Lenten Recollection

Lenten Recollection

28th February, 1st March 2009

Loyola Retreat House, Pune.

Members of the Teresian Association, Pre ACIT, Members of Teresian Niwas (Hostel) and Members of the Formation Group in St. Francis Xavier's Church Chinchwad, came together for a two day recollection on the first weekend in Lent.

On the 28th evening, the participants, embarked on a 'Walk with Jesus'. In the first station, the experience of the last supper and washing of the discpiles feet was relived with the participants washing each other's feet. In the second, before the cross in the chapel, the members were led into a session of forgiveness for the things they held against themselves and others. From, here the retreat makers, wrote a letter of love, acknowledgement and gratitude to people they loved, in the third station. In the final station, amidst a dark night, on the terrace, they received the light and committed to being the light, aligned with the diocesan vision.

Later that night, after dinner, they spent time in silence and meditation, interspersed with Taize chants.

On the 1st morning, the group came together with prayer to start the day. Fr. Altrichter (SJ) then lead the participants into a session where he emphasized the importance of saying 'Yes' to the will of God, inspired by Mary. He also delved on the significance of spending time of silence in our daily lives, in union with God.

Soon, in small groups, the members deepened in various texts on 'Living Crucifixes' and presented their thoughts later to the larger meeting. A meaningful celebration of the Eucharist preceded lunch.

In the afternoon, the group read the Letter of the Pope for Lent and saw a powerpoint on the various implications of fasting. They also read the letter of Loreto Ballester, President of the Association. The group resolved to spend less on themselves through Lent and contribute the same to specific cause.

A meaningful and Spirit filled begining to this season of 'repenting and returning.'

Meeting with Council Member- Pilar Ferrer

The ACIT group in Pune met with Pilar Ferrer, member of the Governing Council on 10th January. The meeting began with prayer and then Ana Maria Madrigal introduced Pilar to the group. Pilar was the first member of the Association to come to India. In this full circle moment, Pilar took the group through the genesis of 'Associative Unity' through the history and different stages of the Association, how this was redefined in our statutes in 1990. The 15th General Assembly in 2000 initiated the steps of understanding what Associative Unity means and how we can grow, given that we are different in our commitments- primary and ACIT, and same in spirituality, nature and governance.

These were realized in the Plenary Assembly in 2006. Further in the General Assembly in 2006, it was recommended to define the link between the Plenary and General Assemblies as organs of governance and how the ACIT could participate in electing the President and Government.

Faith Formation Group- Chinchwad

On the Feast of the Epiphany, 4th January 2009, with the kind consent of Fr. Simon Almeida, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier's Church, Chinchwad, an initiative to offer faith formation to youth and adults was started in the same parish. This first session introduced those present to the association and our Founder- Pedro Poveda through a meaningful powerpoint presentation and what we have to offer.

Several TA members were present for the meeting and shared stories from their own lives especially about the mission of being transforming in our ordinary lives, in our pluri cultural and religious society. The call to be salt and light and living crucifixes in our present day society is so much more meaningful and challenging. The priest at the Mass earlier that morning, invited the congregation to be like the star that led the wise men to the child Jesus.

Those present have agreed to meet every month and the next meeting is scheduled for the 8th of February at 10.15 am.

Year End Thanksgiving

To thank and praise God for the beautiful and abundant blessings and graces He has filled our lives with in the year 2008, the members of the Association in Pune, met on Saturday the 27th in the evening for the year end Thanksgiving. A meaningful prayer interspersed with Christmas Carols, readings of Psalm 118 and Ephesians 1: 3-8, moments of reflection and a litany of praise and thanksgiving led all present into a beautiful expression of gratitude to our God, before the Blessed Sacrament. After the prayer, the group met over Christmas sweets and dinner and celebrated the festive spirit.

