Mid-Life: Struggles and Answers
I really appreciate Fr. Jose Parappully SDB’s article, “Midlife: Understanding What It Is,” in the April 2019 issue of MAGNET. The article impressed me, and I could look at my own life. It looks strange and funny to me now, but those days that was the right feeling. Of course, many came forward to inspire, explain, encourage, motivate and prayed over me. I sincerely thank everyone for their support. The midlife experience is a 2nd vocation where life is fully different, mushy with questions. I could not analyse where I am. Am I right? What should I do? How to go about my life? … Too many questions, sleepless nights and insecure of what is going on. The real agony, but Good Friday is followed by the glorious Easter. Yes, once the questions find answers, life takes a U-turn and gives a new direction, better dedication, fully committed with creative thinking, planning and really vigorous to live religious life following the master Jesus.
Sr Hrudaya JMJ, Bangalore
As a regular reader of Magnet, I appreciate your team for the apt choice of topics for each issue that assist the reader’s personal and spiritual integration.
“Midlife: Understanding What It Is” by Fr Jose Parappully SDB (MAGNET, April 2019) was an answer to many questions I as a middle-aged person found difficult to answer.
The article brought self-awareness to me. The example of Faustus is a typical example of a middle-aged person. If one is not cautious enough to read and treat the symptoms of the crisis faced, one could easily be trapped and be led to wrong directions.
Each person at this phase of life needs to take care that the focus is not lost lest we be driven to an unhappy and unfulfilled life.
Sr. Vidya Joseph SJB, Wardha, MAHARASHTRA
Administration: Excellent Input
I am glad and grateful for the publication of Fr. A. Gnanapragasam’s article “General and Financial Administration.” I was director of the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia from November 2008 to March 2019, and I confirm many of the things pointed out in this excellent article. I will assume a new responsibility, that is, as president of St. Anthony Mary Claret College, to which about fifteen male religious congregations send their seminarians to study philosophy. The discussion on the “matters that are common to all forms of administration” will be very useful for me. The topic “Specific to Property Administration” is quite important because in the turnover process many details are often forgotten, like “detailed description of properties, with their records, tax paid receipts, etc.” Another very helpful point is the delineation of the roles of the superior and the director/principal. If these two roles are not clearly defined, conflict may emerge. Many thanks to MAGNET for the wonderful help it has been providing, especially to consecrated men and women.
Fr Samuel Canilang CMF, President, Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia, Manila, Philippines
A Powerhouse
Thank you for the inspiring, uplifting and thought-provoking monthly magazine MAGNET. The issue of April 2019 on Retreats is a powerhouse; every article spoke volumes. The one which appealed to me the most was: “The journey to the Centre—and the Best Help for getting there” by Fr Alvito Fernandes OCD. I agree retreats provide the climate of personal prayer and reflection to enable one to discover ones’ true self and gain insight that He lives within.
I have had this liberating experience, but it has only been a wonderful glimpse of the “seventh dwelling place.” The humdrum of daily living makes it escape easily but the comfort of the insight remains and the knowledge that it is really there so near, is both humbling and empowering. Everyone must experience the inner strength and joy that comes from the discovery of the one who lives within us.
I have resolved after reading this issue to practice “charity in thoughts”—never to analyse anyone negatively and to practice compassion and love in greater zeal for my own personal peace and liberation and to be of greater help to others.
Kudos to Fr. Joe Mannath and his team for this inspirational magazine, painstakingly compiled each month on different relevant topics , for all people of God.
Mrs. Antonieta Noronha
Counsellor, Carmel College,
Nuvem, Goa.
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