Thursday, February 28, 2013

An Article in the The Telegraph- Calcutta

The age of rage

Ramesh doesn’t like strays. The 30-something doctor from Mumbai kicks street dogs whenever he sees them. His violence is not limited to dogs. One day, he beat up a constable who stopped him from crossing a green light because the traffic was being blocked for a minister’s car.
“I’d beat up my wife, family members, neighbours and even my patients if they annoyed me,” he says.
Avinash, 21, surprised his family when he suddenly started pelting his neighbours with stones. His worried parents admitted the boy from western Uttar Pradesh to the Institute of Human Behavioural and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi.
Ramesh and Avinash have something in common with Oscar Pistorius, the South African double amputee track star, who was released on bail on Friday after being jailed for allegedly killing his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in his mansion in Pretoria.
On the night of the shooting, Pistorius, or Blade Runner as he was popularly called, was said to have been in the possession of anabolic steroids.
Ramesh takes anabolic steroids — synthetic derivatives of the hormone testosterone — and doctors believe that Avinash was prescribed the drugs by a quack after an illness. Research has shown that in some people — especially those with a family history of psychotic illnesses — steroid drugs can trigger aggression. “This seems to have happened in the case of Avinash,” says Om Prakash, associate professor of psychiatry at IHBAS.
Anabolic steroids, banned in professional sport for their ability to artificially enhance performance and bulk up muscles, are once again in the dock, courtesy the fallen South African star. The controversial steroids behind the win of many a sportsperson is now being discussed for “roid rage”, which the United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) describes as “increased aggressiveness and sexual appetite, sometimes resulting in aberrant sexual and criminal behaviour” in its latest handbook for athletes.
The potential side effects of steroid misuse range from acne and baldness to testicular atrophy. In women, it can lead to facial hair and a deepening of the voice. Among the other serious side effects are reversible infertility, as well as stroke, liver failure and cardiac arrhythmia.
But the focus in recent times has been on aggression. As extensive research has shown, anabolic steroids, used to treat delayed puberty, impotence and muscle debilitation by raising the levels of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, also leave a trail of side effects, from the brain downwards. And aggression is often an outcome.
Recently, Dr Dilip Nadkarni, an orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Mumbai, had to mend an angry 26-year-old wrestler’s wrist with a plate and screws, after he pounded the wall with bare fists. The man was on anabolic steroids, as he confessed in the privacy of the doctor’s clinic.
“Misusers of anabolic steroids subjectively report significantly more fights, verbal aggression and violence towards their significant others during periods of use compared with periods of non-use,” says an article in the January 2013 issue of the journal of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK.
In the United States, it says, there have been several case reports of “roid rage”. In 88 athletes using anabolic steroids, a study found aggressive behaviour related to steroid-associated episodes. “Participants admitted to a range of serious episodes, including property damage, assault, being involved in a murder plot and beating a pet dog. Several of the sample had been expelled from home by parents, wives or girlfriends because of their intolerably aggressive behaviour,” the journal says.
In India too, widespread use of steroids — especially in areas such as sports — is leading to bouts of violence. Sourav, a 28-year old engineer, who began taking anabolic steroids to excel in college level sports, says he’s lost count of the number of beatings and street fights he got into. “If a fellow biker ignored my honking, I’d just crash into him,” he says. “Once a lady on a two-wheeler fell of her bike because of my violence,” he says.
Saurav, who took 100-200mg of drugs every day, says he was always edgy at home. “If I felt challenged, I broke whatever came my way — even the TV and microwave,” he says.
Ashok’s story is similar — though his aggression was self-inflicted. He recalls one night when he came home late after taking his daily fix of steroids. Tempers were already running high; his nephew was arguing with Ashok’s mother.
Ashok suddenly found himself screaming at the boy, and got slapped by his older brother. Humiliated, he went out and slit his wrist with a blade. The doctor was called in and the hand bandaged, but the adrenaline in his veins hadn’t left the blood. “I was still so full of energy that I tried to find ways to kill myself,” says Ashok, who underwent a 90-day rehab programme.
Clearly, anabolic steroids are not just being used by athletes and others seeking to enhance their performances. Increasingly, it’s also being used as a drug for it triggers a sense of confidence and euphoria. And like all drugs, users can get addicted.
Three years ago, Sandeep Mitra, senior counsellor at the Kripa Foundation’s drug rehab centre in Calcutta, says he saw hardly one or two addicts a month hooked on steroids; today that number has gone up five or six times. In Kripa’s Manipur drug rehab centre, 10 of the 30 beds are occupied by anabolic steroid users. “Most drug addicts start between 13 and 19; once they’ve developed a tolerance for hard drugs like heroin, they turn to steroids,” Mitra says.
“Steroids make you feel on top of the world, but when you stop you crumple into a heap on the floor,” Mitra stresses. And sometimes, somebody else crumples in front of you.
(Some names have been changed.)
24th Feb'2013
Submitted
Newsdesk

