CONTENTS 1. The Editorial ...... Br. Emmanuel Christopher, ofm...... 3 2. The Lord Accompanied Me...... Br. Jesu Raj,ofm...... 4 3. Ordination of Friar Jesu Raja...... Postulants...... 4 4. Friar Nathaniel Tirkey Ponders Over...... Br. Nathaniel, ofm...... 5 5. Remembering Friar Gregory Fernandes...... Br. Scaria Varanath, ofm...... 6 6. Remembering Friar Gregory...... Br. Davis, ofm...... 7 7. The Wonders which we never Notice...... Br. Nidheesh John, ofm...... 8 8. Season of Lent and Aspirants...... Br. Joseph Sai...... 9 9. Pongalo Pongal in Othakkadai...... Br. Milan...... 10 10. International Women’s Day-Nesakkaram...... Br. Joseph Raj, ofm...... 10 11. St. Anthony’s Bread Centre Sion...... Ms. Stacy Menezes & Br. Basil Lobo...... 11 12. A Fraternal Interview with Friar Vaughn...... Br. Ruboon Doss,ofm...... 12 13. Picnic to Tirupathi...... Br. Brian Onil D’Souza,...... 16 14. Prakruthi Mithra Honey...... Br. Davis K., ofm...... 17 15. Fr. Jesu Memorial Children Parliament...... Br. Joseph Raj, ofm...... 18 16. The 4th Chapel Cum-Community ...... Br. Scaria Varanath, ofm...... 19 17 A Study on the Epochal Realities of SAAOC...Brs. Anthoni, ofm & Johnson, ofm...... 19 18. “May Christ Teach You What You are to Do!”... Br. Prasad P, ofm ...... 26 19. Let’s Go up to Basen...... Br. Francis Rozario, ofm...... 29

Exchange is the contact paper of the friars of the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India. It is published from ST. ANTHONY’S FRIARY. Editor Language Editor Address all correspondence to Br. Emmanuel, ofm Br. Augustine Pinto, ofm Editor, Exchange, Asociate Editors Br. Amaladass M, ofm St. Anthony’s Friary. Br. John Sekar, ofm Br. Roshan Lobo, ofm # 85, Hosur Road, Cover Design Bengaluru - 560095 Br. Mathew Joseph, ofm Br. Ushar Kachua, ofm Br. Arun N.D., ofm Posting and Printing [email protected] Br. Salvadore Drego, ofm Br. Augustine Tirkey, ofm Br. Anand Suresh, ofm Mrs. Mary (Receptionist) (For private circulation only) 2 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018 THE EDITORIAL The most important event in the world and especially to Christians is the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the greatest celebration of all time.

During the season of Lent perhaps we strive to bring the bodily discipline and we may have nourished the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Nourishing these virtues implies a painful process of life through a kind of death-experience of self by way of dying to our material needs, sensual pleasures, and to our unhealthy relationships. In such a process of life-through-death, we have realized a new life in Christ, which practically means a new kind of relationships with God and with all creation, and this is what we celebrate in the event of Easter.

Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Just as a seed dies to its individuality to become a fruitful tree, Jesus has showed us the way to die to our individualism in order to rise as the Church to signify the Kingdom. As the assembly of believers in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Church is the first fruit as well as the mission of Jesus’ Paschal Mystery. In his letter to Romans, Paul reminds us that we have died and risen in Jesus through the sacrament of Baptism. Hence, our Christian human existence cannot be the same but witness to the resurrection of Jesus through our historical relationships with each other right here and now (cf. Rom 6:3-11).

And for St. Francis, Easter was not an one-time event, but a journey, a process. Francis’ road to Easter began with a profound encounter with Jesus Crucified. and in our new relationships with one another in our Praying before the crucifix in the church of San communities and in our mission. HAPPY EASTER! Damiano, during the first years of his conversion, Francis heard Christ address to him the heart-shaking This issue has a variety of write-ups, consists of good words: “Francis, rebuild my house!” In the course of memories and inspirations of Br. Gregory Fernandes, his Christian life with Christ, which was, in fact, his Ordinations of Jesu Raja and Nathaniel Tirkey, Report conversion, Francis was continually beginning to die to of SAAOC, the Wonder of Regency by Br. Nidheesh, his self and rose to present Jesus through his new kind an Interview with Br. Vaughn Fayle on the Perspectives of relationships. That’s how, Francis rebuilt the Church of Formation, Pongal Celebration and Women’s Day and became a sign of the Church and, conversely, a sign Celebration, Experiences in the German Mission, Picnic of the Kingdom. and on the Season of Lent by Aspirants, Ecological Works and the Glory of Basen by Francis RoZario. As believers in the Risen Lord and as children of our Seraphic Father, we wish and pray each other that our Br. Emmanuel Christopher, ofm. Lenten practices culminate in our new life in Christ

3 THE LORD ACCOMPANIED ME ... Br. Jesu Raj, ofm s a child, I never thought of becoming a Priest. of life. The process to return was not easy as I had APriests came to our village rarely. It was only for to clarify my intention as to why I took a break and solemn occasions like Easter or Christmas that the why I decided to return. However, I felt strongly Priests came to celebrate the Eucharist. When I moved that the Lord was guiding me during these days of out of my village to continue my studies staying in a uncertainties. hostel, I used to see Priests very often. My father had told that I might have to discontinue my studies after I have always experienced God’s Presence in my life. the 10th standard because he was not able to afford He has shown His kindness through the generosity of to support my studies. It is in such a situation, that I various people during my Ordination to Priesthood. decided to join a seminary to pursue the priesthood as He is with me in all the challenges that I face in my well as the studies. life. As a newly ordained priest, I have challenges to face: spiritual pride, vain glory, forgetting Jesus While in 10th standard, I wrote a letter to the Salesians as the centre of my life, the meaning and relevance expressing my desire to join them but I did not get any of priesthood today and moreover being a humble reply from them. While in holidays at home, I had a servant always and everywhere. It is my conviction chance to attend the vocation camp organized by the that God has called me to work His vineyard. Schoenstatt Fathers. Even this did not go well either for I was told that my English was poor. It was then that I happened to meet Br. John Peter of happy memory who encouraged me to join the Franciscans and he asked me to go to Palmaner to pursue my desire.

My life journey with the friars during the initial days and after was not easy as I did not join with the right intention. During the Novitiate, I had decided to leave but returned after four years of break. During these four years, I completed the under-graduation after which I started to work. Yet, there was emptiness. I always longed to come back to this Franciscan way ORDINATION OF FRIAR JESU RAJA Postulants t was a special day for the province of St. Thomas D’Souza, Minister Provincial presented Br. Jesu Raja Ithe Apostle, India, as Br. Jesu Raja was ordained to the Bishop for the Ordination. The Liturgy of the to the Order of Priesthood on13th January 2018. It Word chosen for the occasion explained in detail was a memorable day for Br. Jesu Raja whose dream about the call of God, our response and Priesthood. was accomplished on that day; a dream that took him Bishop Susai Manickam in his interactive homily through a lot of training and studies. stressed once again on the meaning of Priesthood. After the homily, the ordination ceremony began. We, the Postulants of Punitha Anthoniaar Illam took The Parents of Br. Jesu Raja presented their Son part in this grand occasion. The Eucharistic Celebration in the hands of the Bishop to be Ordained. It was began around 11 AM. Most Rev. Susai Manickam the very inspiring to witness the entire ceremony of the Bishop of Sivagangai presided over the celebration. Ordination: The Anointing, Praying for Br. Jesu Raja Br. Praveen Henry D’Souza, the Minister Provincial and wearing the Priestly Vestment. After a short and other friars together with many priests of the cultural and felicitation programme, we were treated diocese were present for the occasion. Br. Praveen with a sumptuous meal. 4 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018

LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. (JN. 13:34) FRIAR NATHANIEL TIRKEY PONDERS OVER THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD Br. Nathaniel Tirkey, ofm od never gave up on me. In spite of His continuous Bishop, our friars, other priests and religious were Glove and care, I tried to go away from Him. I felicitated. I was also extremely happy with the presence failed to understand His plan for me. And therefore, of many friars from the Foundation, Custody and the it was very difficult task for me to say ‘yes’ to His will. Prov-ince. The presence of Br. Praveen, our Minister Now, I realize how God has been loving and moulding Provincial, was greatly appreciated. He preached for me throughout my life. I have experienced so much of my first Eucharistic celebration. The people were very God’s love in my life; now, it is my turn to show and appreciative and taken up by his preaching. In fact, share that love with others. And so this inspired me to the people were happy with the presence of many take the motto for my Ordination “Love one another friars for the celebration. We also offered the Bishop as I have loved you (Jn 13:34).” a goat as our token of love and appreciation for all his guidance, prayers and blessings. The day was set for a glorious celebration in the parish. After lots of hard work by the parishioners, I thanked everyone present for the celebration of the the celebratory mood began to spread all around. I ordination. In a special way I thanked all the people was ordained on 10th of January 2018 in my Parish of the parish especially the ordination committee for in Assam by Rt. Rev. Thomas Pulloppillil, the Bishop all their hard work. I thanked the Bishop, the friars, of Bongaigoan. On the day of the ordination I came priests and religious of the diocese for all their support along with the Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil early in the and prayers. The Sisters of the parish were very helpful morn-ing. The parishioners gave a warm traditional and supportive. Since my elder sister belongs to that welcome to us at the gate. The Holy Eucharist began congregation, they were ready to help in every way at 10.00 am with a beautiful entrance dance. As for possible. me, it was a very challenging and emotional moment as I walked towards the altar with my parents. I was After the ordination, I visited the nearby religious al-most in tears as I walked past the people towards communities and parishes and offered Mass and the altar. The melody and devotion of the songs was prayed for them. I also visited our friars in two very inspirational and heart-touching. I was really communities and offered Mass for them too. I got touched by the offertory song which goes like “I opportunities to bless the marriages in my parish am being offered to God.” Since the liturgy was well and also celebrated and administered the First Holy planned and every aspect was taken care, it went on Communion for the children of our parish. I attended well without many difficulties. The choices of songs the other ordinations in the diocese as well. Those were meaningful and melodious – the choir did a were graceful days, to go around meeting people and marvelous job. celebrate Mass and to take part in their celebrations. After the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, a cultural Despite many confusions I was confronted in my life, program was arranged. During this program, the I am able to say “YES” to God’s will. Personally, it was very emotional and spiritual experience for me. Even before the ordination, I came across strange temptations. But through the continuous support of the friars’ prayers and guidance, I was able to overcome all my difficulties. By the grace of God, everything went on well. I am extremely grateful to all people for their support and hard work and, especially, I remember gratefully my parents and the members of my family. I extend my heartfelt gratitude, in a special way, to all the friars of the Province, Custody and the Foundation for all support, guidance, prayers and wishes. I remember

