FR. THOMAS J. GARVEY, SCJ
September 17, 1931 - December 2, 2002
Religious Profession: September 8, 1950
Ordination as Priest: May 31, 1958
Fr. Tom came to India in January, 1996. He believed in the SCJ India District, giving himself totally to the building of its foundation and the development of its future.
Despite Fr. Tom's many responsibilities, such as Formation Director, Superior of the Aluva SCJ Community, SCJ District Procurator, Teacher, Spiritual Director, District Council Secretary, Vocation Recruiter, Fund Raiser, and as Justice & Peace Initiator..., he always made himself available to those around him, as a friend.
"I see our Congregation in India
creating its particular identity,
an identity rooted in the vibrant
fraternal spirit of our Congregation,
in our charism to serve
and to be in solidarity
with the most needy,
living 'Sint Unam'
be developing an authentic
fraternal community of missionaries
from various parts of the world,
of candidates to priesthood and brotherhood,
of candidates from low and high cast, and
of candidates from various Indian states
whose relationships range
from indifference to conflict.
This Dehonian spirit is the precious gift
we bring to India."
-Tom Garvey, scj
CONTENTS
* Letter from General Superior to the SCJ India District
* SCJ India District Superior's Homily for Fr. Tom Garvey's Funeral
* Thanksgiving Statements of SCJ Students at Dehon Vidya Sadham, Aluva
* A Reflection of Our Foundation in India, by Thomas J. Garvey, SCJ
Letter from General Superior to the SCJ India District
Rome, December 3, 2002
Dear Father van Ooy, Confreres and Friends.
With great sorrow and preoccupation we have heard the news of the death of Fr. Thomas Garvey. We think of your suffering and of the future of India that needed him so much.
In any way we have to accept in great faith everything from the hands of the Lord. We know that God directs all things that happen for the good of those who love Him. This sad event will also be fruitful for the presence of SCJs in India, like the life of Fr. Garvey has show fecundity.
He leaves us a great example of total self-giving to the Lord, of love to the Congregation and of a missionary spirit. His coming to India and the generosity in which he dedicated himself to our work are a testimony that, as I hope, will be a hellp to the confreres and the Indian candidates to appreciate the beautiful Dehonian vocation and the spirituality we inherited from our Founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon.
We have celebrated today, in the generalate, the Holy Mass for the rest of Fr. Garvey's soul and for our work in India. It's the day of St. Francis Xavier, missionary apostle of India.
Fr. Garvey has left a void and it will be difficult to fill it up, but As we hope, Providence will take it up.
All of us declare our solidarity with you. We experience you near to us and we thank you for your evident love of the Lord, of the people of India, of the Church and of the Congregation.
We are united to you by prayer and Christian hope. Be courageous, make of this suffering an oblation to the Heart of Jesus, for the good of our work in India and look always forward with confidence in the Lord and with peace in your hearts.
Our regards to all of you to Fr. van Ooy, to all SCJ confreres, the novices, students, and candidates.
Fr. Thomas Garvey will always belong to the District of India, because there he died. Now he is like the seed, that being buried, will multiply in new life for the District. He is a sign that our District will grow much and that our Dehonian presence in India will last forever. From the House of the Lord, Fr. Garvey will intercede now for this work that he loved so much and for which he laid down his life.
I bless you in the name of Fr. Dehon, that Mary the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God will keep you in brotherly love, at the service of the most needy and in the love of the Heart of Jesus.
Fr. Virginio Bressanelli, scj
General Superior
SCJ India District Superior's Homily for Fr. Tom Garvey's Funeral
Aluva, Cochin, December 5, 2002
"The Lord has give, the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord! In all his misfortune Job committed no sin, and he did not reproach God." (Job: 21-22)
Dear Bishops, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers and Friends of Fr. Tom Garvey,
Almost seven years ago, the Lord gave us here in India Fr. Tom. Three days ago, the Lord took him back. We who profess the same basic faith as the famous Job of the Old Testament, exclaim with him, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!" We, too, feel a great misfortune has befallen us, but we refuse to be tempted by the devil into committing sin. We refuse to grumble or complain, or to "reproach God."
How easy it is to say that. Yet, humbly we acknowledge our weakness and lack of faith. And so it is that we have need to comfort and strengthen one another. For that reason I offer my expression of deepest gratitude to all of you for coming here now to pray the Eucharist with us and to commend Fr. Tom into the loving embrace of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd of us all, and our eternal reward.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord, why we miss Fr. Tom now is because he was such an outstanding man. He practiced the virtues that were indicated by the Lord Jesus in the Beatitudes, which we just heard read in the Gospel.
