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Treasurers hold a key position within a registered society. We all know that without the required financial resources we cannot do anything. It is one thing to have funds, but it is totally different to see how the funds are utilized. Success depends on the latter, not the former. It is the Treasurers who can make such a success happen. Therefore, the importance of their office.  They oversee all the aspects of financial management within the society and work closely with the society’s other officials not only for the proper utilization of the funds, but also to sustain the society’s finances. Thus, it is a blessing to have good and reliable Treasurers. Understanding and learning about the different roles and responsibilities of the treasurers and the key skills required for the successful running of the finance department can help us to be better Treasurers for the successful operation of our own societies.  Here we look at the Treasurer’s office from this point of view.

What do treasurers do?

Treasurers are finance experts who manage and fulfil all the financial goals of their registered societies. Their primary responsibility is to manage the funds, including payments, cash and liquidity, in order to ensure the good financial health of the society. They collaborate with the heads of various units to set and fulfil the budgetary objectives as decided by the Governing Body. They are responsible for building and maintaining cordial relationships with the bankers and business people with whom the society has business dealings. Besides these, they also manage the additional tasks such as:

• Managing the society’s internal finance department and supervising the daily operations of the finance staff.

Fr Alex G SJ

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Conflicts are part of life.  What is needed, as William Ury, an American anthropologist and negotiation expert says, is not so much to avoid conflicts as to transform them.  To transform is to change the form of the conflict (trans-form) from being destructive to constructive.  Transforming is more active and positive than avoiding or just managing conflicts.  Here we shall explore some ways for doing it.

Principles and Steps for Transforming Conflicts

            The principles and steps given here are taken mostly from the studies of Roger Fisher and William Ury.

            1) Separate the People from the Problem

            Conflicts have a content dimension and a relationship dimension or in other words a problem factor and a people factor.   The problem factor refers to what the conflict is about (goals, objectives, strategies, decisions).  The people factor refers to the desire for esteem, control, and connectedness, and gets expressed in how the two parties view, interact with, and relate to each other and the emotions at play.  Conflicts could be about either one or both factors.  In most cases these factors are intertwined, and it is difficult to separate them.  All the same, it is important to separate these two factors and address them both.

Jose Kuttianimattathil, sdb

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“Our emotions are the messengers of our souls, calling us to heal and transform ourselves.” – Sue Patton Thoele

In the last issue, we discussed three essential elements of the emotional dimension. They were: emotional literacy that leads to emotional intelligence, and the two together enable a person to be emotionally competent. As promised earlier, we shall delve into the eight-step process by which a religious can become emotionally competent. As a counsellor and therapist, I have often heard these statements from those who come with emotional issues: “I have no control over my emotions”, “I was born this way”, “This is the only way I know to react to situations” and “Do you know how much I tried, but never succeeded in controlling my emotions.”

Do you notice an almost exasperated sense of despair and resignation in these words? Those of us who have been in this situation would understand how difficult it is when our emotions are not in our control. The diversity of emotions that we experience in our everyday life makes us feel as if we are on a rollercoaster experiencing various emotions at different moments of the day.

I remember the life of a young sister who was responsible for the social ministry in her community. She was full of life, hard-working and enthusiastic in her ministry. She was admired for her preferential love for the poor and for her constant presence among the people. But she was also someone who wore her heart on her sleeve, meaning to say, she was highly emotional and exceedingly expressive.

On a single day, she would experience a mixture of emotions. If she had had a good sleep, she would start the day being vivacious and humorous. During the day, when she noticed someone doing mischief, she would blow her top and make sure that the person concerned understood how angry she was. When someone met with an accident, she would drop everything else, stay with the wounded person, take them to the doctor and buy medicines for them. When she saw any kind of injustice done to the people, she would immediately raise her voice and fight for the right thing to be done. And, when someone criticised her or humiliated her in front of others, she would feel self-pity, feel rejected and shed tears.

Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

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Does every human being have a predetermined destination in life? And if so, how do we navigate towards it? Is there a celestial GPS that can guide us to this ultimate destination? As we journey through life, each of us yearns for something beyond the mundane, and undoubtedly, our deepest longing is to reach Heaven – our final destination. In our modern world, we rely on GPS systems to navigate physical journeys efficiently. But does the same principle apply to our spiritual journey? Regardless of nationality or origin, whether Indian, American, British, or Italian, our ultimate goal remains unchanged: to reach Heaven. But does the Holy Bible provide us with the GPS coordinates to this celestial realm? If so, where can we find this spiritual GPS? The path to our destination is illuminated in Matthew 7:21, which states: ‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the Will of my Father who is in Heaven.’

