Sophie...

I was walking down the Don Bosco Marg road to the school of Don Bosco for a particular reason and I was waiting near the gate to get instructions not that I wasn’t aware but to respect the gatekeeper and the watchmen for the duty he was committed to. Suddenly a girl with blue jeans and blue tops with a scarf round her face walks passed me through the gate. Anyways, I was looking at the time and wondering whether I will accomplish the task for what I came. I entered the gate and walked up the steps, happily to finish my work and get back to the place I live, Divyadaan Salesian Institute of Philosophy. I was facing the road and seen people walking, school children playing, college students all over the place. I was thinking about how each one was busy in and with their own lives, living their lives, also wondering how life was for me, then thinking again of the work for what I came. I turned around and to my surprise what I see, this girl sitting in front of me, oh! Yes she remembered and recognized me, greeted me as hi! Brother, I too recalled her, when I see her the 1^st time in the hospital on a bed. We exchanged few words, few thoughts and I wished her luck for she is presently doing her 12^th. Then we were interrupted by a few known people to me, happy to meet and to talk to them too. Then one of her friends came to where we were, she too greeted me, this girl was about to leave and she said bye bro, out of curiosity I asked her name, she said, Sophia. I told her that her named meant wisdom in philosophy and we parted ways.

JESUS is better than santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited

JESUS stands at your door and knocks… and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa

JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"

JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly

JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"

JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you”.

Santa's little helpers make toys

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree

JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

No Room in the Inn

Wally was big for his age--seven years old. Everyone wondered what role the teacher would give him in the annual Christmas play. Especially considering the fact that he was also a slow learner. Perhaps he could pull the curtain.

To everyone's surprise the teacher gave Wally the role of the innkeeper. The boy of course was delighted. After all, all he had to learn was one line:

"There is no room in the inn." He had that down in no time.

Then came the night for the program. The parents took their places. Every seat in the auditorium was filled. The children entered singing "Oh come all ye faithful." The lights dimmed. A hush moved over the audience. The curtain opened on Scene One. Mary and Joseph entered the stage and walked up to the inn. "Please sir, my wife is not well. Could we have a room for the night?"

Wally was ready for his line. He had rehearsed it all night. He began, there is.and he hesitated. He started over again. There is. . .and again his mind went completely blank. Everyone was embarrassed for him but poor Wally just didn't know what to do. Joseph thought he would improvise and started walking away toward the stable on stage left. Seeing him walking away Wally in desperation called out: "Look, there's plenty of room at my house, just come on home with me."

That seems a rather delightful twist on a familiar story. Over the years the characters in the Christmas story have become clearly defined for us. The issues all seem so clear cut. Herod was a villain and the wise men were heroes. The shepherds were heroes and the Innkeeper--well, the poor innkeeper has gone down as one of the heavies in the story. In our minds eye, we envision him as a crotchety old man with a night cap on his head sticking his head out a second story window and tersely shouting: Take the stable and leave me alone.

But perhaps the innkeeper has received bad press. Preachers over the centuries have had a field day with the poor fellow. But was it his fault that the inn was built with twelve rooms instead of thirteen? Was it his fault that Caesar Augustus had issued a decree that the entire world should be taxed? Was it his fault that Mary and Joseph were so late in arriving?

But you know something; this simple little statement about there being no room in the Inn becomes a symbol for Luke. As he writes his gospel it almost becomes a theme. Luke takes this one line, "There is no room in the inn,"

and shows us how this phrase was recurrent throughout Jesus' ministry. The question that Luke leaves for us is--will there ever be any room for him?

1. There was no room for Jesus in the economic world.

2. There was no room for Jesus in the legal realm.

3. There was no room for Jesus in the realm of the religious order.

4. There was no room for Jesus in the world of politics.

5. Let's look at us today--to you and to me. Do we have room for Christ in our lives?

Christmas: GOD WITH US

There are many levels of meaning to Christmas. Christmas can mean many different things to people. But I really think that in today’s gospel St. John expresses the deepest meaning of Christmas when he says so profoundly but yet so simply, “The Word became flesh” - that is, God became human, flesh-and-blood, like us – “and dwelt among us.” This is why the prophet Isaiah said so many years before, “They shall call him Immanuel, which means: God is with us,”34 God, flesh, human, like us, among us, with us. The words are so simple and so easy to say, and we have heard them so many times. And yet, these few words express the deepest meaning of Christmas, the deepest meaning of our whole Christian faith. They are telling us that the infinite, all-knowing, all powerful, all-perfect God gave up, surrendered God’s infinite power, absolute knowledge, and eternal, unchanging perfection, and came into the finite world, came into changing human history, came into the flesh-and-blood condition of a human being. That means that God put aside, God relinquished all the unlimited attributes and perfection of being divine, and took on instead all the limitations, imperfections and deficiencies of being human. God did not stay being God and just play at being at being human. But rather,

God actually became a helpless baby, completely without knowledge and completely dependent on its mother for everything; and then a child and a youth who had to struggle, as we all did, with the uncertainties and hesitancies of growing up; and then a mature adult whose life was not pre-ordained and neatly laid out for him but who had to seek and choose among many possibilities and decide on his own individual life according to his own historical circumstances. That is, God was born, grew up, and lived life just exactly as we all do - not as an infinite, almighty God but as a plain flesh-and-blood human being, really and truly like us all.