5 and thank Br. Wilson, my vocation promoter, and all for your prayers and wishes and all your support. I the formators who taught me and guided me to walk in thank the Provincial administration for their support, the footprints of St. Francis of Assisi. I also remember guidance and prayers. my spiritual directors specially Br. Augustine Pinto and all the other formators in various stages of my Seeking your prayers and guidance as I begin my formation. journey of new life so that I may always walk in the footprints of our Seraphic Father Francis with a heart My sincere thanks to the friars in St. Anthony’s Friary, turned towards the Lord. Bengaluru, and also the parish team and the pari- shioners of St. Anthony’s Friary Church for all their love and support. I thank the friars of the foundation, “Thanks to each and every one of you for all your prayers Br. Singarayar and all the other friars, for all their and wishes. Thank you for all your love, kindness, care, support and prayers. They guided me for the concern and hard work. I will always remain indebted celebration of the ordination and also they were ever to you all for all your loving kindness and incessant ready for any help for the meaningful celebration prayers. Love you all. God bless you all always.” of the ordination. I thank the friars of the Custody REMEMBERING FRIAR GREGORY FERNANDES OFM Br. Scaria Varanath,ofm remember Friar Gregory with gratitude. I thank quiet, silent and contemplative life in Palmaner and Ithe Lord for the long life He gave to him on this gave his full attention to his ministry (teaching - earth.According to the Psalmist (Ps 89/90), Our span teaching English to the Juniors, Economics to those is seventy years or eighty for those who are strong. Br. who were doing their PUC, Christian Spirituality Gregory lived and walked on this earth for 87 years, and Franciscan values to the Novices). Although he placing himself among the category of the ‘strong’. accepted his transfer to Mysore in 1998 with a lot of Whatever be the life-span on this earth, it is a healthy hesitation, he began to enjoy the quiet, peaceful and practice to pray with the psalmist, “Make us know homely atmosphere of Atma Jyoti, and took a very the shortness of our life that we may gain wisdom of active role in guiding and inspiring the young friars heart”. It is not just the length of life that makes our there with his classes on the Vows and the challenges life significant but the wisdom with which we live it. of living the Vowed Life meaningfully. I met Br. Gregory for the first time in Palmaner in 1970 when I entered the Novitiate. He appeared to me as a very mild, gentle, friendly, approachable, understanding, brotherly, witty, humorous, simple, happy, peaceful, Friar. And as I grew in the Order and had opportunities to interact with him on various occasions, these first impressions remained with me. Along with many others I too consider him to be a good brother, friend, and guide. He lived a quiet and peaceful fraternal life. I have not heard him shouting at anyone at any time or quarrelling or arguing with anyone. There was a quiet He lived a life of simplicity. He had the minimum of and gentle disposition within him which might have needs. The friars knew his needs and what he liked, been developed as a result of spending quality time and they were provided for him accordingly wherever with God’s Word, preparing his homilies and sermons, he lived. He used to look forward to the joyful retreats, novenas and Mission preaching. He had also celebrations of life. a poetic, musical, artistic vision and a consciousness In recent times, whenever I visited him in Bombay, which also would have contributed to his peaceful life. he used to point out to me article 44 of the General To live in peace, peace with God and others, we Constitutions: “All the friars must serve the weak, the need quiet, silent, and quality time. He enjoyed his sick and the elderly among them ‘as they would wish to 6 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018

be served themselves’ (Rb 6,9). Therefore, all the friars, appeared as new avatars of Br. Gregory when they and particularly the Ministers and Guardians, are to had to preach! He used to help them in preparing and show great care for them, visit them, offer appropriate delivering their homilies effectively. It is to be expected help to them for their personal needs, both spiritual and then that something of the Guru will be found in the material, and express to them grateful appreciation”. I shishyas. As the Guru so the shishyas. agreed with him and used to tell him that these kind His preaching and proclamation brought life to the gestures of care and attention are to be emphasized in listeners. They desired to hear him again and again. all our communities. His words were well chosen, chaste, edifying, and All the friars testify that enlightening. They had something to chew on Br. Gregory was a vibrant as they walked back to their preacher. His homilies were homes. well prepared, his progress of Let us gratefully remember thoughts well planned, his Fr. Gregory, live as he did: words well-chosen, following in gentleness and peace; let the instruction of St. Francis us sit down and prepare our that the brothers take care homilies and sermons with that in their preaching their love, devotion, and care. It words be well chosen and is said of Archbishop Fulton chaste, for the instruction J Sheen that on the day of and edification of the people (cf. Rb IX). his Ordination he resolved to Because of the quality time he spent with God’s Word, spend a continuous Holy Hour what he preached came forth with convincing force.The every day in the presence of Our Lord in the Congregation would sit in stillness and listen to him Blessed Sacrament to grow in deep personal encounter with full attention. There was material for instruction with Christ. He used to say, “Neither theological and edification in all his homilies. knowledge nor social action alone is enough to keep Br. Gregory’s life was an inspiration for many young us in love with Christ unless both are preceded by a friars in formation. Quite a few young friars were personal encounter with him”. literally imitators of Fr. Gregory! They were so fond May Br. Gregory enjoy the Fullness of life, peace and of his preaching, his preaching-style, his diction, his love in communion with all the faithful departed in his freedom and spontaneity at the pulpit that they too eternal home REMEMBERING FRIAR GREGORY Br. Davis, ofm t was way back in 1970 that I, armed with a PUC unit of ‘Franciscan Aspirants’. Artfully he encouraged Ipassed certificate from Mysore University, landed us to appreciate ‘the otherness’ of other culture and in our Juniorate in Palmaner. We were 23 pledging language. He showed us that the way and the door to seekers of a way of life that was unknown to us. It must other culture is the language and we did have fun in be credited to the vocation promoters of that time learning other languages from each other. As a result all that we 23 of us came from the entire ‘then Franciscan my classmates can now handle efficiently more than one known world of India’, that is the whole of South India regional language. As we are plagued with regionalism including Mangalore, Goa today, Fr. Gregory stands out and Mumbai. It must be as a beacon who embraces the credited to Br. Gregory horizon. for forming this divergent The apt word to describe Br. group of younglings from Gregory would be that he was Tamilnadu, Andhra, very approachable. In those Karnataka/Mangalore, days Br. Christopher Coelho Kerala and Maharashtra/ was the Novice Master and Mumbai into a harmonious at the same time the Rector 7 of Juniors and was staying in the Novitiate house. Br. Br. Gregory the preacher with Fire and Flame: Br. Gregory was the Acting Rector, staying in the Juniorate Gregory is always a picture of a lanky person possessing building and was ‘one among us’. a mild and jovial personality. But once he is on the Teaching Method: Br. Gregory had a unique method pulpit that picture takes a backseat. Once we invited of teaching us English. him to Ramnagar Parish for Each day he would Lenten preaching and here give us five new he was on his usual turf- English words. We had preaching with ‘fire and to find the meaning of fl a m e’. these words, learn this An accompaniment never word with spelling and to forget: It was in 1983. I meaning and make a had my first transfer from sentence using that Ramnagar to Basen, our word. The next day newly opened Mission in we would be all ready the North. Never in my life, I with our ‘regional’ felt that I am so ill-equipped masterpieces. Correction of those sentences, which for the task at hand. It was like a leap to wilderness would be an awesome job, is done with such joviality, and darkness. Br. Gregory, then one of the councilors I must admit learning English was really a fun. He of our Province accompanied me taking this long and introduced Public speaking to instill confidence in us tiring journey lasting more than 48 hours in train and once conducted a debate on violence and non- and buses with a number of breaks and breakdowns violence. I was leading the group taking up defending in unknown places. That accompaniment conveyed a ‘non-violence’ and got a bash from the opposition message beyond any words, that you have the backing group led by eloquent Ex-friar Sandanam – a nasty of the brotherhood on your onward Franciscan Mission blow indeed. If it were not for the appreciation Thrust. It was so energetic that I got rooted in Basen and encouragement Br. Gregory gave me ‘outside and spent the prime of my life there. the battlefield’ time and again, my aspirations for Br Gregory leaves behind a message without much ado ‘Franciscan way of life embracing Non-violence’ would that the sum total of our existence is worth only to the have come to an abrupt end. extent of how we relate to each other. THE WONDERS WHICH WE NEVER NOTICE...... Br. Nidheesh John, ofm hen your heart is at peace, you will see miracles aken up by this Ministry towards socio-charity work. Win your life. These are the words which have Spending time with the children has taught me many inspired me a lot from the time I began to think about things regarding the value of family and parents. I am my Regency in Bangalore. My heart had not been at very fortunate that I was born into a good family that rest since I had been informed about my Regency with has formed me to be the kind of person I am at present. the Prison Ministry India in Bangalore. I knew that I Small children, especially at Kolbe Home, who seek needed to be more prepared, mentally and spiritually, the love of their parents who are undergoing a lot of for this ministry. I had to remind myself over and over psychological and emotional breakdowns find it hard again to take the risk and to treat it as a new learning and often cannot overcome their (parents) rejection, experience. Thus I reached the place of my regency on absence or withdrawal. Their past life and hurt feelings the 25th of June, 2017. continue to stalk them. The main objective of the Prison Ministry in India This was the right time to involve myself fully in the is to reform, make arrangements for the release and Prison Ministry activities especially since the Prison to rehabilitate prisoners. The Ministry has 33 re- Ministry Sunday was being celebrated in 150 parishes habitation centres for women and children all over all-around Bangalore on 13thAugust. We as a team did India. Kolbe Home, the nearest rehabilitation centre a lot of preparation for making that day a great success for the prisoners’ children as well as for unprivileged by tying banners in parishes, entrusting the brochures ones from poor social background, is a great stept with the concerned authorities, arranging volunteers 8 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018

for collection and for transporting people/priests my days in the Prison Ministry. There were moments to and fro to different parishes to coincide with the when people tested me and took advantage of me for time of the Eucharistic celebration. This is the only their own benefit. There were times I felt really upset means of income for the Prison Ministry in India because of the difficulties I had to face in doing things to continue with its mission of securing the release in the proper manner or the way in which something and rehabilitation of prisoners all over India. The had to be done but did not get it done due to Prison Ministry Sunday was the only day to generate miscommunication. Though I was alone as a regent awareness among the this year, everything fell laywomen and laymen of into place by the grace of the life of prisoners and God. their families. I really missed the On one occasion I had community life and the the opportunity to take brotherhood at the Friary, an ex-prisoner back to a and my heart was really rehabilitation centre in longing for that. Visiting Kerala. That incident was the Friars once in a while really heart-rending as he was a great opportunity had been imprisoned without any evidence to prove for me to re-experience the warmth of the Franciscan his innocence. The 72-year-old man underwent a lot brotherhood. In every difficult situation I started seeing of suffering during his twenty days of life in prison. miracles happening, which was often unnoticed by From the experience he shared with me, I felt that life others. God is so loving and caring when we work for in prison takes away the human dignity of a person. his Kingdom. What I felt within myself about any task The rich and the influential are always comfortable which was impossible to achieve or fulfil, was to offer whether they are inside or outside the prison. it to God, and He took control of it. Being humble and I have to deal with the accounting, other administrative understanding would solve most of the issues in our works and take care of the household chores at the life. I spent almost one year here in PMI office, and PMI office. There were a lot of occasions when I faced I have gained the assurance that God will strengthen new challenges in fulfilling my tasks. I made a number and guide me in the coming years by preparing me for of mistakes and am still in the process of learning. I his mission. I still eagerly wait for His wonders which went through a lot of good and bad moments during would pass by unseen. SEASON OF LENT AND ASPIRANTS Br. Joseph Sai,+ e welcomed the season of Lent donning on our so that the money saved could be used to help the Poor. Wforeheads Crosses of Ash on 14 February. Br. Such a sacrifice, even though small in nature, helped Paul KL who celebrated the Eucharist explained to us us imitate Jesus our Lord and Francis our Brother. The during the homily the true spirit of Ash Wednesday Lenten delicacy called “Khanji” was served twice a and Lent. We were inspired and decided to observe the week. We learned that fasting and praying during this spirit of Lent in whatever way we could. The fraternity season of Lent should not merely be for the sake of of St. Louis here decided to forego meat, fish and fruits keeping up the tradition of fasting and doing penance, but such an observance should help us to grow in the love of God and the love of our brothers and sisters. Such a spirit-filled observance would certainly lead us to celebrate the Easter meaningfully. During this season of Lent, we learn the art of resistance to do wrong and the art of persistence to remain good. I would like to conclude saying “To accept Christ is to suffer as He did and to despise Him is to make a mess of our lives”.

