By Verghese V Joseph –
Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Trinity which is a feast of Divine love shared by the church with others through its mission was an unique day at Loyola Grounds Ranchi where the Ranchi Archdiocese along with Mother Teresa Sisters, and it youth wing distributed food ration packets along with PPE kits to more than 1000 rickshaw pullers.
The Ranchi Catholic Church has been in the forefront of relief work during the COVID-19 crisis and it perhaps the organisation that has provided most relief to different categories of people. In its continuing relief work, the Catholic church in Ranchi has been running shelters for migrants for over two months. These shelters will slowly be closed down now as most migrants have returned to their homes.
For nearly two weeks the volunteers of the Catholic Church along with the Sisters of St. Anne, Mother Teresa Sisters, Loreto Sisters and the Catholic Youth had been distributing dry food packets to thousands of travelling migrants. The Fathers, sisters, youth and women of the Catholic Church of Ranchi along with their Archbishop and Bishop have been distributing rations to thousands of needy families in remote villages. It has also distributed PPE kits to thousands of policemen and public utility workers.
Archbishop Felix Toppo explained to the Rickshaw pullers who had come with the rickshaws that the Church understood their pain and suffering over the last 70 days when they could not ply their rickshaws and earn money for their living. He said the Catholic Church was providing them rations in a spirit of sharing God’s love with them.
In a common prayer, he prayed for their safety and safety of their families and also for all the benefactors who made it possible for the Church to help different people in need. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas explained that the rations were being distributed to all the needy Cycle rickshaw pullers without distinction of religion, caste, creed or tribe.
Each Packet of rations contains rice, dal, grams, Soya beans, Salt, Masala, haldi, and cooking oil. Each PPE kit contains reusable masks, reusable gloves, sanitizer and soap. The packets also carried a small message: “May God Bless you”. Ms Mahua Majhi, the JMM Mahila Chief who is a well wisher of the Church was also present.
The Rickshaw pullers showed their gratitude by repeatedly applauding the Archbishop during his address and prayer.