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This Synod, as Pope Francis, has been insisting, is not about producing some clever document. Nor is it simply a meeting of bishops

It is an invitation to come together, to listen to one another, to form a loving family of God.

This demands much from all of us—especially from the leadership.

How do we see the Church?

Are we what we are supposed to be?

How can we become what Jesus wanted us to be?

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The church is not a pyramid in which “those on top” are authorized to give orders to “those below.”

There is nothing higher in the church than Baptism. Did you read that? Nothing higher. My religious vows or priestly ordination or the bishop’s ordination or the cardinal’s red hat or someone being appointed rector or provincial DOES NOT MAKE ANY OF US HIGHER.

Do we, with special roles in the church—cardinals, bishops, priests, religious superiors, vowed religious—really believe it?

Do we live by it?

Do we want a church of this type—of loving listening, respect for everyone, eagerness to serve, closeness to the poorest? Honestly—do we? Or do we want—and promote—an understanding of church where some are higher and more important?

Do we listen to those in our care? To the “lower” and “less important” members?

Do we, religious superiors, for instance, see our role as the right to command or a call to serve? Do we really believe that everyone in the community is equally important?

When we use words like “consecrated life,” do we remember that the real consecration is Baptism, not religious profession or ordination. If so, we are not higher or more important. We all have the SAME CALL—to live as Jesus taught and showed.

“Vocation” is not something special a few people have. It is God’s call to everyone to lead a holy—that is, Christ-like—life. My mother’s or my married sister’s vocation is as sacred as mine. If I speak or act as if I were on a higher rung on some imaginary ladder, I would betray Jesus.

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To begin to do what the Synod asks us to do, I asked Fr Gilbert Choondal SDB to write the Cover Story, to help us situate our discussion. He has been reading and writing about the Synod, and animating church groups on this theme.

Then we asked a few people from different walks of life to tell us how they see and experience the church, and what they would suggest to make it what it should be.

We sent five questions to each one. Let me summarize them here:

1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word, “Church”?
2. Tick one or more options that you think describes the church today (we gave them 5 options).
3. How do you find the exercise of leadership in the church?
4. Is the church today what Jesus meant it to be?
5. Your suggestions for making the church what it should be?

 Have a look at their answers, based on their personal experience.

Listen to a sister, a married woman, a professional layman, a brother, a priest, a seminarian, a young woman working in IT. They are from different places, settings, background and age groups.

I admit a huge gap in this sample: there are no voices from among the illiterate, the hungry, the jobless, the huge majority eking out a living in minimal—and at times inhuman—conditions. If we are what we are meant to be, their needs and sufferings will be at the heart of our planning, of our ministerial action and of our long and expensive formation. But, I could not get written answers for a magazine from any one of them.

May be, you can write your own answers. In a family or religious community or parish or diocese, we can listen to each other’s answers.

And then see what we need to do to become the church we are meant to be.

This Synod is not meant to produce a nice theological document, but to help us all to become what we are meant to be—a mutually respectful, listening, caring family of God.

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Like to watch an interesting short YouTube video on the Synod? I enjoyed the creative drawings, well-spoken text: see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5lAktuejwo

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Christmas: Five articles help us grasp its meaning and beauty; see for yourselves.

I thank the friends who agreed to share their answers. I thank God for giving us a Pope who calls us all back to the essentials—both with his words and gestures, and, more profoundly, through the witness of a good life.

Listen. Learn. Let us build a caring, listening, healing church.

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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Paul Albera was a vivacious boy in Don Bosco’s oratory (youth centre) in Turin, Italy. This is how, decades later, he would describe his time with Don Bosco: “We were caught up in a current of love. We felt loved as we had never been loved before.”

He went on to become a Salesian priest, and was the second successor of Don Bosco as the head of the Salesian order.

How did a man who had so many responsibilities and so much work, including providing for hundreds of boys, dealing church authorities and an anti-clerical government and other duties, communicate such strong love to so many under his care? How did Don Bosco manage this miracle?