9 PONGALO PONGAL IN OTHAKKADAI Br. Milan elebration of Pongal in St. John de Britto Chruch, ongal celebration in Punitha Anthoniyar Illam COthakkadai PWe had a Pongal celebration in our house with our We had a wonderful Pongal celebration in St. John de neighbours on 15th January 2018. Having got the place Britto Church, Othakkadadi on 14th January 2018. ready for the occasion with cleaning and decorations, We took part in the Eucharistic celebration along we were ready to conduct the games for our neighbours. with the parishioners. The main celebrant of the day The games began at 4.00 PM. All our neighbours was Fr. Victor who preached an inspiring homily. The women, men and children participated in various Eucharistic celebration was rendered prayerful with the events. Br. Vinoth Robin encouraged our neighbours Postulants joining the Parish Choir. to come and partake in our Pongal Celebration. He should be credited with for getting more people for this celebration of Pongal in our campus. After the sporting activities, we gathered in our refectory to listen to Br Amaladass Manickam who delivered the Pongal Address. He enlightened us on the meaning of the word ‘pongal’ inviting us to reach out to people with the overflowing kindness and generosity. The Prizes were distributed by Brs. Thaddeus Baxla, Baptist, Amaladass M and James N.. After which, we were treated with the sumptuous Pongal. The children were happy as they enjoyed the every single game conducted.

After the Mass, We the Postulants conducted games for all the parishioners. Parishioners and friars pariticipated in various games and they really had a good time. There was then a quiz completion conducted for the couples. The celebration came to an end with the distribution of Prizes. Congratulations to the Postulants who won the Prizes!

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY-NESAKKARAM Br. Joseph Raj, ofm he observance of International Women’s Day was Theld by Nesakkaram SEEDS with its SHG members The special invitee on this day was Dr. Dr. Raja Priya on 7th March 2018 at Valluvarkottam by-lanes. There Iyyapan MD, Srinivas Priya Hospital, Perambur. She were 1340 women who spoke about the importance of came to participate in this bringing up girl children with same function. It was their day love and concern as that of boys. and they came in numbers to demand for their Rights, The women performed many folk Equality and Justice. dances during this event such as Nesakkaram recognizes Paraiattarm, Kummi and other folk these demands of women dances. This event came to an end and stands with them to get with silent human chain by all SHG them. members.

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ST. ANTHONY’S BREAD CENTRE SION Ms. Stacy Menezes & Br. Basil Lobo, ofm he excellent devotional practice connected to Reaching out to and helping people who are most in TSt. Anthony, known as St. Anthony’s Bread, want is the need of the hour in today’s hard times. goes back to the thirteenth century. It is related to Within such gatherings there arises a connectedness the reception of favours and graces, and has also of acceptance and support through which the been a great blessing to the poor and the needy. St. participants learn, in a personal manner, the meaning Anthony belonged to the Franciscan Order, and so of being a Church and most importantly a family. he is specially honoured in the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel at Sion, which is under the pastoral care of the Franciscan Fathers. The parish community of Good Counsel Church, under the leadership of the parish priest, Br. Basil Lobo, aims at bringing together families, adults and young people, in an intimate, interpersonal relationship grounded in faith. It aims at creating a community whose foundations are faith, hope and charity. Following the example of our present Pope Francis, and in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), our priests at Good Counsel Church, Sion, have begun the St. Anthony’s Bread Centre for the poor, in order to promote the Culture of Mercy. The Franciscan Order encourages this act of charity to the afflicted and those in want everywhere. It is a laudable method of sacrifice and of thanksgiving to St. Anthony. St. Anthony’s Bread Centre provides hot, nutritious meals to the poor every Tuesday. It charges no fees, asks no questions, and turns no one away. We serve all without regard to age, sex, race, religious beliefs, nationality, or disabilities. The poor who come for a meal are treated with dignity and respect, and are received in a spirit of Franciscan hospitality. St. Every first Thursday of the month, our priest makes Anthony’s Bread Centre provides a variety of delicious it a point to call all the volunteers to renew the grace meals -- chicken biryani, jeera rice, veg korma, egg of serving through the rule and life of the Secular curry, pav-bhaji, etc. Every Tuesday after the 6 p.m. Franciscan Order of St. Francis of Assisi, through the mass and novena, we welcome the poor inside the Eucharistic celebration or Eucharistic Adoration. The church compound. volunteers serve at the Bread Centre as candidates Our parish priest begins with a small prayer, thanking and professed members of the Secular Franciscan God and the donors of that meal. Animators, Order, thus joining hands with the Franciscan family coordinators and Parish Pastoral Council members worldwide. The greatest commandment of Jesus, volunteer in the running of St .Anthony’s Bread “Love thy neighbour as thyself,” is being followed here Centre. They deliver or prepare the food at the Social in a very true sense. Welfare Centre and serve a nourishing meal every Like our dear Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said, “We week. Without their help it would be ST. ANTHONY’S can do no great things, only small things with great BREAD CENTRE impossible to care for the hungry. love.” This is what the Church of Our Lady of Good Many of our donors celebrate their special occasions Counsel, Sion, strives to achieve with each passing of Birthday, Wedding Anniversary, Memorial Day of day. death of a dear one by sponsoring a meal for the poor.

11 A FRATERNAL INTERVIEW WITH FRIAR VAUGHN FAYLE, O.F.M. Br. Ruboon Doss,ofm Friar Vaughn Fayle belongs to the Sacred Heart religious communities. I know many, I taught many Province in the US (same as that of our Minister and I have lot of experience of them. But there is General, Friar Michael Perry). He used to teach in something distinctive about the freedom that Francis Zambia and now full time professor at Antonianum. gives you to develop your gifts and talents as an He most served our St. Bonaventure Seminary, volun- individual although it is the strange thing. You have tarily and generously, for two months (July and August heard the story of cat, they told Francis that a brother 2017), teaching and guiding our young students. He had a cat, we are not supposed to have cats, and so he taught Greek Philosophy and Process Philosophy. He said, then we will call him brother cat. Franciscans also helped the brothers with reading of Original Texts are not supposed to wear hat, this brother wears hat in Philosophy. He initiated the process of making our and we call him brother hat. I think that is the freedom library student-friendly. Above all, he taught by his to develop. I do see a danger with that because that very pres-ence and humble engagement in the works freedom can be abused and we now have the situation of students and friars. In this interview, Friar Vaughn where it is being abused. shares his experiences and observations concerning In the Order, friars are doing their own thing, no sense Franciscan life and formation. of mission, they want their own brand of Franciscan Could you kindly share about yourself as a kind of life, and they are not interested in community; so, I introduction? think it is in tremendous crisis. But, for me, personally, I belong to the Sacred Heart Province in the US it was my greatest liberation, that gave a spirituality (same as that of our Minister General, Mi-chael and free-dom to take initiative and be myself. Perry, OFM). I have been ordained for thirty years. I come from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Parish What motivated or inspired you to come to India? in South Africa. I am also a product of government I don’t know. I am still asking myself that question, it school because my family could not afford to. We is a mystery. And I think, Fr. Paul (i.e. Paul Kallan), had wonderful catechism, it was a vibrant parish. could be right when he said last night it could be After our high school, four of us joined the Oblates the hand of God. Now, I believe it is possible. I and they all left. I received my first communion, and am a philosopher. I don’t immediately talk about was confirmed and ordained in the same parish. I did apparitions and spiritualities straight away. But I am not know the friars; I did not know the Franciscans. beginning to think that somehow God had his hand I did not know the Jesuits. I knew only one Jesuit at in this. the University. So I decided to join the OMI when I It all started with the conversation with some friars in finished my studies at the University in 1981. OMIs the curia, who were talking that there were no more in South Africa are very good missionary community, professors who can act as a go-between, between almost like the Indian Diocesan Groups, missio-nary different continents, go to different areas linking. work here, but I was not completely comfortable with They gave me as an example of a friar who went to the Intellectual tradition of the OMIs with the few Zambia and taught for two years, though I was born exceptions in Canada, which is not really the impetus in South Africa. And then through the encouragement of the oblates. I knew that I had gifts and wanted of my Guardian of happy memory, Friar Jim Pallutci, to teach, but the Oblates wanted to go to Eskimos who said, ‘Go’. Then, I had to put the details together. or Africa. There was a very long discussion and I presented this to the Minister General and he agreed. discernment in the year 2000 when I was in Chicago. It was a new vocation for me, professor of philosophy I decided to join the Franciscans. and a missionary. It was one of the best experiences What is your understanding of Franciscan life and for me in my religious life. mission? How fruitful was your stay and teaching in India? I think it is one of the best things in the world. Yes, it was very fruitful for me because of the Franciscan life and mission is a wonderful gift to fraternity. I knew that there are places in In-dia, the whole world. The thing that I value most is the where I could go to teach. The Jesuits in India and the respect for the freedom. You don’t find this in other Salesians had called me to teach in their colleges and 12 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018

