mr. Tarsisius D' Costa (Tasu) will take place at the following schedule:

Viewing: Sunday, April 14, 2013, 5.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Borgwardt Funeral Home, 4400 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone: 301-937-1707

Funeral Mass: Monday, April 15, 2013
Viewing: 09.30 am - 10:00 am
Mass: 10.00 am offered by Fr. Stanley Gomes (Adi)
St. Camillus Church, 1600 St. Camillus Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20903
Phone: (301) 434-8400

Burial Services: Monday, April 15, 2013
Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20906
Phone: (301) 871-6500

Please do join the bereaved family to pay last respect to Late Mr. Tarsisius D' Costa (Tasu). Your participation will be highly appreciated and let's pray for the departed soul!
Thanking you very much.
Best regards,
Felix M. Gomez on behalf of the family.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Veronica Moharani Gomes. Mrs. Veronica Moharani Gomes passed on Friday 7:30 pm, January 11th 2013, at the New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY. She was born March 28th 1914, Village: Nayanogar, Dioceses: Hasnabad, Dist: Nababgonj, Dhaka. She was mother of Steve Mohon Gomes; one of former presidents of PBCA.

Funeral:
Edward D. Lynch Funeral Home; Inc.
43-07 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside, NY 11104.

Contact: Mrs. Regina Gomes, Phone: (718) 426-9611

with deep regret we announce the passing of Mr. Nicholas Gomes, Jersey City, He passed away on Nov 10th, 2012 at the age 76 years.
WAKE SCHEDULE: Mclaughlin Funeral Home, 625 Pavonia Ave, Jersey City, Ny 07306 Tuesday Nov 13th, 2012 3 P.M to 8P.M
Burial Mass: Wednesday Nov 14th 2012 Time 11A.M
Burial: Holy Name Cemetery, 823 West Side Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306

Due to the affects of the Hurricane Sandy, the Bangla Mass of New Jersy for 10/04/2012 is canceled. We hope everyone is safe! Thanks for your cooperation!

With deep regret we announce the passing of Mrs. Christina Gomes, Jersey City, New Jersey. She passed away on July 5th, 2012 at the age of 50 years.

WAKE SCHEDULE: MCLAUGHLIN FUNERAL HOME, 625 PAVONIA AVENUE, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07306 ( 201 ) 798-8700 SUNDAY, JULY 8th, 2012 TIME : 2:00 PM - 8:00PM

BURIAL MASS: ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH, 122 FERRY STREET, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07307 JULY 10th, 2012. TIME: 10:00 AM

BURIAL: HOLY NAME CEMETERY, 823 WEST SIDE AVENUE, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07306.

Dear Friends The quadruple bypass surgery on Hon. Bishop Bejoy D'Cruze, OMI.was performed successfully. He is still not awaken but he is in stable condition and resting well. We thank God and thank you for your prayer. PROBASHI

With sorrowful heart, we are letting you know that God has called our dear father / grand-father Mr. Ernest Alam D'Costa to his heavenly abode on 12th April, 2012 at 6:42PM at St. Joseph Hospital, Bethpage, NY. He was 86 years old and was suffering from old age sickness.

His respectful body (Wake) will be open for view to all on Saturday April 14th, 2012 (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM) and on Sunday April 15th, 2012 (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM) at N.F. Walker Funeral Home, 2039 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY- 11566. (Phone # 516-378-0303) Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at 12:30 PM at St. Frances de Chantal R/C Church, 1309 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY- 11793. (Phone # 516-785-2333) followed by the burial at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale,NY 11735. Followed by lunch at Lawrence D’Costa’s house, 1275 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793.

Contact info: Lawrence D'Costa (516-587-3322) and Pankaj D'Costa (516-353-6422). Please join the family of Mr. Ernest Alam D’Costa in a memorial service to honor his life.
Your presence will be highly appreciated.

Directions to the Funeral Home:
Manhattan, Queens, New Jersey: Take Southern State Parkway East to Exit 24S. Drive about 2 miles south and the funeral home will be on the left hand side.
Long Island: Take Southern State Parkway East or West to Exit 24S. Drive about 2 miles south and the funeral home will be on the left hand side.
Directions to the Church: Manhattan, Queens, New Jersey: Take Southern State Parkway East to Exit 28S. Drive about 1 mile south and the church will be on the left hand side.