Do you see what these words - God became flesh; God is with us - really mean?

They mean that our religion must not lead us to seek God someplace outside of this world, someplace outside of our human history. They mean that the Christian religion, right from the very beginning with the birth of Jesus at Christmas, specifically teaches the direct opposite - that God came into the world, that God is right here, with us, in the world, in daily human history with all of its good and bad, with all of its ambiguity; that for us this is the only place where we can find God.

This is the special, particular message of Christmas; this is the one single reason why God became human; in order to show us that our salvation is found only and simply by living our human lives here in the world according to our own particular historical circumstances, just as Jesus lived his. I want to repeat that because it is so important: the one single reason why God became human was in order to show us that our salvation is found only and simply by living our human lives here in the world according to our own particular historical circumstances. That is it; that is all; that is the whole story. And that is the kind of understanding to which Christmas calls us in these simple Scripture words:

God became flesh; God is with us.

Christmas: Feast of the Nativity

You all know about the star of Bethlehem, don’t you - the star that led the three kings from far away right to the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Well, I am going to tell you the story of how that Christmas star got its wonderful, great light so that it was brighter than all the other stars.

In the beginning God created all the heavens and all the earth. And then God said:

“Let there be stars in the heavens.” And immediately there were millions and millions of new heavenly creations of all shapes and sizes. God wanted the stars to be good like all the other things that God created. But when God looked at all these new heavenly creations and saw them just hanging there cold and lifeless in the dark silent sky, God knew that there was something wrong, there was something missing. God thought and thought and thought but could not figure out what was wrong with the stars.

And so God called together all the angels and asked them what was wrong with the stars. And the great angels and archangels and cherubim and seraphim, with all their combined wisdom, could not tell God what was wrong. But suddenly a small cherub came forward. You know what a cherub is - a little, young angel, like a child angel, just about the size of children like you. Well, this cherub stood before God and said, “I know what is wrong with the stars, God.” And all the older angels gasped in amazement; how could this little angel dare to tell God that there was something wrong in creation. But God said,

“That's all right. Tell me, little one, what is wrong with the stars?” And the little angel said, “They are hanging in the heavens alright, but they do not shine, for all people to see.”

“That's it; that is what is wrong,” God shouted, “The stars do not shine; I must make the stars twinkle and shine. I know what I will do. Each star shall get an angel to give it an inner light so that it will shine for all to see.” And with a wave of God’s hand the great angels flew off to be the stars’ light. And the millions and millions of stars all lit up, like sparkling jewels. And God looked and said, “Ah, finally it is right, the stars are good.”

But the cherub, the little angel who told God what was wrong, was pushed aside in the great rush and excitement, and soon forgotten.

And then, thousands and thousands of years later, God had a certain plan and needed an angel; and God remembered the cherub. When God inquired they told how the cherub had been pushed aside and forgotten in the great rush and excitement of lighting up the stars. God was sad to hear this and sent out many angels to search for the cherub.

After a long time, they brought the cherub before God. God said, “It has been a long time, my little one, but finally I have a reward for you. You did not get a star like the other angels, but now I have something very special for you to do for me.” And God leaned down and whispered in the cherub's ear. The cherub smiled widely, leaped for joy, and flew away. And almost immediately there appeared a new star in the sky. And the star did exactly what God whispered to the cherub. That star traveled far away into the east, and after many, many years it began a long journey back from the east, and when it arrived at

Bethlehem it stopped and stood still. And the little cherub inside that star glowed with all the power and might stored up over all those thousands and thousands of years so that the star grew bigger and brighter than all the other stars. And that is how the star of Christmas got its wonderful, great light, and how the kings were able to know Jesus in Bethlehem on the first Christmas night.

And now let us all stand together and say this prayer after me: “Lord Jesus – you are the light - of the world - like the stars - in the sky. Lord Jesus - you are the light – of my life. 

