Illuminating the "Healing Ministry of Christ" through CMC
A PUBLICATION OF THE VELLORE CMC FOUNDATION
EDITION FOUR | NOV 2022
IN THIS ISSUE:
A CHRISTIAN PARTNERSHIP FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Written by Father Amala Vinodh, SDB Director Don Bosco Tribal Development Society The Don Bosco Tribal Development Society has been working in Jawadhi Hills for the past 50 years, since 1976. The social ministry in Jawadhi Hills was initiated by Fr. Angelo Codello, an Italian Missionary. While he was working in Katpadi, he was requested by the then collector of Vellore to go to Jawadhi Hills to begin the Society’s water-shed projects. In the 1970’s the people of Jawadhi faced a severe drought, and malnutrition and poverty were very high. Fr. Angelo Codello was skilled in watershed management and accepted this opportunity to help the drought stricken farmers in Jawadhi. He spent the next few years living under very basic conditions digging open wells and lakes in strategic locations to maximize water storage. This was his greatest contribution to the hills and the people still remember his life-altering accomplishments to this day. The large lakes in Jammunamarathur, Erimamarathur, Jambudi, Bargur and in many other places were dug by Fr. Angelo by hand. He started a “Food for Work” project, which provided the labor for digging the wells, for in those days there were no JCBs to do the digging that was necessary. He started the first integrated farming project and the fist dairy unit, used to educate people for sustainable income generation. This project was initiated with a Trust called “Plough”. This Community Trust collaborated with the Community Health and Department (CHAD) program at the Christian Medical College to bring health care to the people through outreach clinics. In the www.vellorecmc.org
A CHRISTIAN PARTNERSHIP FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - 1 DEVOTIONAL - 1 THINK GLOBALLY AND ACT LOCALLY - 3 MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS ONE MINISTRY AT A TIME - 5 A PASSION TO SERVE THE UNDERSERVED: MY JOURNEY - 6
THE TRANSFORMING TOUCH OF JESUS Reverend Canon Dr. Anderson Jeremiah, Senior Lecturer Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion, Lancaster University UK. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:13. The pandemic and social distancing have made human touch a rarity. However, medical science shows us that a physical touch triggers the release of brain endorphins: an internal soother, which is more powerful than any painkillers. But touch is more than just a scientific confluence of brain chemicals. The power of touch by a nurse, doctor, or therapist, enhances healing. In times of difficulty, a friendly touch gives encouragement and makes hope soar. One of the principle means through which Jesus transformed the lives of people was through his gentle, life-giving touch. Jesus’ touch gave a new lease of life to people in need and pain. Jesus touched the leper, and he was healed. He touched a person without sight, and he could see. He touched the lifeless body of a girl, and she came back to life. A demon-possessed man was set free, just because Jesus touched him. The gospels abound in accounts of Jesus’s healing touch. Jesus used the physical aspect of touching to a great effect in a culture which considered touching as a significant act, because it can defile a person, pollute them religiously or even make them PASSAGES | Pg. 1