Samson H Chowdhury dies at 86 Dhaka, Jan 5 (bdnews24.com) – Square Group chairman Samson H Chowdhury died of old age complications at a hospital in Singapore on Thursday. He was 86.
Elder son Anjan Chowdhury confirmed his father's death to bdnews24.com by phone. "He was under treatment at a Singapore hospital."
He was undergoing treatment in Square Hospital and later, transferred to the Singapore hospital on Dec 27 last year.
Chief executive officer of Maasranga Television, a sister concern of Square group, Syed Fahim Munaim told bdnews24.com that they got news of his passing away around 10:30am on Thursday.
Expressing his condolences, the financial minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said, "I have known him (Samson H Chowdhury) for over half a century. He was an ideal businessman and an industrialist."
"A pioneer in the field of medicine in our country, he was also one of the leading tax-payers. The country has lost a successful businessman and entrepreneur," he added.
Samson was born on Feb 25, 1926 at Ataikula village in Pabna district.
After completing his education in India, he returned to the then East Pakistan and settled at Ataikula village where his father was working as a medical officer in an outdoor dispensary.
In 1952, he started a small pharmacy in Ataikula. Later, he ventured into a partnership to build Square Pharmaceuticals Limited with three of his friends in 1958.
Through Samson Chowdhury's hard work, Square branched off to toiletries, textile, agriculture products, information technology, health service and media.
Samson Chowdhury had said in an interview that they had chosen the name Square, "Because it was started by four friends and also because it signifies accuracy and perfection, meaning quality."
Square is now a publicly listed diversified group of companies employing more than 28,000 people. The Group's yearly turnover is $616 million, according to its website.
Samson Chowdhury was involved with many renowned national and international organisations. He was the former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries. He was also the former founding vice president of Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies.
He was the former chairman of Transparency International's Bangladesh chapter from 2004-2007 and of Shahbazpur Tea Estate and Mutual Trust Bank.

Rainbow in a Heart' comes to Dhaka Dhaka, Jan 3 (bdnews24.com) – In the coming week, Dhaka will be audience to a story that teaches of a revolution of the heart to promote love and peace in our world.
Sharmin Ahmad Reepi, the daughter of Bangladesh's first prime minister and Liberation War hero Tajuddin Ahmed, will bring her dance drama - Rainbow in a Heart Dance – to a Bangladeshi audience for the first time at Jatiya Shilpakala Academy on Jan 6 and 7, said a media statement.
Rosemary Mitu Gonsalves, a student of Rowshan Jamil, established the dance school Jago Art Centre in USA as an extension of the original school in Shilpakala Academy where she trained. She was the first to envision the book as a drama, and at her request, Sharmin composed the screenplay and two songs for the performance.
Rainbow in a Heart was originally a children's book that Sharmin authored in 2003.
She dedicated the book to her mother Zohra Tajuddin Lily, whose contributions to the Liberation War are substantial. It is now included in the English language Arts curriculum for the public schools of Montgomery.
How Sharmin was inspired to write the book, in her own words: "My then five –year-old daughter asked me 'how have you become my mom?' The answer I gave her blossomed into a story which cherishes love as an ideal, peace as a goal and rebels against all forms of violence."
The story seeks to promote understanding between different cultures, and celebrates human universality through diversity. It explores this possibility through a child's adventurous quest for a mother who can serve as a lifelong teacher and guide for universal harmony and peace.
The first performance of the dance drama was held on Sep 19 last year at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville, Maryland.
Sharmin said she was excited to finally bring this work to her homeland.

5th Berger Award for Excellence in Architecture conferred
Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd organised an award giving ceremony of 5th Berger Award for Excellence in Architecture (BAEA) on December 8 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, Agargaon, says a press release.
From 2003, Berger took the initiative of recognising the works of talented architects of the country and the competition takes place every two years.
This year the competition comprises of two categories---Berger Architects' Award and Berger Young Architects' Award. Both categories have two sub-categories---Residential and Non-residential. About six projects got recognition in both the categories.
In Residential category, Salauddin Ahmed and Rafiq Azam; in Non-residential category, Patrick D' Rozario, Selim Altaf Biplob and Tamanna Sayeed jointly won Berger Architects' Award; Commendation ( non-residential) joint winners were Khan Md. Mustapha Khalid, Mohammad Foyez Ullah and K. M Saiful Kader.
Apart from these awards to inspire young architects for their works Shahnawaz Khan, Rumana Chowdhury and Shamsuddin Ahmed jointly won Berger Young Architect's Award in Residential Category, while Commendation Berger Young Architects' Award (residential) went to Jubair Hasan and Rubayet Tanveer Chowdhury.
Source: Daily Star, December 12 2011

We have the deepest, heartfelt sympathy to inform you the death of Anestine Gomes on Sunday November 27th 2011, around 2:20pm at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, Maryland. Mrs. Anestine Gomes left behind her son, Khokan Stanley Gomes, Daughter, Arati Gomes, grandchildren and many loved ones. Below are her viewing and funeral information.

