Thursday, 9 May 2024
Monday, 20 March 2023
Pune Jesuits: Obituary of Fr. John Santos SJ (06.05.1928 – 11.12.2022)
As a zealous, dedicated Jesuit, ready to be sent anywhere on mission, Fr. John Santos served as Teacher, Principal, Rector, Socius to the Provincial, Province Treasurer, Parish Priest, Vicar General, Spiritual Director, and Province Archivist. Whether at his desk in office or the community or with the people he served, Fr. John followed a strict schedule, carrying out his responsibilities with promptness, deep commitment and meticulous care.
Fr. John Santos was born in Pune on 6 May 1928, in a deeply religious family. He studied at St. Vincent’s High School and, as a student, was an Altar-server, a Sodalist and played in Fr. Riklin’s Brass Band. He felt called to be a Jesuit and entered the Society of Jesus on 21 June 1951.He was ordained a priest on 24 March 1962.
His years of priestly ministry bear ample testimony to his zeal in the Lord’s service, with great love, generosity and simplicity. Posted to Dnyanamata Vidyalaya, Sangamner, as Spiritual Director and Teacher, he was soon appointed Principal of this first Marathi medium Jesuit District High School, which celebrates its Platinum Jubilee in 2023. He continued in this office for seven years, for four of which, he was also the Rector of the community. He played a notable role in raising its standards of teaching and learning and in transforming this multi-purpose school into one with a distinct agricultural thrust. Besides, he was responsible for setting up a large Hostel building to accommodate the increasing number of boarders seeking admission to Dnyanamata. These young students received an all-round education which helped them to mature in the faith and grow as responsible citizens, able to stand on their feet and create a brighter future for their families and the community. Fr. John will be long remembered by his students for his courage to stand up for truth and justice, no matter what the consequences.
In 1972, he was appointed Socius of the Provincial and Teacher at St. Vincent’s High School, Pune; and in 1973 was Province Treasurer in Panaji, Goa, for two years. He was then appointed Assistant Parish Priest at St. Xavier’s Church, Pune, for a year; and its Parish Priest for seven years thereafter (1976-‘83). From Pune, he moved to Kolhapur as Parish Priest of St. Xavier’s Church and also as Head Master of the Primary section of St. Xavier’s High School for six years (1983-‘89). He then spent two more years as Parish Priest at St. Joseph’s Church, Panchgani, followed by another year as Assistant Parish Priest of St. Xavier’s Church, Pune. In the various parishes he served, he is remembered for his dedicated pastoral ministry – a shepherd with the smell of the sheep, always eager to serve the faithful - visiting families regularly to be their guide, both in their spiritual and their material problems and needs.
With alacrity and a spirit of detachment, he accepted transfers of place and offi ce. After serving as Vicar-General of the Nashik Diocese for three years (1995-‘98), he returned successively to St. Xavier’s Church, Kolhapur, and St. Joseph’s Church, Panchgani, where he had served before. From 2003 to 2006, he served as Chaplain to the Sisters of St. Anne in Talegoan. During these years and later, he was always ready to travel miles by public transport in order to respond to requests from Sisters’ communities for retreats, recollections and spiritual direction.
Fr. John served as Province Archivist at Sanjeevan from 2006 till 2020. As before, he remained characteristically methodical and simple. He kept his room always tidy, his office table in good order and all official documentation well categorized and accessible. Like with his religious life and spiritual observance, he kept to his working routine with regularity and meticulous care. Till 2020, despite his age and ailments, he refused to lead a retired life, and continued his priestly ministry, celebrating the Eucharist for the Sisters’ communities on the Sanjeevan campus.
During the last two years, he was mostly confined to a wheel-chair or his bed; and in the last few months, he kept praying that the Lord would take him home. There were times when he found the pain unbearable and would complain, but would then immediately surrender his pain to the Lord, thanking God for allowing him to share in His suffering. Fr. John passed away peacefully, after long suffering, fi rm in his belief that ‘the climax of Holy Week is NOT Christ’s death on GOOD FRIDAY but His Glorious RESURRECTION on EASTER SUNDAY, conquering death and giving us NEW LIFE……’ (from his hand-written notes that he used for his personal prayer and preaching). Fr. John served the Lord with love and commitment all his life. May the Lord now grant his good and faithful servant the fullness of life and peace as his eternal reward!
Monday, 14 February 2022
Fr. Hermann Bacher SJ (14th September 2021): Pune Jesuit
Fr. Hermann Bacher entered the novitiate of the Swiss Vice-Province in 1946 and was missioned to the Pune Province in 1948, together with three co-novices, Hans Belser, Henry Volken and Dominik Zemp. After ordination, he began his missionary work in the drought-prone Ahmednagar district. In 1969, he founded Social Centre in Ahmednagar, where he later pioneered the Integrated Watershed Development Programme. For Fr. Bacher, watershed development was a way of life, an attitude away from resource exploitation to resource mobilization, a movement from the few to the community that benefits, an investment in our todays that becomes the enduring heritage of our children's tomorrows.
To realize his dream, he continued founding organisations that are flourishing today: The Social Centre recently celebrated its golden jubilee. Watershed Organization Trust engages marginalised communities, enabling them to live with dignity and secure their livelihoods in sustainable ecosystems. Nandanvan is particularly committed to the tribals. Fr. Bacher's work has inspired many other social wo
rkers and agencies to replicate development programmes with the people's participation, in Maharashtra and other States as well
Till his return to Switzerland in 2009, the good of marginalized people remained the core of his commitment. This makes the date of his death all the more touching. September 14, feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, reminds us that death does not have the last word. Like the Cross opens up new spaces of life beyond human experience, Fr. Bacher's life was dedicated to open up living spaces for people at the margins. Shantabai, a widow from the village of Mendwan, expressed very beautifully and in simple words how the work of Fr. Bacher has changed her life and that of her community: Today we all have enough to eat, and we eat from the same plate!
