May, Month of Mary, Vocation Camps, family visits and transfers

Month of May is known as Mary’s month, especially the first day is month reminds us the feast of St Joseph the worker, though it was a government holiday except the High School others had working day. In our parish this feast was celebrated on the next day.

On 2nd was the seminar for the parents, many had participated in this function. Br Efra and Br Raja went in search of a place for the vocation camp in Simdega it was little difficult to change place of the camp. They reached the place called Binthaintolli by vehicle there we were waiting for Br Abhay and Br Xavier. As it was getting late we moved from that place with Fr Sulaiman who was the parish priest. We came noon to Samtoli parish as well had lunch there.

We picked Br Abhay in Simdega and send Br Xavier to Rourkela so the teachers of the Schools were leading the songs in that day.

3rd vocation camp started in some as we have sent the letters most of the candidates came to Poornapani we fetched them from there to Binthaintoli. Fr Sulaiman the parish priest of Binthaintoli return with us. Around there were 10 boys and 3 aspirants and Br Sandip Kullu was helped us that day. Two more boys and Br Sumilan were expected to arrive the next day. Br Abhay was at home taking care house and school.

4th as was Sunday we celebrated Eucharist with the people of Parish. At the end of the mass parish priest introduced us as well all those who were attending the vocation camp. All the programs were going on well safe and sound. Evening we played to gather with the hostel boys at the end all the boys bath in a pond near the parish.

5th we was English and intelligent test for the Boys soon after we had personal meetings, noon time they dedicated some hours practicing some programs. At night we had programs some of the kids from the hostel too participated just for a minute. These days Fr Tobias who was in charge of retreat center was taking care of us well and good.

6th last day of the camp in Binthaintoli and Fr Ajith Singh is priestly ordination day also he was not willing to celebrate it. In Binthaintoli soon after the breakfast we wanted to leave as vehicle delayed we haired a small vehicle to send some boys in it to Simdega. We started to go for house visit from Lasia to Kutungia where the boy could not know the way to his home by going in vehicle. We reached home at 9:30pm Br Abhay was waiting for us.

7th Fr Raphel was celebrating his 22 years of his priestly ordination day. For the Eucharist some from Youva sang, Mahila sang and Catholic Sabha came to great him on this day. We religious also greeted him soon after mass he invited all the staff members of the schools for lunch. Brothers had house visit in the part of Bolba. They returned with Br Sumilan. We had fellowship meal to gather in the parish house at night.

8th Br Sumilan was leaving to his house before leaving he took a lesson in the High School. In late morning in the School we had farewell for Br Sandip. Br Selvan is in train back to Kurdeg. Everything goes well and safe and sound. Next day, Br. Selvan arrived in Kurdeg, but at the same time, Br. Raja is leaving for Bangalore (lessons in Dharmaram). We went to Roukela and we dropped Brother in the Station, that day our car punctured and on returning we met heavy rains… and nearby Kurdeg, lots and lots of cows… (going for market). We arrived late home, but Brothers were waiting for us.

Next days were days of farewell, especially for our Brothers Sandip and Selvan: in the Parish, in the Schools, in the Sisters’ Convent, in some families, etc. Br. Selvan finally left on 14 May. In Rourkela we enjoyed his generous invitation while eating a delicious ice-cream.

Br. Sandip went home for holidays and visiting the family. But Brothers Efraim and Abhay stayed on that day in Rourkela Bishop’s house. The following days we had family visit of some candidates from Rourkela Diocese (and even Sambalpur). During two days we travelled many kilometres, finding the houses of the candidates. Finally we did our job under a sun of justice, and every day we ended very tired. Thanks that in Bishop’s house of Rourkela there is electricity and we could sleep more or less (so many mosquitoes…). On 16 we visited Br. Sandeep Minz’s house and family. We had nice stay and meal there (tasting the refreshing ‘jharia’, very necessary for this hot weather). At the end of the day, we three came to Bishop’s house.

Next day, 17, early morning we went to Railway Station. A Dominican Sister from Eluru was coming to our place of Kurdeg for recruiting some girls. We all went to Kurdeg, Brothers Efraim, Abhay, Sandeep, the Sister and one candidate. Once in Kurdeg, at night, Br. Danid Tirkey joined us. So the house was full.

