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Fr. Joseph Murphy died of a heart attack while playing cricket.  Those who lived with him remember him not for the unexpected way in which he died but for the inspiring way in which he lived.  Fr. Murphy loved games.  And as he played hard to win he would often hurt others on the field, all young seminarians, through his angry words.  But at the end of the day, he would be seen walking up to one or other of the seminarians whom he had hurt to say sorry.  He was the principal of the college.  But he was noble enough to ask forgiveness from those much younger to him whom he had hurt.  Fr. Murphy was humble.  He was a leader.

            We have been accustomed to speaking about the importance of humility for our spiritual life.  St Augustine was guiding a young man named Dioscorus.  When Dioscorus asked him how he could draw closer to God, what was the way to God, St Augustine replied, “This way is first humility, second humility, third humility and no matter how often you keep asking me I will say the same over and over again” (Augustine, Letter 118).  What St Augustine was driving home was that humility is very important for our spiritual journey.  Certainly, our spiritual journey deals not only with our relationship with God, but also with our relationship with others.  However, humility was not spoken of much outside the sphere of spirituality, for instance in the sphere of work, politics, business, leadership.

Jose Kuttianimattathil, sdb

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A synodal Church is a Church of listening, in the awareness that listening is more than hearing. It is a mutual listening in which everyone has something to learn.

AT THE THRESHOLD OF A HOPE-FILLED EVENT

“Synodality is the way of being the Church today according to the will of God, in a dynamic of discerning and listening together to the voice of the Holy Spirit. A synodal Church is a Church which listens. Listening before talking will help to better ‘discern’ what the Holy Spirit is asking of the Church today,” Pope Francis said, pointing out that mutual listening has been the goal of much of the Church’s renewal since Vatican II.

We are living a grace-filled, fascinating and most important moment in the history of the Church since Vatican II – the celebration of the first session of the Synod on Synodality, which has just commenced.  All of us are called to be part of this very vital process and we cannot afford to be indifferent. We need to be open to the Spirit’s guidance in prayer and adoration and be committed for a deeper missionary option that is capable of a qualitative reform of the Church. It is a deeply prophetic process, a possibility for growth, a focused look to the future. In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis has given us the dream of a Church that is not afraid to get its hands dirty by involving itself in the wounds of humanity, a Church that walks in listening to and serving the poor in the peripheries.

THE SHOOTS BORN FROM THE SYNODAL JOURNEY

Synod on Synodality is a Kairos, the opportune and decisive moment of God’s visitation, it is a Pentecostal event and the Epiphany of the Holy Spirit. The INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS (Working Document), product of a long process of listening at different levels, offers us the experiences of the Church around the world, and opens new horizons of hope for the fulfilment of the Church’s mission. It is the fruit of the faith experience of the people of God. It does not suggest answers, but invites a deeper reflection for the work of the Synod, leading the Church to a synodal conversion, a process that must continue as an ongoing process in the years to come. The real protagonist of this process is the Holy Spirit, who has accompanied and guided the journey and infused hope and confidence to move forward, so that, we can grow as a Missionary Synodal Church proclaiming the Gospel, in fidelity to the task entrusted to the Church by the Lord.

Sr. Celine D’Cunha FMA

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Discussing social issues, Sister Lini recounts the inspiring example of Father Jeremias George, who played a pivotal role in comforting numerous families grappling with the challenges of educating and nurturing their children. His unwavering commitment and compassionate actions brought hope and relief to families in need.

“Fr. Jeremias, a true godsend, saved my life when I was a heart patient. His unwavering support extended to medical and educational help for our family. We owe him for every blessing, from healthy food to annual Christmas cakes, despite our financial struggles. He’s not just a priest; he is a loving father who wiped our tears and brought smiles to many faces in our community.” – Bibin from Kanyakumari.

 “My daughter’s dream of pursuing nursing seemed impossible due to our financial struggles as uneducated parents. Thankfully, I reached out to Fr. Jeremias, who wholeheartedly supported her education. We are immensely grateful, and when she starts working, we will help other needy children.” – Mrs. Mary from Nagercoil.

 Sr Lini Sheeja MSC

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“Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day, lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.” – John Maxwell

Two different personalities in the same parish community:

In a parish on the outskirts of a city, 58-year-old Fr. James was the parish priest and 42-year-old Fr. Denzil was the principal of the diocesan English medium school. In comparison to the younger priest, Fr. James was found to be healthy, agile, and active. He had the habit of regularly rising at 4.30 am, practicing yoga and other exercises, and being punctual in celebrating the Holy Mass for the parishioners at 6.00 am. His health was generally good, with the exception of occasional headaches and fever. He was a lively and sociable person, who greeted people with enthusiasm, maintained friendly relationships with his office staff and the parishioners. People were drawn to his amiable personality, and he was widely appreciated.

