The true activity comes from God

... A new initiative

“It is important always to know that the first word, the true initiative, the true activity comes from God and only by inserting ourselves into the divine initiative, only begging for this divine initiative, shall we too be able to become – with him and in him – evangelizers”. (EG112)

 The “Holy Trinity” community, Thekkalipatnam in Andhra Pradesh in the province Holy Family India involves in the mission of evangelization through direct pastoral and educational activities in the region since 1998. Thekkalipatnam is in the diocese of Srikakulam in the northeastern part of Andhra Pradesh. It is indeed a poor region surrounded by many villages where the people are mostly agricultural laborers.  Some work in the cashew nut factories on daily wage basis and make their living possible. Many young girls discontinued their studies and work in the paddy fields or in the cashew nut factories. These works are seasonal since cultivation is depending on the rains and it is very scarce in the region. Thanks to the Lord, our long years of pastoral and educational services   have brought an enormous change in the life and faith of the people of the place though they are of different religions.

We always make new initiatives to concentrate on the formation of  the  girls to give them life skills to build up their good future.   With this intention, we have started a new initiative, tailoring classes to give training in cutting, tailoring and embroidery works to the girls and the women who are interested.  We appreciate Sr. Vijaya Kurma, who with her innate talent and preparation in the field, found a creative way to keep the girls closer and train them with much enthusiasm.  They make church articles like vestments, altar linens, and altar laces, dress for the altar boys etc, as the parish priests of the diocese make the order.  The articles they made are very beautiful and according to the taste of the people of the place. Sr. Vijaya is also very good in stitching dress of all types, ladies handbags, purses and pouches for the schoolchildren. It is a six months training program and at the end of the course, we will gift the stitching machine to them so that they can stitch and make their living when they do not have other works. Besides getting a training in a craft they also get a certain religious formation with our witness of life. They are people of different religions but we treat them equally with the same concern.  Our classes always we begin and end with a prayer, which they appreciate and take part in. At times they take the freedom to share their problems, seeking advices.  “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus”

and no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord. (EG1). We try to share this joy and make them encounter Jesus.

We express our sincere thanks to Sr. Paola our superior general whose encouragement, contribution and blessings that helped us to begin the activities.

We involve in the pastoral works in the villages, visiting the families, preparing for the sacraments teaching catechism etc. We also dedicate in giving tuition classes to the poor children in the village who are weak in studies. We try to give Jesus to the people who never knew Him in our own small ways, believing firmly that “Whenever we take a small step towards Jesus, we realize that He is already there waiting for us with open arms”. (EG3)

The sisters of “Holy Trinity” convent Thekkalipatnam, India