J M J

DEEPASHRAM

Rajivnagar P.B. No. 74, Gurgaon 122001

HOME FOR THE POOREST OF THE POOR

Haryana - INDIA - tel. 0124/ 30.19.41

Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa

(Brothers Contemplative)

 

To all men of good will,

Nature

The Society of the Missionary Brothers of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta is a registered charitable Institute of religious men. Its members vow to God to live in voluntary poverty, celibate chastity, in humble obedience and give whole-hearted free service to the poorest of the poor irrespective of colour, caste, religion or nationality.

History

On July 3, 1994 this centre was opened in Gurgaon area, basing temporarily in Sector 4. With God's help and with the help of some of our local people we were able to purchase a plot of land in Rajivnagar where we built a small house which now has become quite insufficient both for the formation of the members and for the work we have planned to do.

Main Aim and Present Set-up

Our main aim is to give whole-hearted free service to the last, least and the lost ones in our society. Our present set-up cannot adequately meet all the required needs of the poor. Right now we have with us thirty five physically and mentally handicapped boys and an equal number of homeless men.

In Search of

Besides caring for those who live with us, the Brothers go out in search of the homeless, the sick and the weak. Surprisingly enough a group of five or six homeless men, some of whom are positive TB patients, are found in one of Gurgaon's parks. How urgent for us to have a bigger house to shelter the homeless!

Hospital Visiting

Visiting the sick in the hospitals especially those who have nobody or who are very poor is also part of our programme. The Brothers go to visit the patients especially in Gurgaon's general hospital on a regular basis. Material help is also offered to the the very poor patients as far as this can be done, within our limited resources.

Visiting Families

There are also several poor families in our area who live in subhuman conditions - living like, with or among pigs. Either one has to ignore their existence or has to do something about it. The Brothers are trying to gather the children and bring them over to our place to give them bath, food, clohes etc. and also some basic lesson of personal hygiene and other important elememts of health care. Volunteers are most welcome to come and offer their services.

Needs, Call and Response

I often get frightened when I think of myself and of the comfortable homes the wealthy and the powerful have while there before our eyes lie hundreds in need of food, clothes and proper shelter, better living conditions and basic educational facilities. These have the same physical, psychological and moral needs as we all have. Circumstances have forced them to be what they are. Is there any hope for them? What can I do? What can we do? Definitely together we can do something more beautiful for them. A year ago, on November 18, 1995 Mother Teresa of Calcutta came in person to Rajivnagar to inaugurate and bless our newly established centre - Deepashram. She thanked God and the people of Gurgaon for welcoming "our Brothers". Thanks to all people of good will of Gurgaon for welcoming us!

Together we can do something more beautiful

If you and I try to put together our human resources then we could do much more than we do now; plus many more people could be helped, many more children could be clothed, fed and educated. Let us remember the little poem:

"Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand

make a mighty ocean".

There is much need to meet and talk: Voluntary Agencies together with Administrative Bodies of all levels. How much of our time is spent to get little things done in offices! How difficult to get visas or extension of visas for some of our volunteers coming from abroad just to help whole-heartedly and freely our poor and abandoned people whom we must be taking care of. Should we leave our poor people to die like animals or try to help them to live with dignity just like you and me?

Conclusion

All of us have the duty to help the poor. In the evening of our life, when we appear before God, He is not going to ask us of how much money we have deposited in the bank, or how beautiful and furnished a house did we have or how sumptuous our daily meals were. Instead He will ask each of us of what did you do with your life! Did you help your needy brothers and sisters who were just there at your door, within your reach and power? Let us remember that we will only be judged on love and on our deeds of love! We all can do something beautiful for God and for our poor people now. This is the hour for action! Let there be charity and service and let it begin with me! "Love never gives up". God bless you.

Fr. Sebastian M.C.