Bro. John Alphonso SJ (1914-2014)

Br. John Alphonso, who lived 100 years of his life, returned to his heavenly abode at 11.30am in St. Vincent’s residence on July 19, 2014. A week prior to his death, Br. John had a fall which restricted his movements to his room. Scholastics residing in the community took great care of him and remained always available at his service. We, as a Province, thank the Lord for blessing Br. John with good health and life. He had no diabetes, no pressure and no diseases. He always enjoyed good health.  

On January 12, 1914 Br. John Alphonso was born in Agashi, Vasai, a tiny hamlet of artisans engaged in ship-building. Like a ship not built to lie anchored in a safe harbour, the Lord filled his heart with a pioneering spirit to reach out to new frontiers, beyond the known and the tried. From his father, who served the Bombay Archdiocese as Treasurer for 50 long years, he learned always to give of his best with loving dedication and generous commitment. His parents, Reginald and Joanna, wanted the best for him, and so, in 1922, sent him to study at St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra.

From the Spanish Jesuits who came from the Philippines to take charge of the Bombay Mission from the German Jesuits, he imbibed cheerful obedience and availability for mission, wherever the Lord may call him. Responding whole-heartedly to God’s call, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1936, and was sent for his Novitiate to Calicut. His first assignments in the Goa Province were to serve at St. Mary’s, in Mapuca, and Loyola High School, in Margao. He then completed his Tertianship at Shembaganur, and took his final vows on August 15, 1946, at St. Paul’s High School, Belgaum. Br. Alphonso has shared his life in community - at Calicut, Mapuca,  Margao, Shembaganur, Belgaum, at St. Xavier’s, Kolhapur, in Loyola, Pashan, and over the last 28 years at St. Vincent’s, Pune, where he remained as an inspiration for his devotion, gentleness, his simplicity and deep religious convictions. 

To everyone he has always been a source of blessing by his enduring commitment to mission, personifying for almost 80 years the Ignatian charism of the Jesuit Brother!  As a pioneer, he had been missioned to every corner of the former Goa-Poona Province, to prepare the way like John the Baptist. Very often unnoticed, he had played a vital role in many a new beginning of our pioneering ministries in Belgaum, Margao, Kolhapur and Pune - working tirelessly to lay the foundations for others to build on……. Like John the Baptist, he had spent years in the wilderness, as he toiled for 13 long years in Desur, leveling the grounds, developing the farms, fields and orchards, and supervising the construction of the Xavier Training College buildings, which today serve as the Novitiate and Juniorate for our Bombay, Goa and Pune Jesuit Provinces.                                                       

 As a dedicated religious, well on in years but ever young at heart, he had spent his lifetime listening to the quiet whisper of the Lord in his daily devotions, in his prayer, and in the breaking of the Bread. He continued to proclaim God’s message, not so much in words, but rather by the witness of his life of dedicated service and compassionate outreach. Many have known him as a professional philatelist – an interest he developed as a hobby and which he pursued devotedly for the mission, to provide education and livelihood for many less privileged children and vulnerable widows. Everything that he had done was stamped by his meticulous planning and persevering dedication.  He himself was like a rare stamp in a rare collection, which like good red wine, matures, sparkles and grows ever more precious with the years! He had known times for sowing and times for reaping, times for rejoicing and times for mourning, times of quiet solitude, and times of noisy turbulence in the market-place and the bustle of the crowds. 

We thank him for the inspiration and blessing he was – as he taught us to listen attentively, and to give cheerfully with love, risking everything for the treasure we have set our hearts on – like a priceless, rare stamp for which we must be ready to give our all, without counting the cost……  May the good God grace his heavenly journey, as he follows with tireless zest and enthusiastic spirit where the Lord chose to lead him! May he continue to inspire us, his brothers and companions in mission, to cross boundaries and reach out for new frontiers…..  This great Jesuit was given a final farewell in St. Xavier’s Church, Pune on July 20, 2014 by Fr. Provincial, other Jesuits and friends and relatives. Emeritus Bishop Valerian D’Souza offered the funeral Mass, imploring the Lord to pardon Br. John Alphonso’s faults and limitations, and praying for his kind admittance in heaven. Now his mortal remains lies in the Hadapsar cemetery. May his soul rest in peace!  

