Summer ministry.
On March 28th 2006 we three brothers left Eluru for Kerala for our summer ministry. Aji, Michael Benedict and myself. And we were to go for our summer ministry near by places only. So one day we were in our minor seminary and on the next day we left for our parishes. But I left after one more day only because the parish priest was not available in the parish since he had one conference about the latest encyclical.
Location
The parish were I did my summer ministry is located near by our minor seminary. It is some 12 to 13 kilometers away from our minor seminary. And it is also the end of the Ernakulam (Cochin) district and also the beginning of Alleppy district. And it is the shore of Arabian Sea. And it is one oldest parish in the diocese of Alleppy.
Parish as such
This is parish has some 1050 families. And many of them are fishermen. It had one substation and recently it is made as a parish and so now at present this parish has only some 500 to 550 families. And there is a big conflict between the parish people. And the conflict is regarding the old and new parish and its activities and the new arrangements done by bishop and so on. Speaking the truth, the conflict is so strong that there are people who do not like to go to the other parish also. And the wise administration of parish priest holds the faithful from doing any harmful activity.
The parish Priest: The Priest is Fr. Tobias Thekkepalakal. He is from the diocese of Alleppy. And he is quite 50-55 years old. And he is a very good Priest who is admired by all the parishioners. And he works well with the people. And so much so there are always some people who would come to meet him and ask for his help. And also he gives some charity to people. According to the secretary, father used to give more charity but now since there are some very big project and which need a big amount of money, he is still keeping his hand away from people. But I feel he is generous to the people who come to him for some help. Because I have seen it too.
Administration of the parish
The parish has the over all in charge by the Parish Priest. And there is one secretary to the priest. She does the accountings, writing the certificates, looks on the incomes and spending and so one and give a full account to priest and as well as at the end of the year a report to the diocese. And I feel that she is very very sincere in her work. There is also one layman who helps to prepare for the Holy Eucharist. And also he helps the Alter boys and things related with the sacristy.
He has also an old lady who helps the cooking. And she does and excellent cooking as well as thing related with kitchen. When something is over she is bold enough to talk about the spending of things and need of things and so on. She is also a good caring lady for Fr. Tobias Thekkeplakkal. There are also parish council members who help him.
The parish activities.
In this parish there is also one convent of Missionaries of Charity. And they also work along with the parish priest. This parish has very strong activities. There is Jesus’ youth- the group of youth who go for far distant mission for certain time. There is also KCYM (Kerala catholic Youth Movement), this is also related with youth and their activity more related with the parish. There is also KCLC- this is more related with activities by married people- both men and woman. There is also Holy Child hood –this for children who are studying from 1st standard to 10th standards. And it was wonderful experience to see them working in the parish. Because since it was Lenten season there was daily Way of the Cross done by these little children each day in house. And they had a cross for themselves and each day they carried it from one house another in small procession, singing the hymns and with lighted candles. May be this is one of the beautiful expression of the faith by the little children here. There are also pious associations such the Charismatic groups and their prayer meeting on every Sunday afternoon in the church, the Legion of Mary and so on. And almost all of them have a good number of people who lead these groups. And so this is going on in a good manner. Many these people were there to help the extra works in the parish during the Lenten time.
My personal experience
Teaching: as I reached there it was holiday for the academic section. And also the Bishop was preparing to make his pastoral visit to the parish. And at the same time they were also preparing for the first communion. And so there were enough students for studying catechism. So I was given chance to teach these students. In the morning after the Holy Eucharist I had to teach the students who were preparing for confirmation. And it was 9th and 10th class students. And they were 20 in number. And it was a special privilege for me teach these young students. And also after the breakfast I had to teach the children who were preparing for the First Holy Communion. I had to teach them from 9.15 to 11.30. they were 40 in number. It was quite difficult to make the silent and teach. Always there were some quarrels and fighting and shouting from the students and so I had a big and difficult work with them. But I believe that I did justice to my work. And they received their first Holy Communion on 14th of May. And I hope that the sisters of Mother Teresa also did teach them when I was not there. And so much of the ministry time was spent in teaching the students.