Veiwing Date and Time:
Sunday, Dec 4th 2011, from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd. West Silver Spring, MD 20901.

Funeral Mass:
Monday December 5th 2011, at 10:00am at Saint Camillus Church, 1600 St. Camillus Drive, Silver Spring MD 20903.
There will be a Final viewing before the Funeral Mass from 9:30-10:00am.

Burial:
Burial will take place after the bass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland

We would be very much obliged if you could send out an email to the community sharing this information.

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Fr. Sebastain Tudu of the clergy of Dinajpur, Bangladesh, vice rector of the major seminary of the Holy Spirit in Dhaka and diocesan director of the Pontifical Missionary Works, as bishop of Dinajpur (area 17,500, population 16,529,090, Catholics 46,578, priests 56, religious 148). The bishop-elect was born in Changura, Bangladesh in 1967 and ordained a priest in 1999. He has worked as parochial vicar in a number of parishes in Bangladesh and attained a doctorate in missiology from the Pontifical Urban University.

The Holy See has announced at 4:00 p.m. on October 22 2011, the acceptance of the resignation of Archbishop Paulinus Costa as the Archbishop of Dhaka. Being Coadjutor, the responsibility as the Archbishop of Dhaka has been given to Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario with immediate with no requirement of having any Installation.

Nancy P. Costa, of Alexandria, VA, passed away August 5, 2011. She was 34.
Nancy was born August 5, 1977, in Baltimore, MD, to Boniface and Rebecca Costa. She attended Portsmouth Catholic Elementary School and Norfolk Collegiate before receiving her bachelor’s degree in English and elementary education from The College of William and Mary. She worked as a fifth grade teacher at Old Bridge Elementary School in Lake Ridge, VA, for 12 years and earned her master’s degree in education at George Mason University. Nancy is survived by her father Boniface S. Costa, MD, her sister Sheila Costa, and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church in Chesapeake, VA, Thursday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. followed immediately by a burial ceremony. Family and friends are invited to a viewing Wednesday, August 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Baker Foster Funeral Home in Suffolk, VA. In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry at nokidhungry.org. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Viewing Wednesday, August 10 from 6pm-8pm Baker Foster Funeral Home 5685 Lee Farm Lane Suffolk VA 23435
Funeral Mass Thursday, August 11 at 2pm Church of St. Therese 4137 Portsmouth Boulevard Chesapeake, VA 23321 Viewing available in chapel from 1pm-2pm before Funeral Mass
Burial at Mount Zion Cemetery in Eclipse, VA to follow immediately after service Reception will be at Church of St. Therese after burial
Condolences may be sent to: Boniface S. Costa, MD 3000 Estates Lane Portsmouth, VA 23703
Sheila Costa 6984 Cromarty Drive Alexandria, VA 22315 (202) 906-9003 Alexandria, VA, passed away August 5, 2011. She was 34.

Dear All,

We regret to inform you the death of Robert Jibon Gomes on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 around 4:00PM at his residence, MD, USA.
Mr. Robert Jibon Gomes left behind his wife Clara (Mili) and children Alisha and Zina, his mother and sisters. Lets all share our sympathy by attending following:

Viewing Place: Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home
11800 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Viewing Date and Time: 31'st of July, 2011, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00PM to 9:00PM
Funeral Mass: Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, 2'nd of August, 2011 at 10:00AM at Saint John The Baptist Church, 12319, New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20904
Burial: Burial will take place after the mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery at 13801 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, MD.

We request you to keep him and the bereaved family in your prayers.
Thank you.
On behalf of the Gomes family
Bikash Gomes (917-767-4642) Manik Rozario (570-856-1001)

Pope Benedict XVI creates new diocese of Sylhet in Bangladesh Pope Benedict XVI on Friday created a new diocese in Bangladesh appointing a bishop to it. The new diocese of Sylhet in north-east Bangladesh has been created from territories of Dhaka Archdiocese, and Oblate of Mary Immaculate Bishop Bejoy Nicephorus D’Cruze of Khulna has been appointed its first bishop. With an area of nearly 15,500 sqkm, the jurisdiction of Sylhet extends over the civil districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj and Moulibazar, that are home to 8.2 million people. Some 17,000 Catholics in the 6 parishes of the new diocese are cared for by 21 priests 30 nuns and 95 catechists. The parish church of Lokhipur, 100 km from Sylhet, will temporarily serve as the cathedral of the new diocese.