On 18, Br. Abhay remained alone in Kurdeg, taking care of the house. Brothers Sandeep Kullu and Dinesh Ram visited him some days later. On that same 18, afternoon, the rest of people left Kurdeg via Thetaitangar until Rourkela. Br. Sandeep Minz went to his house, but Br. Efraim and Sister and candidates went to Eluru. Br. Superior was on his way to Bangalore to attend the National Convention of Narbi (Assembly of Religious Brothers in India) held at CRI Brothers’ College. The experience was very nice. Many Brothers gathered for the occasion (more than hundred). On his way back, Br. Superior stopped also in Eluru. He was back in Kurdeg on 29. Some of our future aspirants from Kurdeg parish were at home.

Last day of the month, 30, Br. Abhay went for holidays and visit to his family. In the evening, Br. Sandip departed for Eluru and then his new appointment in Bangalore CRI Brothers’ College for Theological studies. Br. Paul Raj joined him from Eluru. At home, Kurdeg, Br. Superior remained alone, though sometimes accompanied by some of the future candidates from this parish. They nearly couldn’t understand each other.

The chronicler of Kurdeg

April, holy month

These days we were going hospital to see Br Selvan who was admitted in Holy Cross Hospital, in Kunkuri.  Everywhere we can find propagandas of Election parties, and some time we struggle to get vehicle to move, even to go to hospital. One important day of this was on Tuesday, many people came especially because there was a great expectation: a helicopter was coming bringing a political party leader. The politician came late afternoon for a meeting in the market, but more than the people in the market they gathered in the ground where the helicopter was. As it was late and there was no fuel (fuel came late) so the whole night had to remain in the ground; the pilot took refuge at our house. As there was no moonlight, the police, who were taking care of the helicopter, came that night with parish priest asking for light and to switch on generator; they promised us to return the fuel for that night. It was an unforgettable night since whole night we had electricity so we slept well with fan. The next day it took off leaving the surroundings full of dust.

On 2nd we went to discharge Brother from the hospital to bring him back to Community but it was not possible for doctor suggested to keep him one day more in the hospital; because of this, we were planning to shorten one day our annual retreat which will start a day after. Thank God the next day Brother Selvan took an effort and returned to Community safe and sound; we all had rosary and evening prayer in Community.

On 4th we started our annual retreat in a Redemptorist Father’s house in Khentatoli (Gumla Dt.). We started in the evening. Two Priests were guiding our retreat even one day we celebrated the Eucharist with their Provincial that was very inspiring and touching homily, besides the talk of the Priests every day we had some topic about our Founder as well the Institute. Everyday a Brother was guiding prayers as well as in pairs we prepared some topics to share in the evenings. It was a special moment for us to share many things of our Community as well as to be calm for a while out of our own routines. At the final day we tried to get vehicle to return home, after a lot of struggle and paying little more, we got. As there was Election, almost all the vehicles were taken for the election purpose. And in many places, police stopped us and checked.

On 11th our schools started to work till noon only, most of the hours spending in song practice for the Holy Week. The next day Br Selvan was caught by policemen in Kurdeg; that was the first time he has been stopped by them. In the evening our neighbor, the servants of the Parish, brought some Palms for the Sunday. On Palm Sunday many participated in Holy Eucharist. We had a short distance procession. In the time of the rosary instead of our cat, a small goat accompanied us.

On 14th High School Brothers got the salary of the last month.  In the evening some Brothers went to Kunkuri with Br Selvan who was asked to check his health soon after the retreat as there was no vehicle available we postponed until this day; everything went on well. Sister Superior from Convent accompanied us.

On 15th A Jesuit Brother, Alok Ekka, from Hatha, had a visit to our house; he was preparing the songs for these days of the Holy Triduum. Every day new students are joining in the schools; this day was a confession day to all the students. The next day most of the priests were taken for the election duty, including our parish priest.

