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the oldest Catholic weekly in India and the voice of the Church in Bengal.
VOL. 148 (CXXXXVIII) NO. 34 kOLkata aUGUSt 31 - SEPtEMBER 6, 2012
Hard Talk : WikiLeaks and Free Speech Two Academy Award winning filmmakers q u e s t i o n Britons stand to extradite WikiLeaks founder. >> p. 11

Rs. 5/Mobile Phones : The Fatal Attraction MC Brother Varghese Kunnath takes a serious look at the mobile phones, on what they can do

INSIDE>>>
Editorial : Mother in Love
What is so special about Mother Teresa?

Teachers Day Special: To Sir/Madam with Love Francis Lobo tells us that everyone of us has a mission to be a teacher; learning and teaching are part of our lives. >>

Mother Teresa Special: Love without the Gloves Missionaries of Charity Sister Mildred tells t he t ouching experience with Mother helping lep-ers without

>>p. 04

her love

News Capsules
Protesters urge rethink of blasphemy
A small group of protesters gathered outside the Karachi Press Club on Aug. 27 to demonstrate against the blasphemy trial of a disabled Christian girl due to start on Aug. 28. Organized by the All Pakistan Christian League, the 50 or so protesters accused authorities of misusing Pakistans strict blasphemy laws after Rimsha Masih, variously reported to be aged between 10 and 16, was arrested after being found with burned pages of a religious textbook containing verses from the Quran in a Christian slum in Karachi on August 16.

Christians and Muslims prepare for Popes Visit

Preparations for the Popes upcoming visit to Lebanon continue. The visit is scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16 and the sense of anticipation among the Lebanese Christian community is strong. The General Treasurer of the Syrian Catholic Patriarchate in Lebanon, Msgr. George Masri, told Vatican Radio on August 24 that the Holy Fathers visit is an event of hope for the whole Church, especially for his community, which constitutes a small minority who, he says, live their witness with blood. We are, he continued, a Church of martyrs - but at the same time we are a minority living through trust and hope in Jesus Christ. Asked about the impact the Popes visit might have on dialogue among Christians and Muslims in the broader region, Msgr. Masri said that, although dogmatic dialogue is difficult, The Holy Father gives confidence and courage, that help Lebanese Christians to conduct what he calls a living dialogue, with their Muslim neighbours. Lebanon-based Monsignor Georges Masri told Vatican Radio that the clashes are not impacting on the popes visit to Beirut, which is some 100 kilometers (65 miles) to the south. Separately, a top Vatican official, Cardinal JeanLouis Tauran, told reporters at a conference in Rimini, Italy, that the pilgrimage remains confirmed. www.radiovaticana.

Veteran Salesian Missionary dies

NEW DELHI, (C.M. Paul) One of the few remaining Italian Salesian missionaries in India, Fr Dino Colussi died, August 27, at Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi. He was 83. Fr Dino has been ailing for about a month and was in hospital for treatment when he suffered a severe heart attack and died, said Rector of the Provincial House Fr Paul Padamattumel. After a requiem Mass on August 28, the body will be flown on August 29 to Ranchi where Fr Dino wished to be buried near his elder brother Fr Guido at Kokkar, Ranchi.

Ratzinger Students to Focus on Ecumenism

VATICAN CITY, AUG. 27, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The annual meeting between Benedict XVI and his former students begins this year on August 30. The students, known as the Ratzinger Schulerkreis, gather each summer for several days of discussions on a particular theme. The theme of this years encounter is ecumenism. Among those present will be Cardinal Christoph Schnborn of Vienna and Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. It will be the 36th time that this annual encounter has taken place. Ratzingers first meeting with his former pupils took place in March of 1977, when Pope Paul VI appointed him archbishop of Munich-Freising. The annual appointment was kept thereafter, though students were surprised in 2005 to receive a letter from the new Pope a few months after his election, to call them to Castel Gandolfo to continue the custom.

Hiroshi Igarashis path to the Church began in prison, where he was introduced to Christianityand, especially, to Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He has harbored a deep respect for? that holy woman ever since, and these days makes room on the wall of his ?small Tokyo apartment for pictures of her. Some of the pictures previously hung in his prison cell. Normally,?that wouldnt have been allowed, but Igarashi appealed to the prison? administrators on that point and finally obtained permission.

Finding Mother Teresa behind bars

Blessed Teresa of Kolkata, Pray for us!

Fr Dino was the youngest of five brothers, all Salesian priests, who went to the missions. Four of the brothers came to India (Guido, Ferruccio, Luciano and Dino) and Giuseppe went to South America. In 2010, one of his brothers, Fr Luciano Colussi, was buried at the Marian Shrine in Bandel. Arriving in India in 1951, Fr Dino pioneered several employment projects at Don Bosco Youth Centre Krishnagar in Nadia district, included poultry farming, piggery, saw mill, as well as food canning factory.

Page 2

The Herald

AuguST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

Vol.148 (CXXXXVIII) No.34 Kolkata Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2012 E-mail: clherald@gmail.com Office: 10, Government Place East, Kolkata 700 069. Phone: 033-2248-1457 Visitors: Ezra Mansion, 1st Floor, Suite 4 (next to Great Eastern Hotel; above VIP / Kanpur Leather House)

SCC animators motivated for exemplary life

By Fr I. P. Sarto A group of Small Christian Communities animators from five dioceses of West Bengal attended a week long training Aug 18-24, 2012 in Burdwan on Prayer and Sacraments. They were motivated to live a life of prayer and to participate in the Sacraments joyfully and meaningfully. Quoting extensively from the Bible, Jesuit Fr Bernard Murmu from Dumka exhorted the 26 participants to experience the presence of Christ every moment. He along with Regional Secretary of SCC, Fr I.P.Sarto introduced to them the Sacrament of Reconciliation for a change of attitude, behaviour and life pattern through a true act of contrition. I am called to read the Bible and to pray for all, she said. This training taught me that there is a process of learning the Christian faith, said Horen Kumar Biswas, 70, a retired teacher from Krishnanagar. Our life should become an example for others to follow Christ, Said Ms. Molly Gomes from Baruipur. The SCC training enabled me to understand my role as a committed Christian, said Lawrence Murmu from Raiganj. This training is an eye opener for me to understand the importance of the Bible, said Daniel Mathew, a retired Eastern Coal Fields Officer from Asansol. The participants also shared their experience of working in the villages and

DIOCESAN

The Howrah-Hooghly Deanery Meeting

By Fr Ambrose

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The Howrah - Hooghly Deanery General Body meeting was held on August 18, at Gurap Maria Sneha Sadan. Thirty-two members from twenty-two religious communities, six parishes and five quasi parishes participated in the meeting. Diocesan SCC coordinator Fr Dominic Gomes was invited to stimulate the priests and religious on the underlying necessity of the growth and development of the Small Christian Communities (SCC) in our archdiocese. Three important points were discussed during the meeting. Rector of Don Bosco, Bandel and the president of CRI of the Howrah- Hooghly Deanery, Salesian Fr Sebastian, pointed out about the rules and regulations regarding running of Hostels and stressed the need of registration according to the instructions of the State government.

He also pointed out cases of recent child abuse and emphasized on the gravity of the matter and insisted that all should be aware on the directives issued by the child welfare department of the State Government. He said a workshop is being contemplated on this theme by Ashalayam, Liluah. The focus of the meeting was Present status of SCC and the way forward in the deanery. Fr Dominic Gomes explained about the Year of Faith and the crucial role of SCCs in the preparation for this mega event. A PowerPoint presentation on the four marks of the SCC enlightened all on how each SCC unit leads to a One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. In the following session, the salient features of the Bandung Statement of the Asian Bishops in 1990 were thoroughly discussed.

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They also elaborated the Sacrament of the sick and its effectiveness in forgiveness and healing. The participants spend first three days in meditation and prayer. Claretian Fr Michael Pandian from Barrakpore spoke about the Sacrament of Matrimony and Priesthood. Fr Anthony Raj of Asansol diocese briefed about the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Bishop Cyprian Monis of Asansol explained to them the difference in the order of Diaconate, Priesthood and Episcopacy basing on his experiences. I never read the Bible earlier. Nor I led any prayer in a group as I believed that it is the duty of priests and religious to pray, said Tapasi Pramanick from Baruipur . Now after attending the SCC training on New Way of Being Church, I feel that

in the parishes. All of them shared their personal joys and struggles to encourage and support each other mutually. By personal reading of the Bible, mediation and prayer we discern Gods will. These are essential for a SCC animator, said Ramesh Mondal from Krihnanagar.

Rimini Meeting Takes Up Theme of Religious Liberty

RIMINI, Italy, AUG. 27, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Religious liberty was one of the topics covered at the Rimini Meeting organized by the Communion and Liberation movement. On Aug 24, the subject was addressed in a forum made up by the president of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Nassir Adulaziz al-Nasser, the Italian minister for foreign affairs, Giulio Terzi, and the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Cardinal Jean Louis Tauran. Al-Nasser expressed his concern over the numerous violations of religious liberty in many parts of the world and he promised that the United Nations would continue to monitor what is going on. Italys foreign minister explained that the government is actively engaged in dialog with the Mediterranean countries on both economic and cultural matters. Around 20% of Italys trade is with North African and Middle Eastern countries, Terzi noted. He also said that Italy is concerned about the protection of religious minorities, and in particular Christians. Religion, he continued, has for too long been marginalized in Europe. The topic of religious liberty was considered to be inconvenient he noted, but it is important in politics to be concerned about religious liberty and human rights.

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AUGUst 31 - sEPtEMBER 6, 2012

The Herald

Page 3

SCC Animators are trained

A Small Chistian Community (SCC) Training seminar took place at Fatima Parish on August 20 with Redemptorist Fr Francis Pinto as resource person, assisted by Jesuit Fr Mourlin Fernando. There were some 50 animators at the seminar. The youth and altar boys and others interested in starting SCC were also invited. The seminar began with a participative session on the Lumko Method of SCC, with a powerpoint presentation. The participants were given a brief history of the SCC from the early Church times, through Vatican Council II to Small Christian Community Church. They were given copious notes in a folder which contained 22 sample meetings of SCC. The participants also translated the notes into Bengali, they had also hands on practice on running the meeting. They were taught to move from being a prayer group or a bible reflection group to a vibrant Small Christian Community, taking small decisions influencing the area they were located in. Fr Pinto also discussed about Porta Fidei - the Holy Fathers Apostolic Letter in preparation for the Year of Faith by studying the first two

CHURCH IN INDIA
By A Staff Reporter pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The group was then divided into six groups of 10 each and an actual SCC meeting /practical demonstration was conducted, based on Acts 2:42-47. Fr Dominic Gomes appreciated how Fr Pinto communicated the idea of SCC in such a simple, practical and pastoral manner. He praised the Fatima Parish as being a model parish for working SCCs. Fr Babu Haldar, the parish priest, gave a summary of what they had gone through during the seminar.