Life Lived...Life Shared

Lovingly called as ‘Boss,’ ‘Fr Cha,’ but for me I call him ‘Sami’ (Swami) – A Priest. Many of us know Fr Thomas Chalissery as a top Planner, & a gigantic Systematic Thinker, a great thinker and practical liver. He believes in simple living (practice poverty & simplicity) and simplified thinking (practical philosophy). It is rightly said that with great works comes also great responsibility; he is a responsible person who lives his life with responsible dedication and dedicated responsibility. He is effective in his work (as an Administrator of the community of Divyadaan) and affective in his relationships (as a person caring for the sick and concerned for the community). He is a Man of God and Man of Prayer. Why do I say this? Because I have seen him preparing for his sermons (at Mass) and good night talks (a traditional practice for us Salesians); his sermons are short & sweet, reflective & relishing, and his good night talks are creative & catchy.

Above all his faithfulness to daily Personal Prayer and moments of community prayer speaks of him being God-Man – Prayer-Man. He is a man of the times always updated and keeps the community updated with his up-to-date & time-to-time Chalissery’s Notice Board (news, jokes, creative creations & things to marvel at). He is also known to be the Best in the world, Best in Asia, Best in India, and Best in Nashik & Best in the community – Charlie’s Carters (tasty & yummy food products, flavoured & coloured ice creams and  variety of goodies & cookies – chocolates. 

Apart from him being Doctor in Practical Philosophy & Practical Theology he is also regarded as an English Professor (a source for my English Classes). As an Administrator I have seen you as the most skillful and efficient at your work, your observable look knows no bound, your interest in cleanliness, order, discipline and meticulous planning has surely impressed me (us in the community).

Thank You, dear Sami for being a model of Prayer, Simplicity, & humility, and of being a sign of creativity and generosity and more so for you living a life of patience, & of love.

U R…a BLESSING to the SALESIAN CONGREGATION, to the MUMBAI PROVINCE, to the COMMUNITY of DIVYADAAN & to ME

Life Blest....Life Lived...

The first time I saw this person I thought for a while as to from where this person hails. Why such a question? Simply because of his hugeness and tallness. Getting to know from people around and those living with him; I got to know his personality (which I will share later). But when I came to Divyadaan, got to really know him as a person – a Convinced person (religious), a Caring person (human & pastoral), a Challenging person (intellectual). This only reminds me of last night good night thought given by Fr. Matthew Couthino SDB, the Vice Rector & Catechists of the Salesian Training Institute - DIVYADAAN, summarizing all the qualities of this person in just 2Hs – Head and Heart. He has been my Rector for 4+1=5 years of my initial formation (the fifth year is…). Definitely, knowingly-unknowingly, consciously-unconsciously and wanting-unwanting, a lot of this person has been and become part of me. I think that as a person he is; and what comes across is kind yet firm, and if you want to know a (boy-brother-Salesian), it is on the playground. This is very true ‘coz I remember the days when he would come to play and even now though he is off the ground (due to a knee problem), he is very much present and part of the game (standing in the corner of the ground). [well, if you get a chance you must see him play football and basketball]. I remember when I was a student in Divyadaan, we brothers would talk as to which priest in the Campus/Province is handsome, and I think he would be ranking in the first three. Coming back to from where I began, about he being huge and tall, another synonym that needs to be added, is that of largeness. His heart has the largeness of…of…(well, you can come and experience…).All I can do as a token of love, and a gesture of appreciation which can be unnoticeable is to pray and respect him for the person he is.

This morning, in his sermon he shared his life: life in and of his family, (a family that prayed together stayed together) and his joURney towards Priesthood (thy will be done & Love Calleth, Love Sendeth – this I faintly remember because when I was in divyadaan along with other brothers and staff celebrated his Silver Jubliee of….). This I believe is the summit of what he is today – PRIEST FOR ALL - the experiences that formed him and made him the person he is. During his sermon he also made mention of the many persons apart from his family members who helped me be what he is; and owes humble gratitude to Fr. Elias Dias, Fr. Vincent Vaz, Fr. Joseph Casti, Fr. Moya, Fr. Thomas Braganza, Fr Matthew Couthino and Fr Kenneth Pereira. He attributed his personality and characters to them. He also expressed his thanks to God for gifting him a supportive staff wherever he goes. He thanked the staff of Divyadaan and all the brothers for placing their trust in him through various ways. All in All I think he enjoyed his day people coming to wish him, giving him blessings and gifts; all the emails and sms’s; all the phone calls and miss calls; all of us wishing him and the cutting of the cake; and most importantly the presence of his mummy. In the good nite he shared about the net in which we collect all the things (good and bad) depends what we want to keep, treasure and remember.

hapy biRthdae...der Fr SAVIO....

Kodak Moment for the Flowers to SMILE in Divyadaan

Great day in Divyadaan to see all the lovely flowers to admire at them and marvel at the creator.
All we can do is give praise and thanks to HIM.