Fr. Jerome Gonsalves SJ (7th May 2021): Pune Jesuit
Fr. Jerome will be specially remembered as caring teacher and pastor, who kept the wellbeing of the people he served with joy always close to his heart. His students at St. Joseph's Technical Institute, Pune, and at the Xavier Technical Training Center, Shrirampur cherish his dedicated and loving ministry. Fr. Jerome was a devout, zealous Jesuit and a warm, mission-driven companion to many. Fr. James Shelke and Fr. Jerome made an inspiring team, as they toiled together, with one mind and one heart, for the development of the Shrirampur mission. With deep resolve, Fr. Jerome would often say, “We must do something for our people!” — revealing his passion, commitment, compassion, and his intense love for the people he worked with and worked for. With the heart of a good shepherd, his evenings were dedicated to spending time in the villages to celebrate the Eucharist with the scattered flock.
As Director of the Social Centre in Ahmednagar, he worked tirelessly for the development of village communities in the drought-prone district, to renew the environment through soil and water conservation projects, with the people's active participation. His priority was to seek justice and a life of dignity for the weak and vulnerable groups: especially children and women, through networking and collaboration. He remained committed lifelong to their empowerment.
Fr. Jerome also served the Province Youth Coordinator and Vocation Promoter. With his ever- enthusiastic spirit and the support of companions and friends, he organized youth camps within and outside the Province to promote vocations. Fr. Jerome passed into God's eternal embrace on May 7, at the Sonali Memorial Hospital in Pune. He surrendered his life to the will of God—as he always did. Fr. Jerome, our dear companion and friend, joins us now in prayer for vocations and intercedes for us, as we continue together our mission journey in love, faith and hope.
Fr. Ramesh Tribhuvan SJ (6th May 2021): Pune Jesuit
Fr. Ramesh was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital, Shrirampur, on 18 April, after being affected by the Corona virus. After eight days in the hospital, he recovered to some extent and returned to his parish at Rahuri. However, a couple of days later, when his health condition started deteriorating, he was rushed to the Evangeline Booth Hospital, Ahmednagar, where he finally breathed his last on 6 May, 2021.
The news of his death left his parishioners shocked and grief-stricken because they had lost their 'smiling priest'. Fr. Ramesh's smile was truly infectious. With a cheerful and zealous missionary spirit, he reached out to the faithful, proclaiming the joy of the gospel and helping them resolve their challenging problems and difficulties.
Right from his novitiate days, Fr. Ramesh displayed a bold and courageous spirit. With his radiant and cheerful smile, he endeared himself to his flock and his fellow Jesuits. After his ordination on 7 November, 2009, Ramesh served in several parishes. The faithful really loved him. He also did remarkable service in the Social Centre where he served as Project Coordinator of the watershed projects. He will always be remembered for his commitment and hard work. Thank you, Fr. Ramesh, for the precious gift and blessing you have been to the Province. God saw you were tired, and wanted you to share in the joy of His Heavenly Kingdom. Do intercede for all of us.
Thursday, 13 August 2020
FR. JOSEPH MENEZES SJ
12 June 1944 – 16 July 2018
Fr. Joseph Menezes was born on 12th of June 1944 in Pune and brought up in Pune. He was inspired by the zealous dedication of the Jesuit Fathers and Brothers, especially those who had come as missionaries, who molded his heart and mind in St. Vincent’s High School and St. Xavier’s Parish. Responding generously to God’s call, he entered the Society of Jesus on June 20, 1962, and began to follow Jesus closely in his life. He had dedicated himself in service of the poor and needy.
Having completed a Diploma in mechanical Engineering during his formation, technical education had remained his major apostolate all through the years of ministry. He had served at St. Joseph’s Technical Institute, Pune, and at the Xavier Technical Training Institute, Shrirampur, for years in various capacities moving back and forth between the two institutes, serving with commitments and love.
As a Director, he introduced a number of relevant course to train less-privileged rural youth in both the institutes, to help them live a life of dignity and earn a livelihood to support their families. Under his able leadership, the technical institutes have grown as reputed centers for practical, professional skill-training and precision production.
He has always cherished a deep love and heart for the poor. In the institutes, he has accompanied the poor students in their studies, and supported them financially, to help them stand on their own feet.
As Parish Priest of Shrirampur and Kolhapur parishes, his parishioners always appreciated his availability, pastoral care, liturgical services and homilies. His reflections, rooted in the Ignatian spirituality, flowed from his heart, and inspired his congregation. Being a man of the Spiritual Exercises, he loved to share this treasure by giving retreats, especially to religious, and had been very much appreciated for his spiritual direction. The Province is grateful to him for his counsel, guidance and prayer. He passed away on 16th of July 2018 at Shrirampur. May the good Lord grant him eternal reward! Fr. Joe has touched the heart of the faithful and in reaching out across the miles, we count ourselves truly blessed. We pray that God may grant him eternal rest.
FR. JAMES SHELKE SJ
15 Mar. 1941 - 22 Sep. 2016
Veteran missionary and visionary who toiled zealously for Christ and his people:
My dear James,
You will always remain for me, not only in my memories but also in my personal life, a very special person. It is not that you were sweet and delicate with everyone you came in contact
with, thank God for that, but whenever I think of you James, I think of you as a person who was so caring and full of love and affection especially for the poor. The Lord, whose love you have tried to spread in so many ways, has been waiting for you. You are now up there with Him, where all of us are going to be sooner or later.
I just want to look back on the days and years – not very many actually - when we walked together and worked together for the young and the old. There have been others who have had the opportunity to walk the mile with you too and they will have other experiences to share.
