YESJ Echos Oct - Jan 2018

Vol -V

I + OTHERS = HAPPINESS Every effort of any sort endeavoured by humans is aimed at making oneself happy. To that very end, one moves heaven and earth. But, interestingly the one who seeks other's happiness, by default enjoys tremendous happiness. How won- derful it is!

There were two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked about their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The win- dow overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city Skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Sociologists point out that well-adjusted people have the ability to find enjoyment in the common things around them. They do not spoil their bright outlook on life by huffing, puffing and stewing over decisions. They succeed in finding happiness in life because they have enthusiasm and a heart to make others feel up beat.

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Fr Bala Bollineni, SJ Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. 'Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present.' 1 Whoever is happy will make others happy too. Anne Frank 2 In seeking happiness for others, you find it for yourself. Anonymous 3 In seeking happiness for others, you find it for yourself. Anonymous The gift of happiness belongs to those who unwrap it. Andrew Dunbar YOUTH

MAGIC Youth @ Andhra Loyola College, (Men & Women Aiming Greater Initiatives for Change)

In the campus of Andhra Loyola College, a new initiative has been brought forth for the holistic growth of our student community. MAGIC Youth (Men & Women Aiming Greater Initiatives for Change) is the student youth wing of YESJ (Youth Empowering Service- Jesuits). It is set up in formal education institutions to create an opportunity for young people to be men and women of conscience, competence, compassion and commitment and be the agents of change for themselves and the community they live in.

We are very happy that two separate Magic youth units have been launched in our college. They are:1. Andhra Loyola Intermediate College. It was launched on 27th October 2017. The chief guest of the day wasMr. T Sylvester, Renowned Mimicry artist and Ventriloquist, officially inaugurated and stressed the need of such groups to prepare men and women for others.

2. Andhra Loyola College (UG & PG). It was officially launched on 30th November 2017. The chief guest of the day wasMr. Satti Babu, DSP, SC Railways. He aroused the students to make use of the opportunities lie before them and shine like stars in the chosen areas of their life. The membership to Magic youth group is voluntary. When announced of its commencement, the response of the students is overwhelming. Combining of the two units, 700 students have registered themselves so far.

Special Features of Magic Youth • It is a student run youth group under the guidance of staff coordinators and support of College management. Mr Samuel Dyakar, Dr. Suresh Kumar, Ms Manjula, Ms. Lilly Mary Ms. Anne Williams, Ms. Poonam Ms. Theresa and Ms Sravyaare the enthusiastic staff coordinators. • The leadership team consists of students (Boys and Girls) for six major roles. 1. First Lead 2. Second Lead 3. Secretary 4. Procurator 5. Event Coordinator 6. Communication Coordinator. • All the programmes, activities and initiatives in the areas of “Life and Social Skills, Personal Development, Faith Formation, and Leadership and Social Anomalies” focus on educating, empowering and conscientizing the young people. 4 The envious are not happy unless they are making other people envious. Diane 5 The envious are not happy unless they are making other people envious. Diane Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower. John Harrigan ACTIVITIES OF 3 MAGIC YOUTH UNITS OF ANDHRA LOYOLA INSTITUTIONS

A three day workshop on 'Self- Motivation and Setting up Goals' was conducted Fr. B. Bala, SJ for 70 Engineering students of ALIET (24-26 October 2017).

A three day training sessions on 'Self Defense Mechanism and Techniques for Girls' were offered by Ms.V. Priya for 35 girls of Inter, ALC (06-08 November 2017).

Magic Youth Aliet organized an 'Awareness Rally on Road Safety: Wearing Helmets and Seat Belts' which caught the attention of the locals (05 December 2017).

6 Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean Ryunosuke Satoro ACTIVITIES OF 3 MAGIC YOUTH UNITS OF ANDHRA LOYOLA INSTITUTIONS

A two day workshop on 'Study Skills and Effective Learning Methods'was conducted by Mr. Srikumar, Physics Dept, ALC (05-06 December 2017).

The leaders of Magic Youth Units of Andhra Loyola Institutions

visited and shared their love with the inmates of Nirmal Hrudya (A Home for the Destitutes and Orphans run by MC Sisters) on 23rd December 2017.

