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The first of May is a special day in the Catholic Church as it honours St. Joseph – the Worker, who is celebrated around the world in sync with Labour Day. As we reflect on the life of St. Joseph, we are reminded of the words of Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter “Patris Corde.” The Holy Father described St. Joseph as a “working father” who lived his life in the shadows, quietly supporting and caring for his family.

A Father in the Shadows

 St. Joseph, a silent but fascinating teacher, leads by example with his virtues and great simplicity. The Gospels portray him as the Spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, with Matthew presenting him as a “righteous” man and a descendant of the house of David. His decision to send Mary away secretly upon learning of her pregnancy highlights not only his righteousness but also his kindness and consideration. Despite living in the shadows, Joseph remained faithful to his calling as a husband and father, doing everything expected of him. By all indications, Joseph must have died before the public life of Jesus. It was only in the Middle Ages that the cult around him began to flourish.

Fr G Dolin MMI

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 As Catholics, we must be mindful of our own attitudes towards work, and strive to promote the dignity of work in our own lives and in our communities. This means valuing all types of work, whether it be manual labor or intellectual work, and recognizing the contributions of all workers to our society. By doing so, we can help to create a more just and equitable world, where the dignity of every human person is respected, and the rights of workers are protected. In the following paragraphs we will reflect on the basic principles that contribute to a healthy understanding of work.

The Dignity of Work:

Pope Francis writes in his Apostolic Letter “Patris Corde”, “Those who work are cooperating with God, and in some way become creators of the world around us”. He encourages everyone “to rediscover the value, the importance and the necessity of work for bringing about a new “normal” from which no one is excluded. Also Catholic social teaching and women religious share a common understanding of the dignity of work, which holds that all work, has inherent value and the workers should be treated with respect and justice.

Sr. Elizabeth Rani OP

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My mother often said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do,” and I have come to strongly believe in her words. She taught me the value of work and how to approach it with love, commitment, and dedication. Labor Day is celebrated on May 1st in honor of St. Joseph the Worker, who taught Jesus the value of hard work. Work provides us with dignity and a sense of worth, and we should be grateful for the gift of work that God has given us. Our work is to nurture what God has created, and Jesus taught us to serve others through our work. As co-workers of God, let us live out this spirituality of work as service.

Understanding the dignity and value of work as service

Work is, in the words of John Paul II ‘a fundamental dimension of human existence on earth’ (Laborem Exercens No. 4).  The Church, in reflecting on the dignity and purpose of human work, offers the faithful a rich vein of social teaching. Therefore, Church teachings rightly remind us of the value of work. Work enhances our human dignity and contributes to the common good of the community, Church and society. St Theresa of Kolkota says, to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way which means to consider work as service and the love we put in it makes our service meaningful and effective.

Sr Benny D’ Cunha UFS

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May Day or International Workers Day is a time to recognize the inherent right and duty of every individual to work. While it is commonly associated with laborers in industries, the concept of work goes beyond these distinctions of ownership and employment. The true meaning of work and being a worker is not limited to this particular holiday and deserves deeper contemplation.

What the Church Says….

According to the teachings of the Church, work is a necessary part of life and a means of personal growth and fulfillment. Pope Francis says in ‘The Joy of Love’ “We were created with a vocation to work… Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfilment.” Pope St. John Paul II, says in ‘On Human Work’ emphasizes, “Man must work, both because the Creator has commanded it and because of his own humanity, which requires work in order to be maintained and developed. Man must work out of regard for others, especially his own family, but also for the society he belongs to, the country of which he is a child, and the whole human family of which he is a member, since he is the heir to the work of generations and at the same time a sharer in building the future of those who will come after him in the succession of history.” It is clear from the above observations that  human society must constantly be at work and it is indeed at work constantly.

John Don Bosco

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In this article, Dr Sandra, explores the interconnectedness of women’s work inside and outside the home, and the importance of recognizing and valuing women’s contributions to society. It examines the concept of the “triple role” of women and the various life situations that force women to pursue work for their own survival and that of their families. The article also discusses the role of the church in promoting gender equality and provides practical tips for educating students in recognizing women’s work.

Paid work and Unpaid work

Women’s work is often defined by two categories: paid work and unpaid work. The concept of ‘paid work’ is comprehensible as it fits well into the common definition of work. Unpaid work, however, includes domestic responsibilities like caring for family members and running a household. Unfortunately, this type of work is often overlooked and seen as a woman’s natural duty or act of love, rather than recognized as true work. The traditional view of men as breadwinners and women as homemakers fails to acknowledge the significant and often invisible contributions women make to both their families and the workforce. Economic theories that perpetuate these beliefs have failed to address the interconnectedness of women’s work, leading to structural imbalances and a disconnection between their personal and public lives.

Prof. Sandra Joseph

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Quite a few times I have read and recited the prayer, “Soul of Christ” (Anima Christi) both in my bliss and torments, I could narrowly comprehend every other sentence from the prayer except “within your wounds hide me”.  But in the long run, the same sentence turned out to be my favorite.

Four years ago, I joined the pre-novitiate of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits). It was an ecstatic moment for me, but a startling one for my parents. I was physically fit and emotionally steady; but I had come in quest of the word “Happiness”. I had learnt that it is in God that I can find perpetual happiness. As I was in the pursuit of happiness, God granted me the gift of perpetual pain and misery through the dislocation of my left knee patella! Is it once? No, the Lord was not pleased… My left knee patella was dislocated three times and there was no other alternative than to go in for surgery. Did the agony of pain vanish with this surgery? Surely not! At the end of the 2^nd year of the Pre-Novitiate, to be exact, just a day before the surgery of the left knee, God felt that it was sufficient! Once again, He blessed me to partake in the sufferings of his Son through the dislocation of my right knee patella.

