smscj

2013-01-17T17:22:00.002+05:30

happy New year

TRUE LOVE

2012-01-22T19:42:00.002+05:30

TRUE LOVE

It was approximately 8.30 a.m. on a busy morning when an elderly gentleman in his eighties arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9.00 a.m.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat. I knew it would take more than an hour before someone would to able to attend to him. I saw him check his watch anxi...ously for the time and decided to evaluate his wound since I was not busy with another patient.

On examination, the wound was well healed. Hence, I talked to one of the doctors to get the supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

We began to engage in a conversation while I was taking care of his wound. I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment later as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no and said that he needed to go to the nursing home to have breakfast with his wife.

I inquired about her health. He told me that she had been in the nursing home for a while as she was a victim of Alzheimer's disease. I probed further and asked if she would be upset if he was slightly late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was and she had not been able to recognize him since five years ago.

I asked him in surprise, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back my tears as he left.

I had goose bumps on my arm, and I thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be..

God's love

2011-10-13T13:04:00.003+05:30

Alchohol Warnings

2011-09-19T16:07:00.000+05:30

Alchohol Warnings

Due to increasing products liability litigation, beer manufacturers have accepted the FDA's suggestion that the following warning labels be placed immediately on all beer containers:

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol is a major factor in dancing like an asshole.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may cause you to tell the same boring story over and over again untilyour friends want to SMASH YOUR HEAD IN.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may cause you to thay shings like thish.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe that ex-lovers are really dying for you to telephone them at four in the morning.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what the hell happened to your pants.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may make you think you can logically converse with other members of the opposite sex without spitting.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may make you think you have mystical Kung Fu powers.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may cause you to roll over in the morning and see something really scary (whose species and or name you can't remember).

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol is the leading cause of inexplicable rug burns on the forehead.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter and more handsome than some really, really big guy named FRANZ.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe you are invisible.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may cause an influx in the time-space continuum, whereby small (and sometimes large) gaps of time may seem to literally disappear.

WARNING:
Consumption of alcohol may actually CAUSE pregnancy.

The Ass Has No Brains

2011-09-15T13:05:00.002+05:30

The Ass Has No Brains

This is one more interesting story from the album of Panchatantra. Once upon a time, there lived an old lion. The lion, the king of the forest had grown old. He became frail and due to this, he could not hunt for his food. Many a times, he didn’t get even a single animal to eat. With each passing day he became more and more weak. He realized that like this he could not live for long. Somehow, he had to manage for the food, otherwise he would definitely die. He thought that how could he arrange for his food? After much of the thought process, ultimately he decided that he should have an assistant.

The lion thought that a fox would be the best person to handle this position. He summoned the fox and said, “Dear friend, I have always liked you because you are intelligent and clever. I want to appoint you as my minister and advise me on all the affairs of the forest”. The old lion also asked the fox, that he was the king of the forest; so he should not have to hunt for his food. In respect to this, the fox’s first duty as minister was to bring him an animal to eat everyday.

The fox didn’t trust the lion, but he could not even refuse the king. The fox said, “Your Majesty, I am happy, that you have chosen me to serve you. I accept your offer”. The lion was pleased to hear such words. After the conversation, the fox went out to find an animal for the lion. On the way, he met a fat ass. The fox went to the ass, “Friend, where have you been all these days? I have been looking for you for the past many days”.

The ass asked, “Why? What happened? Is everything alright?” The fox replied, “I have got good news for you. You are very lucky. Our king, the lion has chosen you to be his chief minister. He asked me to meet you and inform you about hisdecision.” Ass was scared of the lion and said, “I am afraid of the lion. He might kill me and eat me up. Why has he chosen me as his chief minister? I don’t even fit enough to be a minister. “

The clever fox laughed and said, “Dear, you don’t know your great qualities. You have a special charm of your own. Our king is dying to meet you. He has chosen you because you are wise, gentle, and hard working. You must not lose your greatest chance in life. Now, come with me and meet our great king. He will be really happy to see you”. So, the poor ass was convinced and got ready to go along with the fox.

As soon as they reached the lion’s den, the ass got scared and refused to move forward. At this, the fox said to the lion, “Your majesty, the chief minister appears to be very shy and hesitates to come near you”. The lion himself came forward and said, “I like such modesty”. He limped towards the ass. The ass got so scared that he ran to save his life. The lion became angry and shouted at the fox, “You have played a trick on me. I was so hungry that I wanted to eat him at once. Go and bring that ass back. If you don’t, I will kill you.”