Fr. Denzil did not enjoy robust health. He suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure and had to take medication daily. Due to his medical condition, he was unable to rise early in the morning and fulfil his spiritual practices. In fact, he would just about manage to be on time to start school at 9.00 am. With regard to his interpersonal rapport, it was almost impossible for him to be calm and relaxed during the day. He would constantly complain about the many difficulties he was facing in school and it was customary for him to be irritated, impatient and disrespectful towards his staff and the parents of students. As a consequence, people feared approaching him. Neither did he enjoy a happy and serene community life whereas the other priest seemed to be living a fulfilled life.

Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb

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When they paraded her on the road
When they manhandled them publicly
When they took turns in abusing them
Where were we?

Have we lost our collective consciousness?
When they were targeting a particular community
When they were attacking a particular group of people
When they were burning down their beautiful huts
Where were we?

Have we lost our collective consciousness?
When they refused to buy things from a particular shop
When they showcased their majoritarian attitude
When they bent and bypassed the rules of the land for their merit
Where were we?

Have we lost our collective consciousness?
When the riots started spreading to the other states
When their hue and cry fell on deaf ears
When they stood like migrants in their own land
Where were we?
Have we lost our collective consciousness?

When he shot dead people on a running train
When he spoke openly in favour of two thugs
When he had the guts to kill the innocent civilians
Where were we?
Have we lost our collective consciousness?

Really!!!
Is there first of all consciousness in us?

If yes
Where were we?
Where are we?
If no
Have we lost our collective consciousness?

Elephant Whisperers (2022) Runtime: 40 minutes

Director: Kartiki Gonsalves

“Elephant Whisperers” is a touching documentary that unfolds the heartwarming story of a tribal couple, Bomman and Bellie, living in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border in South India.  Raghu and Ammu, two orphaned baby elephants, are entrusted to their care by the Forest Department. Raghu, a mischievous 7-year-old male elephant, was rescued from a tragic situation after his mother was electrocuted and he was abandoned by his herd. Bomman, a descendant of elephant caretakers, became Raghu’s saviour, nursing him back to health. Over time, Raghu became an integral part of Bomman and Bellie’s family, with the couple treating him as their own child. The bond between them is deeply emotional, with Raghu even comforting Bellie during her moments of sorrow. The movie is not only a heartwarming tale of human-elephant relationships but also a tribute to the beauty of South Indian forests and the rich culture of tribal communities. The documentary, produced over five years in Mudumalai, premiered at the New York City Film Festival for Documentaries and achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first Indian film to win an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of coexisting harmoniously with nature and its magnificent creatures.

Kiss the Ground (2020) Runtime 84 minutes

Directors: Rebecca Harrell Tickell, Josh Tickell

The documentary “Kiss the Ground” highlights the urgent issues caused by the Green Revolution: desertification, global warming, and pollution. It traces these problems back to thoughtless industrial growth and the industrialization of agriculture, which disrupted the carbon cycle, releasing vast greenhouse gases. This leads to climate change. However, the documentary asserts that there’s hope in the new methods of “farming like nature.” Many farmers and activists worldwide are using eco-friendly practices like cover cropping, avoiding monoculture, and composting to draw carbon from the atmosphere and improve soil health. They also emphasize raising livestock sustainably, which supports soil microbes. Gabe Brown, a rancher in San Diego testifies to this from his experience of the changeover from the industrial method that ruined his farm in the 1990s. His success shows that restorative farming can be profitable and reduce desertification. Additionally, reducing and composting food waste is crucial. This new farming approach benefits both the environment and our future.  “Kiss the Ground” also illuminates a path forward through sustainable farming practices.

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‘Mere ghar aakar toh dekho’ (Come into my home and be my guest) is a national level campaign organized by the people of good will towards rebuilding bonds of love and fraternity in our country. This campaign was launched by hundreds of national networks, secular and democratic groups and individuals on Independence Day – 15 August 2023 across the country. In Karnataka, the campaign, is inspired by Kuvempu’s iconic poem, called “Teredide mane, O baa athithi…” meaning- ‘The doors of my home, are open dear guest…come in bringing new light, new hopes and new life’.

In recent times our country has witnessed an unprecedented growth in the nature of communal tensions, violence and riots. There has been perpetrated hatred and induced violence victimizing many innocent lives like never before. Communal tensions, violence and riots are undoubtedly concerning issues that can have far-reaching impacts on a nation’s stability, social fabric and progress. These issues often stem from a combination of historical, social, religious and political factors. Addressing them requires a prudent approach involving spiritual truths, constitutional values, collective as well as individual efforts. Though we seem to know the origin of the anti elements causing division and disharmony, without naming and blaming any such groups, factions or forces, “Teredide mane…” is responsible citizens’ ardent initiative to light a candle in the face of darkness.