Salesian appointed Thuckalay bishop

Nirmal Hriday Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

By Dilip Rozario her gratitude to the State Government, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the Kalighat Temple authorities for their support and cooperation for making the presence of Gods loving care in Nirmal Hriday possible. During the sixty years since its inception, more than 87,000 sick and dying destitutes have been cared and loved at the Nirmal Hriday and treated with dignity in the last moments of their lives. A dance performance by the children of Missionaries of Charitys Shanti Dan and the opening Prayer Song by the Bengal Christian Choir added to the prayerful ambience of the celebrations.

Kochi: Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Salesian Father Kuttinar George Rajendran as the new bishop of Thuckalay diocese in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu. Cardinal George Alencherry, major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, made the announcement on Friday at Kochi. The cardinal was the first bishop of Thuckalay, a post he held until his election as the head of Indias largest Oriental Church last year. The newly-elected bishop hails from Thuckalay and currently serves as the principal of St. Anthonys Higher Secondary School in Shillong, capital of Meghalaya

state in northeastern India. He made his first profession in the Salesians of Don Bosco congregation in 1994 and he is a member of the newly created Salesian province of Silchar. He was ordained a priest nine years after his first profession. He was appointed a bishop nine years after his priestly ordination. His Episcopal ordination is scheduled for September 16. The major archbishop also appointed Fr. Jacob Muricken as the auxiliary bishop of Palai, Kerala. Fr. Murickan has been the pastoral coordinator for the diocese for the past three years. manoramaonline

Archbishop Thomas DSouza paying floral tribute to Bl. Teresa

Priests in Football field

The inmates and the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity at the NirmalHriday Home for the Sick and Dying Destitutes at Kalighat celebrated the Diamond Jubilee on Aug 14. Sixty years ago, Mother Teresa had opened the doors of the NirmalHriday, putting into practice her motto of Love in Action. NirmalHriday celebrated the Diamond Jubilee with thanksgiving, remembrance, tributes and quiet celebrations of sixty years of serving Christ in the broken bodies of the sick and the dying. Grace Archbishop Thomas DSouza celebrated the Eucharist in the morning, and later a Special Thanks-giving Service was held inside the hall of the Home that Mother Teresa herself referred to

as the Treasure House of Kolkata. Th e c er emon i a l la m p was lit and floral tributes were paid to Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata by His Grace Archbishop DSouza, Sr Prema, Missionaries of Charity Superior-General, Sr Nirmala, Maria Fernandes, Secretary, State Minorities Commission and Chairperson of the Kalighat Temple Authority. Speaking on the occasion, the Archbishop commended the Missionaries of Charity sisters on the service carried out by them in bringing peace and love of Christ to the loveless, uncared for, abandoned dying destitutes. Sr Prema expressed

Krishnagar Priests football Team at the one day football tournament held at Don Bosco Youth Centre Krishnagar, 26 August 2012. The tournament is called - Fr C.K. George Memorial Football Tournament - It is in its 2nd year organised by the diocesan priests of krishnagar diocese who are Don Bosco Past Pupils of Nadia and

Murshidabad districts where Salesian Fr CK George worked as Headmaster and Principal in Krishnagar and Azimganj. This year there were 22 teams. Priests team lost with DB School Krishnagar Staff in the penalty shoot out 2:1. Last year there were 16 teams. Fr C. M. Paul, SDB

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The Herald Letters To The Editor

AuguST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

EDITORIAL

Prayer for peace as Assam continues to boil

Vol. CXXXXV No. KOLKATA January 16 - 22, 2009

Vol. 148 (CXXXXVIII) No. 34 KOLKATA AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

Mamata vs Shiladitya
The editorial Poetic Justice was timely and apt. It is rarely that one comes across such editorials on topical and current issues in Catholic publications, especially taking on the socio-political events of the week. I must congratulate the editor for highlighting such a serious issue and handling it with mature, impartial and intelligent dexterity. C. M. Paul, SDB Kalyani

Mother in Love
It is beyond all doubt that us over confident in all our the world we live in today undertakings! We have all needs Mother Teresa more our high-profile contacts, to than ever. Where love is just get in touch with; we believe a commodity, where human we can over come any kind values are endangered species, of eventuality. There are top where spiritualities are subject government officials, reputed matters of lunatics, where life super special physicians at our is a passing pheno-menon! disposal, and all that we need to Mother is needed to tell the do is, give them a call, and they world that there is another would be there at our service. world possible, where love If this is the situation, what is and God are replaceable, the role of God; where do we where one can touch and feel place God? God in the wounds of lepers. During her formative years, The world needs Mother Mother had none to look upto Teresa. for help, except the good Jesuit No one dares to question Fathers at St Xaviers College, the relevance of Mother who stood by her spiritually. Teresa, the frail woman who But building a movement out of revolutionized with a four nothing was indeed the work of letter world love, love in God, and therefore she dared to action, love in motion! Her entrust everything to God! She chain of lovospitals (where had no qualms of conscience to love is provided for free, storm the heavens, when the for anyone who needs it) spirit had inspired her, to stop will never run not until the empty; even in grace is granted Mother knew the most affluent her. countries, the that she was just a Why do l a d i e s w i t h simple pencil, and we not see as lamps (alluding the master artist much miracles to Florence happening in N i g h t i n g a l e ) , could make use of it o u r l i v e s a s serve t h e to bring glory to his M o t h e r h a d socially outcast, witnessed name. medically during her excluded, years? It is psychologically alienated! God, the fine artist, who S h e h a d n o t o n l y a could make use of any pencil, charisma, which made her to make world class portraits; trot through out the world, Mother knew that she was spreading the fire of love just a simple pencil, and the wherever she went, but there master artist could make was a magic, which did the use of it to bring glory to his miracles. The magic was born name. The more she allowed out of her deep conviction that God to take stock of her she was doing Gods work, life, more miracles began to and he would bring to fruition happen, and she would only what she was beginning with acknowledge that God had complete trust in him. made it happen. This is one of the wonderful The second quality that lessons that we can draw from we see in Mother which Mother that we are merely was responsible for what instruments in Gods hand, and she had contributed to it would be quite disappointing humanity is her undivided if we trust too much in our love, an obsessive love for strength, and trusting less in Christ. There was Christ at Gods provi-dence; she had taught everything that she thought, us that even when things seem did and said! She was so humanly impossible, yet nothing encompassed by the love of is impossible to God. Knock, and Christ that she could blindly the door will be opened to you! She would go on knocking at the follow wherever he led her, even through dark nights of door, till it is opened. Unfortunately we live in her soul. May the love she a world, where self-assertion had for Jesus today enflame and self-affirmation have made all of us!

Archbishop Emeritus Menamparampil addressing the gathering Guwahati: The Daughters of St. Paul in Guwahati Saturday invited their neighbors to pray for peace as the Assam violence saw no let up even after a month. In a fresh outbreak of violence on August 25, unidentified people killed five people who were going to their village from a relief camp in Chirag district, one of the four districts of the Bodoland. One person is reportedly missing. The death toll in the clashes between indigenous Bodo tribesman and Muslim settlers since July 20 has gone up to 86. Some 500,000 people are now living in relief camps. Following the killing, the administration imposed curfew throughout the region, said Promod Boro, president of the Assam Bodo Students Union. The government and NGOs are working round the clock to bring normalcy in the strife-torn region apparently without much success, he added. It is in this desperate and hopeless situation that we called our neighbors for an inter-religious prayer service, said Sr Philo Joseph, superior of the local convent of the Daughters of St. Paul. Some 50 people from various religions attended the program at Guwahati, commercial capital of Assam, some 150 km east of the violence-hit region. Sr Joseph reminded the gathering that they have the responsibility to foster peace in their neighborhood. We have everything: money, intelligence, enthusiasm: but it is only to be used for the building up of our society, maintaining the existing peace in our society, she added. Speaking on the occasion, Retired Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati said even the perpetrators of violence might be yearning for peace. If we talk to them personally they will confess that they want peace, said the Salesian prelate, who has spent decades trying to reconcile warring groups in northeastern India. When the wish for peace is combined with prayer, it becomes very powerful, he added. He said people who indulge in violence would ultimately turn to people who work for peace. We can evoke a sense of peace even in the hearts of those who are the cause of destruction. This is a deeper level of reaching out in peace, he explained. He urged the gathering comprising people from various ethnic groups that they have to become a spiritual force for the unity in Assam. All of us, especially the youth, are looking for peace and prosperity in Assam, in India, in the world, he added. While Mallika Bhattacharya, a doctor working in a government hospital, said the prayer meeting helped the participants express solidarity with the suffering people, Deepika Baruah, a schoolteacher, said such programs are very important at this time in our state. www.ucanindia.in

Culprits still at large : Sonali

We all are really and extremely sad to have read the news item, published in The Herald (July 20-26, 2012), entitled Offer help or allow me to die : Sonali. But it reached us very late. Thanks very much. Our governments are sleeping at such cases. They should have shown quick response and the culprits should have been severely punished. But it was not done yet. The victim is still being harassed. Lately we are happy to find very positive response from our local student body. This is a good sign. J. V. Francis Ranchi [Ed. After reading about Sonali in The Herald, Francis had appealed to the Prime Minister and Jharkhand Governor, to come to the aid of Sonali Mukherjee. He has also sent Rs. 10,000 as help to Sonali as a token of their support. The Herald appreciates the efforts of Francis and the Ranchi Educational Society of St Anthonys, Doranda.]

