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Fr. Austin Norris Calling.... |
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My Musings |
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Come to Bandra…. Bandra Meri Hai….!! Faith and Tragedy Fr. Austin Norris 20th June 2013 ******************* Visiting shrines, faith in action Hoping for miracles beyond imagination. Ascending prayer hopes uplifted Thank the Almighty, for life that is gifted. Trekking uphill and then down again Reaching to heaven, bending low. Unseen, the heavens opened up suddenly Gushing down rain flooding the valley. Washed away hope,s desperate cries Holding on to the loved ones, on to life. Wait help.. help, I came here for healing Why is God, in this tragedy,
so unrelenting.? Natures fury mixed with God’s
grace Difficult
to fathom, picking up pieces. God, do you wish this on me and mine ? Heal my hurt, rebuild my faith sublime.
DIFFERENT STROKES –
ONE CHORUS Fr. Austin Norris Appeared
in THE EXAMINER - 21st December 2012 A still sky, blue at the most in
spite of the dark night, backlit with the twinkling stars. The air, a cool breeze on the mountain side.
The warm fires of the shepherds, cheering the heart and the dancing flames
recreating the prancing shadows…… Up in the heavens above, one Star
amongst the many, was on special call that night. It went beyond the “night
duty” of daily routine. There was work
to do tonight – lots of it…. The star had to be at its shining best… but wait
another scene had to unfold before, that star was called to shine its brightest
best. And so while it bid its time, the star shone benignly upon the lowly
shepherds tending their sheep on the Bethlehem hillsides. Far removed from earthly
realities, the angels in heaven were all agog, preening their wings and fine
tuning their voices, getting all ready and set for the opening chorus. They
might have well rehearsed their tidings of great joy and they waited with bated
breath for the curtain to rise and to sound their” Gloria in Excelsis Deo…” One among those angels – the
Archangel Gabriel - was on call that night as well – to perhaps
oversee a chorus of angels, preparing to an do an unprecedented bidding of none
other than God Almighty. After only recently – a few months ago – he was
privileged to do the “breaking news” of the annunciation of the Birth of the
Messiah. So he was like an old hand at
dealing with mere mortals…. Mere mortals…?? Nay, the chosen ones -the young maiden Mary
and Joseph of Nazareth. They were the earthly
beings –chosen from amongst men and women- to do the bidding of God above. They
were the ones who had journeyed through the maze of surprise, shock and awe,
perhaps ridicule and awkward questions and knowing glances; the searing conscience
struggle, the travails of pregnancy and the long and arduous journey for the
census and house hunting. The Virgin Maiden one was heavy
with child and her anxious husband was perhaps distraught at the thought of the
delivery of her firstborn; after all he had made a commitment to God –albeit in
a dream- “to take Mary home as your
wife…” and whatever else that meant. Mercifully and God-fully he had said yes
to this unprecedented calling and in a sense made the rest of men a manly lot.
After all men don’t like to take on the unseen, they want to see all the cards
laid on the table. But Joseph was willing to go along with his dream and make it
a reality with the sure intervention of the God of his ancestors.. The inn keeper, hassled on that
particular day, would probably have been ready to call it quits for the night –
but providentially he seemed to be there, to help the maiden with child and her
pleading spouse. His heart melted and he did what charity he could for that
moment and allowed them to settle in for the night – little knowing what a
night it was going to be. Then having snuffed off his oil lamp he must have turned
in for a well-deserved rest – his good deed done for the day..!! And then it all happened…. The
frenetic moans and the heavy breathing of the maiden, the amateurish aid of the
spouse, the wide-eyed and bleary look of the ox and the ass and there it was -
the Baby aglow in the shimmering light of the lamp – indeed the Lamb of God – in
person, as a Babe of Bethlehem, Emmanuel-God with us. At that very moment, the
Star, the descent of the angels, the song from their cheerful breasts and the
shock and awe of the shepherds , the
excited off-beat bleating of the sheep and Gloria in Excelsis Deo……!! There you
had it – the different strokes, all blending into one chorus - a beautiful
moment of THE INCARNATION. Back here on earth, may I say, in spite of the
different strokes that make up each of our lives, a Merry Christmas to you…??
Thank you and enjoy the Chorus….!!! *************************************************************************
”Hope you will help us today….” Fr. Austin Norris 2nd Feb 2011 A photo-frame of me receiving
Holy Communion from the hands of the late Pope John Paul II, besides another showing me greeting him, holds pride of place
in my room for the past 25 years – yes 25 years – that is how long
ago it was that the late “ Pope JP II”, as he was fondly called by the youth of the world, visited Mumbai –
India. Sunday 9th February
1986, will be forever one of the momentous and happy memories etched in my mind. It was the day that I was able to shake hands
with the late Pope John Paul II, look into his blue eyes, speak with him, listen to him, see him smile and receive Holy Communion
from his hands as well. His words to me that evening at Well let me place my reminiscence
in perspective. I was ordained a priest on 13th April 1985 and my first pastoral posting was at Our Lady of Salvation
Church, Dadar (W). The Holy Father’s visit was announced well in advance and preparations were in high gear for a long
time. Committees and commissions, groups of clergy and professionals were garnered in to give shape to an event that would
be befitting a visit from the Roman Pontiff. After all the last visit from the Holy Father to our land had been in December 1964, when Pope Paul VI –visited Mumbai and As the month of February
1986 drew close, I got a telephone call from Fr. Jude Pereira, who was then at the Pastoral Centre, Bandra. It was call that
made history for me. He said that I was chosen to be a Commentator at the Papal Mass, along with him, at We were to look at the Missal
and the guidelines that came from the Roman Curia and the commentary and instructions were to be suitably written and arranged.
Fr. Jude was the master at this and mine was only to practice to articulate well, get used to talking to a massive crowd and
pronounce Hindi, Marathi, Konkani and Italian words to perfection – well, near perfection..!! I think I stitched a new
cassock for the occasion as well. A few days before 9th
February, we had a rehearsal at When D-Day dawned, I was
all excited. The late Msgr Jonathan Dias, my Parish Priest at On the dot of 4.30pm the Papal motorcade made its way into the Park, and there was a tremendous out-pouring of love and
emotion from the crowds, suitably augmented by us with our commentary and the sloganeering…. We had begun well…!!
After a while there he was…!! The magnificent Pope himself and his entourage led by Cardinal Simon Pimenta and a host
of Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Roman Curia. As they came on to the three
tiered stage, the Pope met the clergy con-celebrants on the first tier and then he climbed on to the second tier where we
– Fr. Jude and myself- were standing at the podium. My heart leapt and the pounding in my chest was louder than the
sound-system. As His Holiness strode towards us, Fr. Jude cautioned me to hold back and wait till he came to us..( thank God
he told me that..!!) I was all set to grab the Holy Father, but he graciously held out his hand and I took it and kissed it
and looked into his eyes and held on to that hand for all I was worth. Then the Holy Father smiled and said those words: ”Hope
you will help us today….”. The rest is history…..!! Vive Le Pape…!! God Bless you Blessed Pope John
Paul II.
