The Little Librarian
A.M.D.G
May 14, 2017
I still remember the evening when I revealed to my father,
my desire to become a Catechism teacher in our Sunday School. My father,
appreciated my desire and he insisted to ask our vicar about this. With much
anxiety and nervousness, I waited outside Fr. Philip’s room. It was not very
easy to be appointed as a Catechist in such a large Sunday School which
consisted about 700 students and about 35 teachers. The staff consisted of well
qualified and well experienced personalities. There were about 6 college
professors, 15 or more school teachers, government employees and many others. I
was only 17 years old and just completed Plus Two. Will he accept my request? Fr.
Philip who was very friendly to all welcomed me into his room and I told him my
desire to become a Catechist.
To my surprise, he too encouraged me and asked me to join
next month, in which the Sunday school reopened. But, I was not so much happy
when I was assigned to the post of librarian. I loved teaching and interacting
with children more than anything else. But, my father told me, “Jerry, bloom
where you are planted. May be this could be a chance given by the Lord to prove
yourself.” Alright. I joined the Sunday School on June 4, the first Sunday in
the AY 2017-18. I was given the keys of the library. I opened the door and
entered into a small room with 2 cupboards cluttered with many books. There
were about 2000 books which mainly dealt with spirituality, lives of saints and
other general topics and also DVDs of spiritual movies. I’ve came here many times while I was a
student. Of course, it was a deserted area which the students never visited.
The past librarian had resigned from the Sunday School, as a
result, there was nobody to guide me in this new task. I saw piles of students’
workbooks and other waste materials lying on the floor. The room was full of
dust. The registers were not properly kept. Spider webs could be seen on the
nooks and corners. I started cleaning it. Waste materials were removed from
there. As I was arranging the books, one teacher advised me to be very careful
as she had found even a scorpion when she cleaned the library 4 years ago. I was
afraid whether some snakes will be hiding behind the shelves! I realized that
Sundays were not enough to renovate the library. So, I went there week days
after my classes or other holidays and did my duty. Books were rearranged,
registers were ruled and the library was dedicated to Mother Mary by fixing a
small statue. The most important thing was awaiting – attracting the students
towards library. As a part of it, I visited all the classes from 1st
std to 12th std.
Only a very few teachers supported my attempt. Others raised
the question, “What can a young boy do in this field?” But God had showered
upon me His abundant grace and mercy. There was huge rush in that small room
that day itself. I thanked good Lord for rewarding my work. About 50 students visited
the library after their classes. The support from students of primary classes
are quite praiseworthy. I was very much excited when the promoters from the
Archdiocese mentioned about the orderliness and tidiness of the library during
the staff meeting.
After this, I was called to take classes during the absence
of teachers. I was very anxious when I was first called to handle the Plus One
class. A first year degree student taking class for Plus One students! I was
very nervous. But good Lord was there, again to assist me in my difficulties. I
took the class on prolife and abortion for an hour without any interruption. Next day, when I arrived at college, Tony
Shaji, my classmate told me that her sister attended my class and told him
about my class. He was very amazed and he congratulated me. After my first
class, I was blessed to take classes as a substitute teacher.
I am not able to
express my joy when children come to me calling “Jerry chettaa” with an
innocent smile. When I’m walking or waiting at the bus stop, I could see little
kids waving their hands at me. Oh God! How could I repay all these debts? I’m
eagerly waiting for the new academic year 2018-19 which will start on June 3rd
, so that I could spend time with my littlest angels in my little
kingdom. Let the words of St. Josemaria Escriva reverberate in their ears,
“Don’t neglect spiritual reading, because reading has made many saints”.
Please don’t think that I am bragging on myself. I wrote all
these to show you, how much love and care God gives you through His little
children. I remember my eldest brother’s words, “Jerry, when you begin to do
this for the greater glory of God, He will be with you in all your attempts”.
Oh Lord, I do this for Your greater glory. Thank you Jesus.
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