THANKING - POEM

Dear Sr. Superior and the Community,

Ten feet trotted hurriedly to carry their lamps,

Each from different directions to tent their camps,

‘The bride-groom is coming,’ let us await a month,

Lest our hearts within form rust, all eaten up by moth,

INK said, ‘Come soon, for our places are ready’,

INC affirmed, ‘Sure, travelling long will make us steady’,

INT exclaimed, ‘We are like Peter and John’,

INM assured, ‘Though single, yet am ready to be re-born’.

It’s a privilege given to us, to experience everyone’s guidance,

For renewing of faith journey with this First Phase allowance,

Sessions, contextualized prayer moments, talks, goodnight,

All these were the guidelines to reach, Christ the radiant light,

But you, O Sisters have indeed dealt the content,

Of inspiring us to be a happy religious with the power of accompaniment,

Rooted in the Covenant, Ongoing Formation with regard to Second Novitiate,

Constitutions, Plan of Formation, too, enchanted with reflections increased our rate.

You poured oil over our lamps, word by word,

No words dropped, yes, we sought the Lord,

For, to the world, we are not five foolish and five wise,

Rather with determination, we say, we removed our vice,

It isn’t a myth, a reality to be faced, for courage wins,

Right Juniors, or else, my dear Ten Wise Virgins,

“Thank You” our hearts spells out Sisters dear,

Casting away our fear, turning up our life’s gear,

To always make us hear that the Lord is near,

Fix our gaze at Crucifix, which thou did wear.

LONG LIVE DON BOSCO, LONG LIVE MOTHER MAZZARELLO,

LONG LIVE HER COURAGEOUS DAUGHTERS, NEVER PACING VIRTUES SLOW,

WITH FORTITUDE, WE MARCH AHEAD TO BECOME HIS BRIDE,

FOR THIS SHALL BE TAGLINE, OUR VICTORIOUS PRIDE!!!

THANK YOU SISTERS!!!

TRANSFORMED BY THE ENCOUNTER

“I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness I have drawn thee”

– JEREMIAH 31:3 

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul cannot reach. I love thee, but thee with a love that shall not die till the sun grows cold and the stars grow old. My soul was restless, my spirit imbued with dryness, my greenish folio’s verge started to turn yellow in due season and thus, my feet trotted in spots and my eyes unveiled in eagerness to relentlessly seek out an ardent lover of the Master, to discover the beauty of a remarkably transformed life. I wanted something new, oh; something like chalk and cheese in my life like every other human being aspires always. 

I searched in vain unless a gushing spirit invaded me and made me realize, “Why do you search for me in others, when I am present fully in you?” You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Masking the self-confidence within myself, I worked to banish them by illumining it in the light of others. A pile of papers lay ahead of me as I sat down for my personal reflection. My soul taunted me and a heap of questions swaying across my eyes. 

We are all now connected by the Internet in the fast pacing technological world like neurons in a giant brain. But ranging from this modern booming era of android world, I brim with joy in gratitude for the gift of my Salesian vocation. The moments of gratefulness I pen down in these words:- 

My detachment of my mother, a single parent, as an only child who was born with all possible pleasures that the youngsters of this epoch would seek and run after, sorting from technological advancements of television, video games, computer, laptop, mobile, TV games, LCD (Projector), others like cycle, keyboard, guitar, scooty, and needless to say much more. I leave all these comforts for my Lord, am I not transformed by the encounter? 

My first crush with the Eucharistic Jesus in Mumbai as I received Him for the first time, oh, indeed I would say that I am transformed by the encounter for my VOCATION instigated there... desiring as a tiny bud waiting to bloom in the hands of God, looking curiously at the lives of the sisters unbothered by the external stimuli of people. 

My developing love for the Infant Jesus in my school days in New Delhi with the Salesian sisters, oh, doesn’t this say that I am transformed by the encounter? For His grace to make me actively involved in the church activities – altar girls, choir, volunteers, children and youth groups and intently look at Him amidst all competent and challenging friends. 

