CALCUTTA JESUITS NEWSLETTER – MAY 2007
FROM FR. PROVINCIAL’S DESK.
Almost two years into this job, I notice a shift in me – in the percep-tion of the meaning of ‘governance’. Not a notional shift but a perceptible one by listening to people, to their manifestations, and by struggling to carry that out into decision-making. The real ‘authority’ entails powerlessness that facilitates one to be receptive and to reach out because of the One who empowers from within. A distorted and loose perception of ‘power’ generates polarities of domination – disobedience, and control - rebellion. In fact we are more conditioned and controlled by ourselves/desires than by any one else. Anger and pain control a lot of people. When we come out of our narrow space and begin to interact on a heartfelt level with all, then we begin to blossom.
The Ignatian ways of discerning the churnings of the Spirit and of manifesting one’s conscience to the one who has to send us on mission, indicate an on-going interior journey which is one inch long and one thousand miles deep (as the desert fathers would say). When we consciously embark on this journey, then mission gets a new impetus, companions become endearing and trivialities disappear. We begin to shine.
It is summer: time to beat the heat and cool off; to let go and to relax. May be titles like The Namesake (Lahiri/Nair), India after Gandhi (Guha) or even ‘Yatra’ might unwind us to be different and creative. George Pattery ,s.j.
˜ APPOINTMENTS IN THE PROVINCE ˜
· Fr Emprayil, Kurian: Rector, St. Lawrence, (By Fr. General); Director of Candidates
· Fr Pollet, Charles. Consultor of the Province (approved by Fr. General)
· Fr Gomes, Anil. Sp. Director, Satyanilayam (by the Provincial of South Asia)
· Fr Jeyaraj, Xavier. Secretary, JESA (by the Provincial of South Asia)
· Fr Maria Joseph I: Teacher, Afghanistan (by the Provincial of South Asia)
· Fr Veluswamy, Jeyaraj: Acting Rector: Dhyan Ashram
· Fr Bruylants, André: Province Procurator: Res. St. Xavier’s, Kolkata
· Fr Irudaya, Jothi: Director, Udayani: Ballygunge Place. Kolkata
· Fr Gomes, Probal: Deputy Director, Udayani
· Fr Pulickal, Joseph: Asst. Director, Udayani (GKP); Curate: Kalna
· Fr P. Paul Carlose: Director of the Boarding and School, Curate, Treasurer: Chamrusai
· Br Hembrom, Chottu: Asst. Director: Boarding & School, Minister: Chamrusai
· Fr M.T Varghese: Director of the Boarding and School; Curate; Minister. Pandua
· Fr Xalxo Sebastian: Priest-in-charge; teacher in school, treasurer: Pandua
· Fr K. Thottam: Hostel Superintendent, St. Xavier’s College Park St Hostel
· Fr Ekka, Raj Kishore: Maintenance: St. Xavier’s Community, Kolkata (from January 2008)
· Fr Samikannu, Peter: Acting Superior, Prefect of Studies, in-charge Formation Floor: PJG (from Nov 2007)
· Fr P.J. Joseph: Acting Superior, PJG. (till October 2007)
· Fr De Souza C. Joseph: Prefect of Studies of the Scholastics (till October 2007)
· Fr Crasta, Alphonse: Teacher: candidates, St. Lawrence’s School Community
· Fr K. T. Thomas: Asst. H.M. St. Xavier’s School, Minister, Haldia
· Fr Ponodath George: Secretary of CMWB; Province Coordinator for Social communication
· Br Das, Chintamoni: Minister: in-charge of candidates; Asst. Vocation Promoter: Bangladesh
· Fr. Mistri, Joseph: in-charge of Mothbari property/ building work; youth and vocation work in Mothbari parish
· Fr Gomes, Jerry: Teacher; St. Joseph's Multilateral High School, Bonpara; Curate:
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Bonpara: Rajshahi Diocese; Director of Vocation Promotion
· Sch. Pankaj Pereira: Pastoral Exposure programme: Bandarban, with the Oblate Fathers, Bangladesh
· Sch. Perez, Pradeep: Pastoral Exposure programme: Sylhet, with the Oblate Fathers, Bangladesh
· Fr. Moses. Korkoniyas: Applied member in the Madurai Province: Dialogue Ministry
Tertianship:
· Fr Julian Sahayadas (Kandy, Sri Lanka)
· Fr Kannanaikal Amulya (Raia, Goa)
· Fr M. Benny Thomas (Shembaganur)
· Fr M. Saju George (Sitagarha, Hazaribagh)
· Fr Salvatore Murmu (Shembaganur)
FR. PROVINCIAL’S PROGRAMME
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May 21-22. Arrupe Days: Scholastics’Gathering: DA. May 26-27. AC Sisters: Tollygunge. June 14-15 Province Consult. June 21 Vows day: DA. June 25 RTC: Gov. Board meet July 5 MSC Gov Board meet. July 9 RTC: Class. July 10-24 Holistic Retreat: Atmadarshan, Patna. July 26-27 Province Consult.