Sister Marian Teresa Gomes, CSC, the first Bangali (Bengalee) Holy Cross nun from Bangladesh died in her sleep on June 25 in Le Mans, France, while attending the 2011 International Session on the Holy Cross Spirituality.
Her funeral Mass, officiated by Dhaka’s Archbishop Paulinus Costa, was held at Holy Rosary Church in Dhaka on July 6. Other co-celebrants were Coadjutor Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario, CSC; Vatican ambassador to Bangladesh Archbishop Joseph Marino; Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC; Bishop Bijoy D’Cruze, OMI; Bishop Lawrence Subrata Howlader, CSC; and a large contingent of diocesan and Religious priests. Many Brothers and Sisters from the Holy Cross and other congregations and lay men and women – including Sister Teresa’s relatives were also present. Sister’s old mother and only brother Dr. Lawrence Gomes, who lives in the USA, attended the funeral service.
Among the dignitaries were Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, a former student of Holy Cross College where Sister Marian Teresa was the principal, and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Mr. Promode Mankin. A sizable number of present and past students of Holy Cross High School and College paid their last tribute to her. Later Sister Teresa was buried at the Holy Cross Sisters' cemetery at Bhadun, a suburb of Dhaka.
Sister Marian Teresa Gomes had a colourful career as a nun. She was the principal of both Holy Cross High School and College for 38 years, gave leadership to the Bangladesh Conference of the Religious (BCR) as its President, was a member of the Episcopal Commission for Education and Government’s Board of Education, provided formation education to Holy Cross Sisters in Africa and was an elected member of the Leadership Team of the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Cross at Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.
Sister Teresa was born on November 27, 1936 at Golla of Dhaka District. She studied at St. Thecla's Primary School at Golla and St. Xavier’s Girls’ High School in Dhaka. She did her B.A. from Holy Cross College, Dhaka, and B.Ed. from Mymensingh Women’s College, M.Ed. from the University of Dhaka and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.

Subject: FW: SNU: Death of Sister Marian Teresa (Gomes) 1935-2011
This is the Communications Office Sisters News Update for Saturday, June 25, 2011. Word has been received of the very sudden death of Sister Marian Teresa (Gomes) who died in her sleep in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 25, while attending the 2011 International Session in Holy Cross Spirituality in Le Mans, France. Sister Marian Teresa was a remarkable woman, a leader, a visionary, a compassionate counselor and a deeply spiritual religious. In her leadership role she served as president of the Bangladesh Conference of Religious, as a member of the Episcopal Commission for education and on the Bangladesh Board of Education, to name a few. Added to all of this are her years in internal ministry as an elected member of the congregation’s Leadership Team, as area coordinator for the Area of Asia, plus 38 years as the successful and compassionate principal of Holy Cross College in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She believed in the necessity of giving religious a strong spiritual foundation and opportunities to grow. To accomplish this goal she established the on-going formation program for all religious under the auspices of the Bangladesh Conference of Religious. She also held the firm conviction that every sister should be well prepared educationally for the work of the mission and so promoted professional study in the appropriate field in which they would minister. Thoughtful, long range planning were part of her approach to all things in life from the importance of education, to mission establishments, to building projects, to interpersonal relationships. The bit-by-bit purchase of land for the eventual building of a retirement facility for the sisters was a priority for her. The nightly inspection of the compound of Holy Cross in Dhaka gave her the opportunity to converse with the workers, (construction workers regularly live on the grounds at worksites there), to encourage them and to listen to the stories of their lives. This same skill was evident in her relations with the sisters and with the college staff. They used the Bengali term “jononni” (mother) when addressing her or speaking of her because of the empathy she extended to all. She brought out the best in people. As a religious she was an example of simplicity but she never imposed her ideas or frugality on others. Her sense of humor could relax any tense situation and she enjoyed life as a happy spirit with a touch of adventure in her personality. As a true daughter of Holy Cross she had a great devotion to the Sorrowful Mother and to the Mass. Having the opportunity to go to France to be at the core of the congregation’s founding was a thrill for her. She was the first native Bengali vocation to the Sisters of the Holy Cross and heightened the awareness of the true internationality of the congregation. Father Moreau was her spiritual friend, she lived the Holy Cross spirituality he espoused and put it into practice in her daily life. Father Moreau must have been pleased to welcome her into the kingdom as a reward for her years of loving service in Holy Cross. Sister Marian Teresa will be missed in many areas because of her far-reaching involvement in the public and private sectors of education and government in Bangladesh. She unobtrusively made her presence felt whenever there was an issue of social justice or religious freedom being challenged. She was respected and admired for her integrity and forthrightness. Funeral arrangements for Sister are pending. The Sisters News Update Sister Margaret Ann Nowacki, CSC
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We are well aware of the unprecedented disaster caused to Japanese cities by one of the five most destructive earthquakes in recorded history at 2.46 p.m. Japan time and 12.46 a.m. NY time on Friday, March 11, 2011. The worst-hit areas are the coastal cities to the north and north-east of Japan including the city of Sendai, closest to the epicenter. The 30 feet high tsunami triggered by the tremor rushed inland at about 500 miles per hour speed tearing houses from foundations killing most of the residents, smashing vehicles against walls and sweeping them back to the sea. Thousands of lives were extinguished in no time. Thousands died in the sea. Families have been torn apart. The few surviving members are frantically looking for the rest lost. In one residential area people buried under rubble were heard calling, “Help, help us” and “When will we be rescued?” Over 10,500 people have been reported dead and 88, 000 missing. Thousands have been injured. 55,000 are in shelters now. The number of people reported dead and the number in shelters are rising. No Government alone has resources sufficient to cope with the crisis of these proportions. It is a global challenge. The Japanese Prime Minister and Ambassador in the U.S.A have appealed to the International Community for help. Yesterday night on CNN the Japanese Ambassador appealed to individual Americans for help as well. He said, “I request American people also for help. We will accept help from every individual American with appreciation.” On 12th night CNN host asked a Japanese lady about her impression of the situation while she was in the area devastated. At a point while she was reporting she could not hold tears. She cried and said, “I request everybody for help. We need help, help us, help us; here we don’t have electricity, gas, water and food. It is freezing cold here. Help us, we need help.” Almost 90 countries have already participated in the rescue and relief operations. U.S. Military personnel and American Red Cross workers are actively engaged in these operations. Japanese troops are collecting dead bodies and rescuing whoever is found alive under rubbles. Can we do anything for our Japanese brothers and sisters? Of course we can. We can be with them in our prayers and help them in the form our donations which they need most now. As per decision of the Board, we appeal to all Bengali Christians for donations for helping the earthquake and tsunami victims of Japan. Please write your check favoring Probashi Bengali Christian Association and mail it to: PBCA, P.O. BOX 1568, NEW YORK, NY 10159

