Brother Joseph Chowry RIP (10th. July 2016)
Though the curtains are drawn on the life of Bro. Joe, a
Salesian Coadjutor, his artistic talents and many technical skills still remain
with us in the furniture products and metal works he has left behind to
benefit several Salesian communities of Mumbai, Goa and Gujarat. They remind us
of the original creativity and the edifying spirit of hard work of Bro. Joe.
Though the machines he worked with were loud and noisy, Bro. Joe himself came
across as an unassuming and quiet but professional trainer of technicians. He
will be remembered with respect and gratitude by many of his past pupils in Panjim and Sulcorna(Goa), Borivili(Mumbai) and Chhotauddepur(Gujarat),
who are earning their livelihood in the technical field.
I will remember Bro. Joe, whom I knew at close quarters, as
a very warm and sincere person. All through the years, as a Salesian, Bro. Joe’s life style remained simple and his
personal needs were very few. His workshop was his chapel and obviously, he
regarded work as worship. He appreciated honest friends and kept his distance
from those he considered “survivors” or “hypocrites”. Beneath his external
reserved behaviour, was a heart that cared for the poor and showed concern for
his confreres. I remember, with a touch of emotion, that it was Bro. Joe who
gifted me the first safari suit for my travel to East Africa. In the latter
part of his life, he began to take interest in the Sacred Scriptures and became
an avid reader of Barclay’s commentaries. Infact, from then, Bro. Joe developed
his own brand of spirituality expressed in enigmatic phrases which found their
way to the community noticeboard. I will remember best and reflect often on his
statement that Jesus wants us to be CHRISTians and not CROSStians. Quite a deep
truth!
May Christ Jesus, in whom Bro. Joe believed and lived in a
unique way, his Christian faith and Salesian commitment, embrace him with his
merciful love and lead him to the joys of heaven.
-
Tony D’Souza sdb
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