Those Who Call the Street "Home"Vatican Studies Ministry to Those Who Work, Live on the Road
VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 29, 2009 (Zenit.org).- There is a street associated with nearly every important event in life, but for some people the street is simply "home."
This reflection was made by Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, as he introduced the first European Meeting for the Pastoral Care of the Road/Street. The meeting began today in the Vatican and ends Friday.
Before considering the four main topics of the conference -- pastoral ministry linked to transportation; prostitutes or "women of the street"; street kids; and the homeless -- the archbishop reflected on roads in general.
"Ever since society became more mobile, the paths that men and women have trodden have had special meaning," he said. "They take us to and from work and school. They take us to visit friends and relatives as the means or place of encounter. They can symbolize rites of passage -- birth of a child, an intimate relationship, a marriage, and even death. They are routes taken also by both migrants and refugees.
"There is almost always a road associated with every place we go and every important event in our lives. And along the way there are those for whom this association is more than just a journey; they are those for whom the street is simply 'home.'"
The Vatican official observed that there "is much that is obvious and seen upon our roads and in our streets," but at the same time, "there is much that is unseen, or that is prevented from being seen."
"There are people, homes, lives that are hidden from view because often they are too painful and too ‘ugly' for our society to see and acknowledge," he said.
A pulpit
Archbishop Marchetto went on to note that roads have a special place in the Gospel.
"Jesus meets people on the way, on the side of the road, in crowds and when he is alone," he said. "[...] The road is thus the place of encounter and transformation. It is the place of proclamation and evangelization, of healing and witness. In many ways it could be said that the road, the street, was both his home and pulpit."
This special significance continues today, the prelate observed, for those "who work in the service of the Gospel." The road, he suggested, "continues to be a place of both proclamation and witness and transformation and healing."
"It is the place where Christ may still be encountered," the archbishop affirmed, "where his words and life may given, through gestures and actions, where the Church may through its various apostolates channel the grace of God."
--- --- ---
On ZENIT's Web site:
Full text of Archbishop Marchetto's address: www.zenit.org/article-26995?l=english
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
JULY & AUGUST AT SALEM - RESEARCH
JULY 2009
01 Wed: Pack up to leave for Research to Salem, Tamil Nadu. At Don Bosco Rijswijk they gave me departing dinner wishing me also for the birth day.
02 Thu: Early Morning Biju, Sarah, Ceci and Lena gave with me to the Airport at Amsterdam and I left for Chennai.
03 Fri: I landed safe and on time at Chennai but my luggage had not arrived. Adaikalam came to receive me and took me to DBAI. Elzakka also had come to receive me with tickets to salem.
04 Sat: I gave a talk for the AnbuIllam staff on children participation. Emerance came to see me and we went to the boys shelter in the evening.
05 Sun: I received my luggage in the afternoon and I claimed Rs 2000/- as compensation. I had a good lunch at Elzakka`s home.
06 Mon: Travelled by Intercity and reached Salem at 7.15 pm. Theo, Xavier, Peter, Xavier, and Meril Mecheri had come to receive me at the station.
07 Tue: I celebrated the mass and had a long chat with Theo and relaxed. He gave me his office for two months to conduct the interviews.
08 Wed: Started with Interviews and Focus Group Discussions to collect my data for research. I met Rachel and Pandian Street Youth.
09 Thu: I met Shyamla and Annathanapatti youth.
10 Fri: I travelled night to Rameswaram with Meril Mecheri and Raja for the marriage of Amos.
11 Sat: Reached home. Dad was happy. Mom wept seeing me back.
12 Sun: I accompanied Amos to the Parish Church.
13 Mon: The marriage Amos was celebrated with grand festivity. Stephen anna family did not participate in it. Theo, Adaikalam, Benji, Maran and Xavier had come for the marriage. Amalraj celebrated the mass and I blessed the marriage. And I left immediately after the mass.