The campaign has been launched by the prominent Delhi-based social and civil rights activists that include Shabnam Hashmi, Abha Bhaiya, Ovais Sultan and Leena Dabniru who believe that this small beginning will ignite hopes that especially the new generation will rise above the hatred and join hands for peace and love. The campaigners have already created powerful waves spreading it in different states across the country resulting in ripple effects towards national integration.

Sr. Anitha Precilla Lobo, SCB

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He unexpectedly entered my life on that early morning of 19 November 2021. The previous night, I had returned late from Howrah Station after travelling from Hazaribagh. My sleep was interrupted by some of our HIV men (who were residing in our Shanti Bhavan in Kolkata) talking underneath my window. As I opened the door, Prem Singh exclaimed, “Brotherji, dekhiye, chota billi hai.” And there he was, a tiny kitten trembling with fear. A large falcon was perched atop a nearby tree ready to launch its attack.  The little kitten couldn’t have been more than three weeks old.

I knelt close to him, and he just huddled against the corner, perhaps mistaking me for another falcon! There was no way of escape. As I gently lifted him by the nape, Prem Singh was already running to the kitchen, “dudh dijiye, dudh dijiye billi ke liye,” and he was back in a jiffy with some milk in a saucer. I carefully placed the kitten down. He looked around and put his paw in the milk. Soon he realized he could lap it up. And there we stood Prem, Bagheera, Gopal, Ravi, Asharam, Raju, Parimal, Saiful, Vincent and I engrossed in the cuteness and sweetness of such a tiny creature.

Dante quickly became a regular presence in my room. Training a young kitten was quite a task, requiring daily attention to his food, milk, and a clean litter box. Luckily, as winter approached, Gopal and Saiful provided bags of dried leaves for Dante’s litter box in my bathroom. He adored the leaves, turning my room into an autumn garden with his leafy antics. I’d often lose track of time watching him play. However, I had to be vigilant to prevent him from getting stuck in small spaces or under furniture. Over time, one of these spaces became Dante’s go-to hideaway whenever he sensed my displeasure.

Br Carmel Duca MC

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The Principal/Headmistress/Headmaster serves as the top authority in educational institutions, both from a legal and Church perspective. In the Church setup, they answer to Superiors, Provincials, and Bishops, while legally, they are the heads of the institution. This dual role can sometimes be challenging to navigate. This article aims to clarify their distinct roles and responsibilities and highlight the positive impact they can have during their tenure. Note that “Principal” includes “Headmistress” or “Headmaster.”
From the Church’s Point of View
From the Church’s perspective, a religious or priest Principal operates under the authority of their Superior, Provincial, or Bishop. They report to and are accountable to these higher authorities, seeking approval when necessary. The Principal works in coordination with other community officials like the Superior, Minister, Administrator, and Treasurer. Major decisions are made in consultation with the Superior. In essence, the Principal represents the interests of the Congregation/Diocese, the registered society, and the community, rather than pursuing a personal or autocratic agenda. Their approach is one of entrusted responsibility, emphasizing collective responsibility for the institution by the entire Congregation/Diocese, registered society, and community.

Fr Alex G SJ

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We, Novices of the Medical Mission Sisters, had the privilege of attending a week-long seminar at St. Joseph Convent School in Khandwa. This seminar, organized by the Pratyek group from Delhi, focused on integrating justice and advocacy into education. The seminar proved to be an eye-opening experience and a source of inspiration. We learned how to become advocates for justice through various activities such as group work, games, and chart paper presentations. One particularly meaningful moment was when we paused for a minute of silence amidst our busy activities, listening to the sound of a bell. This simple act helped us connect with the present moment and appreciate its significance.

Child Advocacy

We learned about child advocacy and how crucial it is because children’s rights are often overlooked by both families and society. A game showed us the importance of a stable family, having a home, and adapting to different life situations. We realized that being a child advocate is a challenging role, requiring courage, risk-taking, determination, patience, understanding, and humility. Every activity encouraged us to think about why child advocacy matters. We understood that it begins within ourselves, inspiring us to advocate for each other. We also discovered the various influences on a child’s development, from the family to the nation. In one activity, we symbolized this protection and a child’s rights by having the child lie on the floor, surrounded by four circles of people representing different levels of support, from the family to the nation.

Novice Lungsinliu Joycy Gonmei

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