YOUTH AND FUN…

This certainly seems to be a strange title to a blog entry but I could not help thinking that the two have come to be linked inextricably. And this Sunday it was played out before my eyes, when we had about 700 young people on our campus to celebrate the Annual Youth Fest that is hosted by our students of theology. These young people ranging in age from 15 to 25, are part of the 21 parish youth groups animated by our brothers every sunday. They are in college or working or somewhere in between these two phases. Many were here for the first time and it was evident that they had a good time.

At the inaugural session the Bible was enthroned and they were exhorted to "Live the Word – Liberate the World" both by the Word itself and then by our own local MLA and Minister of Urban Affairs – Mr. Founder Cajee. The latter, though not a Catholic, spoke in glowing terms of what he had learned from the Catholic Church, exhorting the youth to courageously live the values they are being taught. Then followed an interesting audio-visual presentation on some youth problems viz. drug addiction, sexual permissiveness and media indoctrination. Each young person present was challenged to bring light to the world rather than to curse the darkness. By mid-morning we were ready to enter into the Eucharistic celebration that was presided over by Fr. Sylvanus Nongkindrih. He used some real life situations to bring home the need that all Christians have to encounter the Word of God especially by reading and studying the Bible. After much food for thought – it was time to give some food to the bodies and so the youth gathered in different parts of the campus to enjoy a tasty meal prepared by some of the brothers along with the help of some volunteers.

During lunch many also had an opportunity to look at some of the interesting charts prepared on the theme: "Live the Word – Liberate the World". Some had also participated in an essay competition and submitted their entries which were evaluated and honoured with prizes. With a hectic morning over it was time to move to the more evidently fun part – the cultural program. It was now the turn of the youth to share with their peers their 'take' on the theme. And so they used song and dance to present the relevance of the theme to their lives and to simultaneously showcase their abundant talent. This was duly noted and complimented by our two important guests - Mr. Bindo Lanong (Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya) and Mr. A Hek (MLA) - both of whom encouraged the young to build their own future with hard work and social commitment.

While a great deal happened on the stage, it was evident that there was also another very enthusiastic group keeping the young people rocking as they swayed to the rhythm of the music between the various items. It was fun time and dance time…and it made the 4 hour-cultural pageant pass by in a breeze.

Before we knew it was time to close shop and to part ways. But not before we had time to share a few words to tell each other how much we had learned during the day and to promise our presence next year for the next youth fest. The brothers had a tiring day – on their feet coordinating the various parts of the program and looking after all the logistics that come with keeping a crowd of 700 alive, active and enthusiastic. That their efforts were well-rewarded was borne out by the happy and grateful faces of the young people who had enjoyed some fun moments and been motivated to 'live the Word and liberate the world' around them.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE

We dedicated our evening prayer yesterday to remembering and praying for our two young men who died tragically in the accident near Boko, Assam - Fr. Rajesh Ekka and Cl. Vijay Toppo. The service presided over by Fr. George Maliekal, our Rector included some very poignant moments. The reading from the Book of Wisdom seemed to take on a life of its own when we listened to the words:

"The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect."

There were also some touching testimonies of two brothers who had lived with Rajesh and Vijay. They noted Rajesh's deep commitment to his vocation and his determination to serve the Lord "come what may" and Vijay's "transparency" before God and man. Hymns like "Abide with me" and "God be with you till we meet again" were sung by our community as we recalled these two brothers, now resting in the Lord.

Truly we are shocked and now all that remains is to wait in silence on the Lord as he comforts us in our deep sorrow. He, who commended himself to the Father as he hung upon the cross, is challenging us to commend our brothers to his care. "Lord, help us surrender to you always, even when our reason tells us it is pointless. You are the true meaning of all our lives. In you alone we will find fulfillment and true joy."

THE LORD HAS TAKEN TWO MORE TO HIMSELF

It has been another very sad day for us here at SHTC, in the province of Guwahati and for all SDBs the world over.

Late last night two young SDBs – Fr. Rajesh Ekka (ordained in January this year) and Cl. Vijay Toppo (perpetually professed on 23 May this year) along with two others were killed in a tragic accident on their way from Guwahati to Tura (the community to which they belonged). Few details are available about what exactly transpired.

The shock is palpable among the Salesians of SHTC, Mawlai. Both, Rajesh and Vijay have companions among our 90 odd brothers. They had lived with each other in the past years in different communities and everyone has a touching story to tell.

For now we can only surrender in faith to the Will of God. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away – Blessed be the name of the Lord…

WHY DID SHE KILL HERSELF?

Today was one of those days I would love to forget. We went to visit the family of a young woman who had committed suicide early this morning. It is hard to fathom why a person would resort to this drastic act in a tribal culture where the family support system is still strong.

Could it be the influence of an all-pervasive media that has 'normalised' this behavior (suicide is less reprehensible than homicide?) or is it the downside of urbanization making its way into a well-knit society and sorely testing the coping skills of everyone? Hard to say but the look on the faces of her father and mother, her brothers and sisters, her nieces and nephews shows incomprehension and deep pain.

We need to sit down and examine what is going wrong, before we help one another by providing the suitable ambient to discuss and handle tension and distress in ways that are growth-enhancing, responsible and effective. Faith and already existing support systems can help.

SACRED HEART THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, 2009-2010

Here is a picture of our community taken on the occasion of the Rector Major's visit in November last year.

It is posted here as a tribute to all those who made the last year memorable for us.

The fourth years were not here for a long time but when they were they shouldered their responsibility admirably. The third years were the 'go-fer' guys...always stepping in to help smooth things along. The dedication of the four house capos will be hard to emulate. The second year students were also able to do their bit. Finally, the first years - 'benjamins' proved to be able to handle their share of community chores well.

It's upto someone else to speak about the staff but without boasting I think it fair to say that led by the rector, it was a well-knit team that carried and animated the community challenging each to give their best. Au revoir, Arrivederci...Godspeed to those who have moved on...Till we meet again: Go with God...

SOME PICTURES OF THE DIACONATE

The imposition of hands...we pray in silence for an outpouring of the Spirit...

Calling on God, the angels and the saints to intercede for his chosen ones..."Bless these chosen ones, make them holy and set them apart for sacred ministry..."

THE PENULTIMATE STEP…

Yesterday was a day of great importance to our community. Not only is the First of July the mid-year point (half the year is over and one half remains of 2010), but here in Sacred Heart College, it is the day of the diaconate. 19 of our brothers entered into the Sacrament of Holy Orders as they were ordained deacons in preparation for their priestly ordination. More on the ceremony can be gleaned from this article posted in BIS.


Personally I was touched by the words that the bishop pronounces when he gives the book of the Gospels to each deacon. He says: “Believe what you read, Teach what you believe and Practice what you teach…” Four steps in our ministry of the word: Reading, Believing, Teaching and Practicing. This serves as a reminder to all of us who are called to be ministers of the word…

We pray for our 19 brothers and all those being ordained deacons in preparation for the priesthood…that they will truly be able to fulfill this mission entrusted to them with fidelity and dedication.