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AUGUst 31 - sEPtEMBER 6, 2012

The Herald

Page 5

Religious introduced to social realities

As part of the Juniorate programme, juniors from three congregations (fifteen Jesuits, two Loretos, four Sacred heart pre-novices) participated in a four-day course, August 12 to 17, on social awareness at Udayani Social Action Forum under the guidance of Jesuit Fr Irudaya Jothi. The participants learned about social and cultural analysis of West Bengal, life realities especially of the dalits and the quarry laborers, migration and trafficking, globalization, and human rights. Fr Jothi made them aware of the privileges they enjoyed as religious, in contrast to the social realities outside. They discussed on the manifesto of the West Bengal government, which enabled them to see the empty promises made by the ruling party. It also helped them to understand the tactics used by the government to keep the

CHURCH IN INDIA

Youth Day Celebrated

By Anancia Fernandes

By Br Alwin Prakash, S.J. people in ignorance. On the Independence Day, the Jesuit Juniors had a group activity, helping them to reflect on the true meaning of freedom. An elaborate statistical survey of our nations development was also presented to them. Trafficking was one of the major topics; through collages, they presented their opinions on trafficking. On the last day, the participants had input on migration, globalization and on human rights. The workshop had given them an awareness that knowingly or unknowingly, they too had contributed to perpetuate the social evils. Therefore, they have a greater responsibility and a challenge to build a better world for everyone to live in. They also realized that their future mission must focus on the option for the poor.

The annual Deanery Youth Day was celebrated on August 26 at the Church of St. Teresa of Avila, Kolkata. Some 500 young people from all over the city parishes and schools had attended. Maria Fernandes assured the youth of new opening in the development of the youth and the many opportunities available for the youth from the government. Fr Francis Tamang spoke on the Year of Faith and challenged them. Faith should be a free choice; we cannot take credit for action done out of mere compulsions, he said. The focus of the day was : The Theology of the Body by Pope John Paul II. The JP2 TOB Messengers (John Paul IIs Theology of Body), a youth group, was born on this day. David Saha gave a personnel witness about the group. Archbishop Thomas DSouza, while celebrating the Holy Eucharist, encouraged

the youth to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. The JP 2 TOB Messengers took an oath of commitment to the Archbishop to live and spread the charism of this movement in the Archdiocese. Carrie Eastwood and Anthony DCosta compered the morning session, and Annie Banwari and Richard Saha in the afternoon for Talent Contest. Some 21 teams showcased their talent through singing,

dancing, dance drama and skit on the theme: Live by Faith and not by Sight (2 Cor 5:7). The winners of the contest: first, St. Ignatius Parish; second, Fatima Shrine; and third, St. Joseph the workers Church, Santragachi. Quoting John Paul II, Fr Gnana Peppin appreciated the youth for their willingness to make a difference in the Church. Do not be afraid to become saints, he urged them.

Attack on northeast people absurd: Catholic bishop

the strife-stricken people of different faiths together, he added. The death toll in the ongoing ethnic clashes in four districts of Assam has reached 88. As a fallout to these clashes, northeast people living in other parts of the country were attacked, resulting in mass exodus in Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad. Ashgar Ali Engineer, a Muslim leader, said no religion can be violent. All religions preach the same path of love and peace and unless one practices true religion, one cannot bring about peace and reconciliation, he said. Ervad Noshirwan Dastoor, a Zoroastrian leader, said, When you see God everywhere, you will not commit violence but automatically become the ambassador of peace. Surjeet Kaur Chahal, a Sikh leader, said intolerance of other faiths sows the seeds of violence. www.ucanindia.in

Activists highlight poor condition of Kandhamal survivors

fearing a threat on their lives. They also noticed that some violence-affected children were employed in hotels run by upper-caste people in places such as Baliguda, G.Udaigiri and Phulbani. Another observation was that tribal and dalit people of the area faced difficulties in obtaining caste certificate. The authorities issued such certificates to only those recommended by Hindu radical groups, they said. At least 5 percent families have not yet received any compensation for their houses damaged in the violence. The Odisha government is giving 50,000 for the fully damaged and 20,000 for the partially damaged houses. Almost no compensation has been given for damages to institutions such as hospitals, schools, non-government organisations and churches, the team noted. The 2008, Kandhamal violence killed 90 people, rendered 55,000 Christians homeless. The attackers looted 5,600 homes in 415 villages. www.ucanindia.in

Pune: A Catholic bishop has termed attacks on northeast people and the resulting exodus in Pune as absurd and against the spirit of religions. Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona was speaking at an inter-religious meet organized by a Hindu NGO, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), at St Annes School in the city on August 25. The meet was based on the theme Religions and Nonviolence. Revenge and retaliation will create more unrest but forgiveness and love will heal the wounds, the prelate said. People today do not have enough love and the spirit of forgiveness which can bring

Kandhamal: About 200 activists and survivors of the Kandhamal anti-Christian violence gathered to discuss the present situation on the fourth anniversary of the incident. A fact-finding team that visited the riot-affected areas in Kandhamal noted that the condition of the people is pathetic even four years after the violence. They said that at least 10,000 people, who had migrated to different places because of the riots, are yet to return to their villages and those who have returned have

started migrating as they are not given work to earn a livelihood. The team visited 16 villages in the district from Aug 10-14 and interviewed about 50 people, including victims, witnesses, leaders of various political and social organizations, the Kandhamal district collector and Superintendent of Police and reviewed various documents and records. The team members found that some Christian families have sent their children outside the district to study

Page 6

The Herald

AuguST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

Teachers make a
By Taylor Mali He says the problem with teachers is, What is a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?. He reminds the other dinner guests that its true what they say about teachers: Those who can, do; those who cant, teach. I decide to bite my tongue instead of his and resist the temptation to remind the other dinner guests that its also true what they say about lawyers. Because were eating, after all, and this is polite company. I mean, you are a teacher, Taylor, he says. Be honest. What do you make? And I wish he hadnt done that (asked me to be honest). Because, you see, I have a policy about honesty and ass-kicking: if you ask for it, I have to let you have it. You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face. How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups. No, you may not ask

TEACHERS DAY
There are many jokes and stories on teachers and training, made up by those who have managed to climb the organizational ladder. Those who Can - Do. Those who Cant - Teach The outstanding sales person gets promoted to Sales Manager. The average sales person is shunted to be in charge of Sales Training. This approach to teaching and training results from the belief that people from an early age and those entering a profession or an organi-zation must learn the basics, must follow the book, the rules and understand what is expected of them. Hence, teaching and training is to be manned by subservient, average people, who will follow the book and not challenge those in authority. Original and creative thinking has to be killed before it raises its ugly head. Only in outstanding educational institutions, which house the bulk of the Noble Laureates, are original and creative thinkers valued. The true teacher follows the advice of St. Paul, Live by the Spirit, not by the Law. The great teacher doesnt make you memorize formulas, dates, names, spelling, but creates in you a love for the subject. You dont mug up formulas and equations because she taught you that you can develop them from first principles if the need arises. You automatically remember stuff which has become part of your DNA. I wasnt a particularly good student and wasnt much interested in studies. I did reasonably well in class because of my DNA, partly inherited and mostly cultivated at home. Then an old teacher entered my life. She showed me how with a few simple strokes my drawings and paintings could be different. She made me see that maths wasnt a boring and unmanageable subject. In fact she opened my eyes to the beauty and magic in numbers. Geography isnt a subject to learn the capitals of various countries and states. It was fascinating to learn how various land masses came into existence, the hidden treasures they contained and the flora and fauna that flourished there and why. Science wasnt about learning by rote atomic weights,

To Sir/Madam with Love

By Francis Lobo

a question. Why wont I let you get a drink of water? Because youre not thirsty, youre bored, thats why. I make parents tremble in fear when I call home: I hope I havent called at a bad time, I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today. Billy said, Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, dont you?. And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen. I make parents see their children for who they are and what they can be. I make kids wonder, I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write, write, write. And then I make them read. I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful over and over and over again until they will never misspell either one of those words again. I make them show all their work in math. And hide it on their final drafts in English. I make them understand that if you got this (brains) then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you give them this (the finger). Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true: I make a goddamn difference! What about you?

symbols and equations. There is a subtle relationship that exists where everything is connected to everything else in this universe. At 76, I realize that my true mission is to be a teacher. Like my old teacher. I wont make any money for sure. My age and way of walking will be the butt of jokes and stories. Recognition is out of the question. And hoping to change the world is a disturbing nightmare. The teacher who is valued today is the one who can show you how to make money out of what you learn and what you can do. The mantra is Will it work? not Is it right? But everything changes and Time has its own reward. As people mature they are able to recognize the nuggets of gold in the expanse of sand. My wife, who was a teacher in one of the prestigious schools in Mumbai, has suddenly

has a flurry of old students, all settled and doing very well in life, searching her out, dropping in to see her, inviting her for student reunions and get togethers, exchanging photographs of school days and updates on Face book and joking about the way they were made to learn some of the stuff they even repeat to their children and grand children. You may even hear a celebrity recall on a Talk Show what he had learnt from his favorite teacher. On Teachers Day let us realize that we all have a Teaching Responsibility. Everyone needs to learn something and there is always someone who can teach it to you. It may even be your three year old daughter. Even the domineering, know all, always right boss needs to be told when he is wrong.

Honouring Teachers
In India September 5 is celebrated as Teachers day as a mark of tribute to the contribution made by teachers to the society. September 5 is the birthday of a great teacher Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, who was a staunch believer of education, and was the well-known diplomat, scholar, president of India and above all a teacher. When Dr Radhakrishnan became the President of India in 1962,he was approached by some of his students and friends and requested him to allow them to celebrate 5th September, his birthday. In reply, DrRadhakrishnan said, instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers day. The request showed Dr.Radhakrishnans love for the teaching profession. From then onwards, the day has been observed as Teachers Day in India. Teachers mold the lives that they influence because the lessons learned from teachers remain with their students throughout life. We should always respect our teachers. Teachers need encouragement and support from the community to feel that their devotion to students is appreciated.

