RISK OF LIFE AND A TEST OF FAITH - cholera breaks out in Lokhipur
It was a real risk of life and a test of Faith, a challenge of choice between life and death when the Oblates in Lokhipur Mission opened the doors wide to receive more than hundred of cholera victims in their premises. Around midnight, on 12th of May Fr.Henry and Fr.Robi were waken up from their sleep by cries and lamentation of many tea estate people from the vicinity who crowded at the gate of the Oblate house at Lokhipur. Many were almost at the point of death. People came from neighboring tea estates carrying the cholera-affected people in rickshaws, in pushcarts, bull of carts and even on their shoulders. Some of them died on their way and some on arrival at the centre. The hearts of the Oblates were large that they welcomed them into their premises.
The painful memory and experience of the terrible floods of 1998 was still lingering in the mind of the people and the epidemic break out was only expected but people were least cautious or prepared. The torrential rain that followed a long spell of drought brought into the unprotected wells dirt and rubbish. The estate workers use these wells for their washing, bathing and drinking. The polluted water caused an infection and affected the people seriously that resulted in sever cholera. The tea estate management was not able to handle the situation, as they had no facilities to treat such cases.
The Missionaries of Charity Sisters, known as the champions of the sick and the patron of the dying came with full support to take care, nurse and attend to the victims. There was no room in their house, people: babies, children, young and old, men and women were screaming in pain and agony, prowling all over the floors and verandahs. There was not enough of medicine and saline drips. The sisters did their best. They gave their loving care and their whole-hearted service.
A SOS message was sent to the Oblates in Dhaka. Fr.Joseph Gomes acted promptly and sent a group of juniorists with cartons of medicine and saline. Thanks to the good Lord the saline arrived on time to save the dying patients. The patients were given intro Venus saline drips, some of them as many as 25 bags of saline drips. Out of hundred patients about 10 died in the mission centre. Thank God, the 90 were saved.
The tea estate labourers, most of them, traditional Hindus, who were brought into Bangladesh from the state of Andrapradesh in India by the British to work in the tea estates are a minority group that needs our special attention. Neither the government nor the tea estate management pays full attention to their needs and rights. They live in the estate property, with bear minimum of comfort, housing, sanitation and security. They are ever grateful to the Oblates for the love and care, extended to them.
The Oblates with the help of a local women religious community known as the SMRA (Society of Mary the Queen of Apostles) have launched a grass root evangelization programme among them. The sisters live among the people, sharing in their life style and providing them with assistance in elementary education, hygiene and social development. Many of them have expressed their desire to embrace Christianity in the near future.
(Fr.Robi Robert Rozario OMI)
MALERIA RAMPANT IN SUNAMGONJ, Mugaipar mission braves the situation
Once acclaimed by the government as completely irradiated epidemic, the menace of malaria showed its tentacle again. One of the worst areas, affected by malaria, is the District of Sunamgonj. The Oblates, together with the Salesian sisters are taking up the challenge to fight against the killer mosquitoes. Already it had claimed many lives in and around the mission centre. Many NGOs and other well wishers have come forward to offer assistance to tackle the situation. Plans are being made to systematically cover the many out stations too with similar programme.
Even the school children have fallen victims to it. Some students of the Catholic High School in Mugaipar have died in the course of last month. Fr. Dilip Sarkar OMI the Principal of the School has an amazing incident to narrate. When one Muslim student died, he readily organized the whole school children and staff to visit the home of the departed student to offer sympathy to the family. At the end of the visit he was asked by the Muslim parents and relatives to offer prayers at the funeral service.
The Catholic High School of Mugaipar Mission was awarded as the best school in the entire district for its performance. We wish to congratulate Fr.Subash Costa OMI the Chairman of the Managing Committee and Fr.Dilip Sarkar OMI the Principal of the School. Our felicitation goes also to all the staff of the school. Incidentally, the High School had received recognition by the government with assurance of financial subsidy, which will relieve the Oblates, to a certain extend, of the financial burden that they have been bearing. Thanks to the efforts taken by Fr.Dilip and many others to pursue the matter with the government authorities.
ONGOING FORMATION
Fr.Bejoy D’Cruz successfully defended his Doctoral Thesis in Dogmatic Theology on the 22nd of June 1999 at the Gregorian University in Rome. Fr.Bejoy presented and defended his thesis on the theme: “Prophethood in the Bible and the Qur’an, with special reference to Jesus and Muhammad. Fr.Bejoy is expected to return to Bangladesh in mid July and resume his lecturing at the National Major Seminary of Bangladesh.