House Visiting: The next most important aspect of the time was house visiting. Everyday in the evening around 5 Pm to 9 Pm I was visiting the houses. And mainly I was visiting only the Catholic Christian families. Because if I were to visit all the families then there would be not be enough time to visit even one third of the families.
And also since it was the holiday time for children many people were coming for the daily Eucharist and so always there were invitation from different people to visit their families. But I could not do it. I tried my level best to visit as much I could. The main thing, which people had to share with me, was the problem they all faced when Tsunami happened. Though there was no danger of death in this place. The later days of Tsunami was grate that they all had to leave the place and go to some other places. So going like people in exile was a bitter experience for all of them. The following days of Tsunami waves, they had some one or two weeks of bitter days and suffering and so on. So all of them were telling about these things. And about their hopes and worries living near by the sea and so on.
Writing the Documents: since it was the closing year of the academic time, there was also needed to write the reports about the Baptisms and marriages and funerals and so on. So I had to write to another official book to present in the diocese about it. And I was helping father in order to finish his work when I had free times and when I had not taken the catechisms classes for the children. It was a very good help for me to understand how a Parish priest had to maintain the reports of the parish.
Parish accountings: Some afternoons I was in the room of the secretary for knowing how she maintains the incomes and spending. And so I could understand how she maintains the account books and bills. Because the parish had to give an account of the incomes and spending to the diocese. And since it was the end of the year there were two officially managing people also were there to help her in doing the accounts and clarifying the doubts with the parish priest and so it was a good time for me too to understand things concerning the accounts.
The problem of water.
Though there is water everywhere there is no drinking water. And that is the most important thing in this place. And so mush scarcity of water that they have to pay to individuals who bring water. And so it is a big problem here. And there are some new systems of taking water from the earth and giving to the people. But it is also quite expensive and so they have to pay for water. So just in the time of election only they get drinking water without payment.
Evaluation of ministries:
The time that I had spent there gave more insight about a parish life. Because I have never been in such a situation. Though we were in Jhansi, the setting of parish is too different with such parish as I stayed. So it was good.
In another aspect it also helped me to run a parish in small way. Because with such a short time no one can learn everything regarding a parish.
This was especially good experience for me, because though I come from a fisher family I have not stayed in such a place as this. This helped me regarding the life of the poor fishermen in the coastal area.
This was also a good time to mingle with children. Because most of the daytime I was spending with the children who were preparing for first communion and for confirmation. And so it was another important aspect of the life.
And also some times I had the chance to participate in the meetings of parish councils and some other meeting which were held in the parish and I believe that they have helped me to think how a parish work with the held of laity.
This parish ministry also helped me to see how to work with youth in the parish. Because this parish had lots of youth who were ready to work with the parish priest. And so it was a special grace to work in this parish. Because this also helped me to mingle with young girls and boys, which was not so much an experience in the seminary for me. And also this gave a more realistic approach to the youth of today.
So many of the people had a lot of things to share with me and so this was a listening experience for me. So many had to share with me the problems of daily life and the work and the problem of education and so much more. And so I feel to be silent in front of their problems and so much that I could pray for all of them in my daily prayer times in the parish and later in the seminary too.
This was a spiritual experience. Because there were lots of people coming for daily Holy Eucharist. And many people had special devotion to Our Lady. So many of the people came to the church early morning. That was a wonderful experience to see them coming and praying. And also it was a spiritual awakening time because it was the Lenten season. So that many of the people were also talking about it and sharing their experience of Lent. So it also helped me.
There were also people who were having special pilgrimage to St. Thomas Mountain and even some children who went by foot from the parish to the Mountain and so it was a grate experience to see their devotion. And which also helped me to pray more intensively during the Holy Week.
Altogether this experience was a new experience for me. And I hope that it will help me to do better in my future priestly life.