BRO. THOMAS DANIEL SJ, (1930-2012)

Bro Daniel was born on 22nd of October 1930 in Bangalore. He entered the novitiate on 20th Dec. 1966 at XTC, Belgaum. He was a late vocation but firm in his faith and commitment to God.
Bro. Daniel was a man of few words and a regular prayer. He was very much a disciplined man. His famous attire consisted of his cap, an umbrella and a sling bag. He had a great devotion to Infant Jesus therefore he used to go to Nashik every year and make his annual retreat at the Infant Jesus’ shrine. He never missed his daily rosary. One could see him sitting at the table praying and reciting the rosary. His table had very few things – a crucifix, a rosary and a few holy pictures and booklets. 
Bro. Daniel was a very good football player that’s what his companions used to tell us. Therefore we could see him healthy and fit. Bro. Daniel had been to every Jesuit community in our province as well as the Goa province. He was mostly helping in the hostels as a prefect and as a minister in the community. He would not like anybody interfering in his work. Even if somebody had commented on his work or life, and by mistake if Bro. Daniel took it in a different sense, he had it! Bro. Daniel would stop talking to that person. In this way Bro. Daniel had communicated to his companions that he was a serious and disciplined man. 

Bro. Daniel was suffering from diabetes but he knew how to control the sugar in his body. He would regularly go for exercises especially for long walks. He would take insulin and food at a fixed time. When it came to the vow of poverty – he was very simple in his clothing; even if anybody offered him new clothes he would keep them in his small briefcase and would not wear them unless he had no other option. He never made a fuss about his clothing and food. Whatever simple clothes he had, he would wear them, and whatever was served at table he would serve himself with it. 

Whichever community he was transferred to he would keep contact with the superior and minister of that community because he knew they were very important people for his wellbeing. As long as he kept good contact with them he had no problem for his daily needs. When he was in a good mood, he would give you the rarest of rare smile, which otherwise you would hardly get!. When he smiled it was a genuine smile!

He always had a healthy relationship with sisters especially with sisters of St. Luke Hospital, Shrirampur, Nitya Seva Hospital, Shevgaon and Jesus and Mary Convent, Sangamner. They served him whole heartedly in his sickness. We thank our sisters for their generous service. 
Words cannot really describe a person. You can rally know a person only when you live with him. In all his simplicity, Bro. Daniel was a Jesuit working in the Lord’s vineyard. What he could offer us as our companion was his company and his prayers. We thank God for his goodwill to serve our province with his prayers till the end of his life. May he rest in peace!

Bro. TONY D’SOUZA, SJ (1924-2016)

Bro. TONY D’SOUZA, SJ: TIRELESS WORKER AND GIFTED WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR.

He was born on 24th March 1924. Initially he entered Ranchi Province on 31st July 1950. Later on he worked in Hazaribag region in the years 1957 to 1968. In Goa-Pune province, he served as Minister, as Supervisor of construction works and ad omnia in many of our communities. He worked in Loyola- Margaon, Snehasadan- Pune, Vidya Bhavan- Beed and in Ahmednagar district.

He was a hard worker, willing and ever ready to dirty his hands for the mission. He enjoyed community life and the company of young Jesuits. He was always eager to learn new skills, so that he could be of greater service. He had even tried his hand at candle and statue making. He was very compassionate and concerned about the workers-their family struggle and prayed for them. He was hospitable and welcoming to guests and at times he used to go out of his way to make guests feel at home. 

Years before Tony entered the Society, he was employed in a factory on the outskirts of Bombay. Labour trouble led to unprecedented violence. Two groups from opposing labour unions and the police formed the main protagonists in this min-warfare. One day the group of the two unions clashed in a bloody battle. Tony was struck on the head and on his right leg. He collapsed unconscious among a heap of other bodies. Recovering consciousness, he carefully opened half an eye and in his terror, he found little difficulty in stopping his breath. His tormentors turned his body, beheld the blood pouring from his head wound and fortunately for him, concluded that he was already dead! That is the reason we still had Tony with us. His head wound healed perfectly and did not prevent him from entering the Society on 31st July 1950.

However, his broken leg had given him anxious moments throughout his career. He had experienced the cross of suffering and pain even before he came to the Society. In the Society, that cross had accompanied him leading to frequent falls, fractures and hospitalization. In spite of these he had borne that cross patiently and even cheerfully due to his spiritual resources. 

