R.I.P.
Br. Paul Macwan (GUJ)
76/53, died in an accident between Umerpada and Mandvi this evening
on 25 Dec 2014. He was traveling with Fr.Aubrey Fernandes, who is hospitalized now.
May the soul of the departed rest in peace.
Br Paul Macwan SJ
Br. Paul Macwan was inspired to join the Society
while he was doing his primary school at Nadiad, by observing the saintly life
of Br. Augustine Lobo. He joined the novitiate at Vinayalaya, Mumbai, in 1961.
After spending four years in Vinayalaya, for his
noviciate and juniorate, he was sent to De Nobili College, Pune. That was his
home for 15 years till 1980. He was moulded there and had been in charge of several
offices, including being the first Brother Minister of De Nobili College. He
was the founding member of De Nobili College Trust.
In 1980, he was sent to the Thailand Border to
serve the refugees of Cambodia
and Vietnam,
at the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees. Paul was in
charge of coordinating the construction works, sanitation, electricity and water
supply of the camp for over 50,000 refugees. He received a letter of merit from
the UN High Commission and a congratulation letter from the then General Fr. Aruppe.
In 1981, Paul was sent to Dediapada and worked
there for seven years as Treasurer, Farm Manager, In Charge of Social Work and Secretary
of Adivasi Samajik Kendra Dediapada, Relva and Nani Sigloti. He collaborated with
Fr. Berechi in starting the first educational project in South Gujarat, opening three
Primary schools, a High school and later on a Higher Secondary school.
At the same time He was asked by Fr. Berechi to improve the management of the
milk cooperative society. So he went to NDDB, Anand for a course in the relevant
skills.
From Dediapada he was sent to Africa (Ethiopia).
It was one of his dreams fulfilled. He was given charge as Field Director of
JRS, and had to oversee a huge multi project: establishing 70,000 displaced
people of that country. The project was contracted with the government of Ethiopia
which acknowledged the JRS project as a model project. There too Paul was given
a letter of appreciation by the Ministry of Health. The Provincial of East
Africa with the approval of the Gujarat Provincial, wanted to send him to Somalia
for refugee work there.
In the meantime he was asked do join his tertianship
at Bangalore
in1989. At Bangalore
he also did a diploma course in catechetic. Since he could not obtain a visa to
Somalia,
he was sent to Khambhat mission in 1990.
At Khambhat he worked for eight years as an Administrator,
Treasurer and the director of Agricultural project, building the high school,
hostel, renovating the Fathers’ residence and building a compound wall. He was
also in charge of buying land and building a school, hostels and a convent at
Varasada and the Shrine and the Retreat House in Nagra. He also took care of
the construction of the extension of St Xavier’s, Gandhinagar.
The sudden demise of Fr. Herero at Ankleshwar
resulted in the transfer of Paul to he take charge of completing the construction
of one wing of the Technical school and the fathers’ residence at Catholic
Church, Ankleshwar.
In 1998 he was called to Premal Jyoti,
Ahmedabad, to work in the Province Curia. He was appointed Province Treasurer, the
first Brother to hold the job. He was also the Province Revisor of Arcarum and
Domorum and the Director of XKM Vehicle Office. He was a secretary and
treasurer of the Province-run trusts including the Secretary of Xavier Kelvani
Mandal Pvt. Ltd. He resided with the community of Gurjarvani. There too he was made
Secretary of the Gurjarvani Society and given the charge to supervise the
building of the Parish
Church (Prayer Hall) on
the college campus.
Paul had been trustee of several trusts and had
taken keen interest in the development of many centres.
Paul was very reliable. He was very good in human relationships. He made
friends easily and his friendships lasted long. He was a good administrator,
and good at organizing things. He was good at accounts. He was creative. He wrote
and spoke well, especially in Gujarati. Before joining the Society he had
written a play which was staged at the Town Hall in Baroda.
Since Last 20 years he was assisting a centre
for the handicapped children run by an ex-Jesuit Brother at Inderanaj in
Varasada mission.
In 2010, he was given a year off to study
scripture, Catholic doctrine and catechetics to help in the Pastoral line and
for his own spiritual good. In 2014, he was appointed, Treasurer, Building
Incharge and Farm Incharge at Nanisingaloti.
Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj SJ
Socius
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