I think we can say that Fr. Tom was poor in spirit in the way he used his time, energy and talents for the glory of God and his Kingdom, not looking for any material reward for himself. Fr. Tom was talented in many ways, made friends and could influence people easily, was a convincing leader and gifted teacher. But overall it was his simple lifestyle that so touched us. How blessed is this man, Fr. Tom, poor in spirit, for now the same Kingdom of Heaven is his, in a way he, or any of us, could never imagine while still here on earth.
We ask, How can a man of high hopes and high aspirations, even high ambitions, still be gentle? Fr. Tom had this fantastic combination of qualities. He chose to persuade rather than demand things of others. In his gentleness he was forgiving and gave his students and co-workers ever more chances to come alive and to live up to their potential and the workings of God's grace.
In our times, we all know how easy it is to compromise, to settle for some plan of action that does not threaten anyone. Fr. Tom held out high ideals for himself and those around him. He knew how to encourage and convince others concerning the fulfillment of higher and greater possibilities. But this did not mean simply using people to fulfill his own ambitions. Rather, it meant that God's Kingdom is built with living stones that beat with the very Heart of Christ alive in them, so that it is the ministers themselves who must first be nurtured.
It is so hard to really know what other people are thinking or why they do or say as they do. Fr. Tom had the feeling that every individual human being is a marvelous mystery, capable of doing marvelous things for God's Kingdom. What a wonderful way to show the purity of heart that the Sermon on the Mount advocates, and never to judge others rashly.
Fr. Tom believed strongly in the value of friendship, which goes far beyond people merely tolerating one another. Fr. Tom brought joy into his surroundings and encouraged others also to bring joy into one another's lives. Just the remembrance of Fr. Tom, I think recalls the many laughs he could arouse by his light-hearted manner, certainly one of the qualities of a good peace-maker.
Like Fr. Tom, let us give our all to Jesus, so well expressed in our familiar refrain: "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like your heart!" In that way, although we might never find his equal in the kinds of talents and degree of work Fr. Tom showed among us, the essential trait will be firmly entrenched in each of us, to lovingly give the best that is in us, and support one another in doing the same. In that case we will never again be inclined to reproach God for taking Fr. Tom from us.
Let me quote for you the last words he wrote in his personal journal: "All for love, for Him, as He has been all for me." Tom Garvey.
Thanks to all of you!
Fr. Martin van Ooy, SCJ
SCJ India District Superior
Thanksgiving Statements of SCJ Students at Dehon Vidya Sadham, Aluva
1st Year Students, Aluva:
In
simple words Fr. Tom can be expressed as absolute example for the priesthood. There are many ways to express something about someone but
there is only a way to say about Fr. Tom that is love. The main thing that we could say is, he is the one who
understood each and every one of us including the workers. He shared his love equally to everyone and encouraged us from
all the sides of our lives. In a
word we could say that he was the foundation of our spirituality and
inspiration. He always did even the
small things with greatest love and joy.
Fr. Tom, who was a true missionary true disciple of God, true lover of God and true follower of God dedicated his life for Christ had done many great works and became a mile stone in the Indian SCJ congregation. As a missionary came to India and became one among us. He lead a simple life and became the example of divinity, simplicity and fraternity. Fr. Tom who wasted not even a single minute had always worked for us and died for us. We the brothers of him shall be the mirror of Fr. Tom and follow the steps of him.
All the life that he led with us showed the way for us that how a priest
should be and what his works shall be. He
always said that be priest for the people and but not for the self, and he did
that. He most of the time with
people and help them a lot. The
life style that he lived with us told us that receive the worst and produce the
best. Father the deeds and the
world that you told us is engraved in our hearts and still echoing in our
hearts.
Dear father Tom, we are very grateful to you for the presence and for the
love you showed to us. Father you
the one whom we admire very much and whom we want imitate in our lives.
Your departure brought us great sorrow and pain but we shall be closer to
you by following the ways that you taught us.
We promise that our prayers will always be with you and your family
members. Amen.
2nd Year Students, Aluva:
For Loving Memory of Our Dear Fr. Tom:
“When you were born, you cried and the world
rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world cries and
you rejoice”. This saying has been fulfilled in Fr. Tom’s passing.
Fr. Tom always stresses “Don’t just accept the cross, but embrace the cross”. Yes, he did embrace the cross; he accepted all the struggles that have come on his earthly journey. He sacrificed his entire self for us as he thought sacrifice is the gift of God. His life is a life of total giving which he very often spoke in his sermons. He did not speak a lot but he did a lot because he is a man not of speeches but of actions.
Like flowers that are blooming in the sun,
He is like the rose hidden in its own leaves. Though he is hidden from
our view, his fragrance spreads in our midst.
Fr. Tom is our good shepherd, now in his absence we became sheep without a
shepherd. He was a light in our sorrow and honey in our happiness.
Fr. Tom as you are a man of prayer, we are influenced by your prayer life
and community life. You led an exemplary life, which had a deep impact on our
lives.