That walk began when you joined the Society in June 1962. That was about a month before I was to take my first vows. In those days there was a strict adherence to certain rules and ‘separation of communities’ was one of them. I was a ‘Brother Novice’ and you were a ‘Scholastic Novice’. That was the big difference and so, although we belonged to the same Province we really did not come to know each other that well in Vinayalaya.
Then, while I went to St. Joseph’s, you finished your Juniorate in Vinayalaya and then went on for your studies in Philosophy, 3 years of Regency and studies in Theology before being ordained on 30th March, 1974. We did meet every now and then and so came to know each other a little better. But it was only in 1984, when I was transferred from St. Joseph’s Technical Institute in Pune to Xavier Technical Training Centre in Shrirampur, that I had my first real contact with you. I was part of the ‚Loyola Sadan Community‛ although I was staying in the XTTC Hostel just opposite. You were then the Parish Priest of Loyola Church, in Shrirampur. Here was I, a town boy, coming into real contact with life in the missions! You were there to show me how to set my sails so that the sailing could be smooth.
In those days we had the wonderful company of Fr. Huber and Br. Widmer as well. Also there with us were Fr. Zinser and Br. Engel. What I remember very much is the wonderful community spirit that we had in Loyola Sadan, thanks to you and your ‘caring’ spirit. As the Parish Priest you were very close not only to the Catholic Community in Shrirampur but also to the larger community of Catholics in the more than 60 villages which were part of the Shrirampur Parish. On a number of occasions I went out with you and experienced the warmth that you radiated. The community was always so happy to have you there listening to them as they shared with you their joys and sorrows.
One of the qualities that I cherished in you was your availability for the parishioners, the sick in the St. Luke’s Hospital and the communities in the villages around. You were truly remarkable. There were days when the asthma you were suffering from would get you out but for a very short time. You dealt with this as though there was nothing wrong and in no time you were up and about. The relationship between us and the Sisters of St. Luke’s Hospital, and the get-togethers every Sunday evening at 4 p.m. is something that I cherish to this day.
What I also remember of you is the fact that you were one with truly green fingers. Little by little you were able to give life to the fields next to Loyola Sadan. Your love for nature was so evident and nature responded generously to your love. We had abundant water in the bore well
of the community and the well in the Hostel to meet our daily needs and more. If you had wanted you could have had wonderful green fields also in summer. But, here is something that I learned from you and Br. Widmer. You knew what was more important and where water was needed more. In those days in summer the well of St. Luke’s did not have sufficient water for all its needs. Hence it was St. Luke’s that was the priority. You and Br. Widmer taught me the value of sharing. It was only a few years later that St. Luke’s got their well dug much deeper and so became independent.
Thanks to your support and guidance we went ahead to build the new complex of XTTC opposite Loyola Sadan. When the buildings for XTTC were completed, the shed that Loyola Sadan had allowed XTTC to use for the ITI Fitter section was no longer needed by them. You did not turn that shed into a store room. Your passion to give the poor and the marginalised a good education showed itself immediately. You converted this shed into a Kindergarten. That was in a way the birth of our Xavier School in Shrirampur. This passion of giving the best education for the poor showed itself again when you were transferred to Shevgaon. And, you took your green fingers all the way there and in no time the dry lands started bearing fruit.
You were back in Shrirampur when I was assigned there in 2007. As Parish Priest one of the important things that you did was to have the Church building extended. You were later assigned to Divyavani and I was staying at what was formerly known as ‘Victor Garage’. Your passion for extending educational facilities for the poor and the marginalised showed itself again. You started the Loyola Institute of Management Technology at Divyavani and soon you started the Kindergarten in Katgali. In all this you taught me one thing: Do not wait for things to happen! Once again, your green fingers could not be preserved in a deep freeze. They needed action. You decided to take on lease, for a period of 6 years, the farm of the family in Katgali. This family had contributed the land for the Chapel that was built there. It became green and full of life again. By doing what you did there you were able to show the family and the community how valuable their land was and what could be done on it.
Let me now, in the name of all of us, just say a big ‘thank you’ to you James for being the very special person you were. You were a person who made a difference. On a personal level I want to thank you for the wonderful community life that I experienced at Loyola Sadan and Divyavani, which was very much because of you.
FR. JAMES SHELKE, S.J., THE FINAL MOMENTS
Fr. James died with his boots on, alive, up and about, a man on the move, ever smiling and cheerful. And so when he passed away so suddenly on the 22nd September, the news of his death came as a shock and surprise to everyone. No one expected him to go so fast, especially when there were others in waiting at the pearly gates of heaven.
On Sunday 18th September, he offered three Masses that morning, first the usual Sunday Mass at Divyavani, next a funeral Mass at around 9.30 am and the third Feast day Mass of the Canossian Sisters at Shirasgaon. He must have been dead beat that day, tired and exhausted. Nevertheless, he came for the Community meeting and dinner with Fr. Provincial that evening at 7.00 pm. On Monday 19th September, due to his frequent travels and activities, he felt very exhausted and was burning with high fever. He was all alone that evening. Fortunately, Fr. Prakash Raut happened to visit him and admitted him to St. Luke’s Hospital.
On Tuesday 20th September, he began feeling breathless and restless, extremely exhausted with the stream of visitors, relatives and well-wishers which made matters worse for him. On Wednesday 22ndSeptember, his condition worsened. His sugar went out of control. He experienced extreme breathlessness and his blood urea went very high. His sugar became very difficult to control due to uncontrolled diabetes. By late night he took a turn for the worse.
