preview

St. Francis of Assisi was the first to create augmented reality of the Christmas event as he made the 4D Crib which the Franciscan history vouches was a living crib, wherein the Christ-Child came alive.  It was the beginning, a beginning that set to flame the saga of many a Christmas event re-enacted in every believing heart.

The humus-effect—The Humility-Effect—of Jesus, is so overwhelming an experience that Francis of Assisi who had dwelt on it, became so Christ-intoxicated, hence a transformation so complete.  Tradition says that the early Christmas Cribs were made with mud and clay. I am certain many of us who belong to a different generation, blissfully different a generation, have had some experience of actually creating the idols and figures from the clay and mud. The Second Adam who is the Creator of the first Adam decided to be born as a human being in extreme humility and poverty. A humble person is known to be down to earth.  The word humility originated from the word humus which means soil, dark soil, fertile soil, earth etc. St. Francis saw the humility of God in the Christ Birth and the entire Jesus event.  He marveled at the sublime humility of God – The humility of God in the Eucharist, and at every Christmas event celebrated in the shadow of the Cross.

The Christmas event, the greatest of all events marks the beginning of the God-Man, Jesus, teaching us the story of humility, the humility of a God who was born on the earth, down to earth to raise the down-trodden to heights.  The path to Christ’s birth was not an easy one, no comfort was provided to the parents of the Divine Child. Jesus Himself from womb to tomb lived outside the comfort zone.  It was humility in its highest superlative, life in its extreme margins lived by the Lord Himself, as an itinerant, barefoot traveler, preaching and reaching out.

---

Sr Babitha Abraham FMM

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Christmas for me symbolizes a season of new beginnings; a new beginning when all hope is lost and suddenly, God shows up in the situation and changes all things around for our good.

A Blessing & Privilege

It had been a blessing to work with underprivileged students in St. Mary’s community College, Jharsuguda, Odisha. I had the opportunity to understand their difficulties, comfort them in sorrow, accompany them in their pain.  Their study is adversely affected by family problems such as alcoholic parents, family disputes, deceased parents, death of siblings and loved ones. Some of them are being brought up by a single parent.  Parents are mostly farmers and daily labourers. Most of them are school and college dropouts, young widows, those who were once involved in begging, have had bad relationships, part of child labour, and have experienced homelessness and suicidal thoughts, and many have also been victims of domestic violence.

The job that they are offered after their training, seems to really help them, this enables them to have a reason to believe in themselves, to feel accepted, and take control of their lives in a respectable manner.

I Made a Difference

Working with the underprivileged has helped me realize that I made a difference in their life. Sometimes it was difficult for me to handle them, or manage the finance. Many times I felt helpless. I simply brought all my anxiety and worry to the Lord during the holy hour from where I drew immense strength.  However, through a series of divine intervention, the God of new beginnings showed up and gave me grace to understand and love them and support them emotionally and financially. I felt proud that I was able to involve myself in the life of young people.

---

Sr.Ranjita Tirkey HM

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Recently while browsing through the internet, I came across the life stories of two ordinary children who became extraordinary persons because of what they did, the new possibilities they envisaged for themselves, others, the world and creation.  The first child is Gauravi Kaushik from Jaipur.  The second one is Ranjitha from Orissa.  The theme for this issue of the Magnet, New Beginnings, was inspired by them.   This in addition to the fact that Christmas always has a spontaneous delight which leads us to a recommitment of our selves.

Gauravi’s Little Steps

Gauravi Kaushik is presently a 16-year-old teenage high school student.  She is the Co-Founder of NGO R-4.  What does the 4 Rs of this NGO stand for? – REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE and RESTORE.  Where did Gauravi get her vision? What was that extraordinary event that pushed her on to something new?

In fact, there is nothing extraordinary.  When she was ten years old, she saw her elder sister collecting and storing kitchen waste for a few days and converting it into manure for plants. She was thrilled.  That day, says Gauravi, ‘I found my vision.  I realized I will embark on a journey towards making this society, this country and finally this world a better place to live in.’

Gauravi along with her sister first started a number of environmental initiatives in their school in Jaipur. In 2013 when Gauravi was 7 and her sister 13, they started R-4.  Initially they managed the project together and gradually they developed a network of 200 volunteers and 650 followers on Facebook.

What is their mission statement? – Reading and preaching about conservation is not enough. We have to act, and act now.

What did/do they do?

• They started with waste management projects which spread throughout Jaipur.
• They worked for sustainability along with volunteers.
• They helped with planting trees, made people aware about the importance of segregating waste through waste collection marathons, theatre festivals like Jairangam and other events.
• Presently, they organize annually a campaign called Meri Bhee Diwali event for which the vision is to see every child happy on the festival of Diwali. In view of this vision, they organize a collection drive for old festive clothes and foot wear every year – since 2016 to date.  They are then washed, packed and distributed to those in need.

