A feast on St. George's day

 "Varghese" means "George," and Fr. Varghese celebrated his April 23rd name day, the feast day of St. George, by feeding poor children from around Kakinada.

Pictures from the event reflect the steamy, heatwave conditions inflicting India's people this Spring. Record-breaking seasonal temperatures have been hitting 115-degrees F. and even above, and are expected to rise to 122-degrees F. within days. The cell phone camera lens steamed over, but the photos still give a nice feeling for the day. These children's bright faces show how thrilled they were to receive a celebration meal. Many are poor fishermen's children and street kids from the area, so were excited to be treated as special guests. 

Friends sent Fr. Varghese funds for the meal, and he personally shopped for fresh vegetables and the chickens, which needed to be hand-plucked and dressed. Food preparations took several hours.

 

 

Kids gathered for a little catechism session before their meal.

After dozens of children ate their fill, some picked up whisk brooms to help clean up around the mission compound. Thanks to the friends who provided the meal, the hard-working cook and helpers who prepared and served it, the children who brightened Sacred Heart Mission with their presence, and Fr. Varghese, who invited them there. Happy Feast of St. George!