Faith and Friendship Flourish in India

India, Andhra Pradesh: During the last two weeks of January, 2013, an incredibly dedicated and faith-filled couple from Andhra Pradesh, India, Dr. Geetha and Tom Chitta, extended the blessed opportunity for me to visit Hyderabad, Porumamilla, Kadpa, Chennai, Velankanni and Delhi and personally witness the extensive work of the members of the Catholic Church and the vibrant life of India– in all its forms. As Director of Mission Awareness for the Archdiocese of San Antonio since 1991, this was, by far, the most amazing chance to grow in my own mission awareness, gather photos, stories, and new friends, and strengthen my faith convictions during this Year of Faith.

Due to the Chitta family’s thoughtful planning and life-long networking, I traveled with a great team of four other Americans to schools, hostels, homes for the elderly, centers for disabled, a rural out-door health clinic, and a home for AIDS orphans. At each site, we were welcomed like dignitaries, with garlands of fragrant flowers, songs, traditional dances and applause from hundreds of beautiful, well-behaved children and gracious, grateful adults. Tom and Geetha, along with the Holy Spirit, enabled us to meet countless priests, sisters, school directors, students, novices, along with spiritual gurus, heads of the rural health commission of India, the leadership team of the National Association of Single Women of India, and members of the San Antonio-Chennai Sister City Partnership for Education, Business, and Health Care Committee (visiting India concurrently). Our food was carefully monitored and prepared and drivers and train and plane tickets were purchased in advance so that, in addition to all of the educational encounters, we could also celebrate Mass at the tomb of St. Thomas (in Chennai) and the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health- (in Velankanni), pray at the monument to the 6,000 Indian victims of the Tsunami, meditate with the hundreds of Tibetan monks and the inter-faith leaders that had gathered for the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Delhi, and stroll in amazement through the incredible Galgonda Fort of Hyderabad and the magnificent beauty and symmetry of the famous monument to married love- the Taj Majal.

We were interviewed for the Indian newspapers and television in conjunction with the dual celebrations (in Hyderabad (urban) and Porumamilla (rural) recognizing the 10th anniversary of the work of Tom and Dr. Geetha Chitta for education and health care. Dr. D. L. Ravindar Reddy, Andhra Pradesh State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, delivered this message in letter form, “On this special occasion, I thank Most Reverend Gustavo Garcia-Siller, the Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas, you, and all those who have supported the efforts of Dr. Geetha and Tom Chitta for your kindness and generosity….They are dedicated individuals who are doing wonderful work to help the neediest in our State. They have shared with me your support to them.” At several times through the years, parishes from the Archdiocese of San Antonio were assigned the dioceses of Guntur and Cuddapah (locations of Tom and Dr. Geetha’s schools and clinics, as a part of the Mission Cooperative Plan. Most recently, the parishes of St. Peter and Paul, New Braunfels and St. Stephen’s donated over $11,000 to these efforts through the Archdiocese of San Antonio Mission Cooperative Plan. Previously in, St. Francis of Assisi welcomed Dr. Geetha to speak about the educational and health needs in Guntur and Cuddapah dioceses.

Mr. Chitta also arranged visits at several schools that receive grants from the Missionary Childhood Association. At the all boys Gandhi Memorial School, the Director was a diocesan priest, who invited us to speak to the attentive students.

The local dialect is Telugu, and the boys also learn the National language, Hindi, and some basic English. I took San Antonio postcards and Missionary Childhood Association world maps to make a connection. My co-travellers joined with me in leading the interactive songs and motions of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”.

At the Immaculate Conception Home for the Physically Challenged supported by MCA, the children danced for us, even the young boy with one arm. The students in the wheel chairs clapped along and smiled. When we rose from our chairs to join them in the dance, the children laughed with joy.

The most touching experience was the visit to the hostel for the 28 AIDS orphans. Two boys had died last summer, due to the vulnerability of their immune systems. As the boys, ages, 6-9 rose to dance to a “Bollywood” hit for us, I could not hold back the tears. One of the boys noticed and began pointing at me, wondering what was wrong. They covered us with garlands and their smiles, and all I could do is thank God for life, faith, and the dedication of people like the Chittas and Rani, the young widow director of the home, (her 43 year old husband died of a heart attack last year), and all the generous donors whose donations help children and build bridges of caring and love around the world.