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July 29-31 Visitation: Gurap. Aug 1- 2. Kalna. Aug 3-5 Pandua. Aug 6 GKP Meeting. Aug 8 –9 Visitation: Jhantipahari-Mirga. Aug 10-11 Visitation: Bankura. Aug 12-13 Visitation: Chamrusai. Aug 15 Vows Day. Aug 17-22 N. Zone Meeting: Kathmandu. Aug 24-25 Province Consult. Aug 27-31. Visitation: St. Lawrence
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˜ OTHER APPOINTMENTS ˜
˜ By the Vatican
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of Bishop Thomas Bhalerao of Nashik diocese .
˜ By Father General
· Fr. Pradeep Sequeira (KAR): Rector of Papal Seminary, Pune
˜ By the Provincial of South Asia
· With the approval of Fr. General, Fr. Keith Abranches, (GUJ), Consultor to POSA
· Fr. Laurentius Priyo Poedjiono (IDO): Tertian Instructor at Kandy
· Fr. Jacob Kulangara (GUJ): Minister of Papal Seminary
· Br. Joseph Karakkattu (PUN): Building in charge, JDV, Pune, Resides at PS
· Fr. Stephen Chundathadathil (KER): JDV, Pune. Resides at DNC
· Sch. Jayaseelan Saminathan (MDU): Afghanistan
Left the D.A. Novitiate: Raju Kujur, on 18.04.07
2006 STATISTICS OF THE SOCIETY
In the annual statistics of the Society for 2006, as of January 1, 2007, the number of Jesuits in the world was 19,216 (364 fewer than in 2005): 13,491 priests, 3,049 scholastics, 1,810 brothers, and 866 novices. During the year, 486 joined the Society, 472 died and 378 left. The average age of the Jesuits: 57.34 (slightly higher than the previous year) 63.40 for priests, 29.89 for scholastics, and 65.54 for Brothers.
The South Asia Assistancy, with 4.018 members, represents 20.9% of the total membership in the Society, followed by the USA (2,952 members or 15.4%), South Europe (2,448 or 12.7%), West Europe (1,958 or 10.2%), East Asia-Oceania (1,672 or 8.7%), South Latin America (1,513 or 7.9%), Africa (1,430 or 7.4%), North Latin America (1,374 or 7.2%), East Europe (1,119 or 5.8%), and Central Europe (732 or 3.8%).
FROM THE PROVINCE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
For the first time the finalized Vision Statement of the Province for Secondary Education has been printed in all our school calendars. Thanks to our Headmasters and others who helped to finalize the vision statement.
On April 22 there was a meeting of the Headmasters at SXC to discuss 1. - the Government’s new proposal to merge 50% of the D.A with the basic, 2. - the question of the registration of each school as a separate society, 3.- The service rules of the school. . About Nr. 1, though as yet our schools have not received official intimation from the government, it was decided that the Headmasters would start intimating the parents about a possible fee-hike in the near future.
Fr. Raphael Hyde, Province Treasurer, explained the advantages of making each school a separate registered society. After discussion all Headmasters were in favour of the proposal. It was suggested that someone be appointed by Fr. Provincial to go into the pros and cons, and eventually proceed with the registration. Fr. Dominic Savio
SCHOLASTICS’ SUMMER PROGRAM
· April 19 to May 13: Solidarity with the disturbed and suffering people of Nandigram.