In spite of his physical handicap, in spite of having to carry around the metal that had to be inserted in his bones, he served the Lord well as Minister, Supervisor of construction works and ‘ad omina’ in a number of Jesuit communities from Hazaribag in the north to Margaon- Goa in the South. In all his assignments he had made good use of his common sense and practical knowledge, especially the knowledge of herbal medicines.   Finally, in the last two months he was hospitalized for various illnesses. He endured pain and suffering patiently and cheerfully. At last on 1st December at 02.45pm he breathed his last and surrendered himself together with all his suffering and pain to the Lord. He has now returned to his Master and Lord and is waiting for his Master and Lord to resurrect him. May his soul rest in peace!

EMERITUS BISHOP THOMAS BHALERAO S.J. (1933-2015)

On Feb. 1, 1933 Bishop Thomas was born in a large Catholic family. He was privileged to have a father, zealous for promoting the faith in his family and community. Despite their poverty, his father spurned offers for advancement in salaried employment, and chose to accept the call to be the first Catechist in the Jesuit missions of the Ahmednagar District. From his aged, exemplary, and experienced father, Thomas gained many valuable insights for his future pastoral and episcopal ministry.  When he reached sixteen years of age, he was credited with several ‘firsts’. He was among the first pupils of Dnyanamata Jesuit School, Sangamner; he became the first pupil to become its Principal, and as a son of the soil, was the first to serve as Bishop of the newly erected Nashik Diocese. He served his flock as Bishop with love and dedication for twenty memorable years 1987 to 2007. Bishop Bhalerao’s Episcopal Ordination was on 23 August 1987 
He entered the Society of Jesus on June 20, 1953, and during his formation he got exposure across the country. He was ordained as a Priest on March 27, 1965 and the year 2015 was a Jubilee year of his Priesthood. Preparation for his Jubilee Celebration was on. His Autobiography will be published soon.  
After his priestly ordination, he worked studiously and obtained his Master’s Degree in Marathi and Linguistics from Karnataka University. Besides Hindi, Latin and Greek, he was also conversant with Sanskrit. Loved and respected as a good teacher, his classes in Marathi were always very lively.  He is fondly remembered by his students in the Belgaum Juniorate, at the ‘Sadhanalaya’ Novitiate in Nashik, and at Dnyanamata High School, Sangamner. Prior to his appointment as Bishop, he served with dedication in a variety of assignments, as House Minister, Socius to the Novice Master, Teacher and School Principal. During his tenure as Principal, he took a break to complete his M.Ed. at Loyola University, Chicago, in 1984-85. 

He was much sought after for preaching, especially in Marathi, for retreats, missions and festive occasions. He was precise and incisive in expounding matters of faith, with a penchant for narrating the lives of Saints, and giving apt illustrations to drive home a vital point. Both children and adults listened to his sermons and speeches with rapt attention. His command over Marathi was extraordinary, both as a speaker and writer. As editor, he raised the literary and religious standard of ‘Niropya’, our Pune Jesuit magazine.

Both as a Priest and Bishop, he commanded respect as a prayerful person, leading a simple and fervent religious life, with generous pastoral concern for people. He built up the Nashik Diocese, grooming his clergy to take responsibility and serve in the pastoral, educational, social ministries. He invited new religious Congregations of men and women to promote integral development of the new Nashik Diocese, to set up and build Diocesan institutions, and to promote the growth of much needed ministries. With zeal and foresight, he established a new Diocesan pastoral centre to encourage youth programmes, promote Small Christian Communities, conduct regular pre-marriage courses in four Districts, and nurture the vernacular singing apostolate.

To foster local vocations for the young Diocese, he set up a Minor Seminary. To ensure the pastoral care of his flock, he opened some new parishes, and to help the youth access to a good education, he started English medium schools in Rahata and Kopergaon.  As shepherd of his faithful, he worked tirelessly to build a vibrant community, strong in the faith, well-educated, informed, and trained to serve the Indian Church of the day, and society at large. No doubt, as Bishop, he often had to struggle to guide the new Diocese, and empower his people. But, with single-minded dedication, he went about building up the diocesan and religious clergy, training the catechists, encouraging increased lay participation,   and advocating an active role for women in the Church and society. As a faithful steward and able administrator, he raised and set aside funds for the establishment and development of the Diocesan institutions, and the wide array of ministries and activities to stabilize the new Diocese. His love for community life, unfailing cheerfulness, and sense of humour has been his faithful companions throughout his life, even when he was in pain and hospitalized.