The fox replied,” Your Majesty, you were in a hurry. You should have left it to me, to bring him near enough. But I will try again”. The fox went back to the ass and said, “You are a funny fellow. Why did you run away like that?” The ass replied, “I was too scared. I thought that the lion was going to kill me”.

The fox said, “What a fool you are? If the king wanted to kill you, he would have done so. You could not have escaped by running away. The thing is, the king wanted to tell you a secret about the kingdom and he did not want me, to hear it. Now, what will he think about you? Doesn’t matter, Come with me and apologize for your mistake. You don’t realize that by serving the king, you will be the second most powerful animal of our forest. Imagine, all the other animals will respect you and seek favors from you.”

In this way, the fox managed to attract the ass to go back to the lion. When the fox and the ass approached, the lion was hungrier than ever. But this time he kept a smiling face and said, “Welcome, my dear friend. It was unkind of you to have run away like that. Come near me. You are my chief minister.” As and when the ass came closer, the lion pounced on him and killed him instantly. The lion thanked the clever fox and was happy to get the food.

As the lion sat down to take his meal, the fox said, “Your Majesty, I know you are very hungry and it is time for your dinner, but the king must take a bath before his meal”. The lion thought it was a good idea and said, “You are right. I should go and bathe first. You keep a watch on the carcass of the ass”.

The fox silently sat down to keep a watch of the ass. He was very hungry and thought to himself, “I took all the trouble of getting the ass here. It is I who deserve the best portion of the meal”. Thus, the fox cut open the head of the ass and ate up the whole brain. When the lion returned and looked at the ass, he felt that something was missing. He found that the head of the ass had been cut open. He inquired from the fox, “Who came here? What happened to the head of the ass?”

The fox pretended to be innocent and reminded the lion, “Your Majesty, You have given a powerful blow on the head of the ass when you killed him”. The lion was satisfied with the answer and sat down to take his meal. Suddenly, he shouted,” What happened to the ass’ brain? I wanted to eat the brain first”. The fox smilingly replied, “Your Majesty, Asses have no brains. If this had any, he would not have come here a second time”

kidding...................

2011-09-14T01:26:00.000+05:30

After being married for thirty years, a wife asked her husband to describe her.

He looked at her slowly...then said, "You're A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K."

She asks..... "What does that mean?"

He said, "Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Foxy, Gorgeous, Hot.

She smiled happily and said...."Oh, that's so lovely. .... What about I, J, K?"

He said, "I'm Just Kidding!"

The Carpenter

2011-09-14T00:57:00.003+05:30

The Carpenter
Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labour and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bit ter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I 'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbour. In fact, it's my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge .. A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbour, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched..

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."

Congratulations

2011-07-12T14:14:00.002+05:30

Congratulations on the Priestly Ordination day of Frs: Michael, Sundhar, Abraham and Dharma......

2011-07-12T14:13:00.002+05:30

As I open my computer, it does not start and it was going on working, but nothing on the screen, so I tell to bishop about it and he comes and looks into it but could not do anything. We gave to the man who was working with the computers of the house, but he too could not do anything with it. Now I go to another official shop where they repair the computers, as they look into it, they say it is affected by the virus and the hard drive is broken. Now the windwo7 which was in the computer was not official one. So I had to buy and new hard drive and an official window7. It looks mostly 3 and half week to get everything done. It’s ok now.

I think that I was like paralysed without computer because I could not read any news , I could not contact anyone or any of these things. So now I am ok.

The computer shop workers were not that good, because they did not install any program. Because they just done the computer and gave me back. I had to find even the Microsoft programs for myself. I have lost all the programs which I had in the computer. Now its ok. Still I need to find some programs to install, such as Photoshop or any of the such programs to work with pictures and things like that.