He not only did this himself. He would insist that every Salesian institution should be a home, where the young and those who care for them felt at home. He wanted his institutions to be marked by the warmth of love, not by the coldness of rules.

Don Bosco built churches, schools and residences for boys. But what he built above all was a network of relationships marked by love. He was convinced of an idea that was ridiculed and rejected at the time—that the young would respond better to love than to punishments. Experience—as well as the joyful testimony of thousands of youngsters—proved him right.

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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One day, on arriving at the main gate of Bellavista—one of the biggest and most dangerous prisons in Colombia—I was not allowed to go in and visit.  Nothing new. Sometimes it happened that there was a lockdown so that the authorities could perform a thorough search of the inmates’ cells. And so, that day, I ended up sharing a coffee at a roadside stall close to prison, with Carlos Arturo—another volunteer who used to give guitar lessons to the prisoners.

It was the first time Carlos Arturo and I spoke to each other. As soon as I opened my mouth (even though I speak perfect Spanish, my accent betrays me), he was curious to know where I came from and what I was doing in Bellavista. I used to get those questions quite often; so, I already had my answers prepared: “I come from Malta and I have no idea what I am doing in prison.”

He was the first person to understand me. He suggested I should read the play Los Arboles Mueren de Pie (Trees Die Standing Up) by Alejandro Casona.[1] He said that I will surely understand what I was doing in prison. After this short meeting, Carlos Arturo and I never crossed paths again. But, he left me the memory of a book that helped me discover why and what I did in prison—and subsequently in my daily contact with “the poor.”

[1] Casona was a very prolific Spanish poet and playwright (1903–1965) who left Spain after Franco’s rise to power and settled in Buenos Aires where he became an acclaimed writer and critic.

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Bro Carmel Duca MC

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Storms in life are sure to come.  Tossed by the storms of life, when the heart longed for calm and a sure guide, I cried aloud to God. He answered me, saying, “I am with you always.” But how can I feel for sure His presence and friendship?

Years rolled by in anxiety and fear, but with constant prayer and search.  Slowly the grace of God enlightened me to know the secret of life in the words of Prophet Isaiah (30: 15), “In silence and in confidence shall be your strength.” I remember a beautiful quote from a book, Silence as Yoga by Swami Paramananda, in which it is said, “How sweet is the sound of silence! How tender is its touch! How fragrant is its breathing! How lovely is its form!”  But how am I to quieten my anxious mind to feel this silence?

Breath and God’s Presence

I have heard and read the benefits of breathing exercise to silence the restless mind. Here I remember a famous quote by Eckhart Tolle, “Being aware of your breath forces you into the present moment–the key to all inner transformation.  Whenever you are conscious of your breath, you are absolutely present. Conscious breathing stops your mind.” Yes, twenty-one years ago, I remember very vividly, while waiting in a hall for an annual day celebration to start, there was some time in which I became aware of my breathing and began to feel God’s very presence within me. The verse from the book of Job (33: 4) says, “The very breath of God is in you.” This strengthened my faith in God and His presence within me.

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Sr Nambikai Kithari SAP

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Here is a Catholic doctor who has served the sick during three epidemics. He is not only a doctor, but also an ordained deacon serving the diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.

Dr Timothy P. Flanigan MD received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York and completed his residency and fellowship training in infectious diseases at University Hospital of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. He is now a member of the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Miriam and Rhode Island Hospitals and Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America.

Remember reading about the deadly Ebola virus, believed to live in bats and wild animals? It was discovered way back in 1976. Since that time, the majority of cases and outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) have occurred in Africa. The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa began in a village in southeastern Guinea, spread to urban areas and across borders within weeks, and became a global epidemic within months.

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Fr M A Joe Antony SJ

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The audit would have been just over and some of the Treasurers may be settling down in their normal work and some others may be trying to grapple with the unpleasant outcome and demands of the audit.  Perhaps the latter ones, especially those who are new to the field, may be at a loss too. Here are some guidelines for those in need.