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Changing the Presider

ROME, AUG. 21, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university. Q: When our new priest was installed as parish priest, I saw something I have never seen before -- they swapped who was presiding at Mass. Background: In the absence of the bishop we had Monsignor A. in his stead. Monsignor A. started as presider, wearing the chasuble, whereas Father V. did not. After Monsignor A. gave the homily, we had a little installation ceremony. Monsignor A. asked us to extend our hands in blessing; after he said the prayer, took the chasuble off and Father V. put in on; from that point on Father V. was presiding. If the bishop had been there instead, I would be very surprised if he handed over the role of presider during the Mass. Something else I wish to ask. The following Sunday he brought back the procession of the lectionary before the readings, after the penitential prayer. We dont have a Book of the Gospels only, nor a deacon. The reader of the second reading carries it in procession from the back of the church to the front, led by two altar servers, bows to the altar when (s)he gets to the front, turns, holds it aloft to the congregation, then gives it to the reader of the first reading who is waiting at the lectern. We had recently stopped it when our priest said it was supposed to be a Book of the Gospels carried by a deacon. -J.V., Auckland, New Zealand A: In principle there are no situations when there is a change of principal celebrant in the liturgy. This was emphasized in a private 2007 letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship dealing with a different case of change of principal celebrant. The congregation wrote: From a liturgical point of view it is inadmissible for there to be a change of president in the course of one and the same liturgical celebration. To forestall possible objections, the letter also addressed the apparent exceptions to this principle such as those That occur when the Bishop presides

LITURGY
SUNDaY REFLECtIONS SUNDaY REFLECtIONS
Twenty-Second Sunday: 2-Sept-2012
Inspired by the Law of Love, not the Love of Law
Deut 4:1-2, 6-8 Jam 1:17-18, 21-22, 27 Mark 7: 1-8, 14-13, 21-23

over a celebration in choir dress or when a newly ordained Bishop becomes the president of the Eucharistic celebration from the moment of his Ordination. The first example occurs when a bishop assists at a Mass but does not celebrate, for example, on the occasion of a priestly jubilee. In such cases the bishop may give the homily and the final blessing. The letter concludes that these are not true exceptions but arise from the nature of the Bishops ministry, and do not take the general rule. An analogous case of a brief change in presider can occur when a newly appointed bishop takes possession of his diocese. If he does this himself, he is received by the ranking priest of the cathedral who offers him a crucifix to be kissed and holy water to sprinkle himself and the people. He briefly visits the Blessed Sacrament, goes to the sacristy, vests and presides over the Mass from the beginning. At the beginning of Mass he goes to the cathedra, sits and puts on the miter. The apostolic letter of his appointment is then read. After reading the text he is greeted by the ranking priest and some other members of the clergy. After this, omitting the penitential rite (and optionally the Kyrie), he intones the Gloria. However, on some occasions the new bishop is introduced into the diocese by the local metropolitan archbishop. In this case No. 1145 of the Ceremonial of Bishops says: If, however, the Metropolitan himself brings the Bishop into his cathedral church, he presents the Bishop at the door of the church to the

highest-ranking member of the chapter and presides at the entrance procession; at the cathedra he greets the people and requires that the apostolic Letter be shown and read. When it has been read, and after the acclamation of the people, the Metropolitan invites the Bishop to be seated in the cathedra. Then the Bishop rises and sings Glria in exclsis according to the rubrics. As we see, these are all exceptional cases and refer only to bishops. Therefore, it was not liturgically correct to substitute the presider at the Mass in which a pastor is introduced into his parish. The different possible rites are described in the Ceremonial of Bishops, Nos. 1185-1198. Although the possibility is foreseen of the new pastor presiding over the Mass because the bishop does not celebrate, at no moment is a change of president foreseen. A very exceptional case involving a change of a presider would be when a priest is stricken, or even dies, during the course of a Mass. In such a case another priest can continue from the point where the first left off until the end of Mass. Regarding the procession of the lectionary, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 120, says that in the procession there may be A lector, who may carry the Book of the Gospels (though not the Lectionary), which should be slightly elevated. If there is a deacon, he will normally carry the Book of the Gospels. Therefore, no procession of the lectionary is foreseen during Mass.

Traditions are essential not only to human life but to all religion. But the natural tendency in every religion is to equate human practices with Gods will. Do we examine our attitude towards observing the law to see whether it is a yardstick for our own behavior or a means of judging others? The greatest law is the law of Love! Have a quiet weekend internalizing the law, making it a tool for loving God and humankind! In the first reading Moses advises the people to take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today and observe them that you may have life. There were some very clear laws written down to be strictly obeyed and others that were general directions for living a good life. Religion came to be a practice of laws both written and oral. Man-made laws were no more a means of loving God but a yardstick to measure ones holiness and sanctity and also a criterion to judge other peoples lives. The question that we should ask ourselves is: Does the observance of the law make me proud or a more humble person. In the Gospel, we see the Pharisees complain to Jesus that his disciples are not observing the law. They are eating with unclean hands. The Pharisees were not concerned about hygiene, they were disturbed because they had broken the traditions of the ancestors. God was no longer important, He did not even enter into their considerations. But what was more important was that the ritual was not followed! The written law laid down that the priest had to symbolically purify himself before entering the temple. Gradually, the ordinary Jew started following this practice, which was required of the priest alone. Instead of being a means of expressing ones love of God the law became a means of showing how good one was. The external ritual, which was but a symbol became more important than the interior attitude of faith. The laws multiplied so that one could earn more and more and thus show God and others how good the law-observers were. Jesus has harsh words for the Pharisees and scribes, he calls them hypocrites! These people honour me only with lip service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is useless. You put aside the commandments of God to cling to human traditions. We can have two attitudes to the Law: minimalism, reducing to law to the minimum so we ask the question: How far can I go without committing mortal sin? The other attitude is maximalism, which is characterised by going beyond the minimum obligations, believing we can establish a claim, which God is bound to honour. We may think we are putting God in the centre of their lives but in reality our lives are centred on the law. Going to Sunday mass, saying prayers, reading the bible and giving to charity do not, in themselves guarantee holiness. We can do the right thing for the wrong reason! What counts is not what we do, but rather the love in our heart that motivates us to do what we do. A story is told of a Moslem who, while pursuing a man with an upraised knife to kill him, heard the muezzins call to prayer from the minaret. He stopped, extended his prayer rug, said his prescribed prayers, and then continued his original pursuit after the man he wished to kill. He had said his prayers now he could go about his sordid business. Unfortunately, changing what has to be changed the same could be observed of some Christians, who while pursuing their sinful activities, may stop to attend church services before getting back to their same old sinful pursuits. Pastor Niemoeller wrote the following lines on the prison walls of the cell he was in: They came for the Jews and I didnt speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communist and I didnt speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Professors and Academicians and I did not speak out because I was not an Academician. Then they came for the Trade Unionists and I didnt speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me. Fr Jude Botelho judebotelho@yahoo.co.in

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IN FIRST PERSON
The month of October is dedicated our heavenly Mother Mary. Generally, October has a gentle, temperate climate, with moderate heat at day time yet having a nip in the evening. One of these October days, Monday, October 30, 1977, became a memorable day for the Leprosy Centre at Shanti Nagar in Burdwan District, and for all those who witnessed, especially me, the gentle, tender act of our compassionate Mother, Blessed Teresa of Kolkata. Mother was present at the Leprosy Centre to meet some important guests, who had made prior appointment with Mother to hand over personally to her, certain useful articles for the centres, like blankets and clothes. The Sisters, the inmates and the outdoor patients were also present there. On Mondays, usually we have a heavy schedule at the dispensary, which included among others, diagnosing the patients, dressing, and admitting the serious ones into the ward. On these days, people often come walking from far off places. The guests were expected to arrive at 10 oclock in the morning, but our Mother arrived before their arrival and went around the compound to meet every one personally. The security guards, whether on duty or not, were patrolling everywhere just to have a glimpse of Mother Mother with her usual caring nature and sensitivity, headed to the place where the patients who came from far villages, were waiting from the previous day, to seek admission in the center. They were tired, their wounds swelling and smelling, their flesh rotten with maggots. Mother got out of the ambulance and walked straight towards the line where patients in serious condition were sitting and found a person who was very sick, almost on the point of dying. Mother immediately carried the person to place him under the shade of a tree and with the help of others put him on a broken wooden bed. He seemed famished, not eaten for days, while the maggots were eating him up. In order to avoid the stench from his wound, the villagers had put ash of burnt newspapers on his wound and pasted green leaves over

Love without the Gloves

it, wrapped it with some rags and put his leg inside a plastic bag. Thus they tried to prevent the pus, the maggots and the smell of the wound to reach out to others. Mother promptly started cleaning the wounds, using no gloves or masks. This particular patient was in an agonizing pain - very thin, dirty, smelling and highly dehydrated. Mother found a stool with three legs and looked around for some bricks to support the stool. She gave me some bricks as well to sit on and clean the wound of the patient. Both of us started to remove the plastic bag, the rags, the leaves, one layer after another. We found a tiny hole on the body of the patient, through which the maggots were coming out and going back into the wound. Mother pocked the other side of the wound with a small pair of scissors and thick pus gushed out through the hole like an open pipe. The maggots started to come out and go back hiding into the flesh. Mother inserted her index finger to clean out the dirt, but she could not manage. Mother then inserted her three fingers in the shape of a spoon and thoroughly cleaned up the wound by removing the maggots, the dead tissues, and the rotten flesh. Her full attention was on him and with nearly half a bucket of water, she managed to clean the wound. Afterwards she sponged his body with lukewarm water. We could see the maggots sprawling around like white beads. Later while she was bandaging the wound, I watched her lips moving continuously saying a prayer. Those days we did not even have proper bandages, but Mother bandaged him with whatever we had, but with great love and care. Then we both carried him to the ward for admission. With tender care, she laid him on a bed and gently covered him with a clean sheet and fed him a glass of hot milk. She carried on

By Sr Mildred, MC

holding his skinny arms again and again and made sure that he slept peacefully. She left an instruction that someone

should be around him always. After this incident, Mother called me aside and said, My child, that is not a leprosy patient, he is living Jesus with his precious blood pouring out from his body with the open wounds. This is a chance for you to grab and accept and see Jesus face in him. Be a mother to them wherever you are. Then she held my head tightly and

gave her blessing. Mother then left to meet the guests. They handed over the gifts to her and got her blessings. There were many waiting to meet her. She met them all and returned to see the patients. Thus was our Mothers love for the broken, the unwanted, the unloved and the uncared for ones because each one of them was Jesus to her. I thank and praise the Lord for the beautiful chance I had with Mother as she taught me the humble works of love. Thank you Mother for what you have done for me. Whenever I touch a leprosy patient your words echo in my ears.

a devotion to the poor

By Navin Chawla Mother Teresas journey was extraordinary. Imagine a teenager living with her family in the early 1920s in distant Skopje, then a town in Albania. At the age of 18 when teenagers often dont know their mind, she made up hers to travel to distant India to become a nun. She found that the only way to India was through the Loreto Order. For almost 20 years, she taught the poorer girls at the Loreto Convent in Kolkata. However, she was convinced that her true vocation lay in the streets and the slums. She sought permission to leave the convent, but with her vows intact. In an extraordinary move, they gave her permission. When she said goodbye to the convent, she said it was a parting even harder than leaving her own home. Visualise Calcutta of 1948. The tragedy of the Partition which came on the heels of the Great Famine saw hunger and hardship on every street and pavement. In these rough neighbourhoods, she walked alone, with no helper, no companion and no money to speak of. She soon started a ragtag school in the shadow of her Convent walls, whose security constantly beckoned her to return. In spite of fatigue, loneliness and often hunger, she persisted. She created a little school in Motijhil, soon a little dispensary elsewhere. She taught herself to beg, especially for medicines from

chemists to hand out to the sick. She met with goodness but also hypocrisy, criticism, refusal and learned the hardest lesson of all, the pain of humiliation. She once told me that the greatest fear that a human being faces is the fear of humiliation. This then is where she started. We know where she left off. By the time she died she had established her Missionaries of Charity in 123 countries. She and her Sisters set up clinics and dispensaries, feeding stations, soup kitchens, leprosy treatment centres, Aids hospices, Shishu Bhawans for abandoned children, and old age homes for the elderly destitute. In the process she benefited untold millions. All this was done without the assistance of accountants, administra-tors and computers. When I asked her how the Mission-aries of Charity would survive without her charismatic presence at its helm, she explained, You have been to so many of our missions in India and abroad.