My steadfast hold to Blessed Virgin Mary through the Marian chants and hymns in my Salesian boarding at Kolkata with Our Lady of Bandel, Happy Voyage, learning to surrender even my entire family under her care and protection, only in the risk of accepting boarding life to live independently, am not I transformed by the encounter? 

My firm and unshakeable decision to follow the Crucified Lord, in Southern region of Tamil nadu in spite of my own experiences in familiar places of North and the Salesian Sisters calling there by, here, I choose a different land, yes, mission life simply drags me like the strangers in a foreign territory willing this to be His plan alone, Ya, I feel I am transformed by the encounter. 

My experiences of life in various places and yet the assurance and guidance that He gives me to walk forward is stupendous. My late father was a channel to make my discernment irrevocably strong as he did not actually approve it and I had a real tough time as he was not present with me, yet something just led me ahead, isn’t it the encounter that transformed me? 

I had my determination soaring high and the willingness to wrestle with my demons within me to cause the angels to sing. It’s not a seed sown yesterday and a plant nurtured today or tomorrow. For transformation doesn’t take place instantly, it takes days, months, and years, as in the life of Saul to become Paul. 

Therefore, there’s no use only staring at others (as I thought) proclaiming to all that miracles happens only to special people or to virtuous souls and nevertheless, nothing happens to me. But as I view my every day’s life until my childhood, will you not agree with me in saying, that each one’s lives, like mine are undeniably TRANSFORMED BY THE ENCOUNTER. 

                                                                                       - By Sr. SUNDARAM Bernadette Neha 

                                                                                                                          INT

Get A Transfer

I really had no clue where i will be transferred
But when I got a mail I knew where I will be going
It is a beautiful place where I will be among senior people
I realized need to put all my knowledge learnt these years

I always knew that I was loved
By deeds, hugs or a smile
I am quite excited to go to the new place
And convey what I have learnt

So now I need to say lovely goodbye
To my present community
Who will have a special place in my heart
Which I will always cherish

Now this new transfer will bring me a fresh start
With a beginning of  new adventure
And impacting a new vigor in the mind
Also arriving with a sense of possibility !!!

             By Sr. Neha

On a Spiritual Retreat >>>

Too often, in day to day life

we’re overloaded with distractions 
Want to live life closer to God's will

But can't hear the voice of God

 So now I am on a Spiritual Retreat
Getting reacquainted with God,
Rekindle relationship with Christ
Deepen friendship with Him

Spiritual Retreat is a time when I am away from my daily routine

No cell phone, no social media!! 

This gives me strength and joy
And this brings closeness towards Blessed mother.

Retreat setting is an atmosphere of silence
Where we spend time in silent conversation
And participate in Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Mostly a retreat is all about seeking, finding and loving Christ

By Sr. Neha

Heavenly Memories>>>

After two years, I had my vacation of ten days,

I travelled to my granny's house with so much Ecstasy
My mom was already there in Kanyakumari
Visiting my grandma's house was fun.

But the weather killed me, as it had scorching heat 

And during daytime can't even go out, I spent quality time with my family.

Grandma was constantly worrying 

if I had enough to eat 

and if my cloths needed to be washed. 
I told her not to worry about me, that I was fine

but she wouldn’t believe me

 Also met my auntie and relatives

We even laughed at the things they remembered me doing when I was little.

The second part was to go to my mom's place in Bangalore. 

Here too i met my mom's friends and enjoyed.

I continued by waking up at six in the morning which kept me active the whole day. 

Walking to the Infant Jesus Church close-by energized me with God.

Now my trip has come to an end and tomorrow I travel back to my community

Thank you God for preserving me safe her in a beautiful paradise,

Amidst people all suffering and wailing with violence all over,

 For making these days of my life THE VERY BEST!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               By Sr. Neha

LIGHT plays up!!!

Light is the life of your portrait, a tool to trigger your best image,

My photography in PONDICHERRY

Unblinding oneself hope is being able to see in spite of all darkness,

All images give visual pleasure to our physical eyes,
But only a few remain stagnated and evokes our feelings.