 

1. Legal Compliances

In view of the statutory requirements of the Income Tax provisions, it is important that we pay attention to the following:

• For any donation to other trusts, ensure that the objects of both trusts match and that both are registered under 12AB.
• Ensure that there is no mutual donation between the two trusts.
• All donation receipts are to be accompanied with a letter of donation, and in case of corpus donation, with the explicit mention of the same.
• Avoid cash transactions as much as possible.
• Ensure that there is no cash donation receipt or payment beyond Rs 9,000.
• No cash donation of more than Rs 2,000 for 80G benefit.
• No cash expenditure of more than Rs 2,000 from FC funds.
• No FC funds to be transferred to anyone. Maintain the FC funds & FC accounts separately.
• Follow the TDS norms of deducting the required 1% or 2% (if a contractor’s single bill is of Rs 30,000 or more and multiple bills aggregating to Rs 1 lakhs) or 10% (to a professional’s bill(s) amounts to Rs 30,000 or more) as the case may be and depositing the same in the Government account before the 7^th of the following month.

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Fr Alex G SJ

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I am Sr Hanna, the Major Superior of a congregation. Our Constitution (typicon) very clearly prescribes a dress code for our members. However, Sr Sapphira, one of our members, is going around without following the given dress code. Even after repeated admonitions, she continues to do the same. How should I proceed further canonically in this situation?

The life consecrated to God through profession of the evangelical counsels is indeed a particular way of life. By the very fact of their consecration, they embrace a life-style which involves observance of certain constitutive elements of this way of life. It would imply that they should embrace obligations which are directly and indirectly connected to religious vows which they make through public profession. It includes a wide variety of obligations referenced in the teachings of the Church, Codes of canon law and in the Constitutions (typicon) of the particular Institute.

Canon 669 of CIC and Canon 540 of CCEO enumerate the obligation of the dress code for a Religious. Both these canons emphasize that as a sign of consecration and as witness to poverty.  Those who are consecrated to God through religious profession must wear the dress which their religious institute (constitution) prescribes for them.

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Sr Navya Thattil OSF

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Very Good Quality

This letter is long overdue, as I am a regular recipient of the complimentary copy of Magnet, your monthly publication.  Thank you very much for sending them month after month without fail.

I go through most of the articles and I must say that they are of a very good quality and truly relevant to the time and context of the month of publication. It contains articles meant for every one – priests, religious and even lay people. The magazine is attractive and its design and lay out with good quality photos and graphics make it unique. The paper quality too is good – not too cheap nor too expensive – but more than enough for all of us to feel like going through all the pages.

My hearty congratulations to you and your team.

Bishop Jose Chirackal, Tura, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya

Thank you! Continue! Publish an International Edition

I would like to thank you for continuously publishing very good articles in MAGNET, especially that of Fr. Jose Parappully, entitled “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” (June and July 2021) and of Joe Mannath entitled “Learn a Bit of Counselling” (July 2021). People, especially in this time of pandemic, come to priests for advice or simply to have someone to listen to them. They come with various problems, difficulties, painful experiences, etc. For priests like me whose field is not psychology, Fr Parappully’s article is very helpful. It gives basic information about PTSD and offers different healing approaches and methods. Pointing out that PTSD is treatable is reassuring; it’s “good news.” The self-healing approaches and concrete steps he describes are extremely helpful. I find this article to be very pastoral. It presents hard facts but, at the same time, offers hope and concrete solutions. The article on counseling is also quite helpful. All priests need some knowledge and skill in counseling. People from all walks of life come to us priests when they need to be listened to, to be enlightened, to be guided, to be advised on what to do, etc. We must be able to respond to these needs competently and effectively. THANK YOU and CONTINUE with this great apostolate.