2011-06-15T01:32:00.002+05:30

But the fact is that I have forgotten about our meeting in Middleburg. In the last province assembly we had decided that all the scjs of the De Aar diocese will be having a meeting in Middleburg on 13^th June. So on Sunday evening the Petrusvilla community was here to fetch me to the meeting. Since the rooms are under construction they could not stay in the bishop’s house. They had to stay in the parish house of the Cathedral. On Monday we left the house around 8 in the morning. And reached there after 10. The distance is something like 200 KM from here to Middleburg. We had a good discussion about the Vatican II document of “Church in the Modern world”. How other religions are not treating people as people or cultures and so on. Now we have decided to celebrate the feast of Sacred Heart on 1^st of July there. But then we will have two more Indians who are students in SA. We have also decided to invite Bishop to join us for the celebration. But we will not invite other diocesan priests of the diocese because when early they had done the budget we have not included anyone else. So none but only SCJs. Reached home around 5.30 in the evening. But then Bishop had gone to another parish to celebrate Eucharist and the parish priest was in to celebrate the mass for evening. So I celebrate the mass. Indeed a good but tiring day. Tomorrow I will have to go the traffic office for talking about license.

2011-06-15T01:31:00.002+05:30

On 6^th Monday we had our senate meeting. All the priests of the diocese and two nuns who are also working in the diocese were present. We had given early the paper for discussion. It is from Vatican about New Evangelization. Something like 18 pages and many questions attached to it. The meeting was begun on time and we had good discussions on the topic. There were also questions about catechism and its implementation. The church all over the world finds that there are lack of young members lesser and lesser present in the church celebrations. So there have been lots of catechetical books from Arch diocese for discussion. Now I have given the opportunity to go through all these books and see how we can implement and need to go through these books. I have to find time before next senate meeting and prepare about these books. At 12 we had Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral. The main celebrant was Fr. Angel, who was also a missionary in India for a long time and who is now here in the diocese of De Aar. It was rather a busy and good day. At the end of the day I saw that Bishop was painting a statue of the Sacred Heart. I was rather surprised to see our bishop turning into a painter too. He is a man of surprises, he cooks, paints, cleans, does his laundry, he goes for shopping (though it is changed). He does all things are capable to be done by him. This was for a parish, where they will have a meeting of Sacred Heart sodality at the end of the Month. He did it very well.

On 9^th was my third year of Priesthood. It is also the priestly Ordination day of our Bishop. He celebrated his 27^th year of his Priestly Ordination. So on the night there was some special cooking by our bishop. Something like that of Dosa in India. He mixed rice powder with egg and cooked in the oil. It was rather good. So a new way of celebrating Priestly Ordination day. Now the time is going fast, I can’t believe that we are already in the middle of the year.

Something strange that is going on in here in South Africa is the rain. It even rained in the week and there were big damages done to the lives of the people in South Africa. According to the news agencies there will be price hike for the entire livelihood in SA, due to heavy rain there is lost of millions of Rand in agriculture and in the meat production. Let us see how it is going to affect the society.

The workers are in the house and breaking the old kitchen into two, a small hall and a small kitchen. They are also into the rooms coming to make bathrooms. So already one room is under construction along the old kitchen. Soon I too will have to shift to other rooms as they will come to the room and office of Bishop. So now lots of moving to different rooms as the work progresses.

On Friday I went to the traffic officer’s office to get a new license to drive in SA. First the man said you can drive here with Indian license. Then as he looked into my license and saw that the duration of Indian license is twenty years, but here it is only five years. Now he was amazed to see that. He was laughing about it (he looks like a stupid man to laugh at my INDIAN license). I am sure that he does not know about the rule and regulation of the country. Because first he said you must have a permanent residence address and then only one can get a license to drive in SA. But the priest who is from Zambia has a license though he does not have a permanent residence certificate from the government of SA. When we said that, he has asked us to come on Monday again and we will discuss about it. Now I have to see what he will say on Monday.

password theft

2011-06-10T15:36:00.002+05:30

As I am reading news these days, I hear people stealing the passwords. Many of the officials have lost their password in United States. Many accuse China for the password stealing. But no clue whatsoever that, who is doing this malice work. Last two weeks three or four times I have changed my password. But still I am not satisfied. I try to change it again and again. One password was there for years, but I had not changed it. But now, the new phenomenon makes me to change the password on every alternative day.

birthday celebration.