Novice Vivek Clitus D’Souza

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The Easter story, which commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. While much attention is given to the accounts of the male disciples and their experiences during this event, the role of women in the Easter story is often overlooked. However, the Gospels provide several accounts of women playing crucial roles in the events surrounding the Resurrection, from being the first witnesses to the empty tomb to receiving the first post[1]Resurrection appearances of Jesus. In this discussion, we will explore the involvement of women in the Easter story and how their presence and contributions were vital to the foundation of the Christian faith.

Active Role of Women in the Gospels

Throughout the New Testament, we see examples of women who were actively involved in Jesus’ ministry. One of the most prominent examples is Mary Magdalene, who was one of Jesus’ most devoted followers. She is mentioned twelve times in the Canonical Gospels, and in the Gospel of John, she is the first person to witness the Resurrected Jesus. As Jesus was being crucified, women were present at the foot of the cross, demonstrating their willingness to stand by Him until the end. Through their encounter with Jesus, they found the freedom to continue following Him, even in the face of great suffering and persecution. Their unwavering commitment to Jesus serves as a powerful example of the transformative power of faith.

Sr. Elizabeth Rani OP

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For me, the Resurrection is the experience of being loved intimately by Jesus. A time came in my life where I was deeply moved by the love and forgiveness of Jesus. A few years ago, I found myself in the wrong company and although everything seemed fine at first, I eventually realized that I was on the wrong path. This realization left me feeling lost and fumbling, like St. Peter in the sea of Galilee. It took me several months to get back on track, but through prayer, I had a profound encounter with the love and forgiveness of Jesus, similar to the disciples at Emmaus. This encounter continues to resonate with me to this day, and I no longer feel any regret or guilt about what happened. Instead, I experience a deep sense of peace and forgiveness from Jesus. This encounter is a reminder to me of the transformative power of the resurrection of Jesus in our lives.

Resurrection Experience in religious formation:

• Resurrection Experience: The Resurrection is not just a past event, but a continual source of power in our daily lives. It brings us freedom to face our challenges and gives us hope in Jesus, which is the greatest joy we can experience. When our formees undergo discernment to make better choices, it is a struggle. They engage in an internal search to align their will with God’s will and seek to understand their calling. The Resurrection of Jesus empowers our formees to undergo the struggle of discernment, align their will with God’s will, and fulfill their calling.

Sr Benny D’Cunha UFS

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(Part two with Annexures I, II, and III along with Schedule I will be printed in the next issue).

In our Church set-up, we put up so many buildings, but often remain ignorant of the materials and the quality of the work.  Hence, I thought of sharing the following Construction Agreement as a sample for our use at the Province/Diocese level:

CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made on   (Date)   Between:  (the Province/Diocese), hereinafter called the TRUSTEE, which term shall include his/her assigns and successors.

AND

(Name of Contractor), hereinafter called the BUILDING CONTRACTOR, which term shall include his assigns and successors.

Whereas the Trustee possesses a plot of land at   (place/site) and is desirous of constructing a building in the said plot of land as per the approved plan and the specifications, rates and quantities, enclosed and forming part of this agreement.

NOW, THIS AGREEMENT IS AS FOLLOWS:

1. The Building Contractor shall act in consideration of the money to be paid in the manner set forth below to execute and complete the works as per the plan and specifications enclosed to the satisfaction of the undersigned Trustee and his/her Representative, residing at  (place).                          .
2. This contract covers the entire construction (civil, electrical, plumbing). The total built-up area of the building is ( __ ) sq ft, costing Rs (Rupees only), including GST. This payment is to carry out the work in respect of the entire construction of the said building, including electrical and plumbing, as per the architectural and structural drawings and as per items mentioned in the schedule attached here. TDS of 1% shall be deducted on each running bill before adding GST.
3. The term Trustee shall mean the Governing Body member, who has been authorized by the society to represent the society and execute this agreement.
4. The term Representative shall mean (name) residing at (place), and or his/her representatives, appointed by him/her for site supervision.

Fr Alex G SJ

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Don Bosco, a saint who  spent all  his life caring for poor young people, used to tell them, “For you I study, for you I work, for you I live, for  you I am ready even to give my life.”  In fact, Dr. Fissore, the physician who treated him, explaining the cause of his death said: “There is no single cause. It is the result of general exhaustion, the result of a life worn away by unceasing work and continuous worries. Don Bosco is simply worn out because of too much work. He is not dying because of any particular disease, but he is like a lamp which is slowly dying for want of oil.” Occasionally, returning from a visit to a noble or prominent family he would tell the poor youth whom he looked after: “Here in your midst I feel completely at home; for me, living means being here with you.”  In Don Bosco we have an example of a shepherd  leader, one who lovingly cared for others and spent (sacrificed) his life totally for them.

What is Shepherd Leadership?

            Last month we described Jesus as the Servant Leader.  When we read the New Testament we notice that Jesus had a unique perspective on leadership that included at least two other metaphors, namely shepherd and steward.  Here, we shall deal with shepherd leadership.

Jose Kuttianimattathil sdb

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