Fr. Joe acquires a permanent new home for kripa Mangalore

 
 
 
 
Although having a highly tight schedule appointments to reach out to help mankind, Fr. Joe rushed down to Mangalore to finalise the deal to acquire a permanent place for Kripa Mangalore.

In the  serene surroundings of tree plantations,  in the city limits of Managalore. Fr. Joe finalised the documents and took possession  of the  property. Till date Kripa Mangalore was always using rented premises. now they have a home of their own, through the efforts of Fr. Joe. This centre is situated in Kulshekar, Shantinagar in the region of Cordal Mangalore.

The property that belonged to Mr Cyprian Saldanha and Mrs. Lilly Philomena D'Souza was handed over to Fr. Joe after all formalities at the registra' office on the 27th of Feb'13. Accompanying Fr. Joe was Mr. Dayal Martis and Paul D'Souza of Kripa Managalore.

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Newdesk
 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Thank You for being with us...We need you ...always!


Fr. Joe at the Vatican Embassy - New Delhi






The Investiture ceremony of knight commander of St Gregory on Senior Advocate Joaquim Reis, friend and benefactor of kripa was held at the Vatican Embassy on Saturday 23rd Feb 2013 in the presence of his Family and significant friends. His Excellency the Nuncio Salvador Pinocchio bestowed the knighthood on  Joaquim Reis by reading the said document sealed and stamped by  Holy Father Pope Benedict the 16th from Rome.

Significant guests consisting of   Supreme Court judges, eminent lawyers,  Oswald Cardinal  Gracias, Archbishop of Tamilnad, Archbishop emeritus of Delhi Vincent Concessao as well as the new Archbishop Anil Couto, his auxillary graced the occasion.

Fr. Joe Pereira Managing Trustee Kripa Foundation was one of the invites along with our very own Dr.Darriel Demello [ Dr. Eustace's daughter] who was accompanied by her husband Rajiv Mathur, Fr. Stephen. Fr. Felix, and Fr.Aniceto Pereira of  Bombay Archdiocese, Dr. Anthony Sequeira  and Mr. Joseph Dsouza Trustee of Joseph Cardign from Mumbai.
Submitted by
Newdesk

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Fr. Joe speaks on the Role of Christian Faith in Addiction Recovery- at a lenten season programme in Vasai Diocese







“When two or more are gathered in My name I will be in midst of them,” is a divine promise in the Holy Bible. This and other verses common to the Christian faith hold essential keys to recovery from devastating alcohol and drug addiction, Father Joseph Pereira, Founder and Managing Trustee, Kripa Foundation, told a nearly 400-strong gathering in Vasai (West) near Mumbai, at a seminar held on Sunday, February 24, 2013.

Addressing a seminar entitled ‘The Role of Christian Faith in Addiction Recovery,’ Fr. Joe said, the Kripa Model of Recovery is based on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. These 12 steps, he highlighted, are based on Biblical and Christian principles such as placing unflinching belief in God-  power greater than oneself, honesty- one of the basics tenets of Christianity, confessions of our wrong doings with a resolve not to repeat them and other, all are commonly used in the Catholic faith. He stated that the 12-step program was developed by persons who followed Christian principles and hence, Christianity plays a major role in recovery of addicts. The seminar was held as part of the ongoing ‘Year of Faith’ by Kripa Foundation and to observe the Lent season.