in their universities. And that could be well arranged. I always try to do. It has genuinely been helpful. No knew that I had other options and I could very quickly matter where I have taught. This is the fourth continent go and teach. And if I had gone, they would have that I am teaching philosophy – Africa, Asia, America paid me very well. But what I would have missed is and now Europe. I would say critical thinking and the fraternity. There is a very good spirit among the appreciation of our tradition and critically analyzing solemnly professed friars here, whereas in some other things. communities, you go to teach and you find that there is Why should we Franciscan study? Why is it so a tension in the community, but that is not the case here. important to deepen our intel-lectual tradition? I hope that it continues here. I liked the spirit of the I think that there is a simple answer, ‘to understand’. students, the creativity, and how after be-ing challenged St. Bonaventure well-said, ”study well in order that they are able to do something. The Spirit is very good. others may come to believe.” Our study is not for What kind of formation that should take place in a ourselves; it is always for the mission that others may be candidate at the stage of philosophical formation? enlightened that we become educators of other people. That is an excellent question. And I think that is the one In the world there is a very strong, anti-intellectual thing that we are not asking trend. In Hinduism, in in the Order enough. First of Islam, in America there is a all we have a philosophical simplistic fundamentalism, tradition. We have a tradition where people don’t want of people who have thought critical thinking, they don’t creatively and broadly in want assess things; where many ways, philosophy of they don’t want to grow, science and philoso-phy they want everything to of art etc. it is not true that be given to them. We are Franciscans are people who living in the age of internet. follow mere devotion and We are living in an age prayer, and animals. where ideologies have Philosophy is critical never been higher. That’s thinking, it is the critical very frightening because assessment of everything if a Hitler came like in the world like poli-tics, Hindu Hitler people would nature, society, psychology, swallow. As Franciscans we and us. We must train people have to constantly assess to be critical thinkers in the and be critical thinkers, in community obviously, but challenging ideologies these aspects, I think it is very important we do that, in is what philosophy is best at. The Domini-cans had a very humble way, but not being afraid of our minds, greater influence on philosophy than Franciscans; we are not people just who pray, we have a comfort also because, they ran the universi-ties and published the level with our mind. books. What we need to do now is to assert ourselves What is the future of the Franciscan life at the global as independent thinkers. I think that is the first thing. It level? is a critical assessment of everything. That is difficult to say. It depends on the vocation, on Second thing must be: Our study must be secular; it the provinces. cannot just be philosophy of religion, not only doing On the global level, we are expecting a huge shift the philosophy of piety. It is not novitiate. We should demographically. Very soon there will be more tell people that you finished the novitiate and it is going Franciscans outside Italy, and outside Europe; there to be very different. You are going to hear different will be more in Africa, Asia and in Latin America, things; you are going to be challenged. Your mind must but there will not be in Europe. And yet our roots are be open. You cannot run the house of philosophy as in Europe, our roots are in Assisi. So how do we link an extension of the novitiate. And therefore you need the challenges of new areas with our fidelity to our people who are creative and challenging. You need to tradition? That’s the main challenge we have. stimulate people and challenge them. That is what I I think when we talk about the global element we need 13 to preserve the institutions outside Europe. We need going to the university – less than 18% and our friars good institution of learning, retreat houses, conference are included in that. This means, in India, majority do centers. We need institutions, buildings, outside Europe, not study after high school. People are interested in it means money, it also means, dedicated friars who getting into IT and make money. Consequently, there can be there for a long time serving, library, taking care is a crisis of not enough professors or poor quality of of things. We will not survive if we do not maintain professors. institutions outside Europe. Coming back to the point, I think, the style of The second thing, I think, is that people as well as the communication has to be different in view of getting friars from the Third World must be flexible. They must students take responsibility for their own studies. realize that their future is not going to be just in their That’s important. Internet has to be used intelligently country. I have ac-cepted that perhaps I will never be in a creative way and not merely for YouTube and buried in South Africa, in my home town. I don’t know Bollywood movies. It is a wonderful resource that I where I will be buried. We have flexibility when we didn’t have. I think that we are moving more and more are young. Young people must have a global flexibility, away from books, at the same time we need books too. not just about going to work in Dubai or going around. We need to be educated through modern communication We need to think about giving up country, language, media. mother, culture. It is giving up everything for the sake What can we do about the dwindling number of of the Kingdom of God. My inspiration is our present vocations? Minister General, though he is from Europe, he worked Well, I think it is inevitable. If you look at the history of in Africa for many years; he has a doctorate in African religious life, we cannot compare to the big, old days. It Spirituality and religion. My inspiration is also Pope was an exception in the history of religious life. Orders Francis who comes from the other side of the world and are fewer than what we have now. When they were he is working in Europe now. beginning, it had fewer friars than it had today, and This does not mean that friars should be preparing yet they accomplished great things. So I think the first themselves for international ministries in Korea, challenge for vocations is the quality, and not numbers. Zambia or in other parts of Europe, but they have to You can accomplish more with four solid and quality be competent enough to function in other cultures. people who are open and engaged in ongoing formation Sometimes I don’t see that happening. Obviously we than forty four. need a strong spiri-tuality that challenges you to leave The third thing is that the students must be forming your family, to miss weddings of your loved ones, to each other. If you put some stones in a box, and some ab-sent yourself from the funeral of your mother for the of the stones are not round, you shake that box, they sake of the kingdom. But that is what missionaries did will rub-off on each other, you cannot do that with two in the past. For that is what the Portuguese and Dutch people in formation, you need a good number, twelve, friars did to form this province. Why should we not fif-teen, etc, and so students must be forming each do the same? So I think we must be very clear. But, other. If a brother sees his companion dis-respectful the broth-ers do not want to do that. Then perhaps we of his studies, he would challenge him. For this, the need to look for them other orders. I would con-clude brothers should have a good value system. So it is not by saying that it is easier to be global citizen on the enough to say that you need excellent formators, the internet; but, it is more difficult to be a global citizen students must form each other, and it is very much the in real life. Jesuit model. You are kept accountable. What is the method of teaching and forming that Why there is negative attitude towards philosophical is best suited for modern generation of students in learning as impractical? formation? I think the part of it is our tradition. We have defined We can’t teach like what we taught 30 or 40 years ago. ourselves from Bonaventure onwards, as spiritual, And I don’t teach, as I was taught then. I have studied as people close to the people, close to the poor; the how to teach and what works. I don’t prepare as how poor generally don’t have the universities. We defined my professors taught me. This is a new generation. ourselves with the poor but what we have forgotten is They have new challenges. People need skills. that, poor also want the best of education. All over the world, higher education is getting worse. We have misunderstood the simplicity. I think you can India has one of the lowest rates for people who are be simple and very educated. So we put these false 14 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018

contradictions away and even today it is continuing. You need to ask the Minister General. And you need to People think that all they need is scripture, bible, some ask the rest of the Franciscan world, I would say, there homiletics and sociology of religion. I disagree. What are three different images of India. we need is philosophy. We need to offer philosophy. The first is that India looks into itself, its own culture, Some of our students may not continue religious life, its own food and its own language, and its own country. and philosophy will be helpful for them when they go It is easy to do because it is a big country. But that is to work in the world. It’s happened with the Jesuits, the image India in the Order. This is not a good thing. the Jesuits did a big survey fifteen years ago. Many of The second image is Indians who want to go outside the top companies in the world had people who were – United States and Canada – and stay there with very educated by Jesuits. So the fact that they did not become little commitment to the mission of the Order. So I priests is not a big failure, we too should have the same would say that many people who have an image of mentality. We must stimulate young people to think, to Indians as tourists of the world who leave India, and think about values, and to think about skills, what skills go as tourists in the religious world. Those are the two you need in order to function. main images. What do you say about people who say that What the Order now expecting from India is to produce philosophers are heady and faith dimension is some really solid scholars and mis-sionaries. English lacking in them? is the great gift that the British gave to India and to I would disagree with that. Some of the most inspiring me in South Africa, which India now must perfect people by whom I have been inspired. The Franciscan and lead together with Nigeria. The Indian province who rescued the people from the Nazis, was a great has to produce some of the top ecumenical, interfaith philosopher, the man who invented the theory of the leaders, which you have grown up with every variety of big bang scientist was a man of faith. He was a Belgian religions, Christian, Hindu, Muslim. So we ought to be priest. So I don’t think it’s true. But you should not be … in ecumenism and inter-faith dialogues. judging professors of philosophy with how good they What do you propose to the Indian province to play are at preaching wedding sermons, running around and the greater role in the in-ternational level of the doing spirituality for nuns. We must be judging them as Order? how good they are as philosophy professors, publishing The first thing that the province needs to do is to clearly and writing, that is what has to be understood. I want identify the skills that the Order needs today and train to be judged as a teacher, as an intellectual and also as people with those skills. It is not a case of just going. a publishing. I feel honored to have studied philosophy You can’t just go, and I am very strong on this, I will go and to teach it. where I am invited. Where I feel I have a gift. I don’t go In terms of my spiritual life, I have my own spiritual as a tourist. For example, I don’t know Sweden; if I am life. I am inspired by St. Ignatius of Loyo-la, and invited there, I could go but my heart would not be in it. Ignatian approach is very helpful for my studies. I am The Order needs missionary people who can go to not a very pious person, I don’t like to demonstrate my different context and build new areas. That’s what the piety twenty four hours a day. I have a T-Shirt and a Tau Order needs. It needs teachers to go and teach even in Cross, I can get on a plane or talk to university students other countries, to teach perhaps on the other continent, in any part of this country, and they will know by the to go to Latin America, Brazil. It needs formators, it end of the conversation, that I am a Franciscan and I am needs to train people who are good at international and a philosopher, but I don’t need to go with holy water and intercultural formation, Rome needs quality friars from bless them. I believe in the evangelization of presence, I this province. The order needs people for interreligious believe very much that to change people, you go, sit and dialogue, and jus-tice, and to help the poor. We need be with them. You don’t ask them to come for devotion, younger friars who are prepared to live in the slums, or anything else like that. I communicate as a person of with the poor people, and to start ecological centers. faith, I go to the home-less, immigrants, help out in the The best is to ask the Minister General, ‘what do you parishes, I preach, and being a philosophy professor, I want from us, or expect from us? ‘obviously he is also want to do high level philosophy, publishing, and going to say, holiness, which is important, spirituality, conferences. transparency, not cutting each other down, not being What does the Order expect from the Indian provincial or narcissistic, being generous, being Province? fraternal, being prayerful, and by that I mean praying in 15 community, not that I am praying in my bed room and in society, people who think differently, it could be hate the friars whom I am living with, but really using, people who do not have enough faith, we need to do it for building up the spirit of prayer in the fraternity, a hermeneutics of leprosy today. For me, The turning I think that is important, I am very optimistic, and I point in St. Francis’ life is not when he got stigmata or know that the province is going through very difficult it is not San Damiano where he was asked to go and time, and I think that into ht next twenty five years there rebuild “my church,” but the turning point was that could be hopefully people from here ready to do that. when he stopped making fun of lepers, when he went What are the key words of Franciscan life and and hugged the leper, and therefore he went to the leper formation? colony in the Carceri, the caves in the outset. It was I would like to say that ‘Perfectibility’ is a theological already then God’s incredible change took place in the concept that you get in Duns Scotus and in Bonaventure, life of an arrogant play boy. What follows stigmata and it is very important for me, it is exact opposite of across canonization is a consequence of that, but had he Augustinian theology, which says we are condemned by not gone to the leper and said: “I am like you and I kiss the sin of Adam, the Original Sin. For me, I see grace, you; I do have wounds, I was also like that; you can the Franciscan concept of Grace, that every human also be loved by God.” If we are not doing that to each person, every institution, can be better, I think that is other, and to the world, we have nothing to give. I am the key thing for me. I think, embrace of the Leper is very strong on that. We need to get back to the original also very important for my life; you have a great friar spirit, it is not just St. Francis with the birds outside who was working with the le-pers in this province, Fr. the chapel, with some animals and trees, and hugging Fabian. I am reading his biography, last night I started, them, it is easy but what is more difficult is kissing the and I will take it back and I will talk to people about it, leper, which is so scandalous today, so we must always and it is the wonderful, what that man did. enlarge the concept of kissing leper today and make it We need to broaden, who are the lepers today? hermeneutically relevant. Sometimes lepers can be propel who are excluded, sexually abused, it could be women, people put down PICNIC TO TIRUPATHI