Directions to Heaven

Now the question arises: What is the Will of the Father? What does the GPS from the Holy Bible tell us about reaching Heaven? Jesus provides us with practical guidance, outlining clear routes to reach our celestial destination. He not only assures us that by doing the Father’s Will, we shall reach Heaven, but also wonderfully describes what the Will of the Father entails. The GPS to Heaven, given by our Redeemer Jesus, is specific and unwavering. Let us delve further into His teachings. ‘Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? And when did we see you as a stranger, and invite you in, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?” The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers and sisters of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me” (Mt 25:34-40)

Sr. Lini Sheeja MSC

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The most noticeable outcome of the Second Vatican Council was the reform of Catholic liturgy. Of all the Vatican II documents, Sacrosanctum Concilium stands out for its direct impact on the daily lives of Catholics worldwide.

This document, spanning almost 13,000 words, was the first Vatican II text to be published. Its adoption was resoundingly endorsed by the Council fathers, with 2,147 votes to 4, culminating in its promulgation on December 4, 1963.

Speaking on this document, Pope Francis, on August 24, 2017, emphasized that “the reform of the liturgy is irreversible” and urged continued dedication to its implementation.

BREAKING CONVENTION WITH NOMENCLATURE 

There’s a longstanding convention of titling Vatican documents with the first few words of their official Latin text. These chosen words often provide a glimpse into the document’s subject matter.

This Vatican II Document, titled ‘Sacrosanctum Concilium’ or ‘Most Sacred Council,’ interestingly diverges from this norm. Its Latin title reveals nothing about its contents; instead, it names the authorship of the document, which is the Council itself.

The intention behind the departure from the convention was to emphasize to the People of God that the liturgy served as the foundation of their discussions and the paramount issue among all others to be addressed.

Br. Sunil Britto CFC

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The symbiotic relationship of humanity with nature is not merely a matter of survival but a sacred trust bestowed upon us by divine providence. The Bible is full of environmental narratives. Within the poetic verses of Genesis 1:28-30, we find not only a divine charge but a sacred covenant bestowed upon humanity: “I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds and all the wild animals.” These words carry a profound responsibility, elevating us to custodians of Creation, entrusted with the stewardship of Earth’s rich tapestry of life. Pope Francis’s ‘Laudato Si,’ released on May 24, 2015, echoes this ancient wisdom, urging us to recognize our role as caretakers of our ‘Common Home.’ In this divine affirmation lies a poignant reminder of our sacred duty to cherish and protect the wondrous diversity of life that flourishes within our world. It emphasizes the interconnections of all living beings and the urgency of environmental stewardship.

Then God commanded, “Let the water be filled with many kinds of living beings, and let the air be filled with birds” (Genesis 1:20-23). Living and non-living creatures depend on forests for livelihood. “I have provided all kinds of fruit for you to eat; but for all the wild animals and for all birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food” (Genesis 1:30-31). Forests are the most needed for all the creatures. Deforestation of forests leads to disequilibrium in the environment, affecting biodiversity and ecology, climate change, and natural calamities. With the destruction of green forests, creatures will become extinct. Green forests and wild animals will be a mirage for the younger/future generations.

FR ALEXANDER EKKA SJ

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In life’s journey, happiness and adversity intertwine like roses and thorns. Robert Collier once said, “In every adversity, there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage.  Every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time.”  This reminds us that within challenges, there are opportunities for growth and triumph. Just as roses bear thorns, our lives hold both joy and pain. Yet, it’s through facing adversity that we discover our true strength. With faith and support, we can navigate through suffering, knowing that we’re not alone on this journey. Embrace the journey, for even in the darkest moments, there’s a glimmer of hope. Like following the footsteps of those who’ve walked before us, we find solace in knowing that we can overcome adversities, trials, and tribulations. Let’s cherish both the roses and the thorns, for they shape us into who we are meant to become.

