by Bento D'Souza
BHINGAR-AHMEDNAGAR, JANUARY 23, 2014: A training program for Jesuits Catechist of Ahmednagar and Beed Districts was held as part of the renewal program to commemorate 160 years of 
The Bhingar team also helped in its successful outcome. Thirty five kirtankars from six Jesuit parishes participated in the three day workshop on Kirtans from the new Kristapurana organised by Fr Joe D'Souza,S.J. the Jesuit Mission Superior, and Fr. Nelson Falcao, the trainer of the unique workshop in Divyavani, Shrirampur from 17th evening to 20th Janurary 2014. The introductory kirtan performance on was given by Kirtankar Kshirsagar and Guruji Banshi Salve who learnt the art of kirtan from the old Kristapurana brought out by the German and Swiss missionaries. The group was taught how to prepare Kirtans using the new version of the Thomas Stephen's Kristapurana published by Dr. Fr. Nelson Falcao, Ph.D.
The group was divided into four sub groups and worked on the following themes in the time given,which were Creation, Public Life of Jesus, Passion and Resurrection. Fr. Nelson Falcao is invited to introduce and explain Bhajan kirtan tradition originally began by German and Swiss missionaries based on Kristapurana. This transmission of the faith through the Kirtan from the Kristapurana was the fond death wish of the German and Swiss missionary when they worked here. Fr. Prakash Bhalerao, Fr. Joe Gaikwad, Fr. James Shelke, Fr. Joe Menezes and Fr Nelson Falcao were the core team that executed the skills of the creation of kirtans and the performance of the art form of the kirtan-bhajan tradition. The Marathi Kristapurana and Marathi Audio were launched as well.
On the final day, each group gave a performance of their designed kirtan. According to Pope Francis, "A catechist is a Christian who puts this remembrance at the service of proclamation, not to seem important, not to talk about himself or herself, but to talk about God, about his love and his fidelity. To talk about and to pass down all that God has revealed, his teaching in its totality, neither trimming it down nor adding on to it. These expressive words of Pope Francis revitalizes in shepherding the flock for which our Lord has called us.