Fr Stephan dies in road crash Staff Correspondent
RajshahiFather Stephan Gomes CSC, a catholic priest and former vice principal of Notre Dame College, was killed in a road accident in Rajshahi yesterday. He was 75.
Eyewitnesses said a motorcycle hit him from behind around 9:30am while he was crossing Rajshahi-Chapainabaganj bypass road, on the way to a patient's house near Dingadoba Church to serve communion and special prayers.
He was rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital with critical injuries on the head and later shifted to Square Hospitals Limited in the capital where doctors declared him dead at 5:30pm.
Brother Leo J Pereira CSC, principal of St Joseph Higher Secondary School, said Fr Stephan served as a professor of Social Work Department of Rajshahi University before he joined the college.

Muslims Torch Christians' Houses
Seven houses were burnt and several people badly injured after a group of Muslims attacked a Christian village in northwestern Bangladesh yesterday.
A group of Muslims quarreled with predominantly Catholic Christian villagers in Banglagar in Thakurgaon district, part of Dinajpur diocese on March 7, triggered by ongoing land disputes. Later they attacked poor villagers with sticks and sharp weapons and also set their homes on fire.
The attack left seven people badly wounded and their homes and valuables worth several hundred thousand taka (US$ 1= 70 taka) burnt to ashes.
The injured people are being treated at nearby Ranishonkoil sub-district health complex.
Sabina Akter, 37, a Muslim nurse at the health complex said, “We’ve 6 people- 4 male and 2 female admitted here who have serious injuries in chest, head, back and other places.”
Father Anthony Sen, parish priest of Thakurgaon parish, said: “After we called the police and informed about the attack the culprits fled.”
Father Sen, secretary of diocesan justice and peace commission also visited the place and distributed 40 kilos of rice and 9 blankets among the victims.
One of the villagers filed a case against the perpetrators, with the diocese and local Caritas wing to provide legal assistance.
Soon afterwards, local police visited the village and assured the victims of compensation and punitive measures against the culprits after proper investigation.
However, several villagers said they fear further attacks might take place.
Father Sen said land dispute with the Muslims is one of major challenges they often have to face.

