50 years a priest - to minister in a pastoral way to all people

 I was ordained a priest on April 20, 1974, at St Thomas’ Church, Calcutta, by my former prefect of studies, Cardinal Picachy SJ, where I used to serve Mass as a student. I was told much later this was Hitler’s birthday, so I made a sincere commitment to try to wipe out his nefarious deeds, as a Jesuit priest. 

                      

Like St Ignatius, I wanted to do great things for the Church, and like him realised that I could only do great things for the Church by being a priest - Who said that you don’t need to be a priest to minister in a pastoral way to people? I discovered this through my Jesuit formation. 

 Vatican Council II was like a breath of fresh air. My youthful years had been full of Latin Masses and when I experienced the English Mass for the first time at Vinayalaya, the Juniorate at Andheri, Bombay, it was like taking wings. The Bombay Eucharistic Congress, with Pope Paul VI, was another defining moment

During my Theology studies at De Nobili College, because I had a horrid youth (my parents died when I was 9), I opted for youth work: all youth, not only Christians. I committed myself, like Mother Teresa, to make Christians better Christians, Hindus better Hindus, Muslims better Muslims and so on and so forth: that was the way the SSU was born: Searching and Service in Unity which is still going strong in 2024. 

 I taught Philosophy at Jnana Deepa and my lectures were made more relevant by the questions my SSU youth used to ask. I took my Biblical Studies very seriously and pored over non-Christians Scriptures. It helped to nurture non-Christian youngsters in their faith tradition. I also started a Bible Study Class, which is over 40 years old. I was in much demand for Masses and organising Inter-Religious Services. And all this goes on today with camps, dramatic works that I write and direct and various creative and fun-filled activities.

--Fr. Cyril Desbruslais SJ

Discerning God's Call (Sch. Vishal Wagmare SJ)

 To speak about my vocation story is not easy, because it means sharing deep feelings, more than mere words. It all h a p p e n e d i n D n y a n a m a t a Vidyalaya hostel, Sangamner. When I joined Dnyanamata as a student, I had n o t h o u g h t o f becoming a Jesuit. I merely wanted to be a successful young man in the world. Success no doubt is a relative term, isn't it? In Dnyanamata, we had daily Mass, Rosary and interesting narrations and expositions of the feasts of various Jesuit Saints and Martyrs. Occasionally, I got an opportunity to go with the Jesuits to celebrate Mass in the villages. My favourite saint is St Ignatius of Loyola. His life challenges me. On his feast day, the Fathers would give us inspiring and challenging messages. Initially, while reflecting on my life, I often ignored thoughts of religious life. I faced a dilemma about whether to choose a life in the world as any other student or to offer my life to God.

I once went to the market with the regent of the Hostel where he bought a garland. Just to taunt him, I asked if he was buying it for his marriage. He promptly replied, “I am already married to God. No more marriage for me in this world.” This thoughtstruck and kept haunting me. I felt quite empty thinking of the limited goal I had been pursuing. But when I thought of my life as a Jesuit and a Priest, ready to do anything for God without any attachment, I felt a sense of joy and fulfilment. That's where I realized my vocation and this gave me immense joy and a sense of purpose in my life. No turning back for me, and I earnestly ask the Lord to give me the grace to persevere in this precious calling to the Society of Jesus. 

 Sch. Vishal Waghmare SJ

(Sch. Vishal Waghmare is doing his first year graduation at St. Xavier College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He hails from Holy Spirit Church, Shevgaon, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. He is responded to the call of Christ to serve Him alone through Pune Jesuit Province. May God bless him!)

Youth – Creators of a Hope-Filled Future

 The Pune Jesuit Youth Ministry team and St. Sebastian Parish Youth organized a half-day gathering for 120 youth on November 28, 2021, at Loyola School, Pashan. Fr. Vivian Raja began the session with a talk on the theme of Hope. Each youth was invited to write a cherished virtue or value on an altar cloth, that was placed as a prayer offering on the altar. During the Eucharist, Fr. Agnelo gave the youth some questions to ponder on and share in spiritual conversation, to help them prepare meaningfully for the season of Christmas.

The youth participated enthusiastically in the activities. Oistin John, St. Vincent's Junior College, expressed his gratitude, saying, “The precious teachings will definitely give me more courage to face life's challenges.” For Claudine Joseph, St. Xavier's Church, Camp, the Eucharist and life-sharing experiences were treasured moments: “We learned a lot about the Advent season and Christmas. The theme 'Hope' was very well presented.

Steve Paul, St. Sebastian Church, NDA, joyfully shared, “It was a great experience for me to organize the youth event; and a wonderful learning experience which has infused confidence to conduct and organize for more events to come.” The youth look forward eagerly to get involved in more such gatherings.