Fr. Ajit Costa OMI who is currently pursuing his specialized studies on Mission Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome writes to say that he has successfully fulfilled his assignments on 8 subjects so far and the last one for this semester would be on the 22nd of June after which he hopes to spend his summer vacation in France, learning French while helping out Oblates in the parishes. He will also travel to Belgium to pay a visit to the family of late Fr.Henry Van Hoof OMI.
Fr.Henry Rebeiro OMI was invited to follow a retreat conducted by the Marian Movement of Priests. He left for Rome on 15 June and will return on the 2nd of July.
Fr.Robi Robert Rozario OMI is preparing to leave for the Philippines on the 1st of July 1999 to follow a renewal course at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila.
FORMATION HOUSES
The Oblate Scholaticate in Dhaka was the venue for the celebration of the Beatification of Fr.Jozef Cebula OMI on 13 June 1999. The Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh was the main celebrant at the Holy Eucharist, concelebrated by many Oblates. A large crowd of faithful took part in the celebration.
The Oblates Scholaticate bid farewell to Bro.Arun William Rozario OMI, who left for Rome on the 27th of June 1999 to join the International Scholaticate.
Bro.Kazal Linus Gomes and Bro. Ranjit Costa OMI, the final year students at the National Major Seminary had been recommended to sit for the B.TH examination.
The vacuum created by the departure of Fr.Sean Coleman OMI from the formation house has been duely filled by the arrival of Fr.Jabob Thiruchelvam OMI from the Province of Sri Lanka. Fr.Thiru was ordained in 1972 in Sri Lanka. He had been an excellect and lovable pastor for many years in Jaffna after which he was assigned to the Delagation of India as formator. At the time of his appointment to Bangladesh Delegation he was ministering to the tea estate workers in Sri Lanka in the Diocese of Badhula. We are very grateful to the Province of Sri Lanka for sparing him to our Delegation and which Fr.Thiru a very pleasant stay and a fruitful ministry in Bangladesh.
The Oblate Juniorate successfully organized a vocation camp at the Oblate Juniorate where about 40 boys participated. Currently the boys are under observation in the different Oblate mission. A final selection will be made at the recommendation of the Oblates who followed them who will join the juniorate in July 1999.
Homily delivered by Fr.Jesunesan OMI, the General Councilor for AORC, at the Final Profession of Bro. Linus Gomes OMI
The Delegation of Bangladesh had the honour of welcoming Fr.Jesunesan OMI, the General Councilor for AORC. This was his first official visit to Bangladesh Oblate Delegation. It was indeed a privileged coincident that the Final Profession ceremony of Bro. Linus Gomes took place during his visit. His Grace the Archbishop of Dhaka, Most Rev.Michael Rozario presided at the Eucharistic Celebration while Fr.Jesunesan delivered the homily and received the Vows. We are pleased to present the summery of the homily.
What is “permanent” in the world is “change” . In a world of constant changes, commitment of oneself to a permanent way of life is very commendable. On this happy occasion I congratulate Bro. Kazal Linus Gomes on his coming forward to bind himself permanently in the Oblate Way of Religious Life.
We are aware of the two main components of Religious Life, namely the community life and the Evagelical Counsels. In order to make us missionaries the Founder wanted us first to be religious. It is with interest that we note that in this regard that our last General Chapter wanted primarily focus on “ Evangelization” finally ended up by speaking a lot on religious life.
Our Vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience and Perseverance are inspired by the life of Jesus Himself and of Mary. The Vowed life impels us to announce the Gospel through our lives. The General Chapter articulated “Evangelization” is so much a question of being the “Good News” as of speaking of Good News. How can one live up to the demand of his vowed life in this particular culture of Bangladesh. The challenge applies to everybody alike, whether he is engaged in leadership ministry or formation task or mission task. Our Vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience and Perseverance are a challenge to all of us. For us Oblates they are the way we have chosen to follow Jesus the Missionary.
The Gospel passage of today presents to us the rich young man who was seeking perfection. Jesus made the following demands: “ Sell all possessions. Give them to the poor. Follow me” It calls for detachment, a sharing of oneself and his riches with the poor that leads to the radical discipleship. Religious Life for us is linked to community. We need the support of community to remain faithful sign of the Gospel.
On the occasion of the Final Commitment it is important that we understand and appreciate the four tangible manifestation attached to the Final Profession.
1) The Oblate Cross, which our Founder St.Eugene De Mazenod gave to his followers. 2) The scapular, a sign of the special protection of the Mother Mary Immaculate. 3) The Book of Rules and Constitutions which show us the way of life. 4) Oblation number. By Final Profession one becomes a permanent member of the Oblate Congregation and every Oblate is always remembered even after his death.