On 17th Holy Thursday was a voting day in Simdega district. Brothers voted early in the morning, later we went for fishing in a small pool in the garden of the Priests.  It was clouded in the evening and rained a little, so that many could not come for Holy Eucharist of the Supper of the Lord.  At night we had supper in the parish house together with a Jesuit Deacon and a Salesian Priest. The Holy Hour of Adoration was with all the Religious at 11pm to 12 midnight. We closed the Church.

On Good Friday so many people came to the parish ground. First, there was a representation of the Way of the Cross followed by the Liturgy of the Passion and Death of our Lord. At night, as Community, we had prayer for a while in front of the Cross; we went to bed little late, Next day we had a walk with Mother Mary, we walked a short distance, until a dam. In the evening we were helping in decorating altar and preparing things for the Vigil Mass together with Sisters and Brother Regent. Lot of people came for the Vigil Mass. We went to bed around 4.30am. On Easter we greeted many Communities and Brothers. We were all tired so we had good rest in the afternoon.

21st April, some of our Brothers, Br Abhay, Br Sandip and Br Raja renewed their evangelical vows in the Eucharist. Afternoon we had community meal together, and some Brothers headed to the Frist Profession in Eluru. In the same train some of the families were coming but we did not know each other. We all gathered next day in Eluru Station.

On 23rd April was the profession of the Brothers. The ceremony was presided over by the Bishop of the diocese; some Brothers from Madurai community they also came as well as almost all the families of the newly professed Brothers. In the evening we had a cultural program. Our Brother Superior spoke on behalf of our Community.

On 24th it was the Anniversary of our first profession, so soon after the Eucharist the Brothers gave sweets to all the children in Eluru and in Kurdeg too. One hostel boy in Kurdeg ate so kind of a nut which made him for hours unconscious, everyone was so much worried about him. Thank God nothing happened to him. Br Selvan left that night to Tamil Nadu from Eluru to advance his Passport application. Next day Brothers left Eulru with all the Aspirants who are going for holiday as well with the parents of a newly professed Brother. Around 8 am all arrived to Eluru station then all come to know that trains were delayed, even an aspirant who came at 6 am was at the station waiting for his train. Our train arrived at 4:30pm; it was horrible day of staying in the station. Brothers reached Rourkela at 11:30 am. Brothers from Kurdeg came early and they too waited to pick us up in the station.

On Sunday there was First Communion Mass in our parish: 71 children got this sacrament. As community we had lunch together with priests in the Sisters’ convent because from their hostel 5 girls took first communion. Br Efra and Br Abhay went to pick up Br Xavier to go to Gumla Vocation Camp which will start from following day.

On 28th April, it was a normal day: morning lessons were going on in the schools, in the evening there was a call for Br Sandip whose uncle got accident that he needed to go, so, following day he went home; as it was Tuesday Brs. Efra and Raja went for market to buy things, on this same day, the 10th standard results were published in the evening but only on the net. On 30th the result for the 10th Board exams were published only the first marks of the State on the newspaper. According to the percentage, it is better than last year; many have passed.

                                                                                              The Community of Kurdeg.

The feast of Holi

On first of this month it was a raining day; we tried to have the Eucharist in Community as it was Saturday but could not; we celebrated usual Hindi Mass in Church. The rain had continued for some days longer.  On 5th Bro. Raja reached Community for he came by the bus, Brothers were slightly worried how he would come. Fr. Shashi had cleared the scholarships this day.  Brothers had an informal meeting.

We had Community meeting on Book of The Mission of The Institute. All the women in the parish who were belonging to Mahila Sang were asked to participate in a rally which was held in Simdega, the Sisters too had gone from all the Parishes.  

On Friday, the Way of the Cross is celebrated in a different manner in different groups. Brothers prayed the Way of the Cross with students. Each School had their own timetable: they come to Church and pray it. For the people of the villages the Way of the Cross is done in their own place by the Catechist. 10th standard exams have finished on this day so the students returned from Simdega.

On 8th we had our recollection day in Konvir Nawatoli in a Redemptorist Father’s residence. It had been good occasion; we came back in the evening; on the way we met Bishop of Simdega, later we were told that there would be strike on the following day. As it was said there had been strike for a Politician was killed but Bro. Efra needed to go to Eluru; we had our own timetable in the morning, after the lunch with him to Brothers went because it was not good to travel alone.