The seminar also included an audio-visual presentation on the history of Kripa Foundation, made by Bosco D’Souza, National Program Director, Kripa Foundation and translated into Marathi, for benefit of attendees by Sanjay Joshi of Kripa Vasai.

Fr. Joe and the kripa Team were welcomed at the venue, Late Fr.Bhandari Hall, Dev talao, in Vasai (West) by Msgr. Francis Correa, editor of the Suwarta, a Catholic community publication from Vasai-Virar region, to which he contributes regularly. In his welcome speech, Msgr. Correa said that it was indeed a pride for Vasai that it’s son, Fr. Joe, had reached such great heights in serving mankind by helping substance addicts recover and helping HIV/ AIDS victims and to an extent that he was honored by the President of India, Pratibha Devsingh Patil with the Padma Shree, India’s highest civilian accolade, in 2009. He joked that Fr. Joe, by taking priesthood, had broken hearts of several young women of Vasai since he was a handsome, eligible bachelor while young. The Grace Choir played six traditional Lent songs at the beginning of the event, later   a meditation demonstration was given by Fr. Andrew Rodrigues.

Fr. Joe also spoke about the challenges faced by recovering addicts. He said, eminent psychologists like Carl Jung had proved that addiction can be cured through faith in God but Karl Marx had managed to overwhelm Jung with his theory that religion is the opium of the masses. Despite these challenges, faith continues to play an important role in recovery and rehabilitation of addicts. Similarly, many psychologists and physicians had tried to prove that faith had nothing to do with de-addiction and had been proved wrong.

Later, Fr. Joe also spoke on the benefits of meditation both for recovery from addiction and for non-addicts, to help improve quality of life. He gave a brief demonstration of meditation and spoke about the World Community of Christian Meditation, stating he would hold a WCCM workshop in Vasai soon. Msgr. Correa said, another seminar on Christianity versus addiction would soon be held with Fr. Joe to benefit the populace of the Vasai-Virar region. Fr. Joe ended the programme by singing the praises to the Holy Trinity in Sanskrit which kept the near house full audience spell bound, sending them home soaked with a better knowledge to combat addiction in the region Vasai- Virar.

We are deeply gratefull to Mr Royal D'Souza of Jeevan Darshan Kendra for his kindness of recording the whole audio program for us.This will be shortly available on our website.
Submitted by
Ashwin Honawar
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Newsdesk


Fr. Joe felicitates Mayor Narayan L. Mankar of Vasai Virar Mahanagarpalika on behalf of Kripa & VRACS





The Vasai-Virar Municipal Council (VVMC) will up the ante against the spread of HIV  infection in the region, by actively involving the nine Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) centers in its jurisdiction while launching an awareness against this deadly scourge, Mayor Narayan L. Mankar, said in Vasai on Sunday, February 24, 2013. The VVMC will achieve this goal through its long-standing partnership with the Vasai Region Aids Control Society (VRACS), an initiative of the Kripa Foundation- India’s largest NGO in the field of substance de-addiction and rehabilitation, he added.

Mankar is also a member of the Elected Leaders Forum Against AIDS (ELFA), which was formed as a citizens action group to prevent the spread of HIV contagion in the region. Mankar said, the VVMC will also intensify and extend its public awareness campaign against AIDS through its Mother and Child Health (MCH) and the Adolescent Sex Education programs to broaden knowledge of this disease. The VVMC’s efforts will be augmented by education and awareness drives conducted by the Kripa Foundation, which operates a centre at Papdy, Vasai (West) near Mumbai and other ELFA members including Dr. Hemant Patil, who will spearhead the new offensive.

Kripa Foundation and VRACS on Sunday felicitated Mankar for his successful election as the second Mayor of the VVMC.  At a ceremony held at Kripa Vasai, Fr. Joseph H. Pereira, Founder  Managing Trustee, Kripa Foundation, lauded the role  played by Mankar and ELFA in helping control the HIV/ AIDS contagion in Vasai-Virar region. He noted that VRACS ( Vasai Region AIDS Control society), VVMC and Kripa have a joint responsibility in controlling and curbing HIV/ AIDS, since substance abuse leads to high risk behavior leading to unprotected sex that may cause the fatal disease. While Kripa is battling addiction, VRACS and VVMC can assist its efforts by combating AIDS, Fr. Joe, added.