2011-06-10T15:30:00.002+05:30

On 3^rd of month, evening as I was in my room, someone knocked at the door. I shouted, yes come in! I see it was bishop. He said, I am preparing the directory of the diocese and so I need your particulars. First up of all; tell me how do we spell your name. I said, S A N I L. it is ok. Now tell me your Birth date, I said it and he was amazed about it. What!!! But you did not tell me. In the evening comes his proclamation that we will go tomorrow for your birthday celebration. Oooh. So on Saturday evening we went to the hotel for pizza. As we reach there and as I saw the menu, I said I want seafood with pasta. Oh is it? I too want it. Bishop changed his mind too. So we had sea food with pasta (it was really tasty) Monsignor was busy with chips and beef. It was unexpected and something amazing to go to a hotel with bishop. In India it would be a world wonder if a bishop comes with a priest to celebrate the birthday in hotel. It would be the headline for next day’s news paper. On the way bishop started to tell me. It is something like a custom here in South Africa to tell about your birthday. People tell it not that they have found it and celebrate it. At the end of the meal we gave order for a big pizza for Sunday, because we will have senate meeting on Monday and there would be some priests who will be there on Sunday evening in the house.

from History

2011-06-02T15:03:00.002+05:30

I was in the library of the bishop’s house and found an SCJ American magazine called ‘Reign of the Sacred Heart” of 1997. I saw an article which was written by Fr. Tomas Garvey. The article goes like this: “Fr. Tom Garvey, our former provincial superior, recently wrote from his new assignment as a missionary in India: “I am settling in rapidly and much more easily than my first time in India- thank God! There is much to do- teaching religion and English, and doing the final work on our new building. We hope to move in with our students by spring. Preparations are also being made to open a new rental house near the major seminary in June.

“We are at the end of the rainy season and thankfully, the rain is less frequent, but it has been more violent with lightening, thunder and winds. I awoke one night with rain blowing across my room. My creative, if not fully effective solution, was to hand my cassock and shirts on my clothesline that runs inside my room across the windows. It worked!”

Lots of memories about Fr. Tomas Garvey. May he rest in the peace of the Lord.

i don't know...

2011-06-02T14:49:00.004+05:30

On Monday and on Tuesday I could not sit in my room, because they were breaking the chimney that was above the roof. In the earlier days there fire places in the room and the house had some three or four chimneys. Since now we are using the electric room heaters, these are useless and also when it rains the water falls into rooms. Bishop has been suffering in his office because of the fall of water into this room. Anyway now the work is in full swing and really it is nuisance, hope that it will be over soon. Since this building had made, till now there was no renovation of the house. So bishop wants the renovation done and then goes for his holidays to Poland.

The weather is real problem, it is very cold. The cold is getting into my bones. Though I have many warm dresses, still it is really cold and cold. When I go for my evening walk, though I walk for an hour, I do not get sweat, for it is cold.

Though it was my birthday on 31 of May, none knew it and I did not tell to anyone. Only a priest who was in India and who is now in SA knew that it was my birthday and he called to wish me. But now I am afraid, what Bishop will tell when comes to know that it was my birthday and I did not tell him. I don’t know.

On31, the parish priest of the cathedral has come back after his holidays in Zambia. So we will have enough members to go around and work in the parish.

As I was reading news from India, specially from Kerala, I am really sad. On 1^st of June was the opening of the new school year. On the very first day, two kids and a teacher killed in the road accident. When my India will have a proper traffic rule and people with common sense to drive. I don’t know.

"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfil it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it."
— Mother Teresa

2011-05-30T14:31:00.000+05:30

Yes, a week I did not write anything for my blog. There was nothing special as such. So I was in a lazy mood to write something to post in the blog. Last two Saturdays I have been going out with one of our parishioner to distribute Holy Communion to the sick. There is a lady next to our house; there is also an old age home. So we go to these two places to distribute communion. Altogether there are four people to whom I give communion on Saturdays. On the last Saturday as we go to distribute the Communion, the lady who was with me was in tears. She said that some people broke into her house and stole her gold ornaments. There were quite big amounts of gold. The people department is so close to her house, but in the middle of the day someone has entered into her house and did it. I think here there will not be even a single house that has not experienced theft. As everyone say, there is no much work opportunity, so people go around making something to fill the time. So theft and drugs are part of South African life. Yesterday bishop gave me DVD, named “BECOME ONE BODY ONE SPIRIT IN CHRIST” it is about deepening our understanding of the Eucharist. I watch it little by little.

S A

2011-05-23T17:04:00.000+05:30

There was an interesting thing that happened as we were going to Aliwal for the assembly. As we were going on, there was some places were the road construction was going on. So the workers stop from the one side and on one side only the vehicles were going. As we reached the stop point, the girl who was watching showed hand that we can proceed and not need to wait. But as we began, another girl shouted, stop, stop, it is not yet time to leave the vehicles from this side. So we put the reverse gear and brought the car back. Suddenly one of the girls pulled the plastic barricade and she climbed on it and sat on it. It was all so spontaneous that I felt so funny. I took my mobile phone and pictured the girl sitting on the barricade. Another girl saw it and shouted, this man is taking your photo. Wow, she just jumped out of it and went into the small hut which is kept for them to have rest. She came out with an iron bar. I was terrified, she came to the car and told me, man you should delete it. As she was there, I showed her the photo. Suddenly there was a phone call from the other side of the traffic to leave the vehicles from this side. So I deleted one of the two photos that I had taken. As we continue our journey the priest who was riding the car, said. You need to learn a lot about the culture of Africa. It is a culture of violence. They never look who is who, but just beat or shoot is their culture. Did you not see her coming with an iron bar? Yes I learn the lesson.

province assembly.....

2011-05-20T14:47:00.000+05:30

I have been waiting for the father to come and fetch me. But I had to wait until the afternoon for him. He was here with the students for the lunch. We began our journey to Aliwal around 1 in the noon. It is quite long journey to Aliwal. Something like 400 kilometers from De Aar. But the roads are quite empty here and so we took only some 5 hours to reach there. So it was good. Last two days we were in the assembly of the province. Most of the members were there for the assembly and it was good time. On Thursday afternoon the assembly was over. Actually the plan was to leave from there on Friday. The province has given a new car to the pre-novitiate community. So someone should drive the car in which we had gone to Aliwal. Now Deacon Jay raj was there and so they wanted me to come with him to De Aar in that car. So we left in that car. Half way, I also drove the car. So half, half we drove the car. It was good. By 6.30 in the evening we were in the house. I see that bishop had come back to house in Wednesday. The two pre-novices were there. One of them prepares pizza for the night. So the dinner and night recreation was in long. I think from 8.30 it went around 10.30. One of the pre-novice is from Zambia (in the SCJ website they had given it wrong that two of them are from SA) who has never tasted alcohol. Yes, today morning, I had a hair cut by the deacon. It is cut very short. Bishop was laughing when he saw me. They have left for Petrusvilla today morning.

second week of May

2011-05-16T15:44:00.001+05:30

Last week was not so much of special. Bishop was left the house Friday morning and then it is more of personal time. On 13^th of Kerala state assembly election result came. I was actually waiting for the result. But it was a very disappointing result. We all were thinking that UDF would get a super victory. But it was just enough to rule the state. It was not a big margin win. The former chief minister seems to make a good appearance in front of the crowed. But I am never impressed with that man. Even I think, that I hate that person, he is not a good person for me personally. Anyway he will be opposition minister now. Let it be.

On Saturday and Sunday the cook does not come to the house. So it is really a problem. Because if bishop is not here, we both are not cooking people. So it seems to be a problem. I tried my level best to adjust. But I could not. On Saturday evening I came to the kitchen and I was looking at the things that were in store. I got a packet of pasta and on which the cooking method was written and so I tried. I took some chicken from the freezer and I cooked and eat in the night. It seems not that bad. So Sunday afternoon too I did make pasta. There was pork meat in the freezer and so I fry it and made pasta. In the evening monsignor too eat it and I too eat it. May be this was the first time that I cooked by myself.

Today on Monday, the workers are here in the house. Because our house has been leaking and water was coming to the house. I heard in the bishop’s office the water has been pouring. So now the work is started. I think that it will take a long time to finish the work, because they have to repair the roof and then bishop wants them to make some bath rooms attached to the rooms. Here no room is bathroom attached. So he has plan for three rooms. So it will take a long time to finish all these works. Let us wait and see how long it is going to take.

Yesterday night Mabeka, priest from Zimbabwe, that on Tuesday he will be here to fetch me and will go to Aliwal north, because the province assembly will begin on Wednesday and so we will be there by Tuesday evening. So now today I will have to pack things from my room to go for three days away from the house. On Friday I will be probably back here. take.

prayer for the Priest.

2011-05-10T15:36:00.002+05:30

Birthday of Bishop-9.05-2011

2011-05-10T15:34:00.001+05:30

On Monday as I came down to celebrate mass in the private chapel of the Bishop, I saw the cook in the kitchen. But after the Eucharist when I came for breakfast, she was already ready to go. She said, my husband is in the hospital and I want to go. Later I came to know that he has been in the hospital and then on Monday the specialist doctors were coming to check him. Since she had gone, none to prepare lunch. So during lunch, we had bread and butter. That is the easy way of having lunch. I saw our cook taking fruits and going to visit her husband. After the lunch monsignor told me that in the evening we would go to visit our neighboring parish priest. So at four we went to see him. Just five minutes way from bishop’s house in De Aar. We were there for a long time. When we came home, it was around 6 in the evening. So later I went for evening walk. But when I came home, bishop was already in the house. I went to his room and wished him happy birthday. He was happy. Suddenly he opened his holy mouth and told, Sanil again I warn you not to walk in the dark. People think that since you live in this big house (it is not a big house, comparing Bishop’s palace in India), people think that you have money. So they will attack you. So don’t walk when the sun is gone down. Ok Bishop I said. He had brought cake and wine for us. So we come to the recreation room and have big pieces of cake. I drank a little wine. I am very conscious not to drink any alcohol. But since it is his birthday I drank a bit. We were sitting and watching more than an hour the news from different channels. Then all leave for their room. As I came to my room, I got a phone call from another SCJ, who was missionary to India, telling that on Sunday he will be here and on Monday we will to Aliwal north for assembly. So next week to Aliwal north. I loved Aliwal north. It a beautiful place. Clean and neat. The meeting is set for three days and on Thursday we will be back. So again a long journey.

life in De Aar.

2011-05-10T15:15:00.002+05:30

Today Friday, it was more of a free day for me. I had usual classes. Because for the last two days, the monsignor had gone to Bloemfontein for some matters and so I did not have classes. Just today we were practicing reading. This was about the Sacrament of Baptism. After the reading practices, I just typed about Pakistan, hub of Terrorism. After the lunch, I wanted to take a nap, but I could not. Because it was raining so heavily. When the waters fall to the roof, it makes big noise and I could not sleep. But as I lay on my bed, the rain got bigger and bigger. I just opened the window to look outside. The road was already flooded and the water was running like a river. So I took my mobile phone and took some snaps of it. Today Bishop has gone one of the parishes, where there are some problems. He will be back only next week and so I have no internet. He has turned off it and locked his office and gone. So in the afternoon I was trying to connect with my mobile phone to the computer, it was just dialing and I could see that it coast so much. So I have left that idea and wait for Bishop to come for using of internet.

Today evening, I celebrated my first Eucharist in the cathedral. Till now I was only concelebrant. So I was in little tension, I think I was sweating a bit, though it was cold outside. After I thought about it, why did I sweat, but I could not find any reason. May be because it was the first mass in the cathedral. After the Eucharistic celebration, as I see, there is fog coming out of the mouth of all who spoke, it was really cold now outside. But still I went for my evening walk. Every day I walk to the end of the city. It takes one hour to come back to the house. So it feels good to walk, because the weather is not making one sweat. But I had bad experience in the beginning of this week when I went for evening walk.

As I reach the end of the street, I see a group of youth sitting there on the other side of the road. I just walk and was about to come back. Suddenly they started to whistle at me. But I would not mind them. But they started to clap and shout looking at me. Suddenly one of them runs to me. Hello sir, good evening, I reply to him. Sir can you give me five Rand for a bottle of beer, asked he. No, I have no money, I said. There comes a second one, asking the same. I said, look here, I have no money. I am a catholic Priest and I do not carry money with me. Oh, so you are man of prayer, ok sir, u can go. I said, yes, I stay in the bishop’s house here in De Aar. Ok sir. They replayed and went back. But they already smelled alcohol. Yes, here in South Africa, many are addicted to drugs and alcohol. I don’t know how can help them. What can I do for them? I am thinking these days. But nothing striking my mind. Now and then I see alcohol smelling girls passing me on the street. Many street children wandering around. What can I do for them????

When I was in Aliwal north, and now here, they advice me not walk in the street when the sun is gone. Anyone can attack you. Not for getting anything, but they take pleasure in that. But still I walk in the street in the evening.

While I am typing this in the night, it was raining outside heavily. For all the people, here in SA it’s a wonder, how come that it still rains because the autumn has come one month before, and still it rains, can one believe that????

Third Sunday of the Easter. Since I have to celebrate the Eucharist in the Cathedral, I got up at 6.30 from the bed. It freezes here. I was ready in the church. I had enough time to prepare for the Eucharist. It was some seven minutes before the time Eucharist, they started to sing. So I started the Eucharist. But at the end of the Eucharist people came to me telling, father time before the Mass we start singing, but that is not the time to begin the Mass. Ok. I understand. In the Eucharist, during the offtary time there were two flasks of rose flowers. On each flower there were some quotes. The man who brought the flowers whispered to me, father give them to our mothers after the Eucharist, today is Mother’s day. Oooh ok, I understand. So at the end of the Eucharist, there was queue of all the mothers, present the church to receive the flowers. Good. But before the Eucharist was begun, one of the parishioners came to me telling; father, we will be happy to have you for lunch with us. I said yes. I knew this family even before I came to South Africa, through the face book. So after the Eucharist in the Cathedral, I had to go to the next parish-Uganda martyrs. I was celebrating the mass, in English, many of them were answering in Xhosa, they were singing in Xhosa too. After the Eucharistic celebration, when I came back it was about 12 in the noon. So I decided to just go and practice sometimes with the car. So for half hour I went out with the car. It was good. I am getting my confidence with the car. Though for many years I am riding bike, I had / have no full confidence with the car. I need to practice car and get my confidence. So by one the man came with the car to fetch me to his house. They are living just below the mountain of De Aar. There are lots of Portuguese families. Their families were there. It’s a bar attached home. I was very careful that I will not have any alcohol. So I had only soft drinks. So the delicious lunch was started at 2 with lots of meat and chicken. It was wonderful lunch. I was in their house till four in the evening. There were two orange trees, so they gave me some oranges to take home. Wonderful. I am back at home and just for some refreshment and a rest. Later a very good evening’s walk.

On Monday, as we were having our reading practice, monsignor interfered with my reading and corrected, but there was no mistake, after a while again he interfered. I asked him, what was the wrong in what I read father, he was furious at me and said you are very proud. I could not believe that he would say like that. From the beginning I notice that he had a tendency to mock sister who taught me reading while I was in Aliwal north, then now and then he interfered with the reading unnecessarily. Two or three times before too I had asked him, please tell me what is that wrong what I read, he would say, don’t cross with me, but go on. Ok I adjusted it. I feel bad when he said that I am proud because I asked him what was the mistake that I read……

After the reading practice I was typing to computer the new formula of Baptism in Afrikaans. And then typed matters for the blog.

Pakistan a hub of Terrorism/ sanctuary of terrorists.

2011-05-06T15:22:00.001+05:30

Where Bin Laden is killed is just miles away from the military office of Pakistan. How come that they did not know about the house and people who stayed in the house and so on. If they say they did not know or like that what was said by Basher (foreign secretary of Pakistan) the Pakistan Military has no connection with Laden, How can one believe his words. Though Pakistan is getting aid for anti terror attack and for the country from USA, it had very often shown that Pakistan is for terrorism and extreme Muslim way of life. They had no religious tolerance or respect for other religion. They are only for death. That’s the culture of Pakistan, which most of the other countries do not have or appreciate. If Pakistan is not a Muslim extreme country, why did they shot and killed the minority minister months back. What are the measures taken by the

government of Pakistan to tackle the killers of the only Christian minister of the country?

In 1999, when, Pakistan fought the Kargil war, they really showed the ugly face of Pakistan to the world. While Musharuf (then president of the country) was talking about the peace between the two countries, in the back of his mind, he was preparing for the war with Indians. Indians proved that they are not simple guys, when we won the Kargil war.