Creatures
of Christmas Fr. Austin
Norris - (Dec 2010) Though
created last, “man and woman” feature first in the Christmas story. Joseph
and Mary and the Child within the womb set the scene for this momentous occasion. Human
beings are the crown of God’s creation. It is as if God reserved the best
for the last and poured out his life and heart and soul into the flesh of man “making him little less than a God.” We see the antagonist of the Christmas narrative typified in Herod. The violence that
Herod sought to bring upon the Babe of Bethlehem and his family has its portents in the vitiated heart of an insecure man. The very human being, whom God fashioned as his best work, could stoop so low as to
destroy innocent life – abuse of children, abortion and infanticide. From
man the “social animal” we focus our attention to the real animals in the Christmas narrative viz. the sheep,
the ox and ass. All these animals are in stark contrast to what the “social
animal” – man is seen doing and scheming against innocent life. These
animals in their speechless state afford a comfortable and safe environment for the hunted and hapless. Their warmth in the stable at Animals
today in all shapes and sizes are threatened - some beyond extinction. They are
beasts of burden no doubt but mankind has abused the lordship quotient that was conferred by God – we have in more ways
than one harmed the animal kingdom. A day will come when only Jurassic Park-like
entertainment may showcase a lost world to our future generations. The
hay and the poor domestic setting of the manger bring to mind the plant life which surrounds us and makes life pleasant with
its greenery, shade, photosynthesis and freshness. The hay in that dismal manger
of the stable of Plant
life with its variety and brilliance, in turn supporting birds and bees, flying creatures and insects, fruits and flowers
– is the bedrock of sustenance of human life. The melting of the glaciers
and global warming are, in large part, due to the wanton and indiscriminate destruction
of trees, mountains and rivers. The
shepherds who adored in illiterate awe are the ‘good human beings’ who represent the best in humankind - innocence,
hard work, love for hearth and family, a receptive and listening heart that welcomes the God of all things. “Listen, let your heart keep seeking ………..” and we will indeed find “the
pearl of great price”. The
starry night silhouetting the star of The
heaven’s are God’s brilliant brush strokes across a canvas that stretches
into eternity. When the wise men looked up for wisdom from the stars, they were
led to the “Wisdom of the Ages” in the Babe of Bethlehem. How miserly
is man, perhaps, seeking only to expand his horizons sans the wisdom that seeks to appreciate, preserve and promote. The
search for the divine, will at times, make us leave our comfortable or cumbersome preoccupation and make us go out of our
way, in faith, to dig deep and long in the mysterious - that Divine Providence has made available to us – and the end
result will almost always lead us to the worship of ‘God’ and “all that is God-like”. Royalty,
in the person of the Magi or Three Kings is highlighted as well, in the birth narrative.
Their search, the journey, their questions, the misinformation, the divine angelic intervention, the relief in the
end and their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh – what a plethora of experience as a model for our own search and
giftedness. These
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are a reminder of the essentials in our lives as against the accidentals which so often
occupy our minds. The gifts that we select and present in our many celebrations are so often harmful to earth and creation. The perfumes, the paper that is wasted, the carbon emitting gadgets and the forever
guzzling gizmos, are perhaps an
insult to the Lord of Creation. At
the end of it all, we are left with the greatest gift of God – the Babe of Bethlehem – Emmanuel - God with us. Will our hearts and our earth be a warm cradle for him??? Will we leave a better and safer world for our children? God
inspiring, we will. Happy and Holy Christmas and a God-filled New Year. Christmas Gifts Fr.
Austin Norris ( Dec-2010) Gaily wrapped and amply filled Love parceled out generously Accepted and duly acknowledged Grateful hearts leap joyously. Choices made, after deep thought Cards in shades of red and green. Warmth and love couched in words Linking hearts, friends, kith and kin A thoughtful gift of a Christmas Crib Mundane figurines, some surreal. Peaceful radiance emanates therein For there rests - Our King Emmanuel. Traditional goodies, yummy treats Leaving a hint of sweetness and bliss. Hand-crafted or bought off the shelves Seasons greetings - Merry Christmas. *************************************************** Natasha’s Baby “Falcon” Fr. Austin Norris 21st Dec 2010 at 6.30pm Whilst sitting in the confessional ********************** Till yesterday she was only a girl Recently she transformed into a wife And with baby coming along Natasha’s a momma - Wow..! A child gives birth to a mother A husband in turn becomes father From a twosome to threesome suddenly Amazing, all because of Natasha’s Baby. Glowing pride gushes from within Her maternal instincts come to the fore A bundle of joy – she ain’t heavy Natasha’s creation – a pretty little
missy. Eric beams from across the seas His is to bear equal responsibility In this season of yuletide so Christmassy Now they have a live crib- Natasha’s Baby. *************************************************** CHRISTMAS Fr. Austin Norris 21st Dec2010 at 6.55pm Whilst sitting in the confessional ******************* Sing a-long the Christmas song The world a-glow with joyous morn. Ring-along Santa’s sleigh comes in With or without the heaven’s snowing Packing presents ‘neath the Christmas tree Parents simper with genuine glee Children scream with pure delight For the moment all blues put to flight. A loving God His grace on earth showers Springing form thoughts of love and care Warmth and camaraderie rule the day Merry Christmas – it’s Saviour’s
day. Wedding Bands Fr. Austin Norris 15th Dec 2010 at 12.45noon At Bonnie’s home, Malad ******************************** Crafted in silver, platinum and gold Shinning, shimmering a joy to behold Twinning hearts with love aglow Eyes brimming with tears aflow Promises whispered, moments in time Hearts racing as wedding bells chime Consent given like a fairies wand Sealeth the sacred bond, the wedding band. Onto the dance floor, poise and control, The bridal special – everyone’s on
a roll Cheers and congrats, flowers and gifts The newly weds
take a forward shift. Parents and friends, lovers and charlatans Bid “Au Revoir” to the lovely darlings They speed away to the honeymoon The wedding band – a mute testimony. Alma Mater-Goregaon Seminary Fr. Austin Norris
Nestled amongst green foliage Atop a gentle hill it stands Royal, strong and serene it rises The dream of a Cardinal so grand. Fifty years and still counting From within its portals so many From North, South, East and West Have passed the Goregaon Seminary Games and labour combined Music, prayer and theatre of class Boys to men, deacons to priests’ Shepherds for the masses and The best years further fortified Dreams shaped, visions honed Onto the field , soldiers for Christ Priests’ of God and Christendom. Alma Mater, memories warm St. Pius the Tenth our For ages thou will be cherished To thee be glory- Julbilato..!! ******************************
Care for Creation Seven days and seven nights Genesis records it all- The earth, above and below, The good Lord made it all Birds in the air, fish in the
sea, Flora and fauna, brilliance
indeed! Animals on land, fruits on trees, Care for creation, 'tis our
creed. Sow and reap, fill your belly; Recycle, reuse, refill the earth,
Treat it with care, says the
Lord, With grateful hearts bring it
to birth. What we have is God's gift to
us, What we give-our gift to the
nations. Cherish and hold to heart the
earth Men and women, care for creation.