Mankar in his address to the gathering said that Kripa and VRACS was his home and although being the first citizen of Vasai Virar , he will always be there as a board and family member.

Fr. Joe said he was pleased to see Mankar elected as the VVMC Mayor since the two have worked shoulder-to-shoulder  since 1995 in the region for its betterment. Both hail from Vasai and hence, it was apt that a local should hold the mayoral post, he noted. Later, Fr. Joe felicitated Mankar on behalf of Kripa Foundaton and VRACS advisory board members by presenting him a shawl and memento. Accompanying the mayor were Municipal council members Mr. Sandesh Jhadav and Dr. Hemant Patil along with VRACS board members Mr. Vanmali, Dr Bansode, Mr. Jagdish Shetty, Mrs. kanekar, Mr. Amrohi, Mr. Sharad Vichare, Dr Menon and Mr. Bosco D;Souza.

 Fr. Joe hosted a luncheon for Mankar and his delegation along with the advisory board members of VRACS.
Submitted by
Ashwin Honawar
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Newdesk

 

 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Fr. Joe along with Archbishop Dr Felix Machado Bishop of Vasai at the opening ceremony of the Programme in Vasai



During this advent of lent a series of programmes  have been arranged by “Suvarta” themed “Upvas kalin Chintan Mala”  in the Diocese of Vasai being conducted  at the late Bernard Bhandari auditorium, Devtalao, Vasai.

The programme which is being held from February 17th 2013 to 10thMarch 2013, commenced today with the lighting of the lamp by Archbishop (Dr.) Felix Machado and prominent personalities from the Vasai Diocese including Fr. Joe Pereira, Founder Managing Trustee, KRIPA Foundation. The series will include talks by various speakers on respective dates as below. Fr. Joe will be speaking on the topic "Role of Christian Faith in Addiction Recovery" on  Feb'2013, at 9.30 a.m

Date
Speaker
Subject
17th Feb. 2013
Arch Bishop (Dr.) Felix Machado
Christian Faith and Religious Life
24th Feb. 2013
Fr. Joe Pereira
Role of Christian Faith in Addiction Recovery
03rd March 2013
Sr. Anita Chettiyar and Sr. Clara Gonsalvis
Role of Faith in Enhancing Family Life
10th March 2013
Rev. Fr. Francis De Britto
Role of Christian Faith in Social Development
17th March 2013
Hon. Rony Mendonca (Ex-Inspector General of Police)
Role of Christian Faith in Enriching the life of the Citizens

 Submitted by
Fr. Cyril D'Souza
Sanjay Joshi

Fr. JOE says " ALL THE NUMBERS RELATED TO ALCOHOLISM AMONG WOMEN ARE TRENDING UPWARDS" A SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA REPORT

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Friday, February 15, 2013

Kripa Shillong conducted a Sensitization Programme for the executive members of the Dorbar Shnong and Seng Kynthei Community.


On 11th February 2013, Kripa Shillong conducted a Sensitization Programme for the executive members of the Dorbar Shnong and Seng Kynthei Community. The resource team along with placement students of the students spoke on the Dangers of Drugs, Myths and Misconceptions, HIV AIDS and Importance of Networking to help fight the battle of addiction.
The community members were impressed and promised to help the organization and refer clients to the centre for treatmen
 
Submitted  & Collage by
Mozen H

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Awareness Programme for Students by Kripa Shillong



Awareness Programme for Students
 
An Awareness Programme on ‘Drug Abuse and Related Behaviour Management’ was conducted and organized by Kripa Shillong 19th January 2013.

The target audiences were Sixth and Xth underprivileged students of the Shillong Cantonment Board.  Around 35 students attended the programme.The programme was very interactive as lots of Questions regarding Drug Abuse were raised and clarified
Submitted by
Kripa Shillong
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Mozen H

Awareness Programme at Chikhali by Kripa Pune



On 3rd and 4th February 2013, Kripa Pune was invited for the inauguration programme at Sanvad Deaddiction centre, Chikhali.
 
