Creating memories of my labour in the garden...
10 June 2018
Digital youth ministry
If not this generation, the next generation of Indian children will most certainly be the 'generation z'! Today we in India still have the 'luxury' of a captive audience, by way of young people in our schools, parishes, youth centres and colleges. Thanks to our culture and rootedness in family connections it may really take some time before the European scenario is replicated in our hometowns: we'd have the previously listed institutional set ups, but the actual meeting place of the young will no more be playgrounds, youth clubs or classrooms. They will be meeting, chatting, discussing, deliberating things and life matters online!
Like the case of very many youngsters in the cities and in Europe, the only place where you can actually see and meet young people is online!! And the only friends they have are in the virtual world. I see this so vividly here in the UK. I know that this is not the healthiest for human growth, but this is the reality. This is our 'giveness'. A strange era (atleast for 'oldies' like me, but not for the young of today). The Salesian mantra of 'Being out there with young people' is still valid. But we can be and do so without physically leaving one's room! More than any other place on earth, digital youth ministry is very much the way forward here in the first world!
But this online contact is only the initial contact phase. The deeper accompaniment will be possible and is truly meaningful only when we are face to face, in person. However, more and more today, if not for this initial online contact, the later personal contact is almost impossible. What we most significantly can do is make know of the presence of an 'anchor' to young people, not get them to stick to it! In due course, at important moments of life, when faced with challenges they find unsurmoutable, they will atleast remember that they can 'anchor' on someone. Perhaps then we can play a more consistent and influential role in their individual lives. Till then, the sporadic, accidental, non-essential tweets, texts and chats are the way forward.
Like the case of very many youngsters in the cities and in Europe, the only place where you can actually see and meet young people is online!! And the only friends they have are in the virtual world. I see this so vividly here in the UK. I know that this is not the healthiest for human growth, but this is the reality. This is our 'giveness'. A strange era (atleast for 'oldies' like me, but not for the young of today). The Salesian mantra of 'Being out there with young people' is still valid. But we can be and do so without physically leaving one's room! More than any other place on earth, digital youth ministry is very much the way forward here in the first world!
But this online contact is only the initial contact phase. The deeper accompaniment will be possible and is truly meaningful only when we are face to face, in person. However, more and more today, if not for this initial online contact, the later personal contact is almost impossible. What we most significantly can do is make know of the presence of an 'anchor' to young people, not get them to stick to it! In due course, at important moments of life, when faced with challenges they find unsurmoutable, they will atleast remember that they can 'anchor' on someone. Perhaps then we can play a more consistent and influential role in their individual lives. Till then, the sporadic, accidental, non-essential tweets, texts and chats are the way forward.
Being at home with ourselves
While discussing with a group of members of the Salesian family about the notion of spiritual accompaniment of young people, it came across to me that the basic starting premise of our effort is that there is something not right with young people today!! For me that is a dangerous launching pad. We (the grown ups of today) have a 'problem' with the young of today - may not be a life and death problem but let's say, a difficulty. I realized that our preceding generation had the same complain about us!! Nothing very different.
The starting point of all our interactions with the young should be meeting them where they are - not where they 'should' be! The way forward is not to become like them or make them like us. We are the digital immigrants and no matter how hard we try we will never become digital natives. Nor is any attempt to make the natives feel like immigrants of any real benefit. The best way forward is to be with ourselves today. Most of us do not know how to be ourselves, leave alone how to be be with God! In being happy and contended with ourselves and in our openness (non-judgemental attitude) to be with them lies the key to a harmonious future, both for us individuals and for our collective society.
The starting point of all our interactions with the young should be meeting them where they are - not where they 'should' be! The way forward is not to become like them or make them like us. We are the digital immigrants and no matter how hard we try we will never become digital natives. Nor is any attempt to make the natives feel like immigrants of any real benefit. The best way forward is to be with ourselves today. Most of us do not know how to be ourselves, leave alone how to be be with God! In being happy and contended with ourselves and in our openness (non-judgemental attitude) to be with them lies the key to a harmonious future, both for us individuals and for our collective society.
Muonic generation
Muons are part of electrons (themselves part of atoms and molecules). However one specialty of these muons is that their lifespan is 220th fraction of a second. One of the research students at the university doing her research on muons is trying to see the benefits of colliding muons. Her first challenge is to get sufficient muons, enough to cause a collision, and most importantly 'prolong' their life to more than that minuscule fraction of a second, to actually make the collision happen! One possibility she said was to speed up the muons to the speed of light, wherein time slows. That way one could 'extend their lifespan'.
