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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