KOLLAM: The parish of St. John De Britto Church in Sakthikulangara is now a role model for at least a dozen nearby churches with its humanitarian step ensuring modesty in spending money during the functions including the All Souls Day observation. The 'green parish' has also taken measures to ensure equality among the rich and poor believers, including zero environment pollution during its celebrations.
The faithful used to spend huge amounts of money for buying flowers to adorn the tombs of their dear ones during the All Souls Day. The church now collects money from them according to their capacity to raise a fund with which the ceremony is conducted decently, without much extravaganza, uniformly for all. The remaining money this time has also given shelter to a homeless man. Apart from these, the church has taken a bold step to conduct the 7th-day remembrance and month’s mind on the 30th day for the dead without a feast, but to go with a small cup of tea.
“Death is not at all pre-planned and comes with unexpected expenses to the relatives who might also get burdened with debts to conduct the ceremonies. We wanted to avoid this," Rev. Fr. Romance Antony, parish priest, told DC. "Also, instead of inviting each relative by visiting their houses, the church itself announces this on their behalf which will be a relief to the grieving people.” After the Puttingal fireworks tragedy, the church has also banned fireworks that used to take place all the thirty days during Rosary celebrations in the month of October.
The processions associated with the church have been restricted without causing any traffic block. The church is also on its move to make it a ‘green’ parish, entirely avoiding plastic products and flex hoardings, along with planting medicinal plants in the church compound. “Religion should also be a model for ecological survival. It should promote simplicity and train people to ward off all sorts of the extravaganza,” the priest says. “Helping your brethren is the best way to remember your dear ones”.