US Sponsors Enliven Students' Dreams
Bangladeshi Christian immigrants are maintaining links with the old country and helping a good cause by sponsoring the education of poor students in Khulna diocese.
The education sponsorship program, funded by Bangladeshi Catholic families in the US, has been running for three years and has provided 50 Catholic students from various parishes in the southern diocese with the funds they need to continue their education and keep their dreams alive.
Each family sponsors one student by donating US$15 on a monthly basis.
The families of the students say the program has been a godsend.
“I’m so grateful. My father died a few years back and it was quite impossible for my mother to provide for my education and my two sisters,” said Shormi Carmel Biswas, 20, a first year accounting student at Michael Modhusudon College in Jessoret.
“Without this help my education would have stopped and my career aspirations would have died,” she said.
Shanti Sardar, 45, said the sponsorship has lifted a tremendous burden on her family.
“My husband is a shoemaker and we’ve nothing much except for our home. We live hand to mouth and struggle to provide daily meals for seven family members. It was impossible for us to send our son Jasim to college for a good education,” she said.
“Our son is very bright but we wouldn’t be able to afford to pay for his education if it wasn’t for the generosity of these overseas families,” the villager from Baradal parish in Satkhira district added.
The success of the program, which is run with Khulna diocese’s help, has prompted its director to increase the number of students receiving sponsorship.
The number of beneficiaries was raised to sixty this month, said Robert Gomes.
“Our roots are in Bangladesh because we were born and educated here,” said 70-year-old Gomez, who now calls New Jersey his home.
“The families in the States all wanted to do something for our country and countrymen,” he said while on a recent holiday to visit relatives.
Oblate Bishop Bejoy D’Cruze of Khulna says he has nothing but praise for the program.
“Thanks to these donations a number of poor but brilliant students are not drop-outs. I’m really grateful to them and appreciate their generosity,” the prelate said.
“A Catholic college boy called Jony came to me for help regarding his education. I recommended him for sponsorship and now he is studying engineering in Khulna,” he added.

The Catholic Church in Bangladesh is mourning the death of retired Bishop Francis Anthony Gomes, former prelate of northeastern Mymensingh diocese who passed away at 9:30pm February 17.
Bishop Gomes was 80 and had been seriously ill since his retirement in 2006. He became paralyzed in 2008 after a massive stroke caused continuous brain hemorrhage.
“He was taken to Bangkok for treatment but doctors informed he wouldn’t improve any more,” said Salesian Sister Maria, one of the two nuns who constantly took care of the bishop.
He was born 30 April, 1931 at Rangamatia parish of Dhaka archdiocese.
He was ordained a diocesan priest in December, 1959 by Pope John Paul II.
He pioneered evangelization among tribal people of the greater Mymensingh region and was the first local Bengali priest to work among tribals in the area.
He led Mymensingh to canonical erection as diocese in 1987 and he became the first bishop of the diocese. Earlier Mymensingh was a part of Dhaka archdiocese.
Father Simon Haccha, a tribal Garo priest and pastor of Ranikhong parish said: “Bishop Francis Gomes is the founder of Mymensingh diocese and he led tribal Catholics towards today’s better socio-economic, cultural and pastoral conditions from a challenging time.”
“He fostered spiritual, educational and infrastructural developments in the diocese with once most backward tribal people. He fought for their rights regarding land and political recognition,” added Father Haccha, secretary of diocesan dialogue commission.
He emphasized that tribal Catholics in Mymensingh will never forget his great contributions.

Students and rights organizations in an area of Bangladesh have demonstrated on the streets against the alleged rape of a tribal Catholic woman.
Emarung, 22, a tribal Tripura woman and mother, was allegedly raped by five or six Bengali men in the Bandarban district of southeastern Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
They apparently attacked her while she was collecting firewood from the forest. Her hands were seriously injured as she struggled to get free.
Local police arrested one suspected culprit, whom the victim was able to identify while she is undergoing treatment at the district hospital.
Demonstrators rallied and handed in a memorandum of protest to the deputy commissioner, the highest government official in the district. They also visited the victim in hospital and assured her of assistance and care.
Brojendra, financial secretary of Bangladesh Tripura Christian Students’ Association, said: “We demand the arrest and punishment of the criminals according to existing law.”
He claimed that if police fail to arrest all the culprits, the case will add more fuel to an ongoing conflict between Bengali and tribal people in the CHT.
Romesh, who heads a Church-run boarding hostel in Bandarban, said: “Sexual abuse and torture of women and children, especially tribals, have increased all over the country.”
Supriti, 30, a Women Resource and Durbar Network official, agreed and hoped that law enforcers will arrest the culprits, punish them and compensate the victim.

