Fr. John and Tommy

Fr. John and Tommy

Fr. John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:

Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders.

It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day. I was unprepared and my emotions flipped.

I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange... Very strange.

Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course.

Just look up!

THE BUZZARD

If you put a buzzard in a cage that is 6 feet by 8 feet

and is entirely open at the top,

The bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner.

The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground

with a run of 10 to 12 feet.

Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly,

But will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

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THE BAT 

The ordinary bat that flies around at night,

a remarkably nimble creature in the air,

Cannot take off from a level place.

If it is placed on the floor or flat ground,

all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and,

No doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation

from which it can throw itself into the air.

Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

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THE BUMBLEBEE

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies,

unless it is taken out.

It never sees the means of escape at the top,

but persists in trying to find some way out

Through the sides near the bottom.

It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

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PEOPLE

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee.

We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up!

That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem...

Just look up!

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Sorrow looks back,

Worry looks around,

But faith looks up!

Live simply,

Love generously,

Care deeply,

Speak kindly, and

Trust in our Creator,

Who loves us.

Share this with a friend... I just d
c/o Arokiadas sj

Charitable strides

Charitable strides

      More than 6,500 Amdavadis participated in the 11th Annual Motif Charity Walk; helped to raise Rs 44 lakh

Amdavadis walked and jogged their way to good health on a chilly Sunday and in the process helped raise Rs 44 lakh. More than 6,500 people, from the age of 6 to 60, participated in the 11th edition of annual Motif Charity Walk. 

    The 5-km walk and 10-km run was flagged off from LD College of Engineering and passed by B K School of Management, Vijay Crossroads, Helmet Circle, Blind People’s Association and PRL before coming back to LD. 

    Chartered Accountant Pushpendra Sisodia said, “Thirty of us have come to participate in this event. This is a great initiative and we want to take this opportunity to set an example for youngsters. Bringing about social awareness is very important.” 

    The beneficiaries of the fund raised this year would be Jivdaya Charitable Trust which helps injured stray animals and birds, Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust that supports victims of social injustice in rural areas, Prabhat Education Foundation that nurtures children with special needs and learning difficulties and Special Olympics Gujarat Charitable Trust which empowers people with intellectual disabilities. 

     CEO of Motif Inc Kaushal Mehta said, “This year, we had 60 corporates supporting us, which is a record. It is indeed heartwarming to see this kind of awareness among the people.”

     The director of the Unteshwari Sammilitalayam - a centre for and with the disabled persons, Fr Girish expressed his joy at Motif Charity walk “Indeed, I, in a small way, am part of this process of making our fellow brethren to commit for a noble cause. What a joy to walk with all”! 

Peace Summit 2009 - Educating the Heart and Mind