Jharmari, India – March 2023 - The 20th anniversary of the inauguration and blessing of Sumedha Centre, a place for the psycho-spiritual journey, was celebrated on March 19, the feast day of St. Joseph, Patron of the Centre. Sumedha Centre was set up and inaugurated at Don Bosco specialized Training Centre, Don Bosco Provincial House, New Delhi, on March 19, 2003. In March 2009, the centre shifted its operations to Jeolikote, Uttarakhand, in the diocese of Bareilly. On March 19, 2022, the centre was again moved to the current location at Don Bosco Senior Secondary School premises at Jharmari, Punjab. The celebrations began with a Holy Eucharist of thanksgiving and a festive lunch. Most Rev. Ignatius Mascarenhas, the Bishop of Shimla-Chandigarh diocese, within whose jurisdiction Sumedha Centre now falls, inaugurated the celebrations by lighting the lamp and presiding over the Eucharist. He was joined by Father Davis Maniparamben, the Provincial of New Delhi Province and Father K. A. Joseph, the first Provincial of New Delhi, who had encouraged and promoted the setting up of the Sumedha Centre and several priests. At the beginning of the Eucharist, Dr Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre, welcomed all and introduced the Bishop and the two Provincials and the guests. He also gave a short history of the Sumedha centre. He also thanked the late Most Rev. Anthony Fernandes, retired Bishop of Bareilly Diocese, who had provided facilities for the Sumedha Centre at Jeolikote and Most Rev. Ignatius D’Souza, the current Bishop of Bareilly diocese, allowed the Sumedha Centre to run from the same premises for several years, and the former Provincials of New Delhi Province for their support and encouragement. In his homily, Bishop Mascarenhas expressed great appreciation for the kind of service that Sumedha Centre offers, and citing his own experience, the example of St. Joseph and insights from the day’s Sacred Scripture, he invited the current participants of the programme to be open to whatever the programme offers, as it will truly enhance their psycho-spiritual wholeness and wellbeing. After the Holy Eucharist, Father Maniparamben inaugurated the new Sumedha Centre webpage- https://sumedhacentre.org – and Dr Parappully presented its main features. The website was created by Dr Shalu Tandon, HOD of the IT department at Don Institute of Technology at Okhla, New Delhi.

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