Every-where our Sisters wear the same saris, eat the same kind of food, do the same kind of work. But Mother Teresa is not everywhere. Yet the work goes on. Then she added, As long as we remain committed to the poorest of the poor and do not end up serving the rich, the work will prosper. She was criticised for conversion. Yet in all the 23 years I knew her she never once whispered such a suggestion. I once bluntly asked her if she did convert. Without a moments hesitation, she said. I do convert. I convert you to be a better Hindu, a better Muslim, a better Protestant, and a better Sikh. Once you have found god, it is up to you to do with him as you wish. She was quick to realise that in India, the 19th century proselytising approach could not be sustained. Her brand of religion was, therefore, not exclusive. Every person she ministered to was Contd. on p.9, col.5

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INSIGHT

Spiritual Darkness of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

By Fr F. Sunil Rosario and I am alone. Unwanted forsaken - The loneliness - of the heart that wants love is unbearable - Where is my Faith - even deep down right in there is nothing, but emptiness & darkness - My God - how painful is this unknown pain. It pains without ceasing - I have no Faith - I dare not utter the words & thoughts that crowd in my heart - & make me suffer untold agony. So many unanswered questions live within me - I am afraid to uncover them because of the blasphemies. If there be God - please forgive me - Trust that all will end in Heaven with Jesus When I try to raise my thoughts to Heaven there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives & hurt my very soul - Love - the word it brings nothing - I am told God loves me and yet the reality of darkness & coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul. Before the work started - There was so much union - love - faith - trust - prayer - sacrifice. - Did I make the mistake in surrendering blindly to the Call of the Sacred Heart? The work is not a doubt - because I am convinced that it is His not mine I dont feel not even a single simple thought or temptation enters my heart to claim anything in the work. If this brings You glory, if You get a drop of joy from this If souls are brought to You If my suffering satiates Your Thirst Here I am Lord with joy I accept all to the end of life & I will smile at Your Hidden Face always.

A devotion to the Poor Contd. from p.8, col.5 for her Christ in suffering, and so she was able to reach out to people everywhere irrespective of their faith. I once asked Jyoti Basu, the legendary chief minister of West Bengal who supported Mother Teresa throughout, what he, a communist and atheist, could possibly have in common with Mother Teresa, for whom god was everything. With a smile he answered, We both share a love for the poor. The very last time that I met Mother Teresa was in July of 1997, two months before she died. She recapitulated simple lessons: loving, caring, and sharing. She reminded me of my promise that I would not leave government service, as I had wanted to do some years earlier. You must continue to touch the poor, were amongst her last words to me. On August 26, Mother Teresas birth anniversary will be marked with prayers and thanksgiving for the life of a humble nun whose name has become synonymous with compassion and goodness.

Mother Teresas sharing in the passion and Cross of Jesus was not limited to the acceptance of physical suffering, as generous and constant as that was, nor even to the embracing of moral sufferings in the form of contradictions and humiliations. In the mystery of Gods plan for union with her, he led her to share deeply from the cup of his own inner abandonment and anguish before the Father, in his own interior sufferings of Gethsemane and Golgotha once again, for the sake of greater love. He seems to have alluded to her forthcoming interior trials as part of her mission and condition as spouse in her first graces of 1946-1947, as he speaks not so much of her material deprivations as of the torments of her heartYou have been always saying do with me whatever you wish. Now I want to act, let me do it - My little Spouse, My own little one Do not fear I shall be with you always. You will suffer and you suffer now but if you are My own little Spouse the Spouse of the crucified Jesus you will have to bear these torments in your heart - Let me act - Refuse me not, trust me lovingly trust me blindly. This deep darkness (a darkness more of the heart than the intellect more a deep loneliness for God than a trial of faith), this sense of inner abandonment, of distance and even of rejection by the God she loved and knew loved her, began soon after the extraordinary graces of 1946-1947 finished. These graces had provided the necessary preparation and interior support for the unique and daunting mission she was to undertake, alone in the midst of Calcuttas teeming slums. Her darkness served two apparent purposes in Gods plan: first, to lead her to a deeper union with him, crucified and alone on the cross; and second, to increase her fruitfulness for souls, for the salvation and sanctification of the poor As Jesus had emptied himself to embrace the condition of our broken humanity and the consequences of our sin in

order to redeem us, so Mother was led to empty herself not only of material goods, but of all she held most dear in her interior. She accepted willingly, as her letters to her spiritual directors attest, to bear in her own heart and soul the same loneliness, the same sense of Gods absence and indifference, the same darkness of mind concerning him, that the poor often suffered in helpless silence. Her darkness was not only solidarity with Jesus, who had borne this inner agony before her and for love of her; but, moved by the same Spirit that had moved him to the cross, became solidarity with the inner unknown poverty of the poor precisely the poverty she had been sent to remedy, which now in her own shared darkness she would carry and redeem. The physical situation of my poor left in the streets unwanted, unloved, unclaimed - are the true picture of my own spiritual life, of my love for Jesus, and yet this terrible pain has never made me desire to have it different. What is more, I want it to be like this for as long as He wants it. For the first time in these 11 years I have come to love the darkness; for I believe now that it is a part, a very, very small part, of Jesus darkness & pain on earth. Today really I felt a deep joy that Jesus cant go anymore through the agony but that He wants to go through it in me. More then ever I surrender myself to Him. Now I feel that it is He, not I, who helps these Sisters. Yes, they are my treasure, my strength and Gods gift to me they are

His. I need not force myself to be happy or to keep up a smiling face to others; I am very happy. For the good God has given me one big grace. I have surrendered completely, I am at His disposal: A hearty Yes to God and a big smile for all. Pray that I live up to His desire. 27 March 1956: On the 3rd Apr. the Novices, the postulants and myself will begin our retreat. Rev. Fr. Rector is giving it to us. Please pray for me, that it may please God to lift this darkness from my soul for only a few days. For sometimes the agony of desolation is so great and at the same time the longing for the Absent One so deep, that the only prayer which I can still say is Sacred Heart of Jesus I trust in Thee I will satiate Thy thirst for souls. 26 April 1959: The darkness - the loneliness & pain the loss & the emptiness of Faith love Trust these are all I have and in all simplicity I offer them to God for your intention as a token of gratitude. Pray for me - that I may not refuse God to accept anything & everything in absolute surrender to Gods Holy Will now and for life. Dont take the trouble to write. Undated (but probably 1958 or 1959): In the darknessLord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The child of your Love, - and now become as the most hated one - the one - You have thrown away as unwanted - unloved. I call, I cling, I want - and there is no One to answer - no One on Whom I can cling - no, No One. - Alone. The darkness is so dark -

Navin Chawla is a former Chief Election Commissioner of India and biographer of Mother Teresa. Printed with permission.

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Modi-fication
Fr Cedric Prakash, S.J. When one looks / buys something of high value (particularly a machine) what comes into our hands, naturally is a catalogue or a manual. Many ordinary mortals often skim through these without reading the fine print. We are often attracted to the jingles in the commercial, the curvaceous figures that attempt to sell a car or by the sheer gloss or hype of the advertisement. It is a human frailty and one cannot be faulted with this! But the fact remains, that if we pay closer attention to the fine print, our being hooked by a particular hard-sell would be a very different story! The same holds good for the so-called vibrant Gujarat; myths, lies, halftruths and glossy ads try to proclaim that all is well and hunky-dory. city which attempts to flaunt a Riverfront mirage, after displacing thousands of poor. The same paper highlights how more than 4 0 0 ,0 0 0 tribals are leaving Saurashtra because of the drought that has gripped that area. The Government has also demonstrated a tremendous amount of callousness in their statements on the many farmers committing suicide in of Gujarat. The much-hyped Nano project which made heads turn some years ago, has apparently gone sour! Only time will tell the extent of damage caused to the taxpayers in Gujarat because of this project. Headlines in another newspaper speak about the Gujarat Housing Boards callousness which has cost the State over 600 crores;

FEATURES On American Bible Challenge, God is in the details

By Hank Stuever GSNs new game show, The American Bible Challenge, is just as dull as it sounds, like mandatory fun time at Sunday school, with three teams competing to answer arcane questions about details buried in the verses of the Old and New Testaments. But why does this sort of thing have to be dull? For as long as there has been television, there have been pastors, priests, ministers and flocks who have deeply desired to translate the energy and excitement of their beliefs to the secular airwaves. God knows theyve tried. And yet, for some reason, church services make for the least exciting programming in all of creation, even when jazzed up with everything from puppets to Christian rock to tears that streak the mascara. The same is true in the music and movie industries entertainment is just stubbornly secular. Even when something remotely divine breaks through the Highway to Heaven or Joan of Arcadia effect it still has to keep its light partially under a bushel. The same is true for The American Bible Challenge, premiering Thursday night. Because its on the Game Show Network, the show at least knows that it wants to be a competition, but beyond that, what are its aims? To salute the knowledge of the devout and fervent? To evangelize? Comedian Jeff Foxworthy of you might be a redneck fame is the shows host, and beneath his cheesy mustache grin, one detects weariness, a half-there quality of a man contractually obligated to middle-American blandness. Its a Bible show, so he cant tell any real jokes. Nor can Foxworthy be too religious, and thats the real problem here: Everything about The American Bible Challenge, from the songs performed by the multi-ethnic choir in matching chambray shirts to the megachurchstyle staging, feels tentative and mealy. This is the same Good Book that some folks want to cut-and-paste into the U.S. Constitution (talk about