Br. Brian Onil D’Souza, fter considering so many spots for a picnic for the for the picnic. AAspirants, Tirupathi was decided for our most During the journey, we sang, danced, screamed and expected and awaited picnic. shouted. Br. Thomas A who also accompanied us joined Thanks to Our Rector Br. Charles Mathew and Assistant us in dancing. We visited Chandragiri Fort which is one Rector Friar Arockiasamy who arranged the picnic. of the ancient Forts in Tirupathi. We had our breakfast Thanks to Br. Francis Kaviyil and a group of Visitors here and visited the Fort and Museum. from Germany who sponsored our picnic. We continued our journey for about an hour and It was 20th January 2018. We were very excited .We reached S.V Zoological Park. There was a mango grove readily got up at 4.30 AM. We had the Eucharist at 5 nearby where we had our delicious lunch. Our journey AM which was celebrated by Br. Scaria Varanath. We continued further and we reached a water fall. We then eagerly waited for the bus which arrived at 7AM. all played in the water and enjoyed the scenic beauty We carried along the breakfast, lunch and snacks. After around. It was a wonderful experience for us. Truly, a prayer by Br. Scaria and a bhajan, our journey began. this picnic will remain a memorable event in our lives! Br. Arockiasamy introduced to us Mr. Anand, the guide

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PRAKRUTHI MITHRA HONEY - FRANCISCANS PROMOTING ECOLOGY Br. Davis K., ofm t may sound crazy! But it is Franciscans promoting disappearance of bees is taking place very rapidly. The IEcology! loss for farmers in US alone is estimated at 30% to Prakruthi Mithra at Chundale is encouraging people 90% because of bees dying away. Use of pesticide is in Bee keeping. We distributed Bee boxes with hives to the major reason for the destruction of bee colonies. six families. Each Family receiving two sets of beehives. Rubber, Coconut, cashew, mango plantations, jantangi, During this harvest season each family has harvested mustard cultivations etc. can bring additional income 8 Kg of Honey. We are reaping on this success story. for farmers through bee keeping. Why is this madness over bee keeping? ‘If the Bee We have an ambitious plan of distributing 25 bee disappeared from the face of the earth, man would hives (the smallest variety of bees, honey from these have only four years left to live’. This statement is bees has special medicinal properties and is an integral attributed to none other than Einstein. It may not be ingredient for most of Ayurveda medicines). Each bee 100% true, but there is a truth behind this statement. hive will be costing Rs. 2500.00. We will also conduct The major part of the food training programmes. We intend to we consume is a result of the generate part of this amount through contribution made by these the sale of honey from this year. tiny insects. Bees need plants Yes, we are selling honey - high that bear flowers and the plants quality and pure honey from bees need the bees for their own at Rs. 500.00 per Kg, which is the survival – pollination. If bees production cost. There is only disappear from the face of the limited stock. So kindly place earth, thousands of different kinds your order in advance. We will of plants and trees disappear and bring the honey – nature’s own consequently no production of food gift - to Peravoor, when you and hunger will prevail. We at Prakruthi Mithra are come for the Plenary Council of the Province. This is trying to promote this plant-bee collaboration for no ‘Honey Talk’. You will be promoting ecology by the sustenance of the world. Studies show that 50% supporting our venture. of bees have already disappeared since 2006 and the

17 FR. JESU MEMORIAL CHILDREN PARLIAMENT MINISTERS KALAI MELA Br. Joseph Raj, ofm Fr. Jesu Memorial Children Parliament Ministers Kalai children in Nesakkaram T Shirts, playing together Mela was held on 25th February 2018 at Rosary School, to enjoy more than winning prizes. The games were Santhome. This year, only the Children Parliament organized by MSW field work trainees. Ministers were called for this event. There were 245 The cultural program started at 11 am. The cultural Children from 23 children Parliament groups, 23 event consisted of folk dances, Villipattu, Therukoothu parent leaders and some past pupils of Nesakkaram (Street Theater), Karagattam, etc. This was a wonderful besides all the part time and full time staff members of opportunity for the children to portray their talents. The Nesakkaram who solemnized the Kalai Mela with their cultural event was a great display of agility and energy. presence. During this event Br. Praveen spoke to the children The Chief Guest of this Mela was our Minister Provincial in Tamil. The children responded with thunderous Br. Praveen Henry D’Souza OFM. Besides our Minister applause in appreciation. Br. John Sekar appreciated the Provincial, the invitees include, our Vicar Provincial Br. children for their lively performances. All the invitees Charles Bernard OFM, our Province Secretary Br. John appreciated the efforts of Nesakkaram for its work Sekar, the Vicar General of the Arch diocese of Madras among the less privileged children of God. Mylapore Rev. Fr. Arul Raj, Member of Chennai Child The lunch (Biriyani, Curd Rice, Raita, Potato Chips, Welfare Committee Mrs. Sheila Charles Mohan and the Brinjal Gravy) was sponsored by Jeppiaar College. The Principal of Rosary Matriculation School Rev. Sr. Mary lunch indeed was very delicious. The children enjoyed Zachariah. The presence of our friars from Madhavaram the meal. At the end of this event the children were added colour to this event. presented with a bag full of gifts. The bag consisted of 27 The event began at 9 am with registration. Once the items. These children from the slums not only carried children registered themselves, they were given badges, these gifts home, but much delight and Franciscan T Shirts, and breakfast. The games for the children happiness as well. started at 10 am. It was indeed a sight to watch the I had the joy of being with the friars in MalomNoatoli

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THE 4TH CHAPEL CUM-COMMUNITY-CENTRE AT JAIPURA-JAMGAIN VILLAGES OF MALOMNO ATOLI PARISH!

Br. Scaria Varanath, ofm on the 4th of March when Br. Alphonse Moras was am till 7 pm; at 2 pm there was a lunch break, with celebrating the 40th anniversary of his priesthood. food for all prepared in the church! Br. Alphonse Histwo other companions ordained with him are Simon single handedly begged and collected all the money Pinto (Goa) and Davis Kallookkaran (Chundale). On for the materials; and he motivated the people to do this day, we prayed for these brothers and thanked the construction by themselves! A zealous pastor and the Lord for sustaining them in their vocation and builder! He hopes to get the chapel ready for blessing ministry with great love and zeal. Br. Alphonse made by the 4th of April 2018! his Ruby Priestly Jubileea memorable and significant day. He celebrated the Jubilee Mass with the people of Another project Br. Alphonse is dreaming about is the Jaipuravillage on Saturday evening and with people of digging of a large pond, at one end of the land where Jamgain village on Sunday morning, nourishing them the friars stay, for gathering water for agricultural with the Word of Life and the Eucharist. By 10 a.m. on purposes. The work has begun with the help of the the 3rd Sunday of Lent, his Jubilee day, he managed people, and he hopes it to be completed before the to gather almost all the people of these two villagesfor rainy season. casting the slab for their new chapel at Jaipura, 60 feet by 30 feet in size, with an extra 10 feet portico! He was with them from 9 A STUDY ON THE EPOCHAL REALITIES OF SAAOC

Brs. Anthoni Selvaraj, ofm & M.V. Johnson, ofm 1. INTRODUCTION to explore the cultural and ecclesial context of the life The Order of Friars Minor (OFM) in Asia is divided and mission of the Franciscan Order in SAAOC; 2) into two conferences - East Asian Conference (EAC) to study the epochal cultural and ecclesial realities and South Asia, Australia and Oceania Conference and challenges of SAAOC; 3) to discern the voice (SAAOC). The universe of this study is SAAOC. It of God and to hear whatever He wishes to say to the has three sections, and with an introduction and a friars today within the given context of SAAOC; 4) to conclusion. The first section presents an overview of understand how effectively the friars are responding to the study. The second section provides cultural and the epochal challenges and demands of the mission in ecclesial context of SAAOC. The third section deals the globalizing context of SAAOC and to re-evaluate with the Franciscan response to the cultural and the relevance of their ministry and the witness value ecclesial epochal realities of SAAOC. of their presence. 2. AN OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH 2.2 Methodology 2.1 Objectives of the Study The current study employs a mixed method approach Bearing in mind the theme, “Those who have ears, let of enquiry. The mixed method research or approach of them listen to what the Spirit is saying ... to the Friars enquiry is a procedure of investigation which involves Minor today” (cf. Rev 2:29), and with the assistance collecting both quantitative and qualitative data, of guidelines of the PCO, the study has set several integrating the two forms of data, and using distinct objectives it wants to achieve. The study intends: 1) designs that involve philosophical assumptions

19 and theoretical frameworks. The mixed method of of St Michael, Indonesia. The three autonomous study employed in the present study has historical, custodies - Custody of St. Francis, Papua New Guinea, descriptive, missiological and pastoral stances to Custody of St John the Baptist, Pakistan and Custody obtain relevant and accurate information concerning of St. Francis Herald of Peace, West Papua. The two the context of the various entities of SAAOC. The dependent custodies are - Custody of St. Anthony, study begins by formulating the objectives of the Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, dependent on the study and preparing two sets of questionnaires – one Province of the Holy Spirit, Australia and the Custody set of questionnaires for ministers of various entities of Mary Mother of God, India, dependent on the of SAAOC and another set of questionnaires for friars Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India. The five of SAAOC entities. The friars were chosen using a dependent foundations are - Foundation of St. Francis random sampling method. The findings of the study of Assisi, India, dependent on the Province of St. are further validated through interviews with experts Thomas the Apostle, India, Foundation of St. Joseph among the Franciscan Order, other religious men and Vaz, Sri Lanka, dependent on the Province of San women, and laity who are involved in Church life. The Pedro Bautista, Philippines, Foundation of St. Mary working papers of the Federation of Asian Bishops of the Angels, Thailand, dependent on the General

