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“I am not going to transfer the money.”  That is what I heard one of the community members telling the other as they came out of a meeting.  In the meeting, the librarian of the College had said that he was running short of funds to buy new books and insisted that the different department heads should transfer the money that was collected by the departments as library fees to the account of the library.  In the discussion that followed some of the department heads complained that the books that had been bought were of a general nature and were not of much use for their departments.  Further, they argued that the departments themselves were running short of money for their various expenses and so were not in a position to pass on any money.  It was also insinuated that the librarian was not fully dedicated to his work.  After a prolonged discussion during which each one tried to present his position with hardly anyone listening attentively to the other, no solution was reached.  And after the meeting one of the heads stated categorically that he would not transfer the money.

            Conflicts of different kinds and intensity are part of our everyday life.  When they are handled poorly, they rob us of much time and energy, create undue stress, and at times, lead to souring of relationships.  If they are managed properly conflicts could be vehicles of growth.   Let us try to understand conflicts better and how to handle them in constructive ways.

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Jose Kuttianimattathil, sdb

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“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you down. It’s the pebble in your shoe.” –Muhammad Ali

Answers to the emotions shown on the six faces in the previous issue;

 First face; happiness: second – sadness: third – fear: fourth – anger: fifth – surprise: sixth – disgust.

While the cognitive dimension deals with the mind, the emotional dimension deals with the heart of the person. That is to say, the focus is on emotions, feelings, moods and affections of people. In this issue, we shall look at the manner in which we can become acquainted with our emotions. Not just get acquainted, but manage them, befriend them and empower these emotions to allow us to reach wholeness in our lives.

Let us consider this particular situation that happened a few years ago: The principal of a renowned school in a certain city, was well known for his expert running of the school, for achieving hundred percent pass results in government exams and for his oratorical skills. Along with all these positive qualities, one other thing he was famous for, was his short temper and sharp tongue. Teachers, office staff, parents were all victims to his sharp tongue. Once, an important piece of information had arrived from the education department asking him to present himself personally with the required documents that same day or else, face serious action. The staff left it on the principal’s table and planned to tell him as soon as he arrived at the office. But on that day, when the principal arrived, he was already red with anger and was barking orders at everyone. In this hullabaloo, the office staff forgot to inform him about that important letter. And of course, the principal had to face the consequences.

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Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

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Servant of God: Jules Chevalier

Born into a family facing financial hardship, a young boy aspired to become a priest despite all obstacles. His father, educated but not successful in trade or business, held no religious beliefs, while his mother, illiterate but deeply faithful, instilled in him a profound sense of God’s presence. This boy grew up to be none other than the Founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Servant of God Jules Chevalier (15 March 1824 – 21 October 1907). As we celebrate his 200th birth anniversary, we reflect on the humble beginnings of this remarkable man, who founded the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and the Chevalier Lay Family.

If you have a Dream, God has a Way! 

Jules Chevalier, born on March 15, 1824, in Richelieu, France, was raised by a mother deeply devoted to the Lord. Despite facing financial hardship, his passion for the priesthood was discouraged initially. He supported his family as a shoemaker apprentice. However, at seventeen, a wealthy landowner near Vatan sponsored his seminary education upon learning of his aspiration. This experience taught Chevalier the lesson: “Have your dreams, and God will find a way to fulfill them,” reflecting his belief in divine providence.

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Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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The phrase Dei Verbum, Latin for ‘Word of God,’ is taken from the first line of the document, a customary practice for titles of major Catholic documents. While many commentators start with Lumen Gentium when reviewing Vatican II, Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, serves as the fundamental lens through which we can best grasp the Council’s work. Dei Verbum’s renewed stress on Sacred Scripture emphasised the necessity to anchor all the Council documents in scriptural texts. Dei Verbum also marks the first comprehensive teaching on God’s Revelation by an ecumenical council in Church history. Although relatively short compared with Lumen Gentium – the other twin pillar of the Council, Dei Verbum is the most theological of all the Decrees. It comprises a preface and six chapters: Revelation itself; the Transmission of Revelation; Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture; the Old Testament; the New Testament; and Scripture in the Life of the Church.

