Sunday, July 31, 2016

Mary Matha Friary and Church, Mandadam

 This friary has about 14 acres of land....the friars were cultivating paddy for number of years.....supplying rice of the minor seminarians and the old aged home at Joseph Thamby's place....for last three years they are not cultivating as the government has issued a notice all the farmers not to cultivate....as the whole place comes under development plan....this is going to be the new capital of Andhra Pradesh state.....the friars are knocking every door to save the land.....it is beautiful......it can be a source of income for the charitable and social works which the province runs...pray hard.....

 The friary....simple dwelling for the friars....there are 3 friars ....a parish with 250 families but spread out in 4 villages....the friars go round to the villages for pastoral ministry....the people are poor and now that they dont have any farm work, still worse.....no work no money......Catholics are effected most.....

 About 100 people come for Sunday Mass....along with Sisters of Assisi congregation,,,,,they help friars in the pastoral work......they have a small dispensary....
 The sanctuary is simple but powerful drawings on the wall invites you to pray.....

 After the mass the priests stands at the main entrance and all the faithful come to receive blessings....small, young and old....all queue up for the blessings....lay your hands upon us...
 A social centre .....which also served for some years as postulancy house......for one it served as an office for a company.....the province needs to plan something....May be a junior college....need of the palce....

 The friars and sisters collaborate very well.......
 Returning from the friary we were caught in traffic.....45 minutes....look at the cycle puller....he is happy and singing all along...not bothered of traffic jam or the weight that he is carrying....he takes life as it comes.....what a lesson for all of us....

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