15 Wed: I met Vanitha, chinnammapalyam staff.
16 Thu: I met Ponnammapet youth.
17 Fri: I met Ambedkar colony Girls.
18 Sat: I met Thamarai the staff.
19 Sun: I met NarayanaNagar Girls at Sanniyasigundu.
20 Mon: I went Dharmapuri Don Bosco College and Hosur and met Arun and Shanmugam anbuillam who are studying at Siga.
22 Tue: I met Sanniyasi gundu girls.
23 Wed: I had lunch at Kavitha`s family she celebrated my birth day without me expecting it a least.
24 Thu: The inauguration of the centre for the Infected boys at Nilavarapatti. Amalraj had come and neither he nor me spoke except wishing. Mr.Joseph gave me treat. Mr.Amstrong from Bangalore came to see me.
26 Sun: I spent the full day at DB Tharangampadi. It was happy day. Maran had arranged a big celebration for my birth day. It was good to meet staff and children.
27 Mon: Theo, Benji, Maran, Adaikalam and me went to Pondy to celebrate my birth day. It was a very good day.
28 Tue: I reached back salem same evening.
AUGUST 2009
01 Sat: DBAI Old Boys Meeting. About 35 boys had come for the meeting. It was a good experience. Fr.Theo gave a introductory talk. I took the following sessions. It was a great meeting together. They were so proud of coming back. There was a good volley ball match as a climax and few boys also went to see adivaram.
02 Sun: Lunch at Meril Mecheri house.
03 Mon: Data collection went on, and other activities such as animation of stall, Drop out youth animation and conducting children and youth training.
08 Sat: Youth Fest Organized for the Young women at Sanniyasigundu. It was the first model for the youth and the Staff. It was a full day programme. The youth enjoyed it and wanted to be conducted every month. The staff also learned to conduct it.
There was the ordination of the cousin of Fr.Felix belonging to the African Missionary Society. All of us participated in the ordination. After the ordination we took a walk to the National hotel.
There was also the ADIVASI KALAIVIZHA conducted in the CSI school campus. It was good effort of the local NGOs to bring to light the dying arts of the adivasi people.
09 Sun: We participated in the First Mass of the Missionary who was newly ordained with the boys.
We also conducted the first Youth Fest for the boys. It was a good beginning. The staff tried to conduct it. It was a good experience for the youth.
10 Mon: I had breakfast in Kavitha`s house and left for Adivaram and Yercaud. I had lunch at Narmadha`s family at Yercaud. I went by bike. I also visited St.Anne`s convent at yercaud.
11 Tue: Early morning I left for Tiruppur. I met Paulraj, Arokiasamy, Doss and visited the Canteen of George. Returned back late at night.
13 Thu: Elzakka came by Kovai Express. In the evening we visited Nilavarapatti and Adivaram with Theo, Peter and volunteers.
14 Fri: Elzakka and myself left for Namakkal by bus early in the morning. We were glad to see the new house for the affected boys who were 72 in total. It was well organized and all required facilities were in place and boys were used to regular life.
While returning back to Salem in Don Bosco Jeep we met with an accident. A two wheeler with its rider was hit. We spent the whole day at Namakkal. He was safe without any serious injury. Jancy came immediately for help. Theo, Xavier, and coordinator and Peter also came for the help.
15 Sat: It was Independence day and Assumption. Elzakka and myself had breakfast at Lakshimi and bought sweets for home and for boys. Then there was the hoisting of the flag. Then I celebrated mass. Then later Elzakka left by Kovai express to Katpadi.
Then I went to fix up my teeth. Later Arokiamary arrived to meet me.
16 Sun: Late in the evening I left for Rameswaram. Arokiamary left for Madras.
17 Mon: I arrived home with a good rain. It was good to be back. Amos and his wife Jenny were also at home with my parents to welcome me. In the evening I went to visit Stephen anna home. Austina and Abi were also there. Ajaramma and Jeni arrived and we all came back after a little snacks there.
18 Tue: We went in the auto to meet Amalraj family at Nochuvadi. Periappa was very sick and it was hard to see him suffer. Later we went to the church of Santiagappar at Thangachimadam.