· April 20th to May 14: Bengali Study with families of Raghabpur and Kalyan parishes.
Coordinator: Fr. Timir Singha. - Santali Course in Pandua and Talit. Coordinator: Fr. Salvator Murmu
· May 15 to 20: Live-in program in Holy Trinity Parish at Jhargram (Children’s, Youth and
adult camps, Women empowerment program, English coaching, Parish survey, etc…)
· May 21: Arrupe Day. Organizer: Sch. Roshan Tirkey
· May 22 to 23: Sharing of Scholastics with Frs. Provincial and PCF
· 25th to 26th: Basic Accounting. Resource person: Fr. Paul Carlose
· May 27 to June 4: Annual retreat. Retreat preacher: Fr. George Sebastian (KER)
Coordinators for the summer program: Schs. Mahananda, S.P. Xavier and Markus.
FROM ST XAVIER’S COLLEGE, KOLKATA
EMMRC Kolkata was once again on top of the list of award winners. It received the Best Centre award for the eighth year in succession, besides 5 other awards for its programmes.
It conducted entirely online three e-courses on Scriptwriting, Editing and Advertising and Sales Promotion for 458 students from all over the country – from Kashmir to Calicut. The course, the first of its kind in India, involved Television, Internet and EDUSAT. Kudos to Fr. George Ponodath, now a member of the SXC community!
SXC signed a MOU with IBM on March 27 enabling the College to conduct the IBM India’s Accelerated Career Excellence (ACE) Programme. It is meant to provide non-engineering employees of IBM India with an opportunity to upgrade their skills and qualification by doing a 4-Year MS Programme in Software Engineering.
The Xavier’s Commerce Society (XCS), was inaugurated on April 4. Its aim is to provide our Commerce Students a platform to give shape to their goals in life and to build up their skills both at the personal and professional level. 1000 boys & girls from the First Year, from both the morning and evening sessions, presented their first endeavour, COMQUEST 2007, in which 6 teams selected out of 48 presented their innovative business plans.
SXC and the W.B. College Teachers’ Association organized a UGC-sponsored seminar cum Workshop on the Evaluation system at Undergraduate Level on April 1st and 2nd.
Ten Spanish Jesuit Alumni/ae were welcomed in Calcutta from March 11 18 by the SXCCAA, ALSOC and SLOBA as part of an Alumni/ae Exchange Programme with the World Congress of Jesuit Alumni/ae and the Spanish Federation of Jesuit Alumni/ae. Among other places they visited Paikhala, the village adopted by the College NSS and our hostel in Gurap.
In the context of the ongoing agitation in Singur and Nandigram, the XVIII Fr. Joris Memorial Nihil Ultra Trophy debate proposed the motion ‘In the opinion of the house rural development is the only answer to West Bengal’s economic problems”. Hon. Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, was the Chief Guest. The Principal, Fr. P.C. Mathew, clarified that the debate has no political connotations. The industry representatives speaking against the motion won the trophy.
Fr. Sebastian James and Mr. Gabriel Gomes leave on May 18 with 15 school students for the Exchange programme with Belvedere College, Dublin, and will return on June 4.
The Primary and Senior School students and teachers presented a three-hour programme on the occasion of Rabindra Jayanti on May 9th.
Fr. Jerome Francis, Headmaster, has gone to the Amala Ayurveda Hospital, Trichur, Kerala for the continuing care of the back problem.
Fr. Joseph Maliyekal, Rector, returns to the community after spending nearly 4 months in hospital after a racing bus knocked him down, pulverizing his left leg muscles. Great was the joy when he began walking again 3 weeks ago, giving a live demonstration to every visitor from then on. Crowds of old of students frequented the hospital regularly. They also arranged the supply of ‘rare’ A–ve blood for this ‘rare person’, they said.
Fr. Ruy Cordeiro, the seniormost member residing in the province, .turned 88 on April 25. With just partial hearing in the right ear , he is the acting treasurer of the institution, looks after the Night School and the College Chapel, besides a whole lot of silent, prompt and most reliable services rendered to those of the community and outside.