Jeff Foxworthy with contestants on The American Bible Challenge. a Bible challenge), yet here it is made to seem like nothing more than a big catalogue of trivia. The teams in the pilot episode include the Suburban Saints, three men from Sacramento, one of whom is an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient (about which much is made the war deepened his faith) and another of whom works in media production and says he wants to make mainstream entertainment more Christian. The other two teams are from the South: Three women from Plano, Tex., one of whom started a faith-based group of extreme couponers who donate their extra food hauls; plus three golf buddies from Charlotte who call themselves the Gospel Geezers and offer up a prayer at tee time. The teams are playing to win money for their favorite charities, but we dont get much sense of what these players actually believe. Are they fundamentalists or do they approach the Bible as more of a metaphorical guide? Are they Baptists? Nondenominational Protestants? Lutherans, Methodists? Gay Episco-palians vs. Chick-fil-A enthusiasts? Will there be Catholics? (Yes, there will be three brothers from Chicago will compete in a later episode.) It seems unlikely that there will be Jews, because the questions cover the Old and New Testaments, although a Yeshiva school team might have aced the pilot episodes lightning round dubbed The Final Revelation which focuses on women in the Bible and, as such, is filled with more Ruths, Esthers, Hagars and Bathshebas than it has Marthas, Marys and Eunices. Id tune in to the show if it were fearlessly, piously righteous. Id like it better if it were churchier, and if the contestants were given time to witness to the audience with their personal tales of woe and redemption. Maybe what Im saying is that Id like it better if Mike Huckabee were on it. The Washington Post

But lets attempt to read the fine print. In a seemingly innocuous news item which appeared in a leading national daily on August 13, an application under the Right to Information received an answer from the Navsari District Collector that for the Sadbhavna Mission of the chief minister early in the year, the Collectorate had purchased 28,000 skull caps (normally worn by Muslims) and distributed among the Hindus to wear. It is well-known that such things took place in several other Sadbhavna programmes across the State. In fact, media in Ahmedabad exposed of how a local person came dressed up as an Arab Sheikh and sat prominently on the dais during the Sadbhavna programme in the city. A leading English daily in Ahmedabad on August 23 highlighted how a fairly large section of the urban poor lived in the most miserable conditions, in a

the Governor of Gujarat has now given the sanction for the prosecution of a key-aide of the CM in the 400 crore fishery scam. These cases are only the tip of the iceberg and one is aware that the Government is doing all it can to prevent an impartial and honest Lokayukta being appointed for the simple reason that he will easily open a can of worms. It is also common knowledge that hardly 25% of the MOUs made in the vibrant Gujarat jamborees have actually been realised these past years. The total public debt of Gujarat in 2012 has risen to 1,34,000 crores from a measly 32,000 crores in 2001. Well, plenty of money is being spent on big hoardings, on false advertisement all over Gujarat and in the contracting of high profile publicity groups. The fact is, we need to read the fine print now and there lies the truth!

Thus spake Mother...

AUGUst 31 - sEPtEMBER 6, 2012

The Herald

Vatican Statistics hint at fading faith

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY -- The percentage of Catholics practicing their faith is declining almost everywhere around the globe. Almost all bishops report it, but its difficult to prove statistically. Each year, the Vaticans own statisticians compile mountains of data about the number of Catholics, baptisms, priests and religious, weddings and annulments in each diocese and country. The numbers illustrate trends over time, but many factors lead to the variations, said Enrico Nenna, the chief statistician in the Vaticans Central Office for Church Statistics. Its very difficult to quantify Catholic practice, although many have tried with many different formulas, he said. The only way to get an accurate picture of religious practice would be to carefully choose a cross section of the population, do a census, and then conduct interviews repeated over time. He said in his parish over the last five years there has been an amazing increased heterogeneity with young and old, married and single, Italian and immigrant worshippers. However, one cannot say his parish is the average Rome parish any more than the parish in the historic center of the city where, he said, the 5 p.m. Mass is known as the widows Mass. In that neighborhood, the population is elderly, and women live longer than men. The number of baptisms and Catholic weddings reported around the world also are influenced by too many factors to be unquestionable indications of Catholic practice, Nenna said. For example, the declining number of Catholic weddings worries the church because it indicates, at least in part, that some Catholics are forgoing a sacramental marriage in favor of a civil union or are simply living together, he said. But it also reflects that people around the world are marrying older and, especially in a time of economic crisis, are waiting to start a family of their own. Similarly, he said, while a declining number of infant baptisms can indicate a weaker faith commitment among a generation of new Catholic parents, it also is a natural result of declining birthrates. The working document for the upcoming world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization contains more than a dozen references to a weakening of faith or declining practice, but it includes no numbers. The document was writ-ten on the basis of the responses to a Vatican ques-tionnaire submitted by 114 bishops conferences, 26 Vatican offices and the inter-national unions of superior generals of religious orders. All the responses, the document said, described a weakening of faith in Christian communities, a diminished regard for the authority of the magisterium, an individualistic approach to belonging to the church, a decline in religious practice and a disengagement in transmitting the faith to new generations. At the same time, the Vaticans Statistical Yearbook of the Church reports that the number of Catholics in the world -- almost 1.2 billion -- continues to grow with the global population, holding steady at about 17.5 percent of the worlds people. The number of priests has shown a steady increase since 2000, and the number of seminarians has gone up each year for the past 15 years. Catholic News Service

HaRD taLk

Page 11

WikiLeaks and Free Speech

By MICHAEL MOORE and OLIVER STONE to face charges. Assange has every reason to fear such an outcome.The Justice Department recently confirmed that it was continuing to investigate WikiLeaks, and just-disclosed Australian government documents from this past February state that the U.S. investi-gation into possible criminal conduct by Assange has been ongoing for more than a year. WikiLeaks itself has published e-mails from Stratfor, a private intelligence corporation, which state that a grand jury has already returned a sealed indictment of Assange. And history indicates Sweden would buckle to any pressure from the United States to hand over Assange. In 2001 the Swedish government delivered two Egyptians seeking asylum to the C.I.A., which rendered them to the Mubarak regime, which tortured them. If Assange is extradited to the United States, the consequences will reverberate for years around the world. Assange is not an American citizen, and none of his actions have taken place on American soil. If the United States can prosecute a journalist in these circumstances, the governments of Russia or China could, by the same logic, demand that foreign reporters anywhere on earth be extradited for violating their laws. The setting of such a precedent should deeply concern everyone, admirers of WikiLeaks or not. We urge the people of Britain and Sweden to demand that their governments answer some basic questions: Why do the Swedish authorities refuse to question Assange in London? And why can neither government promise that Assange will not be extradited to the United States? The citizens of Britain and Sweden have a rare opportunity to make a stand for free speech on behalf of the entire globe. Michael Moore and Oliver Stone are Academy Awardwinning filmmakers. New York Times

WE have spent our careers as filmmakers making the case that the news media in the United States often fail to inform Americans about the uglier actions of our own government. We therefore have been deeply grateful for the accomplishments of WikiLeaks, and applaud Ecuadors decision to grant diplomatic asylum to its founder, Julian Assange, who is now living in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. Ecuador has acted in accordance with important principles of international human rights. Indeed, nothing could demonstrate the appropriateness of Ecuadors action more than the British governments threat to violate a sacrosanct principle of diplomatic relations and invade the embassy to arrest Assange. Since WikiLeaks founding, it has revealed the Collateral Murder footage that shows the seemingly indiscriminate killing of Baghdad civilians by a United States Apache attack helicopter; further fine-grained detail about the true face of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; United States collusion with Yemens dictatorship to conceal our responsibility for bombing strikes there; the Obama administrations pressure on other nations not to prosecute Bush-era offi-cials for torture; and much more. Predictably, the response from those who would prefer that Americans remain in the dark has been ferocious. Top elected leaders from both parties have called Assange a high-tech terrorist. And Senator Dianne Feinstein, the California Democrat who leads the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has demanded that he be prosecuted under the Espionage Act. Most Americans, Britons and Swedes are unaware that Sweden has not formally charged Assange with any crime. Rather, it has issued a warrant for his arrest to question him about allega-tions of sexual assault

in 2010. All such allegations must be thoroughly investigated before Assange moves to a country that might put him beyond the reach of the Swedish justice system. But it is the British and Swedish governments that stand in the way of an investigation, not Assange. Swedish authorities have traveled to other countries to conduct interrogations when needed, and the WikiLeaks founder has made clear his willingness to be questioned in London. Moreover, the Ecuadorean government made a direct offer to Sweden to allow Assange to be interviewed within Ecuadors embassy. In both instances, Sweden refused. Assange has also committed to traveling to Sweden immediately if the Swedish government pledges that it will not extradite him to the United States. Swedish officials have shown no interest in exploring this proposal, and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt recently told a legal adviser to Assange and WikiLeaks unequivocally that Sweden would not make such a pledge. The British government would also have the right under the relevant treaty to prevent Assanges extradition to the United States from Sweden, and has also refused to pledge that it would use this power. Ecuadors attempts to facilitate that arrangement with both governments were rejected. Taken together, the British and Swedish governments actions suggest to us that their real agenda is to get Assange to Sweden. Because of treaty and other considerations, he probably could be more easily extradited from there to the United States

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The Herald

AuguST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

Networking in an Online World

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Mobile Phones : The Fatal Attraction

By Br Varghese Kunnath MC device email, p e r s o n a l diary, alarms, calculator, video and audio player, webcam and television - people tend to get engrossed in their cell phones at the detriment of their health, family, jobs, finance and relationships. The cell phone companies also spend billions of dollars to sell the idea that the obsession and addictive use of mobile phone is perfectly normal, safe and an ideal symbol of status and a sign of elegance and perfect manhood. But many in the mental and physical health profession vouch for the hazardous effects of cell phone obsession A recent news item reported that a youth in China sold off his kidney to buy a smart phone and the health status of the said youth is reported to be very critical. It seems to be more terminal and prevalent than any other material obsession known by man till date. Researches confirm that frequent and excessive cell phone use causes numerous damages to ones physique. The unbridled use of cell phone affects our central nervous system, especially the brain. Since mobile phones and mobile base towers use microwave radiation to communicate, it is understandable that whenever the personal mobile devices are activated it emits certain amount of microwave radiation. Our beautiful mother earth is mercilessly crammed with concrete and metal tower mobile base stations that radiate microwave or electromagnetic radiation. These microwaves can be very harmful to humans, animals and nature alike due to their thermal or heating effect. Studies and real-life cases reveal that residents who live in close proximity with the mobile base stations are more prone to develop cancer. One reason why the mobile phones are not allowed in the airplanes and hospitals is that the microwave radiation from the mobile phone might interfere with electronic equipment in those facilities. Many scientists are of the opinion that the microwave radiation due to excessive cell phone use can alter our brain waves called Electromagnetic waves. The disturbances in our brain waves and brain cell death can cause insomnia, fatigue and headache. Radiation from mobile phones can damage brain cells especially the areas of the brain associated with learning, movement and memory. Excessive mobile phone use is also associated with tumors of the auditory nerve, brain cancer, mouth cancer, leukemia, ear defects, infertility in men and an early onset of Alzheimers disease. The radiation emanating from mobile phones are also known to cause pacemakers to malfunction. Mobile phone base stations or mobile towers are one of the main causes that contribute to the decrease of flora and fauna of our nature. Drivers who pay more attention to their cell phones while behind the wheels are a greater menace to the society than the drunk drivers. The number of automobile accidents and deaths associated with the cell phone abuse is alarmingly on the rise. Thousands of people have died because of the use of cell phones while driving. This distraction of mobile phones while driving has been responsible for many deadly crashes. To be Continued