Advent Recollection

Members of the Teresian Association in Pune gathered together for the Advent Recollection on 30th November at Sanjeevan Ashram. The day began with prayer, prepared by Veronica and conducted by Savitha. The season of Advent is a good way to come to ourselves and analyse how prepared we are for the second coming. There's a time to get ready by focusing on your own sinfulness and evil, a time for personal transformation and following Christ. There's a time to get ready by rejoicing that our God is not far away and unfamiliar with the struggles of human life, that Christ is here right now among His followers, that God has already begun to bring in the Kingdom, and that Christ will come again to make it clear who really runs the place. That's Advent. "Lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the age", says Jesus. Post a tea break, Fr. Steven (SJ) led the participants into a deeper understanding of incarnational spirituality. In the creed we pray, 'born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried'. Where is the life of Christ reflected? We must admire Jesus not only for the way he died, but for the way he lived. The incarnation is so beautiful because, God empties himself for us. Our own spirituality is often so self centred, that even at the last supper, when Jesus declares that he will be betrayed, the response is, 'Is it me Lord' and not 'What have you done Lord to deserve this?' or 'We will protect you Lord.' Emmanuel means God is with us, not for us but with us, here on earth. He doesnt say come up to the heavens, but he comes down. Seeing Jesus in the human form we can love God now and not merely respect him. Is Christmas then a happy ocassion or a sad one? God came to his own and his own welcomed him not. Let us pray for a Jesus who disturbs us, challenges us and channelizes us.

The members then spent time in silence and reflection and were encouraged to take the sacrament of reconciliation after which we had a meaningful Eucharistic Celebration.

After lunch, the members participated in a sharing around Loreto's letter for Advent and then a discussion on how we can be instruments of hope and joy in the lives of our youth.

2nd International Seminar for Inter-religious Dialogue

I have known the learning process is life long and this seminar was just one stop on the road for me. I never for a moment thought there was so much to unlearn, such a lot to absorb, assimilate. I admit it’s been quite a while since I oiled the wheels of my mind and got them turning. They were in the process of falling apart and this seminar was exactly what they needed, and what I needed too.

I have known for a long time that God lives in India (make that plural); however would you expect it run otherwise. India runs on faith, multi-faith. And it was the venue for the 2nd International Seminar for Inter-religious Dialogue, the Praxis of Inter-religious Education. Ishvani Kendra hosted delegates from Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Israel, Philippines and other countries as well as India from October 28 (Diwali – the festival of lights was truly to bring enlightenment to all of us gathered there) to November 1.

The seminar had talks by distinguished speakers of 4 major world religions, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism and the role each religion played in the field of education. These talks were followed by intensive group discussions. The evenings were reserved for cultural programmes and visits to the Muslim Girls’ Orphanage, the Ramakrishna Math and Chokhidani.

Being there with people of different faith and different cultures, sharing and exchanging views, was an enriching experience. It opened my mind to so many new ideas, perspectives to see the world on a broader lateral plain. To learn from their personal experiences, some of which were deeply spiritual, emotional, of ordinary people with extraordinary abilities was humbling and uplifting.

I learnt of the connections and interdependence between everything in this world and beyond, the universe, man and God. Every little thing I do affects everyone. No religion teaches hate or propagates violence. Politics and religion is an explosive combination, a deadly cocktail. Doubts about the difference between Hinduism and Hindutva, the role of women in Islamic society and misinterpretation of the Koran, the role of educators in the broadening and developing of an open, liberal, tolerant society…were cleared.

Ultimately what is imprinted in my mind is the experience of holding grains of wheat in the palm of one hand and a slice of bread in the other.
Wheat - from many to one whole (grains to flour), a single grain gives rise to many others, it has to die (to be made into flour or to grow into a new plant), it loses its individuality for the greater good. Bread, a universal symbol - created from many many processes that are interconnected, interrelated. It is life and gives life, it is cosmotheantric (it requires the collaboration and co-operation of the earth, man and the divine), it is self-emptying, other-centred (at every stage in the making of bread, something dies to become something new), it cannot be made only by a single grain.

So must I be. And so must you.

So, where do I go from here? I will try to go into the world with a new vision, a new attitude, openness to receive and to give, to share and to learn, to absorb, assimilate and to live life in friendship and understanding, for I have but one life to live on this one earth which is our home.

Savitha Pais

Victoria Diez’ Death Anniversary Celebration

Teresian Association, Pune sub group, got together on August 12, Tuesday at Devika Apartments for a short celebration for the gift of life and the person of Victoria.

The celebration started at 7 with a short meaningful prayer. A PowerPoint presentation on her life gave the members a deep insight into the life of a dynamic young woman totally dedicated to God, prayer and study and her deep involvement in the Work of the association.

Portions of her letters were passed around and everyone picked out one and read it. Most of the members felt her presence in the little note that they received and were inspired by it.

The celebration wound up with the singing of her song followed by light refreshment.