As I conclude let me convey you my heart felt greetings and all kind wishes of Fr.General and his Council members whom I am representing here. May he who called you always strengthen in your way of life. Amen.
Reported by: Fr.Jacob Thiruchelvam omi.
Immersion into Internationality
It was the afternoon of June 28, 1999. The flight, which I was taking, was about to land. I just woke up from sleep and looked through the window. Thinking that it was Rome, I prepared myself to get off the plane. Then I realized that it was not Rome, but Nice, France. According to the schedule of our flight there was no stop at Nice. But how lovely it was to see the country of our beloved Founder, Saint Eugene.
While I was in Florence learning the Italian language, one student from Austria asked me what I liked most in Italy. Though it was a difficult question to answer I replied that it was my community that I like most in Italy. She was bit surprised but I believe that my reply was authentic and the answer was given after deep thought. It is true that ultimately it was God who brought me here to Rome. But I cannot deny the fact that it was because of my community that I am able to grow and prepare myself for the work of God.
Community has various aspects. But here I limit myself to that of Internationality. Before coming to Rome, in a smaller measure I had the experience of Internationality. During my noviciate in Sri Lanka we were novices from my country Bangladesh, then Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India. But when I look at it now, that experience was not so wide compared to that of Rome, because we actually came from the same region. Therefore, when I arrived in Rome on July 28, 1999, one Oblate asked me. " Are you really prepared to taste the Italian Soup?" By 'Italian Soup' he referred to our Scholasticate Community. As the soup contains ingredients of various spices, so our community consists of members from different parts of the world. At present we are 27 members in the community, (23 scholastics and 4 members of the staff) representing 18 nationalities. So the mentality of each one is obviously not the same. I notice when the matter of discussion comes, it takes a long period of time to listen to one another and understand. But for me that is the richness. When each one expresses his idea, it brings out his approach towards the moot point. It also helps others who are listeners to understand one's own background, culture and customs.
We are really rich in that sense. We can learn the music, language and culture of others. This really broaden our horizon. I believe that this aspect of Internationality is very much linked to our life in the mission.
To live in a community as this and to get the real benefit from it, much patience is required. The same aspect was underlined by our beloved Founder Saint Eugene when he says, " Practice among yourselves charity, charity and charity." Charity definitely includes this patience- one needs to be patient in order to respect others, listen to others and help others. This is not easy. As great men say, to leave one's country is a kind of dying to self and plunging into a new era. So now we really practice our Internationality in the community.
It is true that we come from different countries, different family backgrounds, but still we are all bound together by our Oblate bond, we always remain the sons of our Founder Saint Eugene De Mazenod. So that is the unity in diversity. As the Psalmist says," How wonderful it is how pleasant, for Gods people to live together in harmony."(Psalm 133.1)
Bro.Arun William Rozario OMI
SOME GLIMS OF MY FORMATION YEARS
In our lives many incidents take place, but all don’t have the same value. I can vividly remember that on the 12th of January 1989, after finishing my “Come and See Programme” I joined the Oblate Juniorate. That time it was completely a new environment for me. The new timetable for prayers, meals and for manual labour was strange for me. More over there was great emphasis on English. Everything was told to us in English, which had to be explained. I could still remember our first formator, Fr.Angelo Martyn who used to say:“ You should dream in English”, by which he meant that English should be spoken at all times.
The community life was a big surprise for me. I found that everything was done in common, in a spirit of fellowship. As a result, serving one another developed a strong community spirit. I still remember that I started my Juniorate life from grass root. Our Juniorate was in a residential area where there were many Christian families around us. When we used to sing the “Salve Regina” people used to join us from their houses. In the Juniorate, from the very beginning, we were given an orientation to the religious life so that we may have the right understanding of the Oblate Way of life. Through our life of prayer we also have developed an attitude of self-sacrifice and service towards our fellow brothers and sisters. We were advised not forget our own background from where we came. Our parents could be poor; some could be farmers, cooks or even daily labourers. If after our education disown them, then we are denying our origin. We could be proud of owning whatever our parents really are.
In my formation period I enjoyed the mealtime. Because it was at this time that we could talk and laugh loudly, joke and tease each other. It was not only the delicious food that I enjoyed but also the conversation and the sharing of the joy of one another. Besides the academic studies we were engaged also in pastoral work among the people. We visited hospitals, taught catechism to children preparing them for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, and helped the Missionaries of Charity sisters to clean and wash their patients.
My Noviciate in Sri Lanka is an important chapter in my life. There, the novices from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka formed an International family. Though we different in nationalities, languages, cultures and traditions we were all united in one spirit and formed one community. I still cherish the natural beauty in around the noviciate, which helped me a lot to experience God and discern my vocation.