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The Last Lecture

By Randy Pausch (Hyperion, 2008)

A touching bestseller that sold 5 million copies.

Randy Pausch was professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania. The book is based on the last lecture he gave, just months before his death at age 47. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a few months of life. The lecture was given in September 2007; Pausch died in July 2008.

Carnegie Mellon has the practice of inviting faculty members to give a “Last Lecture’’—a lecture in which a professor would share whatever s/he would consider his/her final message to the world.

The talk was moving, not only because of its contents and the enthusiastic and humorous way Pausch spoke, with but especially because his four hundred colleagues attending the lecture knew of his condition. His wife sat in the front row, struggling not to weep.

Pausch began with his childhood dreams, offering some lessons which he wants his children to learn from him. We should have fun in everything we do, he said, and life should be lived to the fullest, because we do not know when we will lose it.  He said making our life meaningful is about “enabling the dreams of others.” The key statement he makes is an inspiration for all. “It’s not about how to achieve your dreams; it’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself; the dreams will come to you.” He has this message for educators: “The best gift an educator can give is to get someone to become self-reflective.” The 2012 edition of the book features a short foreword written by Jai, his widow, reflecting on the time since her husband’s death…

 

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Dr.Gigy

“Have a heart, India: With few donors, organ transplants at an abysmal 1 per cent,” was the frontline headline in The Sunday Standard on its front page on July 1^st, 2018.

It went on to explain how the donation of organs in India is far below the need.

According to this article, 50,000 people needed a heart transplant; 339 were available. 200,000 needed a kidney; 1690 were available. 80,000 needed a liver; 709 were available.

The situation is indeed pathetic.

Reading such statistics will not solve the problems. Nor is it enough to pray for the sick.

What are we ready to DO?

Fr Jerry Rosario SJ, who has written this month’s cover story, has donated blood 194 times! And he has very practical suggestions on what we can do.

Why don’t we spearhead a movement in this direction?

Or at least support actively those who are giving the lead.

When two of us attended a programme organized by the central government three years ago, they appealed to religious leaders and others who have contact with many people to do more in this line…

 

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This inspiring first person account is the story of parish members who got involved to save a critically ill parishioner—and how the donor turned out to be a person from another country who wished to remain anonymous!

CRYSTAL

About ten years ago, a dear friend was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphona, a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system.  The news was shocking on several fronts: Sue was a young fifty-year-old; she was in peak physical condition, exercising actively her entire life; and her lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet and being a non-smoker, would be considered ideal.  Yet the diagnosis was irrefutable—and frightening.

After consulting with the best physicians in the country, she realized that she had very few options. The normal plan of chemotherapy and other treatments seemed to have no impact on this aggressive form of the disease. When the doctors concluded that there was a very low chance of survival unless an extremely active treatment course was taken, they recommended intense chemotherapy to kill all the white blood cells in her body, then locating a bone marrow transplant from a compatible donor to create new, healthy cells. The risk was clear—with no white blood cells in her body, any minor infection would kill her. And the chance of her body rejecting the bone marrow was extremely high…

 

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Crystal and Kevin Sullivan

August 9: International Day of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous people, also known as aboriginals, adivasis or natives, are the original inhabitants of a given region, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied or colonized the area later.

They have a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories and are distinct from the other sectors of society now living there. Foreign or domestic incursions have devastated and decimated these peoples, robbing them of their lands and means of livelihood and deprived them of their natural rights as human beings.

In India, they are listed under “Scheduled Tribes.” They form the majority in some parts of India (e.g., the seven North-Eastern States), significant minorities in some states (e.g., Jharkhand, West Bengal and Central India) and smaller percentages in other parts of India.

Key Facts

• There are over 370 million indigenous peoples, living in more than 90 countries with at least 5000 diverse cultures and some 7000 languages. Estimates show that one indigenous language is dying every week.
• Indigenous peoples constitute about 5% of the world’s population…

 

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There are three kinds of financial statements: 1) Income and Expenditure Account, 2) Receipt and Payment Account and 3) Balance Sheet proper.  All the three put together make up the audited statement of accounts called the “Balance Sheet.”