Fr. Mongol Das was specially invited to Pandua as the Sisters of the Cross (Chavanod) celebrated their 25 years of presence in Pandua. He had a narrow escape on his return as two tress fell in a matter of seconds, one at the back and the other in front, missing the car by inches.
Fr. Gaston Roberge conducted a ten day workshop (April 1 to 10) organized by the Academy of Film and Media in Dhaka, a branch of Proshiksa, one of the largest NGOs in Bangladesh. Fr. Gaston worked through ten evening sessions for 85 participants and three afternoon sessions for film professionals. On this occasion he gave fifteen interviews for the press and four interviews on television. He also gave a lecture at the National Film Archive of Bangladesh.
FROM PRAHU JISUR GIRJA
On April 15, the scholastics went for a picnic in the Botanical Garden, enjoying being one with the nature.
After going to Bangalore for a course Fr. Salvatore Murmu conducted a Santali course in Pandua in cooperation with Sch. Markus Hembrom.
On April 16 we held a thanksgiving Mass and meeting to bid farewell to the 3rd Year s and the B.Ed scholastics.
Fr. E. Kurian visited the Scholastics in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi and Barasat. He presided over the three-day Province Formation Commission meeting in Dhyan Ashram, April 13 to 15. His concern for us was seen when he went to Jhantipahari to arrange the place for our ‘Summer Gathering’.
In preparation for Easter a three-day Recollection was conducted for the youth of the Parish, and a day-long one for the Parishioners.
From Kanjirapally in Kerala 13 seminarians visited Kolkata and stayed with us for three days.
Schs. Pankaj Kujur and Uzzal Roy
On March 27 and 28, the Parish held a Youth Camp sponsored by the CLC Formation Centre (Bengali). 50 students of Classes 6 to 10 very actively attended the camp, learning much about life and Christian values. It was organized by the Youth of the Parish under the able guidance of Mr. Richard S. Gomes and Mr. Ratan Gomes. Special thanks to the man behind the whole project, Mr. Dilip Gomes.
For the Holy Week, services were held both in Bengali and English. On Good Friday morning, the Stations of the Cross on the road covering seven Churches drew a sizeable number of the faithful. Fr. Provincial enhanced our Easter joy by celebrating the Easter Bengali Mass. At the parishioners’ request, the Novena of the Divine Mercy was held, and the response was overwhelming.
Now the Easter blessing of the houses is going on with the help of Fr Maria Joseph I. and Deacon Zenith William. The latter has very actively involved himself in various activities of the parish.
DHYAN ASHRAM
On April 27, Dhyan Ashram celebrated Fr Albert Huart’s Golden Jubilee of priesthood. Arriving at 5 pm, Albert was quickly closeted with the Novices for a good hour. The latter said it was a beautiful moment for them. But what transpired during those sixty minutes has remained a precious and holy secret between the speaker and the young. It must have been an ardent ferverino seeing the warmth with which the novices participated at the Eucharist that followed and where the Jubilarian spoke of the grace of the priesthood linking up with our great men of the past, Ignatius, Xavier and Peter Faver.
The open air felicitation that followed brought cheers to all. The Jubilarian spoke once again and very aptly dwelled on the mutual benefit of older men mixing with the younger generation. The evening climaxed in a delicious ‘marian’ meal.
End of April witnessed the ‘docking in’ of two novitiates, Konchowki and Dhumka. Ten days of mutual sharing and fellowship brought the young men closer together. One day was consecrated to a visit of Pandua, a centre of Santal apostolate. On the way back, a short visit to Our Lady of Bandel concluded the day.
On its side, the Retreat House, and Br. Marydas, were kept well occupied during March and April. Besides retreats, individuals and groups (a continual feature), other groups as well made use of the facilities, like the LTS (twice), Jibika (handicraft for village women), the Baruipur Family Commission, Dr Mardi and Santal leadership, a Calcutta Theatre group, Raghabpur St Paul’s High school Staff, and still other associations. Fr. A. Bruylants
FROM JISU ASHRAM. PANDUA
The Primary School results are out. All the students have done well. 14 class IV students just passed out. 80 new students have been admitted.