MAGNET is a journal not to be kept on library shelves. It is to be read and placed where it can be readily accessible whenever someone in ministry needs to re-read an article useful for his/her work or for someone seeking his/her help.

By all means, come up with an international edition. Include the Pacific in your target area. It is a periphery where many religious sisters and priests do various ministries. They will certainly benefit a great lot from MAGNET. The digital edition is the most effective this time, especially of the pandemic

Fr Samuel H Canilang CMF, Manila, Philipppines

Suggesting a Topic

I would like to suggest a Topic which is missing in Magnet magazine. This topic on Formation…

Can you write some topics about FORMEES ….How do they have to prepare themselves for Consecrated Life? What are the attitudes they need to develop? How do they discern their vocation?T

this will help our formees. Thank you

Bro. Sagar FSF, Holy Family Brothers.

Disturbing Trends in Education

Kudos to  Magnet over the  magnificent  August cover page on Reading Habit. Books taking wings lifting you from the mundane daily grind, buoying up  your spirits to the sublime heights, to the  fabulous realms of the mind and spirit. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,  and inspiring writers will help you trace your way back to the life crowning Word.

Some bookshops as well as some book publishing companies are closing down today. This alone is disturbing  evidence of the fall in the reading habit of people.

The problem has its roots also in some  schools which labour under the misconception that computers and mass media make libraries outdated and irrelevant. In the craze for scoring high marks in public exams, library periods are slashed and borrowing of books from libraries suspended in some schools. General knowledge tests are banished to limbo.  Linguistic skills take a beating from the undue weightage given to technology today.

Today’s education can produce efficient technocrats but few  good thinkers and writers on the art of living,  like the classical authors. Lack of exposure to imaginative writing and good authors stunts imagination and emotional growth of the young. Poor acquaintance with the wisdom of the ages produces a mediocre  crop of leaders in society.

Good readers make good writers. A look at current school and college annuals will lay bare the poor standards of writing and a marked bias towards colourful visual display.

Good reading challenges our lifestyles. So even a highly impactful magazine like MAGNET is rarely thumbed by many religious . Doing commands a higher premium over  being in contemporary religious culture.

Fr Matthew Adukanil SDB, Tirupattur, Tamilnadu

Excellent Issue on Seniors

I just finished reading the July issue of Magnet, on Seniors. As always, very excellent articles, especially the cover stories. I am always inspired and made a little uncomfortable by Brother Carmel’s column–he is amazing, and he really brings to life the humanity of the people among whom he ministers. I had never heard of the Sisters of the Destitute, but I was also inspired by that interview, as well as that with the Little Sister of the Poor (I have heard about that order since I was a young boy–my grandmother really admired them).

I loved the line in your editorial about not just adding years to your life, but adding life to your years. Good advice to me at 77!! And I loved all the tips for growing old gracefully–or gratefully as one of the quotations said. I was also struck by the sister who said that perhaps one of the reasons senior religious are unhappy is that they had seen their lives as a function, and now that they can’t DO things they don’t feel they matter. Again, good advice for me.

Among many other things, I loved the two additional ways of becoming a saint–gratefulness and assurance of God’s love for us. Sainthood isn’t something we achieve, is it? It’s really recognizing how much grace is around us in so many ways. I often quote the line of Gregory Boyle (the Jesuit who works with gangs in Los Angeles): “God delights in us–that takes some getting used to.”

Congratulations on an important issue of Magnet!

Prof Steve Bevans SVD, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, USA

Addiction is not a Solution!

I feel the cover page topic ‘A Secret, Widespread and Destructive Addiction’ was wonderful to read and reflect upon. Truly it was a magnet for me where I couldn’t resist but read when I had just glanced through the contents. Youth, and in some cases married couples, find it difficult to vanquish this addiction called Pornography. In most of the cases, as I find it, the significant reason is loneliness. When we don’t find any means to overcome this loneliness, we inevitably fall into such an addiction. The time has come to spread the awareness that addiction doesn’t become a solution for our loneliness. I am grateful to the MAGNET editorial team for bringing about such awareness to the people through this magazine.