1. Income and Expenditure Account:

We earn for our living and spend for our needs.  This is what money is meant for.  In the process, the money that comes in is known as “income” and the money that goes out, “expense.”

Income and expenses are to do  with the revenue items only and not capital.  Revenue items are those that deal with the daily operations and have  only a short term effect, whereas capital items are those that deal with upgrading or acquiring fixed assets that will have lasting effect on the life of the organization. The total of the income and the total of the expenses will affect the net result, ending up with surplus or deficit.  Salary received, rent received, fees received, interest received, etc., are examples of revenue income, while salary paid, rent paid, fees paid, travel expense, telephone expense, etc. are examples of revenue expenditure.

The Income and Expenditure account gives the total of all income received and expenses incurred during the term of the whole financial year (like a running video from the beginning to the end of the year), listed according to the account heads…

 

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The largest national gathering of major superiors in the world is the triennial Assembly of Major Superiors, organized by the Conference of Religious, India. The 2018 Assembly took place in May.

Venue: SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamilnadu. Dates: May 27-30, 2018.

STRIKING STATISTICS: Major superiors registered: 578 (468 Sisters, 24 Brothers and 86 Priests). Plus: 12 regional secretaries and four others. The superiors included 64 generals, 19 delegates for their congregations, 365 provincials, 28 regional superiors and 102 delegates of provincials, from all over India. Age distribution: from the 30’s and to the 70’s.

Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, our Nuncio, presided over the Inaugural Eucharist and gave the inaugural address. He was with us all the four days, finding time to meet all those who had asked for that.

The main celebrants at the other three Masses were: Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas (CBCI Secretary General), Bishop Neethinathan of Chengalpat and Archbishop George Antony Samy of Madras-Mylapore. The written evaluation shows that the group really appreciated their homilies.

Topics and Speakers:

The twin theme of the Conference was, in line with Pope Francis’s guidelines and challenge to religious: “Understanding our Setting” and “Reaching Out to the Peripheries.”

In his opening address, Fr V. M. Thomas Vattathara SDB, the out-going CRI National President, spoke of “The Challenges Facing the Religious Today.”

Next, Fr Selvaraj Arulnathan SJ (Director, Indian Social Institute, Bangalore), looked at “The Current Social Situation and the Role of Minorities.” His talk was supplemented by a short intervention by Bishop Sarat Nayak (Chairman, CBCI SC-BC Commission) and an appeal by the Dalit Viduthalai Payanam.

Fr Jegat Gaspar Raj made a passionate appeal on matters of ecology.

Fr Paul Moonjely, the new director of Caritas-India, presented ways in which Caritas and CRI can collaborate.

“The Use and Abuse of Social Media” was the topic addressed by Mr Leslie of Madras Christian College.

Padma Shree Sunitha Krishnan, founder-director of Prajwala, gave a stirring address, “From Pain to Power: Rescue and Rehabilitation of Victims of Human Trafficking.”

Medical information on organ donation was provided by Dr J. Amalorpavanathan.

Fr Paul Parathazham, Director, St. John’s Academy of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, gave a clear presentation about St. John’s, with special emphasis on opportunities available to women religious.

The CBCI Secretary for prison ministry, Fr Sebastian Vadakumpadan, spoke of the wonderful service done by religious in this ministry and how we can do more.

The CBCI document on avoid sexual harassment at work was presented by Supreme Court Advocate Jose Abraham, who had helped the CBCI Women’s Desk to prepare the document.

A very inspiring talk on the vision and practices of Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, was given by Dr M. C. Mathew, who had been President of the CMC Council.

Fr Xavier Arul Raj, a senior advocate, presented a comprehensive legal framework for religious mission, and answered questions.

The plight of inter-state migrant workers was highlighted by social activist Ms. Geetha Ramakrishnan.

Further:

The Assembly also took time for the reports of the regional CRI units, with statistics on the number of members and institutions in the various regions and a quick look at the main activities of the past three years. We also filled up a form on Follow-Up after the Assembly.

In the Sectional Meetings—separate meetings of Sisters, Brothers and Fathers—the new sectional executives were elected. The new National President is Brother T. Amalan FSC. The two vice-presidents are Sr Rose Celine Fernandes BS and Fr. George Panthanmackel MSFS.