Conference, published articles and documents from Curia of the Order of Friars Minor, Foundation of St. Bishops Conferences, were helpful to validate facts and Anthony of Lisbon, Timor Leste, dependent on the data collected, and in the analysis and interpretation Province of St Michael, Indonesia and the Region of in the study. St Andrew, New Zealand, dependent on the Province 2.3 The Universe of the Study of the Holy Spirit, Australia. The universe of the study is the Franciscan Friars of Some of the entities have a long history while others are South Asia, Australia and Oceania. The structuring relatively young; some are growing with new vocations of this Franciscan conference, SAAOC, does not while others are struggling to attract new members and strictly follow a political or geographical division. It diminishing in numbers. These Franciscan entities grew organically from missionary evangelisation and are quite different in terms of geographical, political, with the growth of vocations in the local churches. It cultural and ecclesiastical set-ups. It is a mixture of comprises thirteen very distinct entities which includes developed and developing nations. The cultural and three Provinces, three autonomous Custodies, two socio-political differences impact the entities and each dependent Custodies and five dependent Foundations. entity is unique. There are a few similarities in new The three Provinces are – Province of the Holy Spirit, challenges and the Conference celebrates its diversity Australia, Province of St Thomas, India and Province and is united by our shared Franciscan vision and life. 20 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018

The distance between the entities makes it harder for day Pakistan. Many Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups, friars to work on a project together and it also presents who are speakers of their language-group, are found a challenge or friars from different entities to meet in northeast India, Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Other or to exchange resources. There may not be another small groups, speaking Austro-Asiatic languages, are conference in a similar position. Its distinctiveness may also present in South Asia. English is another language not exist in any other conference of the Order. which dominates South Asia, especially as a medium SAAOC has a total of 528 solemnly professed friars, of advanced education and government administration. 176 friars in temporary profession and 48 novices, 752 Most of South Asia writes using various abugidas of friars. It has 76 parishes, 70 youth animation centres, 43 Brāhmī origin while languages such as Urdu, Pashto, formation houses, 32 education institutions, 5 dialogue and Sindhi use derivatives of the Perso-Arabic script. centres, 12 JPIC centres, 19 social development centres, About 64 per cent of the South Asia population is 15 different forms of mission and evangelization Hindu, 33 per cent is Muslim, 2 per cent is Buddhist centres. Friars are involved in different ministries; and 1 per cent is Christian. 146 friars work in parishes, 132 friars are involved in South Asia is the poorest region on the earth after Sub- youth animation, 376 friars are engaged in formation, Saharan Africa. Three South Asian nations; Bangladesh, 62 friars work in educational institutions, 73 friars are Bhutan and Nepal are characterized as the least occupied in formal and non-formal dialogue, 108 friars developed countries. Poverty is wide spread within this work in JPIC related issues, 108 friars absorbed in social region. Sri Lanka has the highest GDP per capita in the development, 36 friars are involved in different forms of region, while Afghanistan has the lowest. India is the mission and evangelization. It is to be noted that some largest economy in the region and makes up almost 82 friars have multiple responsibilities and are involved per cent of the South Asian economy. Countries such as in a few ministries as a formator, parish priest, JPIC Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are densely animator or educator (SAAOC Statistics, 2016). populated with low per capita income, a high incidence 3. THE CULTURAL AND ECCLESIAL CONTEXT of poverty, low literacy rates, high infant mortality, low OF SAAOC life expectancy, and a substantial burden of preventable 3.1 The Realities of South Asia and Its Culture diseases. The end of civil war in Sri Lanka has brought South Asia is one of the regions of Asia with a large some stability to the region. population. Various sources differ in their opinions on 3.2 The Epochal Realities and Challenges of South Asia the nations that are part of the South Asia region. South Population growth is faster than economic growth Asia had never been a coherent geopolitical region. It in many countries of SAAOC. Starvation deaths has a different geographical identity. The boundaries of and mass migration of Asians to wealthy Western South Asia differ based on how the region is defined. countries, Japan or the oil-rich countries of West Asia, South Asia is ethnically diverse, with more than 2,000 for work is on the rise. Urbanization on a gigantic ethnic entities. Some entities have populations ranging scale, fragmentation of rural societies, xenophobic, from several hundred million to smaller tribal groups ethnocentric and racist attitudes of countries receiving in remotest parts of South Asia. South Asia has been migrants and guest workers have become too common. invaded and occupied by many ethnic groups over the We also find political mobilization of people using many centuries. religious symbolisms, political exploitation of religious The major languages spoken in this region are: sentiments of people. There is growing self-assertion of Hindustānī, its speakers numbering almost 422 Asian nations in search of a place in the newly emerging million; Bengali, with about 210 million speakers; and political scenario. Arms race between neighbouring Urdu, especially in Pakistan and India. And the other countries, conflicts between neighbouring countries languages of this region fall into major linguistic groups that are defining their roles in a regional power- such as the Dravidian languages and the Indo-Aryan alignment or over-claiming their boundaries are on languages, a sub-branch of the Indo-Iranian branch the increase. We observe an escalation of personality of the Indo-European languages. The other great sub- cults and dynastic rule, perpetuating feudalism in branch of Indo-Iranian, the Iranian languages, also new forms, democratic forms not yielding democratic have significant minority representation in South Asia, values, identity affirmation of minority ethnic groups with Pashto and Balochi being widely spoken along within nation-states leading to secession-struggle or the north-western fringes of the region, in modern- ethnic conflicts. Violence to nature in a massive scale 21 and threat to the integrity of creation and biodiversity East Timor. Traditional religions are often animistic are on the rise. in nature. There are many more pressing issues directly affecting Australia and New Zealand share and reflect European the value-systems of SAAOC. Violence is accepted in heritage in culture, politics and ecclesial realities. some cultures as a respectable way of asserting one’s Christian heritage and influence are evident in the life point of view and thus justifying various forms of and values of these two countries. There is a growing state violence as response to ensure law and order are number of other faiths (religions) in Australia and maintained. All pervasive corruption is becoming New Zealand. In recent Australian and New Zealand an acceptable reality to public life. Popular religious censuses, a growing proportion of the population say movements like Falun Gong (China) and Sangh that they do not belong to any religion. It is a substantial Parivar (India) are gaining an impressive number change from a few decades ago when majority of the of followers. There is sense of helplessness before population would have been Christian. Now they huge problems like HIV/ AIDS, TB, malaria, drug could be adherents of atheism, agnosticism, secular addiction, illiteracy, unemployment, pornography, humanism, rationalism or in different to institutional and urban violence. There are an increase in the church or religion. In other parts of the region where number of street children, divorces, unwed mothers, Christians are minority, Christianity is perceived prostitutes, handicapped persons, exploited women, as a legacy left behind by European colonisers. The untrained youth, and gambling centres. The family tendency to follow western trend is reversed, people unit is breaking down and social ills are escalating are now claiming back their cultural heritage and feeding the cycle of poverty. Globalised economy identity. In a globalised society many are proud now to is contributing to uneven distribution of wealth, claim their ethnicity and nationality as their identity, and it is injustice. Growing number terrorist cells, hence a rise in nationalism and fundamentalism. secularization of life and fundamentalism are some of Papua New Guinea and West Papua cultures are the fruit of injustices experienced in the region. There significantly different to other the Asian cultures in are situations in which powerful nations interfere in SAAOC. There are more than 750 languages spoken the internal affairs of sovereign nations in the name by different tribes in Papua New Guinea. West Papua of democracy and human rights. In retaliation, has more than 250 tribes. Most tribes are still living the weaker or the oppressed people respond with in isolation and have their own traditions and believe terrorism and violence in the name of religion and apart from their Christian faith. Tribalism in their culture. culture proves to be a stumbling block to form church However, the problems of migration, socio-political or a community that is open to all people. It is a and religious fundamentalism, terrorism, corruption, challenge to unity and remains as a big challenge for communal violence, religious persecution, ethnic the growth and maturing of Christian faith. conflicts and HIV-AIDS are the major epochal 3.4 The Epochal Realities and Challenges of Australia challenges mentioned by most of the respondents. and Oceania 3.3 The Cultural Realities of Australia and Oceania Australia and New Zealand are also facing an influx Oceania is made up of thousands of islands of migrants especially from China and India. The throughout the Central and South Pacific Ocean. It population is changing and growing especially includes Australia, the smallest continent in terms in the cities. The rural population and farming of total land area. Most of Australia and Oceania is community continues to reflect European ancestry. on the Pacific, a vast body of water that is larger than Other religions are on the rise and their presence all the earth’s continental landmasses and islands could be felt and noticed with multiculturalism combined. Oceania is, thus, dominated by the nation and an increase in number of places of worship and of Australia. The other two major landmasses of cemeteries. Pervasive, strategic and heavily sponsored Oceania are the micro-continent of Zealandia, which Islamisation can be experienced in Brunei, Malaysia includes the country of New Zealand and the western and Indonesia. half of the island of New Guinea that make up the Economic growth and modernisation can also be nation of Papua New Guinea. The states that occupy experienced around the region. Indonesia and Oceania that are not included in geopolitical Oceania Malaysia are changing and developing quickly into are Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and a modern world. However, there is also an ongoing 22 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018 concern for the poor in many of these countries. the people and is a beacon of hope, tries to be an agent Some people seem to be trapped in the vicious cycle for transformation. In the helplessness of the situation, of poverty. The gap between the rich and the poor the Asian Church observes that humanity is moving are growing. The divide is also growing among those in circles searching for answers. The Church do not who live in rural areas or in the remote highlands pretend that it has all the answers and with humility with those along the coast and in the big cities, and empowers the people to search and reflect, discuss, among city dwellers and farming communities with discover and rediscover in every human context, what urbanisation. we ought to do, with wisdom and strength that comes With a larger younger population, growing economy from faith and through dialogue. and urbanisation, the traditional way of life is being Church’s mission in SAAOC includes ministries replaced by modern lifestyle following western which involves from pastoral care to being involved trend. Singapore is a good example of progress and in human development programmes, and to living in development in South East Asia. It has become a solidarity through the painful realities of social tension, consumerist and materialistic culture and it is also to bring about reconciliation and peace, re-building

