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, Vijayawada (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 was Mr. 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 was Mr. 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 Sravya are 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.