On April 8, along with Easter, we celebrated the ‘Flower Festival’. The Eucharist was full of traditional Santal rituals. Sch. Markus Hembrom was Naeke Baba for the day. After the water-throwing and other expressions of joy for the new season, lunch was served for around 900 people and students. All enjoyed the day.
On April 16, Bengali New Year, Fr. Eric Tigga, KGP Superior, blessed the land and the foundation stone of the new “St. Xavier’s Animation Centre”. Construction has already started. Mishti was distributed to all. The renovation of the hostel building is still on.
Five Scholastics are attending Santali classes. It will continue till May 4.
Bro. Chottu Hembrom
FROM UDAYANI SOCIAL ACTION FORUM
Two new staff members, Mrs. Papiya and Mrs. Soma Das, have joined Udayani as counsellors. Sr. Alexia, Sr. Vandana and Miss Chaitali are leaving us after giving selfless service for two years. Udayani thanks them and wishes them all the best.
Mrs. Rina Nolis, our caretaker, resigned on grounds of ill health. She underwent an eye operation four months ago. We thank ‘Rina Didi’ for long service, and pray for her quick recovery.
A first ever parents’ meet for our educational centres of the Ballygunge and Park Circus areas was organized at St. Lawrence H. S. hall on April 29. 70 parents participated in the half-day programme. A lively interactive group discussion was held on motivation for the child
ren’s education, facilitated by Fr. Probal Gomes. Then he and Sr. Vandana conducted ice-breaking games. It concluded with a colourful cultural programme by the children.
A new community hall was inaugurated on May 10 at Convent Road. It was built in collaboration with a local youth club and leaders.
A staff and animators’ monthly meeting was held on May 5 at Udayani. For the support of our educational centres it was decided that only the children of those SHG members who are willing to give support to run their centre will study there. Animators will form at least two SHG groups in each village.
We plan to extend our work to more villages of Baruipur Block, ten in all.
Sch. John Kerketta
The Church has responded positively to the effort for peace building and solidarity with the people of Nandigram by sending volunteers to stay there in batches over three months. This is organized under the leadership of Seva Kendra and Udayani. After the first team, including Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj, came back, there have been volunteers staying there continuously to show our solidarity. Fr. George Pattery, Provincial, paid them a visit. A team consisting of 2 Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod, 2 Claretian brothers, a staff member from SKC and Sch. John Kerketta went stayed there from April 10 to 17. A Sister of the Cross of Chavanod, Sr. Celine, proposes to remain there for 3 months to help in coordinating the activities. 4 of our Vidyajyoti theologians - Johnson, Martin, Kulandai and Joseph Raj - joined the next group for ten days. They visited the families of the 14 people who were killed on 14th March and of all the seriously injured. We wish to start some educational support to these families on a long term basis. The teams that come back say that the bombing and firing are still on at night in the Kejuri area. The police are still guarding the bridge, and people cannot move from one side to the other. The people are still frightened and worried that there may be attacks on them at any time. They want peace at any cost - but would not give up their land.
Fr. Xavier Jeyaraj and Sch. John Kerketta
LTS SUMMER CAMPS AND ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES
In April the LTS National Centre organized four Leadership camps for the Kolkata LTSers. Three camps (Holy Child, Queen of the Mission and St Augustine’s of Barrackpore and Ripon Street) in Dhyan Ashram, and one in Our Lady of Providence. Frs. Maria Joseph I, Sebastian James, P.J Joseph, Jeyaraj Veluswamy along with the novices and Schs. Rakesh, Arup, Constant, Markus, Pankaj and Rajendra were the resource persons. Sch. Rakesh did an excellent job in coordinating the camps. The LTS is grateful to the scholastics who came forward to help.
Fr John Rojerse and Sch. Rakesh also conducted an orientation programme for 95 LTSers of Auxilium School, Bandel. On April 17 Fr John also conducted an orientation for the LTS animators of Bandel and Chandernagore on April 24.