PUSH FOR AGGIORNAMENTO

There was a widespread consensus that the Council needed to produce a significant document on Revelation and the Bible. A drafting commission was formed, but its members got entrenched in a conservative stance, that it was the pastoral duty of bishops to defend against any error of biblical interpretation.  The Council Fathers found this first draft, titled ‘De fontibus Revelationis’ (On the Sources of Revelation), as overly conservative and inadequate. They felt it didn’t align with the vision of aggiornamento (or renewal) articulated by Pope John XXIII for the Council. Following preliminary debates and a vote that signalled a desire for a completely different approach, Pope John XXIII intervened directly. He proposed the withdrawal of the draft and the formation of a new joint commission. This commission, co-led by Cardinal Bea, comprised members of the previous commission alongside scholars trained in critical biblical studies.

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Br. Sunil Britto CFC

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Making the shift from the tomb to the alleluia is a remarkable experience that represents hope emerging from despair. In this reflection, we explore the complex aspects of this metamorphosis, looking at the human experience of confronting pessimism and learning the resilience that results in a victorious alleluia.

The tomb conjures up an image of a dark, hopeless place. It could be a site of loss, personal struggle, or a difficult situation that casts people into a hopeless state of mind. The weight of adversity can be oppressive in this state, obscuring any glimmer of light with its shadows. However, the human soul is astonishingly resilient. From the grave to the alleluia, there are several mental, emotional, and occasionally even spiritual changes. It is evidence of the inherent ability for change that every individual possesses. A common first step in this transformation is acknowledgment, which is facing the depths of despair head-on and embracing it without giving in to its permanence.

A small change happens when people struggle with their situation. Seeds of Resilience are sown in the rich soil of vulnerability. The initial signs of hope arise when one acknowledges their own vulnerability. Despite the difficult terrain, the journey turns into a process of tending to these fragile shoots. Connection and community are essential components of this life-changing experience. Since humans are social creatures, having supportive relationships in one’s life can spur positive transformation. People take comfort in the trip from tomb to alleluia together, whether via mutual experiences, sympathetic understanding, or cooperative activities.

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Fr. Dr. John Singarayar SVD

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The Book of Daniel (2013): 90 minutes

Director: Anna Zielinski

Robert Miano, Lance Henrikson, Andrew Bongiorno

This is a dramatization of the story of the legendary prophet Daniel, presented as a series of flashbacks narrated by the elderly Daniel before King Cyrus. It is contextualized as the aged Daniel recounting the story before the Persian King Cyrus covering a time span of 70 years of Israelite exile in Babylon. It unfolds through five major episodes, each highlighting the indefatigable faith and moral courage of the legendary prophet. Babylon on the banks of the River Euphrates was the seat of the mighty new Babylonian empire under King Nebuchadnezzar who seized Jerusalem in 605 B.C. When he enslaved the Jews the young boy Daniel along with many other young men was among the exiles.  Daniel and his friends refuse forbidden food, remaining faithful to their God. Two weeks afterwards their diet proves better than that of their Babylonian peers when they appear healthier.

Recognized for his wisdom, Daniel became an adviser to King Nebuchadnezzar, and faced jealousy and danger from courtiers. But Daniel remains the king’s faithful servant without giving up his God. Despite being thrown into a lion’s den, Daniel’s faith protects him, showcasing his unyielding devotion.

In a dramatic turn, King Nebuchadnezzar, troubled by a forgotten dream, threatens his astrologers and magicians with death if they fail to recall and interpret it. Daniel steps in, guided by God, and unveils the dream’s meaning: a colossal image symbolizing future world history, from Babylon’s reign to the rise of other empires and ultimately the Kingdom of God. Impressed, Nebuchadnezzar appoints Daniel as ruler over Babylon. The narrative then follows how these prophecies unfold, including Daniel and his friends surviving the fiery furnace and the lion’s den under Darius’s rule, and the downfall of Belteshazzar, among other historical events.

