June 2nd Confirmations draw 2,000

This picture says it all -- gratitude. Fr. Varghese
(hand on chest) and Archbishop Prakash
Mallavarapu exchange glances at the event. 

Days of deadly temperatures reaching up to 116-degrees F. and a stage construction project that encountered weeks of tough challenges, did not stop the historic June 2nd Confirmations in Yelleswaram. The Holy Spirit descended upon 212 Confirmandis at Holy Family Mission at the first Confirmations held there in 10 years, thanks to a rainstorm that dropped temperatures to what Fr. Varghese described as "pleasant," heroic labors of volunteers, and funds that arrived anonymously in the nick of time. Parishioners painted, cleaned and arranged up until the last moment, finishing just half an hour before adoration began on June 2. Results were miraculous.

Incense rises toward heaven like prayers
as the entrance procession forms.

Blessing the faithful with holy water.
 Fr. Varghese is left of the Archbishop.

The Archbishop cuts the ceremonial ribbon and blesses the new 
stage before the Mass and Confirmation ceremony.

The stage, just one day before Confirmations...

...and completed, shown with
Our Lady of Good Health, gift of a donor.

Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu of the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam praised the discipline and hard work of the faithful, who fulfilled a 12-year-old dream by completing their new stage. The Archbishop also commended the people's young, energetic pastor, urging people to appreciate Fr. Varghese and his guidance.

Eucharistic adoration provided a prayerful start to the evening.

The successful event inspired him in his own efforts serving five scattered missions along the Bay of Bengal, said Father Sridhar, who had traveled in from his new mission assignment to concelebrate the Confirmation Mass. 

"I am proud to be a classmate and friend of Fr. Varghese," he said, referring to his and Fr. Varghese's years together in the seminary. Fr. Sridhar marveled at how impoverished people had worked together with their pastor to improve the mission and host a beautiful event.

As many as 2,000 people attended, traveling in
from scattered villages. In the background is Fr. Varghese's
newly-whitewashed little presbytery (rectory).

The Confirmation ceremony took place within the Holy Mass.

In his homily, Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu
praised the faithful for their zeal and energy
in living their faith. He spoke of people's need of the
Holy Spirit, and encouraged Confirmandis
to embrace their new life.

Confirmandis attended classes for weeks, preparing themselves
to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The devotion of the Confirmandis showed clearly
in their reverence.

The Archbishop was "excited to see the piety of the people in a remote village" and he praised the "discipline" of the crowd, said Fr. Varghese. After his homily, the Archbishop read out names of Confirmation candidates. After the Confirmation ceremony, he announced names of donors who had made the event possible, praying for them in a special way.

Altar boys shared the honor of caring for the
Archbishop's crosier.

A rented sound system helped the vast crowd hear the Mass.

Girls from the mission performed a welcoming
dance for the Archbishop, and then presented him with a gift.

The Archbishop thanked those of all ages who volunteered 
many hours toward constructing the new stage 
and beautifying their mission.

Elders honored Archbishop Mallavarapu by presenting
him with special shawls and flowers.

After the Mass and ceremony, the mission served nearly 1,200 attendees cool drinks, tea and a meal of rice, sambar (vegetable stew) and appadam (flat bread). Fr. Varghese later thanked his tireless volunteers by serving them a special lunch. (Shown below.)

Finishing the Archbishop's visit on June 2nd, Fr. Varghese led him and visiting clergy up newly-constructed stairs to the freshly-whitewashed roof of his little house, to share a meal. The Archbishop enjoyed the setting, encouraging Fr. Varghese to hold catechism classes on the terrace. Then the Archbishop took his leave, heading for a distant church for feast day celebrations the following day.

Because people had traveled in from scattered villages, around 700 "stayed back in the church and left early in the morning," said Fr. Varghese. In the morning, "we gave them bread and tea."