Due to health concerns, he retired as Bishop. Living in a Jesuit community of Loyola Sadan in Shrirampur, his health was much improved, but he remained bed-ridden. On Feb 13, 2015, at 2.35pm in St. Luke’s Hospital Shrirampur he breathed his last and surrendered all his sufferings and pains his Heavenly Father. All the good works and deeds that he did to the least of his brothers and sisters will assure him of the Eternal Rest. He will continue remaining present in the hearts of the people whom he lovingly and dedicatedly served and cared for. May his soul rest in peace! 

Bro. Joseph Karakattu SJ (1954-2016)

A systematic, simple and humble Jesuit

Our beloved Bro. Joe (Joseph) Karakattu SJ(Pune Province) returned to his heavenly abode on Wednesday 13th 2016 at 10.00pm at St. Luke’s Hospital, Shrirampur. He was 86 years of age and 62 years in the Society of Jesus. The funeral mass was on Thursday 14th2016 at 4:00pm at St. Mary’s Church, Sangamner.

Bro. Joe utilized the best part of his time and energy, his talents and strength. His concern and talents had been offered as a gift to the less privileged youth through technical education.  Throughout the length and breadth of India one will meet grateful people who have been given the opportunity to develop their skills and serve the nation, living dignified and fulfilled lives because they encountered Bro. Karakattu either at St Joseph’s Technical Institute, Pune, or Xavier Technical Training Institute, Shrirampur.

His Jesuit companions and co-workers, with pride, speak highly of Bro. Karakattu for the way he systematised St. Joseph’s Technical Institute and poured into it every gift God had given him until it became what it is today, an Institute known for its excellence in solid professional training.  Rural youth, some of whom had lost all hope of any future, have shown their proficiency and ability to compete with the best in the field because of the all-round formation they received.  He made a great difference in the lives of countless families who had been otherwise condemned to live on the margins of society.

As a committed Jesuit, his generous availability and readiness to serve wherever he was sent proved when he was assigned to the Kerala Province where he helped in building up the Technical Institute in Edathua. Wherever he was assigned he worked consciously to achieve all-round viability and success of every institution.  His contacts with the business world ensured that the institutes were made to serve the public profitably and that his students were welcome everywhere as efficient professionals.  As a Jesuit Brother he bore witness to God’s love by drawing his strength from the Eucharist and prayer.  He will always be remembered for the simplicity of his personal life and the enhanced services he rendered to the poor.

On 13 July Bro. Karakattu felt rather uneasy, but he showed unwillingness to go to the Hospital, though the community members requested him to do so. Towards the evening he vomited blood, and the community members immediately rushed him to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he found himself breathless for a few hours. Finally, towards 10.00pm he breathed his last and surrendered himself together with all his suffering and pain to the Lord. He has now returned to his Master and Lord and is waiting for his Master and Lord to resurrect him. May his soul rest in peace!

From Hitguj

Fr. Desiderio Pinto SJ (1956-2012)

A TRIBUTE TO ‘DESI’ PINTO: A ‘FIRST CLASS’ JESUIT

“First class!” and “No problem!” – Fr. Desiderio Pinto (aged 56) would exclaim when asked about how things were. Even whilst bearing the immense pain of chemotherapy to fight AML (acute myeloid leukemia), ‘Desi’—as he was affectionately called—would say that there’s “no problem!” and that his health is “first class!” But, on hearing that his condition had suddenly deteriorated, when the Rector of Vidyajyoti College, Fr. Joe Sebastian, inquired about his health a few days ago and said that he’d be coming to see him, Desi said, “Father, when you come here I might be gone.” It’s hard to believe that Desi has passed on to that “new heaven and new earth” where “every tear will be wiped away” (Rev 21:4) with the unending joy of being in God’s loving presence.

Fr Desiderio Pinto was born on April 27, 1956 in Tanzania, East Africa. He joined the Pune Province of the Society of Jesus on June 24, 1974. He was ordained priest on April 6, 1986. Desi was blessed with a phenomenal memory and was a brilliant student-and-teacher. He was interested in interfaith dialogue and was inspired by his mentor, Fr Christian Troll, to specialize in Islamic studies. He would cycle everyday more than 20 kms from St. Xavier’s Jesuit community to reach the Jamia Millia Islamia to pursue doctoral studies in Sufism. The fruit of his labour was a much-appreciated thesis entitled “Piri-Muridi Relationship: A Study of the Nizamuddin Dargah”published by Manohar Publishers in 1995. Desi joined the Vidyajyoti College of Theology as a full-time lecturer in 1997 although he was earlier taking courses on Sufism, Christian-Muslim Dialogue and Sociology of Religion while doing his doctoral research. Another post which Desi took up in 2006 was that of Librarian of Vidyajyoti. Swiftly and silently he classified all the articles and books and made sure that the Library was competently administered, equipped with the latest publications and updated with the finest technology.