My Best Friend Anne Frank (2021): 103 minutes

Director: Ben Sombogaart

Cast: Roeland Fernhout, Aiko Beemsterboer, Stefan de Walle, Josephine Arendsen, Lottie Hellingman  et al

This movie is the latest among many movies inspired by the remarkable story of Anne Frank. Based on Alison Leslie Gold’s book, Memories of Anne Frank: Reflections of a Childhood Friend, the film intricately weaves together the recollections of Hannah Goslar, Anne’s closest companion and neighbor during their time in Amsterdam. The film moves between their carefree youth and the grim reality of the Holocaust, set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.  It highlights the struggles of the Jewish community, Hannah and Anne’s increasing awareness of anti-Semitism, and their resilient optimism despite the oppressive circumstances.

Hannah, in particular, harbors selfless aspirations of emulating Florence Nightingale, even amidst the encroaching darkness of the Nazi regime. Meanwhile, Anne’s family, like many others, plans an escape to Switzerland, only to have their hopes dashed when their hiding place is betrayed, leading to their eventual capture. Tragedy strikes further as Hannah’s mother passes away during childbirth, and the Goslar family, too, falls victim to the Nazi dragnet. Detained in an exchange camp, their fate becomes entwined with that of countless others, as they are held as bargaining chips in the brutal calculus of war. Separated from her dearest friend, Hannah is left to grapple with the harrowing realities of existence in the shadow of genocide. The film poignantly captures the anguish of loss, the relentless march of despair, and the indomitable human spirit that perseveres even in the face of unimaginable adversity. Even as it portrays the unforgettable horrors of racist persecution and the horrors of the World war, it is also a tale of friendship and human bonding in the days of such horror, a celebration of humanity.

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I wish I could, like many other congregations, extol the virtues of our founder as wonderful, pious, holy, and perfect. Unfortunately, I cannot, because he was far from flawless. At times he got very angry, battled with compulsive gambling, and revealed his fragility, weakness, and woundedness. However, he was not pretentious, self-righteous or full of false humility, His humility was genuine, arising from an honest acknowledgment of his sinfulness and faults. In other words, he was fully human! And that’s precisely what I like about him.

Ian Travers-Ball was born in Australia in 1928 to a well-to-do family. He received his education at the prestigious Jesuit-run Xavier College in Melbourne. Despite not being at the top of his class, at graduation near the end of World War II, he secured a good job at an insurance company.  He already had an inkling of a vocation to the priesthood but his drive to gamble on horses was stronger. Then the day of reckoning, as he used to describe it, arrived one Saturday afternoon in June 1951 when he lost everything on a bet. That day marked a trans-formative experience: he began praying and attending Mass more regularly. Eventually, he confided in a Jesuit priest about his desire to join the order.

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Br Carmel Duca MC

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Protection of the rights of religious and ethnic minorities is fundamental to India’s secular values, with a legacy of embracing all religions under its fold. India has consistently upheld the principle of equality. Article 30 of the Indian Constitution is one of the key provisions safeguarding minority rights. It falls under Part III of the Indian Constitution, which delineates fundamental rights granted to all citizens of India, regardless of caste, religion, sex, or place of birth. Article 30 guarantees minorities the right “to establish and administer educational institutions.”

Article 30(1)

Article 30(1) grants all linguistic and religious minorities the ‘right to establish’ and the ‘right to administer’ educational institutions of their choice. This provision extends to two categories of minorities: religious and linguistic. The right conferred upon these minorities—to ‘establish’— implies the authority to bring into existence, while the right to administer an institution entails the freedom to effectively manage and oversee its operations. This management must be free from control and restrictions, allowing the founders of the institution to shape it according to the ideals and values of their community, thereby serving the interests and betterment of the community, as well as others, in imparting education. The founding mothers and fathers of the Constitution provided minority communities with the option to establish such educational institutions to serve dual purposes: safeguarding their religion, language, or culture, and providing general education to their children in their own language.

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Sr Adv Mary Scaria SCJM   

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Pope Francis officially opened the YEAR OF PRAYER after Mass, on the Sunday of the Word of God, on January 21, 2024, after praying the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. Inaugurating the Year of Prayer in preparation for Jubilee 2025, he called on the faithful to intensify prayer to live well this event of grace: “The coming months will lead us to the opening of the Holy Door, with which we will begin the Jubilee. I ask you to intensify your prayer to prepare us to live well this event of grace and to experience the strength of God’s Hope. Today we begin the Year of Prayer; that is, a year dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in personal life, in the life of the church and in the world.”