I agree with Tagore's words, "Faith is like the bird,
That feels the light when the dawn is still dark"
Unless we understand the photography lighting, we cannot

My photography in PONDICHERRY

use camera,
And not create an unique identity identifiable by others.

Watching sights pass by, innumerable of them day by day,
Can increase our imagination and touch our sense of wonder,
Google, vector or even shutter-stock images charms us sensually,
But the trick of lighting observed and clicked gives LIFE to dead objects.

Everything that enters our life through seeing or passing by,

My photography in PONDICHERRY

Every colour, every line, every weight, every angle,
It's just a editorial page of the magnificent works of creation,
Rather a manifestation of His love and His light of course>>>

HALF A BISCUIT

When my mind drains and abstains with thoughts, 

Dryness fills me up leaving no work behind,

Waiting for some interesting things to happen,
Saw many people in glee and fun spending their vacation,

In tights and casuals on hot summer days, 

Work, work, people are all the time busy of work...

Fun for some but bore-some days for many...
The water refreshes the thirsty souls,
Whereas AC soothens the moist and humidity in air,

But who could refuse a single cup of tea…
Oh, tell me will you just send it back,
Then get a snack to get refreshed,
I am sure even the top most business man,
Would prefer to get a biscuit with that…. 

As I ate half a biscuit, I just penned up this BLOG>>> 

HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB>>>

Is it really needed in this world to care for others, 

For when we think of others, some show uncared self,

And even jealousy beams over thinking of their state,

I know I could be more than what I should not be.

HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB book doesn't simply give us an idea,

Of how life is in an mystical sense with a hallucination effect,

But, it clearly speaks of how we could fix up our minds,

Tell deep within us that no matter how hard others try.

It's in our hands, oh, ya, our hands, not others,

For the world is not a permanent place for us,

And no one remains with us forever till our last breath,

Unless the One who created you holds you more closely.

PHOTOGRAPHY>>>

Actually photography is an art that you would prefer to enjoy in any moment of life.

Basic photography is stressing... on the need of a background, surrounding and the overall scene. It needs composition and placement of the objects, distort depth, relative size and distance.

Form – When one part is focused the other becomes blur.

Texture – A photo having many matters inside and it is called a texture

Photographic composition – The centre of interest is altogether the subject placement, balance, simplicity, viewpoint of camera and angle perspective.

When the subject falls on the centre of the grid it is called a perfect photo.

The students were very much interested in learning the basic art of photography. They learnt not only taking photos but also the techniques of photography.

THE INFLUENCE OF MEDIA>>>

Sr. Sundaram Bernadette Neha proposes that all of us working in Media should overcome that feeling of growing discontent and resignation that can at times generate apathy, fear or the idea that evil has no limits. Moreover, in a communications industry which thinks that good news does not sell, and where the tragedy of human suffering and the mystery of evil easily turn into entertainment, there is always the temptation that our consciences can be dulled or slip into pessimism. 

1. How to use media in a spiritual way?

2. How to engage oneself to look for the best in media which others undermine your credibility?

3. Caste and religion-your purpose

4. Make a list of positive and negative effects of media.

Let us then contribute to the search for an open and creative style of

communication that never seeks to glamourize evil but instead to concentrate on solutions and to inspire a positive and responsible approach on the part of its recipients. Be the first to offer the people of our time storylines that are at heart “good news” through the powerful weapon of MEDIA.
THUS, I PROCLAIM -

v Lay claim to greatness. The heroes hunt for the best amidst adversity 

v Dig for the best in yourself, we need hand part to make it happen

v Choice is by choice. Step by step, small grains eventually field giant results.

v Stop being a prisoner of your past and others talks

PACKING MY STUFF>>>

So here I am, packing up a lot of my stuff as I get ready to go for my various set aside tasks and works followed by my holidays. Packing is a big job, as I need to find things from here and there and put it in one bag. Packing has to be done effectively and carefully. I am doing my packing with a nostalgic feeling that taunts me with sweet memories lingering around me. My full concentration is only on my packing now. During packing I got lot of unwanted stuff which I later gave to people in my community.