On 10th Annual exams for all the schools started as usual, many had been malpractice while the exams were on. The next day was a normal market day, in the evening it drizzled. These days Bro. Selvan is not feeling well. At night there was some sound behind our house which disturbed us. Here in the morning there was a Sacrament Baptism of a teacher’s daughter. This day in the evening also it rained. Our cook is sick so he did not come to cook: our Bro. Abhay was cooking. As students were busy in examination we could not help him.

Second day that cook did not come; Bro. Abhay was cooking while other Brothers were helping him; we enjoyed his food. This day we wanted to get some documents for the land but it was not possible. Bro. Selvan is so sick that from dispensary an old Sister came to check him; late morning they went to Kunkuri for checkup. Bro. Efra returned back from Chennai on 14th after registering his visa; on the way we met Bishop who was insisting about the land matter. This day our cook also arrived in the morning. Soon after the lunch we all together headed to Holy Cross hospital for consulting doctor and checkup Bro. Selvan. As we had gone out we could not do our Way of the Cross with students, so we did in Community at night.

By 15th almost exams were over in High School. There was picnic in Khasdega for staff members, some did not come; it had been meeting of feedback of the year: Priests and Brothers were not so much respected in the school. In the morning we had Eucharist in Community at home. On Sunday Sisters of St. Lucy came from AP for Vocation Promotion, our Brother picked them up from Simdega.

Holi Feast is considered as a New Year for Hindus where they apply colour powders; on 17th it was celebrated in a grand manner that no vehicles, all the shops, houses… were closed. In the morning we were fishing in Father’s pond;  Bro. Efra needed to go to Rourkela, no one was willing to rent vehicle on this day; after a lot of difficult and little high price we got a vehicle; Brothers accompanied him:  what a great experience, Rourkela seemed empty in the Railway Station very few were there. Soon after dropping him Brothers returned home. Even some came from Kurdeg to put colour to Sisters and Brothers. All of us were busy in correcting papers. From the morning till the evening we did not move anywhere, in the evening St Lucy Sisters started their vocation visiting near villages with the help of Brothers. Bro. Selvan was sick and Bro. Efra who was travelling was also sick. This day also Brothers were helping them to have some family visit in neighboring villages.

After the annual exam there is no so many holidays so every day the School was open that all students have to appear till result is given. On 21st Bro. Abhay and Bro. Selvan  did not feel well that day so both could not go to School. The next day we heard that Bro. David’s father had expired. On Sunday again Bro. Selvan went with Brother to Holy Cross hospital after going he felt well he came back with a lot of tablets. This day evening was the Burial of David’s father, Brothers from Madurai attended the Funeral ceremony. 

On 25th in the High School there was Parents’ meeting: very few came, this day all the results were given, around 800 students are studying in the school but not even 40 parents came for the meeting. This shows how much interest they show for their children’s studies. Following day Middle School had Parents’ meeting. On Friday Bro. Selvan was sicker than before, he could not sleep that night, again they went to hospital. Our Way of the Cross was with students. As Brother Superior was not here we could not decide anything by ourselves.

On 29th Bro. Efra returned; soon after his arrival we went altogether to Holy Cross hospital. Bro. Selvan was admitted as per the doctor’s suggestion. That day was a pilgrim day of the youth of our Parish. Brothers could not attend it. One Brother remained with him that day night, taking care of him. On Sunday all of us were with him the whole morning; Bro. Abhay stayed with him that night.

Bro. Raja

Happy New Year, Brothers

Thank you, Lord, for the New Year. Our Community has passed here six months in this place of Kurdeg. It was strange for us because in our parish there was no Vigil Mass while other parishes had it. But we celebrated New Year Mass early in the morning, at 7 am; at the beginning no one except we Brothers who were arranging everything for the Mass and some Sisters who were decorating altar, were there. The Holy Mass started at 8 am, because of the people it was delayed.

