Former St. Paul
Former seminarians from Mymensingh diocese have got together to form an alumni association based in Dhaka with the aim of carrying out charity work to help the Church and the needy. About 20 prominent former seminarians who studied at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary in Jalchhatra parish last week formally established the Association of Former St. Paul’s Seminarians at a ceremony at the Catholic bishops’ conference center. All the members, mostly tribal Garo Catholics, come from the seminary’s first four graduation classes after it was established in 1989. Holy Cross Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi of Mymensingh, the seminary’s first rector was guest of honor at the ceremony. “The knowledge and spiritual formation you received at the seminary, you can utilize for society,” Bishop Kubi, 55 told them. The association also set up a five-member executive committee to manage various charitable activities including fund collection and consultancy over the next three years, while Bishop Kubi was selected an honorary advisor. “We’re grateful to the Church for what we’ve become today. The time has come to offer something in return to our Church and the community,” said Alexius Chisim, 33, who was elected president. Chisim, who is also a program officer for Oxfam, added that the organization will also promote Christian leadership but without so-called political practices. Atul Mrong, 32, the secretary and area development manager at Christian humanitarian organization World Vision Bangladesh, said all the members felt they had a common calling. “We share a common dream to assist the Church in need. We’ve also decided to raise funds and help poor seminarians. We will also support any efforts to help our Garo mother tongue and culture survive by offering help to local artists and those seeking to preserve our cultural identity,” he added.
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