We do not want to belittle our achan, George, who is the Father Baba of this world, by portraying him as a priest belonging to the Kavukat family only. Despite his hard work in the mission fields, he always manages to find travel tickets in short notice and reach us to participate in our family programmes. I often wonder how George Achan manages to sort tickets in such a tight time frame! It is said that ‘If there is a will, there is a way’. George Achan moves on having made his signature wherever he goes. Wouldn’t it be amazing if God’s people who knew Father and were willing to do all the necessary help were not with him in all those places!
George achan’s love, passion and commitment to his family keeps him coming home again and again despite his busy mission work. He sees it as a duty to perform the spiritual affairs of his family with commitment. No matter how far away, his presence in the prayer meetings and blessing at baptisms, marriages, funerals and anniversaries are an asset to the family. Let it be clear that his duty is not only with his family. In George Achan, we see a model doctor whom friends and other relatives rush for their various needs, overcoming health and travel related difficulties. A testimony of Penthanathu Joichetan, a classmate of Fr George, at Kadanad St. Sebastarian’s School is worth mentioning. “George achan blessed not only my marriage but also that of my son”. Undoubtedly, his strong care brings his family members and friends closer to God.
George Achan’s care and love for his family members, friends, countrymen and strangers is not limited to the spiritual realms. There is no doubt that Achan is always engaged in activities that ensure the all-round progress of all those he meets. George Achan is also committed to creating opportunities that have reached deserving people even in their own fields of activity.
Let me recall a great lesson that father George imparted me. He clarifies that God gives talents differently to individuals, that it is the duty of those blessed with more talents to protect the marginalized among them, referring to an imminent new communion in the family. When he had to take only one Indian migrant worker for his current field of work, agriculture, he happily took not only him but also his pregnant wife and baby, took care of the babies, brought them up and educated them in the mainstream, which makes him a unique priest and missionary. Needless to mention that many children have grown up under Father Baba’s loving care till date. Although the many activities of George Achan, doing with one hand without knowing the other, should be mentioned in such a note, I did not want to mention them here for fear of contradicting the Christian values he carried with him.
Penthanathu Joychettan and his father’s elder brother Jose Chetan told me that father showed great commitment to agriculture and nature from an early age. George Achan’s hobbies were climbing trees and helping Chachan in plowing the fields. Today, the Farming Mission undertaken by him can be described as a continuation of this. He is now engaged in the work of converting the vast barren land of Sindhudurg in the Konkan region into fruitful land. In this way, by teaching the local residents new farming methods and trying to make the area free of poverty, George achan is dedicating a modern spiritual mission to the Catholic Church and the world. V. How great is the philosophy which, after Isidore’s example, finds pleasure in distributing produce to satisfy the hunger of the people!
Sri. Joy and her son were married to Hon. When George Achan blessed.
Dr. Biju Mathew Kavukatt Mayanad Post Kozhikode
