Day 22, Sept. 1

Father Gregory is the pastor of St. Anthony’s and, formally, my host. He seems to be a self-assured man fully in charge of all that’s in his care. He has a resume that would put him in the running for a diocese of his own some day. Knowing that I was looking at various projects for Love & Care, he wanted me to go with him to see his pet project. It was across to Hooghly River in Howrah. Crossing the bridge, his appearance changed. He looked happy and free of the cares of management. By the time we arrived at the Bess Crawford Center (named after an Australian benefactor), he was a joy, proud to show me this part of his life. Sure enough, it was a place where children who dropped out of school were picked up and taught by high quality teachers at their own pace until they liked learning and were able to be re-admitted to school. Primary school children were learning English. (That’s a big deal here.) Such knowledge alone could practically guarantee them a job, if they persevere. They put on a program of songs for me and impressed me greatly more by their discipline than anything else. It’s a super project. And the teachers get paid about $20 to 50.00 per month. I’ve been asking about the economics o the country. I’m only beginning to understand how things work here. Suffice it to say for now that people can get by on that amount but not very well.
We had lunch back at the parish. After about an hour of housekeeping in the cozy bin that serves as my room I was off to the Motherhouse to participate in another day of the novena before Mother Teresa’s feast day. I got there in time for the rosary and concelebrated Mass with three other priests. One was Fr. Eric from Lisbon whom I met yesterday. The other was Missionary of Charity (MC) Father Steve. He hails from Australia mate. I asked him if I could see him the net day. He said 2:30 is the best time for him. I agreed. However, there was another priest whom I met at St. Anthony’s ho came with me to the Motherhouse. He enticed me into going with him to his parish in which there was a leper colony. My time is flexible; so, I agreed to go with him. I thought his place was somewhat close. Now during the negotiations for time, h had a say. We would meet with Fr. Steve and then hurry to catch a bus. That done e returned to St. Anthony’s or supper and bed. Supper is about 8 pm and bed soon follows t 9 or so. Usually, by that time my body gives out. I’ve been walking a lot as I hd planned and the humid heat takes my energy away. That is the way I planned to get back in shape. I hope to keep to that regimen for the rest of the trip.