By Thomas Scaria
Mangaluru, July 16, 2020: The Claretian congregation on July 16 marked the 50th year of their presence in India by launching “Mother’s Meal,” a unique program to feed families on the peripheries.
“Mother is full of love and that love is expressed through sharing and giving,” observed Justice Kurian Joseph, a retired Supreme Court judge, who launched the program through a Zoom conference from Delhi.
The day also signifies the 171st anniversary of the day when St. Anthony Maria Claret started Claretian Missionaries or Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Spain in 1849.
“The minimum expression of love one can show to another human being during this economic crisis due to Covid is to share a meal,” Justice Joseph e said while addressing a group of Claretians and their friends through the virtual media.
Alphonse Kannanthanam, a Member of Parliament who attended the launch, noted that Covid “is pushing more and more people into the peripheries of society. We all need to contribute something.”
The “Mother’s Meal” is among several projects launched by the Bangalore province to mark the golden jubilee. It aims to reach out to the families in distress because of Covid 19.
The name “Mother’s Meal” was coined by Father George Kannanthanam as project for a “Family to family food support program” in memory of his mother Brigit, who died on June 10 in New Delhi.
“A mother would not allow her children to go hungry. She will do everything possible to provide food. As the world goes hungry, let us assume the role of a mother and feed our hungry children,’ the priest said recalling how his mother helped everyone who came to her.
Father Kannanthanam presented the first survival kits under the program to five families in a simple function at Project Vision Rural Campus near Gauribidanur on the outskirts of Bangalore. It was watched online by people across the globe.
Among the members of those families are an 8-year-old disabled, a 20 year old who lost a leg, an 11-year-old hearing impaired, a physically challenged girl and a visually challenged.
“Mother’s Meal plans to support such special groups in the society” said Father Kannanthanam, referring to people with disabilities, widows and migrants, who may be also out of the Public Distribution System.
“No one should go without food in the world”, said Father Mario Zalki, the Assistant Director of the program. Sibu George coordinated the program.
The project plans to ensure that families have enough food to survive by inspiring resourceful families to share. An affordable family is invited to support another family in distress through a contribution of 500 rupees, which will be used to provide a survival kit of provisions.
The project also aims to help minimum 1,000 families in the first phase. Philanthropists can either sponsor a needy family or provide support for the program through the website www.mothersmeal.life with details of families in need as well.
The Mother’s Meal program will be implemented with local groups such as parishes and Vincent De Paul Society to identify families in need and also to provide them the needed help. The program can be extended to anywhere in the world, depending on donors, Father Kannanthanam explained.
Meanwhile, reports from Oxfam and World Food Program note that by the end of 2020 about 12,000 people could die daily from hunger linked to Covid-19. More people will die from hunger than the disease itself, they warn.
Father Joseph Pulinkunnel, rector of the Claret Bhavan, Kuravilangad in Kerala where the congregation started its first house in India, told Matters India that the congregation had planned several programs to celebrate the jubilee, but they were cancelled because of Covid pandemic.
“However, we have initiated some humanitarian projects on the occasion,” he said, referring to the Mother’s Meal and a housing project for 50 families.
A German Claretian, Father Franz Dirnberger, started the first Claretian minor seminary in Kuravilangad in Kottayam district in 1970.
“Today, the congregation is spread across 18 states in India through its five provinces having nearly 600 members,” Father Pulinkunnel explained.
Father Mathew Vattamattam, the first Indian to become the congregation’s superior general, invited all his men to assume “responsibility for our mission and contribute generously to enrich the people of God” on the occasion of the jubilee.
Claretians have been engaged in helping people affected by disasters and those affected with leprosy, HIV and disabilities in various parts of India. They also involved in education, developmental activities and missionary activities.