Friday, July 10, 2015

San Damiano Friary, Kurumal, Trichur

This friary is situated on 4acres of land.....they have a friary, parish, home of the destitute and retreat centre....marvelous and wonderful work, service and ministry carried out by 6 friars...

 The friars help the poor ones to build houses.....this evening we went to bless one foundation stone for one poor family.....the parish priest and others were present....the woman had tears in her eyes to see friars and priest coming to her humble dwelling...
 Br. Benny and Guardian Joy at the site.....

 Friars Anthony, Jomesh, Dominic are getting ready for the opening talk by me

 Morning i celebrated Eucharist for the Franciscan sisters of the sacred heart......they are about 100 sisters in India.....most of them trained in Italy....

 The entrance of San Damiano friary.....

 Gagulatha renewal centre run by the Capuchins...every friary around 5000 people come for one day retreat....they spent the whole day...friars preach and hear confessions....it is one of the biggest retreat centers in Kerala...well organized and this centre is in existence only for 8 years....but a lot of development .....people from all over kerala come here...it was very nice to see people, young and old coming to satisfy their spiritual hunger....a lot of healing is taking place....
 The capuchins also have a "Friends of Jesus" home for the destitute....these young and old men....picked up from the streets, bus stations, railway stations by public and even police....they are brought here with the knowledge of the civil authorities....most of these people are mentally retarded and among them many have suicidal tendencies....in this house there are 130 men....all care is given free to them by the friar with the help of so many people....many bring food items and many come and serve these men.....there are groups who come and clean their clothes, rooms and toilets....even bath is given to these men....they are run aways from home.....most of them are non-christians....once healed they don't want to go back...wonderful service...

 Some of these men know and speak Hindi as they are from North India....some of them don't remember their names.....

 Sisters who nurse the wounds of the patients.....

 Some of them are very sick and they need round the clock attention....the friars have appointed nurses and attendants....

These men miss their families.....they long and wait for someone to come....
 The dormitories are well kept, neat and tidy....there are volunteers who come and clean it....
 Br. Jomesh is the administrator of both the Home and Retreat centre.....this is the kitchen.....every day cooking for 150 people....all sponsored....they also cook for about 500 people and take to the town where poor ones are fed....it is done near the medical college....this is done with the help of the donors.....wonderful service......

 Special vegetable curry for the inmates as well as for poor ones

 Every day many people bring vegetables....the friars go to the market and collect vegetables from the vendors who give free and willingly........

 This is one of the volunteers and has a son who is a priest in one of the dioceses here in Kerala

 The chapel which is open the whole day with Blessed sacrament exposed....
 Holy articles are sold here....

 Canteen for the pilgrims....yummy samosas and Vadaas,,,,,,,
 Construction of a studio is in progress,,,,,,

 Volunteers who are cooking .....the second one from left is the eldest brother of one of our friars ...

 Br. Joy, Guardian,,,,,10 years he served in Gulf....Br. James....only son of the parents....worked in the army and had a job....left everything....He is a proud capuchin....
 Br. Benny, a good preacher....has studied in New York....
 Vessels for cooking....every Friday around 5000 people are given lunch....the volunteers cook,,,,,some participants sponsor food.....

 special menu was rice and vegetable curry...
 The entire and above is the Friends of Jesus Home for destitute....


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