Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Message from Br Wilfred D'Souza

Message from Br  Wilfred D’Souza


My initial ten years  in mission in Bajpe  were years of great enrichment and exposure to a new way of life . A city boy who lived always in big cities now finds himself in a small village .... no knowledge of the language ... no friends .. a senior Brother as companion ... sharing life in common with a Priest ... teaching in a Kannada Medium section ...  Looking back I can honestly say that it isin Bajpe that I first came to realise what it meant to BE Brother ; and Parents and I really grew. It turned out to be my happiest years as a young Brother.

   Encouragement and support came from all sides :  the Clergy, Religious, Staff and Parents. Looking after the candidates(those who had chosen to see if they were called to our way of life) was another great challenge ... monitoring their studies .. playing football in the heaviest rain .. out for walks .. and teaching them household chores. What a wonderful opportunity to learn that life can be different and fascinating.

  When I returned to the community in Bajpe many years later, older and wiser, more in the role of a mentor, I found that my students had grown too. Some were married and a couple of them had their children enrolled in St Joseph's.The affection and appreciation were still so strong.

I did dream that St Joseph's would some day make a long standing mark and it has, in academics (we have had rank holders in the PUC), games  (we are champions at various levels) and in some extra curriculars we shine.

   We must continue to dream and dream big ... dream the impossible ....  remembering that the world always belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Br. Wilfred D’Souza
Former Principal, Correspondent and Superior of St Joseph’s


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