Shimmering Summer Thoughts Fr. Austin Norris Tuesday, 20th April 2010 at
Margao In Aniceto’s Home-Margao, Goa The Arabian Sea gently laps the Chimbai shore line. The
blue warm waters enticingly beckon and within minutes we are all bobbing up and down in the warm water – the diving,
the swimming with a kairi for company and a tasty bite to go along. Mum yelling
to get back home and with an uneven tan, it is sure proof for dad that we were up to mischief while he was a work. And for
us a clarion call that summer holidays had begun. Getting up early in the morning for the 6.30am “children’s
Mass”- nothing unusual for us, it was an everyday affair, but this time round it meant that after that it was our “quality
time”- what with there being no hurrying off to school etc. This time was spent in going fishing for crabs or collecting
khube (shells) for the tasty curry with padwal or mum churning it out into tasty potato chops. Going fishing
on uncle’s boat for the evening tide catch was a dream come true- provided “permission” was taken from any
one quarter- read that as mum. The Parish Holiday Club was a treat; low fees and tons to
do and watch. The carom boards, table tennis, chess, checkers, were excellent brain sharpeners. Housie/Tambolla was fun alright,
never mind the one and two rupee prizes – but the eager scouring of the ticket was worth it all.The popcorn for sale
with yummy and cool rasna and Tamco – oh glory – what sweet relief! The league tournaments of cricket, hockey,
football, basketball, took on IPL-like meaning for our young minds and bodies. And we were up to it a la Rooney, Jordan, Kapil
Dev, Dhanraj and who else! A contusion here, a sarpati there, or kopcha on the shin or a tempsu on the
head was borne with a smile and ouch ,… yes, it did hurt. But the smirk covered it all. Movies – westerns, war and cartoons – in the
beloved 16 mm - MGM and Warner Brothers were indeed our “brothers in arms”. With New Talkies movies out of reach
of our paisa-filled pockets and under-age “A” movies, the 16 mm experience was the ultimate 70 mm experience for
us. Django, Hatari, The Good The Bad The Ugly, Steve Reeves, Guns of Navaronne, Tom and Jerry, Gunfight at O.K. Coral…,
etc. where have all those movies gone? The “swim days” at MGM Shivaji Park were an eagerly awaited event. Off
we would go in groups via the 81 Ltd Bus and make for the inviting blue waters of the pool – so what if it was a tard
different from our Arabian sea splash? It was the outing out of Bandra that made it worth the while. The fruits of summer were a treat to covet and enjoy. Be
it the jams (love apples) from Aunty Laura’s tree or mangoes from Uncle Joe’s compound. The bimblees
from Aunty Kitty’s garden or aulas from Uncle Jack’s well-guarded trees – oh those mouth watering
goodies! Did someone say something about ‘the stolen fruit tasking sweeter..’ ?? Of course the guilt-ridden conscience
did get a reprieve at the weekly Saturday confession … The best of both worlds it would seem. The Angelus chimes at 7 pm was a “time-out”.
As the goal keeper froze and the knight waited to checkmate the king, the Brother in charge of the club
prayed the Regina Coeli and we answered amidst our blood, sweat and tears, and heaving chests – gulping for sweet air.
Following this there was the scramble for a quick wash and a dash to St Andrew’s grotto for the Marian Rosary.
Whatever Latin I know came from that lovely devotion to Our Blessed Mother. The Santa Maria Litany, the whole of it in latin
was indeed our “Ora Pro Nobos”. The piping hot channas were a walloping treat with myriad
arms outstretched and asking “aunty gimme more”. On occasions there was that refreshing rose syrup and chocolates
as well. Back home it was a quick few lessons and writing work . Then another family rosary and some more of Radio Ceylon
or All India Radio, with Saturday date and on Sunday afternoons the Bournvita Quiz Contest. Healthy minds in healthy bodies! After dinner was over another time for more fun and games
– with the elder folk settling down to a game of cards and the youngsters running amock playing attya-pattya,
kho-kho, robbers and thieves. What fun we had – running through lanes and gullies and hiding behind
nooks and corners : tripping over dried fish baskets and aunties’ garden beds! But did anyone ever mind? Na… all
those sweet aunties and uncles … mommies and nanas…just allowed us to play on….. Enough for the day … you would think; but no, wait:
“Kulpieeea” came the piercing voice of the kulfiwala and everything and everything would come to
a standstill. As the man settled down with his red cloth covered pot, we children scrambled home to plead of dad for four
annas for the small kulfi or eight annas for the big yummy one. If we needed help in coaxing dada to relent,
it came from the “Perpetual Succour” of ever home – mommy dearest! “Aare des
tyana, khaun des aaz”, and like the yummy kulfi the stout heart of daddy would melt. Thank you mai
– mummy – ma. Kulfi down, cool enough, it was time to call it a
day … or should I say night. Tired and tested we leaped home – energy never
seemed to ebb – a quick wash and it was time to “ lay my body down to sleep”. Then as
the lights or chimmney was shooed out – as the darkness gave way to the dimness from the street lamp,
it was nice to see everyone settling in bed. A push here, a shove there, a blanket shared, a pillow being exchanged –
sweaty tired bodies eagerly succumbing to the calm of night – with mum fanning us to sleep with a newspaper to help
her. It all seemed to end in the blissful knowledge that all is well with the world and God watched over all… As the heavy eyelids fought to catch one last glimpse of
the lizard on the wall stalking its prey, a drop of water falls and reawakens all, only to see mum sprinkle holy water and
whisper a prayer. And with the lizard gone and the oil lamp on the altar cutting through the darkness of the room, it was
finally time to let the stars lead us to the morn. Summer thoughts … yeah …!! warm
feelings... sure..!! missing youth ? Well.. yes! Longing for those times ? Yes, but not for me, but rather for our children
of today who seem to have lost it all, at least in the way we enjoyed our summer vacations in the company of family, friends,
neighbours, church, devotion, and home. “Where have all those days gone….”. “LORD - HERE I AM” Monday, 19th April 2010 at 10.10 am On board Janshatabdi for Goa ********************* Sights and sounds, hues and shades Fill my mind with thanks and glee Joy and laughter made my day And my 25th Ordination silvery Friends and family, and invitees With their prayers and blessings My cup indeed runneth with joy And peace – in God my mooring Holy of holies in the Church Thanksgiving to God Almighty Fun and frolic and camaraderie Thanks to all and sundry Looking back and now ahead The journey seems livable The future, whatever’s in store, “Lord here I am” – make me able. A PRAYER
Mon, 19th April, 2010, 10.10 am on Janshatabdi to Goa ************ The Chapel – lovely and peaceful Where prayerful times are spent Come Lord Jesus, stay with me. The Ciborium – filled with hosts As many as the people I serve Come Lord Jesus, bless my flock The Chalice – filled with wine To be spent as life-giving nectar Come Lord Jesus, help me to love. The Hall - full of family and friends Fun and laughter, dance and more Pray Lord Jesus, help me bind. The food – quenching thirst and hunger Fellowship, binding one and all Pray Lord Jesus, hearken to my call. The dark of night – the end of day The silver to golden giving way Pray Lord Jesus, besides me stay. ******************************** LORD….
HERE I AM..!! Fr.
Austin Norris It was sometime during the academic
year of 1974 at St. Pius College – my Alma Mater - that this incident occurred. I had just joined the seminary that
June as a First Year Collegian. One day after lunch, along with other seminarians, I was standing at the lift and there walking
towards us was H.E. Valerian Cardinal Gracias. To our utter consternation he actually stopped at the lift and smiled at us.
We were dumbstruck – at least I was – and we stumbled into the lift after him. I felt almost dwarfed, not merely
by his height but by his towering personality and whatever. He looked at me and asked:” Which parish do you belong to
?” I blurted “St. Andrew’s Church, Bandra..”. “Oh Fr. Jonathan is there, isn’t he..??”;
” Yes Father,” I gulped again… and the rest is history…. After that I made it a point to read
the autobiography of Valerian Cardinal Gracias- “India’s First Cardinal’ - and was deeply
touched by his humble beginnings, especially his mother’s influence on his life and his wide learning. I was in awe
of the man and the priest that he was. It was my good fortune to share the same blood group as that of His Eminence and also
the unique privilege to be on call to donate blood to him, during his long illness, during the academic year of 1978, until
he went to his Maker on 11th November 1998. Singing at his Exequial Mass at Holy Name Cathedral was a surreal experience
for me. Till date, as and when I go to Bishop’s House, I make it a point to pause and pray at tombstone
of Valerian Cardinal Gracias. Since then much water has flown; Popes,
Cardinals, Bishops, Priest-confreres, Presidents and Prime Ministers have come and gone and I have lived through it all, especially
since 13th April 1985 to date 13th April 2010 – 25 years of Priestly Ministry in the vineyard
of the Lord Jesus. Thanks be to God Almighty. My chosen motto on my Ordination invite
read “Lord, Here I Am”. Foolishly I chose that and realized, through hit and miss, that many a prophet was almost
led to ruin, nay glory, because of the Almighty’s faithfulness and not the disciple’s merit. I have no complaints. For starters my mentors were the late
Msgr. George Fernandes to whom I owe my vocation. Thereafter it was the late Msgr. Jonathan Dias and my school principals
and parish clergy at St. Andrew’s Bandra, who moulded me. The prayers of my late parents and family surely aided me
to do “ what the Lord has called me to do..” and I will be eternally indebted to them all. Rest in peace beloved
ones and continued blessings on those who still walk this earth. My seminary years are impossible to
summarize; suffice to say that the Rectors- especially Fr. (Bp) Ferdy, professors, spiritual directors, classmates and seminarians
have all left an indelible mark on me. The “portfolios” during formation, moulded me to take up responsibility
in Pastoral life and the “Beadleship” in my final year was an eye-opener. Pastoral work during weekends was most
enjoyable as it was a practical grounding to test the theoretical inputs received in the chapel, classroom, playground and
choir sessions. A million thanks to Fr. Aniceto Nazareth and all those mentioned above. Another “Aniceto” –Fr.
