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Be wise, while answering to phone calls

MAGNET, for personal, social and spiritual integration is a must–read magazine for everyone interested and engaged in social and spiritual activities. I am a social worker, drawn towards varied articles for inspiration. For the morning message, I often refer to this magazine.
The article published on Bank Transactions, in particular, published in February issue, is a must-read. ‘Fraud calls’ is one of the many precautions, underlined in this article, took me back to the year 2014. Fraud calls, spoofing, phishing, vishing, money mules and skimming are common, these days. Be wise, while answering such calls.
I am, one of the benevolent customers of the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) since 2013. Post two years of association, it was time to renew my debit card. A month before its expiry I received a call from the so-called ‘ATM Bank’. Banker revealed the exact date, month and year of expiry. Believing him as a Good Samaritan, I answered to all his queries honestly. Queries were related to my debit card information. I received 3 messages one after the other, which pinched me for the rest of my life. They snatched my hard-earned money away from my account.
I wonder, as to where did they get information related to my debit card from? Can the bank share all these? I believe, no bank does that. I might have used all this information sometimes online.
My better half has three Unwanted Policies. Why unwanted? We got cheated and had to take those policies. There are numerous salespersons, trying to sell them for mere commission they get.
We are netizens. Fallen to the prey of the internet. Even the Indian government is propagating and glorifying online transaction, without measures to safety and security. Can we manage life without Computers with no internet connection? Undoubtedly the answer will be ‘NO’. Then better read the article of Rocky in MAGNET. You will be on the safer side.
Pascal Petrus
Panjim, Goa

Jealousy in Children

Dear Editor,
Even though I get the magazine regularly, I rarely read few of the articles.  In the February 2020 magazine, I happened to read both the articles on Jealousy in Couplespeak & Cover Story.  Even though there are some repetitions of the content, it is thought provoking – helped me to reflect on myself.  Thanks to both or all the three writers. Good job!
Being a parent of two, I feel, parents are also the cause for children to grow-up in jealousy, which gets fostered unnoticeably in them and reflects in the latter part of their life.  Competitions in children help them to be enthusiastic, but simultaneously we should be careful that they should not become jealous of competition. Congratulating the winner and disrespecting the other can hurt their mind.  When children fail, parents must act rationally and regulate their children’s minds. Otherwise it will leave the children in the darkness of envy.  Humiliating others and being humbled by other children does not help with their grievances. Children can never bear insults.
Keep up the good work of inspiring others through this magazine.
Robin Thomas
Hyderabad

We are very happy with the magazine. Our teachers, sisters as well as formators are fond of reading it. I wonder how can you manage the printing and posting of this magazine at this rate. We appreciate all your endeavours and wish you all success.
Sr Vandana SD
Aluva, Kerala

I appreciate your great commitment to actualize this magazine.
Sr M Rose OSF,
Pithora, Chhattisgarh

I read your magazine when I was in India and find it very interesting and helpful. Ordering one for our community in Philippines.
Sr. Aline ACI
Philippines

Thank you very much for the wonderful  service you do for the magnet magazine and the relevant themes you are inserting in it.
Sr Vandana OSB
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Thanks for sending the Magnet Magazine! I am really interested to read it because it is very much informative in many ways.
Sr Sini SSPC
Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh

Thanks & congrats for the effective & powerful articles that you are forwarding through the magazine – Magnet
Sr Rosy FMA
Kottayam, Kerala

We are enjoying reading the magazine. It is indeed inspiring and delightful
Sr. Christine RJM
Khambhat, Gujarat

Thank you so much for your generous contribution to the readers of MAGNET.
Sr Celine CTC
Bhagalpur, Bihar

Thank you very much once again for doing such a good and wonderful work of inspiring thousands of people across India and globally as well.
Fr Tomveki Yellavula MHM
Pune, Maharashtra

Thank you very much for the Magnet, which we do appreciate a lot.
Prioress OCD, Order of Discalced Carmelites
Shembaganur, Tamil Nadu.

God bless you and your effort to publish such a Treasure-Magnet. We never want to miss any issues of this precious magazine.
Sr Mary Jayanthi SND
Vasai, Maharashtra.

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Three True Stories

Her demeanour was humble and her voice gentle. We all knew her as a woman of great goodness and faith, whose virtue sustained her family and inspired many others.

Because of her husband’s alcoholism and refusal to do any work, she suffered much, and was deeply pained that their children were not given the opportunities that her siblings’ children received. Seeing her younger sister’s children performing better in school and going on to more prestigious careers, she told me, “I must admit that when I see her children do better than mine, I feel jealous. My children are bright, too; but they did not get the chances that her kids got. We cannot afford to send them to good schools. I wish I could enrol them in the best schools, but I can’t.”