Two dance programmes bought beauty and relaxation to our proceedings.

The material which each participant received included, among other things, a visiting card pendrive, which also served as a photo ID, with hundreds of useful documents loaded on it. This selection was collected and checked by Fr Cleophas Braganza SDB.

There was warm and very evident appreciation for the wonderful hospitality extended to us by the SRM University authorities. They really went out of their way to offer us excellent accommodation, their huge and beautiful auditorium for our sessions and well-prepared meals, always on time and graciously served. SRM also provided buses for pick up at the airport and railway stations, as well as transport on the campus.

We are also grateful to Fr Don Bosco Lourdusamy SDB, who contacted SRM on our behalf, and really did more than we asked for every step of the way. While we honoured the SRM founder-chancellor, Mr Parivendar, the vice-chancellor, Dr Sandeep Sancheti, and the registrar, Dr. Sethu Raman, on the dais, we also thanked and honoured others who looked after us at SRM. As a mark of their affection, the founder-chancellor gifted all the participants with a specially designed mug (which includes a photo of Pope Francis).

The organization and success of the Assembly owes much to many persons. We have thanked them on the stage and in person in Chennai. I will do that again in detail in my next letter to the Major Superiors.  Thank you, participants, for your presence. Thank you, team-mates at the National, Regional and Local CRI units, for your wonderful support. Thank you, SRM family! Thank you, lay volunteers! Thank you, wise and committed resource persons, who really threw light on our path and enthused us with your passion creating a better world.

 

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This column started with the meaning of “spirituality,” followed by the four basic “models” or ways of understanding it. It then presented two models, namely, the communitarian model (as when we speak of Franciscan, Vincentian or Carmelite spirituality) and the social justice model (quoting persons like Oscar Romero or Rani Maria as models).

This article presents a third model which has become very popular—the Psychological-Developmental Model.

Those who take this approach are not trying to present the spiritual tradition of a particular saint or religious order, but the common psycho-spiritual and developmental issues that everyone faces.

Thus, when we arrange a seminar for persons in their mid-life, a medical doctor may take classes on the physical symptoms and impact of menopause, a psychologist may focus on the emotional effects, etc. When we conduct a retreat for teenagers, we need to know the psychological challenges young people face. Emotional and developmental issues are common to all human beings. They do not differ from religion to religion, nor from one Catholic religious order to another! Depression is depression, jealousy is jealousy, and sexual attraction is powerful, whichever group one may belong to.

Even when someone seeks spiritual direction or vocational discernment, most of the issues involved concern our emotions, relationships, sexuality, family ties, unhealed wounds, etc.

Emotional Wounds and Spiritual Struggles

My difficulty in prayer can stem from broken relationships. My vocational problems may be tied to depression or unhealed hurts. My image of God may be negative…

 

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

The Vatican announced recently that Bl. Archbishop Oscar Romero will be canonized during the Synod of Bishops in October this year. Soon after he was beatified on 23 May 2015, this is what I wrote in the New Leader:

“You would have surely heard about the man– Archbishop Oscar Romero. He was born in a poor family on 15 August 1917 in a small town, about 100 miles away from San Salvador, the capital city of EI Salvador. There were no job opportunities in his town for people with academic qualifications. So he had to become a carpenter. But sensing the call to become a priest, he joined the seminary. Before his ordination, he was sent to the Jesuit-run Gregorian University in Rome for his theology. In 1942, while still in Rome, he was ordained a priest, but none of his family could attend the ceremony.

Returning to EI Salvador soon after his ordination, he ministered in parishes for over 20 years. Since alcoholism was rampant in the area, he started an Alcoholics Anonymous group. After serving as the rector of the inter-diocesan seminary in San Salvador, he became the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Salvador in 1970. In 1974 he was appointed the Bishop of a poor, rural diocese called Santiago de Maria. In 1977 he was appointed the Archbishop of San Salvador.