Aniceto Pereira- three years my senior, became and still is my best friend and I thank the Lord eternally for him and his
continuing influence in my life. A large part of my sanity in ministry is due to his calming, organized, tolerant and priestly
nature and attitudes. Thank you my soul-brother. God Bless you as well… Ordination day- 13th April
1985 – bright sunny evening, well laid out seating on the famous lawns and the stately Cardinal Simon Pimenta, with
Rector Fr. Bosco, presenting us – six of us for Bombay Archdiocese, including myself,
the late Fr. Tomy Kuruvilla, (laicized) Thomas Cano, Fr. Adrian Ferreira (Kalina), Fr. Anselm Gonsalves (Goria) and
Fr. Denis Gonsalves, (Girgaum), for Ordination. My mum and dad, brothers and sister, relatives and friends, uplifting me and
my classmates with praying lips and tearful eyes. Oh Glory! Indeed it dawned on me then, that my motto-“Here I am Lord..!”-
was going to be it….!! The day was memorable for all the above and obvious reasons and also for the fact that most of
the pictures clicked by my assigned photographer were blurred, as he had a “shot” one too many, to make him live
through the two-hour long ceremony…. Never mind, that is now another part of my history…!! Thanksgiving Mass day – 14th
April 1985 at St. Andrew’s Church, Bandra – crowded church, fellow priests, family and friends, accompanied by
the late Msgr. Jonathan Dias and Msgr. Nereus Rodrigues – I was there at the Altar and not on the Lectern (for a change
and for the first time)..and truly the transition – from pulpit to altar – was complete. The reception at St.
Andrew’s School terrace ( I studied at St. Andrew’s) was an apt “thank you” to
all and sundry and a “go on, get going” as I set about preparing for life “after the honeymoon” period.
Incidentally that “honeymoon” was in Goa with my entire family and some relatives too. Come 1st June 1985 and I
landed up at my “first-love-parish” of Our Lady of Salvation, Dadar. It was my unique privilege to serve under
Msgr. Jonathan Dias as Parish Priest – the same priest who took me to the seminary way back on 28th June
1974- can you beat that..??. Salvacao was my “baptism” in the ministry and I can relive those six years over and
over again. No regrets… loving parishioners, supportive clergy and religious, including the late Fr. Joe D Pereira. From thereon I moved to St. Anthony’s
Church, Vakola, under Fr. Denis Pereira for one year, from where I completed my Masters in Psychology attending regular classes
at the Bombay University Campus, Kalina,. Then I went on to serve, as counselor for students and adults alike, for two years
at Snehalaya-Family Service Centre, Mahim under Fr. Joe Fernandes. I enjoyed staying at Our Lady of Victories Church, Mahim
under Fr. Donald Rodrigues ( my PP for Diaconate ministry at Good Shepherd, Andheri). Then came the summons back to “pastoral
ministry” which I really liked and that brought me “home” to St,. Anne’s Church, Bandra, my home town.
It was great to work under the late Fr. A.J. D’Souza, followed by the late Fr. Lucian Miranda and Fr. Ralph Fernandes.
These fours years were “a crucible” for me, in that I had to act as Parish Priest twice over within a span of
six months and then as things settled down, I was on a roll with people and ministry and projects and plans and what have
you. Thank you St. Anne’s, you really made my day (s) and years….!! It was in my 13th year of
ministry ( remember I was ordained on 13th April 1985 ..?), that the lot fell on me to go to
the Diocesan Youth Centre at Bandra, for the next six years. I took on that post rather reluctantly, but Cardinal Ivan Dias
allayed my fears and concerns. Once there, I was happy to serve under Fr. Barthol Barretto for a year and then take over as
Director for the next five years. These were perhaps the most challenging of my years – during which
I developed diabetes and hypertension – occupational hazards, I consoled myself..! But cross my heart I thoroughly enjoyed
those six years – mingling with the youth, devising programmes for them, organizing the formation camps at Khandala,
climbing the Sausage mountains and going down the Eden Garden ravine… I found myself – I dare say- a good regime
to ward off the ill-effects of diabetes and hypertension. I must thank the “regent-seminarians” and the brothers
and lay staff who helped me during those years and not least of all my best friend Fr. Aniceto Pereira, who was Director of
Catechetics, at the Pastoral Centre, during my memorable years there. In the age of transition lenses, it
was time for a transitional move to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Orlem, for a year, under Fr. Salvador Rodrigues. If they had
told me of “plans” I would have not unpacked my many bags- trivia collected over 19 years of priesthood- for I
was – in June 2005- appointed to my present posting as Priest-in-charge at St. Joseph Parish, Goregaon East, where I
have put in near to 5 years even as you read this. Well..well.. what can I say of St. Joseph’s
Parish..?? All or nothing..!! But I’d prefer to say a little something, for all these five years
that I have put in here, and I don’t know how much longer I will be. I was bequeathed an assignment of “building
a new church and presbytery” for this parish – a pahadian task to say the least. But I have survived with the
prayers, love and support of our dear parishioners and they are a great lot of people to work with. From putting up a well
received musical “Is God Dead..??” to massive mobilization for fund raising at Mt. Mount Mary’s,
Bandra, to going from parish to parish to shore up our Building Fund reserves, making endless rounds to the municipal and
collectors office, our people have worked as a family and surely Peovidence, through the intercession of St,. Joseph our Parish
Patron will give as a kind ear and bless us with a Church “ in God’s good time..” In sharing with you my priestly journey
in these lines – covering twenty five years -..I sincerely thank God Almighty and “the Lord Jesus Christ for his
many blessings and favours showered on me” and I wish to thank each and everyone of you who have touched my life and
will continue to be a blessing for me. As I say “Deo Gratias !” won’t you say “Ad
multos annos..”..??. Thank you and let me recommit by saying ” Lord- Here I am..” Oh ! Star of Wonder Fr. Austin Norris 6th
November 2009, 8.15pm “That’s what
I want mommie..” cried a little child “..please mommie…??”. I turned around and followed the pining
little voice and eyes and outstretched arm and the little finger, and lo and behold she was pointing towards a lovely shining
silver star……. And I went back in time with starry , starry eyes and tearful ones as well….. Star…. That lovely
Christmas symbol, that hangs from every Catholic and Christian window or balcony…at least they used to hang them up
in the past. Now it seems to be sort of rather “ traditional”, so it is given a go by and perhaps that is why
there is less light…. Star….. That lovely
huge one in the Church or atop the church. Only a few select people were the “experts” at making that star. And
you could not touch that star or them with a bargepole. But it was a lovely star nonetheless… the professional one,
befitting the King of Kings…!! Star….. The one that
dad asked us to make – the homemade kind – not the one that was bought off the shelf on Star…..In the days
when we did not have electricity at home, we had to somehow “light up that star”..and try mane and might we did
that… Sometimes it was with a precariously placed oil-chimmney- that little one… or a wax candle…”no
don’t shake that star, stop it…” or that crazy idea of a flashlight strapped in place and which went out
in haste…. Goodness all these ideas- well meaning as they were - did not seem to work and on one sad occasion it actually
did burn down that star…. But hey we made it all over again and it was the best star..our very own star….. Star…. The one that was carried along by the carolers, who made us feel so Christmassy and emotional,
with those blended voices and kiddies and all…with their cheery faces and lovely voices – never mind the falsetto
splitting the ear at times… they were the little stars that added up to the brilliance of that cheery star that they
carried. Star…. The lovely star
shaped cookies that mum baked… one, two, three on a plate and when mum turned round nothing remained… ha.. ha..