The Pune Jesuit Youth Ministry team thanks Fr. Agnelo Mascarenhas, Fr. Francis D'Souza, Fr. Anish K, Fr. Francis Patekar, Fr. Joseph D'Souza, Ms. Braganza, Celine, Yashica, and Linette for encouraging and accompanying the youth. A big thanks to the Parish Council and youth of St. Sebastian Church, NDA, for taking care of the food and logistic arrangements. 

Time to renew our Joy, hope, peace and faith (Fr. Agnelo Mascarenhas SJ)

 At Christmas we welcome, once again, Jesus who is coming to dwell among us. I pray that his presence fills us joy, hope, peace and faith. May his presence also fill us with a sense of gratitude as we come to the end of another fruitful year. The Province Apostolic Planning is in its final stages. Soon we will proceed with the important phase of implementation which will require of us much dedication and a lot of sustained hard work. The planning phase has been a very positive and a fulfilling experience.

 May the joy we experienced as an outcome of the process help us to own up our Apostolic Plan. The same Lord who has enabled us to put this plan together will also help us in implementing it. This is our firm hope. We have much work to do and we depend not on our own resources, but we move ahead with firm trust in God's Providence. 

 Let this Christmas be a graced moment in our process of renewal as we celebrate the Ignatian Year, whose main aim is renewal at the personal, communitarian and institutional levels. It is a graced moment because Jesus offers us joy, hope, peace and faith in abundance. These gifts are necessary as we move ahead with our process of renewal. 

 In September this year Fr General has initiated an Examen of our vow of poverty in the following of Jesus poor and humble. The exercise is not merely to evaluate our practice of the vow of poverty but it is an invitation to undertake, in a peaceful manner, an examen of our following of Jesus poor and humble. In his letter (2021/15), Fr. General mentions that “the poverty of the humble Jesus of Nazareth is associated with his redemptive mission for which the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Mary of Nazareth shared in the poor and humble life of her son Jesus along with her husband Joseph. May the Holy Family of Nazareth inspire us in our examen to become better followers of her Son Jesus.

Dnyanamata Vidyalaya, Sangamner

All of us at Dnyanamata are kept on our toes with a lot of activities. The community ministries at School, Hostel, Farm and Englishmedium School kept all of us busy. There was a get together in the hostel organized by ex-students.  They conducted various indoor and outdoor games. Our hostel boys thoroughly enjoyed those games. They also served tasty snacks and sponsored a special lunch for our boys. They gave a variety of prizes for the boys who participated in games and got the First, Second position.  It was a wonderful time for our boys. The Boys are studying well. They are accompanied by Regent Robin, Fr. Aba has his breakfast with them. The Hostel looks neat and clean. As a spiritual preparation our students went for the  Haregaon yatra on a walking pilgrimage. They were accompanied by some school staff. They returned  rejuvenated with devotion to Our Lady. 

Vidyalaya and Junior College is busy with academic extra classes etc. We completed our educational tours to various cultural and historic places. The Staff picnic was a great opportunity for us to interact with each other and enjoy ourselves at Randha Falls and Bhandardara.

   We have finished our First Unit Tests and are looking forward to starting our Mid-Term exams soon. There was a career guidance programme for the 10th &12th Std students by smart career academy. It was well appreciated by the students and teachers. We received a good rainfall this year. Hence our campus looks green and full of life.

From Hitguj
October 2020

Principal 

Fr. James Thorat SJ

ST. XAVIER SCHOOL, SHRIRAMPUR

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite imagination, instill love for learning. St. Xavier’s School, Shrirampur celebrated Teachers Day with great fun and enthusiasm on 5th Sept. The Students of X and IX conducted the program with meticulous planning. Frs. Joe, the Superior, Subash, the District Superior, Drago and Deacon Michael Raja graced the occasion. A special programme was conducted by the students to express their gratitude to the Teachers. The program began with the garlanding of the photo of Dr. Radhkrishnan in whose memory we celebrate Teachers’ Day. Students put up a spectacular cultural programme highlighting the contributions of teachers in a student’s life. They danced, sang and put up a scintillating play to show the teachers their gratitude and to cherish their memory forever. All the teaching, non-teaching Staff including the guests were given gifts as a token of appreciation for their hard work and sincerity. 

The Coordinator of the Primary School expressed her sincere gratitude to Fr. Titus, the Principal for the new facilities he has provided for them to improve the standard of teaching and learning. As the painting works are in full swing, the school looks colourful. There is a smile on the little ones faces seeing the new things. To conclude Fr. Titus gave a short talk on how Jesus is a great Teacher for all like other great teachers. Many parents too enjoyed seeing their children performing good programme. It was good programme. The day came to an end with the delicious lunch served by the school. Over all, it was a meaningful day both for teachers and students. 

Last month was also filled with many sports events like Volleyball, Throw ball and Roll ball. Students participated at the district and zonal levels and won many trophies. 

from Hitguj

October 2020

Principal

Fr. Vikram Shingare SJ