Rome is preparing to welcome approximately 35 million visitors for the 2025 Jubilee. This is the first ordinary Jubilee since the Great Jubilee of 2000. Jubilees, rooted in the biblical tradition, are important holy years of grace and pilgrimages in the Catholic Church. The Jubilee Year 2025 will be a special time to pause and reflect; a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another and with all of creation.  Pope Francis reiterates the importance of prayer saying: “Prayer unites us; it makes us brothers and sisters. It is in prayer that our hearts find the strength not to be cold and insensitive in the face of injustice. In prayer, God keeps calling us, opening our hearts in charity.”

GREAT SYMPHONY OF PRAYER

In preparation for the Jubilee 2025, the year 2024 has been designated as a Year of Prayer. Pope Francis calls for ‘Great Symphony of Prayer,’ highlighting the importance of both communal and personal prayer. He says, ‘In this time of preparation, I would greatly desire that we devote 2024, the year preceding the Jubilee event, to a great “SYMPHONY” OF PRAYER. Prayer, above all else, to renew our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him.”

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Sr. Celine D’Cunha FMA

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A renowned educator with a heart akin to the Good Shepherd, Sr. Christine Vas, who dedicated numerous years to shaping and mentoring students in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, has been elected as the new Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo. In this interview, she reflects on her vision and dreams for God’s people, emphasizing collaborative efforts and unwavering commitment infused with apostolic zeal in mission.

Hearty Congratulations and God’s blessings Sr. Christine upon being elected as the Superior General of our congregation!  How has your family background influenced your values and perspectives?

I come from Holy Family Church, Omzoor, Mangalore, where I attended St. Joseph’s Hr. Primary School and Nitya Sahaya Matha High School, managed by the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo. My family instilled in me deep faith and Gospel values. The parish clergy, Sisters, teachers, and extended family played vital roles in nurturing my spiritual growth. I am the first born, and my youngest sibling is also a religious of St. Charles, studying at St. Johns’ Medical College, Bangalore.

My father enriched our lives with spiritual nourishment through sharing the lives of saints, reflections from Sunday sermons, and his own encounters with God. My parents’ actions spoke volumes, instilling in us values of prayer, honesty, equality, charity, hard work, generosity, compassion, service, and availability from an early age. Our family’s unity in prayer has remained strong, and the unwavering support of my siblings and their families has been invaluable on my religious journey.

How have your educational experiences influenced your understanding of leadership and service within the congregation?

As a young religious in 1988, I was sent to Sarguja District in North India, which later became part of the new state of Chattisgarh in 2000. I spent a major part of my life in MP. My focus was on teaching children, many of whom were from the tribal community with illiterate parents. Emphasizing the importance of family in students’ lives, I prioritized family visits and parent meetings. Regular seminars, awareness programs, and input sessions were organized to educate parents on their responsibilities, health, hygiene, and grooming skills.

Motivated by the stark realities faced by tribal communities and their lack of basic necessities, I dedicated myself to their welfare through quality education and character formation. Serving and empowering them provided valuable insights into service and leadership. A leader’s democratic attitude, positive outlook, and systematic planning of congregational policies leave a lasting impact, which must be translated into action, especially for those on the peripheries. Leadership is service, and leading by example is the most effective form of teaching.

How do you envision incorporating the core values instilled during your formation into your leadership as Superior General?

Journeying down my memory lane I feel proud that the initial formation, different stages of formation and ongoing formation in the congregation was well balanced and quite challenging. The formation provided ample opportunities to be rooted in core values, to be grounded in faith, Word of God, charism, spirit of the congregation, community life, preparation for new responsibilities and missionary initiation which cemented my life as a religious. Integrating my core values into my leadership practice demanded commitment, self-discipline and courage. I am convinced that living my values authentically makes the process of animation more meaningful while unlocking higher levels of performance in community living and apostolate. I want to ground my leadership in Synodality, build up a foundation of trust by listening, participation, open communication, team spirit, discernment and decision-making. I wish to integrate all that I have learnt in the congregation over the years into the fabric of how I lead, communicate values, look at all  major decisions through the lens of gospel values, to walk the talk, maintaining integrity and growth.