We will remember Desi Pinto for his exceptional talents. Three of them are unforgettable: (a) Desi could lecture for hours on Islam, and in particular, Sufism, without bringing any notes to class. He would have his students spellbound with his anecdotes or in splits of laughter with his quick wit; (b) Desi was a ‘self-made’ mechanic. He could fix anything from time-pieces to computer hard-disks with a “no problem!” assurance; (c) Desi never ever spoke ill of anyone. He saw the very best in everyone and would judge every student, every staff-colleague and every coworker as ‘first class!”

The staff, students and coworkers of Vidyajyoti College always found in Desi Pinto a quiet, simple, brilliant, approachable and committed professor-brother-colleague-friend. And, his sights were also set on doing pastoral work every Sunday in the Delhi parishes; Punjabi Bagh, Trilokpuri, Sacred Heart Cathedral and Defence Colony, in particular. He would drive on his scooter every weekend to these parishes and preside over a Mass with a remarkably ‘short-and-sweet’ sermon. So, Desi will be missed by many, many people: his 85-year old mother, two sisters and brother and their families, the members of the Vidyajyoti Faculty, parishioners of Delhi, many Muslim brothers and sisters whom he dialogued with. All these will remember that ‘first class’ Jesuit, Desi Pinto, who stood tall among us all.

From Hitguj

Fr. Theo de Sales SJ (1928-2016)

Born: Feb 18, 1928

Died: April 9, 2016

Fr. Theo de Sales was born and brought up in a Poona Catholic family and had completed his schooling in St. Vincent’s Jesuit School. He had graduated in Arts and Law from Pune Colleges. For over four years he practised as a lawyer in Pune and Bombay. He was at the peak of his successful career when he took the big decision to leave everything and become an ardent follower of Christ.  Spending four formative years in Papal Seminary, he joined the Jesuits and completed his theology in JDV staying at De Nobili College. He was ordained a priest on 18/3/1964. After his studies for MA in Education at Loyola University, Chicago, U.S.A with Psychology and Counseling as special courses, he was sent to Loyola, Margao, Goa as school teacher and counselor as well as animator of the Catholic Students Union under AICUF and the Newman Association for working graduates.

Such a well learned and knowledgeable person Fr. Theo de Sales after serving His Master and His people for fifty-two years as priest bade farewell to this world and left for his eternal reward. Fr. Theo, by Profession was a renowned Lawyer, as a Priest he was a good pastor and counselor, and as a Jesuit he was a good administrator. In his fifty-two years of service as a priest he worked in the Pune, Goa and Nashik Dioceses engaging himself in these ministries- Jesuit Administration and Formation, as Urban and Missionary Parish Priest, as Spiritual Father, also in Marriage Apostolate and Counseling Ministries for Priest, Religious and Laity. He served the Province in various capacities as Socius to Provincial, Formation Coordinator, Rector and Superior and Principal of different renowned Institutions. For seven years he was Rector of Papal Seminary, Pune. He served the Nashik Diocese as its Vicar General and helped the Bishop in his administration. 

People loved him and he loved the people. Keeping God always at the center of his life, he offered ministries for the welfare of the people and always made efforts to empower people given to his care. Fr. Theo was a Man of God, a Man of People, a Man on Mission and a Man for Others. His returning to God is a big loss for the Province, the Society and the Church at large. In St. Paul’s words, he lived his life worthy of his calling.     

For a couple of months he was finding himself weak and unable to move around much though he enjoyed participating in all common celebrations. After a fall in 2015, he restricted his movements to the house, but he always showed willingness to celebrate the Eucharist for the community and to hear the confessions of the faithful. On the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 2016, he participated in the community activities and celebration. On Monday April 4, 2016, he found it difficult to breathe and the uneasiness developed. He was then immediately rushed to the Seventh Day Advent Hospital, Pune, where he was in ICU. The Doctor who treated him told the Community Superior that both the kidneys of Fr. Theo had failed and he suffered a cardiac arrest. Being on the ventilator for a couple of days, he preferred to return to God, and on April 9, 2016, at 10.15am he breathed his last. He remained as a true son of St. Ignatius of Loyola.   

From Hitguj