Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Message from Fr Leo, Correspondent and Parish Priest of St Josephs

Purpose is the place where deep gladness meets the world’s needs  -  Fredrick Buechner.

The Christian Brothers came to Bajpe for a purpose :  to provide purposeful, holistic and value-based education.  This purpose was inspired by God, and so their spirituality provided the beauty of a joyful heart and a clear mind.  They  set out to make the children responsible citizens of the nation, and brought smiles to people’s faces.  They gained a place in the mind and heart of students, staff, parents, and colleagues.  Society accepted them, recognized their selfless, tireless service, far from their own homes and family (and sometimes, country)  -  some of them laid down their lives in Bajpe.  Though they gave generously, reaching down and lifting others up, they remained rich at heart.  Their life was simple ;  they were always approachable, polite, smiling ;  they touched the hearts of people they met.  They served God by serving people.  Their values were love, unity and peace ;  the education they provided was for the individual need of each student, to bring out hidden talents  - which would then receive laurels, applause and awards.  In their time the name of the College shone in national and even international circles, in Education, Sports and Games.  Thus the students could learn from the hard work, responsibility and commitment of the lives of the Brothers, that the purpose of life is to be useful to society, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to love, to make a difference :  then only could they say that they had lived well. 

It is rarely that one meets a real educator, one who diffuses love, simplicity and peace and also strives towards development.  A friend of the famous sculptor Michelangelo had once remarked that he had created a beautiful statue out of a piece of stone.  He responded, “This statue was already within the stone.  I have not created it.  All I have done is to chisel away the undesirable pieces which were masking the statue.”  This is what the Christian Brothers have done :  helped children to recognize the beauty within, and show the world that they intend to lead the march towards a Peace-ful Planet.

I am grateful to the Christian Brothers, and their Superiors, Correspondents and Principals for the selfless service that brought St. Joseph’s P.U. College to great heights. 

I wish the Brothers every succes in their continued endeavour to serve the poor and needy.  May the Lord of Wisdom and Knowledge guide them in the future they have chosen.

Rev. Fr. Leo Lobo,
Parish Priest, St. Joseph’s Church, Bajpe

and Correspondent, St. Joseph’s P.U.College, Bajpe

No comments: