Post-cyclone storms still pound villages

Image courtesy of NOAA
Cyclone Phailin, gathering strength over the
Indian Ocean, October 11, 2013.

In a brief online chat yesterday, Fr. Varghese told how he got calls from parishioners who "lost their houses and so on...sad it is."

The situation's worsening today as heavy storms spawned by Cyclone Phailin sweep away villager's homes and crops. Concrete buildings in larger towns are faring better, says the priest, but thatch-roofed homes in villages are no match for these punishing rains. See this Times of India video of Cyclone Phailin and these photos  of the storm and its impact.

On October 11, Cyclone Phailin was named the largest Cyclone ever recorded over the Indian Ocean, measuring half the size of India. Thousands fled and were evacuated from the nation's East Coast, preventing widespread loss of life. So far, 23 deaths are reported.

Photo by Daniel Bartholomew
Co-blogger Marianna B. received birthday greetings
via Skype from Fr. Varghese, his mission children and
Gypsy the dog, just the night before Cyclone Phailin hit.

The evening before the cyclone made landfall, Fr. Varghese and his children sent birthday greetings via video chat to his Dalitjournal co-blogger. Next day, he joined missionary Fathers Bhaskar and Sridhar in traveling north to the yearly diocesan retreat for priests in the Diocese of Visakhapatnam.

In a region already reeling from strikes, power outages and food shortages from Telengana statehood tensions, people are ill-equipped to handle yet another disaster.

The scale and frequency of natural disaster and political strife in India accounts for the diocesan retreat not being cancelled due to the crisis. This is a precious and crucial time for diocesan priests to reconnect and gather in prayer, rejuvenating their faith in a region just 2% Christian. Special talks by Bishop Antony Pappusamy of the Diocese of Dindigul in Tamil Nadu and hours spent in Eucharistic Adoration, are focusing the priests on local and global intentions.

In past floods, Fr. Varghese carried people to safety, fed and housed them for up to ten weeks at Holy Family Mission and helped in reconstructing homes. Now, he's fasting for his people and will face major clean-up when he returns home.

"Ask all our friends to pray for us," he wrote.

If you would like to donate to Flood Relief at Holy Family Mission, please use the donate buttons for Paypal or credit cards on this site, at right. Thank you and God bless you.

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!

A forest journey

The day after his ordination anniversary, Fr. Varghese helped a fellow priest move supplies to a new mission assignment. The trip involved an 8-hour bus ride north into remote territory, and then a two-hour trek through dense forest, home to tigers, poisonous snakes, and elephants.

The Sileru River, crawling with crocodiles.

Shrines to various deities dot the countryside, in a region that is 98% Hindu.

India's characteristic conical hills.

A roadside "shop."

The drought has been "heavy" this year, says Fr. Varghese, and every living
thing is struggling.

Water supplies are contaminated.

The mission has stood vacant for six months, so needs a lot
of care. Fr. Varghese and Fr. Bhaskar spent the night in a room
full of rats and mosquitos. 

Villagers told the priests that a tiger had come from the forest that
night and taken a newborn baby while the mother was out fetching
water. Please keep this suffering mother and family in prayer.

Arranging wares at a local market.

Seeking shade is essential in temperatures more than 109 degrees F.

In this area of no electricity or phone service, the people's lifestyles are
traditional. 

Fr. Bhaskar has degrees in education and music, and is taking up work as the principal of a little school amongst the "aborgin" people. He is packing in a "harmonium" to share his gift for music. The harmonium is a keyboard instrument operated by a bellows!

Of course, the most important thing Fr. Bhaskar will share, is his love of God. He is shown below at left, processing into Mass on May 5, Fr. Varghese's ordination anniversary.

In Fr. Bhaskar's new location, access to emergency healthcare is non-existent, and a lack of electricity and phones will cut him off from the outside world. As you pray and support Fr. Varghese and Holy Family Mission, as the new June 2 date for Confirmation approaches (the date was rescheduled from May to June due to severe heat and lack of funds), please also pray for protection for Fr. Bhaskar...God's blessings on his ministry!