Adversities are Adorable

Amidst life’s storms, true champions emerge, displaying courage in the face of adversity. Consider the story of Helen Keller, who, despite being deaf and blind, became a renowned author and advocate for the disabled. Her hardships didn’t define her; they propelled her towards greatness. Adversity is essential for character development, akin to the beautiful butterfly emerging after enduring darkness. As Joseph B. Wirthelin pointed out, “Life opens more opportunities through dark moments.” Just as farmers benefit from rain during storms, learning to dance in the rain is a vital life skill. Adversity, like shadows, signifies light on the other side.

Sr Dr Josephine

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I have grown to appreciate the beauty of diversity in all its forms. It all began in my 12th grade when I had the opportunity to study and live with multicultural students. At that time, I was open to learning and adapting, unaware of the terms ‘multicultural’ and ‘diversity’, but drawn to being with people from different backgrounds. I used to participate in all Pujas and visit temples just to see the place and purchase something. There was no distinction between different religions; I simply enjoyed being with friends of other faiths.  I embraced changes in my attitude, thinking, and perspective but kept my core values. Our warden and teachers were constant sources of motivation.I learned about multiculturalism and diversity from my father, who worked in the Treasury office. His job involved meeting people from various cultures and working with staff members and friends from diverse backgrounds. Sometimes his friends visited us.

Then I joined the religious life. There, too, I had the opportunity to meet persons from other states. Though it took me some time to adjust initially, each day brought new discoveries. These interactions not only broadened my horizons but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for others. Now I enjoy being around people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, finding inspiration and growth in the unique perspectives of others.

SR RANJITA TIRKEY HM

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Poikilo is a Greek word that means ‘varied’ or ‘many-colored.’ Here I introduce a new phobia termed as ‘Poikilophobia’, to mean the ‘fear of accepting diversities’. This article is an attempt to prove that synodality or the synodal way of life proposed by the Church is the medicine for poikilophobia.

In fact, biologically ‘each person is a celebration of diversities.’ Even though one’s eyes seem similar, some scientific studies say that the right eyeball is slightly smaller than the left one! It is even said that almost everyone has a dominant eye, even if the difference between the two eyes doesn’t feel that stark! We are surprised to understand that fingerprints also vary among one’s own fingers, this means to say that a person has unique print on each finger. It is also notable that ‘humankind itself is a celebration of diversities.’ An easy way to understand this is to know that no two people have ever been found to have the same fingerprints – including identical twins!

Of course, the Creator of human beings loved the diversity in a person and among persons. The Creator believed in the integral unity in a human being.  The Creator has ‘decorated the unity of humanity with diversity.’ However, many seek a ‘fake unity’ saying that ‘we look alike, or we follow the same tradition, or we have the same religious belief’ etc. Seeking unity does not mean to gather a group of people who seem to think, act and speak the same things. This is a challenge to the Creator who loves diversities! Therefore, let us say that the ‘fake unity’ is the result of human ego and fear of existence. Here comes the relevance of the Synod, which calls for sharing, listening to and reflecting on diversities.

Fr Binny Mary Das

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Diversity refers to the presence of a wide range of human differences. This can include – albeit not limited to – race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, and political beliefs. Although the world boasts a remarkable richness of diversity, India stands out as one of the most diverse countries on the planet. India wears its diversity like a vibrant, woven tapestry. But here’s the amazing thing: this diversity isn’t just tolerated; it’s celebrated! India’s diversity is beautifully woven with cultures, traditions, languages, and religions, showcasing millennia of rich history. From the majestic peaks of the Himalayas to the sun-drenched shores of Kanyakumari, India’s panorama exudes a spectrum of colours, with each region presenting its own distinct essence. This multifaceted terrain cultivates an atmosphere where unity harmonizes with a myriad of identities. Let us briefly delineate some prominent ones.

Indian Diversity. (i) Indian Cultural Kaleidoscope dazzles with diversity, spanning classical dances, musical melodies, literary treasures, artistic wonders, architectural marvels, linguistic nuances, religious vistas, culinary delights, and cherished traditions. (ii) Festive Splendour of India echoes throughout the year, each one rich in unique lore and rituals – crossing religious and regional boundaries.

(iii) Spiritual Harmony: India hosts a mosaic of religious traditions, fostering an ethos of tolerance and reverence. (iv) Linguistic Flourish: With over 1,600 languages and dialects, India stands as a testament to linguistic diversity – each tongue is a vessel of cultural legacy. (v) Culinary Odyssey of India unfolds an array of flavours, textures, and aromas, each region boasting its own signature.

Fr Arnald Mahesh SDB

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