By Father John Flynn, LC ROME, AUG. 24, 2012 (Zenit.org).- One of the latest contributions to the debate over the pros and cons of the Internet and social networking sites is the book Networked: The New Social Operation System. Authors Lee Rainie and Barry Wellman are respectively the director of the Pew Research Centers Internet and American Life Project, and a professor of sociology at the University of Toronto. With the Internet, mobile phones and social networking these changes have accelerated. The nature of interaction has changed. Instead of smaller, tighter, networks there is now a tendency toward looser and more fragmented networks. The Internet facilitates more potential relationships, but it is also harder to sustain them because of the many distractions and interactions in our lives, they admitted. Mobile phones make it easier for parents to keep in touch with their children. It also, however, enables children to keep both emotional and physical distance from their parents. Teens, the authors noted, often use text messaging when they have to break bad news to their parents. The Internet has allowed people not only to be more networked but it has also allowed them to become more assertive as individuals, according to the authors. Surveys have shown that not only do people say the Internet has helped them to learn new things and improve their connection with others, but that it has also improved t h e i r connections w i t h members of their own family. Its not just rich countries. By 2011 more than threequarters of the worlds mobile phones were in less-developed countries. China alone had 879 million subscribers. Social media, the book noted, played a significant role in the 2011 Arab spring protests and helped opponents of the ruling regimes to coordinate their actions build networks. People used mobile phones to learn what was happening, and to share their own experiences with others. Thus, smartphones and wireless have accelerated the trend to mobility and independence. A large number of people are almost always online. What the authors termed this Internetfirst frame of mind means that social networks are easily accessible and one survey found that 84% of teens take their phone to bed with them so they are aware of messages and updates during the night. Giving someone your address nowadays often means giving an e-mail and mobile number, rather than a street address. The independence lies in being able to tailor inter-actions and the increased opportunities about where, and with whom, to connect. Once in the workplace, however, the ability to always be connected can lead to problems in maintaining a healthy work/life balance the book explained. There is pressure to stay connected as people fear of missing out on something. Increasingly it is possible to work from home, but those who do so may find themselves isolated due to the lack of fact-to-face contact with colleagues. Silence : The danger of information overload was highlighted in Pope Benedict XVIs message for the 2012 World Communications Day. It was centered around the theme of silence, at first a seemingly curious choice. Both silence and word are needed to ensure genuine dialog between people. Silence creates a space for mutual listening, the pope explained, thus enabling deeper relationships. We also require silent reflection if we are to have the opportunity to reflect on the fundamental questions of our human existence, the pope added. Word and silence: learning to communicate is learning to listen and contemplate as well as speak, Pope Benedict concluded. Good advice as the opportunities to interact with others continue to multiply. www.zenit.org

Doctor Martin Cooper invented the modern cellular phone, when he was the Director of Research and Development of Motorola. Dr Martin Cooper is also known as the first person to make a call on a cell phone. His revolutionary call took place in April of 1973 in New York. As I walked down the street while talking on the phone, sophisticated New Yorkers gaped at the sight of someone actually moving around while making a phone call. Remember that in 1973, there werent cordless telephones, let alone cellular phones. I made numerous calls, including one where I crossed the street while talking to a New York radio reporter probably one of the more dangerous things I have ever done in my life said Cooper. We all use mobile phones and are well aware of its numerous advantages for communication that is instantly at our service but many of us are oblivious about the fatal disadvantages that the misuse, overuse, abuse or addiction to cell phones could bring about. The misuse of mobile phones leads not only to addiction but it also has many adverse effects on our bio-psycho-socio-behavioral, spiritual and familial realms of life. The explosion of cell phone industry is astounding that we have more cell phones than the basic amenities like lavatories in our country. No wonder why India, is ranked as the second largest mobile phone market in the world. With the newer cell phones being a compact entertainment

AUGUst 31 - sEPtEMBER 6, 2012

The Herald

SHORT STORY

Whos your Daddy?

With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, Boy, youve got a Great inheritance.. Go and claim it. With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, Whos your Daddy? hed just tell them, Im a Child of God.. I am a Child of GodThe distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, Isnt that a great story? The professor responded that it really was a great story! As the man turned to leave, he said, You know, if that new preacher hadnt told me that I was one of Gods children, I probably never would have amounted to anything! And he walked away.. The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her, Do you know who that man was -- the one who just left that was sitting at our table? The waitress grinned and said, Of course. Everybody here knows him. Thats Ben Hooper. Hes governor of Tennessee ! Someone in your life today needs a reminder that theyre one of Gods Children! The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever. ~Isaiah 40:8 YOURE ONE OF GODS CHILDREN!!! www.thecsf.info

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Page 13

Commitment

By Sr Bridget Chelladurai, SCC S i n c e commitment is a verb, it is an action word, which aptly describes what it takes to be committed. People commit themselves to many things - to the environment, their families, work, business, studies, hobbies, causes, beliefs, and to friends. It is those things to which we give ourselves that often define our identity. Commitment to God, oneself and to others is of prime importance in ones life. In this modern world, we find individuals not prepared to make long term commitments. We hear people saying, In our institutions or work place, we lack committed people. Now people become more of businesspersons, money-minting task masters. On the one hand, committed people aim at job satisfaction, sincere in their assigned task, find fulfillment in committing, God-oriented, willing to work hard, authentic in relationship, interiorly peaceful and fulfilling. On the other hand, people who are not committed look for quick results, lose patience , unwilling to put in hard work, more concerned with monetary benefits, peace short-lived, preoccupied with externals, superficial and carry within emptiness. Commitment takes learning, patience, practice, persistence, immersion, knowledge, positive curiosity, and a consistent application to the task or tasks at hand. If one can be consistent, one can be committed. An individual getting engaged in a particular job for longer period of time is already outdated. It is a new trend with young people unwilling to commit themselves to the assigned tasks. In this fast moving world we are accustomed to looking for quick results. The media promotes a culture of convenience and comfort that persuades us go after the thrills of life and not the real joy of living. The media promise the young fake pleasures and promote a culture of inadequacy, wanting more, better and different things than the existing ones. The culture of speed imposes that everything in life has to be instant and moving at break-neck speed. In the families due to the creeping of western culture, the number of divorces is on the rise. Commitment in our relationships is diminishing. Incapable of withstanding the frictions of daily chores, we dare to renounce one another in our relationships. The future of the young lies in the hands of the committed parents, who are willing to persevere in their commitment made to each other. Thin culture of holding thin family size results in thin relationships in the family, and work place. We find in the Bible Jesus throwing light on true commitment, No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. His invitation to the committed is visible in His approach to the disciples, Take up your cross and follow me. Heavy rains remind us of challenges in life. Never ask for a lighter rain. Just pray for a better umbrella. - That is attitude. When flood comes, fish eat ants and when flood recedes, ants eat fish. - Only time matters. Just hold on, God gives opportunity to everyone! Life is not about finding the right person, but creating the right relationship. Its not how we care in the beginning, but how much we care till the very end. Some people always throw stones in your path. It depends on what you make with them. A Wall or a Bridge? - Remember you are the architect of your life. These are the words, which can instill in us confidence to commit ourselves to greater excellence in what we do.

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to Enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they Noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to Table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to His wife, I hope he doesnt come over here. But sure enough, the man did Come over to their table. Where are you folks from? he asked in a friendly voice. Oklahoma, they answered. Great to have you here in Tennessee, the stranger said... What do you do For a living? I teach at a seminary, he replied. Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, Ive got a really Great story for you. And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat Down at the table with the couple. The professor groaned and thought to himself, Great.. Just what I Need.... Another preacher story! The man started, See that mountain over there? (Pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, Hey boy, whos your daddy? Whether hewas at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, Whos your daddy? He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students.. He would avoid going in to stores because

that question hurt him so bad. When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late And slip out early to avoid hearing the question, Whos your daddy? But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd. Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, Son, whos your daddy? The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, Whos your daddy? This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.. Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now, You are a child of God.

In Lighter Vein...
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large tray of apples. A nun lettered a note and posted it on the apple tray: Take only ONE. God is watching. Moving along the lunch line, at the other end was a large tray of chocolate chip cookies. A girl wrote a note, which she put next to the tray of cookies, Take all you want. God is watching the apples. A country preacher decided to skip services one Sunday to spend the day hiking in the wilderness. Rounding a sharp bend in the trail, he collided with a bear and was sent tumbling down a steep grade. He landed on a rock and broke both legs. With the ferocious bear charging at him from a distance, the preacher prayed, O Lord, Im so sorry for skipping services today. Please forgive me and grant me just one wishmake a Christian out of that bear thats coming at me! At that very instant, the bear skidded to a halt, fell to his knees, clasped his paws together, and began to pray aloud at the preachers feet: Dear God, please bless this food I am about to receive. For our pastors 50th birthday, the congregation decided to give him a new suit. He was so touched by the gift that the following Sunday he stood before everyone and, with tears in his eyes, announced, Today I am preaching to you in my birthday suit.