poor mum… but did she mind..?? hmm perhaps she did … but she gamely carried on mixing another batch of dough and
crafting those goodies all over again.. the yummy cookie star…… Star…..atop the Christmas
tree, with silver and gold tassels streaming down on all sides… what fun decorating that Christmas tree with everyone
trying their hand at it and finally only elder sister giving the final and neat touches to that star… Star…. Ahh haaa.. the
one above the manger in the crib just below the altar.. that’s where dad used to ask us to make the family crib - complete
with germinated wheat-grass, the ox and ass, shepherds
and sheep, Joseph and Mary and the little Baby Jesus. The idea of a water pond and mud-painted newspaper for mountains came
from the elder brothers, who muddied their hands and I had no complaints about that,
none whatsoever. Star….. The one over
Star…. THE STAR…
Jesus Christ – the Reason for the Season of Christmas. All the stars will ultimately lead to Jesus our Lord and Saviour
– coming to us at Christmas as a helpless infant babe, who will tug at our heart strings both child and grownup…as
did that little voice in that busy shopping frenzied street that evening… ”Thanks Mommie for
that lovely beautiful, shining star- my very own star. I love you mommie…” and that voice brought me back to reality.
I hastened to my home.. I hope to put up a star albeit an electric star… and gaze starry eyed into the eyes of the Babe
of Bethlehem and make a wish for a Beautiful and Holy Christmas for all the world and for you
and for me. God Bless….. This Is it By Fr. Austin Norris 5th Nov 2009 at 6.20pm At Bonnie’s Home, Malad After viewing the Film “This Is It” ************************* Gliding effortlessly, he shines Applause greets his every show Glimpses and more of a different kind The King of Pop is on the go Pitching, cueing, stop and start Rehearsed perfection to the fore Brilliance shines gushes from his heart Michael Jackson scorches the score. Surreal sounds come from within Coasting us along foot-tapping tunes Timeless music encompassing Nature, peace, love and uniting. Man in the mirror, gone too soon Beat it you said, Heal the world
too. They don’t care about us- you cried This is it, Michael, we care about you. ******************************* Nestor Norris By Fr. Austin Norris 9pm on 17th
September 2009 At Bonnie’s
home in Malad *********************** Natural, Neat and naughty Is Nestor Norris – all of eight Talks a lot most of the time But is decidedly underweight Runs around the whole day Tis difficult to make him still He’s eager and active all the time Unbelievable, but has a ready wit. Nestor could laugh and cry With not a tear in his eye He’s tough, yet he’s so funny He craves toys and not money ************************ Michael Joseph Jackson By : Fr. Austin Norris 12.44am IST– 8th July 2009 In my room in Even as I watched the live memorial
service on CNN TV ******************* He lived a thousand lives He died a thousand deaths Adulated and humiliated, He was broken, and still not
bent He waltzed, he moon-walked He wafted into our rooms. He made music for charity Oh God ! He’s gone too
soon. From chubby cheeks to sculpted
nose From the dust of He healed the world, he sought
to give A broken world, love, peace and
goodwill. Live
on, dance, shine forth and go on, Oh favoured one – Gloved
one -Special One Your legend and legacy will live
ever on Michael Joseph Jackson –
you are the King. ******************** Caught by an Angel Fr. Austin Norris
(Mumbai-India) 27th
July 2009 at 8.15am Sitting
in Aunt Lena’s hospital room-362 At Joseph’s
Hospital, Dunwoody, *************************************** In a foreign
land, by the bedside of a loved one I wait and watch
with hope and concern. As if in answer
to my unspoken prayer, there walks in An angel of mercy
– a heavenly beacon of hope. Confident and
courteous they go about their chores If only for a
moment brushing aside your fears. Answering a query,
with all the time in the world Leaving you assured
with measured calm words. Tucking in a
patient, offering another a snack Their learning
is sure evident in unspoken tact. Cheerfully they
buzz by, there’re always on the go The angels of
mercy, spreading solace here below. It’s a
noble calling to be in medicine and health As a profession
it will earn you your daily bread But it would
call for utmost love and tenderness For one to be
an angel of mercy –sweet caress
Ophelia’s Kitchen Fr. Austin Norris 11.50am on 3rd September 2009 At Bonnie’s home- Malad ************************* Cut and chop, snip and snap, wash and rinse Wholesome meals ahoy ! coming up soon The cooking juggernaut rolls on, a full sink Ophelia’s kitchen and culinary skills on
the go. What to cook and plate and bake and deck Feeding a clan that appreciates her so Serving hungry tummies with yummy food Prepared with love and care and more. Different tastes tricky inventive menus No leftovers, hearty repast, ‘gimme-more’ Lip-smacking curries, warm tasty cookies Healthy goodness from Ophelia’s Kitchen
flow. *********************************************
Stillness In the Hills Fr. Austin Norris 11.30am – 3rd September 2009 In Bonnie’s Home- Malad Happy morning, joyous faces Family awakening to the dawn Prayer and homage to family deity Breakfast small talk , the morn’s on.. Plans and dream, hopes and all Much to do, what not and more Time seems short for all that waits Twenty four hours seem much too less Destiny beckons, the work goes on In the office, parliament or in the air,. Blurring, Whirr, tumble, sudden crash Lost in the hills – deathly and still Search and rescue, retrieve and find, Doubts cease, as death is pronounced Sorrow descends on all and sundry Here this morn’ now stillness in the hills.