On Thursday, around 1.00 am, he became more and more breathless and restless. The nurses and doctors put him on oxygen and soon discovered his kidneys were failing. He was unable to pass urine since the previous night and his whole body appeared puffed up and swollen. That Thursday morning after community Mass, I was having breakfast with the Sisters when suddenly there was a phone call that James was critical and that due to his fast failing kidneys he would need to be rushed to Nagar for dialysis. So at 8.00 am, Dr. Padgaonkar, CMO examined him and gave a referral for the doctors in Nagar. An ambulance with oxygen support was immediately kept ready.
Since Fr. Joe G was already on his way to Nashik, Sr. Binny, private ward in-charge and I rushed him to Anand Rishi hospital. Fr. Joe D was asked to inform the hospital of the emergency case soon to arrive. He was immediately taken in the emergency room, admission procedures were completed and by 11.30 am dialysis was started. In the ambulance he was still conscious but very uncomfortable. By 1.30 pm he had his first heart arrest. The doctors and nurses revived him by administering CPU. They felt his heart could no longer take the dialysis and so it was discontinued. They then started him on drugs through IV. Between 3.30 and 4.00 pm he had a second heart arrest. The doctors by then felt his chances of survival were very remote. His pressure started dropping very drastically and his heartbeat was very abnormal. By around 6.00 pm he had a third heart arrest. The doctors had given up all hopes. He was still on ventilator support. Realizing the end was near, the doctors asked that his immediate relative have a last glance at him and pray over him. He breathed his last at about 7.30 pm surrendering himself to the Lord. By then Fr. Joe Gaikwad arrived since I was already on my way back to Shrirampur tired and exhausted. After completing all the discharge formalities and billing it was past 10.00 pm. By 1.00 am past midnight, his body was brought back to Shrirampur. Srs. Saroj and Theresiama were waiting to bathe him and dress the body. He was placed into the coffin and the body was kept for viewing in the hall and then in the Church. All through the morning a continuous stream of visitors came to pay their last respects, parishioners, staff and students.
By 12.30 pm the body was moved to Sangamner for the funeral Mass and burial. More than 60 priests concelebrated with Bishop Lourdes Daniel and Fr. Bhausaheb as the main celebrants. The Church was overflowing and packed to capacity. The entire compound was packed with vehicles overflowing on the road. Perhaps, nobody has had such an overwhelming crowd of mourners. It was a testimony to how popular and loved James was. As Fr. Charlie D’Lima of happy memory called James, ‚the Apostle of Shrirampur‛, he was more than that, he was an apostle of the Ahmednagar and Beed Districts. James was a man always on the move, a man on a mission, always eager to do something for the betterment of his people. He established so many institutions wherever he went. He was a true son of Ignatius always eager to do more, the Magis. He had a large heart that reached out to people in need. His zeal, enthusiasm and dynamism are characteristic few can match. He made an incredible contribution to the Ahmednagar Mission. His ever cheerful face and smiling countenance endeared him to everyone. James must have had a warm welcome in heaven from all the past stalwarts of the Mission – Frs.Schubiger, Haldner, Sixt, Slapsys and the rest. We can imagine the good Lord saying to him, Come good and faithful servant, and enter into the joy of my heavenly home.
FR. WALTER DE SOUZA, SJ
20 Sep. 1925 – 7 Nov. 2015
Born in a religious-minded family on 20th September 1925, Fr. Walter followed his brothers Edward and Vincent in joining the Society of Jesus (then Goa Mission), while three of his sisters became members of other religious congregations.
After graduating in Arts and being a lecturer at Lingaraj College, Belgaum, for a few years, he entered the Jesuit Novitiate on March 18, 1951 at Vinayalaya, Andheri. After following the customary stages of Jesuit formation, he was ordained a priest for the Pune-Belgaum Mission on May 3, 1960 and completed his tertianship at Salamanca, Spain. Marked out for his academic performances, he completed two Masters Degrees in Arts and Education at Boston University, U.S.A.
Then began his academic services in various Jesuit institutions. As teacher and Principal of St. Paul’s he is remembered for his strict enforcement of discipline and promotion of excellence in learning, summed up in his memorable phrase, ‘I expect teachers to teach and students to learn’. This was backed up by his example of personal commitment to all his school responsibilities. Here he also took care of the spiritual animation of college students in AICUF.
As founder of St. Vincent Night College of Commerce, Pune, his zealous efforts to educate the Catholic youth ‘to earn and to learn’ through value education classes, First Friday Mass, annual retreats and personal visits to the families of the students have borne fruit in vocations to the Society. He is appreciated by the poor people to whom he reached out through on-going education in the only Catholic Night College of the Pune University. He has borne with great fortitude the difficulties of administering such an institution. He also obtained Post-Graduate recognition for this college. During this period, he completed his doctoral studies related to ‘Planning Economic Development for Education’ with a sense of determination, optimism and faith in the Lord. He also ventured on Post-doctoral studies on ‘The Economic Miracle of South Korea’, which was published in 1995. His publications are a testimony of his hard work and commitment to the Lord through academic research.
Parents remember him with affection for his friendly and persuasive ways, fatherly concern for their children whom he has formed to be responsible adults in family life. He has been faithful to the mission of the Society in various responsibilities entrusted to him. So also, his brothers, Fathers Vincent and Edward, who have gone to their reward, have done yeoman service in the Goa and Pune Provinces. He is remembered for his pioneering spirit in the educational field, as a professor and research scholar. He was also faithful to the grind of College lecturing and was recognized as a lucid exponent of economics, be it at St. Vincent's, Ness Wadia College, or at Stonyhurst College, U.K.