“You
are a spotless guiding star for us,
“Each individual creature on this beautiful planet is created by God to
fullfil
a particular role”, Father you did all the ordinary things in your life
extraordinarily well. As seen in your life you (Fr.Tom) seem to be the answer
for lots of our questions.
Dear Father, we extend our gratitude for your life of simplicity and
generosity and for your abundance of love. Because you have lived in such a way
that those who knew you but did not know God, would come to know God since they
knew you.
We were not born at the time of Jesus but we are so privileged to be here
to witness another Jesus in Fr. Tom.
Dear father you are not simply buried in the earth., but your are buried in our
hearts instead. You are not even buried but you are sown in the depth of our
hearts.
Unless the grain of wheat falls on the earth and dies it will not give
much fruit, yes, now your are sown in our hearts so it will surely yield much
fruit.
Fr. Tom we really miss you. Because your heart is a heart of a mother, a
heart of a father and a heart of a friend. So finally we shed our sorrowful
tears for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.
Fr. Tom we are extremely happy because you are in heaven praising God
with all the Angels and Saints. And we believe that you will intercede for us.
So dear father do not abandon your loving children and we pray that by following
your footsteps one day we too will reach our ultimate goal which is heavenly
Jerusalem.
Dear father mere words are inadequate to express our gratitude so we promise
that we will accomplish your dreams, which are yet to be fulfilled in India.
With tears,
Your II year Philosophy brothers, Dehon Vidya Sadhan, Alwaye, 5th December 2002.
SCJ Postulants, Aluva:
In Loving Memory
Lord Jesus we thank you for the gift of Fr. Tom's love for You and for all of us. His love, patience and simplicity of life always inspires us. We thank you heavenly Father for all these wonderful gifts of your servant dear Fr. Tom. Since we come here he is our Rector, our shepherd our spiritual guide, our special referee for sports even in all areas of our formation he has been encouraging us.
Beloved Fr. Tom, we, the postulants, from the bottom of our hearts express our love for you. We thank you dear Fr. Tom for all the conferences and for your personal advice to us. We love you dear Fr. Tom for your simple and gentle smile and your holiness. We believe that your heart will remain with us always. Being as a good missionary you accepted the will of God and came to India to serve with your humble heart. As you told in our conference that for living a community life each one should contribute good qualities in which way on can. As a good religious you loved the Indians, with a full heart. Your words are paths for our future, toward the religious life and we hear your words with our whole heart.
As your sister said, we also say, you were "our pride and joy". Now we also pray with your nephew Fr. Edward Pelrine that "I pray that I can be half as good a priest he was."
To our best heart with great passion / We are instruments / When we were rusted you found us. / You tuned our strings to sound for justice, love and truth / Now that we lost you who will tune us in our formation? / Who will play us to produce the sound of justice, love for the poor? / Our hearts are longing for you / Even if you only tuned us once, it is still sounding in our heart. / Fr. Tom, our heart, even though you are absent in front of our eyes / You are in the tunes and songs, which you composed. / The songs which you produced tolerance, obedience, simplicity, love for the poor, humility, self-acceptance, trust in the Lord, community as my family, victimhood, and great passion for the pierced Heart of Jesus. / In your last homily you spoke about the poor widow who gave everything by trusting in the Lord, / you also totally sacrificed even your life for the glory of God. / We promise you that we will also put these words into practice. / Now wherever we go, like you, we will go as a missionary / The songs you sang are our rule of life. / What our hearts thought, our mouths spoke. / If we were wrong forgive us with great compassionate Heart.
We love you very much / Your instruments.
"All for love for Him as He has been all for me." -- Fr. Tom's last meditation thought.
The Indian SCJs:
TOTAL GIVING FOR THE LOVE OF HIM
Father
Tom’s last homily, Monday 25th November 2002, on the Gospel of St.
Luke 21:1-4.
Fr. Tom started his homily by asking questions. Why did Jesus praise the
poor widow? Most answers were because of her generosity, her choice to give her
all, while others gave from their surplus. Father was not satisfied with
answers. He said, “Isn’t this foolishness? Would you be happy if your mother
gave everything leaving her hungry? With this he added that it seemed foolish to
the secular world. But she trusted fully in the Lord and gave all she had. It is
this act that Jesus praised her for.
But the next question that came up was how is it applicable to us as
religious and seminarians? The brothers felt they had no money of their own. He
made the brothers aware about their time for one another, service, patience,
love, help in studies and so on.
But he came out very strong that most of us religious, priests and seminarians do not want to give more, beside their security comfort. “Are we ready to give our maximum in trusting the Lord.” “He felt the answer was ‘No’, we will justify and say, “that is enough.” The poor widow remains a model for us.
As I reflect on this homily, I see his words reflected through his life.
