ST. XAVIER’S CARES FOR THE COMMON HOME

FR. NARENDRA SINGH, SJ

The four Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) promulgated by Rev. Fr. Arturo Sosa S.J.. the Superior General of the Society of Jesus on 6th February 2019 are: To show the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and Discernment to walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world those whose dignity has been violated in a mission of reconciliation and justice to accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future and to collaborate in the cased our Common Home.

Keeping in mind the fourth Universal Apostolic Preference (UAPI - Caring for our Common Home - St  Xavier's School,Kolkata. has been trying to enhance a healthy and green campus by organizing seminars and planting about 100 Ashoka (debdarul saplings in the campus. It also has given Pongamia (karanfi saplings to the St Xavier's University and mango and Ashoka saplings to Dhyan Ashram. St. Xavier's School Burdwan Mission Stations in Kalna and Gurap besides supplying fruit yielding and timber plants. In addition. for the last two months, Fr. Dr. M. Thamacin Arulappan SJ.. the Principal of the School with the help of some school staff and the Old Boys of the school had been going to various places to collect medicinal plants. The fruit of their hard labour was seen on 18 September 2020 as Fr Dr. Dominic Savio SJ the Principal of St.Xavier's College inaugurated the Herbal Garden in St. Xavier 's Primary School campus in the presence of Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy.

SJ the Rector and St.Xavier's Community some of the ALSOC members and the school staff. This new herbal garden - named Assisi Herbal Garden' - has about 70 kinds of medicinal plants. The school is trying to promote such herbal gardens in different Jesuit communities of the province. The school also has done some beautiful paintings- focusing caring for our Common Horne - on the wall next to the gymnasium to bring greater awareness and to instill genuine love and concern for nature in the stall and students. This beautiful and much needed initiative is an encouragement for other, to do their part in taking care of our Common Home which is disfigured by the carelessness and consumerist attitude of people. A Webinar on Care for Common Home's planned for 16 October 2020 by the Province Ecology Commission in association with the Nature Club of St. Xavier's Collegiate School Fr. Dr. M.Thamacin Arulappan. SJ.. the Convener of the Province Ecology Commission has been in touch with the resource persons.