Darwin D’Souza,  Bangalore.

Lover extraordinary

The enlightening article (Volume V issue 9 and 10, October 2021) titled “Lover extraordinary” on Br Charles Cutlot, who later becomes Br Shantidas is quite amazing. His life has stunned me and made me want to give myself for the marginalized. I’m very grateful to the editor for publishing and also Fr M.A Joe Antony SJ for writing this electrifying and enkindling article which has motivated me and lit a sparkle within me to help the vulnerable.

Frewin D’Souza, Mount St Joseph, Bangalore

From Porn to Purity

This is with regard to the article published in  MAGNET (issue 09 and 10 dated October 2021). This issue covers very helpful and thought-provoking articles on addictions. I was very happy to come across the topic ” From Porn to Purity” by Fr Aneesh Chacko SDB. This particular article gave me a lot of insights to live a pure life as a religious person. I was moved by the sacrifice made by Mr Aron Ralston to live his life and for his wife. It has shown me how to be free from addictions and not to feel guilty overtime rather than seek help from others. This leads us to live a pure life centered around Christ. I am grateful to the editor for suggesting many practical ways of handling our addictions. A billion thanks for your thoughts on this topic, which is the need of the hour for all younger generations.

Scholastic Pradeep D’souza  SJ, Vidyaniketan, Dharwad

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Henri Nouwen once asked Mother Teresa for spiritual direction. “Spend one hour each day in adoration of your Lord,” she said, “and never do anything you know is wrong. Follow this and you’ll be fine.”

“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)

“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

“When a person realizes he has been deeply heard, his eyes moisten. I think in some real sense he is weeping for joy. It is as though he were saying, ‘Thank God, somebody heard me. Someone knows what it’s like to be me.’” (Carl Rogers)

“In my early professional years, I was asking the question: ‘How can I treat, or cure, or change this person?’ Now I would phrase the question in this way: ‘How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?’” (Carl Rogers)

“I’m a very strong believer in listening and learning from others.” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)

“Listening is active. At its most basic level, it’s about focus, paying attention.” (Simon Sinek)

“Anyone who is practicing understanding and compassion can exemplify true power. Anyone can be a Buddha.” (Thich Nhat Hanh)

“No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” (Theodore Roosevelt)

“I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization.” (Roger Ebert)

“It is easier to find guides, someone to tell you what to do, than someone to be with you in a discerning, prayerful companionship as you work it out yourself. This is what spiritual direction is.” (Eugene H. Peterson)

“In spiritual direction there is absolutely no domination or control.” (Richard J Foster)

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Centuries ago, while everyone looked at the earth as the centre, Nicolaus Copernicus asked them to look at the sun as the centre. The Copernican Revolution is a shift from a geocentric understanding to a heliocentric understanding.

During his recent visit to Slovakia on 14^th September 2021, Pope Francis spoke to  the young people about a Copernican shift in their personal lives with regard to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I am not the Centre

What is this Copernican shift? It is the understanding that, with my sins, I am not the centre in the Sacrament of Confession. At the centre is the encounter with God who welcomes, embraces, forgives and raises me up. We go to confession as children run to embrace their parent. Pope Francis says, “God is never ashamed of you. God loves you right there, where you are ashamed of yourself. And God loves you always. Does God take offence? No, never. God suffers when we think He can’t forgive us, because it is like telling Him, ‘You are weak in love!’ Instead, God rejoices in forgiving us, every time. When He raises us up, He believes in us as He did the first time. He does not get discouraged. We are the ones who are discouraged, He is not. He does not see sinners to label, but children to love. He does not see people who have erred, but beloved children; wounded, perhaps; and then He has even more compassion and tenderness. And every time we confess — never forget this — there is a celebration in Heaven. May it be the same on earth!”

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Fr Leon Cruz SDB

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