After he retired, he was sent to Loyola Jesuit Community, Pune. There he continued his research and served as Priest-in-charge at the N.D.A. From there he moved to Snehasadan and continued his research work. Recently he was shifted to St. Vincent’s Residence, where he was praying for the Society and the Church till 7th of November 2015 when he returned to his
heavenly abode. He was 90 years of age and spent 64 years in the Society. May he continue to inspire us, his brothers and companions in mission, to cross boundaries and reach out for new frontiers in our intellectual apostolate. May the Lord bless him and give him kind admittance in heaven. May he experience fullness of life with the Lord!!
FR. PATRICK D’ LIMA SJ
09 Mar. 1932 – 4 Oct.2013
A Tribute To Fr. Patrick D’lima: A Great Teacher And A Renowned Writer
Persons recall the sight of Fr. Patrick D’ Lima as a Jesuit doing his daily exercises of marching and drill in school building or playgrounds. Such a regular sight of an elderly Jesuit inspired school boys in keeping up their exercises. At that sight others remembered St. Ignatius of Loyola, the marching ‚Noble Knight leader of a brave array struggling to promote God’s greater glory. Indeed Fr. Patrick’s entire life was a disciplined one, touching equally his spiritual and other duties, inspiring others to follow him. At birth Patrick was really at death’s door but was saved by an emergency baptism of an Irish nurse and kept alive by her loving care. Named Patrick by that nurse his parents rejoiced at seeing him alive and in prayerful gratitude took him to St. Francis Xavier’s shrine in Old Goa. Apparently the Lord preserved Patrick’s life to heed his call to him to be a Jesuit.
After that, he kept good health, attended St. Vincent’s school nearby run by Jesuits and later completed his Bachelor of Arts in a Poona College. Athletics and sports gave him further strength in body while he cultivated his taste for music and singing. His father who served in the Indian railways and his mother lovingly faithful to her domestic duties gladly let him join the Society of Jesus as he desired, and happy to have made their own efforts along with others in nurturing his faith life.
His years of formation readied him for priestly life and living out the Society’s charisms. After completing his B.Ed and his tertianship he was appointed as a Goa- Poona Jesuit to St. Paul’s School Community, Belgaum to take part in its educational apostolate. His years of service there lasted over 25 years. Like the faithful servant of the master he brought to bear on this work the flowering of his many talents. He never sought to become nor became a head master or a school manager. Till today he is remembered for his total investment of himself in the field of education at St. Paul’s. In the classroom and on the playfield, stage and platform he sought to bring the best out of his pupils minds and hearts, in their skills of body and voice, and by singing and playing musical instruments for the school band. Every year he found time to prepare the entire school time-table and made sure of moral science and religion for every class within government regulations. He even prepared his own series of moral science books for every class and another series of talks for school assemblies. Above all he gave those whom he taught values for life, especially by his own life style.
His priestly zeal led him to foster his apostleship of prayer and First Friday mass after school hours. In the town he also put up a yearly religious play for people, often on a saint’s life or some religious theme. The money he earned from these plays he distributed to missionaries through his catholic staff and school boys whom he took for visits to mission stations. Likewise collections from Christmas carol singing for which he trained boys to visit the home of Christians. These activities in turn fostered priestly/religious vocations.
After retirement from schools he took up several appointments as parish priest or assistants at Pune, Satara, Panchgani and Kolhapur. After these ministries he was sent to candidate’s houses in Kolhapur and in Pune to teach English and be a Spiritual Father for over 10 years. In spite of being hard of hearing he forged ahead in such assignments. During all these ministries there flowed from his resourceful pen many simple, readable spiritual publications expressed in short practical ways of Christian prayer and living. He offered such earnings from this source for Jesuit works. Thus he passed his spare time profitably.
As regards preparations for offering masses he took pains to write and use short notes for his homilies and preserve these for future use. He readily helped out in writings called for by the provincial when he lived at the provincialate. Naturally he kept his marching and drills till old age and illness began to take their toll on him and he required doctors’ aid and hospital care. He passed away on 4th October, 2013. May he who led many a choir in earthly melodies hear the angelic choirs in heavenly harmony while enjoying the eternal vision of God!
FR. ANIL SOARES SJ
04 Apr. 1945- 28 Apr. 2011
“His face was fixed towards Jerusalem”
For a man who was always careful about details, and meticulous to an extraordinary extent, about matters pertaining to his or others’ health, Anil’s apparent lack of attention to his own health during the last few days, or weeks, of his sojourn here on earth, certainly does seem incoherent. But that, seemingly, is what led to Anil’s sudden demise on the twenty-eighth of April, hardly 24 days after he had celebrated his 66th birthday, on 4th April. One fails to understand why he omitted to pay attention to the signals his heart was giving him in the last couple of months or so. Had he done so, and paid a visit to his regular doctor, he may have discovered that the stent that had been given him about twenty years earlier had collapsed. Unfortunately, he also ignored, or wrongly read, during the two days preceding his death, his body signals, considering them as stomach discomfort, etc., instead of preliminaries to a much more serious heart problem. Could it be that in some way, “His face was fixed towards Jerusalem?” (Luke 9/51).
Yes. Once Anil was diagnosed for having a weak heart condition, and had an Angioplasty administered to him, in 1990 or so, he was very particular about his diet and a strict, daily exercise regimen. Come rain or shine, every evening he would be seen walking briskly up and down in the compound or down a long corridor. Whatever the occasion, parties, banquets and big dinners could tempt him only to a very limited extent. So abstemious and self-controlled was he!
And yet, despite the diminutive body that he possessed, he was very energetic and dynamic in carrying out his daily duties. Phone call after phone call …. slowly and steadily, Anil would demolish his long list of phone calls for the day. Being a “Socius” (Assistant and Companion) to the Provincial is not an easy task; and the number of communications that had to be made daily was great. Yet, each one was made promptly and efficiently. Reminders were sent out regularly, and no one in the province could forget that there was still some job that had to be completed by a certain deadline. It is no wonder that the newsletter got to be printed and
published according to schedule every month. Yes. Anil had an excellent style for follow-up and implementation of matters that had been earlier decided at meetings, or by the Provincial.
