Dec. 14-15, 2011
Priests working in the diocese of Varanasi Diocese assembled together on Dec. 14, 2011 at Nav Sadhana for Recollection preached by Rev. Fr. Stany D’Souza, Golden Jubilarian and Veteran Missionary in the diocese of Varanasi. In his Recollection Talk he shared his reflection on the theology of his devotion to INFANT JESUS. He stressed on God’s unconditional love for humans. He said that God loves us as we are, not as we ought to be; the essence of love is forgiveness and self-sacrifice for the weal and welfare of other humans. He articulated that the Lord Jesus commanded us to be childlike, so that we are God like, Christ like. Therefore, in the measure we are childlike in forgiving, forgetting and giving of self, we are Christlike. This is what it means to be Christian. He made distinction between Being a Christian and Being Christian: A Christian means to go by the name and label of Christian and Being Christian means to be Christ like in everything. He concluded his talk stressing that to be Childlike is the basic and fundamental requirement for every Christian who is called to be Christlike and to glorify HIM in all our deeds and life.
In the evening of the same day Rev.Fr. Subhash, IMS, Superior General, enlightened the clergy on the theme: Conflict Management and Resolution. He emphasized that we require to maintain good relationship and to achieve the desired common goal. We can not sacrifice one for the other. The strategies used by the humans for it are explained through five symbols: turtle as withdrawer, shark as attacker, teddy bear as pleaser, fox as compromiser and owl as wise person, who gives maximum importance for both relationship and achievement of the goal. The clergy ended the day with Christmas celebration with carol singing, games and dinner.
On the second day Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly shared pieces of information, his hopes and aspiration for the diocese as well as his concerns regarding people and priests of the diocese of Varanasi.
