Dear confreres,
Greetings from Salespuram.
I think it is time again to send you some news from here.
Fr. Baiju started teaching in a High School a few kilometers from here and seems to enjoy his new job. It is compulsory for his studies to teach for a certain time in a school. This means of course a lot of paperwork, each class has to be prepared, but I enjoy always his presence, he is relaxed, joyful, supporting and this with all his assignments. I would turn crazy!
Bosco is dedicated to his work, teaches songs, pronunciation and Saint Francis de Sales as well as the basic prayers. He supervises the kitchen and has to do or organize all that comes to my mind. Most of the time we get along well, he is open, which helps me a lot. I am grateful for his presence at Salespuram.
The candidates keep progressing in their English as well as in general. All are still here and most of the time they are really enjoyable. Sometimes of course I get a little bit louder and then they look at me like poor little children who are treated unjustly by their superior which they are not. Or are they? However, we are blessed with them. And of course I know I should refrain myself from shouting but then, it’s me, I keep working.
Construction has reached an interesting stage. The flat concreting of the main building has been finished on October 17th. It is absolutely exiting to see things growing. Cottage 4 and 5 have reached lintel level, the old house is useful but ugly in the midst of all other buildings. One day we will have to remove it. Now we start the centering work for the chapel. We are somewhat in schedule, though I am not too optimistic. It is the tiny little final details that cost me nerves. In cottage 1 I still can find some missing roof tiles, some unfinished business, but then, that’s India.
I had the chance to meet Fr. Dolan (and all novices going for their Ashram experience) in Mysore last week. It is important for us “foreigners” to get away once in a while. He is worried about many things, among others the health of his parents bother him. And as I just got the call she has been hospitalized today. Let us pray for her and him as well.
Let me also share a little bit how we decided to celebrate Founders’ Day this year at Salespuram. There were more events.
First of all the community celebrated on October 12th a solemn mass, a day free of class and work, an “exciting” cricket game, a nice supper and an evening in community with different games. We had split the group into the “Brissons” and the “Chappuis” and had some little games. The winner of it all was the community. Secondly we had a day of recollection on October 13th in Koothupuzha since our place is not yet conducive to silence. Our brothers took it seriously and all got home for supper. We had been away for a day.
On October 17th the above-mentioned major concreting of our main building took place. We had decided to wait for this day to invite all workers (100 workers were present that day) for coffee, expressing our gratitude and making them aware that they were cofounders too. They help our dreams come true. With the contractor and supervisors we had a nice supper that evening with the same message: we are grateful for your help and support helping us to start in Kerala.
Finally we will go to Kannur for an English movie next Thursday. Though planned earlier, only every now and then an English movie is played, so we decided to wait for the right one.
These are the news from Salespuram.
I have to share with you the news that Br. Roy has decided to leave our community. I am not fully aware of the reasons yet but will have a chance to see him at the end of next week. He had been struggling since regency with his vocation and has now made up his mind. Of course it is sad to see him go. As community we have to look of course into his reasons so that we can learn, but as far as I know there were no resentments whatsoever towards the community rather than a final clarity of his not to be called to this way of life. Let us keep him in our prayers.
In a short while Fr. Smuda is expected back from his holidays. I am sure the community in Samarpanaram is already longing for him.
Br. Bruzily is busy travelling between Kerala and Baroda, always on the road, but still very grateful for his experience.
Fr. Ceresko in the Philippines had a busy time of exams (yes, exams are also tiring for professors) and is now teaching (during his holidays) a class at the DSFS Sisters. Fr. Josef has moved around in the Philippines and seems to have optimistic plans for the Oblates future there. Let us pray for the realization of God’s will and our readiness to be open to his call at any time.
Fr. John Sankarathil sends regularly his greetings from Monaco where he has been joined by an American Oblate who discerns his possibility of starting to work there.
Finally I would like to bring to your attention some areas of concern which we should/could discuss in community. Of course they are related to things I hear, I see, I pray about. They have to do with several areas of our life:
- How seriously do I/we take the advice to have a spiritual director?
- Why was there no feedback at all concerning last year’s vocation promotion?
- How do I/we deal with money (“Personal” money as opposed to “community” money)?
- How can I/we improve our prayer life in community and when I/we am/are alone?
- Is communication an area of concern for me/us?
Brothers, I am waiting for your reply, your reactions, and your silence. I know I have to grow a lot, I want to initiate some dialogue. For time being I ask for your continuous prayers and assure you of mine! Keep hanging in there!
God bless you
Fr. Sebastian Leitner osfs