Letter to Mother Superior General from Sr. Elsa Thomas (Thumba, Trivandrum, South India)
My dear Mother Anna Maria,
May the remembrance & Celebration about the Coming of Christ fill you with great Joy & peace. Happy Christmas and a hope filled new year 2018.
The unexpected tragedy Ockhi have hit our coastal area, hundreds have lost their lives and livelihoods. We are still under the grip of the shock created by this unfortunate crisis.
Many families have lost their sole bread winner. Thumba is the coastal village where we are and Fatima Palliative care centre is situated. 6 men from this village have been missing since 29th November. One body was identified by DNA test. Rest of them still untraceable. With this sad situation, in solidarity with our people around, we have cancelled all kinds of celebrations, sharing & exchange of gifts, get together etc during Christmas & New year. Also it is our decision to forward the saved money for the relief work carried out thru the diocese of Trivandrum.
Christmas is the proof that this world can become a better place. Let this be our Christmas and we try to build a compassionate world for the suffering brothers & sisters of this locality. We humbly invite to join us to express solidarity towards those who have been affected directly or indirectly by the nature’s fury turned into calamity.
Keep us all of us in your prayers.
May the spirit of the Christmas fill you with peace, joy and love.
Merry Christmas
Sr. Elsa