19 Wed: Simon anna gave us a lunch. Amos left with his wife to Katpadi. I went to the station to leave him. We went to Thanushkodi and we came back with barrotta for supper.
20 Thu: I was at home. Later in the evening Jeni and Ahil went to the beach behind our house. We saw the people working with sea moss.
21 Fri: Late in the evening I left for Salem with a little dinner at the house of Stephen anna. I almost missed the bus because of the tyre puncture of the twowheeler.
22 Sat: I took a session for the children on participation.
23 Sun: Vinayaka chathurthi and Kavitha brought me sundal and kozhukattai and invited me for a dinner at Selvi Mess with Uma. It was a good treat for her bonus in the office. We shared a lot of many good old things.
At 8.pm I joined the staff tour to Kerala by train to Trivandrum.
24 Mon: We were at Trivandram to several spots guided by fr.... Mr.Joseph gave a treat often during the trip with cool drinks. Mr.Lourdu gave a good breakfast and Lunch. There was lots of fun with teasing each other especially Rachel for her make ups.
25 Tue: We had a long journey to Baranganam to the Tomb of st.Alphonsa visiting many churches on the way. I was entertaining the crowd all the way. I conducted a Vivatha Medai on the topic `Is symbols needed for the married men?`. It was interesting and all spoke with lots of fun and points. In the evening we returned back by night train. This is what Xavier wrote to me later: Dear Rayan,
Thanks for your visit. We enjoyed your company. You did a lot of animation for the youth, old students and staff. The boys too enjoyed your presence. We await your return and look forward to it. The picnic was a memorable one because of your coming. The bus tripe was very well animated and also was an entertainment. We will keep in touch and your study will help us to improve our work for the youth. Kindly give your suggestions for my improvement.
Once again thanking you, With regards,
Fr. Xavier
26 wed: I packed up and in the evening joined the birth day celebrations of fr.Xavier.
27 Thu: Early morning left with Theo in the jeep to Tiruchy to meet Amalraj who asked me get back next year and do my studies in the province. Had a dinner with Adaikalam and Theo later i left for Chennai. Andrew received me and gave me a dinner and took me to DBAI.
28 Fri: I met people at CESVI at Chennai. Later I met Emerance and Murthi and had dinner in the convent. She had bought me eatables and fruits.
29 Sat: Theo gave me a dinner at Breeze and left me at the Air Port. Kavitha sent me bouquet to the air port and Muthaiha came to see me at the Air port.
30 Sun: left for Mumbai but the next flight delayed by 2 hours. I lost the connecting flights at Frankfurt so arrived late by 4 hours. Biju came to pick me up at the air port.
Later evening there was farewell party for the volunteers Camillo, Sarah, Ceci, Lena and Luka.
31 Mon: Early morning Ceci, Luka and Sarah left. I went to the station to leave them. I slept the whole day.
01 Wed: Pack up to leave for Research to Salem, Tamil Nadu. At Don Bosco Rijswijk they gave me departing dinner wishing me also for the birth day.
02 Thu: Early Morning Biju, Sarah, Ceci and Lena gave with me to the Airport at Amsterdam and I left for Chennai.
03 Fri: I landed safe and on time at Chennai but my luggage had not arrived. Adaikalam came to receive me and took me to DBAI. Elzakka also had come to receive me with tickets to salem.
04 Sat: I gave a talk for the AnbuIllam staff on children participation. Emerance came to see me and we went to the boys shelter in the evening.
05 Sun: I received my luggage in the afternoon and I claimed Rs 2000/- as compensation. I had a good lunch at Elzakka`s home.
06 Mon: Travelled by Intercity and reached Salem at 7.15 pm. Theo, Xavier, Peter, Xavier, and Meril Mecheri had come to receive me at the station.
07 Tue: I celebrated the mass and had a long chat with Theo and relaxed. He gave me his office for two months to conduct the interviews.