FROM CHITRABANI
A Community Radio Station (CRS) meeting was held at Berhampore to explore the possibility of setting up a community radio station there. It was presided over by the Additional District Magistrate. Among the participants were the secretary of the local unit of the Red Cross Society, the president and secretary of the local radio listeners’ forum, and the Chetana staff of Chitrabani with Fr. P. J. Joseph. The ADM promised to look into the possibility of providing an unused government building for the purpose.
Fr. Jerry Gomes’ two Bengali audio albums (Tumi ek chitrashilpi (Divine artist) and Jhankar (a Bouquet of Melody), produced by Chitrabani, were released at PJG on 01.04.07 by Fr. Sunil Rozario, Editor of The Herald, and Fr. Jean Englebert. The lyrics and music have been composed by Fr. Jerry Gomes. Mr. Dilip Majumdar of Chitrabani Mr. Kishore Claudius of Bangladesh, contributed their expertise. Both albums have an eloquent introduction of Fr. Timir Singha, They have also been introduced by Cardinal Telesphore Toppo and Archbishop Lucas Sircar SDB, during the Marian Vigil at Mother House on 10.03.07. The albums have their cassette counterpart. Available at Chitrabani, Daughters of St. Paul, and the Liturgical Centre at PJG.
A 10-day Jesuit Artists Workshop – IV, April 11 to 21, has been conducted for the 4th consecutive year at Tarumitra, Patna, by Gurjarvani under the aegis of JESCOM South Asia. It brings together Jesuits artists in the Assistancy. Fr. P.J. Joseph, JESCOM Assistancy Secretary, inaugurated the workshop
A residential workshop on scriptwriting and video production for NESCOM (April 16-21) was conducted for the second year at Guwahati by Fr. P.J. Joseph along with Sanjay Dutta and Ranjit Kumar.
FROM OUR MEN HERE AND THERE
· From Fr. Mark Robson: “On 27.10.06, while proceeding as pillion rider to visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Museum at Pokhara, my driver (a Pilar father) drove into the back of a stationery bus! The bike's footrest slammed into my right tibia and fractured it (spiral). The motorcycle landed on top of me as well. Try to imagine that and all this at a busy crossing!! Nothing happened to Fr. Eusebio! Anyway, I was rushed to the Manipal Teaching hospital, where, after a 3-day wait, I was put in plaster and came back to Kathmandu. Here the orthopaedist disagreed with the Manipal one and operated on the leg (3 hrs) and put a metal plate with 8 screws. After nearly 5 months, we discovered that the leg was rejecting the plate, and so, with another operation, we removed it. I'm walking now with the help of a walking stick after 6 months on crutches. My fellow religious both here and in Pokhara were unstinting with their kindness and prayers. A little longer and I will be able to shift to the new residence of SXC at Thapathali and take up my new assignment at the college.”
· From Sch. Mourlin Fernando in Xidas, Jabalpur: After our 1st internal exams we, the hostellers, went for Hostel picnic to Tindini, Mandla, on April 16. Life in XIDAS is really enriching and educative. I have published a few articles: Globalization – Risk and Rewards for Indian People, in Xivani, XIDAS, Jabalpur; Globalization – An Indian Perspective for Global Envision Organization Empowering Leadership, in Catalyst, XIDAS, Jabalpur.
FROM THE GOETHALS INDIAN LIBRARY
· Publication by Fr. Felix Raj: “On Killing the Killer – Capital punishment is cruel, uncivil and inhuman”, the Statesman, April 27 2007, Kolkata
· Essay Competition: Theme: “The Indian media are manically obsessed with cricket”. Open to all. Attractive prizes: 1st: Rs.3000/-, 2nd: Rs 2000/-, 3rd: Rs 1000/-. See the Goethals Website.
· Fr. Felix Raj conducted a two-day seminar for the 50 faculty members of St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling. It was a preparatory seminar for ushering in the autonomous status to SJC.
· A group of 8 B.Com students camped at St. Paul’s School, Raghabpur for three days, 22-25 April, and trained the boarding boys and girls. It was a novel effort in education, college students helping the village students. Such efforts are to continue to make the project: College-to-Village and Village-to-College fruitful and successful.