Via Dolorosa - Via Lucis Fr. Austin Norris 13th
March 2009 at 8.15am In my room at
Palm View-Goregaon East ****************************** Overburdened,
battered and arraigned You trod the
long and lonely road Twix those whom
you had come to love And set free
from Satan’s throes Each step a heavy
thud, crushing sin Saving the sinner
and his soul Sweet Saviour - thank you for saving me And mankind and
making us whole. Bearing that
Cross, bloody and muddied Whoever gave
you the strength to go on Whatever made
you gamely carry on Sanctifying love,
surely urged you on… Stabat Mater
- Our Saviour’s story Anima Christi
– We feel your divinity Via Dolorosa
– We tread your journey Via Lucis -
Our home the Heavenly City. “ Monsignor George Fernandes “ Fr. Austin Norris- Priest-in-charge *********** My memories of
the late Msgr George Fernandes go back to between 1961 and 1970. This is the time Monsignor was Parish Priest at During
the time, Father George was at I
received Holy Communion in December 1964, in the parish. This was also the time that Pope Paul VI visited One
of my earliest memories of Father George was that of his full prostration at the tabernacle each morning, with perhaps only
the sacristan to witness that humble act of adoration of His Divine Master. I was witness to this on several occasion, when
I used to accompany my elder brother Xavier to serve at the early Mass, on days when Fatehr George had to attend a meeting
at Bishop’s House. Without being in the Altar Boy’s Sodality, I used to plead with my brother to take mw along
with him and was blessed with a smile from Father George and a kind word of encouragement to learn my Latin Mass prayers quickly
and get ready to join the Altar Boy’s Sodality. In
those days, it was Father George who had a guided meditation before the 6.30am Mass. From the pews he led the people in silent
prayer and reflection and I have no doubt that parishioners were drawn to God, through this prayer-method. For the children’s
Mass, after the “Come Holy Ghost” hymn, and the morning offering prayer, there was always the reading from the
lives of the saints – for each day. What a lovely way to instill in the young the love for church history and the Saints
and the things of God . As
Priest-in-charge of The Sodalities, Sunday School and other associations, Fr. George was always there amongst us to inspire
us and lead us with his presence. He was a prayer filled priest and he taught us to pray – be it the Rosary, or the
Office of Our Lady and the numerous hymns for all occasions and liturgical seasons. His novena services – for Pentecost,
Christmas, Nativity of Our Lady, Feast of St. Anne etc. are legendary. He was always prompt at the weekly meetings and his
“talks” were moving and motivating. He loved the boys and girls under his care and he was particularly kind and
indulgent to the poor ones. He saw to it that he secretly gave “pocket-money” to them on the eve of a picnic or
outing so that they would hot feel left out, while other children bought goodies and candy. Picnics and snacks were his largesse
to one and all. In fact it was during his time that many vocations to the priesthood and religious life were generated from
St. Andrew’s Parish. At
one given point in time, Father George commandeered a 120 plus strong army of Altar Boy’s. We had to be neat and proper
not forgetting the beautiful adage atop the Altar Boy’s Cupboard in the Sacristy which read –“Order is Heaven’s
First law”. Our meetings were great… with our blue and silver rimmed scapulars and Office of our Lady. The appointments
for the week and the “talk” by Father George was a treat. Picnics and Sports Day, the Boat race for fishermen,16mm
movies and holiday clubs were the order of the day – a happy blend of work and fun, courtesy Father George. Father
George’s love for Our Blessed Mother was exemplary. His “Salve” after the Mass on each Saturday of the month
and his well planned and executed Rosary devotions during the months May ( at the Grotto) and October ( in the Church) are
memorable. He used to show us the mysteries of the Rosary, during the month of October in the Church, using the manually operated
slide-projector. He taught us the Latin Litany and with several tunes to go by. In fact the only Latin Hymn that I know “by
heart” is the Salve Regina and I sing it with pride and devotion to our Blessed Mother, who was, I guess, Father George’s
special love. The Service of Coronation of our Lady on 31st May each year was a solemn and eagerly anticipated
day and all of us benefited from that Feast. Be it the Novena for Mother Mary’s Birthday or the Sodality Feast, all
was done in religious fervour and style and abundance. Father
George was a musician par excellance. He was very versatile at the keyboards and the violin. In fact the beautiful Father
George had a soft corner for “ the poor and the disadvantage”. He deeply cared for all parishioners but
he was special to the people from Chimba, When
Father George’s end came, it was in the evening of 2nd June 1970. I was in Std. VII and on returning home
from school mummy told me about the passing of Father George. I kept my school bag down and ran to the parish house and pushed
my way to his room. I was crying loudly and people were consoling me. I could not see his “body” but I stood there
till someone from home came and took me away. I was devastated. When his body was later laid in state in the Church, I was
there with the other altar boys, keeping solemn guard around his coffin. I wept continuously and I remember refusing to allow
any other altar boy to replace me at the coffin-side of Father George. It took some priest to convince me to take a break
and to promise me that I would get back to my spot again. Father George was interred in front of the Grotto, in St. Andrew’s
I
remember during that week, going through the church souvenir books, and cutting out a picture of Father George and getting
is framed. That frame of Father George occupied pride of place in our home next to our family Altar for many, many years. Years
later as a priest, my first appointment was at Our Lady of Salvation Church, Dadar. I was happy to learn that Father George
too was appointed there and it was in 1931 that he had started the Sunday School programme in that parish. And when in 1990-1991,
we celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of that Sunday School, it was my proud privilege as Director of Sunday School, to acknowledge
him and his influence in my life, and I will never feel shy of doing so over and over again…. Recently
when his” Cause “ was announced in the EXAMINER, I began my prayers in right earnest for his Canonization. I also
requested an elderly lady from St. John the Evangelist Parish, Marol, by the name of Mrs. Stella Monteiro (tel.no. 28383904),who
asked me for prayers for her healing of a hip-joint problem, to pray through the intercession of Monsignor George Fernandes,
for a cure without an operation. God willing it shall come to pass, in God’s good time…… In
May of 2008, I was happy to have visited the ancestral home of Father George in Calangute, I
loved Father George. I have sweet and loving memories of him. He was a major influence in my life. A large part of who I am
today, is due to his influence. He loved us and he cared for us and he made us feel special. Father George was a prayerful
and sincere person. He worked tirelessly in the Lord’s vineyard and touched many lives. His Masses were beautiful –
well prepared, well conducted… he “prayed” the Mass and the Devotions and that touched us one and all. It
is very often that I pause at his tombstone and invoke his blessings on me and my ministry as a priest. God Bless Father George
and the Congregation he founded. **********************************************************
Rev. Fr.
Stephen Nazareth 26th Dec 1924 – 25th October 2008 ( Written on 22nd. Dec 2008 ) I have with me the Memorial Card for Fr. Stephen
Nazareth- on his Month's Mind Day. May the good Lord give eternal rest to Fr. Stephen and make his light to shine on him always. I knew Fr. Stephen as an Altar Server, while in
St. Andrew's, Bandra. I lived close to the church and was a regular at the church and sacristy, children's choir and altar
servers etc.... When Fr. Stephen came to St. Andrew's he continued the good work of the late Msgr, George Fernandes, Fr Stephen,
was in charge of the children's choir and we had such lovely times with the Carol singing and daily as well as Sunday singng
at Mass. Fr. Steve introduced the guitar and beat organ at Mass and that was an instant hit with the children and parishioners
alike. His golden-velvety voice was a marvel and we enjoyed his singing to recorded playback tracks. I am so happy to keep
forver in mind, the fact that he taught me to play the guitar, when I was on holidays afetr my XI std final exams.... I have
ever since used this skill, to good advantage in my priestly ministry of nearly 24 years..... yes..I was ordained on 13th
April 1985. Later on I met up with Fr. Stephen's nun sister...in
fact we were together at a Biblical Seminar in It was in the first week of September 2008, that
I visited Fr. Steven at After my chat, his lunch was brought upto him
and I asked for his blessings and bid Fr. Steve goodby and then went down to lunch with the other fathers,
. I did not know that it was to be our last meeting..... I have fond memories of Fr. Stephen and I know that I am the
richer because of him.... Please God...!! Grant Fr. Stephen rest eternal....... My love and prayerful support to all of you- his
family. Sea, Sand and Me Fr. Austin
Norris 26th
May 2008 at 5.30am On board the
train to Goa ********************** Squish, a jet
of water Crackle ,a sea-shell
crumbles Slip-slop, the
murky waters Swoosh, the slimy
quickly slitters Gingerly wending
down the path Long trodden
by ancestry Passing ponds
holding waters Cheating the
deep blue sea On the horizon
- clear still waters The seagulls
dip and soar Memories swim
within me Of childhood
times long ago The fishing boats
bob up and down Now fragile,
now strong they seem They feed many
a family and kin They’ve
conquered the deep seas. Flashback to
the Chimbai coastline Some familiar
– mostly changed The Church steeple,
the low housing Battling for
skyscraper space Whither gone
those dreamy days With mum, dad
and brothers and sis Memories written
on the sands of time Etched for eternity
- Sea, sand and me.