Then there were the frequent walks he took, from point to point in the Provincialate itself. Anil walked briskly and with determination. There was always some goal to be achieved; and he was going to attain it by all means. There was no question that he was goal-oriented, doing everything for the greater glory of God and good of souls.
As a young priest, having completed his B.Ed. and M. Ed. Studies from Pune University, Anil was sent to Loyola University of Chicago, where obtained an M.A. in English within a couple of years.
As a Principal, Anil was known for his strictness, spirit of fairness and impartiality, qualities, which I am sure he inherited from his father, who was himself a school Principal, when the family was in Goa. Staff and students both, knew that he meant business. He had a strong sense of duty, was truly committed to his task, and had a no-nonsense approach, which everybody recognized. While being approachable to the parents of the school children, the latter knew full well that they would not always get what they wanted. Thus, Anil was able to influence very many people in the four schools of which he was Principal – St. Britto’s, Mapuca, Loyola High School, Pune, St. Vincent’s, Pune and St. Joseph’s Night School, Pune.
What many remember of Anil in particular, was his kind, welcoming smile, whenever a guest met him in the house. He was ever ready to be of some service to the one who was in need. He was a good religious, a thorough gentleman, ever polite and gracious, and with a true spirit of humility. He took very special care of the sick Jesuits in his community, always making it a point to visit them at every opportunity, trying to make them a little more comfortable during their time of trial.
His concern for the sick and also for the poor, was evident whenever he had a chance to help out in a parish. Taking Holy Communion to the sick in the neighbourhood was something he relished. His preference for the underprivileged was also manifest in his formulation of policies for admission of school children.
Anil got his strength to serve enthusiastically and cheerfully, from his prayer. This latter he never neglected. Not only was he constant in his personal prayer, but he also could be seen regularly pacing up and down while reciting the rosary. It is no wonder that he was often invited to hear the confessions of Sisters, and to sometimes preach retreats to them. That is why too, he was appointed the Coordinator for the Ignatian Spirituality Province Commission.
Fitting and proper it was then, that the St. Xavier’s Church was crowded at the time of the funeral Mass for Anil on 29th April. Several non-Christian ex-students also attended the service. Bishop Thomas Dabre celebrated the Mass, with assistance from former Pune Bishop, Valerian D’Souza and Fr. Bertie Rozario, Provincial. About 40 priests also concelebrated.
One of the consequences of Anil’s personal, serious commitment to duty, and constantly being on the run, was that he sometimes fell prey to tension and worry. He always wanted to make
sure he was doing the right thing and that too, in the best way possible. Problems do not always have a way of fitting into boxes or categories that easily, and so they can cause anxiety. Maybe that too played some role in Anil’s already weak heart being further affected. But problems or tensions notwithstanding, Anil was not going to let such things come in his way of serving God faithfully and wholeheartedly. He was a man of deep motivation and solid determination. And he never floundered when it was a question of fixing his face toward Jerusalem, his ultimate goal.
FR. SURESH SHELKE SJ
6 July 1973 – 20 Dec. 2010
As the whole world was getting ready to celebrate the New Year 2011, Fr Suresh Shelke took the leap into the New Life to celebrate the New Year with Renewed Life with the Lord. Suresh was born on 6 July 1973 in a pious catholic family in his home town Umbri in Sangamner Taluka. He was the youngest of seven siblings. His father is a retired teacher and mother, a house wife. Two of his brothers have also left for their heavenly abode before him. The eldest brother is in the navy. He has three sisters.
He completed his schooling from the well-known Jesuit school, Dnyanmata Vidyalaya, Sangamner. He got the inspiration to work in the Vineyard of the Lord from the lives of Jesuits working there, says his nephew, Sch. Sachin Gaikwad. Fr. Suresh did extraordinarily well in his studies throughout his Jesuit formation. When asked about his very good performance in studies, he shared about his mother. His mother used to work tirelessly in the field in order to help Suresh to complete his education. Looking at her hard work, Suresh too used to work hard to get good results in his studies so that he could give his mother the fruit of her hard work in the form of his results, shares Sachin. He had a great love for his parents.
After finishing his 12th Std. in Agriculture Science, in Dnyanamata Vidyalaya, he joined the Society on 30 May 1994. On completion of his Novitiate in Belgaum, he was sent to Kathmandu, Nepal for his Juniorate Studies. He did his philosophical studies in Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, completed his graduate studies from Wadia College, Pune, and theological studies in Vidyajyoti, Delhi. He did his regency at Social Centre, Ahmednagar and Nagaland, in the North East. Suresh had also finished his Masters in Anthropology with flying colours. Looking at his good results in Masters in Anthropology and in theological studies, Fr. Provincial allowed him to pursue his Doctoral Studies in Anthropology after his Ordination on 7 November 2009.
After his ordination Suresh was sent to Social Centre, Ahmednagar. He was the Programme Coordinator for the B.S.W. College plus the Project Coordinator. He was also the house Minister of the Jesuit Community. And with all this, he was doing his Doctoral Studies. He
was a very simple friend but spiritual to the core. He was very regular in his prayer and Mass. His option for the poor was very much seen in his ministry. He identified himself with the poor. He had a great love for the poor and the marginalized. He would say that we cannot see God; what we can see are the people around us and we see God in them and love them. When asked about the Jesuit life he shared that it’s a beautiful life and gives ample opportunities to do good. When you are given any responsibility to do, do it hundred percent and not be happy with a little, he would add. He had many friends in the Society as well as outside because of his simple behaviour.