The mission serves people in times of need,
like when Godavari floods displaced locals
last year. More than 150 found food and 
housing at Holy Family Mission for weeks.
Faithful are grateful to their church and
eager to serve God, says Fr. Varghese.

Some days ago, the missionary described all the marvelous activity unfolding at his mission as a "wonder" and "like a dream." 

After the Confirmations, he said people were "thrilled, excited. In their life it was the first time they attended such a beautiful function." As for their faith, they seemed more "active and enthusiastic." He believes this event will truly change their lives.

"I and my parishioners thank all who helped us to success. By knowing our poverty, you came forward to help us. We all love you and we all thank you. Please continue to help us and pray for us."

 

Worn out but touched by what Fr. Varghese called
the  "overcrowd," Archbishop Mallavarapu
encouraged Fr. Varghese and his people to
continue in their zeal. His visit will long be 
remembered by the people of Yelleswaram.

The "wonder of a stage" unfolds in time for Confirmation

Several days ago, workers put final touches on the stage.

Inspired. That's the only explanation for how the "untouchables" of Holy Family Mission have built what Fr. Varghese has called "the wonder of a stage." The missionary was still door-to-dooring late into the evening with his people just a few days ago, trying to raise funds for paint to finish their incredible project. It's a sight to behold! Built largely through volunteer labor of "coolies" of all ages in India...factory workers, cashew nut gatherers, coal miners. And all since Easter! These people truly are inspired. Final preparations are being completed right now and the Archbishop will be arriving for Confirmations tomorrow. Pray for this mission that their event runs beautifully. Another miracle? The region's 116-degree F. weather broke a couple days ago with a rain storm. Heartfelt thanks to all who have kept this mission in their thoughts and prayers.

Volunteer workers of all ages made this stage a reality.

A newly whitewashed roof on top of Fr.'s little priest
house opens up a whole new room in the sky.

An awning provided some relief during days
when temperatures soared to 116-degrees F.

Receiving a final shipment of bricks.

And soon to be blessed by the long-awaited visitor, 

Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu of the 

Diocese of Visakhapatnam.

To all the 200-some Confirmandis processing to
their new stage on June 2nd, may the Holy Spirit
greatly bless you!

Deadly heat wave kills 274 in Andhra Pradesh

A vicious heat wave has been sweeping India, causing multiple deaths. See updates here. Fr. Varghese said temperatures topped 116.6-degrees F. over the weekend. He lacks air conditioning, along with his scattered villagers, so it's hard to fathom the depth of people's suffering and how they're keeping well in the extreme heat. Fr. wrote, "Pray for Andhra Pradesh. Lots of sun stroke is taking place." Unbelievably, volunteers are still working to have all in place by their June 2 Confirmation date. Many are coming at night to avoid the intense sun. Yes, pray for the people of India -- for a cooling breeze over the nation -- and for Holy Family Mission and its 200 candidates for Confirmation.

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT ON THE FUNDLY CAMPAIGN RAISING FUNDS TO HOST THE CONFIRMATION. SEE THE FUNDLY PAGE (CLICK ON TITLE IN BOX, UPPER RIGHT) TO SEE A BREAKDOWN OF NEEDS. A TENT AND WATER PACKETS ARE AMONG THE NEEDS LISTED, TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE FROM THE INTENSE SUN.

OR DONATE ANONYMOUSLY ON THE PAYPAL BUTTON ON THIS SITE. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Going door-to-door, construction hazards and more...

A volunteer takes a work-break for a meal. Fr. Varghese
feeds workers who put in many hours preparing his mission
for June 2nd.

Confirmations are little more than two weeks away and Fr. Varghese and his people are going door-to-door through villages begging funds to cover costs. The last weeks have been exciting...and grueling. Temperatures have reached as high as 109-degrees F. Work on mission projects has stalled several times as funds ran low for supplies. A couple days ago, a worker fell 15 feet off the new stage roof, and Fr. Varghese ran to do first aid. He said the man is strong, and recovering. The focus remains on the spiritual formation of those being Confirmed. But volunteers of all ages have also tackled these other projects: Ongoing cleaning of church and grounds, whitewashing the presbytery, building a stage to host the event, constructing a much-needed staircase to the roof of the presbytery, canvassing door-to-door for donations.