I know it feels like a chore, but if I follow some packing tips then I don’t have to worry. · Make a list of items to take and then after packing tick it.· Observe the restrictions on baggage, specially the weight.· Any particular thing needed to put in top of the bag. · Not forgetting to carry essentials.

So, finally everyone in life, at some time or the other needs to do some packing, to ensure that we move about and find new people who become a part of our world rather than just get involved to a handful of them and be segments of clay in their hands with our own settled world.

IS IT MEDIA???

“BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK…

 YOUR THOUGHTS RUN YOUR LIFE.”

FATIMA COMMUNITY

So once a month, on Sundays, Media Meeting was conducted for the housestaff to make them relevant of the digital world outside and the challenging trends that Media opposes in every phase of life.

The FMA Sisters aroused their inner eyes to the reality of the modern youth through this usage of Media in our house at the Provincial House, Chennai as they felt the strong urge of threat posed by the manipulated influence of Media in the forthcoming generations which could easily hamper the target group of our Institute.

We are given the Social Media and the Mass communication every day. During the meeting, Sr. Sundaram Bernadette Neha, the community Media co-ordinator, explained to the house-staff the importance of Media and the impact that one faces these days especially on the youth and the endangered society.

MEDIA MEETING

They were enthused to listen and the minds were lit with awakening senses of Media, some practical appliances and the ethics of the digitalised world. Engulfing the area on Media, the necessity of photography was also stated with the various angles and shots in demonstrations in fusing in us the thirst to uplift our ignorant minds to socialization.

VIDEO EVALUATION

So, Photos were always taken as a remembrance of the memorable events and to make a special embark on the chronicles of our community life. Confidence in the seed of God’s Kingdom and in the mystery of Easter should also shape the way we communicate. This confidence enables us to carry out our work – in all the different ways that communication takes place nowadays – with the conviction that it is possible to recognize and highlight the good news present in every story and in the face of each person.

My Life's Greatest Adventure >>>

Few years ago I went on a journey with my mom of self discovery which was one of the greatest adventures I could ever hope to experience. This happened in Andaman Island. 

When I came back from trip, my friends asked my experience. I briefed them how I captured the moments that I thought had shaped who I really am right now. By observing and doing things shaped me through experience rather than my genetics. 

However, one of the most significant parts of my incident was when my belief systems got challenged in such a way that I had to review everything. I could use logic and analysis to make sense of any situation. I loved being me, because the world made sense through my grid of intellect and my models of what life is all about. It was solid, it was rational and I felt that I had the power to control and conquer it. I had experienced sky walking  

other water sports.

 

I have always been interested in what was then described as the stuff that we can’t explain by science. I overcame the urge by applying my fabulous intellectual logic and told myself how ridiculous I was being and managing things.

                              

So after a couple of days, the biggest impact of that moment however, was that I now had to assess all my fundamental beliefs. Over the years that followed, I made other predictions that came true and I had other unusual experiences that could not be explained by logic.

As a result of exploring active connection and awareness, my life has taken an amazing turn and is way more exciting an adventure that I could ever have imagined. I now feel like I live in strong world. Sometimes it’s more positive, sometimes it’s more negative, but they do co-exist every day.

My life's biggest adventure is still to this day expanding my understanding of how this interconnection works. For me it is a way more exciting than any trip around the world or any number of activities that I consider ‘adventurous’.

SOCIAL MEDIA>>>

"Social media spark a revelation that we, the people, have a voice, and through the democratization of content and ideas we can once again unite around common passions, inspire movements, and ignite change”, says Brian Solis, a great Spokesman.  

Due to the non-functional and improper visual images with slow movement of TV, and the earlier used media DVD players, we planned to buy a new TV for the purpose of ensuring that Media reaches all of us in the community in the best way as possible as it could be. The newly bought LED TV in our Refectory also with the advanced features of pen drive option and more of channels available helped us to use it for showing the community NEWS especially in times of need. 