Fr Suresh attended the Ordination and First Mass of James Selvaraj at Wellington. After the First Mass on December 29, he went to the Convent to pick up his luggage as he wanted to proceed to Ooty. As he neared the jeep, he collapsed. He was taken to Nankem Hospital in Coonoor in Tamilnadu where a three-doctor-team tried their best to save Fr. Suresh from the massive heart attack, but they couldn’t save him. He surrendered his life into the hands of his Heavenly Father and breathed his last at 11.20 a.m. The funeral Mass was held at St. Mary‟s Church, Sangamner, on 30 December 2010 at 3.00 p.m. and was well attended by innumerable Priests, Religious, staff members where he worked, friends, students, both past and present, and hundreds of lay faithful who bid him a fond and final adieu. He was thereafter laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sangamner. God grant him eternal joy, and abundant blessings to his parents, relatives and friends.
The untimely death of Fr. Suresh Shelke….
December 29, 2010 shocked all of us present in Wellington with the news of the demise of Fr. Suresh Shelke. No one could believe in the sent SMS. Fr. Suresh was very much present for the first Mass of Fr. James Selvaraj. After the Mass, Fr. Suresh was in his usual happy humour. While having breakfast, he introduced his friends to Fr. Bertie, the provincial. He had breakfast with us. A Jesuit from Madurai Province, who came for the first Mass, Fr. Amalraj, companion of Fr. Suresh, invited four of us, Fr. Bertie, Fr. Suresh, Fr. Ramesh and me to have a lunch with the Jesuit community in Ooty. We all got ready to proceed to Ooty. Fr. Suresh wanted to pick his luggage up from the Convent where he was staying. Accompanied by Fr. James, Fr. Suresh went to get his luggage and the jeep was standing hardly twenty meters away from the place. Fr. Suresh and Fr. James returned to the jeep. As they reached near the jeep, Fr. Suresh collapsed. We gave him a chest and leg massage, and then he got up and sat down there for few minutes. Then he spoke to everyone. He told Fr. Bertie that he could proceed to Ooty. Fr. Ramesh Tribhuvan stayed back with him. In the meanwhile a Doctor-nun came to assist Fr. Suresh.
After twenty minutes Fr. James Selvaraj rang me up and told me that Suresh was brought to the hospital and the doctor from Nankem Hospital, Coonoor would like to speak to Fr. Bertie. The doctor told Fr. Bertie, that a three-doctor-team tried their best to save Fr. Suresh from the massive heart attack, but they couldn’t save him. The Parish priest of Wellington, his two
assistants and twelve to fourteen nuns from three different convents rushed to save Fr. Suresh’s life. With a loud shout Fr. Suresh surrendered his life into the hands of his Heavenly Father and breathed his last at 11.20 a.m. on 29.12.2010 at Nankem Hospital in Coonoor. This shocking news of a young Jesuit, Fr. Suresh, left everyone present at the hospital dumb. No one would believe that Fr. Suresh was no more. It shook all of us. Our province members, companions of Suresh from far and wide, received the news through the SMS; but many could not believe it. They called us and confirmed the news. May his soul rest in peace and may the loving God grant him eternal rest!
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
FR. EDWIN SEQUEIRA SJ
1928 - 2010
On Christmas Eve 2010 before Pune’s St. Xavier’s Church Christmas bells pealed and the strains of joyous carols broke out, the coffin bearers quietly brought into the church the mortal remains of Fr. Edwin Sequeira for his funeral Mass. The God –with- us gently called him from his suffering bed at St. Luke’s hospital, Shrirampur to celebrate the eternal banquet of the “Onein-Three”. His calm face in death yet bore marks of his last struggle with pneumonia.
Born in a small catholic family in Nairobi, Kenya in 1928, he began his schooling there. A sudden car accident brought him at the age of eight to death’s door; however the fervent parental prayers and promise of offering him to the Lord to be a priest if Edwin recovered were mercifully heard. Not long after, Fr. Edwin’s mother passed away and his father was relieved of his work due to a persistent ailment; then after remarrying he returned to India, settling down in Pune. Here his sons Edwin and Joe were admitted to St. Vincent’s High School, and daughters to St. Anne‟s Convent close by. Edwin, devoted to home and studies, faired quite well in school, but was not given to playing games and joining in sports. As an altar boy at St. Xavier’s Church and as a sodalist in the school sodality, he grew up in his desire to be a priest and even joined a group of other Vincentians who met informally to foster such desires.
Soon after his matriculation in 1944, Edwin spent three years in the Papel Seminary (Mumbai) to become a Pune Diocesan priest, but left it to join the Pune Jesuit Mission. On 5-1-1948 he began his novitiate in Vinayalaya, pronounced his first vows in 1950 and carried on through other Jesuit formation stages. In March 1959 he was ordained a priest and in February 1965 took his final vows. Among his special courses were: firstly graduating as B.A with Sanskrit and other subjects from S.P.College; secondly completing a Jesuit Spirituality Course at the Gregorian University, Rome; thirdly courses at Columbia University in New York for teaching English. He could cope with these and many other assignments. Incidentally, his frequent visit to doctors during his long life due to various ailments may have been caused by his early brush with death and a sense of insecurity in health matters.
His long years in Spiritual Ministries formed the core of his priestly life. He served as a Spiritual father and English teacher at XTC Belgaum, similarly seven years at the Papal Seminary, Pune and eleven years at the Diocesan Seminary, Allahabad and at BTC Juniorate, Pune. He was also house minister at XTC and at the Papal Seminary. Besides he is remembered as a retreat preacher and director for priests, religious (men and women). Our late Fr. General commended him “for his compassionate understanding and effective ministry of the living word” and for serving “as a model of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd”. His family, scattered in India, U.K and U.S.A have affectionately recalled his visits especially to his brothers and
sister. His sense of humour, gift of storytelling and counselling them in their personal life situations have been treasured by them. His passionate love for western classical music was marked by his family and others.