Child of Mother Earth By Fr. Austin Norris
4th March 2008 *********************** Lying ‘neath the
ground Fallen from the sower’s
palm Groping in the murky
soil Awaiting the light of dawn. I feel myself pushed Helped along by love Hoping that someday To make it on my own. Breaking the binding
surface Breathing in hungry
gulps I am nourished and fed As I climb heaven-wards My world begins small In time it becomes large Body and mind keep pace With all that me surrounds I love the light of
day From darkness I came
forth Making my mark in time I am the child of Mother
Earth. The Wood Of The Cross Fr. Austin Norris Tuesday 11th March at 4.10pm At Bulsar- ********************* I emerged from earth’s entrails And I stood tall amongst many They called me a sturdy tree My finality fashioned by destiny. I cradled Him in a manger On that great Nativity night Destined to be food for mankind In wooded embrace I held him tight. He shaped me at His carpenter’s bench Into objects of art and utility He leaned on me in the Preaching with divine authority. He rode me as a boat on He slept peacefully through a storm He wielded such charm and power His word did a raging sea calm. He accepted me as a heavy cross Clinging to me to His Calvary He blessed me in His saving death The Wood of the Cross for eternity.
Child of Mother Earth By Fr. Austin Norris 4th March 2008 Lying ‘neath the ground Fallen from the sower’s palm Groping in the murky soil Awaiting
the light of dawn. I feel myself pushed Helped along by love Hoping that
someday To make it on my own. Breaking the binding surface Breathing in hungry gulps I am nourished and fed As I climb heaven-wards My world begins small In time it becomes large Body and mind keep pace With all that me surrounds I love the light of day From darkness I came forth Making my mark in time I am the child of Mother Earth. "Ma" Fr. Austin Norris 20th Dec 2007 -10pm **** Ma looked so tired She looked so drained Yet in her last moments Serene was she, in silver-hair draped. Ma and Grandma was she With dad she sired seven She dotted on her children's brood They added grandchildren ten. She worked ever so hard Vending fish and cooking it well Her yummy dishes we relished Her sweets and snacks were swell. Ma's end came slowly It took all of eightysix years But the last days seemed so fast She hurried heavenwards. Ma sang as we grew She gave us all a voice She now joins the angelic chorus With Dad and Berna above. ************************** Christmas Spread Fr. Austin Norris ******************* On the threshold of a New Year Christmas eternal holds sway Feelings and thots’ hover
around What has been and what was nay. Resolutions taken, Promises made,
For the New Year, a prayer at
last. What does the future hold in
store New hope reviews the year gone
past So many suns and moons have gone Many more will rise and fade The tides of time will ebb and
flow Time-sweeping us in its steady
wake. Gracious From the Creator and Redeemer
Son Time and tide wait for no man Yet God in his heavens lives
on and on O Come, all ye faithful come Behold the Christmas treasure-throve. And take away into your New Year The Lord’s Peace, Joy and
Love. ************* “QUARESMA” Fr. Austin Norris Appeared in THE
EXAMINER dated 28th February 2007 “Chala, aajshi radio and TV bandh. Jesusche dukhache dis suru zaile” Those words by mum, signaled
the somber season of Quaresma (Lent), which would end with “Paskacha sann” (Easter). Quaresma is Portuguese for ‘Lent’, linked to ‘Quadragesima’
meaning forty. Home: Music and TV ( if you
had a television set) was a no-no. Vegetable and fish was the menu and moderate eating was advised. No wastage at all…
serve what you can eat and then take more. The much-looked-forward-to evening tea-sweet was kept on hold. Atola and shev were served on Sundays after the Passo service.. Coloured clothes were also a no-no; they had to be kept aside for the Easter festivities. And
to make matters even more somber my Community: No weddings and
loud celebrations. Parties were, if at all, to be low key. Who would enjoy a party, anyway, without music…? and non-veg
delicacies..?? Way of the Cross around the village street-side crosses was done at times. The singing of the “paapiyaas”, was and still is a unique feature. Even the ever-faithful gangabai,
sitting outside the Church compound, changed her fare from guavas and chickoos and succulent boras, to ghotwal and sukha boras Church: The violet vestments
and alter linen immediately hit you as you entered the Church. There were few flowers if any. The ‘Gloria-less’
Masses and the ‘Alleluia-less’ Acclamations were (and still are) a Lector’s nightmare. The freshly painted/dusted
“way of the Cross” images in the church and the related services, including the ever popular “Passo” services were a trademark of Quaresma. The plaintive chants from the Christa Puran, whether in the Church or in the neighbourhood are nostalgic. The purple or black caped confrades on Palm Sunday and Good Friday were a distinctly scary lot. Personal: Somehow, even the
hardest nut to crack, was wont to get it right during Lent. Fasting and abstinence, meant giving up on the thirst-quencher
‘chauni’ and cigarette, and the almost obsessive urge to grow one’s
facial hair. Suddenly everybody seemed to look like one of the characters of the passion play...!! “INTRUZ” - THE
DAY BEFORE But it would be rather incomplete,
if I were to leave out the festivities of the day before Ash Wednesday. These festivities were termed as “Intruz”,
Portuguese for ‘carnival’, which was the last day of feasting and fun. The pani
and the khapri chi mas, was the favoured item for applying on to one another -
in a friendly and socially acceptable manner. No one was hassled. The celebrations brought out young and old alike, enabling
one let their hair down, so to speak, and then sober up for Shinecha Budhwar, which
set you on into Quaresma. While most people would have fond memories of “pancake Tuesday”, my reminiscence of ‘elijaun’, ( pancakes ), is unforgettable. It is that yummy delicacy made of
maida flour mixed with eggs and filled in with narlachi cchhoi, the yummy desiccated
coconut filling, with sugar or jaggery. Delicate colouring of the cchhoi or the pola would enhance their value. Goodness, one could down
half a dozen at a time… yummy they were…as only mummy could make them!! Now with diabetes befriending many of
us, these may well be a no-no..!! or not too many at least…!! A BLURRING OF SEASONS AND FESTIVITIES: When we look around we notice a
blurring of time and space and the separation between season and reasons for the seasons, that we celebrate either
socially or liturgically. Let us look at this over lapping or blurring on different levels. Where food and fruit are
concerned, you get any and every fruit all year round. Recently at a nuptial Mass in January, mangoes were offered as part
of the presentation of gifts. Elijauns are no more a delicacy; they are now a quick
snack for many a busy housewife. Ghotwal and other beans are consumed as health
food and offered a “diet” supplements. Fish and vegetables are a favoured dietary compulsion to counter the oxidants
generated by means of meats and fats The colour black is proffered
as a fashion statement in the now famous or infamous ”dare to wear black” dictum. The “unkempt/bearded”
look is in, albeit in films and those who ape the so called stars. Engagements, weddings and
parties are celebrated right through the year. “ Now please don’t be a spoilsport and tell me that it is Lent…” snaps the smart aleck. Rain
dances are the order of the day, albeit with tanker water as poor substitute. Multi colours and ‘gulal’ are used, often proving harmful to oneself and others, besides polluting the atmosphere. Fasting and abstinence, today
euphemistically called “dieting”, is a fashion or health necessity and indulged in for reasons other than self-purification
and abstinence for love of God. The ashes of Ash Wednesday quickly give way to the ‘bindi’
and the wet look. Elaborately prepared Passo services and passion tableaus have given way to PowerPoint presentations at the flick of a remote. The “clapper-call”
to prayer sounded by the “paapiyaas” is drowned by the car horns, zooming
into the night, leading to, no one knows where… QUARESMA –KAYELA Difficult to answer and yet,
not so difficult to fathom. While tempted to delve on the negatives and mourn the aberrations, I’d like to see the “holistic”
dimension of Quaresma. We have not lost it altogether and perhaps in the so called negatives and aberrations, we might be
able to salvage some positives, in the midst of the blurring of the separation of the seasons and the reasons for those seasons. The Thomistic understanding
of the human person, in which one’s spiritual and intellectual (spirit and mind)faculties are deeply united and dependant
on the body for the optimal functioning of the human person, provides a refreshingly new understanding of composite human
nature – a holistic one. This shift has focused our attention on “man as a whole” and not “man as
a disembodied spirit”. Holistic spirituality enables man to subsist within God in and through a life lived in God’s
embrace. God is now, not a ‘seasonal option” but a “daily habit”, meant to invigorate ones life. While the seasons will always
have their reasons – the flavour of these, if they permeate through the year, will surely provide an enchanting and
divinely subliminal core to daily living. After all, one does not celebrate ones birthday everyday, but nonetheless lives
everyday as a birthday gift from God Almighty. The fragrance of Quaresma and Pascacha sann therefore, will thus, be a wonderful nosegay to colour ones life with the Lord of life – Jesus Christ. This is my sincere hope and prayer, for all of us, this
Lent and Easter season. ******************************************************** THE GRACE OF EMMANUEL By: Fr. Austin Norris Appeared in THE EXAMINE, December 2006 The
city of peace is its name. His
Light needs to shine on our world The
Light of reason, the Light of Faith The
Giver of that Light is Jesus The
Lord and God of our universe. The
Saviour and Redeemer of us all The
King of the human race. From
the humble stable of To
the benches of world Parliaments From
the heart of the Child Jesus To
the hearts of each one of us We
need the Love of the Messiah We
need the Peace of the Lord. We
need the Joy of the Saviour We
need the Grace of Emmanuel. The Colour Purple Fr. Austin Norris Appeared in the Examiner Dated 25th Feb '06 The Colour Purple is the preferred colour theme for the Lenten Season…. The somber touch and the blazing
beauty of the colour purple does full justice to the grace filled season of Lent. From the priestly vestments to the altar
linen, the tabernacle veil and the “purple mood”, one can sense that Lent is in the air. Sensory persons that
we are, we need sight and sound, fragrance and colour even in our religious celebrations; Lent can be ordinary and
mundane for many a reason…. It’s annual “forty day-ness”
being one such. The usual “giving-up-ness” of various habits is another.