A woman cannot be blamed for feeling bad that her children were not getting the opportunities that her siblings’ kids got because she lacked the means. Her admitting her feelings of jealousy shows honesty and goodness. There is no malice in that feeling. She did not go around pulling down her younger sister or speaking ill of her nephews and nieces.

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

The Fundamental Rights—of citizens and non-citizens—are enshrined in the Constitution of India, while the Directive Principles of State Policy prescribe the fundamental obligations of the State to its citizens.  There are also Fundamental Duties which citizens should fulfil to promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation.  Part IV-A of the Constitutions obligates citizens to perform these duties.  Though there is no legal sanction provided for violation or non-performance of fundamental duties, they have an inherent spirit of compulsion regarding compliance.

The 42^nd Amendment to the Constitution, in 1976, inserted a new Article (51-A) giving Fundamental Duties to the citizens. The inspiration came from the Constitution of the USSR.  No doubt, India is a diverse nation.  People belonging to different castes, creeds, sects, etc., are called to live together in harmony and peace.  It is believed that following the fundamental duties one upholds the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the nation and promotes the feeling of brotherhood among them. There are eleven Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Constitution of India. Here they are:…

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Fr Ravi Sagar SJ

An experienced teacher explains why she is passionate about teaching—how three loves drive the teacher.

“Think about all the students that go through your hands. You have the opportunity to change so many lives.” (Julie Petersen)

There may be different answers to the question, ‘Who is a teacher?’ A teacher is a person who helps students and is also open to acquire knowledge, competence and virtue. According to Paulo Coelho, it isn’t someone who inspires something but someone who inspires the students to give of their best in order to discover what they already know.

I consider my teaching profession as one of the best life lessons I can get. Theoretically, I should be the teacher, but practically I am the student. It would be   difficult for me to choose only one best thing about being a teacher…Therefore, I take the liberty to pen down two best things about being a teacher.

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ELENA KHARKONGOR

The value of a gem depends on a number of factors, such as colour, clarity, purity, carat weight, cut, etc.

When we speak about human beings how do we determine the ‘worth’ of a person? The world has some criteria which can change; but what about God’s criteria?

This story is about a senior woman religious. At first, there seems to be nothing special about her… That is, until you realize the richness of her spiritual journey and see how people, even now, seek her quiet presence, kind blessings and wise advice.

Sister Catherine, a contemplative Carmelite, hardly ever travelled, preached or accomplished any extraordinary feat. For nearly sixty years, she has lived in the same place, with almost the same community members. Her days, right from the beginning, have been spent in the same way: prayer, fraternal life, work and rest. Most of her time is spent in silence. Even as I write this, the first thought that comes to me is: How monotonous and boring this sounds! However, Sr Catherine looks anything but bored! Whenever you meet her, she is invariably welcoming, smiling in a kind, unassuming way.

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Sr Marie Gabrielle Riopel SCSM

I would like to know: (1) whether is it possible to have another novitiate programme outside the designated novitiate house and (ii) whether the novices may live in another house during the novitiate for a certain period.

Before answering your questions, let us first look into who can erect, transfer or suppress a novitiate.  According to CIC c. 647 §1 and CCEO c. 521, the superior general—after having obtained the consent of the council—has the power to erect, transfer or suppress a novitiate.  It is to be done through a written decree. The reservation given to the superior general is to guarantee that it is conducive to the formation programme.  The 1917 Code had restricted the number to only one novitiate. The present Codes do not have such a restriction. For pontifical right institutes, permission from the Holy See is no longer required—unlike what was prescribed in the 1917 Code.  Let us now consider your first question.

Is it possible to have another novitiate programme outside the designated novitiate house?

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Sr Licia SMI

The new Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA) and Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 (FCRR) together form one document dealing with the provisions of the foreign contributions. It has the twin objectives of regulating the foreign contributions to enforce compliance of the provisions of the Act, as well as its proper utilization for the purpose for which it was received.  It is an internal security law under the Ministry of Home Affairs and hence it is concerned about the national security and law and order in the country.

What is a foreign contribution?

Any donation in cash or kind from a foreign source comes under foreign contribution.   A donation or contribution has to be made freely without any consideration or expecting anything in return.  Thus, any donation, in cash or kind, irrespective of the currency in consideration, received from a foreign source is a foreign contribution. Thus, any donation received from a foreign individual or foundation, in Indian or foreign currency, will be treated as foreign contribution.

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Fr Alex Gnanapragasam SJ

At the end of the one-week seminar, “Formation of Formators,” held in CRI House, Delhi,

the most frequent suggestion was: “It should have been longer. We learnt so many useful things; we wanted to learn more.”

After the seminar for superiors we conducted in Trichy for seventy-five local superiors, most wrote how impressed they were by the competence of the resource persons, the lovely atmosphere created, the meaningful common prayer and the chance to meet and make friends with religious from other congregations.