Listening to Fr Louis Grech's talk on spiritual accompaniment of Generation z (the digital natives), I could not but see the great connection and similarities between muons and generation z. The digital natives of today too are like muons. Very short attention span, a pace of their own, exist in a world quite different from the rest, the interaction space is on another plane (the instant media, not even social media). So I was asking myself how can one 'extend' time with such a generation? How to travel at the speed of light in order for that interaction to take place?
Whatever be the pace and space inhabited by generation z, they too are flesh and blood. They too have feelings, emotions, fears, anxieties, pain... I think it is in those times that time actually slows down for them. That's the possibility of 'catching up with them'. But this 'catching up with them' is not going to be possible if we have not had some accidental but meaningful interaction with them somewhere in 'their' world at some time.
Gone are the days, at least in most of Europe, where the space of interacting with young people is a formal physical institution where they all are gathered and listening attentively to the words of a Salesian. Or the young members of a youth club which meets every weekend or evening of a weekday. Most youngsters today are members of groups, but all online. None physical. None geographical.
Listening to Fr Louis Grech's talk on spiritual accompaniment of Generation z (the digital natives), I could not but see the great connection and similarities between muons and generation z. The digital natives of today too are like muons. Very short attention span, a pace of their own, exist in a world quite different from the rest, the interaction space is on another plane (the instant media, not even social media). So I was asking myself how can one 'extend' time with such a generation? How to travel at the speed of light in order for that interaction to take place?
Whatever be the pace and space inhabited by generation z, they too are flesh and blood. They too have feelings, emotions, fears, anxieties, pain... I think it is in those times that time actually slows down for them. That's the possibility of 'catching up with them'. But this 'catching up with them' is not going to be possible if we have not had some accidental but meaningful interaction with them somewhere in 'their' world at some time.
Gone are the days, at least in most of Europe, where the space of interacting with young people is a formal physical institution where they all are gathered and listening attentively to the words of a Salesian. Or the young members of a youth club which meets every weekend or evening of a weekday. Most youngsters today are members of groups, but all online. None physical. None geographical.
08 June 2018
Believers advantage
Sometimes I envy those who do not believe or practice any religion. They seem to have a very 'free' life. No compulsion of any religious obligation. Need not make time for any prayer or visit to the place of worship. Need not bother about following the rites and rituals of any life events (like marriage, death, first communion, confirmation, baptism...).
On the other hand, we religious have to spend so much of our time in prayer, Mass, meditation, prayer services, monthly recollections, retreats, rosary, besides catching up with all that the Pope says, the Vatican decides, the Rector Major writes, the provincial circulars and the diocesan newsletter.
However one major advantage, besides the emotional, communitarian and spiritual support believers enjoy, is the sense of purpose. The former group does not have to bother about doing things for someone beyond. Those who work solely for themselves sooner or later do get bored or too mired in themselves. Philanthropists are a bit better off. But we believers have the opportunity to dedicate our work and the purpose of all our actions to a Higher cause. This additional vertical dimension of our purpose not only shades but adds meaning to our life and activities. For us religious without the primacy of this dimension, we would well be mere philanthropists or altruists.
On the other hand, we religious have to spend so much of our time in prayer, Mass, meditation, prayer services, monthly recollections, retreats, rosary, besides catching up with all that the Pope says, the Vatican decides, the Rector Major writes, the provincial circulars and the diocesan newsletter.
However one major advantage, besides the emotional, communitarian and spiritual support believers enjoy, is the sense of purpose. The former group does not have to bother about doing things for someone beyond. Those who work solely for themselves sooner or later do get bored or too mired in themselves. Philanthropists are a bit better off. But we believers have the opportunity to dedicate our work and the purpose of all our actions to a Higher cause. This additional vertical dimension of our purpose not only shades but adds meaning to our life and activities. For us religious without the primacy of this dimension, we would well be mere philanthropists or altruists.
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| Marian message at the end of a prayer service during the retreat... |
Flowers in May
With summer playing peek-a-boo this time and sudden bursts of intense heat, I haven't really got a pulse of the weather the past couple of months. (I guess that can be said of the English weather all year too!). However, the garden has been blooming with some flowers, some for the first time...
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| This particular variety of lily or gladiolas bloom fully in the sun and by evening curl up, only to open up again in the morning! |
Poles and brooms
While at Hothorpe, got to see a couple of things that I haven't seen in the rest of the country that I've visited so far. One is the electric poles and transformers...
The other is the cultivated farmlands, mostly wheat. It was great to see vast lands being used for cultivation. But no irrigation facilities or opportunities. Watered solely by rain.