The staff spoke on addiction and how awareness programme can be used to spread knowledge especially among the younger generation who are falling prey to the dangers of addiction and role of the family in helping the client. On request, they also helped the staff by giving ideas and strategies to run the Rehabilitation centre.
Submitted by
Kripa Pune
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Mozen H

Awareness Programme for Slum Children by Kripa Pune




On 12th February 2013, Kripa Pune conducted Awareness cum Article distribution programme for children of the Yerwada Slum area.

The staff distributed clothes articles to the children and also spoke on the Ill effects of Addiction to their parents who promised to come to the centre for treatment. They distributed pamphlets and shared their life experiences. The resource team also met political leaders of the area who promised to extend their support to the centre.

Submitted by
Kripa Pune
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Mozen H

Employee Assistance Programme for Industrial Workers by Kripa Pune



n accordance with a request from Bharat Forge, Kripa Pune conducted an Awareness Programme on 05th February 2013 for their Industrial Workers.

The team spoke on the Disease concept; its obsessive and compulsive nature and benefits of the A.A. Programme. They also shared their experiences in life and the ruin that alcohol had caused them. The programme concluded with a question-answer session. It was suggested to do a follow up programme once a month.

Submitted by
Kripa Pune
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Mozen H


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Orientation Programme on Kripa Model of Treatment at Kripa Vasai for Students of Management


Orientation Programme for Management Students
On 07th February 2013, Kripa Vasai conducted an Orientation Programme for Students of Indian Institute of Management, Indore. They will be placed at the centre for five weeks; One Session per week.
The students interacted with the staff who presented valuable inputs on Addiction, Changes in Life Style, Role of the Family among other related topics. The students shared their feedback and were happy to have their doubts clarified. Also present for the session were the interns from Maniben Nanavati Institute.
 
Submitted by
Mozen H
Kripa Vasai

Orientation Programme of Kripa Model of Treatment conducted for Nursing Students of JJ Nursing College, Mumbai


On 11th February 2013, 41 Students from J.J. College of Nursing visited Kripa Vasai as part of their curriculum course. The resource team gave sessions on Addiction, Kripa Model of Recovery, Counselling in Withdrawal Management, Yoga and Meditation, HIV AIDS. It was also well impressed on them the pivotal role they would play in their job; aiding Doctors to take care of clients Nurses.
The film, ‘God’s Grace’ was screened which received a good feedback. Two clients in treatment shared their life experiences and the joy of living in Kripa. The programme concluded with a question and answer session.
 
Submitted by
Mozen H
Kripa Vasai

Fr. Joe lifts us in prayers at the tomb of Blessed Mother Teresa, Kolkata

On his recent visit to Kolkata to celebrate Kripa Kolkata 24th anniversary. Fr Joe celebrated Holy Eucharist in the chapel of Mother House, Missionery of Charity and prayed for all our personal intentions.

Newsdesk

Fr. Joe celebrates the 24th anniversary of Kripa Kolkata






Kolkata  is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal located on the east bank of the Hooghly river, it is the principal commercial, cultural, and educational centre of East India. The  port of Kolkata  is India's oldest operating port, as well as its sole major riverine port.  As of 2011, the city had 4.5 million residents; the urban agglomeration, which comprises the city and its suburbs, was home to approximately 14.1 million, making it the third-most populous metropolitan area  in India.
It is here that Fr. Joe with the help of late Mr.Prasad Guha started Kripa Foundation 24 years ago.
 
On the 9th of February 2013 Kirpa Kolkata celebrated its 24th Anniversary with much solemnity and fellowship.in the midst of Rev Fr. Joe H Pereira, Founder Manging Trustee of Kripa Foundation. The programme held at Gangarampur, now wholly owned by Kripa, started with the traditional lighting of the lamp and paying homage to late Mr. Prasad Guha loving called Dada. Fr. Joe was accompanied by Smt. Debjani Guha in placing a garland and lighting of the lamp in the midst of IPS officers, AA/NA members, and present and past patients and staff along with their families numbering nearly 400 people.
 
 Fr.Joe in his brief speech praised the staff  and well wishers for their contribution in helping people coming into recoveries from Kolkata.  Fr. concluded his speech by reading out messages on the occasion from the Chief Minister of West Bengal Smt. Mamta Banerjee, letter from Mother House, Missionery of Charity,and letter of appreciation from His Grace Thomas D'Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta.
 