Obama wants federal agencies to hit the gas on hiring
Joe Davidson and Ed O'Keefe Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, May 11, 2010; A01
If you've spent months trying to get a job with the federal government, things are about to get easier.
President Obama plans to instruct federal agencies to radically overhaul the process now used to hire government workers. The change is expected to cut in half the time it takes to fill vacancies and allow the government to better compete with the private sector for top talent.
It's been a long time coming. The Government Accountability Office has been calling for changes since 2001, and a host of outside voices have criticized the byzantine nature of federal hiring, with its stacks of paperwork and endless rounds of interviews that can keep an applicant hanging for months.
"You want to pull your hair out, you want to scream, you want to shout," said Stephanie Jones, 32, of Hyattsville, who lamented that she is only "killing trees" with her 75 federal job applications over the past three years.
David T. Ellwood, dean of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, describes it as a "19th-century hiring system" in which applications disappear into a "black hole." The process, "even at the best of times," he added, "can take nine months or a year."
Those seeking federal jobs apply through the USAjobs.gov Web site, which categorizes available positions by city and type. They must write essays, known as KSAs, that assess their knowledge, skills and abilities. Once the KSAs are submitted, a response can take months, if applicants get one at all.
Obama's plan, to be announced Tuesday morning, would cut hiring time to about 80 days from the date a vacancy is announced to the point a candidate is hired. In some agencies, it can take up to 200 days to process a hire, and 140 days is not uncommon.
The time lag is considered a big deterrent for workers like Jamie Doyle, 30, who are interested in bringing their skills to government but can't afford to wait months for their applications to be considered.
Doyle, of Philadelphia, said she gave up on government work because of the slow process. She received job offers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and a national security agency, but they came long after she had accepted a position with a private institute.
"The president is committing the power of his office to the importance of this issue, which is trying to streamline our hiring process," said John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management.
Although some government managers may like the current process because it weeds out certain applicants, calls for a hiring overhaul have come from across the spectrum, including unions, good-government groups, Democrats and Republicans.
The changes ordered by Obama would be obvious to an applicant from the beginning of the process. The dreaded KSAs would be dropped in favor of a system in which applicants submit résumés and fill out applications, as they do when applying for jobs in the private sector.
Departments within agencies would also switch to a new system known as "category hiring." Under this plan, after the Army has screened candidates and hired an accountant, for example, the Navy also could hire from the Army's list. Currently, the Army picks from the top three candidates and the others must start the process anew, even for a similar position with a different agency in the same department.
Allowing "category hiring" to extend across departmental lines also is under consideration, but Berry said it would take legislation to implement that.
Obama also wants to get managers more involved in the process of deciding on new hires, rather than leaving the final approval to an agency's personnel office.
"The most important part of the process is the final interview," Berry said. "Those interviews really can't be done by HR professionals. They need to be done by hiring managers that are the closest to the job."
Agencies also will be required to tell applicants where they stand at four points in the process: when their application is received, when the applicant is deemed qualified or not, when the applicant is referred for an interview or not, and when the person is selected or not.
The changes are important not just for the mental health of job seekers, officials noted. They also will cut hiring costs and save taxpayer money.
"We need to make sure that every taxpayer dollar counts," said Jeffrey Zients, the administration's chief performance officer. "So there's a real urgency to improving the performance of government. . . . It is clear that the major component for improving performance is people."
The government has been fretting for years about the impending brain drain as the baby boomer generation retires. The GAO labeled hiring a high-risk area in a 2001 report and followed it up two years later with a study criticizing "inefficient or ineffective practices, including . . . unclear job announcements, the quality of certain applicant assessment tools [and] time-consuming panels to evaluate applicants."
The president has placed Berry and Zients in charge of the revamping, which is expected to take six months.
Applicants like Lisa Alfred, 46, said change would be welcomed. She applied for at least 20 federal jobs, but only one agency responded to her application.
"There are a lot of people out here hurting, and if there are jobs, we certainly want a crack at them," Alfred said. "Economically, it's not worth my time to apply for a federal job. Because in the time it takes me to apply for a federal job, I could apply for 20 private-sector jobs, or more."

Activists want probe into attacks on Catholics
Christian leaders protesting the attacks on Catholics
DHAKA - Christian leaders and students have taken part in a peaceful demonstration on the streets of Dhaka to condemn an attack on Catholics in Dinajpur diocese.
“It’s so painful and shameful for a nation that fought for freedom and gained it in 1971,” said Elder Michael A. Shah, 65, a veteran freedom fighter.
The Protestant and president of Bangladesh Christian Freedom Fighters’ Family Welfare Society (BCFFFWS) was speaking to 200 Christian and non-Christian leaders, activists and students on April 17.
The half day demonstration took place at Central Language Martyrs’ Memorial and was followed by a peaceful rally on the adjacent roads.
Among the participants were leaders and activists from Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) and members of Dhaka University Christian Students’ Association (DUCSA).
They demanded proper investigation and punishment of culprits responsible for attacks on mostly tribal Catholic villagers of Boldipukur parish on March 20.
On that day, local Muslims armed with sticks, bricks and knives attacked villagers who had gathered around noon to watch construction work taking place on a piece of land the parish owns.
The attacks left about 50 people injured, with 10 in serious conditions. Some of the victims were women and children. Attack ‘connected’ to seven-year land dispute
It is believed the attack was connected to a seven-year land dispute in which a local court gave a ruling favorable to the parish. Part of the Church land had previously been occupied by a Muslim-run high school.
In addition, false allegations in connection with the attack were made against 44 Catholic villagers, including two priests from the parish, said Nirmol Rozario, BCA general secretary.
Rozario, a Catholic and president of Christian Co-operative Credit Union Ltd of Dhaka, said he wanted the Home Minister to conduct a proper investigation. “We’ll organize a larger movement to claim justice,” he said.
Nirmol Chaterjee, a Hindu and secretary of BHBCUC, a minority rights forum said, “There is no community in the country that serves the country as dedicatedly as the Christians. Still they are attacked and it is a shame!”
Some of the victims told that the situation remains tense.
“Those who were attacked and hospitalized are now living in the houses of relatives, fearing to stay in their homes,” said Dominic Khalko, 24, a tribal Oraon Catholic.
“We are afraid to go … even to the marketplace to buy and sell goods,” said local tribal leader Lolit Kujur, 46.
Kujur said there were two days of police protection after the attacks, but that has been withdrawn.
Father Leo Desai, the local parish priest, said, “The fence we constructed around the land was destroyed the same day,” adding that the sub-district chairman had urged them to “settle the dispute with negotiations.”