One afternoon visited Foxton Locks. A very ingenious way of navigation by the river and canals, up and down, without much loss of water and energy. A truly amazing piece of engineering. The height which the boats move up and down is just unbelievable: neither do they rush down nor struggle to row up! All of it done by carefully building check dams and gates, which are then used to flood or let out compartments of water - none of this water is really 'lost' but cleverly circulated in the same area. Reminded me of the Hydram built by Fr Corcoran at The Retreat, in Yercaud.
Then, saw this outside the Chapel on the first day. Almost fell over laughing!! A showpiece: Dried coconut leaves stems in a vase! From an Indian point of view: a broom in the wrong place... wasted!
The other is the cultivated farmlands, mostly wheat. It was great to see vast lands being used for cultivation. But no irrigation facilities or opportunities. Watered solely by rain.
One afternoon visited Foxton Locks. A very ingenious way of navigation by the river and canals, up and down, without much loss of water and energy. A truly amazing piece of engineering. The height which the boats move up and down is just unbelievable: neither do they rush down nor struggle to row up! All of it done by carefully building check dams and gates, which are then used to flood or let out compartments of water - none of this water is really 'lost' but cleverly circulated in the same area. Reminded me of the Hydram built by Fr Corcoran at The Retreat, in Yercaud.
Then, saw this outside the Chapel on the first day. Almost fell over laughing!! A showpiece: Dried coconut leaves stems in a vase! From an Indian point of view: a broom in the wrong place... wasted!
Retreat at Hothorpe Hall
Two weeks ago attended the province retreat at Hothorpe hall. The reflections by Fr Jose Louis Plascencia were rich and good (though listening to him read the talks word to word from the paper, in his heavy Mexican accent was not very enticing!).
One of the main points of his reflections was the distinction he was drawing between manifestation and expression of love. In the Salesian context of not only loving the young but also making them know that they are loved, Fr Plascencia was convinced of the need not only to merely express but manifest love. During the days of the retreat it sounded something different and like a new insight. However, going through the talks again the last few days, it did not really stand out as anything very different or special. But another point of his namely that love involves not only giving but also receiving, even if it God who is the one loving, got me to some deeper reflection.
Unlike our Hyderabad province retreat the retreats here are not in total silence. In addition, after supper every night there is the 'social' event, wherein everyone sits with a glass of drink in the lounge together for a long casual evening. Most of the younger confreres were happy to play football or tennis or table tennis in the afternoons and evenings.
However, those who wanted silence could very well make the whole retreat in silence. At Hothorpe there was enough place to be all by oneself. Located in a rural interior setting, the venue was very serene and beautiful. I was happy to see cultivated farmlands after long.
One of the main points of his reflections was the distinction he was drawing between manifestation and expression of love. In the Salesian context of not only loving the young but also making them know that they are loved, Fr Plascencia was convinced of the need not only to merely express but manifest love. During the days of the retreat it sounded something different and like a new insight. However, going through the talks again the last few days, it did not really stand out as anything very different or special. But another point of his namely that love involves not only giving but also receiving, even if it God who is the one loving, got me to some deeper reflection.
Unlike our Hyderabad province retreat the retreats here are not in total silence. In addition, after supper every night there is the 'social' event, wherein everyone sits with a glass of drink in the lounge together for a long casual evening. Most of the younger confreres were happy to play football or tennis or table tennis in the afternoons and evenings.
However, those who wanted silence could very well make the whole retreat in silence. At Hothorpe there was enough place to be all by oneself. Located in a rural interior setting, the venue was very serene and beautiful. I was happy to see cultivated farmlands after long.
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| The old stove in the Butler's room! |
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| Such plaques with quotes and text were placed all around the campus in the garden |
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| The arch of trees just outside the main entrance. |
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| In the neighbour's wheat field... this tree with its dried branches jutting out offered a quite a look! |
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| (L to R): With Fr Tony Fernandes, Fr Andrew Ibrahim and Fr Saju on a boat ride at the Foxton Locks |
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| Celebrating Br Michael Winstanley's b'day |
07 June 2018
Owning up... being the Church
The revelations about the abuse of minors by priests and religious has driven a knife into the heart of the Church. There is no going back on this. What has been done cannot be undone. The church will have to live through this. It cannot deny or escape this guilt.
The direct consequence of this uncovering has significantly contributed to the departure of many a faithful from the church. People no more feel safe in the church and prefer to stay away. Vocations to priesthood and religious life had drastically fallen. Many even prefer to be categorized as 'irreligious', if not atheists.
Yet, it is interesting to note that the priests and religious are not the only sex-offenders to be exposed. Football coaches, Hollywood bigwigs, famous politicians, too have been charged, and found guilty. Yet parents have not stopped enrolling their sons for football training camps; young women still try their hand at modelling and in the movie industry; youngsters still aim and strive for a political career... there hasn't been a reduction of these (at least not significantly or recorded). Why then is the whole church singled out for this treatment, unlike football, or movies or politics?