POSTAL AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES, PHONE Nos, etc. ( : <
· The Jesuit Guest Bureau has moved to Via dei Penitenzieri n° 16 C, Rome 00193. The telephone is (+39) 06-689-77-478. Fax: (+39) 06-589-77-480. Email: guest.bureau@sjcuria.org.
· Sch. Constant Tigga: ctigga@gmail.com
· PUBLICATION: Fr. Jasudasan, S.J. Roots of Religious Violence: A Critique of Ethnic Metaphors. Illustrations are biblical and theological. Publishers: Media house Delhi, Price Rs. 130. Copies are also available with the author: jesudasansj@vsnl.net
X HE WHO LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME WILL NEVER DIE X
V Fr Joseph Minj (RAN) 06.04.07 Port Blair ( 68/47)
V Fr Lalarickal Philip (KER) 22.04.07 Calicut (61/41)
V Fr Richard Pereira (BOM) 30.04.07 Vinayalaya (95/76)
V Fr. Pierre Bronckers (CCU) 01.05.07 Kolkata (72/54)
V Fr Joseph Lelarge (BME) 03.05.07 Brussels (89/70)
V Fr Roger Troisfontaines (BME) 06.05.07 Brussels (90/72)
The cousin of Fr. Sebastian Xalxo, Nirmala (45), mother ot two
Fr. Pierre Bronckers, S.J.
(20.11.1934 – 01.05.2007)
Homily delivered by Fr. Charles Pollet, S.J. at the Funeral Mass
for Fr. Pierre Bronckers, S.J., on May 2nd, 2007, in St Xavier’s College Chapel
Fr. Pierre Bronckers, better known as Pitou by his close friends, left us for his eternal abode at the relatively young age of 72 years. The end came rather quickly. From August 2006 he had been treated in St. Xavier’s College’s infirmary for various ailments, but the terminal cancer was diagnosed only some ten days prior to his death. Some 3 years ago, he had a nasty fall. From that time his mobility, as well as his vitality, had been seriously hampered.
Pierre was born in Liege, Belgium, on 20.11. 1934. He joined the Society of Jesus at the age of 18 on 14.09.1952. For the next 9 years, he followed the classical formation curriculum in our “mother province”. While awaiting his visa for India he had short stints of regency in two High Schools including St Stanislaus High School in Mons where I was a student at the time. I remember the “send off function” which the staff and students organized a few weeks before his departure for Calcutta, which I witnessed as a school boy. Pierre was brimming with joy and high expectations: his cherished dream was, at last, taking shape. Also fresh in memory remain some mighty “fiery outbursts” of the young regent in his attempts to keep us, boarding boys, out of mischief. These earned him some appropriate nicknames. Years later, we would witness more of these thundering bolts under the Bengal sky.
Pierre landed in Calcutta on 08.08.1961, at the age of 27. After a year of language studies, both English and Bengali, in St Xavier’s, Calcutta and in Basanti, he proceeded to theology: two years in St. Mary’s Kurseong (1962-1964) and two years in De Nobili C, Pune (1964-1966). He was ordained to the Priesthood on 24.03.1965.
After some more language studies in Basanti and St. Lawrence and his first two years of ministry (in Boithakhana and Morning Star College), he had a short tertianship in Sitagarha in 1969. He took his last vows on 15.08.1971.
Right from the beginning, Pierre’s adaptation to his new country ran into heavy weather. His health was affected as he struggled to “acclimatize” to the weather and a new diet, and to learn two new languages. These combined factors did often weigh heavy on his temperament and psychological well-being. He had to shorten his tertianship and take a prolonged period of rest, first in Calcutta, then in Belgium, before resuming his ministry in Morning Star College.
But Pierre loved India, Calcutta and its people. He struggled valiantly through all these ups and downs, and continued to do so, with great determination and generosity, right up to his last days.
In his mid-fifties, in 1991-92, after having long considered the matter, he requested to “go back for good” to Belgium. After a few months he was assigned to teach Philosophy to Jesuit Scholastics in Namur. After 15 months, he was back in Calcutta. In an interview he gave to a young Jesuit reporter for our magazine “Calcutta Jesuits and Friends”, he candidly admitted: “Except for a few close relatives and friends, I realized that all the people I love are in Bengal, so I asked to come back”.
