We began our day little late. We had mass at 7 am followed by breakfast. Friar Gonza (he actually has a very long name and this is one of the names, simplest) the Custos of West Papua and also the president of SAAOC celebrated the Mass. Through the story of "one among you is a Messiah" he brought out the need to respect, to care-share-cure in our communities. Our session began at 8.30. Today we met in each of our conferences i.e. SAAOC and EAC. In our conference we elected a new President in the place of friar Gonza. The new President is the Custos from Pakistan friar Yusuf. The Vice President is friar Philip from Australia who also continues to be the Bursar for the conference. The secretary is normally from the entity of the president and so naturally from Pakistan. We also had to elect three secretaries: Formation and Studies: friar Hieronymus from Indonesia;Mission and Evangelization: friar Johnson from India who is re- elected;JPIC: friar McKay from Australia.The EAC didn't have the election. When we gathered together for a combined meeting, we made ready the draft of all the discussion we had. There were statements, resolutions and recommendations. One of the important aspects of all this is the Ongoing Formation. These will be shared later. Today we made a visit to the ECO-PASTORAL centre cared by the friars. This was very special for us. This is a centre for organic farming and from here so many families are taught. The poor are kept in mind for self sustenance. I share some inspiration from brother MIDI the organic farmer here. He says that the insects are not enemies. They tell us what's wrong with plants. A plant has a natural resistance system it forms a thin layer on the leaf. So when insects come and attack it means that we have to change the constituents of the water or compost. When insects know that plant is resistant they leave. So the duty is also to program the mind of farmers and people. This is very much a pastoral ministry as the friars work with the indigenous people who have so much wisdom to offer to the world especially for protecting the Creation. Seeds are naturally cultivated and used. One who controls seeds controls the lives of the people. Brother Midi says that according to the Tradition: earth is mother and those who destroy tress are males. Mother protects and men destroy. Local wisdom helps them to care for the creation and cultivate the land. If the needs of the creation are not going to be taken care then we are awaiting destruction. The way we cultivate and relate with the plants changes our thinking. Organic cultivation is growing of organisms. What we plant is part of our lives. What we plant what turns out to be part of our life. The centre works in tandem with the research centre locally. This knowledge needs to be translated to the poor. The alumni of this centre help in running the centre. The spirituality is all about knowing that God doesn't simply give you a banana to eat and the skin to throw away but rather even use the skin. Unless we give up this throw away culture we cannot understand. It's all about saving the refuse.
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
04 |
St.Francis of Assisi Robin Lakra Pratap Reddy Salibindla Arulsamy A. Thomas Joseph Bobby V.T. Johnny Anthony Athanasius Xaxa Leos Ekka |
Solemnity Birth Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1974 1988 1988 1988 1988 1989 1991 1991 |
06 |
Salim Joseph Babu Jose Pamplany James N. Trevor D’ Souza Malom - Noatoli + George Muthaiah |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Arrival Home |
1991 1991 1991 1991 1995 2002 |
08 |
North Guwahati Salvador D’ Souza |
Arrival Ordination |
1999 2011 |
10 |
+ Gerald D’ Souza |
Home |
2013 |
14 |
+ Bosco Jayaraj Tony D’ Souza |
Home Ordination |
1970 1990 |
15 |
Joy Sebastian Prasad Rao K. |
Birth Birth |
1972 1990 |
19 |
Provincialate Marius Dahanga |
Blessing Birth |
1998 1992 |
21 |
+ Basil Devasagayam Arockiasamy P. Eliyas Reddy |
Home Birth Birth |
1965 1970 1995 |
26 |
Gerald Lobo |
Birth |
1951 |
27 |
+ Paschal Lobo Jose Palimattom Benjamin Jojo Anil Xalxo Thumma Ranjith Kumar Reddy |
Home Birth Birth Birth Birth |
1956 1967 1975 1979 1988 |
28 |
Teiborlang Wartde |
Birth |
1987 |
30 |
Austin Francis |
Birth |
1972 |
30 |
Punitha Anthoniar Illam - Madurai |
Blessing |
1994 |
31 |
Manish Ekka |
Birth |
1993 |