26 Jun celebrate to feel at home/india
For several years we have been looking for ways to accompany migrant workers who come from Northern and Western states like Odissa and Kharkand to work in Kerala. It is not an easy life and being able to be close to them, especially the young women, helps us to be grateful for life and go out from our comfort zones, always looking for Magis. Because of the diversity of languages one of the challenges is to continue to nourish the Faith and the community celebration of it with meaning. Since some of us are also from northern states, we can build that bridge and make them feel a little more at home.
In recent times, once a month Sr. Sushmita and myself were going for Hindi mass to Eramalloor and every Sunday to Kaloor along with Sr. Mary. It was an enriching experience for me to be with them listening to their sharing of their difficulties and their lives. We visited their hostels too. They were longing to have the Eucharist in their own language. It was an opportunity to reach out to them by organizing Hindi Mass once a month. We helped them to prepare meaningful liturgy for the Eucharistic celebration. I was happy to prepare the introduction and homily based on the gospel. The Priests who were coming to celebrate Mass were very cooperative. They too were very happy for getting the opportunity to have Hindi mass and to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In Kaloor along with migrants there were other people who joined for Mass. Here too we helped them to prepare a meaningful liturgy. After the mass we have meeting with them in which they share their joys and sorrows. This was a wonderful experience to know the lives of the migrants and brought me lot of joy.
Sunita Toppo, aci