How do you plan to nurture and strengthen the charism and mission of the congregation in the changing world?

The charism of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo is to incarnate the compassionate love of God for all people, especially the poor and marginalized through all our ministries. Compassion is a fundamental quality, an ingredient that defines our very human nature. Without compassion, we would be insensitive and heartless and not capable of relating to one another. We need compassionate Sisters who put the needs of others before themselves. We have elaborate strategies to live the charism in our own communities and allow it to overflow into our ministries. Living in today’s busy and hectic world, we sometimes get carried away with our own problems. Lots of efforts are made during formation and thereafter to enable the sisters to imbibe the true spirit of charism and mission. We spell out our charism, showing concern for the poor by teaching, caring for the sick, relieving spiritual, moral, mental, emotional and physical suffering. The Charism and Mission is nurtured through prayer and strengthened by our preferential option for the poor, listening to God in the outcry of the migrants, refugees, the indigenous, the women, the prisoners, the sick, the elderly the young. We need to interpret today’s challenges in the light of the charism.

You were assisting the Superior General as her first councilor for the past 6 years. How do you plan to apply the lessons learned from those experiences to effectively lead the congregation as Superior General?

Programs are planned with a clear vision, during Regional, Provincial and General chapter, on community, province and congregational level, keeping in focus the thrust of the congregation for 6 years based on the contemporary context. These have to be implemented in time, well monitored and evaluated from time to time taking into consideration the stakeholders and beneficiaries. We need to orient the sisters annually to be efficacious, build up leadership, empower younger leaders, promote good vocations, emphasize on formation in mission, make optimum use of the potentiality of the human resources, make wise use of land and infrastructure, networking and collaboration and promote SCB Lay Associates.  Listening must lead us to respond creatively to the new forms of dehumanization and poverty and to make the contribution of an eco-theological reflection for the defense of life threatened throughout the ecosystem.

What do you perceive as the greatest challenge facing the congregation currently and how do you plan to address it?

There are many challenges facing the congregation. One among them is the blurring of Value Systems. On the whole we see that the social situation in which we live, poses a greater challenge to an austere way of life that a Religious congregation demands. The avalanche of powerful media of communication with the advent of the so-called ‘information society’ has caused a profound cultural revolution. Other challenges are, the need for ongoing formation, getting involved in the formation of lay people, the challenge of fighting against poverty and misery, political interference, religious intolerance, the challenge of Inter-religious Dialogue and the challenge of decline in the quality of vocations.

We have been already addressing these challenges on different levels, based on the needs of the members. We have advocated retreats, seminars, input sessions, training and updating, networking and collaborating with likeminded people, psychological counseling, mentoring, understanding and encouraging, advocating a well-planned strategy to preserve vocations and promote new vocations by exemplary lives in our own institutions.

The Church is marching forward with the Synodal Spirit. The congregation too stressed on the Synodal journey of the congregation as ‘Sowers of Hope.’ How will you engage with and involve the sisters in decision-making processes to ensure their voices are heard and valued?

We have given due priority to the synodal spirit and it’s three pillars. We desire to make synodality a reality in our community life by cultivating a culture of listening and dialogue, embracing humility, utilizing effective communication tools and practices, fostering collaborative decision-making, promoting ongoing formation and education, building relationships beyond the community and supporting appropriate structures and processes. Integrating prayer and discernment into our communication processes, seeking constant spiritual guidance and inspiration from the Holy Spirit during all our decision-making matters in the days ahead of us. We ought to encourage open dialogue where everyone feels safe to express their thoughts without fear of judgment and to train sisters in active listening techniques to understand others genuinely.

Thank you, Sr. Christine, for sharing your inspiring life journey and your vision for the congregation. With your guidance and foresight, we anticipate continued growth in advancing the Kingdom of God.

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Sr Rita Shanthi SCB

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