On 2nd January, for Morning Prayer Fr. Shashi joined us.  As we were three, we engaged ourselves in our personal works. In the evening Hatta (Parish village) had arranged a picnic: all the Priests and religious were invited. There Bro. Selvan was as a chief guest, because of his encouragement they won football match. To celebrate it in a grand manner they invited all. We took our supper.  We had some balance fireworks of Diwali in which Bro. Abhay also took some for chasing elephants in his village.

On 3rd the High School started with very few students so it was a half day of working. In the evening we went to marriage function with priests except Bro. Selvan, who was sick. The next day Brothers went to Rourkela to pick up Bro. Efra; they straightly went to Bishop’s House to take our English Missal. By that time the VG of Simdega Diocese passed away but no one knew it. Late morning everyone came to know. It was the last day Fr. Shashi came to our Morning Prayer. Next day was Sunday, the funeral mass was at Simdega cathedral; we had our own timetable at home.

Monday there was a marriage function next to the Parish; we were all invited. Following days our Community was in diet. Adharcard work started in this week so most of the students as well as teachers were in busy in doing Adharcard works, in the School there were no lessons. Bro. Sandip went home some days to take care of his brother-in-law who was very sick. On 10th there was inauguration of Sisters Convent in Pakertoli; Bro. Sandip went in two-wheeler to drop Bro. Efra then he came back to continue his lessons. In the evening Bro. Raja went there to take him. It was a very rough and tough road. The next day Brothers travelled to Tethaitangar for the matter of scholarship.

On 12th it was Bro. Bosco’s birthday, so we greeted him. At night some puppies entered in our house which disturbed us at night and in the morning spoiled the flowers. This week, fully High School students were taken for the song practice. Like in Tamilnadu we had holiday on 14th where we greeted Pongal wishes to Madurai Community. At the end of the week, Saturday, we went to Banghaon for the first mass of a Salesian Priest and speak to the ‘Prachar’ (catechist) of the village about our land matter while Bro. Efra and Bro. Abhay remained at home and had a walk.

19th was an outing day: We went to Bro. Abhay’s house soon after the Holy Mass. His house was almost in the middle of mountains and forest. After passing through lot of rough and tough roads we reached his village. His house was at the end of the village (Sarangadi). His father and his brother were there to welcome us, and many of his relatives also came to greet us. There we saw the footprints of forest elephants which came in the time of harvest. It is normal to see those elephants passing through that village. Even they asked us to stay at night if we wanted to see elephants. In the evening we started to move from his village to Gumla and then to Simdega, finally we arrived to our community at 10.20pm.

On Bro. Selvans’s birthday we celebrated the Holy Mass in Community in English with two deacons who would be ordained on 22nd by Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo in our parish. It was in the evening that we invited Priests and Deacons for the supper. We grilled some pieces of chicken and we had our special ‘badhakhana’. Next day was the birthday of Bro. Efra. We invited Priests and Sisters for the lunch.  Everyone was busy in that day because of the preparation for the ordination Mass. All came when they found time to our house, Sister Superior came late at noon.  In the evening we all helped in decorating the stage for the Eucharist.

 The Ordination Mass which supposed to be at 7:00am was started at 8:30am, we greeted Cardinal. We expected the presence of our Bishop but he did not come. Brothers were singing and playing guitar. Soon after the Eucharist there were many Programs. In the evening there was a traditional game which is to ask money from the family of new Ordained Priests because new ordained will be in the residency of Priests. Next day, First Mass was in their villages. As usual we attended mass in the morning in the parish, but Bro. Superior went also to the First Mass of one of the newly priests. Rest of Brothers, after finishing our lessons, we went with Parish priest to greet another one Priest (Fr. Lilan Kerketta) who celebrated his First mass at home (Kerakachar) but far from this place though belonging to this Parish.

In the evening we went to Karwatoli to the house of Fr. Deepak Ekka of the Diocese of Bharaipur in West Bengal (near Culcutta); by this time Bro. Efra finished visiting the priests and was at home. Later we reached Gajmara to the house of Fr. Albert Lakra of the Archdiocese of Ranchi. We arrived at our community at 9:15pm. Next morning, hand-pump works started at home; in the evening we had community meeting about calendar and news of our Province and Institute. End of the week, Saturday, Bro. Selvan and Fr. Shashi went to a Banghaon to speak about the land matter; they returned unsuccessfully.