2. Obama says that Pakistan is an important partner of USA against terrorism. I think Obama is playing a bad game. Because no other country in world has suffered like in India because of terrorism. Almost all the terror attack in India had happened because of Pakistan. The biggest example of the terror attack in Mumbai 2008. From the beginning of the attack India had said that it from Pakistan. We have caught alive one of them. But still what measures are taken by the Pakistan government to capture others who have helped to fight in India. Nothing and simply nothing. When Naredra Modi (chief minister of Gujarat) says, Pakistan is a hub of terrorists. I feel to agree with him. (Though I don’t agree with his party or its ideology).or when foreign minister of India, Chidambaram says that Pakistan is the sanctuary of Terrorism, I feel he is correct. However, whoever tries to justify Pakistan I don’t feel that. Pakistan needs to take out its false face and concretely fight against terrorism. Fight against terrorism is also against own religion even. Sometimes, because Muslims are engaged in terrorism, Pakistan closes its eyes against it. Need to take tough measures to fight against it. Beyond any religion, or country, or place or time, all humanity is against terrorism. Anyone /any country/ religion/place/caste/colour/creed /whatever promotes terrorism need to be kept suppurate and need to be questioned. Because through terrorism only death and destruction and no culture or country/ religion can grow by shedding of the blood. Very often in the fight of terrorists, innocent people are killed. How one can justify killing of innocent people. Think of Jewish Rabbi and his wife who were killed in Mumbai. How can the terrorist give back their little baby, his dad and mama? This is only one example. But how many have lost their dear and loves ones. Weather it is in New York or Mumbai or anywhere in the world. So Pakistan needs to come out in truth and fight terrorism. I think and Obama will not say that Pakistan is an important counterpart in fight against terrorism, but Its India and only India. In the world have suffered most because of

Terrorist attack, I hope and believe that USA will take tough measures against Pakistan.

The Bomb attack in Mumbai local trains, five bomb blast in different railway at the same time. The terrorist attack of 28/11/2008. The attack on Indian Parliament / the attack in Delhi, bomb blast in Hyderabad masjith. And like that how many attack in Indian soil. As an Indian I feel the talk between India and Pakistan need to be restored only after Pakistan write down that they will not support terrorism. Even if they write it down, can we believe Pakistan?????

second week of May

2011-05-06T14:34:00.002+05:30

On these posts, what I had missed was that of the Chrism Eucharistic celebration. It was on the Holy week Wednesday. It was in the afternoon. We left the house around 12 in the noon. From our house to ST. Teresa mission is a very beautiful way. On both sides it is empty fields but it look beautiful because there are some mountains and valleys and beautiful scenery on both sides of the road.

As we reach there most of the people are there ready. Bishop was already ready there. With a small procession we began the celebration. I was feeling funny because it was like a cultural program with lots of shouting. For each part of the Eucharist there was dancing. The youth had dressed in traditional dress and decorated themselves and were dancing. It looked so funny sometimes. It was before the Gospel reading, that the priest who was sitting in front of me stood up and started to dance. People were singing so loudly that it was so noisy and then all dancing. I was waiting for the Eucharist to get over. After the celebration bishop came back by carrying a big horn of an animal. He was literary carrying it. It was really big horn. He announced that he was going to bless the “Oil of Gladness” and then going to give to the priest and then they would come and apply on both hands and forehead of the people. It was really a big news for them and then all again dancing and singing. After all these dramas, priests were seated and then they had gift for each priest. When I opened it was one big chocolate and then a medium packet of sweet. It remains a unique experience of Africa.

On Monday it was a public holiday. So I went to the town and bought some winter cloths and some toilet items. Since it was holiday our cook did not come to the house. Normally, when cook is not coming, Bishop is our cook. I see a bishop who is very interested in cooking. He looks like a professional cook. But that day he was very busy and so he too didn’t turn to kitchen. So afternoon I had no lunch. (I feel sad), at night bishop came and cooked French bread with Omelet.

As I went for evening walk, it started to rain and I come home and see that my jogging shoe is broken. So on Tuesday I went and bought a new shoe for walking sake. The one I had, I bought from Aliwal north and it was a Chinese production. It seemed to be good, but it was broken so badly. Now I have a company item. It is quite expensive. I think it will remain longer. (www.olypic-sport.co.za). It looks good and feels so far so good.

THE TEACHER AND THE STUDENT...........

2011-05-05T15:00:00.000+05:30

Her name was Mrs. Thompson. As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie.

Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.

But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.

Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to," After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.

By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honours. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favourite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favourite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer -- the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did.

And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't really know how to teach until I met you."

Please remember that wherever you go, and whatever you do, you will have the opportunity to touch and/or change a person's outlook.

Please try to do it in a positive way:

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

I THINK OF MOVIE IN HINDI TITLED AS 'TARE ZAMIN PAR'-EVERY CHILD IS SPECIAL.