The waving of palms and the chanting of the ‘hosannas’ could be another.
Everything seems to be as before and Lent comes and goes and perhaps we are none the wiser..! Colour adds a nuance
of the essential to the ordinary and mundane. It serves to highlight and focus one’s attention to. Maybe, just maybe,
we could learn something from The Colour Purple. Purple is not a primary colour – it is a blend of two other colours – red and blue which provide for
us the rich velvety and royal purple. In its blended otherness it is uniquely and strikingly beautiful. Red is the colour
of blood and blue the hint of royalty. Red is pain, struggle, sacrifice, repentance and conversion; blue is openness, vastness
and infinite capacity to give and receive. Perhaps this is evocative of our two natures that need to be blended into the heavenly,
holy one, patterned on that of Christ. We do feel red, blue and even black, depending on where we are in our equation with
our God and neighbour and we could - all of us – make do with a face-lift, nay a heart-lift. The Purple Grape Juice (wine ) that adorns many a table and signifies mirth and camaraderie, is the produce of a churning
and crushing and maturing over a period of time, under the watchful eyes of the wine-maker. Lent fits in well with this imagery,
when, as St. Ignatius of Wine - the purple grape juice
- is also at once the sign of fellowship and the sign of decision. Both these moments are immortalized for us in the liturgy
of Lent. The events of Maundy Thursday, when Jesus shared his fellowship cup and
the Agony of Gethsemane, where Jesus’ struggle is epitomized in the suffering
cup, culminating in Jesus’ prayer of obedience to His heavenly Father,
strike a deep chord in us. The “take and drink” at the Supper and the “let this cup pass” at the Agony
are but two moments that draw us deep into the loving heart and loving struggle of Jesus- His
kenosis (self-emptying) and His acceptance
(not my will but Yours be done) The Purple Heart is
a US military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States, to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in, or with, the U.S. military... The Purple Heart is a heart shaped medal within a Gold border, ...To win the Purple
Heart and Stripes, is one of the most cherished dreams of many a soldier. Most often this honour is given posthumously –
rarely to the living. Such sweet comparison, befitting Lent once again. Jesus, as it were, earned his stripes through the
crucible of pain and suffering and yes… in a human sense he received his Colour Purple, posthumously. Which brings me to the Purple
Robe of Christ. Three different robes have their place in the Passion story. The most famous is the scarlet or purple
robe used in the Mocking of Christ and the Ecce Homo [Latin for "Behold the Man"] (Mt 27:28-31; John 19:2-5; Mk Prior to this, Herod, at his own court, had mockingly placed on
Jesus a "gorgeous" robe similar to the white robes worn by Jewish kings (Lk The third and final robe of the Passion is the seamless robe which
the soldiers took from Him and cast lots for on In baptism we are clothed with the white robe of righteousness – made so by the precious Blood of the lamb.
Lent offers us the opportunity to cloth ourselves in the Purple Robe of Christ. The blood-stained robes of the Lord symbolize
His punishment of the nations (Isa 63:3; IS GOD DEAD ? Fr. Austin Norris At Sitting out Berna’s sixth chemo ********* Dramatics is enjoyable The pain is unbearable The God question resonates Deafening as a racing heartrate. Chasing a hope beyond Sitting, praying and longing For an answer that resounds With promise of a healing. Borrowed time, gnawing pain What's to come, who's to gain Is there a God ? Does He listen ? Answer me someone, I'm waitin' Quiet ! All quiet without And within a lingering doubt Ebbing confusion, sweet relief God alone - my solace in grief My Mum's 84th Birthday-10th June 2005 These are a few poems and writings, that I have put down. Some have appeared in our Archdiocesan Paper- THE EXAMINER-and others in our Parish Bulletin -REACHING OUT- Enjoy..!! Priest-in-Charge Fr.
Austin Norris 7th
July 2005 East **************** A
Month has gone by, and more, Of
getting the hang of it; as though It
were a trail and error method To
get ones fingers in the dough. Induction
over, the show goes on Parish
Pastoral Council in tow. Coping
with sisters, the people besides Alike
to maintaining line and row. Papers
and reports, files and cash Exchanging
hands in a fast fury. Meetings
and Melroy keep me going Much
needed to steer, as in rowing. Mixed
feelings surge within Mind
with responsibility burdened Prayers
and wishes, calls and visits Help
to ease and the load lighten. To
To
Virgin Mary a quick glance. The
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, ‘Come to my help and aid Your plans.”
****************************** SAINT ANTHONY -FOR ALL REASONS AND SEASONS “Santa Anton sargan, Pani partai dongran. Shet-bhat piku ke, Don anne paili milu de. ” Doesn’t it ring a bell or does it,,,,,????? Well..well..well…!! Poor monsoon…insufficient rain….It’s
time to get back to good old faithful St. Anthony. And why not…?? After all, I think, he IS the Saint for “ all
reasons and seasons”. Why Saint Anthony..?? I don’t know. But I suppose his feast being observed in early June, as also his reputation
as a restorer of lost articles ( if rain could be an article) and his proximity to the child Jesus – he is most often
portrayed carrying the child Jesus in his arms - could be one among several reasons. I recall the excitement of the day when it was announced that there would be a procession to ‘pray for rain’
starting usually at around 9.00pm… well after dinner, I think. And rightly so…after all we needed the energy to
trudge up Mt. Mary Hill, with laadis or stones on our head. For us children., the evening was spent in hunting for the flattest
of flat stones ( preferably light too..). This was important as one had to do the balancing act right through the procession.
Never mind the fact that there were plenty of "oo’s, aahh’s and aila’s”, as we wound our way to Mt.
Mary Basilica. At times, the procession went as far as Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Sion, for the simple reason –
I guess – that one of the biggest and well attended novena’s in honour of St. Anthony is observed and celebrated
by that Church. Incidentally I managed to get those hymn verses from my eighty-three year old mother and my older brother as well. |
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