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priority groups are displaced or migrating to other states for their livelihood and other are joining violence protest groups. A key issue that we present in some way in all our sharing was our Jesuit identity, with “A Fire That Kindles The Frontiers” being the basic theme of our Convention. Our togetherness in the Convention with its defining moments was a rich experience of our identity as friends in the Lord, beyond all ethnic and Province boundaries. We affirmed our identity as being based on the foundational experience of the Spiritual Exercises, contextualized in our cultural roots, and based on the missionary history of Chhotanagpur. This identity must be internalized and strengthened during the formative years. This must be done through the accompaniment of the formees in their life journey as Jesuits by the competent formators, who are sensitive to historical and cultural roots. Continuing our reflection on our identity, we saw that our identity as Jesuits and our Jesuit mission were very closely linked. While all Jesuits are meant to be involved in these challenges, we must set apart more full time Jesuits to engage in these issues. While the grass root involvement is critical in the above issues, we need certain structure for research, support and for networking among ourselves and other likeminded agencies. Therefore we propose to the Provincials the following collaborative structures. To have a zonal commission to look after research and coordination with those involved in displacement issues and alternate models of development. To set up a zonal media and dialogue centre in the context of fundamentalism to present a true picture of the situation, to highlight the human rights and legal dimensions of the issues and help towards coordinated action. With the increasing number of students from our priority groups passing the board exam, there is need for Jesuits to establish new colleges, especially to create a sensitized tribal intelligentsia. With regard to the early stages of formation, it was felt that there should be more collaboration in all the areas from vocation promotion to Juniorate. Being rooted in our identity and sense of belonging to this Central Zone we renew our commitment for coordinated and concerted action in facing the challenge and opportunities of our mission today. Fr. Eugene Welch: 11.09.1928 – 22.10.2009 “What qualities would you look for in a Missionary? Some would say zeal, some learning, some a sense of humour. Most missionaries would put high on their list – CHARITY – an active love for people, for students, for the community. Fr. Eugene Welch has all those qualities to perfection. Fr. Gene is known as Gus. Officially he has
een Minister and Treasurer. Unofficially, he is the man you call on when you need a self-taxing favour – like driving you to the railway station at 4 o‟clock on a cold winter‟s morning. He is especially gifted of being at home with school boys and has a grandfatherly patience and kindness that is remembered years after they graduated.” So wrote Fr. Joseph M Kennedy about Gus in the mid 80‟s. Fr. Eugene Welch arrived in India from Maryland in the U.S. in the early 50‟s , a few years after India had just become independent. He did his Philosophy in Shembaganur and Pune and Theology in St. Mary‟s. Kurseong and was ordained a priest at St. Joseph‟s Cathedral, Jamshedpur, by Archbishop Ferdinand Perier. Gus had a compassion and caring attitude for the sick which was very evident in the way he cared for them, waited on them, was for them and with them. If it meant that he had to drive a person to the hospital, he would be found waiting behind the wheel. His answer was always,” Why not? We must go for it. Let‟s go” In studies he was far above average and, because of this academic record, much was expected of him. Right after Tertianship, Gus was appointed to be the Principal of Loyola. It was then he had a break down, worried how he would be able to do the job. Gus couldn‟t think he could refuse because the Provincial had given him the appointment. Such was the quality of his outstanding obedience. The break down changed his life from top to bottom; he could never take up a post that involved heavy responsibility. In De Nobili School, Digwadih, he took a special interest in the hostel that was run mainly for drop outs. As a priest he was always available for Mass, Confessions, Benediction and so on. He took great delight in minding the hostel kids during study time, watching them perform on the stage or on the basketball court or football field. He had a remarkable memory for names and knew details about them – a sure proof of his interest in them. Gus‟ love for the poor was seen in his concern for those in the rural areas. He felt called to become an agriculturist. He went all the way to Allahabad. Enrol he could not, but he made great attempts to learn how to get more from the soil. He wanted to give something to the farmers. He even had the Mission Office in Maryland ship back 5 pounds of jo-joba seeds but soil conditions did not favour him. He went into large scale planting of licinia trees in De Nobili, Digwadih. They grew up fast, provided shade and shield from the coal dust but would snap in half during a storm. Gus may not have succeeded in farming. However, Bishop Charles Mascarenhas at Bishop‟s House, Allahababd, where he had resided, had this to write to the Provincial: “ It is not you who should thank us, but we should thank you for sending Fr. Welch to edify us. He is a man of few words, hard working and can endure any hardships. He does not know what it means to get excited or disturbed”. Endowed with a vibrant sense of humour, he can be described as a gold mine of information, stories and anecdotes. In fact he has written 5 volumes of little anecdotes
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