Magic Youth Unit of UG & PG, ALC put up a Christmas Stall on the day of College Semi-Christmas Celebrations (16 December 2017). 7 Of cheerfulness, or a good temper — the more it is spent, the more of it remains. Ralph Waldo Emerson PARISHES AND PROGRAMMES PARISHES AND PROGRAMMES It is heartwarming to see that some of the Jesuit Parishes are striving towards the development of our youth by providing various opportunities. My sincere appreciation and thanks to all the Parish Priests for your support ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, and accompaniment.` ALWAL GUDLAVALLERU

* The youth of the Parish enthusiastically and responsibly assisted the Parish Priest for the meaningful and joyful celebration of Christmas.

* On 30th of December 2017, GUD YESJ Group distributed blankets to the aged at Machilipatnam Old Aged Home.

* On 20th January 2018 Fr Arul Jythi, SJ is teaching English for the interested youth of the parish.

* On 26th January 2018 YES-J Computer Training Centre was inaugurated for the computer illiterates and unemployed by Mr V. Subbarao, President, Gudlavalleru Panchayat.

KATUKAPALLI

YES-J Computer Centre was established on 21st October 2018 at Loyola Integrated Tribal Development Society (LITDS) for the benefit of local students and youth in equipping themselves with basic computer skills. On the same day, Fr. B. Bala SJ motivated the local tribal youth (around 300) to make use of the available opportunities offered to them through LITDS for the betterment of their lives.

8 Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Helen Keller PARISHES AND PROGRAMMES PARISHES AND PROGRAMMES

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, * Fr Alphonse SJ motivated the parish ALWAL youth to be servant leaders and form a healthy personality on 15th October 2017.

* On 16th November 2017, the youth met and discussed mainly about the Parish feast, Carol and Crib competition and Christmas Celebrations.

* On 3rd of December, for the feast of St Francis Xavier (Parish Feast) youth had played a pivotal role in offering their services to have a blessed and cheerful feast celebration.

* On 10th December 2017 the annual crib and Carol making competition was held at the Mt. Carmel Church, Bowenpally. The youth of St. Francis Xavier Parish participated and won the second place. Through their crib they elegantly presented how the world is before and after the coming of Christ.

* Visiting the orphanages and sharing the groceries with the less privileged on 17th December 2017 was a true celebration of Christmas.

* On 7th January 2018 we had an interactive talk with the parish priest Fr Leoand recalled our past activities, discussed about future plans and particularly about the forth coming UNIFEST in February. The afternoon was meaningfully spent with the ORPHANS.

AMALAPURAM • As part of their commitment towards World Mission Sunday, the Parish Youth made a contribution of Rs 6000.

• In the month of December, the youth were at their best for Parish Feast and Christmas rendering their services by way of cleaning, decorating, singing, volunteering at procession and putting up cultural show.

• On 24th December 2017, the Parish Youth Group gratefully recalled and celebrated the 3rd anniversary of the birth of the group.

• Proving their sensitivity for the protection of environment, youth planted trees the Church campus. 9 Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Helen Keller . Keep your tents apart and your hearts together. Tuareg Proverb MULTI SKILL TRAINING (MUST)

In order to help the disadvantaged/ drop out young people live confidently and courageously, putting behind their growth stunting aspects of life, YESJ passionately works to enhance their capacity to undertake self-employment and to build up their self-worth and self-identity through free Multi Skill Training (MuST).

YES-J in collaboration with Andhra Loyola Institute of Engineering and Technology (ALIET) conducted so far two multi skill training camps (October & November 2017) each lasting for a month. It is a residential programme. All the training which is inclusive of food and lodge was for free. We are grateful to the kind and generous people who made it a possibility.

Altogether, there were 25 rural youth took part in the training of Electronics (Home appliances & office appliances) and professionalWelding. This training has enhanced their capacity to undertake self-employment as well as access to employment with a stable salary. Besides acquiring a skill, they were also helped to build up their confidence, innate talents, skillsand qualities through faith formation, motivational talks, games and other extracurricular activities. At the end of the training, they were awarded certificates.

They say:

Sampath: Nageswar rao: Prem: I am happy and excited to be part This is the first time that I am Time management, of Inaugural MuST camp. It has out of my village. So happy to deepening my faith and helped to realize that I too can know the world outside and learning to believe in myself are dream big. also to learn a skill of welding. my take away from this camp. 10 We shall win only by working together. Gnassingbe Eyadema PERSONAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME (PEP)

A two day workshop was conducted on 'Community Building and Group Dynamics' for Junior Brothers of Montfort Brothers of Province at Uppal, Hyderabad (01-02 October 2017).

