“We do not love with words but with facts”
The message of Pope Francis, for the First World Day of the Poor which will be celebrated on 19 November 2017, urged us, as a community to do something for the poor in our neighbourhood.
On 16 November 2017 at 5.30 pm, we the sisters of Francis Xavier convent, Benaulim, invited the mothers of our school students who are working as maids, to a memorable get together.
We had 21 of them. We began with a short talk by Sr. Teotonia Vaz, who told them about the purpose of calling them this evening. She told them that the Holy Father has urged all of us to reach out to the poor and also to learn from them. The example of St. Lawrence who loved and considered the poor as the wealth of the Catholic Church was explained to them. After the talk we prayed one decade of the rosary led by Sr. Susan Moraes, praying for various intentions for them and for their families.
In order to lighten their burdens we had two games organized by Sr. Rebecca Thomas – musical chairs and passing the parcel, as some of them just got back from their work. They all participated willingly and joyfully. Their whole-hearted and willing participation told us that they too are human and need times like this.
To make it more exciting for them we had lucky dip gifts for each of them. They picked up a number and the corresponding gift was given to them by Sr. Elizabeth Coelho. Sr. Devdit made sure to prepare good snacks for them. Sr. Agatha Dias thanked each of them for taking time out and coming here to be together. As they left, they were given a bag containing useful goodies for the home. They were indeed grateful and thanked us for being with them. As they left one of them whispered to us: Thank you sister for being with us poor people”. The joy was ours to have this opportunity of being with them.