In EI Salvador a handful of wealthy families owned more than 90% of the land. When the poor peasants raised their voice to obtain their rights for a decent, dignified life, their leaders were abducted, exiled or killed. In order to justify such atrocities the ruling military junta branded anyone who stood up for the poor as communists. Fr Rutilio Grande, a Jesuit priest who worked with the poor and a close friend of Romero, was assassinated by a death squad. “When I looked at Rutilio lying there dead,” Archbishop Romero later wrote, “I thought, ‘If they have killed him for doing what he did, then I too have to walk the same path.’ Romero, who was more of a timid conservative, from then on, reached out to help and console the poor and their leaders who faced these terrible sufferings. He was moved by the plight of a growing number of widows, orphans and those who had to flee the country. He emerged as a champion of the poor and became the voice of the voiceless.

 

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KEVIN

Over the past year, Crystal and I have had the opportunity to observe our daughter providing homeschool education for our six-year old grandson. It has been delightful to not only witness Joey’s amazing educational advances, but also to see the marvelous interaction between mother and son.  As a result of a pending divorce, the prospects for continued homeschooling for her children is being challenged. The suitability of our daughter, a university educated, English literature major’s ability to teach is being called into question. The prospect of being forced to place the children into floundering public schools is not only disconcerting but has prompted me to reflect on education in general and the role of teachers specifically.  What does it take to be a good teacher anyway?

Obviously children need to learn in order to prosper in life. Reading, writing and arithmetic skills are essentials for every child and serve as the fundamental basis of any educational system.  Even the least trained educator, with the aid of an established curriculum, should be able to handle the task of helping a young child become functionally literate and learn basic life skills. But in this day and age, the emphasis in the West is on educating the next generation of mathematicians, scientists and computer gurus. Admittedly, the educational rigor and teaching skills necessary to develop in-depth knowledge of various subjects and the ability to apply principles to real world problems may require additional expertise and more highly skilled teachers. In fact, I am very beholden to those teachers who have had the patience to bring “slower” students like myself through the intricacies of advanced math, science and language. Their skill and dedication is to be commended.

Who are the Great Teachers?

However, there are lots of teachers, many of them in this day and age who happen to be homeschoolers, who are very capable of passing along basic knowledge and skills to students.  Is being a good teacher enough? What does it take to be a great teacher? When I watch our daughter… when I think of the special teachers I have had in Catholic schools and at the public university… what is it that I see that highlights greatness? What I have experienced beyond the mere act of learning is the life-shaping influence that is at work when we experience a great teacher. Whenever I hear someone reflect on the experience of their overall education, inevitably they will share the opinion that one particular teacher had a profound influence on who they are as a person. So, the great teacher is the one whose interest in the student doesn’t stop at their learning but focuses on their future. In other words, the great teacher is not focused merely on education but also on formation.

 

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CRYSTAL AND KEVIN SULLIVAN

Tips on Leadership and Spiritual Growth

(480-547 CE)

“The Abbot should use prudence and avoid extremes…  He should prune faults with prudence and love as he sees best for each individual.  Let him strive to be loved rather than feared.”  (Rule of St. Benedict, Ch. 64,12.14-15)

The entire Rule of St. Benedict stands out for its spirit of discernment.  Chapter 64, where the qualities of an Abbot are outlined, emphasizes the need of ‘prudence’ (repeated twice) and juxtaposes it with the age-old philosophical principal of ‘avoiding extremes.’  The chapter, which is a synthesis of the Christian ideal and profound humanism, is indeed a must read for anyone who has to elect a superior or has been appointed as one.

Though monastic life existed for many centuries in western Europe, Benedict is considered the Father of Western monasticism. He was born in Nursia, Northeast of Rome. After experiencing a religious conversion, he decided to renounce the world.  He first lived with a group of ascetics in Affile, east of Rome, and then spent three years in total solitude in Subiaco. He had a bitter experience as head of a group of decadent monks, following which he returned to Subiaco and founded twelve monasteries.  From there he went to Mount Cassino, where he founded a fully cenobitic community – a community which would be autonomous and confer the abbot with a great deal of authority. His Rule would go on to become the foundation of monastic spirituality. On various occasions, when monasticism was in crisis, groups of monks would return to the original spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict.

Benedict’s life was popularized by the Dialogues of Pope Gregory the Great, who presented him as a Vir Dei, i.e., a man of God.  In keeping with the literary style of the day, Benedict is presented as a great prophet, miracle worker…

 

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