Pierre had a variety of ministries: in the pastoral field, in the seminary formation of priests, and in the school apostolate. His first long-term assignment was in Morning Star College, Barrackpore, as professor of Philosophy. He was a member of the pioneering team of this major seminary. He relished the assignment, which gave much scope to his intellectual bent of mind. He knew his philosophy well, though he newer went for any “higher training” in the subject. He had a profound grasp of the “School of Transcendental Philosophy” of Frs. Scheuer, Maréchal and others. Yet his teaching was too high and abstract for the majority of his students.
In the pastoral field, he worked first, for a number of years, in Bamandanga (on a part-time basis, while teaching in Morning Star), then in rather quick succession in Tollygunge, Khari and Thakurpukur. Pierre was a good pastor: dedicated, brimming with new ideas, in constant touch with his parishioners. Yet, after a few months in a place, administrative problems and a few “sour relationships” fuelled his fiery temperament, affecting his otherwise successful pastoral ministry.
In the education apostolate, Pierre had a short assignment of one year in St Ann Primary School in Boithikhana, a work he enjoyed very much, looking after young students and boarders. Much later he went to St Lawrence High School, Ballygunge, where he spent 18 long years in a variety of ministries: Prefect of the boarding, in-charge of the Computer Department and chiefly Treasurer of the whole institution.
His last assignment, for about 6 years, was in Shanti Nir, Haridebpur. Lone Jesuit on the team, he directed the centre with the help of dedicated lay collaborators and, as long as he could, was the “chaplain” of the Apostolic Carmel in Tollygunge.
Pierre had great qualities of mind and heart. Qualities of mind: a clear thinker, with razor-sharp logic, a deep interest and knowledge of Canon Law, a self-made specialist in Computer software, etc. He had a clear vision and sharp understanding of people and situations. He was a good advisor, with sound judgement and empathic understanding. He served for a number of years as Consultor for the Province and for the Baruipur Diocese. However, at a more personal level, the sharpness of his mind, and his logical bent often rendered dialogue difficult. Here, in his judgement, there was no “grey shade”, … everything had to be either black or white.
Qualities of heart: everywhere he was posted, Pierre would get along “famously” with children. In their company, all his “defences” were down. He could spend long hours with them, enjoying their chatter and simple fun. At heart and behind the façade of his strong logical mind, he had the simplicity of the little children to whom the Kingdom is promised. The little ones made no mistake about it, and reciprocated his love and care.
He had a “golden heart” for the poor, the neglected, and the downtrodden (whatever the reason for their difficult plight). With them, he had much patience and would listen for hours on end to their woes. He would also find practical ways to help them: a help that some of his colleagues would find “over-generous”. However his love for the poor and downtrodden did, at times, turn into an adamant taking–side for those considered to be “unjustly treated” or the “underdogs”. This would often enough lead him into conflict and crisis with “the authorities” and others, as he would defend and protect them tooth and nail.
Looking at Pierre’s year of ministry, one is struck by three chief qualities. Tenacity: he never gave up in spite of ill-health, psychological ups and downs, sour relationships. Love and friendship: love and care for the children, the poor, the orphans; anyone who could get behind the façade of his logic, arguments and rigid principles, was welcome and accepted with a simple loving heart. He was a loyal and fruitful friend and companions. Generosity/commitment: he had a deep sense of mission as a companion of Jesus. In spite of often indifferent health and other related limitations, he remained available for any ministry assigned to him by obedience, a deeply committed religious priest, in love with his Lord, loyal to the Society.
In the Gospel passage we just read the Lord asked three times another Pierre, Simon-Peter, “do you love me?” In and through his frequent health problems, the Lord asked our Pierre “do you love me?” and he answered generously: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you”. In his difficult adaptation to Bengal and its people, the Lord asked our Pierre “do you love me?” and he answered, generously, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you”. In the many contradictions and conflicts he encountered in his ministry, and even in the frequent flare-ups of his temper, the Lord asked our Pierre: “do you love me?” and he answered generously: “Yes, Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you”.
May he now find eternal rest in the peace and joy of the Master and Friend he served faithfully, in the company of those whom he loved on this earth !