On 26th it was Republic Day as it was Sunday after the two Masses there was an act of patriotic programs with all the students. The tricolor flag was unfurled by our Parish priest then the March of the students. We continue with the same routing of the timetable of the community. In the following days, the three Schools started preparing for the sports day which would be held on 1st February. This month is full of feasts coming one after another in the Parish: Marriages, Ordination and First Masses, in the Schools a week for Adharcard, another for song practice, Republic program and sports day preparation, etc.

                                                                                              The Community of Kurdeg.

December, cold … and different month

On the first days of December, Brothers who came from Tamil Nadu for the holidays were helping us especially in vocation promotion as well as taking some lessons in the Schools. The first day of this month was Sunday, Brothers went for the “fishing of men” to the Schools hostels which are nearer: Samtoli and Rengarih.

After long struggles, it came a time for the marking of the land which will be later given to us. It was a sunny day so the three Brothers who were working there, were half burnt in the sun while they were marking the land, even the servants of the Parish could not bear the scorching sun.

Another day, some Brothers traveled to the Diocese of Gumla because they have to finish the sponsorships from the NGO Carumanda; on this day, the Brothers who came from Tamil Nadu were teaching in Primary School.

The Brothers’ holidays are coming to an end on 4th, and, as Bro. Subash’s house is near to Rourkela, they went early to visit his house and then to the railway station. His house was in the middle of a jungle where there is no electricity or phone tower. It was a rough and tough road with lots of ups and downs. Bro. Suresh, his companion, could not imagine a life it is possible there, then he suggested him not go there next holidays but to go with him to his house, where there is better road and is more safe. We could only receive a message form the Superior in that evening saying that they were in the middle of a jungle, though they did not see any elephant or bear, etc. Brothers arrived in the Community at 9.15pm, and then they took supper.

For Christmas there are lots of programs organized in the Parish. Parish Priests were celebrating Mass in different villages every day as preparation of Christmas (for Advent). They were busy in this matter. Brothers found time to meet the Bishop of Simdega for the land matter, because it was very necessary. On 7th Brothers went for purchase some Christmas decoration, but unfortunately Bro. Selvan and Bro. Efra slipped from the two-wheeler, fell down, but they were luckily not wounded; the problem was that it took place in the middle of Kurdeg (bus stand) so that everyone took notice of it. Almost all the carpentry works are finished. The next day –Sunday- we had Recollection Day in the Pastoral Center of Simdega, where we spent most of the day.

On 10th we had special supper: we were trying to grill some pieces of beef…, the result was not bad. Exams were started in all the Schools. The next day, Parish Priest instructed us not to go out in the evening and to go to sleep early for MCC men shot a man in Kurdeg at 3.30pm. Our prayers were hurried on that evening. On 14th Bro. Efra and Bro. Raja went to give some scholarships in the Diocese of Khunti; then they visited the Calazancian Sisters and Patka, a remote place where Fr. Alfaro (Piarist) was staying and building a school –now unfinished; there Brothers found the majestic statue of the Holy Family sponsored by Eluru Community. Bro. Abhay came with us till Simdega so he could bring solar panel and inverter that we bought in Simdega.

Christmas Gathering of Religious and Diocesan Priests was held at Tainser parish. We celebrated as a family; everyone –religious and priests- were asked to express our view of Christmas at the end in a tone of prayer. On 19th we had community meeting about the Christmas Programs and Holidays; by this time all the exams were over. The following day at our Parish there was All Christian Churches Gathering where GEL, WMC, RC and some other small community churches gathered together. All expressed their Christmas wishes, later some competitions were held with the donation of some prizes.