We send to every participant all the handouts the resource persons wanted to share, the group photo and the contact details of every participant, so that those who want can keep in touch later.

A common refrain is: This seminar should be offered to all superiors, all religious, etc.

The Indian Church has many highly qualified and competent resource persons. Each religious order does not, and cannot. It is common sense, therefore, to share resources and learn from the best.

We have another great advantage: Compared to secular organizations, we can get accommodation, food and the use of good halls without spending much. Our resource persons share their expertise with other religious generously, expecting no high remuneration; some even do it free.

The anonymous written evaluation that follows every seminar shows, without any doubt, that the participants find the experience very useful. In fact, one of the questions is a general assessment of the programme, with 5 options to choose from:

1. Excellent: One of the best programmes I have attended;
2. Good:  Came up to my expectations;
3. Fair:  Mostly satisfied;
4. So-so:  Partly satisfied;
5. Not really satisfied.

The largest number choose 5. The next biggest group choose 4.

A training seminar is not simply a set of lectures by someone standing on the stage. It is a total immersion experience that should touch both mind and heart, which they can, hopefully, duplicate in their communities. Hence the creative and meaningful common prayer, the loving and joyful atmosphere, the insistence on mixing, a movie linked to the topic of the day, chances to intervene and clear doubts. We also make sure to get competent and inspiring resource persons whose expertise enlarges our knowledge and whose life and way of relating inspires. Life, after all, is not just clever theory. Living with and learning from inspiring and wise persons matters much more than mere book knowledge.

India has the world’s largest number of religious, and, even more significantly, the largest number of young religious. This is our real wealth—not buildings and bank accounts. It is crucial to have visionary leaders who really lead and help others to blossom, and formators under whose care young religious can really get healed and grow into fine persons.

Besides the one week seminars (for superiors, formators and mid-lifers), we also have shorter programmes for young religious and one day mini-seminars on “Self-Care for Care-Givers” which are open to all. This last programme attracts large numbers of religious. The last one, held at the Joseph Vaz Centre in Old Goa had nearly 200 participants. The one in Indore had 210.

Apart from what participants learn from the sessions, these programmes bring religious together, and promote greater unity and collaboration among religious orders. After all, each of us joins a religious order, not to become fans of our founders or foundresses, but to follow Jesus more closely. We have far more in common than differences. We may differ on small, secondary points, but all the essentials we pursue are the same.

So, while we have the numbers, and a significant number join us, it is wise to come together, learn from the best among us, share our physical, human and spiritual resources and move from religious jingoism and pettiness to a more universal outlook. As we come closer, mutual support and collaboration in important and pressing issues will also be easier and more effective.

Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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While in a neighbouring country for a workshop, I visited a convent where I knew a few nuns. The superior of the community told me, “You must visit the youngest member of our community.” I was taken to an upstairs room where I met Sister Mary (name changed). She had a beaming smile and her entire face had a glow of joy which lit up the room. She engaged me in pleasant conversation. She was ninety-seven years young! She had been lying in bed for a few months now. To move anywhere, she had to be helped on to a wheelchair. Despite her condition, she appeared so happy and fulfilled. She had the ability to make others happy. I said to myself, “That’s what it means to age gracefully!” My encounter with Sister Mary happened more than twenty years ago. But the image of the beaming, joyful sister who had aged so gracefully remains an inedible and delightful memory. There are countless others like Sister Mary who have been able to age gracefully, despite many setbacks and limitations.

Post midlife-years can be difficult for a variety of reasons. The slowing down of metabolism and weakening immune system can lead to disabilities and illness. Loss of hearing, impaired vision, and limited motor agility can be particularly frustrating. There can be lack of feelings of self-efficacy for a variety of reasons. The negative attitudes expressed by family/community members, colleagues, and younger people toward the incompetence, dependence, or old-fashioned ways of older people can lead many of them to feel discouraged and doubt their self-worth.  Despite these challenges, it is possible to age gracefully.

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Fr Jose Parappully SDB

Which is the second most profitable business? (The first is the sale of arms.) It is a world of cruelty and degradation beyond words—the sale of human beings, especially of women and children. This has overtaken the profits drug dealers make. The reason is cruel and tragic: Unlike drugs, a human being can be sold over and over again.

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A Night to Remember

It happened one day 2014. We approached a brothel in the red-light area of Kamatipura, Mumbai. Our team included members from the International Justice Organization (IJM), the local police, some social workers and lawyers and a witness. One of our helpers posed as “customer,” started chatting with a minor call, and then called us. We moved in quickly.

We entered the brothel—a dark, filthy, stinking room, with piles of boxes of condoms lying in the corner. The money for the girls was kept hidden elsewhere by the pimp.

After the raid, the police took statements from the minor girls. They were then taken to a shelter home.

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Sr Gracy Rodrigues FDCC