A two day seminar was given on 'Servant Leadership' to all the Theology Students of Vijnananilayam at Janampet, Eluru (15-16 November 2017).

A day of seminar themed 'To Be and Not To Be' was conducted for High School Students of Atkinson School, Vijayawada (06 December 2017).

Frs. N. Kishore and B. Bala, SJ Motivated the Students of Loyola Junior College, Darsi to do well in their life and studies (07 December 2017).

The Catholic Students of Atkinson School, Gollapudi were lead into a day of Retreat and Confessions (19 December 2017).

The Joy and Message of Christmas was shared with the tiny tots of Andhra Loyola College Alumni/nae Association (ALCAA) School, Vijayawada (23 December 2017). 11 We shall win only by working together. Gnassingbe Eyadema Determined people working together can do anything. Jim Casey PERSONAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME (PEP) MAGIS 2018 & Loyola College,

A day of Introspective Orientation on Being a Better Teacher was given to the Staff of Atkinson School, Vijayawada (20 January 2018).

Mr Siraj and Fr B Bala SJ conducted retreat for the Christian Students of Maris Stella College on the occasion of Christian Unity Week (19 January 2018).

The Catholic students of NSM Public School were given a Day of Retreat (21 January 2018).

The Students of Atkinson School, Gollapudi were appreciated and inspired on Republic Day and Awards Day Celebrations (26 January 2018).

The Outgoing Students of St Ann’s College (Inter & Degree) were given three days of Input on ‘Discovering the Self, Believing the Self and Building up the True Self’ (29-31 January 2018).

The Students of Physics Dept of Andhra Loyola College were Motivated to Lead a Purposeful Life by Never Compromising (22 January 2018).

12 For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. Dr. Seuss Ralph Waldo Emerson PERSONAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME (PEP) MAGIS 2018 & Loyola College, Chennai

Around 600 Christian youth and youth animators from different parts of the MAGIS country gathered for MAGIS-2018 on is a January 12 to 15, 2018 in Loyola Youth gathering of College, Chennai with the theme Empowering Catholic Youth and 'Youth Ambassadors for Service- Jesuits Youth Animators of Peace and (YES-J) of Andhra South Asia. The central Reconciliation.' Jesuit Province actively figure of MAGIS program is participated in MAGIS 2018 Jesus Christ. The purpose of the numbering 40 youth both from entire event is to help the young to Jesuit Colleges and Parishes. They meet the JESUS, experience His all came back home safe and sound unconditional love and discover His with many blessings to count and many presence in their everyday life and reach out to realizations to work on. others in service.

In their own words:

Venkatesh: Justin: This experience helped to be more grateful to I am a shy person. Meeting various people from God for what I have. I am working on myself not different backgrounds encouraged me to come out to complain. of myself.

Peter: Pranusha: Magis experience made me to work on the spirit This gathering enabled me to deepen my faith in of giving and sharing. God.

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. 13 Ralph Waldo Emerson VOLUNTARY IMMERSION PROGRAMME (VIP)

Miss. Gabriele Regler spent almost a m mpnth at Krishnapuram as 1. What is the nature of your Immersion a voluenteer, YES-J is Greatful Programme in ? Where and How Long? to Fr.Steven,SJ for his Hosipatality and Co operation. I stayed roughly for a month at Krishnapuram in . She Shares, The immersion experience was to be with the children of Loyola English Medium School teaching them, playing with them and being with them.

2. What are the life lessons this Immersion Experience taught you - Psychologically, Emotionally, Spiritually and intellectually?

My stay in the village taught me to be grateful for what I have. If you grow up in an industrial country, you don´t recognize the prosperity around you as what it is. You tend to take it for granted, it´s normal, nothing special. But experiencing life in this village showed me that it´s clearly not. It was clear to me that it´s a blessing to be born wealthy and good family.

3. What were the challenging aspects of this Immersion Experience?

The cultural differences were quite challenging sometimes. There are so many rules or conventions, that I didn´t know and keep stumbling over. The people were quite patient whenever I did something wrong, because I didn´t know the cultural rules. They wouldn´t get angry but told me instead what I did wrong and how to do better. It was a learning curve.

School the Heart and Mind

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