21st was the last working day of the year, some Brothers went to prepare greeting cards in Simdega and then gave a greeting of Christmas to the Bishop. The next day a Christmas Gathering was organized by the Youth in Sarapmunda, village nearby Kurdeg. We, together with a Priest and some Sisters including the driver, were 12 persons in a Mahindra Bolero. There we sung Christmas Carols. The next day Brothers distributed Christmas greetings with a cake and calendar. On 24th we could not feel as Christmas; it was a different Christmas for us (at least for some members of the Community). In the evening we went to Parish and Convent to sing some carols in front of the cribs. At night, in the Vigil Mass, some were helping in distributing Holy Communion and some were playing instruments in the choir. We went to sleep very early morning (or late in the night). For the morning Mass also some Brothers attended and were helping. We played cricket in the evening; this Christmas was totally different from other years in the community of Madurai. We greeted Christmas Festivals both the Communities of Eluru and Madurai. On 26th Bro. Efra started his trip to Eluru. What boring days we are spending: no school, no place to go, no cinema… Some could not feel as if it were in Christmas time. On 29th no vehicles were moving so Bro. Abhay left for home by bicycle. At present we were three in community; in the evening we had a community walk. On 30th December, the Holy Mass was at 6.30am. On the last day of the year we connected our solar panel and inverter which gave light to all the rooms. On 31st December, we were little upset because there was no Vigil Mass at night, only in the new Year Morning Mass.

A Change can change

Our small Community still finds the will of God which unites our wills and moves us as one among His will with all our strengths and weaknesses, but especially with all His Blessings.

It was holiday, 1st of October, but a raining day too; our Community went for fishing to the dam, and there we get always tiny fish. On October 4 we started our inter-class matches of football in the High School; there was also a team of teachers where Brothers played in it and they went into semifinal. Due to the retreat of other priests the first week of this month, on Sunday there was only one priest in the parish who celebrated 1st and 2nd Mass. Our Brothers were asked to distribute Holy Communion.

After the arrival of parish priest everything went as a routine, but a phone call from some unwanted person that perturbed the Priests of the parish as well as us, made a priest come to our house as a refuge and he stayed here till night, then he went to parish room. For some days we were advised to be careful in going out and to go to sleep little earlier switching off generator and lights.

Sudden change of climate in northern part of India by the cyclone, and heavy downpour we could not move anywhere. Few people in the Sunday Mass, lots of phone calls from our families asking for our well-being, etc. These things did not disturb us much, and especially our time table of prayer and other activities could be done at home as scheduled. As it was also time of harvest many paddy fields were full of water and grains were spoiled, so we were asked to pray for the farmers’ needs in their difficult moments.

In the middle of this month our Community had a Recollection Day. The Superior of the Daughter of St. Ann’s Community to reflect on the sense of Religious Life with her talks and her experiences. On 18th of this month our Superior with the Delegate in India, Bro. Justo Rubio, arrived in our house. We were very happy to have them again in our Community.

This “canonical” visit had been fruitful for our Community: a special thing we had is that we introduced in our Chapel the Tabernacle with the Holy Sacrament –authorized by the Bishop,- and we celebrated the first Eucharist in our Community. A day before a strike in Jharkhand we dropped Bro. Justo in Raurkela on 24th October. Our Community helped him with means that we could afford and that we can get.

We had Community meeting with all the members of the Community especially of sharing the experiences and difficulties of our Community in the absence of the Superior. We also took note of the tasks that should be carried out in the following days.

Last week of this month, a Sister and an aspirant came for vocation promotion from Andhra Pradesh, who were the neighbors in beginning of the Holy Family Brothers in AP. We helped them in finding vocations here as they helped us.

These days were getting cooler in the morning, darker in the evening yet we adopt ourselves with our timetable. Besides teaching our Brothers are in training the students as a physical education teacher for Sports and games, in particular Hockey in the Middle School, which next week there will be one week competitions and tournaments of different schools here in Kurdeg parish.

May the Lord help us to find the work our hands for the better of our Community and the people of this place. May the Holy Family and Venerable Brother Gabriel Taborin, our Founder, guide us in all our daily activities and bless them all.

The Community of Kurdeg

End that leaves always for a Beginning (From Monsoon to Harvest)

In the presence of the Lord and with the guidance of the Angels our life moves under the humble roof of the Holy Family. We are settled in the new house and with a small chapel to pray.