The programme was further celebrated by songs sung by Patients, ex-patients and the highlight being a song by Fr. Joe. Indeed a memorial day to all who attended the function.
 
Submitted by
Dr. Sandeep Mitra
 
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Newsdesk
 
 
 

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Fr. Joe connecting with the Warli tribes of Dahanu- Talasari, Thane, Maharashtra




Bahare Paraspada in Dahanu, Maharashtra  situated in the picturesque Sahyadari mountain range in western Maharastra, merely 125 km north of Mumbai, is in a serene and sleepy region of Dahanu. Sandwiched between the chemical corridor of Vapi, Gujarat, to the north and the industrialised zones of Palghar-Boisar to the south, Dahanu remains one of the last surviving green zones in this region.
One amongst 15 talukas of Thane district in the Konkan division of Maharashtra, Dahanu is known as the fruit and food bowl of the region.

Predominantly having a large adivasi community of Warlis forming 64.84% of the total population of 3,31,829 lakh.Dahanu also has a large fishing and farming community. With a total of 174 villages and only one municipal area, the main source of livelihood is agriculture and its allied activities. Dahanu has the third highest area (47,606 ha) under forests amongst the 15 talukas of Thane district.
As  large part of the adivasi community resides in this zone, in remote, almost inaccessible, villages. In spite of a rich history of resistance, the adivasis are today either marginal farmers or work as daily wage labourers in orchards, brick kilns, or on boats earning a wage of Rs 50-80 a day, struggling to live off their slowly eroding forests. Many migrate for several months of the year to nearby places for work. It can be safely assumed that the entire tribal population is Below the Poverty Line (BPL) in Dahanu with the figures of BPL families as high as 69% which is approximately the population figure of the region.

It is these areas that the Church has developed many educational programmes and  development institutes for the tribals mainly warlis.

Viewing the massive problem within this vulnerable population, and viewing the statistics of alcohol prevalence users by the early bench mark survey done by the kripa team, along with members of Vasai Janhit ( in some villages as high as 67%). Fr. Joe requested His Grace Archbishop Felix Machado to help Kripa reach out to the people in these mission stations..
 His Grace through Fr. Baptist Lopes –Director Vasai Janhit immediately responded and allotted a place for Kripa to operate from the hamlet of Bahare Paraspada. Fr. Baptist on seeing the urgent need of a water connection helped the Kripa staff to fix a pipeline from the main building water tank which is 300 metres away from the place allotted to Kripa.. Fr. Baptist and his team personally helped in the labour work.  A task force team sent by Fr. Joe from Kripa Vasai consisting of Fr. Seraphinus, Walter, Bhadur, Praveen, who helped Christopher and Mutalik to white wash the place and complete “ Project Connection” in a days’ time.
As the early team have already identified potential alcoholics in many padas, regular programmes for them will commence  shortly.
 
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Orientation Programme for Trainee Teachers at Kripa Vasai


On 22nd January 2013, around 100 trainees from Pushpanjali College of Education,visited Kripa Vasai for an Orientation Programme.
As part of their academic curriculum, the trainees have to visit community centres to be sensitized on Social needs. They were given inputs on Addiction, HIV AIDS, changes in Life style, reaching out to the Children of Alcoholics, Family System Therapies and Prayer& Meditation. The programme concluded with a question-answer session.
 
Submitted by
 
Mozen H
Kripa Vasai

Monday, February 4, 2013

Orientation Programme for Nursing Students at Kripa Vasai




Orientation Programme for Nursing Students
In accordance with a request from Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Kripa Vasai conducted an Orientation and Exposure Programme for 24 nursing students.
They were given a tour of the centre and explained the Kripa Model of Recovery, Addiction, Myths and Misconceptions, Life Skills and Holistic Methodologies like Yoga, Meditation as part of the Spiritual Growth essential for the recovery of clients. There was also a question-answer session and a skit and song, put up by the students depicting the evils of addiction and respecting one’s parents. They also promised to extend their cooperation to the organisation by referring clients who are suffering from alcoholism to the centre for treatment
 
