When the enthusiastic Bishop Valerian D’Souza of Pune Diocese, invited the pastors from the Syro Malabar diocese to Pune he was just being earnestly adhering to the teachings of the II Vatican Council about the Eastern Churches. And when Fr. GK was commissioned as the chaplain of the Syro Malabar migrants, Bp. Valerian would just have imagined Fr. GK to be a passive pastor offering the mass in the morning and relaxing the rest of the day.
But, friends of Fr Knows very well that he is a visionary! When he takes up a mission, from day one onwards Fr. GK would start imagining the shape of that mission after fifty years. Consequently, he is very particular about putting strong foundations to the mission, just as the Apostles made themselves to be the lasting foundations of the Church. Certainly, Fr George would draw this legacy from his uncle, Archbishop Mathew Kavukattu (17 July 1904 – 9 October 1969), who indeed laid strong foundations to the Archdiocese of Changanassery being its first Archbishop.
No sooner than he arrived in Pune, Fr. GK organized people, who were divided among various factions on personal or ideological reasons. Fr. GK inspired the Syro Malabar community to purchase a plot where the present-day parish would be built. However, this was beyond the imagination and expectation of the Bishop of Pune, as he thought the Syro Malabar community would slip out of his jurisdiction. And the bishop expressed his concerns to Fr. GK about his plans to purchase land for parish.
But, friends of Fr. GK knows that there is magic in the looks, touch and speech of Fr. GK. Through his noble dealings with the bishop, later Bp Valerian would understand the purity of Fr. GK’s intentions and they eventually became best friends until the bishop passed away. When the bishop arrived to see the plot purchased in Kalewadi for St. Alphonsa Church, he said to Fr. GK, “Fr. George, you are a very zealous missionary. I have lot of money, but not enough pastors who are as enthusiastic as you. Keep up your enthusiasm.” Fr. GK was instrumental in laying strong foundations to many churches around Pune including Khirki, Dighi, Vadagaonesary, Vanavadi and Akurdi. Fr. GK perceives it as being a pawn in the plan of God and he humbles himself thanking the almighty for the same.
Who would know the plans of God! In the recent times Fr. GK is looking after 5 large plots for the Diocese of Sindhudurg. These were sort of abandoned barren lands. He tilled, nurtured it, prayed over it, and made it cultivable. These lands now gives organic food, fruits and yield that supports many lives. These were the plots once purchased by Bp Valerian of Pune and handed over to the diocese of Sindhudurg when bifurcated. The drama of God’s plans are mysterious and intriguing!
Note: The title of this story is drawn from Timothy M. Green’s famous book, The God Plot: Living With Holy Imagination. The book encourages readers to engage with the overarching narrative of God’s interaction with humanity and the world, as presented in scriptures.
Photo: Bp. Anthony Barrett, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Sindhudurg visiting and praying for Fr. GK.
