- What we, religious, need to be and to do today
Today religious and priests can and should express the essence of fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity and where she/he was born or lives. And sow seeds of peace and walk alongside the poor, the abandoned, the infirm, the outcasts, the least of our brothers and sisters and to live in harmony with all
Activities or areas that are most urgent / relevant today: Religious and priests should work for democracy, freedom, justice, unity and common good. We need to build closeness between people and a culture of encounter. Life is stronger than death when it is built on true relationships and bonds of fidelity.
To make religious life and priesthood relevant today: We need to be open to being mobilised, challenged, broadened and enriched by others and thus open to further growth and development.
2.The difference I have made:
I have tried to be kind to all persons and magnanimous in sharing my gifts and money and ever ready to volunteer to labour for a common cause in spite of my personal difficulties.
I have worked for shared goals that transcend differences and tried my best to go beyond all discriminations.
3. An inspiring religious Brother
A religious Brother who has made a very positive difference in the lives of others is Brother James Edward Kimpton FSC (1925-2017), a De La Salle Brother, founder of “Reaching the Unreached (RTU).”
Brother James built thousands of houses for the poor, houses for foster mothers, homes for orphans, HIV positive children and free Schools.
A great champion of the poor, man of prayer and a deep lover of Mother Mary and St. Joseph.
Born and trained in England, he moved in Sri Lanka in 1952, at his earnest request to work with the very poor. Started a new printing press and school of printing for deaf and for blind boys. In 1964, he came to Madurai, and built the Boys’ Town as an ITI for poor boys. In 1974, he started a Boys’ Village near Batlagundu, Tamilnadu. In 1975, seeing the extreme poverty in the remote villages, he started the “Reaching the Unreached” Society.
Bro T. Amalan FSC
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