Catholic guides tourists at national monument without pay
MEHERPUR, Bangladesh - For over a decade, Subash Mollick has been acting as a volunteer guide to tourists at a major national monument in southern Bangladesh.
The 65-year-old Catholic tells people about the history of the Mujibnagar Memorial, named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation and first president of independent Bangladesh.
Mollick tells them to take off their shoes when visiting the site, located in Meherpur district bordering India, and also cleans it every day.
“For the last 12 years I’ve been taking care of this monument,” said the parishioner of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. “Sometimes tourists thank me and offer some money as an honorarium and I’m happy with that.”
He says that pure patriotism makes him provide this dawn-to-dusk service, for which he gets no payment or recognition from the government.
Mollick shared: “Three times I had heart attacks but was saved by the grace of God. It means God wants me to work here.”
Recently, some newspapers and private TV channels also ran stories on his dedicated service.
His parish priest, Father John Lolit Biswas, applauds Mollick’s work.
“Through this voluntary service, he promotes the [nation’s] glorious history to tourists,” he said. “He also introduces himself to people as a Catholic. His service upholds Christian values.”
The Mujibnagar Memorial is one of the major war monuments in Bangladesh that attracts thousands of tourists every year. It commemorates the three million people killed during the nation’s 1971 liberation war.
April 17 is celebrated nationwide as “Mujibnagar Day.”
Tourists who visit the memorial often thank Mollick for his free service.
One of them, Kamrul Islam, 30, a Muslim visitor from Dhaka told, “I know that the first independent government of Bangladesh was formed here. But I didn’t know that every brick of this memorial has meaning and history.”
Local Catholic Sanjit Mollick (not related to Subash) said, “This monument needed a good guide that Subash Mollick has provided, free of charge. There is a worker to take care of this place but Subash loves the monument as his own child. Sometimes, his granddaughter helps in performing this patriotic service.”

Muslim extremists attack Bangladesh Catholic tribals
Attacks by Muslim extremists on tribal Catholic villagers in a northwestern Bangladesh parish have left about 50 people injured, with 10 in a serious condition.
The attacks in Boldipukur, in Rangpur district, have raised tensions and created panic in the area, a local parish priest told UCA News.
Some of the victims were women and children, he added.
“They [Muslims] said they will kill some of our people. We’re in a panic and are afraid to go out,” said Father Leo Desai, pastor of Christ the Savior Church which is in Dinajpur diocese, about 440 kilometers northwest of Dhaka.
Father Desai, who is also secretary of the diocesan Catechetical-Liturgical Commission, spoke to UCA News on March 22 following the attacks on his parishioners on March 20.
According to Father Desai, Muslims armed with sticks, bricks and knives attacked villagers who had gathered around noon to watch construction work on a piece of land the parish owns.
“We were watching construction work on Church land when they attacked us. I ran for safety but 10-12 men beat me up,” said Nirod Bakla, 40, who is in charge of the parish hostel.
“I have cuts all over my body. All the parishioners are afraid to leave their homes, even though they have to go to work,” he told UCA News.
It is believed the attack is a result of a seven-year land dispute in which a local court recently sided with the parish. Part of the Church land had previously been occupied by a Muslim-run high school.
But some disgruntled Muslims allegedly led by the school management committee instigated the attack in response to the court verdict.
Father Desai said he has already filed complaints against 17 of the attackers with help from a lawyer sent by Holy Cross Bishop Moses M. Costa of Dinajpur.
“Local authorities and the police asked me not to file any complaints. They said the dispute can be settled, but we doubt that because the Muslims became so violent,” the priest said.