---

Pushpa Joseph

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

INTRODUCTION

The Union Government of India approved the National Education Policy 2020 on July 29, 2020. The first National Education Policy came into force in 1968.  It was replaced by the National Education Policy 1986, which was modified in 1992.  The 1992 policy was in force till 2020, and we now have the current National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of this policy and the stages by which the policy projects to achieve the goal seems impressive at the outset. The stated aim of this New Education Policy is:

“India to have an education system by 2040 that is second to none, with equitable access to the highest-quality education for all learners regardless of social or economic background and thus to universalise education and make India a Global knowledge Superpower.”

On the face of it, any Indian would be proud of this aim.

STRUCTURE OF SCHOOL EDUCATION

The process to achieve the high aim and objective set for this policy also looks impressive, for it replaces the existing school education structure of 10+2 with 5+3+3+4. In this structure the first 5-year stage, which is called Foundational Stage, is a welcome one because it aims at concentrating on children from the age of three—the right to have education begins from the age of three. The pedagogy that is proposed for this stage will definitely enable the children to learn to write, read and understand basic numbers by the time they reach grade 2, which would be the basic strength for children to go to the Second Level of Preparatory stage from 3 to 5, where the children learn languages and basic mathematics. If these two stages are really implemented in its letter and spirit, the children will certainly be equipped with the strength to continue their studies in stage three from the 6th grade to the 8th grade and will be in a position to face the fourth stage from grade 9 to 12, where students would be free to choose the subjects they like and be in a position to learn vocational skills as well.

---

K. John Don Bosco

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

The responses to the National Education Policy 2020 are diverse.  There are those who sympathize with it, or critique it whole sale, others who applaud the document as a much-needed change in the education system and still some others who problematize the far-fetched thinking that the document enshrines and some who hail it as a document crafted with a hidden majoritarian agenda.  As catholic educators, some of our significant questions will be the following:

How best can we ensure access for the economically impoverished, the culturally sidelined and the rural poor who cannot afford top class education?  Are our institutions characterized by a culture of dialogue as Pope Francis spells out and are there ways by which the guidelines of NEP 2020 can help in transforming the identity of the catholic school for a culture of dialogue?

I suggest the following practical steps we could take as a Way Forward:

1. Transform our understanding of what it means to be a leader in the field of education:

One of the positive aspects of NEP 2020 is the call to become a Pedagogical Leader.  Etymologically, the word Pedagogy comes from the Greek word agogos and literally means, one who accompanies or leads a person to knowing.   True learning happens when students experience an atmosphere of joy, warmth and homeliness in the place of learning. The best of philosophies emerged during friendly conversations around the coffee table.  One of the most important roles we are called to play as educators is to facilitate learning through empowering processes. As leaders we ourselves must be continuous learners.  Very often, those of us who are in leadership in our educational institutions, like headmistresses, principals, and so on function more often as administrators and not really as leaders who facilitate learning.

---

Pushpa Joseph

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Introduction

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) promised a new education policy in its election campaign in 2014. The New Education Policy was drafted by a committee under the chairmanship of K Kasturirangan. It was released soon after the BJP government was sworn in a second time, on 30 May 2019.  It was modified in 2020 and the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) was announced. It set the goal of transforming the system of education to meet the needs of the 21st Century India.    The NEP is expected to provide an overarching vision and comprehensive framework for both school and higher education across the country.  It is the third policy in Independent India.  A cursory reading of NEP makes one feel that the policy is to push a particular agenda. Venkatesh Athreya, in “News Click” dated 29 July 2019, commenting on the policy, says that the ‘Draft National Education Policy is Seductive Sophistry in Service of the RSS’.

Focus of the Policy

Before analysing the policy, it would be useful to understand NEP’s view of modern education and how it proposes to reform the educational system.   From the 65-page document, it is clear that the purpose of NEP is to restore India’s ancient system of education that was supposed to have existed in the ancient Takshasila and Nalanda. It suggests that India would become a knowledge superpower, if the nation restores the ancient education model.  NEP does not analyse who benefitted from the Vedic Education and whether this was accessible to all or was it available only to a socially elite class. It does not say if this ancient system had any democratic values, crucial to contemporary education.  What methodology NEP would use to create this idealized ancient education system is overlooked.  The reforms suggest a complete restructuring of education by imposing a centrally controlled, regulated and governed system of structures and agencies.   It follows the neoliberal capitalist higher education model formulated by Europe and the United States. An overemphasis of the ancient system of education and a leap to the 21st century conceals a discontinuity of historical evolution of educational progress, from the time of the British.

---

Fr. V. Joseph Xavier, sj

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Introduction

A new policy for education in India to purportedly harness whole-person development and produce competent individuals to eventually contribute to the building-up of a nation, has raised more perplexing questions than engage with much needed pathways towards progress.  After a period of nearly four years devoted to drafting the policy, a comprehensive, and far-reaching National Education Policy 2020 was released in the year 2020.

Old Spirit – New Apprehensions

A closer examination reveals that the NEP 2020 has spontaneously drawn from ideas promulgated in earlier policy documents – the Yash Pal Committee report on Higher Education and the Justice Verma Committee report on Teacher Education, the National Curriculum Framework and the National Early Childhood Care and Education Policy of 2013. Furthermore, elements drawn from the UNESCO report ‘Learning the Treasure Within’, (Jacques Delors, 1996) is hard to ignore.