beginning to influence how faith is lived and practised. human communities. Assisting communities to draw resources from their civilization and cultural heritage Social media and information technology have been and affirm the identity of people in the context of their fully embraced by younger generation and it creates cultures. Encourage people to discover the mystery a huge gap between youth and elders in family and of human existence and accompanying people on community. their pilgrimage towards God. This calls for respect Poor records in human rights and social justice of people’s traditions and religious experiences, and issues are faced in many of these countries. There being prepared to be co-pilgrims, as a humble searcher, are difficulties for those who speak out against while offering guidance based on faith. It requires government and oppose policies. Strict penalties and courage, humility, integrity and readiness to offer the heavy-handed tactics are used, sometimes serious ultimate form of witnessing - death/martyrdom. Such dangers are involved. Currently, West Papua is seeking persons of evangelical boldness have become icons of independence from Indonesia and this adds to the God’s love for his people. tension and conflict among people in this region. The family, as seedbed of vocation and faith, needs 3.5 The Ecclesial Realities and Challenges of SAAOC to be supported and accompanied and refreshed The complexity of the lived experiences of people in through renewal programs. Family based catechesis, this part of the world is reflected in the way Church family prayer groups, family Masses, para-liturgies responds to local situations. The mission of the Church and rituals, training of altar servers, families-helping- in Asia is complex at all levels. The Church in Asia is families, Basic Ecclesial Community building, media affected by the very socio-cultural conditions of the education, Bible sharing and study for lay people, people of Asia. The Church stands in solidarity with organization of youth groups are some of the many 23 initiatives that are in place and need support. The marriage and debates on euthanasia are evidence parish vocation ministry and family-related lay pointing to the changing values of Australian and New people’s organizations and movements, such as Serra Zealand societies. Many are also aware of the aging International, Couples for Christ, Marriage Encounter population of Australian clergy and religious. Many Movement, catechetical and family ministry of of the younger religious and priests are from overseas. dioceses need collaborative spiritual leaders. Most parishes have a larger aging population of Those who have lived and ministered in Asia know the parishioners. difficulty and understand the challenges in addressing While in Papua New Guinea 95 percent of the the relationship between church and culture. There population is Christian, comprises of all different is no one dominant culture and there is acceptance of denominations. People are open to religion and various understanding of the divine. Hence there are welcome churches. Government also support setting diverse opinions and theological stances resulting in up churches and their work. Friars haven’t found a new debates about integration of ethnic and local cultures strategy for the work of evangelisation, with this new of Asia into liturgy and worship. The same could reality where churches from different denominations be said of inter religious dialogue and inculturation are mushrooming everywhere. in Asia, where Christians are minority and there are In West Papua, there are Papuans who have becomes other well established and developed practices of faiths religious or diocesan clergy. People admire religious which are practiced by majority of the populations. life and their ministry, but the concept of religious Evangelisation is an ongoing concern, as Christians life is very foreign to their cultural sentiments. The are minority in the region. faith of the people needs to mature and develop, as 3.6 The Ecclesial Realities and Challenges of Australia traditional culture still influences the interpretation and Oceania and understanding of the faith. Christianity is still the major religion in Australia and In Malaysia the Church leadership at all levels must be New Zealand. However, there are growing numbers very well versed in legal and financial issues, including of people who consider themselves Christians but incorporation, compliances, audits, investments and who are unchurched. In the last census in Australia, taxation in dealing with Government agencies. Some 24 percent of the population consider themselves dioceses do not understand the role of religious and as Catholics but only 7 percent practice their faith expect all religious to be at the disposal of the bishop regularly. There is also a growing number of people to minister in parishes and diocesan offices. who are comfortable to mark “no religion” in their 4.0 FRANCISCAN RESPONSE TO THE census forms. Many have stopped engaging with CULTURAL AND ECCLESIAL EPOCHAL church or pay attention to their spiritual and faith REALITIES OF SAAOC development. The epochal issues and challenges, in our mission to The Catholic Church is socially active in Australia - love and serve, derived from the study are of migration, Oceania region. It is involved in many activities of socio-political and religious fundamentalism, human development and advocacy work on social terrorism, corruption, communal violence, religious justice issues. In recent times the Church has been persecution, ethnic conflicts, HIV-AIDS, globalization working on raising awareness on human trafficking. and ecology. There is a need for an ongoing theological The Church continues to be committed to education, debate about inculturation of ethnic and local cultures healthcare and social development work with the of Asia into the life of the Church. Liturgy and poor and marginalised. worship, and dialogue with members of other faiths The Australian Catholic Church is on the spotlight require adaptation and renewed effort. Sexual abuse now after the enquiry by Royal Commission into of minors, women’s role in Church life and the lack of sexual abuse of children in institutions. The Australian lay empowerment needs immediate attention Church is currently engaged in a process to respond to Friars view SAAOC economic scenario with great the recommendations of the royal commission. The pastoral concern. A critical awareness on the diverse friars as part of the Australian Church face the reality and complex socio-economic realities of SAAOC of loss of trust, shame and regret. The polls opinion is essential. The friars are aware that “cultural indicates loss of trust in the hierarchy of the Church. globalization” through the over saturation of the mass The recent referendum on legislation for same sex media is quickly drawing SAAOC societies into a 24 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018 global consumer culture. Therefore, globalization is an is generally described as the continent of the youth, as ethical and moral issue for the Church, and as friars, youth constitute the majority of SAAOC’s population. cannot ignore it. The context of youth should be understood against the We are painfully aware of the rise in religious background of a complex reality in which they live and fundamentalism or extremism, which divides societies engage the world. The swift and drastic changes taking in SAAOC cause suffering to various people. Though place in our world radically affect the life of the youth in SAAOC is free from external colonization, and most every part of Asia. Youth of all backgrounds, urban and countries have democratic government, but not all rural, poor and rich, educated and uneducated, employed countries subscribe fully to principles and spirit of and unemployed, the organized and unorganized are all democracy. The increasing of militarization of societies being tossed by the waves of contemporary culture. If is another challenge to face. Peace building efforts are we are open to journey with youth, many new horizons important in our region including disarmament. It is of love and service may open to us and evolve to other imperative to call for urgent response to issues like youth ministries. A new way of journeying with the banning of landmines, trade of small arms and nuclear youth are: to see youth as resources and not as problems, proliferation. Given the nature of armed conflicts in to facilitate their learning from their experiences and not many SAAOC countries, conflict prevention as well as from ready-made answers. The need to involve youth conflict resolution will proof to be beneficial. more in decision making process, not just to implement Economic development that is being encouraged in the decisions taken by others, and to recognize youth as SAAOC is impacting our environment, we see a steady, agents and co-workers of the evangelizing mission of ongoing deterioration of our environment because of the Church and the Order. uncontrolled development causing pollution, degrading It is wonderful to observe from the gathered data land and water and deforestation. The effect worsens that many entities of SAAOC are actively involved when some SAAOC countries have become dumping in resolving the challenges of migration by opening grounds for toxic wastes, production platforms for ‘exodus’ homes in our friaries and parishes. Friars hazardous industries and industrialization procedures are actively involved in dissolving the socio-political that don’t respect environmental standards. Even and religious fundamentalism, terrorism, corruption, though policies may be in place but poor enforcement communal violence, religious persecution, ethnic by government agencies has contributed to degradations conflicts as agents of peace and harmony by setting of environment. up inter-religious communities and opening friaries The epochal issues and challenges call the Franciscan as welcome centres of peace and dialogue. Friars also Friars in SAAOC and all its structures to renewal. A work and manage HIV-AIDS centres in many of our renewal based on pilgrimage or journey characterized entities. Friars promote and encourage sustainable interior movement to become Church of the Poor and a development and eco-pastoral centres for the sake of Church for the Young. To become a truly local Church, ecology. There are learned theologians and pastors in incarnate in a people, a Church of indigenous and entities who promote a sound integration of ethnic enculturated, a Church prepared to dialogue with other and local cultures of Asia, into liturgy and worship, great religious traditions of peoples and with all people, inculturation and dialogue with people of different especially the poor. A movement toward deep interiority faiths. Several friars in SAAOC entities also work with so that the Church becomes a praying community whose youth and lay charismatic movement. contemplation dimension is reflected in the context of 5. CONCLUSION today. A movement toward empowerment of men and The study has delved into the many challenges and women by means of participatory church structures, lay questions that confront religious life and mission of men and women be involved in the life and mission of the Franciscan friars of SAAOC. The friars do not the Church. The Church needs to respond to the death- have an easy pre-packaged answer, for the all human, -dealing forces in Asia. Christian, Franciscan or theological justification to This study has identified certain sectors of people these challenges and questions. It demands of us new whom we need to direct our mission of love and service competencies which will equip us to face the new and who are equal partners in the mission. They are complexities in the world. the youth, women, family, indigenous peoples and migrants- sea- and land-based, and refugees. SAAOC 25 “MAY CHRIST TEACH YOU WHAT YOU ARE TO DO!” Br. Prasad P, ofm St. Francis was a great philosopher and deeply spiritual Orientation to German Mission: To make our life person. Before his death he said to the brothers “I have easier and beautiful, Bro. Praveen asked Bro. Davis done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what to give us (Nijil Chiramal and Prasad Papabathuni) you are to do”. The Lord teaches us every day in our an orientation to German Mission. Accordingly, life through life situations and in our personal prayer. Bro. Davis met Brothers Nijil and Prasad on 28th of St. Francis was open to learn even from a novice. December 2017 and gave an orientation to German That speaks volumes about his hu-mility. We need to mission. He spoke about the people, the climate and learn from one another till the end of our life. Once the culture of Germany. He said that a few youth and we have the humility to learn from God, others and children are seen in the churches. Fr Davis went on to life situations, our life will be wonderful. When we say the following: In Germany, the Churches are big are learning from God and others we experience the and beautiful. Youth go to Universities to continue boundless love of God. their studies and live their lives independently after the