It is a special month for us living as more responsible as Holy Family Brother. All works that we did as if our Brother Superior might have been here. We, young Brothers, were continuing our timetables taking care of the new House.  It was a Sunday that the first day of this month is remembered as St. Monica’s day; this is celebrated as Mother’s day here. From all the villages which belong to this parish of Khalijor came. As there were so many, our Brothers were distributing the Holy Communion. Many programs were held especially for the mothers. We were guests and judge for some of them.

As we were in the new house everything we did here, except meals in the Parish. We were searching for a cook. On 3rd of this month we ordered milk then invited Parish Priest and Sisters for a cup of milk and coffee. Here there is one more new neighbor, a calf buffalo; we were thinking to get some milk from the buffalo; poor him, he was not giving milk for his own, how could we get for us?  

On September 5th is celebrated Teacher’s day in India. There were special programs in all the Schools; it was soon after the Eucharist. This was a new custom that all the students were singing and leading us under a shade of colorful umbrellas to the Schools. Following day we ourselves started to cook in our house each day one Brother.

On 7th was the School day of Nirmala High School where two of our Brothers are working; after the mass all the programs were held, even meal for all the students and teachers. The following day, Sunday, was a hard working day, for we cleaned whole house till the evening. Next day was the birthday of a Brother, so we prepared supper and brought it to the Parish House and celebrated his birthday with the Fathers.

Bro. Xavier, vocation promoter, started his journey to our Community on 10th. At the same time, a new cook started his work in the kitchen from evening. There was network problem: some creatures had their nest in the phone tower as it is dangerous, building of new towers started. We were little worried about Bro. Xavier because we did not know how he was going to arrive. As here there is no proper transport system, two of our Brothers hired a vehicle to pick him up form Raurkela because he did not know how to come from there to our Community.

As he came here, there was lot of fest and “bandh” or strikes stating form a martyr feast, a diocesan priest who was killed by Hindu fanatics. There were thousand and thousand people as pilgrims gathered there, our Brothers also were present there with the celebration of Holy Mass with four Bishops. These days we started to play inter-class football matches in High School; our Brothers, priests as well staffs were one team; it was interesting that everyone enjoyed much.

On 13th vocation promotion started from Nirmala High School; it was afternoon that some good number of students gave their names soon after that football matches for the girls started. The last hour of the class was spared for the matches. Following day we had community meeting especially on the vocational visits to Schools, Brothers made a schedule.

On Sunday it was downpour as we were praying in the morning a thunder which fell near the house threatened us. The whole day it was raining. It was sudden strike in Jharkhand for three days so all the plan for the vocational trips we postponed to another day of that month. The next day we were preparing drainage for the rainwater, sometime our house was flooded. These days we had lot of hours for praying, preparing lessons…, some occasions we went for fishing though we got nothing.

These days it rained cats and dogs, everywhere water was overflowing, in some occasion we needed to pray, work and play. Besides all strikes and rains, Brothers started vocation visits on 18th leaving some far schools and finished on 20th. The next day there was strike, no vehicles were moving; we hired a car at our own risk; one of our Brothers went with him to drop Bro. Xavi in Raurkela.  It was a long trip that they needed to go through Chhattisgarh, which is another state, to reach the railway station. 

His presence in our community was a joyous moment as we were sharing our happiness and struggles together. Our Brothers were asked to give retreat for the High School Boys and Girls for three days, these were special moments for our Brothers, they were preparing it a lot. This was a new experience for them.

There was a state level football match in Kurdeg on 25th, which changed our Schools Timetables for one week; the first day our Community went to watch one as a Chief Guest for the Match. On 27th we heard that our Bro. Efra had arrived safe and sound in India. On 29th there was great celebration called “Naya Khani” which is the first grain of the Harvest; it was brought to the Church, the Feast day of Parish Priest Fr. Raphael on the day of Archangels and evening “Karma” feast. Our Brothers were helping in Mass and distributing the Holy Communion. Every Sunday we are having some visitors form the Parish who offer us something that they have.  Here Eucharist is the center of all the Feasts and Festivals, everything begins with Eucharist or a Prayer which shows that God is pouring his blessings in all they do.

Thus our small Community moves everyday life under the light of the Holy Family and the guidance of Angels.

The Community of Kurdeg.