News & Events

Visits to Barul Mission

On 30th August 2021, the Custos, Br. Tony D’Souza and the Custody Bursar and Project Secretary, Br. Jose Palimattom, visited the Barul Mission. Br. Tony was happy with the developments that had taken place here during the past few years.  We went for a short walk in the entire campus, spent some time sharing the various activities done in the Mission. At 7.30 pm we had a concelebrated Mass and sharing of the Word of God followed by supper and personal chats.  The next day at 7 O’ clock in the morning we celebrated the morning prayer and Eucharist, and shared God’s Word which was enthusing and life-giving. Br. Tony did not tell me anything about appointing one more friar here, to this Mission, but assured me that whenever I had to be away for classes or retreats or other functions for a long period of time, he himself would come here and spend his days in silence and reflection, prayer and rest. He would also motivate other friars to spend a week or a month or even a longer period of time in these quiet, green, clean, serene surroundings. At around 9.30 A.M. they left for Umrer.  I was happy to have sent with them some of the produce of the land to our Formation House in Umrer.

 

A Fraternal Visit of The Provincial

On 15th September 2021, the Minister Provincial, Br. Praveen D’Souza visited the Barul Mission, along with Br. Rajasekar Gopu (Project Secretary) and Br. Thaddeus Baxla (Custody Councillor); the Vice-Provincial missed accompanying the Provincial on account of the Covid-19 situation.

     Br. Thaddeus fetched our two Brothers from the airport and brought them to the Barul Mission. The expected time of their arrival was around 1.30 PM, but they arrived by 3.45 PM only!

I had called some children from the village for a performance at the welcome ceremony. In spite of the rainy weather, the children had assembled here for the program at 12.30 pm. Since there was delay in the arrival of our brothers, the children were served some refreshments. It was a joyful moment for them. The Brothers were welcomed with a song in front of the statue of Jesus, and then led them to the House with dancing and singing, which was concluded with an arati at the entrance of the House. We shortened the program. I offered the brothers, according to the village custom, a long, white cotton towel each which they could use for their long missionary journeys. It was a symbol of loving service, something they could use to wipe away sweat and tiredness from their faces. The dancers and singers were given envelopes with some money in them and some chocolates too. All who were present at the programme were also given chocolates which the Provincial had brought along with him. 

After dispersing the children and the others, we sat down for a delicious lunch at around 4.15 pm, which was prepared by Bindukumar Yadav, a cook from the village. Tired and weary after a long journey I expected the Provincial and the others to take some rest. On the contrary, soon after lunch we went on a tour of the 8-acre campus, admiringly gazing at the trees, birds, animals, running streams, ponds, bore wells, grazing fields, playground, and the different things we had cultivated. We also shared some future plans and developments regarding the MIssion. After a little rest, at 7.30 pm we had our Eucharistic Celebration and the sharing of God’s Word which were truly inspirational. After Mass we sat down for a little fraternal sharing, followed by supper at which there were fresh rottis made by Gopu, Thaddeus and me, and all the tasty items of the afternoon which we had warmed up! ‘Delicious’, I thought I heard them say!  On 16th morning we celebrated the morning prayer and Eucharist at 7 am. After a special breakfast they left for Umrer at 8.45 am. Br. Praveen presented me with an excellent book of 351 pages – The Book of Joy. It is about lasting happiness in a changing world, and it contains reflections, thoughts and insights of two spiritual giants – His Holiness the DALAI LAMA and Archbishop DESMOND TUTU, and was written down by Douglas Abrams. It was very inspiring and insightful so much so that I read it in four days.

I am thankful to the Provincial and Rajasekar for their fraternal visit. Although the main purpose of the Provincial’s visit was the blessing and inauguration of the newly built school, a Marian grotto, and the laying of the foundation for new class rooms at Malom Noatoli he nevertheless set aside time planned and for a fraternal visit to all the houses in the Custody.  Let there be more such fraternal visits by the brothers.

Back