Last day

On Wednesday I went to Bankura to see a new school the Diocese of Durgapur has established.  Seven girls live there. There have about thirty students who now have a larger horizon than before.  The ministry here is one of presence and persistence. The Church is filling the gap to make sure people have schools and medical care and dignity.

Thursday morning Lisa and I went to St. Peter's School here in Durgapur. It's almost 60 years old and has over 1,500 students. At the assemply they all stood at attention and heard the news for the day (including sports)  and the thought for the day. One student read a bible verse and said a prayer.

I looked at their classrooms. They have chalk boards but little of our technology. However, the students sit and learn. It's so fascinating that in the streets India feels like chaos but in places like the schools there is a strict sense of order.  Today was the day for report cards. The parents come to school to get the grades with their child.

I am grateful for the friendships we've established over these years. This is my 4th trip and we have all grown together. Being here reminds that our faith is about core essentials--prayer, community, service, love of the Lord, bread and wine.

I am looking forward to visiting Kolkata Friday--especially Mother Teresa's----but not to getting on the plane. God willing we fly Kolkata to Dubai; Dubai to JFK; and JFK to Charlotte.
Keep us in your prayers.
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Tuesday we went to Purulia and visited two parishes--St. Bartholomew's and The Church of the Resurrection. The priest there has so much enthusiasm. He has built up both these parishes even though almost everyone around is Hindu.

This morning I went to St. Michael's School which is next door to the Diocese's compound and is a school connected to the Diocese. There are about 1,800 students. They were all at attention when I got there. The Lead Girl said a Christian prayer and everyone listened to the thought for the day. I talked about making a difference where you are. Although the classrooms are not furnished as the ones in the States, the students sat with full attention and dedication.

 

It made me think about the common hopes of parents around the world. There is a yearning for your child's life to be better--not just in comfort but in meaning. There's a yearning for them to flourish and find their way. The principal told me of the sacrifices parents make to send their children and I understood that as a parent.  Travel just gives us a perspective that we can't get any other way.

 

The group from New Zealand left today so Lisa Clark and I are the only pilgrims here. This afternoon I am off to another school sponsored by the diocese (there are five) and then tomorrow I'll think about how to pack all the gifts I have been given (especially a cope and miter given by the Daughters of the KIng).

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Today (Tuesday) went to Purulia to see St. Peters school and the local Church as well as St Mary's Sewing Center. As always the children's joy is contagious. I am aware of what their parents sacrifice to give their children a better life, but more I am aware of what the Diocese of Dugapur is willing to do. In a place where Christianity is a small minority, the diocese is giving hope to parents and to people like me and you. The world gets changed one person at a time. This child.

I am so proud of our diocese being part of this movement. When I go around the diocese I see plaques with our names on them--schools, clinics, centers. Somewhere in our hearts we know that when these brothers and sisters' lives are better, we are all better.

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Pictures from India