08 Wed: Started with Interviews and Focus Group Discussions to collect my data for research. I met Rachel and Pandian Street Youth.
09 Thu: I met Shyamla and Annathanapatti youth.
10 Fri: I travelled night to Rameswaram with Meril Mecheri and Raja for the marriage of Amos.
11 Sat: Reached home. Dad was happy. Mom wept seeing me back.
12 Sun: I accompanied Amos to the Parish Church.
13 Mon: The marriage Amos was celebrated with grand festivity. Stephen anna family did not participate in it. Theo, Adaikalam, Benji, Maran and Xavier had come for the marriage. Amalraj celebrated the mass and I blessed the marriage. And I left immediately after the mass.
15 Wed: I met Vanitha, chinnammapalyam staff.
16 Thu: I met Ponnammapet youth.
17 Fri: I met Ambedkar colony Girls.
18 Sat: I met Thamarai the staff.
19 Sun: I met NarayanaNagar Girls at Sanniyasigundu.
20 Mon: I went Dharmapuri Don Bosco College and Hosur and met Arun and Shanmugam anbuillam who are studying at Siga.
22 Tue: I met Sanniyasi gundu girls.
23 Wed: I had lunch at Kavitha`s family she celebrated my birth day without me expecting it a least.
24 Thu: The inauguration of the centre for the Infected boys at Nilavarapatti. Amalraj had come and neither he nor me spoke except wishing. Mr.Joseph gave me treat. Mr.Amstrong from Bangalore came to see me.
26 Sun: I spent the full day at DB Tharangampadi. It was happy day. Maran had arranged a big celebration for my birth day. It was good to meet staff and children.
27 Mon: Theo, Benji, Maran, Adaikalam and me went to Pondy to celebrate my birth day. It was a very good day.
28 Tue: I reached back salem same evening.
AUGUST 2009
01 Sat: DBAI Old Boys Meeting. About 35 boys had come for the meeting. It was a good experience. Fr.Theo gave a introductory talk. I took the following sessions. It was a great meeting together. They were so proud of coming back. There was a good volley ball match as a climax and few boys also went to see adivaram.
02 Sun: Lunch at Meril Mecheri house.
03 Mon: Data collection went on, and other activities such as animation of stall, Drop out youth animation and conducting children and youth training.
08 Sat: Youth Fest Organized for the Young women at Sanniyasigundu. It was the first model for the youth and the Staff. It was a full day programme. The youth enjoyed it and wanted to be conducted every month. The staff also learned to conduct it.
There was the ordination of the cousin of Fr.Felix belonging to the African Missionary Society. All of us participated in the ordination. After the ordination we took a walk to the National hotel.
There was also the ADIVASI KALAIVIZHA conducted in the CSI school campus. It was good effort of the local NGOs to bring to light the dying arts of the adivasi people.
09 Sun: We participated in the First Mass of the Missionary who was newly ordained with the boys.
We also conducted the first Youth Fest for the boys. It was a good beginning. The staff tried to conduct it. It was a good experience for the youth.
10 Mon: I had breakfast in Kavitha`s house and left for Adivaram and Yercaud. I had lunch at Narmadha`s family at Yercaud. I went by bike. I also visited St.Anne`s convent at yercaud.
11 Tue: Early morning I left for Tiruppur. I met Paulraj, Arokiasamy, Doss and visited the Canteen of George. Returned back late at night.
13 Thu: Elzakka came by Kovai Express. In the evening we visited Nilavarapatti and Adivaram with Theo, Peter and volunteers.
14 Fri: Elzakka and myself left for Namakkal by bus early in the morning. We were glad to see the new house for the affected boys who were 72 in total. It was well organized and all required facilities were in place and boys were used to regular life.
While returning back to Salem in Don Bosco Jeep we met with an accident. A two wheeler with its rider was hit. We spent the whole day at Namakkal. He was safe without any serious injury. Jancy came immediately for help. Theo, Xavier, and coordinator and Peter also came for the help.