Life becomes beautiful when we are aware of God’s age of 18. Each parish has a liturgy group and they will love and neighbour’s love and be grateful to God and take care of the parish liturgy. People are interested in neighbour. When we have the attitude of gratitude, art and culture. In the Eucharistic celebrations we see then, we are happy. It is good to acknowledge the well prepared introduc-tions. People say prayer of the good things that brothers did in the past few months. faithful every day before the offertory. When a person I express my sincere gratitude to Bro. Praveen Henry dies in a parish, the priest goes to the house and D’Souza and his Provincial administration who collects the details of the person and makes the fu- ventured to extend our presence in German Mission. neral personal and meaningful to all who are present Thanks to brothers Francis KK, Davis, Vijay Amrit for the funeral. Raj and fraternity in Ahmsen who scouted the area Sent two by two: We, Nijil and Prasad, applied for and found the possibilities of starting a new fraternity Visa to Germany and, in order to get the visa, we had in the diocese of Osnabruck. to wait in Bangalore for two weeks. The Provincial 26 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018 fraternity, St. Bonaventure fraternity and St. Anthony’s Novice master for 23 years. He is working in Dortmund Fraternity were cordial and hospitable during our for Franziscaner Mission for developing Brazil and stay. On 10th January 2018, Bro. Provincial and Bro. African countries. Brothers in this house make their Vijay met us and shared with us about the mission in time to say Morning Prayer, Midday Prayer and Evening Germany. They spoke about the various possibilities Prayer. Brothers Andreas, Johannes, Bernhard, and of work in the diocese of Osnabruck and Ahmsen. We Philip render their services to the fraternity by involving were given some information about our involvements themselves in church activities and household activities in the diocese. On 28th January 2018, we had a prayer such as cooking, looking after the guests etc. service in the Provincialate fraternity where Bro. John Venerable Brother Jordan: There was a brother who Sekar, Secretary of the Province, arranged the prayer was known as Jordan and he is known as venerable service and prayed for us who were going for German brother with good virtues. He is in the process of mission. Bro. Provincial was away on his fraternal beatification. During his life, he was a holy brother who visit. During the prayer service, the brothers, (Charles used to take care of the poor at the door. In his name Bernard, Alphonse Moras, Pushpa Raj, Tommy T.J. breakfast is offered to the poor of this area. Everyday Baptist, and Alex Martis) laid their hands on us and nearly 60 people come and take the breakfast. Brother prayed over us that we are faithful and fruitful in the Klaus is working for the beatification of Brother Jordan German mission. Bro. Tomy Palackal, Guardian of who was born in 1866. He died in 1922. Initially, he St. Anthony’s Fraternity, hosted farewell dinner to the was buried in the cemetery which belongs to the Dort- brothers who were leaving for German Mission. In spite mund city authorities where everyone is buried. In 1952, of his busy schedule, Brother Charles Bernard came to Brother Jordan’s remains were brought to the church of the airport to bid farewell to us. St. Francis in Dortmund and buried in the centre of the Arrival at Ahmsen: Bro. Arun Junes received us at the church. Again in 1970, the remains were removed and airport of Munster. He drove the car up to Ahmsen buried in one part of the same church. and gave a warm welcome to us. We had to prepare The death anniversary of Venerable Brother Jordan: our supper. It was a wonderful supper. I remembered There were nearly 300 people who came for the death my days in Mysore, when we were studying theol-ogy anniversary of Brother Jordan. Abbot Aloysius Althaus we used to cook on Sundays. The next day, we did the OSB (Benedictine Monk) presided over the Eucharist registration of our names with the help of Bro. Arun in and offered the Mass in the honour of Bro. Jordan. the office in Laden. Bro. Arun made us feel at home in During the homily, the Abbot said that prayer makes us Ahmsen through his fraternal jokes and laughter. After come closer to God and to each other. He said, Brother four days of stay in Ahmsen, Bro. Arun dropped us in Jordan was a prayerful person that made him to relate different communities. As per the arrangements made to God and to the poor very closely. I was surprised to by Bro. Provincial and Ahmsen fraternity Bro. Nijil went see senior brothers were serving at the altar. The senior to Ohrbeck where 8 friars belonging to Germany were most brother was above 70 and his fellow server at the looking after a parish. I went to Dortmunt Friary. Bro. altar was 65 years old. They served at the altar with Heinrich Gockel came to the railway station to receive devotion and dignity. After the Mass there was a lunch me. He is 78 years young. He worked as a missionary in arranged for some of the people who came for the Mass. Africa. Bro. Heinrich is fluent in English and African Meals time at Brother Jordan House: Abbot Aloysius languages. and friars Friars in Dortmund: Thanks to Bro. Cornelius, Provincial of Germany, who was instrumental in The Friar who served at the mass. arranging an exposure to community activities in On 25th February 2018, the Bishop of Sambalpur, Dortmund and Ohrbeck. In Dortmund there are 13 Niranjan Saul Singh came to the church of St. Boniface friars who are working in various departments. Brother to raise funds in the name of Misereor. The Bishop said Martin is the Guardian and Parish Priest. Bro. Rene is “To create a better world we need the help of God and the associate pastor. They offer services in St. Fran- one other. We need to lay hands on the shoulders of cis Church and St. Boniface church. The senior most each other and work for the progress of one another. brother is Hubertus who is 88 years old. He used to After the mass, the Bishop explained to the people teach me German language during his free time. Bro. about the struggles of people in Orissa and also about Augustinus worked in Bra-zil as a missionary and as a the developments in Orissa. 27 Visit to MZF (Bonn): It was interesting to see the meters (515 ft) . There are stairs which takes one to office of MZF which supports our projects in India go up to the top of the church. Nijil and I visited this and other parts of the world. Bro. Francis Kaviyil church. We prayed over here. We visited the tomb of received us at Bonn/ Bad Godesberg railway station. John Duns Scotus (1265-1308) who was buried in Bonn is the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven, the Minoritenkirche (Church of Friars Minor) in Cologne. famous musician. The city feels closely associated with Museum at Bonn: Brother Nijil and I had the the world famous composer to this day. Beethoven opportunity to go to the Museum in Bonn. It revealed was born in December 1770. It was nice to see on the to us about the history of Germany, the struggles and table of my room the password to enter the Friary, pain they underwent during and after the Second and password to have access to WIFI connection. World War. It was heart rending to see their pain That speaks about the thoughtfulness and service and struggle in the form of videos and pictures. mindedness of brother Guardian Francis K. After this pain and struggle they don’t want to see Bro. Francis K and I went to the bank of Rhine River and recall those bitter moments. They have great self which is in Bonn. The tempera-ture was -5 degree respect and respect for others. In order to develop as a Celsius. We rushed back to MZF since it was cold. I was nation, the German government invited people from happy to see Bro. Hermann Shalluck who was there in neighbouring countries and began to increase the the friary. I participated in the Mass at St. Albertus work force and develop as a nation. It also revealed Magnus church which is in the campus of MZF. The to us how they were deter-mined to change their Christian faithful took part in Morning Prayer during history by being good to one another and motivate the Holy Eucharist. It was wonderful to see the faithful one another to work hard and on time.

reciting the psalms along with the friars. Akadamie Klausanhof: Having experienced the Bro. Francis and I went to the funeral mass of Mr. goodness of brothers in Bonn, we decided to come to Heinrich Josef Koch, who was 87 years old and was Ahmsen. We got into the train and reached Meppen a great benefactor of MZF. I was surprised to see the which is 30 kms away from Ahmsen. Bro. Baikim altar servers who were above sixty five years of age. received us at Meppen railway station. He drove us by After the Mass Bro. Francis and I met the family car back to Ahmsen. The next day, Bro. Vijay reached members and extended our condolences to the family us by car to Akadamie Klausanhof, Ding-den. It is in members. Dingden we are taught Deutsch (German language). Cathedral Church of St. Peter at Cologne: Brothers It was good that we learnt some German language Nijil and I visited the cathedral of St. Peter. This in India. We are able to understand and follow the cathedral is known as Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus. language which is taught in Deutsch. Thanks be to It is the Roman Catholic cathedral in Cologne, God and to all the brothers who taught us so many Germany. It is Germany’s most visited landmark, things about the love and concern of God which is at-tracting an average of 20,000 people a day, and constant. currently the tallest church with the height of 157 28 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018

LET’S GO UP TO BASEN, THE PRIDE OF JASHPUR DIOCESE Br. Francis Rozario, ofm ood brothers, in the last issue you saw the glory of village. From here the Infant Jesus statue was taken to GBasen fully alive and the joy of Franciscans. The joy every Catholic house in the parish with lots of devotion, continues as Jesus says “I have told you this so that my with the music and dance by young and old. During the joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” giving of the statue from one village to another one also (John 15:11). And again “Until now you have not asked witnessed the tears of farewell asking Jesus to come back for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and soon. The true unity that Jesus prayed in John is seen your joy will be complete” (John 16:24). here among the people, “ I pray that they will all be one, During these few months we had things to celebrate, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I remember and memories to cherish all with the joy in am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will our hearts which we wish to share with you all. believe you sent me”(John 17:21). We friars go and visit BY THE RIVERS OF BASEN them and pray for them and celerbrate Eucharist there. The first Sunday of the year is and will be in future a VALENTINES’ JUBILEE memorable day for the people Valentines’ day was celebrated of Basen and for the diocese of on 14th January, 2018 in the Jashpur. This is because of the parish of Basen. The couples Baptism at the Ghoghar dam in celebrating their silver and the parish of Basen. Last year golden wedding anniversary we baptized 12 children and were felicitated on this day. this year 16. Later at the end of There were two couples who the Mass, all the faithful came to celebrated golden jubilee take water on themselves from and twenty five of them who the dam poured by the friars of celebrated their wedding silver the parish. We were fortunate jubilee. The Church was packed to have the newly elected beyond capacity and all were Custos Br. Carlos Dias as the filled with joy. The couples main celebrant and Br. Francis Rozario the preacher. exchanged rings and mangalsutras and once again Before the baptism the people had a self renewal retreat promised their love and fidelity to one another. We from 4-6 January, 2018, preached by Carlos Kindo and had priests who are relatives of the jubilarians who his team from Raigarh. The great day was 7th January, concelebrating the Eucharist. It was truly a memorable 2018. The parishioners prepared the place for the Mass event. in the open air and cleaned the dam water which was used to baptize the infants and later to be poured on the MOTHERS DEAR YOU ARE THE FOUNTAIN OF faithful. We wanted to have the immersion but because FAMILIES of severe cold, the faithful were not prepared to get into Let’s go up to Basen was the song that the women of our the water except the friars who took the responsibility Deanery (Musgutry) sang on the 17th -18th February, of John the Baptist. The people through the retreat and 2018. Basen parish hosted the annual Women rally of the the enactment of the Baptism of Jesus at Jordan felt Deanery. The people of Basen together with the friars, themselves as the beloved children of God and that the FMCK sisters and our children of the Apostolic hostel favour of the Lord rests with them. After the Mass food (both boys and girls) and Brother Pascol Kiny put up a was served for the faithful. The Bishop of Jaspur could spectacular stage. The backdrop was prepared Br. Sushil not make it to the celebration as he had some important Beck. The theme was “Mother you are the fountain of event to attend. family. The women came from seven parishes of the INFANT JESUS BLESSES HOMES deanery. There were 2455 women in number. They were The visitation of the Infant Jesus began soon after the served with food and provided with accommodation celebration of baptism that took place at the Basen for the night stay. A Salesian priest, Fr. Ashok delivered Ghoghar dam. Jesus statue was taken first to Ghoghar the talk on the above theme. The Bishop of Jashpur

29 Emmauel Kerketta was the main celebrant for the event. Finally there were only seven of them who wrote Sunday Mass. The women put up various plays on the the New Testament in their own hand writing. They theme. The women were very happy to be part of this were Sumanti Ekka, Basanti Ekka, Shristi Ekka, Arik celebration. Minj, Anita Tigga, Lalilitha Tigga and Deen Bhandhu. NEW TESTAMENT They shared their experiences of WRITERS writing the Bible. These hand- There was an offer from written New Testament was sent the Fiat Mission, Thrissur, to the Fiat Mission. Prizes were Kerala for Bible Writing given to them from the parish on competition. Anyone the Christmas vigil Mass, and we participating will be are waiting for the draws now to rewarded with a trip to Holy come from Kerala. Land and other cash prizes. We announced in the parish and people showed great interest initially. We had 63 registered for the

Write To Exchange Build the Brotherhood Read Exchange Know the Brotherhood (The next issue will be published in the first week of June. Send your articles by 26th May 2018) 30 VOLUME: LIV, No. 2 March 2018

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