Submitted by
Mozen H
Kripa Vasai

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Fr. Joe reaching out to addicts in remote villages of Mandar, Ranchi and Chainpur, Jharkand. India



 Double click image for larger view


Double click image for larger view
 
 
Caring for rural villagers in a countryside is one the ways in which  Fr. Joe, Kripa and  Medical Mission Sisters  are trying  to bring a healing presence to others today. One day at a time.
Begun by our Sisters in 1947, Holy Family Hospital Mandar, in the Ranchi District of northern India, was established to provide rural medical care in India. The local Adivasi people, who had never had access to health care, began to come immediately, even from miles away. A nursing school, the first Catholic one in Jharkhand, was started two years later. Fifteen of our Sisters are involved with the hospital, its community outreach programs, and the nursing school.
Today, the 100-bed hospital focuses on the basic services of general medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. Its community health programs, which have helped to educate many villagers on sanitation, nutrition, child care, and preventable diseases, continue with leadership training, immunizations, home visits, eye camps, and government-sponsored initiatives.
The hospital’s Alternative Systems of Medicine outreach includes an herbal garden and complementary therapies, and encourages a holistic approach to living, health promotion, and the prevention of illness.
The RIHAA/Kripa Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center offers preventive, promotive, and curative services. Detoxification, counseling and awareness sessions for clients, and  services for families, parishes, and schools, along with AA meetings and intensive follow-up and family support meetings.. Fr. Joe in his recent visit to the Hospital in Mandar, discussed varoius ways in revamping the center with Sr. Valeria and staff of the de addiction centre. In his quick tour Fr. Joe trained them on how they must treat the patients with the  " Whole person recovery model- in a Holistic approach". Fr, Joe later conducted a business meeting with the administrators of the de-addiction centre. Fr. Joe was also touched to meet Fr, Sylverius who was trained at Kripa Vasai in counseling and listening of  5th steps ( confessions) of people in recovery from addcition.

After a successful visit to Mandar. Fr Joe visited Sr. Angel and Sr. Anne is the remote village of Chainpur in the diocese of Gumla.Fr. Joe was greeted with a traditonal washing of  the feet and hands and draped with a traditional head. On viewing the problem of alcoholism in the area, Fr. Joe qucikly responded to the sisters and affirmed to start Kripa Chainpur to which they pledged their support. A MOU to be signed in the near future with the diocese of Gumla.

On his returned to Mumbai. Fr. Joe was asked as to how was his tour to Jharkand, he said most humbly:-  " It is a call to spread the fragrance of God, in the remote villages of our Motherland"

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Newsdesk


 


Fr. Joe teaches deacons at St Pius X College, Archdiocesan Seminary, on addiction and 5th step of Alcoholic Anonymous



As far back as 1770, a first attempt to train local clergy in Bombay was made by its Apostolic Vicar. From that time until 1930, teething troubles, interruptions, changes of location, administration and Staff marred subsequent attempts. Finally, Archbishop Joaquim Lima decreed the establishment of a Seminary for Bombay in Parel under the patronage of St Anthony of Lisbon and St Francis Xavier and entrusted it to the Jesuits. He inaugurated it on 13th June, 1936 with Fr. J. Valls sj as its first Rector. This milestone marks the inception of a stable and flourishing Diocesan Seminary. Within two decades, the number of seminarians swelled so rapidly that the existing facilities became woefully inadequate. In 1953, the ‘Pilgrim House’ at Mount Mary’s Bandra was converted into a ‘Theological College’ for the Seminary, an interim measure, and in July 1960, renamed as ‘St Pius the Tenth College’

 Fr Joe H Pereiram Founder Managing Trustee of Kripa Foundation is a regular faculty and teacher to deacons in the seminary. In this term, Fr. Joe conducted a lecture, on the concept of addiction and how they ( deacons), could spread the message of recovery once they are ordained priest, and be placed in th praishes all over the country,.

Fr, Joe explained  how important it was to them as a priest, to be active in taking the 5th step of AA -  "Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."  As as they are trained to listen to Confession,Fr. Joe conducted an indebt study on the 5th step to the deacons

Fr. Joe was acompanied by Brett. Ms Suman , Aazan, Lakme Cambell of  Brazil  of  the Kripa Family.

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