He was generous to give more than he could. He always said ‘yes’, might be
he would say let me think, but was always available. He tried to be in close
touch with most of the brothers and was ever ready to listen. He gave his times
and energy to the Indian District of the P.O.T.S.H., the community, neighbours
and friends. He was always working with the pen, or computer, or listening to
someone. He was ever ready to adjust, sacrifice, be patient, kind, encourage,
guide, gently correct. He always spoke of our need to be men & women of
holiness and a Christ-like people.
We have had the grace to see his love and dedication to the Indian
mission in full. He got his desire fulfilled by his death in India. His love for
the workers, the people, the poor etc. was a living witness to all. He has
greatly influenced our lives and will continue to do so. We believe that we had
the grace of being in touch and living with a great, Holy and saintly man. We
are faced with a great loss, but a challenge to learn from him. Dear Fr. Tom we
love you very much.
May the Lord give you eternal rest. Amen.
"We, the Congregation"
A Reflection on Our Foundation in India
Thomas J. Garvey, SCJ
As our Congregation completed 8 years in India on October 6, 2002, it is an occasion for reflection, a reflection which I want to share with the Congregation - because this foundation has been truly a work of "We, the Congregation". As Dehonians serving in India we have been at the center of this Congregational initiative, and, consequently, we owe to the Congregation worldwide an "accounting."
What I want to share is:
1. The "physical, concrete, statistical" data.
2. The witness shining through the data.
3. The decisions and directions that are beginning to give a "shape," a "soul" to the India District.
As regards the "concrete" data: The development of the India District has been remarkable even to us who are here. At this time we have:
SCJ Missionaries: 15. Twelve are members of the India District, three are volunteers.
Indian Professed: 4.
Total Students: 139. This breaks down to:
Regents: 2 (Professed), 2 (Non-professed)
Theology: 2 (Professed)
Novitiate: 13
Philosophy: 36 (Ten are in the postulancy year)
Minior Seminaries: 84
Buildings: The District has 4 formation houses
Two minor seminaries
One residence for students of philosophy / theology
One novitiate
We also rent a house for those entering later than the traditional age of 16
The witness! Significantly more important that the "concrete" data is the witness radiating through the data, a witness one would not easily perceive if he does not live and work here. This witness has been commented on by bishops, priests, other religious, our students and lay friends. What they see that leaves a positive impression with them is:
A Congregation that is strongly committed to its mission in India. Congregations here 12 years or less average about 3 missionaries. Although they desperately need more missionaries for their formation programs, none are forthcoming.
A Congregation that is strongly committed to separate residences and programs for the various stages of formation. A number have no choice but to place all their programs from the first year minor seminary to fourth year theology in the same residence.
A Congregation committed early on to an Indian identity, not a state identity. Most congregations here 12 years or less have a Kerala identity, an identity that makes them less attractive to young men from other states who feel like "outsiders." Our Congregation after only 8 years is clearly an Indian Congregation with young men from 7 states, Kerala contributing less than 50% of our students.
A Congregation that has made a commitment to focus its ministries in North India, that part of India where the Church is least developed and where the poverty is greatest. This decision received the strong support not only of the missionaries, but the four professed Indians as well.
A Congregation that is working on a plan to have its students of theology study in North India so that by the time they are ready for ordination they will be fully familiar with the language, the cultural, political, economic and religious conditions, and the pastoral approaches of the North, all vastly different from South India.
A Congregation that embraces with equal appreciation candidates for the religious priesthood and brotherhood, and provides equal opportunities for preparation for ministry - this in Kerala where a number of Congregations no longer accept Brother candidates because of the popular conception and actually fact that the brotherhood is an ecclesiastical lower caste. Our Congregation is committed to being a community of priests and brothers who are equal in all respects with no distinctions other than different ministries.
A Congregation made up of young men from 7 states and several casts living as brothers to one another - this in a country torn with divisions among states and castes.
A Congregation whose first external work is a center to promote justice - staffed by one of our missionary Brothers and one Indian SCJ who has completed his theological studies. Our Mission Statement calls all of us to have a special concern for issues of justice in whatever ministry we serve.
The Soul of our India District:
These characteristics are far more important than numbers and buildings. They speak about the soul of our Congregation and the India District. Indians, especially our students, are greatly inspired with our worldwide Congregation which has sent missionaries from 8 provinces and finances to build and support a fast-growing foundation. The India District is a glowing testimony to what can happen when we join hearts and hands as a Congregation.
From all of the above, I see our Congregation in India creating its particular identity, an identity rooted in the vibrant fraternal spirit of our congregation, in our charism to serve and be in solidarity with the most needy, living the Sint Unum by developing an authentic fraternal community of missionaries from various parts of the world, of candidates to priesthood and brotherhood, of candidates from low and high castes, and of candidates from various states whose relationships range from indifference to conflict. This Dehonian spirit is the precious gift we bring to India.
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