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Prayer and SSESA
Submitted by admin on June 30, 2007 - 5:05pm.
This forum has been created discuss the role of Prayer within SSES »
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Conflict of making a choice between Good things
I think we as SSESA members/committee members have to take a call in making a choice between two good things, namely prayer at SSESA meetings/functions and cosmopolitan nature of SSESA. Most interestingly, the priest who preached the sermon told a story with reference to a particular context in the Gospel but i found it quite apt to the dilema we as MC face as regard prayer at the meeting. The story goes, " A kind hearted lighthouse keeper of a remote village on the sea coast was given a month's supply of oil as fuel for lighting. During the month, a poor woman appealed to him for some oil to keep her family warm and the lighthouse keeper gave a little of the supply. There were a few more requests from some poor needy villagers for the oil to which the light house keeper assented. Came a dark night towards the end of the month and the keeper is out of fuel to light the light house. Result was that the next morning there were some ship wrecks discovered on the coast in which a few hundred sailors perished. Although, the keeper tried to make excuses that he was only trying to be good and helpful he was dismissed from his job as he had not done his duty which was meant for the good of the ships passing that way."
We at SSESA have to reflect hard, humbly and honestly whether PRAYER which is such an important part of a Catholic life giving hope, solace and strength to many should NOT be said in an overt manner (excludes silent prayers)at SSESA meetings/functions in order to remove any perceived unambiguity about the cosmopolitan nature of SSESA as an organisation.
Majority voice needed
I agree with you that we need a solution to this situation … and, real quick … however, it may noticed that only a minority of members are involved in this discussion. It is not right for us to decide on which way to go or to make a call on this matter. We need the contribution (not monetary, like seems to be the craze on this portal ) of other members. It should and has to involve the majority.
I possibly could cry myself hoarse speaking about it (maybe I should start doing summersaults
) before it is appreciated that polls have enormous intrinsic value. We have the facility … let’s exploit it to the fullest! It would give us an opportunity to hear from those who are not so vocal, of their opinion, on this or any other matter. It would give us some indication of thoughts for future calls.
Whilst on the subject of the opinion poll, I would also like to humbly suggest that the “Poll Box†should be positioned at a level (maybe just under the sign-in box) where it would be easily noticed and probably get desired results … maybe, a reason for the first one not doing too well.
In conclusion, let me say again, we need the verdict of the majority to know its real dimensions in order to take corrective action as needed.
Blatant Violation of Rights of Non-Catholics
Again,
This is a business organization not a religious organization so question of prayer should not apply. This organization needs to reflect the secular character of the country called India.
A poll is at best skewed
-If people dont vote then you get wrong results.
-If majority on this site are Catholics but if the overall majority of Stanislites are non-Catholics again the results may be skewed
'Just look at your elected representatives in India and see what you got'
'Look at the elected committee members - Do you want committee members organizing picnics where mass is conducted ? Do you want committee members who tell other members not to contribute for SSESA causes just for their petty differences? Do you want MC members forcing other MC members to start the meetings with a prayers?
We are very much open to file a court order to have this practice stopped. Those who think we are just a bunch of NRI's' - 'Do not kid yourself - ample warning has been given to correct a wrong' - Just try our patience, We will make it happen!
Bottom line, if the practice is against the principles of the formation of the association (i.e this is not a religious outfit) and it continues to hold mass at Picnics or other events which is a Catholic form of prayer or continues to use a Catholic priest - It violates the religious rights of non-Catholics
I have received many 'personal' emails decrying such blatant violation of the rights of non-Catholics.
One more thing - Raising Money for a good cause - It is not a craze - It is a passion - Which very few have - The indian crab mentality is well known - If somebody does good - Why is he doing good - Bring him down too!
I have already conveyed this issue to Major Fonseca, one of the committee members and he has been made aware of the pitfalls of not taking corrective action. (So, now excuses of I was not aware, I was not present, the list goes on...Proceed at one's own peril)
We are here to avoid a skirmish and yet respect Catholics and non-Catholics and do everything to grow this small association into a real foundation.
Yes, not many have the vision because they don't dream big - Lack of vision is reflective of the attitude of the country for 60 years - So, I do expect resistance to change.
People forget how easily - the BMC wanted to build a land over Church Graves - When you walk over other people's rights - There is hell to pay!
I am not for anyones rights being violated
I have mentioned this numerous times before or at least made my intentions clear that I am in no way for or against the inclusion of prayers (whichever religion it may represent) at SSESA functions. What I have been trying to convey is that it is not the done thing for a couple of us to decide which way we ought to go. It needs the backing and support of the majority and by this I don't mean majority community.
Your mention of having received numerous " 'personal' emails decrying such blatant violation of the rights of non-Catholics" is ample proof that only a handful choose to be openly vocal and this is where the poll comes in real handy. Yes, it could be tilted one way or the other depending on participation but when we have no other way of knowing where we stand ... it's the best alternative we have.
We need to handle the nagging issues before we can even begin to think big or we are simply continuing to fool ourselves. We urgently need to do this or the squabble could go on forever.
My incidental comment on monetary contributions was due to the fact that it covers just one of the objectives of the association. I understand they are noble causes but when will we get to the others objectives as outlined in the Mission Statement. Will we ever get there? If the mission statement is not what it should be, then it has to be reworked.
We could definitely not expect to gather fresh partcipation on this site for networking or other matters, if the only issue constantly seen to be carried is for contribution for one cause or another.
Your comments, with those of a couple of others besides mine, should give the "powers" within the association, food for serious thought. Undoubtedly, resistance to change is part of human nature but then again, due process of change is inevitable. The Silver lining is that it is not too long before we would have fresh elections .....
BMC reclaiming land
Vikram,
Just to keep you updated in case you have not heard already; the BMC got the ball rolling again on claiming that piece of land in front of the Parsi Agiary and has shelved the plan for a second time.
Making a cosmopolitan association