Finally in his last years at Shrirampur his friendly disposition and patience in his trials were noteworthy in imitation of Him “who was born to die for mankind so that” “men live for evermore because of Christmas day”. R.I.P
FR. THOMAS AMBROSE SJ
30 Dec. 1938 – 2 Dec. 2010
Fr. Thomas Ambrose, SJ, Manager of St. Vincent’s Night College, Pune, breathed his last at St. Vincent’s Jesuit Residence, after a brief illness at 11.00 a.m. on December 2, 2010. The funeral Mass held at St. Xavier’s Church, Pune, on December 3, at 9.30 a.m. was well attended by Priests, Religious, staff members of different Institutions where he worked, friends and students both past and present. Fr. Ambrose was thereafter laid to rest at St. Sepulchre’s cemetery, Hadapsar.
Thomas Ambrose was born on December 30, 1938 at Miraj in Maharashtra, to Abraham and Katherine. He was the seventh child in a family of eight siblings. At the young age of 17, he decided to dedicate his life as a religious, serving the poor and marginalized. And so he joined the Society of Jesus in June 1955. After undergoing his Novitiate and Juniorate at Vinayalaya, Mumbai, and completing his Philosophy and Theology at De Nobili College and Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, he was ordained on March 17, 1970 at St. Xavier’s Church, Pune. His final incorporation in the Society of Jesus was on August 15, 1974.
Fr. Ambrose had a string of degrees attached to his name, and yet, he was humble to the core. He held many important offices right after his ordination as Director/Teacher, Principal, Professor, Dean of Studies, Vicar-General, Parish Priest, Minister and finally Manager of St. Vincent’s Night College, Pune. He had a flare for languages and was a good linguist. Besides being proficient in the English language, Fr. Ambrose also knew French, Marathi, Hindi to some extent, Latin, and of course Greek.
A man of few words, Fr. Ambrose was very faithful to his prayer life and prepared his sermons well which were meaningful and inspiring. He was simple, committed, dedicated, responsible, disciplined, and a man of principles. He was very straightforward and never compromised on his principles to suit his own interest or to please people. His health was never his priority. On the contrary, he paid little or no attention to health matters. He worked tirelessly serving the community and carrying out his responsibilities faithfully and efficiently. His outlook was very simple. But his spirit of poverty was remarkable; he possessed literally nothing – except a few books and the bare minimum clothes. His austere lifestyle was one of the hallmarks that distinguished his personality. He lived an authentic life and remained true to his call.
As a true disciple of Jesus, he always did what was pleasing to God. For those who knew him more closely, he was a man of humour and his intellectual conversations provided food for thought. Fr. Thomas Ambrose no doubt has inspired and influenced many, and, with his humble
outreach has left a lasting impact on the lives of those who knew him and worked with him. God Grant Him Eternal Rest.
FR. DONATUS SLAPSYS SJ
13 Mar. 1921 – 19 Aug. 2010
Fr. Donatus Slapsys SJ, who was sent by the German Jesuit Province to work as a missionary in the rural parts of the Ahmednagar District, breathed his last at the Nitya Seva Hospital, Shevgaon, Ahmednagar, on August 19, 2010.
Fr. Slapsys was born on March 13, 1921 in Siauliai, the third biggest town of Lithuania but grew up mostly in Kauna. After the first four years of Jesuit formation in the home country, Fr. Slapsys was sent to Germany for studies in Philosophy and Theology in Berchmanskolleg in Pullach near Munich. He studied philosophy and theology very diligently and was a Jesuit who meticulously adhered to the laws and rules of the Society not only during his studies, but all his life. He was ordained Priest on July 27, 1947 in Pullach. During his studies in Germany, his home country was attacked and occupied by the Bolshevik forces of the Soviet Union. The Catholics underwent bloody persecution and his return home became impossible. After theological studies in Munich, he went to America, where the Jesuits who had been sent out of Lithuania were looked after by their banned fellow countrymen. He did his Tertianship at the Grand Coteau, USA. The American Jesuits were generous in financing the higher studies of Fr. Slapsys, and he completed his Master’s Degree in Education in 1950.
During his stay in America, Fr. Slapsys got acquainted with a number of American Jesuits who had been missionaries in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), and through them his interest to work in the Mission Stations grew and developed. He thought of going to Sri Lanka as a missionary, but circumstances lead him to the Pune Mission. He arrived in India on October 26, 1950, and went immediately to Sangamner in the Ahmednagar District to learn Marathi under Fr. Zinser. He worked alongside his German and Swiss friends, some of whom had studied with him in Germany.
Right from his Scholastic days it was Fr. Slapsys’s wish to make people aware of the teachings of Christ and bring them to Him. His own faith in Christ remained the most important thing in his life. Christ was his Guru. The response of Fr. Slapsys to the teachings of Christ has been his faithful service to God’s people in the Ahmednagar District. Fr. Slapsys was a very shy person and consequently very sensitive to praises. He very rarely spoke about himself and refused to answer questions about his person, relations and achievements, a good administrator, he prepared his sermons well and his catechism classes methodically. He was also very systematic in keeping records of the names and families he visited, the sacraments administered, etc. he was very faithful to his prayer life, loyal to the Society of Jesus and was known for his great charity.
Fr. Slapsys was laid to rest in the Holy Spirit Church compound, Shevgaon in the presence of a large member of people and priests from the Pune and Nashik Dioceses. God grant him eternal rest!
Monday, 28 October 2019
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!
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!
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!
Sunday, 27 October 2019
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
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