Members of the "Mariadalem Sodality" tidy up around the mission.

It's not all work around the mission. Cricket, anyone?

Their mission Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam is struggling too much financially to offer Holy Family Church special help for its June 2nd event, the first Confirmations held in Yelleswaram in 10 years. Ever since Easter week, when parishioners learned around 200 faithful would be confirmed on June 2nd and that their Archbishop would be coming for this historic event, they have been volunteering in every way to make the day a success. A new "Fundly" campaign has been launched to help raise needed funds. Click on the title of the campaign link at top right box, see some more great photos and a description and list of needs, and become a "supporter" for free, or a donor.   

Regular chores at the mission continue, such as cleaning 
church candlesticks and tamarind fruit harvesting. 
The pod-like tamarind is used in cooking and 
in traditional medicines.

Confirmations Postponed until June 2

A volunteer enjoys a meal break at
Holy Family Mission.

First, the good news. Activity peaked at Holy Family Mission around a week ago, when a compact diesel-powered cement mixer started churning out cement for the foundation of the new stage.  Volunteers carried stones, sand and cement, filling the forms to create foundation walls. In spite of brutal temperatures around 109-degrees F., people's spirits were high. When the forms came down, sturdy walls remained.

Something to celebrate:

Now, for challenging news. Building activity slowed this past week when funds ran dry. Fr. Varghese met with his workers and everyone agreed the work needed to pause. Father refuses to go into debt for this project, so the cement roof and floor of the stage can not be poured until more funds appear.  At this point, not enough time remains to pour the cement and let it cure for the original May 8th Confirmation date. 

When Fr. Varghese called the Archbishop's office, the secretary said, "Oh, Father. The Archbishop was asking to change the Confirmation date due to the heat." Temperatures have been hovering around 109-degrees F., so that May 8th date needed to change, anyway. That buys the workers a little extra time, but not much.

Working outside all day in 100-plus temperatures
is grueling. A worker takes a needed break.

People have signed vouchers promising donations, but struggle to cover basic living expenses in a state where 69% of the population earns less than $2 a day. Most people can't give a donation until payday, at the end of the month. Meanwhile, laborers are willing, but supplies are scarce. 

"People have learned very well" in their Confirmation classes over the past weeks since Easter, says Fr. Varghese. Their spiritual preparation is coming along nicely. So why the urgency to build a stage?

This group of faithful  took special vows of penance
 during Lent. No sooner was Easter celebrated, than the Mission
entered an intense and special period  of formation for
Confirmations, a time Father has called
 a "Way of the Cross."

"We expect nearly 2,000 people" on Confirmation day, explains the priest. "The church can accommodate a maximum of 1,000."

Since Father's mission covers scattered villages and four mission outposts besides Holy Family, tribal people will travel in from far and wide for the event.

Although Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu feared temperatures would be too intense for participants on the original May 8th date, volunteers have continued gathering at the mission nearly daily to clean and beautify the buildings and grounds. Altar boys scrubbed Father's little house with whisk brooms, and now the house wears a new coat of paint. Everyone wants to honor their Archbishop and the coming of the Holy Spirit by making their mission shine.

Please consider donating to help these people who are so faithful and willing to labor for their God, but who need a helping hand.  100% of donations that come through the Paypal donation button at right, go directly to Fr. Varghese and his people, for their mission's basic operating costs and for their new stage, which will serve the community for years to come. God bless you for your prayers and generosity!

Altar boys scrubbed Fr. Varghese's two-bedroom house
so it could be painted.

Text by Marianna Bartholomew

Photos by Fr. Varghese