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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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“Re-discover the feminine aspects of your religious traditions, and show how they contribute to a culture of Encounter” – Pope Francis.

Clare of Assisi – the Power of Feminine Encounters

To me, Clare of Assisi, the founder of the order of Poor Clares, stands out as an embodiment of the Power of feminine encounters.  Her decision to reject a life of wealth and privilege in favor of a life of poverty and service is a remarkable example of her commitment to the power in femininity. At a time when women were expected to marry and produce heirs to secure family wealth and status, Clare’s refusal to be married off with a large sum of money was a radical departure from the norm. Instead, Clare chose a life of poverty and service, inspired by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. This decision was not only a rejection of societal expectations but also a powerful assertion of her own agency and autonomy. By choosing to follow her own path, Clare was able to forge a deep sense of connection with God and with others who shared her vision of a life dedicated to service and humility. Clare’s example inspired many other women to follow in her footsteps. Her refusal to be defined by societal norms and her commitment to a life of service and humility is a testament to the power of feminine encounters, and to the ability of women to shape their own destinies and make a profound impact on the world around them.

Pushpa Joseph

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“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate” – John F. Kennedy.

Women empowerment is the word that we have been using consistently in the month of March every year. The market is full of mugs and art pieces and T-shirts with the word women empowerment printed on it. For many organisations it is a very good tag line to showcase their brand as sensitive and forward thinking but essentially do these exercises make any difference?   According to a survey by the staffing firm Randstad in the US, sixty percent of women have never negotiated with an employer over their salary. Another survey points out that seventy seven percent of women accept their first salary with zero negotiation. Women who negotiate are perceived with disdain as demanding and controlling rather than being appreciated for their confidence. On the other hand the comparatively less educated or illiterate women who do manual labour are better at negotiating. The gender pay gap is relatively moderate among the blue collar category.

Negotiation is a key skill in business and career success. Good negotiation skills can turn a loss into a beneficial compromise. Business schools have now incorporated  street smart negotiation instruction at a very pragmatic level in their curriculum. Negotiation skills are important not only in business or professional life but also in personal life. But then why is it that women fear negotiation and are ready to split the difference. Women, irrespective of their position in the organizational hierarchy are diffident to initiate a discussion on a higher salary package. It is the lack of knowledge of their value that makes  women apprehensive about negotiating salary and other perks. The reluctance to negotiate salary will also affect a woman’s promotional possibilities, higher standard of living and peaceful retirement plan. The fear of offending or disturbing the boss deters them at work and at home the women think twice before asking the husband to share the household chores. Usually what happens in most families is arriving at compromises based on certain prejudiced ideas of gender responsibilities. Whereas a collaborative chat will give scope for negotiation rather than a one sided surrender. Decisions should be on the basis of discussions on every action like PTA meetings, birthday parties and vacations. Succumbing to the choice of action of your spouse based on his gender or the status of the “breadwinner” is not a respectful state of affairs.

Dr Delony Manuvel Ph.D.

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The month of March is a special month for women, as we celebrate International Women’s day all over the world. When we think of this global day, our head is bombarded with thoughts of gender equality, reproductive rights, violence and abuse against women, achievements and role of women, empowerment of women and more. I would like to focus on the theme – Unleash Your Power to Empower Others, a positive outlook to remember and celebrate on 8^th March, in order to bring out the power that is within us. How can we as Religious be empowered and empower other women in our mission?

When I reflect on this topic, a scene from the Brazilian serial on Moses and Ten Commandments comes to me very vividly. This is the scene: Mariam (Sister of Aaron and Moses) looking at the suffering reality of her people plans along with her parents Amram and Jochebeth to unite the people, to rescue their faith in God that was lost. She realizes the cause of suffering and raises a clamour to God along with women, men and children. The effect of this deepest outcry, they receive a liberator, who happens to be her own brother Moses along with Aaron. Indeed, she was a prophetess of her time. She is depicted in such a way that all who watch the serial will surely wonder about the way she brings out the power of God that is within her. She was a woman who raised herself above all suffering, in order to bring liberation to her family members. She also played an important role in liberating the people of Israel. She empowered herself to empower others.

Sr. Elizabeth Rani OP

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The word Empowerment is widely being used in the Development context. Empowerment of women is a much talked about concept in civil society as well as in the Church. The civil society has enacted certain laws in this regard. The Church in India too has brought out a policy titled “Gender Policy of the Catholic Church of India.” The Gender policy of the Church of India itself is an indicator to show that the Church is actively involved in empowering women. As a male I understand the contribution of the Church in empowering the rural women as follows.

1. Almost all the dioceses in India have Social Work Centres (NGOs) by different names. Similarly many religious congregations both men and women too have ‘Social Work’ Centres (NGOs) by different names and mainly it is these Centres which are empowering the rural women in India irrespective of caste and creed.
2. Economic empowerment of women occupies the centre stage in all this work of empowerment of women. Women’s Associations by different names like Mahila Sangha, Magalir Sangam, Mahila Mandal are instrumental in effecting economic development of rural women. Small savings habits are the foundation for whatever economic development is taking place in these women’s Associations. This small savings habit and activity in the associations earned the name ‘Women Self Help Group.’ The Social Work Centres facilitate these Self Help Groups to obtain thrift funds from some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Government organisations like NABARD and Banks for their economic activities.
3. The very fact of women coming together as a group gives them a great deal of self confidence and courage. Their involvement in all the activities of their associations like accumulating small savings, depositing in Banks, obtaining loans, taking up income generating activities instil leadership qualities in women.

K.John Don Bosco

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