Day 4, August 14
Today was Fr. Mariappa’s turn to take me around town. It is interesting to note how a priest’s understanding of a town is different from a layman’s. The first venue for this day was the Silicon Valley of India, a group of very modern office buildings called ITPC. We then went to a Hindu Ashram called Satyashaibebe. It was large complex with a great deal of posters of the swami who is its central focus. Interesting to me was the similarity between it and Catholic structures I have been visiting. Asking questions of the young people there, we found him to be revered but not thee at this time. The largest buildings on the site were hostels where the visitors to the Ashram stay. Everything seemed clean and proper.
After changing money at a very good rate from a money changer, we went to St. Mary’s Basilica, the other great Catholic site in Bengalore where miracles are common. Fr. Arulappa, the rector, saw me for a second since he had a couple in his office. We went upstairs into a common area where two priests were relaxing after hearing confessions. The chat that ensued was no different than any I have had with priests in the U.S.
That’s one place where the twain does meet. Certainly, the English language does not unite us. Our pronouncing of the words is quite different. We accent different syllables and our inflections differ as well. But priests’ conversations are happily a place I felt at home. Our seminary education, or our common experiences, or the unity of the Church, or other factors overcome the East-West dichotomy and, for once the twain met.
I enjoyed a whole evening of this unity at St. Anne’s rectory in Mestripelya. Fr. Chinnappa, our host invited us and some other priests over. He brought out some Kingfisher Beer ( the local brew in Bengalore; and pretty good) and snacks and we shared stories until time to go home for the night.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
[Dear Friends, if any of you are still around. Upon arriving in India, I found two major problems. First, I do not have as much leisure time as I anticipated. This is good for my style o travel. I like filling the day with exciting stuff. That, I'm experiencing. Second, internt access is not as available as I thought. As a result I'm days behind. Here are the first couple of days entris. I assure you there will be more to follow.]
Day 3 – August 13
Having arrived at midnight and driving for over an hour to get to the parish at which I was staying, St. Anthony’s. still I arose at a relatively decent time in the morning. I had the privilege of saying my first Mass in India concelebrating with Fr. Maiappa, the pastor. He was at the airport to pick me up. Originally, I took him to be a teen along to help with the baggage. It turned out he was 47 and a priest of some distinction. He has proven to be a wise man, a good guide and a comrade.
After Mass, I was given a tour of the school. The school has about 375 students ranging from 1st level standard (5yrs, 10mos) to 11th. I think I made it to all the classes. In many of them I had a good time to interact with the students. The rooms were ill-lighted and obviously low-tech. I saw no computers or labs. Yet, the students were highly motivated to learn. The vast majority of the student body was Hindu and not Catholic.
Before the tour, I had breakfast with the nuns who run the school. They were Sisters of St. Anne, a large Diocesan Order. In fact, there are six houses of religious within easy walking distance of St. Anthony’s. I quickly found out that the Church in India is rich in vocations.
After the tour, the man given the responsibility of coordinating my trip, Devakumar, arrived to take me to lunch and a brief tour of Bangalore. He came in a car rented with a driver. This method seems to be ordinary. I, for certain would not want to drive in urban India. The streets are filled with vehicles whose only aim is to get to where they’re going. Staying in lanes is scorned. I haven’t yet discovered any rules except the use of the horn. It is a useful tool to communicate to other drivers. When you are approaching another vehicle with the intention to pass, you should honk at him. He will honk back letting you know I it’s OK or not. Other traffic situations have their own honking patterns. This ‘system’ makes for very few accidents but an extremely loud street scene. As a pedestrian, the honking was unbearable.
After a fine lunch, I was taken to the Cathedral which is the sight of miracles. A billboard outside along the road read, Jesus Heals – For information inquire at the Catholic Church. Inside was a scene of great devotion. It seems the Church in India bases its evangelization on the miracles that I am led to believe occur often here. Actually, I think they do everywhere; but here they are advertised.
Later, we spent the late afternoon at the very pretty Botanical Gardens. His was next to last day of a special flower show. It, indeed, was spectacular. Besides wonderful trees and beautiful floral arrangements there was a large lake and a tribe of monkeys. It was a good experience to relax at after a long trip and before eleven weeks of purposeful touring.
From there we walked in and around the Legislative Capitol Building of the State of Karnikata. Then, we made it back to the rectory.
Day 3 – August 13
Having arrived at midnight and driving for over an hour to get to the parish at which I was staying, St. Anthony’s. still I arose at a relatively decent time in the morning. I had the privilege of saying my first Mass in India concelebrating with Fr. Maiappa, the pastor. He was at the airport to pick me up. Originally, I took him to be a teen along to help with the baggage. It turned out he was 47 and a priest of some distinction. He has proven to be a wise man, a good guide and a comrade.
After Mass, I was given a tour of the school. The school has about 375 students ranging from 1st level standard (5yrs, 10mos) to 11th. I think I made it to all the classes. In many of them I had a good time to interact with the students. The rooms were ill-lighted and obviously low-tech. I saw no computers or labs. Yet, the students were highly motivated to learn. The vast majority of the student body was Hindu and not Catholic.
Before the tour, I had breakfast with the nuns who run the school. They were Sisters of St. Anne, a large Diocesan Order. In fact, there are six houses of religious within easy walking distance of St. Anthony’s. I quickly found out that the Church in India is rich in vocations.
After the tour, the man given the responsibility of coordinating my trip, Devakumar, arrived to take me to lunch and a brief tour of Bangalore. He came in a car rented with a driver. This method seems to be ordinary. I, for certain would not want to drive in urban India. The streets are filled with vehicles whose only aim is to get to where they’re going. Staying in lanes is scorned. I haven’t yet discovered any rules except the use of the horn. It is a useful tool to communicate to other drivers. When you are approaching another vehicle with the intention to pass, you should honk at him. He will honk back letting you know I it’s OK or not. Other traffic situations have their own honking patterns. This ‘system’ makes for very few accidents but an extremely loud street scene. As a pedestrian, the honking was unbearable.
After a fine lunch, I was taken to the Cathedral which is the sight of miracles. A billboard outside along the road read, Jesus Heals – For information inquire at the Catholic Church. Inside was a scene of great devotion. It seems the Church in India bases its evangelization on the miracles that I am led to believe occur often here. Actually, I think they do everywhere; but here they are advertised.
Later, we spent the late afternoon at the very pretty Botanical Gardens. His was next to last day of a special flower show. It, indeed, was spectacular. Besides wonderful trees and beautiful floral arrangements there was a large lake and a tribe of monkeys. It was a good experience to relax at after a long trip and before eleven weeks of purposeful touring.
From there we walked in and around the Legislative Capitol Building of the State of Karnikata. Then, we made it back to the rectory.
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