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The Herald

AuguST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

HEALTH

ThE MagICal NuMbERS To gooD hEalTh

4. BLOOD PRESSURE

If the score is.. <30: Risk of having diabetes is probably LOW 30-50: The risk of having diabetes is MODERATE. >60: Very HIGH RISK of having diabetes.
Dr. V. Mohan, Chennai

By Dr (Mrs) Mary DCruz, MD

This is the force or strength of the blood flowing through the big arteries exerted on the walls of the arteries. When the heart contracts, it is called systolic pressure. When the heart relaxes after each beat the lower pressure on the walls of the arteries is called diastolic pressure. Normal Pressure Normal pressure is usually below 140/90 mmHg. However you may be advised lifestyle changes if you are overweight but pressure are high normal like 130139/80-90 mmHg. Diabetics also need to maintain lower pressures. Your treating physician is the best person to advise you. When To Check Blood pressure should be checked in the morning while you are seated or lying down in a relaxed state and without indulging in smoking or drinking prior to checking blood pressure. Blood pressure check up should ideally done by a medical professional. Symptoms which indicate High Blood Pressure None thats why you should schedule a blood pressure check whenever you can Headaches Pain in the nape of the neck Blurred vision Disturbed sleep Numbness on hands and legs
Modification Maintain normal body weight (Body Mass Index 18.524.9 kg/m2 Recommendation Approximate Systolic blood Pressure reduction

How to do the Fasting Blood Sugar Test (FBS)

Overnight fast of 10 12 hours and unrestricted eating of food during the last three days.

I f If

your FBS is below 100mg/dl it is Normal.

If it is greater than 126mg/dl, you may have diabetes

it falls between 100 126 it is called Impaired Fasting Glucose

and need to recheck with FBS on another day. Or you can do a 2 hour post 75gm glucose load test to diagnose diabetes. If you are at risk for developing diabetes you can prevent it. Fore Warned Is Fore Armed!

FBS

Normal Pre-diabetes <100 100 -125 140 200

Diabetic >126 >200

2hPPBS After 75 gm Glucose <140

Adopt DASH ( D i e t a r y approach to stop Hypertension) eating plan Dietary Sodium reduction Physical activity

Weight reduction

Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products with a reduced content of saturated and total fat.

5-20mmHg/10Kg 8-14 mmHg 2-8 mmHg 4-9 mmHg 2-4 mmHg

The average age of Indians with heart disease is 45 years. India is expected to have 34% of all male deaths and 32% of all female deaths attributed to Circulatory disease by 2015.

Prevent Heart Disease

activity daily

By getting more active at least 30minutes of physical Stop smoking Eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and pulses. Reduce intake of oily foods Reduce weight if overweight Keep blood pressure under control Koop good control of blood sugars in diabetic

Moderation of alcohol consumption

5.

Indians as a race are more prone to DIABETES and more so due to the environmental changes of greater availability of fast foods and sedentary life styles. You could take the following test to see if you are at a risk for diabetes.

FASTING BLOOD SUGARS

Reduce dietary Sodium intake to no more than 100mmol/l (2.4gm sodium or 6gm of sodium chloride) Engage in regular aerobic physical activity such as brisk walking (at least 30min/day for most days of the week) Limit consumption to no more than 2 drinks(e.g., 24oz Beer, 10oz Wine, 3oz 80-proof Whiskey) per day in most men and to no more than one drink per day in women or lighter weight persons

Remember that the magical figures are to stay fit and healthy!! Exercise and Fitness
Simple fitness exercises can help to have a fitter and healthy life. Stretching exercises can help in many ways in mainting a fitter body. Weight loss can be achieved by following simple effortless regular exercises. Medical breakthroughs can happen by regular meditation and exercising. Yoga and other workouts which can be performed easily are available in this website to keep you fit and healthy. Health and Fitness can make all that difference in ones life. Healthy living is all that one needs, and to achieve that we picked up the best of the articles from reliable sources and have presented here in an organized manner. You might not be able to spend your valuable time on complicated medications and diet controls, but, you can find articles to help you have a better living using simple and easy technics. Ayurveda, a science in vogue practiced since centuries, uses a wide variety of plants, animal origin substances, mineral and metallic substances to rebalance the diseased condition in the sick.

IndIan dIabetes RIsk scoRe

Particulars Age

< 35 years 35-49 years 50 years Waist circumference Waist< 80cm[female],<90cm[male] Waist< 80 - 89cm[female],<90 - 99cm[male] Waist 90cm[female], 100cm[male] Physical activity Vigorous exercise [regular] or strenuous [manual] work at home/work Moderate exercise [regular] or moderate physical activity at home/work Mild exercise [regular] or mild physical activity at home/work

0 20 30 0 10 20 0 10 20

AUGUst 31 - sEPtEMBER 6, 2012

The Herald

Page 15

Governor to release book by Jesuit

By Koushik Kr. Hati His Excellency, Shri M.K. Narayanan, Honble Governor of West Bengal will release the book of Jesuit Fr Felix Raj, entitled Disinvestment in India Trends, Problems and Prospects, on Sept. 11 at St. Xaviers College. The book focuses on economic reforms and resulting disinvestments of public sector enterprises (PSE) in India. The book quite lucidly analyses the pre and post disinvestment performance of the PSEs in terms of efficiency analysis and many other indicators of the enterprises with the help of case studies for two different PSEs chosen on the basis of their pre disinvest-ment profitability status, namely Disinvestment of a profit making PSE and Disinvestment of loss making PSE. Before coming to the Indian scenario of disinvestment in reality, literatures on disinvestment in context to foreign countries has been discussed so as to make a comparative analysis in regard to policy taken in domestic and foreign countries for disinvestment. Implementation of LPG model being the break point from the Indias economical point of view, the author has made his discussion into two subsections Pre Liberalization growth of PSEs and related development & Post Disinvestment status and current policies of the Government regarding disinvestment. The most important aspect of the book is to take into consideration the effects of disinvestment of public sector enterprises in the various spheres of the economy, viz. employment, income, poverty, etc. Using a strategic model to measure the Pre and Post operative efficiency of the disinvested companies and also by using various tabulated analysis, in conclusion the author prescribed certain policies on future disinvestment strategy and suggested disinvestment of the loss making but not of profit making enterprises as the supreme priority. Fr Felix Raj is the Principal of St. Xaviers College (Autonomous), Kolkata where he teaches economics. He is currently the Vice-President, Bengal Economic Association.

ARTS

Google vs God
By Libby Copeland stories of Hasid ic Jews b e c o m i n g ex-Hasidic Jews have been virtually everywhere. New York m a g a z i n e profiled a 23-year-old renegade named Gitty fighting for custody of her daughter, and Deborah Feldmans m e m o i r Unorthodox hit the New York Times bestseller list. Slate ran two pieces on dating services for ex-Hasidim, and Salon had an essay by Shulem Deen, who brought a radio into his home, causing all manner of marital havoc. Deen has also founded a fascinating site called Unpious, a kind of literary group blog for voices on the hasidic fringe. Shalom Auslander, whos not Hasidic but Orthodox, has chronicled his journey away from strict observance in Foreskins Lament. And naturally, someone is reportedly shopping a reality show about former Hasidim, featuring a young mother of four who wants to be a model. When I interviewed exHasidim for this story, I was asked more than once, Why now? Why at this particular moment is the mainstream media so interested in the story of strife within an ultra-orthodox branch that makes up a tiny, if growing, percentage of American Jews? The answer has a lot to do with the life span of the Internet. Because of it, more Hasidim are publicly exiting their communities than ever before. The earliest adoptersmany of whom started anonymous blogs during the mid-2000s, like Deens Hasidic Rebeltook years to extricate themselves from their marriages and to engage in lengthy custody battles over their kids. Only in the last few years have those early adopters gotten out and begun to speak candidly about their exile. And the drumbeat of the disaffected is likely to continue. While the first wave of Internet-influenced ex-Hasidim had to rely on workplace or library computers and (sometimes borrowed) laptops, todays young Hasids have it easier. They only need smartphones. Libby Pollak, 24, who was raised in a strict Hasidic family in Williamsburg before becoming disillusioned with her life, told me some young people obtain piles of cellphones through family plans, then hand them out under the table to friends and cousins. Once online, Hasidim often use fake names to establish accounts on Facebook, where they quickly encounter other Hasidim who are curious, and even disillusioned. www.slate.com

Official goof-up puts tribals in

Raipur: Hundreds of thousands of tribal people are left in the lurch in Chhattisgarh state, thanks to bureaucratic negligence. The government officials used the wrong constitutional provisions to issue thousands of certificates to tribal people after the central Indian state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Soon after the formation, the Chhattisgarh government had announced that the caste certificates issued by Madhya Pradesh would not be valid. To hasten the process, the government authorised even schools to issue the certificates. However, instead of Article 342 that specifies tribal people as Scheduled Tribes, the officials mistakenly issued the certificates under Article 341 which is meant for the Scheduled Castes or former low caste people. The certificates have become useless as they are invalid. The goof-up has become a major embarrassment for the government since the state is going for assembly election next year. The caste certificate is a vital document issued to the Scheduled Tribes, the Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes with 60year validity. The document entitles people to avail benefits under various welfare schemes. As a norm, district collectors or sub-divisional magistrates (SDM) designated by them issue the certificates. Officials in the collectors office prepare these certificate files and the collectors or SDMs sign them without verifying the provisions. post.jagran

Once upon a timesay, in the 1990sa Hasidic Jew looking for escape from her blinkered world might have gone to the library. But by the time F. Vizel, a Satmar Hasid, learned that the public library existed at the age of 20, shed already made a far more critical discovery. Shed found the Internet. Vizel, who grew up an hour and a half from New York City, started going online at 19 on her husbands laptop. Within two years, she began exploring blogs by people who had left Hasidism, and had a huge realization: She wasnt the only Hasidic Jew questioning what she now calls a lifetime of indoctrination and being taught not to think. When she set up an anonymous Facebook account, she posted a painting of Eve in the Garden of Eden as her profile picture, implying that the Internet had become her tree of knowledge. In time, Vizel became so rebelliousshe asked to stop shaving the hair she covered with a scarf, flouting the standards for married women in her community that she says she was asked by community leaders to hand over the laptop. By then, though, it was too late. Two years ago, she and her husband split, and some months later she left their community in Kiryas Joel, N.Y., taking her son with her. (Out of concern for her own privacy, and for the repercussions her Hasidic family may face because of her rejection of that way of life, Vizel asked me not to use her first name.) In the last five years,

PARABLES FOR OUR TIMES

I have in my hands two boxes; Which God gave me to hold. He said, Put all your sorrows in the black box And all your joys in the gold. I heeded His words, and in the two boxes Both my joys and sorrows I stored. But though the gold became heavier each day The black was as light as before. With curosity I opened the black I wanted to find out why. And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole Which my sorrows had fallen out by. I showed the hole to God, and mused I wonder where my sorrows could be. He smiled a gentle smile and said My child, theyre all here with me. I asked God why He gave me the boxes, Why the gold, and the black with the hole? My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings The black is for you to let go.

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The Herald

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