The NEP 2020 has set off a plethora of apprehensions among educationalists, thinkers, planners and politicians, some of which are — the conservative political agenda, ominous signals of withdrawal of public funding, a highly technical approach rather than practical guidelines, and a lack of understanding to acknowledge the equity dimension, namely the Constitutional guarantees for the underprivileged and disadvantaged groups.

---

Prof Sandra Joseph

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Based on the recent regulations from the Income Tax Department for all Non-Profit Organizations as well as on our situation in a religious set-up, I feel the need for us to have our own financial policy and procedure.  Hence, taking into account our religious as well as the civil requirements, I present here the basic financial policy and procedure. This is meant to serve us as guidelines for our finance-related procedure. It is not exhaustive, but it shows the important areas of lacunae we are facing at present. Failure to follow these will attract penalties or even endanger the tax exemption of our registered societies.  Though a burden it may be, keeping in mind the interests of our organizations and registered societies, it is better to adhere to this from now on than regretting later on for not having done anything about it. It is better that we follow these guidelines strictly, lest our registered societies get tax or legal problems of non-compliance.

Various Policies and Procedures

Accountability: Experience shows that for stewards who manage the resources on behalf of the owner, i.e., our Lord Himself, accountability is very central. As stewards, we are accountable to the existing structures like the religious Superiors, Governing Body, Donors and the Government. The Code of Canon Law refers to it time and again. Where there is no accountability, the organization will disintegrate.

---

Fr Alex G., SJ

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Some years back one of the male congregations lost three of their General Councillors within a relatively short period of time.  Investigations showed that two of those lives could have been saved if they had been prompt about caring for themselves.  Now, all the General Councillors of that Congregation undergo a medical check-up once every six months.

            About a month ago one of my friends, a highly placed religious, who had started to work late into the night, lost consciousness and collapsed in the restroom, at night.  Fortunately, he was not seriously hurt.  He regained consciousness after some time.  Next morning when he consulted the doctor, he was advised to go to bed every night by 9.00 p.m. and then come back for a test after two weeks.  The tests revealed that he was not suffering from any major sickness – he had collapsed because of loss of sleep.

            At the end of a renewal course for a group of very active religious, one of the common remarks that was heard was this: “I really needed this time for myself.  Now I need to take time daily to nourish myself.  Otherwise, I will become stressed, depleted, inefficient and unhappy.”

---

Jose Kuttianimattathil, sdb

To read the entire article, click Subscribe

Striking Numbers

India has, right now, the largest number of religious in the world—about 130,610, belonging to 399 religious orders. The largest section, by far, are women religious—about one lakh and two thousand in active orders and about 890 contemplatives. Religious priests number

25,523, belonging to ninety orders, and the 2,031 Brothers belong to seventeen orders.

According to the 2021 CRI Directory, the average age is 47.73.

A large group, most of whom are well educated, and run well-known institutions imparting education, medical care and other services. Most religious congregations are also financially stable and secure.

A strong force—large, trained, disciplined, well accepted by beneficiaries. In fact, the rush to get into Catholic schools and colleges is well known. Our 3400 medical presences offer a huge service to the sick, particularly in rural areas.

Such a body of educated and specially trained women and men certainly makes a difference.

What is the difference we make? Are we making the difference we are meant to? How can we do it better?

That is what this issue looks at.

A Hidden Life

Let me start with what most people know least about—our contemplative religious.

Among our contemplatives are smart, well-educated women who could easily have had a successful career, but chose to follow a Love that fascinated them. I have been impressed by two such young women and several older ones. One, a novice, has a doctorate in astrophysics. The other was student leader in a prestigious college. Both took a vocational decision that shocked family members, companions and well-wishers. Theirs is not a decision we can easily understand. It can seem to be a foolish waste of talent. But a mystic’s heart sees differently from what human calculations show us.

The number of contemplatives in India is not high. Most orders have very few younger members. But, unseen by the world and contributing nothing visible or measurable to humankind, these hidden hearts sustain the world through a life of prayer, universal love and a spiritual quest unmediated by direct ministry.

Mere Social Work or a God-encounter?

Most religious are engaged in visible activities—teaching, medical work, social services, media ministry, pastoral work. The largest number are involved in teaching.

All these settings provide us chances to do good. But, if all we do is just to perform the assigned tasks—teaching some subjects, being a doctor or nurse or social worker, or being engaged in social action and political consciousness-raising—we do not need faith in Jesus or a deep spiritual life or celibacy to do it. Anyone with common sense and a reasonable level of education can do it. No need of vocational discernment, retreats, hours of daily prayer or long years of formation for it.

We are not simply English teachers, or principals, or accountants or nurses or social workers. As Mother Teresa put it, “I come from a happy family. I would not have left it to do social work.” For her, responding to Jesus and meeting Him is what mattered. That is what energized her and kept her radiantly happy. She saw Jesus in the dying destitute person who smelt bad or had maggots in his wounds or was covered with dirt. When our inner eye is open, the world around us looks different. We see people and events through God’s eyes.

---

Fr Joe Mannath SDB

To read the entire article, click Subscribe