And thanks to Fr. Kus and Fr. Beppe
On March 28th 2006 we three brothers left Eluru for Kerala for our summer ministry. Aji, Michael Benedict and myself. And we were to go for our summer ministry near by places only. So one day we were in our minor seminary and on the next day we left for our parishes. But I left after one more day only because the parish priest was not available in the parish since he had one conference about the latest encyclical.
Location
The parish were I did my summer ministry is located near by our minor seminary. It is some 12 to 13 kilometers away from our minor seminary. And it is also the end of the Ernakulam (Cochin) district and also the beginning of Alleppy district. And it is the shore of Arabian Sea. And it is one oldest parish in the diocese of Alleppy.
Parish as such
This is parish has some 1050 families. And many of them are fishermen. It had one substation and recently it is made as a parish and so now at present this parish has only some 500 to 550 families. And there is a big conflict between the parish people. And the conflict is regarding the old and new parish and its activities and the new arrangements done by bishop and so on. Speaking the truth, the conflict is so strong that there are people who do not like to go to the other parish also. And the wise administration of parish priest holds the faithful from doing any harmful activity.
The parish Priest: The Priest is Fr. Tobias Thekkepalakal. He is from the diocese of Alleppy. And he is quite 50-55 years old. And he is a very good Priest who is admired by all the parishioners. And he works well with the people. And so much so there are always some people who would come to meet him and ask for his help. And also he gives some charity to people. According to the secretary, father used to give more charity but now since there are some very big project and which need a big amount of money, he is still keeping his hand away from people. But I feel he is generous to the people who come to him for some help. Because I have seen it too.
Administration of the parish
The parish has the over all in charge by the Parish Priest. And there is one secretary to the priest. She does the accountings, writing the certificates, looks on the incomes and spending and so one and give a full account to priest and as well as at the end of the year a report to the diocese. And I feel that she is very very sincere in her work. There is also one layman who helps to prepare for the Holy Eucharist. And also he helps the Alter boys and things related with the sacristy.
He has also an old lady who helps the cooking. And she does and excellent cooking as well as thing related with kitchen. When something is over she is bold enough to talk about the spending of things and need of things and so on. She is also a good caring lady for Fr. Tobias Thekkeplakkal. There are also parish council members who help him.
The parish activities.
In this parish there is also one convent of Missionaries of Charity. And they also work along with the parish priest. This parish has very strong activities. There is Jesus’ youth- the group of youth who go for far distant mission for certain time. There is also KCYM (Kerala catholic Youth Movement), this is also related with youth and their activity more related with the parish. There is also KCLC- this is more related with activities by married people- both men and woman. There is also Holy Child hood –this for children who are studying from 1st standard to 10th standards. And it was wonderful experience to see them working in the parish. Because since it was Lenten season there was daily Way of the Cross done by these little children each day in house. And they had a cross for themselves and each day they carried it from one house another in small procession, singing the hymns and with lighted candles. May be this is one of the beautiful expression of the faith by the little children here. There are also pious associations such the Charismatic groups and their prayer meeting on every Sunday afternoon in the church, the Legion of Mary and so on. And almost all of them have a good number of people who lead these groups. And so this is going on in a good manner. Many these people were there to help the extra works in the parish during the Lenten time.
My personal experience
Teaching: as I reached there it was holiday for the academic section. And also the Bishop was preparing to make his pastoral visit to the parish. And at the same time they were also preparing for the first communion. And so there were enough students for studying catechism. So I was given chance to teach these students. In the morning after the Holy Eucharist I had to teach the students who were preparing for confirmation. And it was 9th and 10th class students. And they were 20 in number. And it was a special privilege for me teach these young students. And also after the breakfast I had to teach the children who were preparing for the First Holy Communion. I had to teach them from 9.15 to 11.30. they were 40 in number. It was quite difficult to make the silent and teach. Always there were some quarrels and fighting and shouting from the students and so I had a big and difficult work with them. But I believe that I did justice to my work. And they received their first Holy Communion on 14th of May. And I hope that the sisters of Mother Teresa also did teach them when I was not there. And so much of the ministry time was spent in teaching the students.
House Visiting: The next most important aspect of the time was house visiting. Everyday in the evening around 5 Pm to 9 Pm I was visiting the houses. And mainly I was visiting only the Catholic Christian families. Because if I were to visit all the families then there would be not be enough time to visit even one third of the families.
And also since it was the holiday time for children many people were coming for the daily Eucharist and so always there were invitation from different people to visit their families. But I could not do it. I tried my level best to visit as much I could. The main thing, which people had to share with me, was the problem they all faced when Tsunami happened. Though there was no danger of death in this place. The later days of Tsunami was grate that they all had to leave the place and go to some other places. So going like people in exile was a bitter experience for all of them. The following days of Tsunami waves, they had some one or two weeks of bitter days and suffering and so on. So all of them were telling about these things. And about their hopes and worries living near by the sea and so on.
Writing the Documents: since it was the closing year of the academic time, there was also needed to write the reports about the Baptisms and marriages and funerals and so on. So I had to write to another official book to present in the diocese about it. And I was helping father in order to finish his work when I had free times and when I had not taken the catechisms classes for the children. It was a very good help for me to understand how a Parish priest had to maintain the reports of the parish.
Parish accountings: Some afternoons I was in the room of the secretary for knowing how she maintains the incomes and spending. And so I could understand how she maintains the account books and bills. Because the parish had to give an account of the incomes and spending to the diocese. And since it was the end of the year there were two officially managing people also were there to help her in doing the accounts and clarifying the doubts with the parish priest and so it was a good time for me too to understand things concerning the accounts.
The problem of water.
Though there is water everywhere there is no drinking water. And that is the most important thing in this place. And so mush scarcity of water that they have to pay to individuals who bring water. And so it is a big problem here. And there are some new systems of taking water from the earth and giving to the people. But it is also quite expensive and so they have to pay for water. So just in the time of election only they get drinking water without payment.
Evaluation of ministries:
The time that I had spent there gave more insight about a parish life. Because I have never been in such a situation. Though we were in Jhansi, the setting of parish is too different with such parish as I stayed. So it was good.
In another aspect it also helped me to run a parish in small way. Because with such a short time no one can learn everything regarding a parish.
This was especially good experience for me, because though I come from a fisher family I have not stayed in such a place as this. This helped me regarding the life of the poor fishermen in the coastal area.
This was also a good time to mingle with children. Because most of the daytime I was spending with the children who were preparing for first communion and for confirmation. And so it was another important aspect of the life.
And also some times I had the chance to participate in the meetings of parish councils and some other meeting which were held in the parish and I believe that they have helped me to think how a parish work with the held of laity.
This parish ministry also helped me to see how to work with youth in the parish. Because this parish had lots of youth who were ready to work with the parish priest. And so it was a special grace to work in this parish. Because this also helped me to mingle with young girls and boys, which was not so much an experience in the seminary for me. And also this gave a more realistic approach to the youth of today.
So many of the people had a lot of things to share with me and so this was a listening experience for me. So many had to share with me the problems of daily life and the work and the problem of education and so much more. And so I feel to be silent in front of their problems and so much that I could pray for all of them in my daily prayer times in the parish and later in the seminary too.
This was a spiritual experience. Because there were lots of people coming for daily Holy Eucharist. And many people had special devotion to Our Lady. So many of the people came to the church early morning. That was a wonderful experience to see them coming and praying. And also it was a spiritual awakening time because it was the Lenten season. So that many of the people were also talking about it and sharing their experience of Lent. So it also helped me.
There were also people who were having special pilgrimage to St. Thomas Mountain and even some children who went by foot from the parish to the Mountain and so it was a grate experience to see their devotion. And which also helped me to pray more intensively during the Holy Week.
Altogether this experience was a new experience for me. And I hope that it will help me to do better in my future priestly life.
And thanks to Fr. Kus and Fr. Beppe
BY
sanil Michael SCJ
Eluru
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