The basic difference is a matter of trust. The Church was considered the moral conscience of the society and priests and religious the models of virtue. This was something the Church leaders aimed for, took pride in and the lay faithful joyfully and sincerely endorsed. However some took advantage of this trust and let their human tendencies prey on innocent believers. Others instead of confronting it, covered it up.
So it is not the media coverage and the ensuing outrage that has wounded the church but the very act itself. The church is betrayed by the ones most trusted. Again, not the whole church but individuals. Yet the church will have to take the blame, if it still wishes to be true to its name. The victim and the abuser, both are the church!
The direct consequence of this uncovering has significantly contributed to the departure of many a faithful from the church. People no more feel safe in the church and prefer to stay away. Vocations to priesthood and religious life had drastically fallen. Many even prefer to be categorized as 'irreligious', if not atheists.
Yet, it is interesting to note that the priests and religious are not the only sex-offenders to be exposed. Football coaches, Hollywood bigwigs, famous politicians, too have been charged, and found guilty. Yet parents have not stopped enrolling their sons for football training camps; young women still try their hand at modelling and in the movie industry; youngsters still aim and strive for a political career... there hasn't been a reduction of these (at least not significantly or recorded). Why then is the whole church singled out for this treatment, unlike football, or movies or politics?
The basic difference is a matter of trust. The Church was considered the moral conscience of the society and priests and religious the models of virtue. This was something the Church leaders aimed for, took pride in and the lay faithful joyfully and sincerely endorsed. However some took advantage of this trust and let their human tendencies prey on innocent believers. Others instead of confronting it, covered it up.
So it is not the media coverage and the ensuing outrage that has wounded the church but the very act itself. The church is betrayed by the ones most trusted. Again, not the whole church but individuals. Yet the church will have to take the blame, if it still wishes to be true to its name. The victim and the abuser, both are the church!
Re-dimensioning religion
Given the whole movement of the modern world more away from religion than towards it, we need to consider what aspects of the current times drives people away from religion, when religion actually drew people to it, not so long ago.
There are those who still feel the need for religion, in one sense: the catholics who want reintroduction of the Latin Mass, Muslims who are willing to blow themselves (and others) up for faith, hindus who want to establish it is a natural and original form of life (not a religion) and buddhists who want to use violence to remain buddhists. They still look up to religion as the guiding principle for all aspects of life: social, political, cultural, emotional, besides spiritual.
Then there are those who do not want to have anything to do with religion. The kind that are convinced that the world would be (have been) a better place without religion. They abhor and reject anything and everything that is associated with religion. The child abuse scandals by priests and religious, jihad wars, communal violence, religious heads endorsing gender inequality and issuing blanket diktats have strengthened this perspective.
There are those who want to salvage something of religion without the mistakes of the past, avoiding the danger of total elimination of religion. They consider that the time of religion being the ethical, moral and civil voice of the community and the conscience of the individual is bygone. However, the emotional solace and strength that is offers is still valuable. Religion still offers meaningful ways of coping with life, especially grief, pain, suffering and despair.
Continuing with the historical role and notion of religion is dangerous, so is total elimination of it (As stated in the movie Oh my god, anyone trying to dethrone religion will be made into a god!). The challenge is to rediscover its meaning for our times.
There are those who still feel the need for religion, in one sense: the catholics who want reintroduction of the Latin Mass, Muslims who are willing to blow themselves (and others) up for faith, hindus who want to establish it is a natural and original form of life (not a religion) and buddhists who want to use violence to remain buddhists. They still look up to religion as the guiding principle for all aspects of life: social, political, cultural, emotional, besides spiritual.
Then there are those who do not want to have anything to do with religion. The kind that are convinced that the world would be (have been) a better place without religion. They abhor and reject anything and everything that is associated with religion. The child abuse scandals by priests and religious, jihad wars, communal violence, religious heads endorsing gender inequality and issuing blanket diktats have strengthened this perspective.
There are those who want to salvage something of religion without the mistakes of the past, avoiding the danger of total elimination of religion. They consider that the time of religion being the ethical, moral and civil voice of the community and the conscience of the individual is bygone. However, the emotional solace and strength that is offers is still valuable. Religion still offers meaningful ways of coping with life, especially grief, pain, suffering and despair.
Continuing with the historical role and notion of religion is dangerous, so is total elimination of it (As stated in the movie Oh my god, anyone trying to dethrone religion will be made into a god!). The challenge is to rediscover its meaning for our times.
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