Thus communicating through mike was a common affair during our everyday prayer moments and especially during the meetings and for important announcements. The music player was also used in times of birthdays, celebrations and for welcoming others. Apart from all this, we all Sisters as well as our house-girls were permitted to view one Tamil or any other language based movie once a month, specifically on a holiday or a Sunday. In order to prove some fascinating facts or for the use of Seminar, Recollection talks and relevant issues, Media was used profusely. The spark ignited from the flame touched us as we became aware of the rays that inspire us to be converted to the demands that it asks of us. 

 Even during our special moments of prayer and to increase our fervor while preparing the liturgy, we implement its usage. During the most auspicious day of our community day, we also relaxed by dancing, music and expressing ourselves freely and thus made our minds more refreshed. Then, we entered the open space of the grounds to enjoy the company of each other through the short song videos produced by our Sisters favoring us to build up mutual love for each other and thus grow gracefully in the field of relationships. Further, we have our goodnights every month of 24th with the message of every Provincial using the medium of net. Not forgetting, the Print Media also paved way as Sundays and other leisure times were spent reading the weekly magazines, fortnightlies, bimonthlies etc. 

“ The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won;t wait while you do the work. So, LET’S BEGIN OUR WORK OF EVANGELIZATION THROUGH MEDIA>>>

 

THE DAYS BEFORE THE EXAMS >>>

An exam going student of any school would only think this way –

The Semester exams are going to begin and I want to gain maximum outcome from my subjects. Right now I need to be very clear in my mind to recall all the topics of the subjects from beginning till end.

So I am planning to make study time table according to my convenience.

My focus would only be on revision of my studies and I will usually stick to it. I will take break up of study duration into small units. I will learn from the notes prepared during the class. I will review the answers/concerns with good friends or teachers.

Also I will deactivate my FB, refrain from Instagram and other social media activities.I will try to solve old question paper, will do some self-test and improve my confidence level. For best results, I will need to make more efforts.

And at last I will NEVER GIVE UP and will DO MY BEST!!!

I WAS, I am and I WILL BE>>>

I HAVE ALWAYS ASPIRED TO BE>>>……. 

An artist by training, a designer by profession and a photographer by aptitude,

A blooming photographer, Web Developer and Blogger,

Also into Web designing and many more creative articles,

Sr-Neha Creation has always been inspiring people for photography.

It is one of the brands to raise awareness among the new generation.

I WANT SOMEONE TO TELL ABOUT ME THAT>>>…

All her pictures are stylish, full of enjoyment of life and people.

She is someone who specializes in making your special moments memorable.

Her photos will occupy pride of place in your home and hearts.

Not because she is good, but because she sees you the way the world sees you.

She uses her imagination, creativity, experience and professionalism to capture,

The important moments and with unique expressions

Her skills include Fine Arts through which she gets the best out of her pictures.

FINALLY, I WOULD SAY>>>… 

The result is art that is original, natural and distinctly me.

I am a Salesian Sister (a NUN) who is presently,

Pursuing my final year Visual Communication from Loyola College,

Learning photography, creative skills, editing, shooting and web developing,

My mission is to build best relationship with people and provide good service to them

To make them feel that IT’S A BEAUTIFUL WORLD AFTER ALL!!!

EXPLORE NATURE IN VALPARAI >>>

When it came to photography, our Photography Sir suggested me to go to VALPARAI which is a hill station being heaven on earth. Along with my friends I travelled to this lovely place last year and stayed in Sir’s guest house.

I took lot of photos with my DSLR CAMERA on the way as it had the most beautiful scenery with lovely waterfalls, forests, mountain ranges, rain, flora and fauna, estates and also could see every form of wonder. 

 This beautiful place in nature has scenery that can take away from the man-made world and leave its pleasant impress upon our soul. It is a perfect place to trek, relax, rejuvenate, feel the freshness and comfort of nature enveloped with lush green teas estates all over.

This place is a paradise for Nature photographers. It is one of the best places for wildlife and nature photography. 

I really loved being here for 3 days with my friends and I suggest people to come and soak in the beauty of nature- VALPARAI