15 Sat: It was Independence day and Assumption. Elzakka and myself had breakfast at Lakshimi and bought sweets for home and for boys. Then there was the hoisting of the flag. Then I celebrated mass. Then later Elzakka left by Kovai express to Katpadi.
Then I went to fix up my teeth. Later Arokiamary arrived to meet me.
16 Sun: Late in the evening I left for Rameswaram. Arokiamary left for Madras.
17 Mon: I arrived home with a good rain. It was good to be back. Amos and his wife Jenny were also at home with my parents to welcome me. In the evening I went to visit Stephen anna home. Austina and Abi were also there. Ajaramma and Jeni arrived and we all came back after a little snacks there.
18 Tue: We went in the auto to meet Amalraj family at Nochuvadi. Periappa was very sick and it was hard to see him suffer. Later we went to the church of Santiagappar at Thangachimadam.
19 Wed: Simon anna gave us a lunch. Amos left with his wife to Katpadi. I went to the station to leave him. We went to Thanushkodi and we came back with barrotta for supper.
20 Thu: I was at home. Later in the evening Jeni and Ahil went to the beach behind our house. We saw the people working with sea moss.
21 Fri: Late in the evening I left for Salem with a little dinner at the house of Stephen anna. I almost missed the bus because of the tyre puncture of the twowheeler.
22 Sat: I took a session for the children on participation.
23 Sun: Vinayaka chathurthi and Kavitha brought me sundal and kozhukattai and invited me for a dinner at Selvi Mess with Uma. It was a good treat for her bonus in the office. We shared a lot of many good old things.
At 8.pm I joined the staff tour to Kerala by train to Trivandrum.
24 Mon: We were at Trivandram to several spots guided by fr.... Mr.Joseph gave a treat often during the trip with cool drinks. Mr.Lourdu gave a good breakfast and Lunch. There was lots of fun with teasing each other especially Rachel for her make ups.
25 Tue: We had a long journey to Baranganam to the Tomb of st.Alphonsa visiting many churches on the way. I was entertaining the crowd all the way. I conducted a Vivatha Medai on the topic `Is symbols needed for the married men?`. It was interesting and all spoke with lots of fun and points. In the evening we returned back by night train. This is what Xavier wrote to me later: Dear Rayan,
Thanks for your visit. We enjoyed your company. You did a lot of animation for the youth, old students and staff. The boys too enjoyed your presence. We await your return and look forward to it. The picnic was a memorable one because of your coming. The bus tripe was very well animated and also was an entertainment. We will keep in touch and your study will help us to improve our work for the youth. Kindly give your suggestions for my improvement.
Once again thanking you, With regards,
Fr. Xavier
26 wed: I packed up and in the evening joined the birth day celebrations of fr.Xavier.
27 Thu: Early morning left with Theo in the jeep to Tiruchy to meet Amalraj who asked me get back next year and do my studies in the province. Had a dinner with Adaikalam and Theo later i left for Chennai. Andrew received me and gave me a dinner and took me to DBAI.
28 Fri: I met people at CESVI at Chennai. Later I met Emerance and Murthi and had dinner in the convent. She had bought me eatables and fruits.
29 Sat: Theo gave me a dinner at Breeze and left me at the Air Port. Kavitha sent me bouquet to the air port and Muthaiha came to see me at the Air port.
30 Sun: left for Mumbai but the next flight delayed by 2 hours. I lost the connecting flights at Frankfurt so arrived late by 4 hours. Biju came to pick me up at the air port.
Later evening there was farewell party for the volunteers Camillo, Sarah, Ceci, Lena and Luka.
31 Mon: Early morning Ceci, Luka and Sarah left. I went to the station to leave them. I slept the whole day.
Kites festival
Last week end i had been to the kites festival at the beach at the Hague.
You can see a few pictures here.
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/arayansdb/KITES?authkey=Gv1sRgCIah04qmgcPj-AE#
You can see a few pictures here.
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/arayansdb/KITES?authkey=Gv1sRgCIah04qmgcPj-AE#
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