Br. Oscar (16 Mar 1934 – 08 Dec 2011) was unique – singular – outstanding with God- given talents that made him a ‘man for others”. He came from a deeply religious family that gave one son, Joseph, to become the second Bishop of Jamshedpur; a daughter, Margaret – to become Sister Margaret and later the Provincial of the Sisters of Nazareth. Br Oscar seemed to be able to handle anything he was asked to do, and that with a smile.

He entered the Society of Jesus on 10 June 1956, at Vinayala, Mumbai. Already from Novitiate days, he became proficient in skills of all types that would make him an ideal Community man, able to carry burdens in many different fields. He did further training in mechanics at Pune, and so was able to keep the Mission vehicles on the go and rescue many a companion stranded on the road after a break-down. But his specialty grew as his skills increased as an efficient Minister and Treasurer. It is mind boggling to just merely to glance at the kind of posts Oscar held – both far and near – which included

St Xavier’s High School, Lupungutu Minister (1968-1970)

Bishop’s House, Jamshedpur Minister, Treasurer (1971- 1978)

Pontifical Biblical Institute, Jerusalam, Israel Minister, Treasurer (1978- 1981)

General Curia, Rome, Italy Treasurer’s Office (1981- 1983)

XLRI, Jamshedpur Financial Controller, Minister (1983- 1985)

Loyola School, Jamshedpur Minister, Revisor (1985- 1988)

De Nobili School, Digwadih Treasurer (1988 -1991)

XLRI, Jamshedpur Minister, Financial Contrl-LCE (1992 -1994)

XIMB, Bhubaneswar Minister, Financial Controller (1994 -1996)

Vidya Jyoti, Delhi Treasurer (1996 Mar -1999 May)

De Nobili College, Pune Minister, Treasurer (1999 Jun- 2002 Apr)

XIMB, Bhubaneswar Minister, Treasurer (2002 Nov -2004 Apr)

Loyola Bhavan, Bhubaneswar Treasurer-OJS (2004 Jun -2008 May)

Loyola School, Jamshedpur Treasurer (2008 Jun- 2011 Dec)

In discharging his duties, he meant business when it was business and humour when it was humour. He was the no-nonsense type, a man of discipline and principles.

What then was special about Br Oscar? It’s his readiness to do anything for his great Love – Jesus. That “anything” could mean running off to the bazaar, off to pick up someone from the railway station or airport; endless trips to the bank … and what was to be a culmination in the degree of his generosity – taking pictures for families on the occasion of First Holy Communions. In November 1975, on his way back from such a photo session, driving his Bullet motorcycle, a taxi suddenly stopped in front of him without notice. Br Oscar swerved, but as he did so, his leg was pinned against the bumper of the taxi and the motorcycle battery. The bone was crushed. What followed were the heroic efforts at Mercy Hospital to save his leg – but the bone was so badly crushed that no pin would take hold, and an amputation of the lower leg and foot was required – to which he readily consented. “Take and receive, Lord, my liberty …. Finally, the Lord took his right leg that was amputated 6 inches below the knee. And that’s the way he lived – limping away – for the past 36 years!

His courage, stamina, cheerfulness in the many years that followed since the amputation of his leg, have been an inspiration for everyone. He not only overcame the handicap, but managed to go on driving cars, jeeps, scooters as though nothing had happened. It is no wonder then that the Society so deeply appreciates all the sacrifices Br Oscar has made – limping along like Ignatius of Loyola; struggling against so many odds – but always with an open heart, a big smile to welcome all in the name of Jesus!

Wherever Oscar went he managed to spread joy … even to the bereaved members of a family. His infectious smile that stretched from ear to ear and his warm hand shake was enough to drive the blues away. He was a voracious reader, well abreast of the teachings of the Church and the Society, enjoyed viewing a movie and was always there when you needed a “fourth” to play bridge. You wouldn’t need to search for him. Trace the sound of loud laughter and you knew for sure Oscar had to be there. Oscar was such a lovable guy. He made everyone feel loved. Nobody felt that he/she was less loved by him. He had a big body and a big heart.

On the occasion of his Golden Jubilee in the Society five years ago, Father General Peter Hans Kolvenbach had this message conveyed to him; “What is most appreciated about you is not so much what you did which is truly considerable and valuable, but the spirit of generosity, combined with spontaneous joy that you manifested in every little detail of your ministry and service”. With such glowing words flowing from Father General, what more can we add, except to say “Wah, Oscar, wah!”

Today there’s one less plate on the table but one more saint in Heaven!

Fr. John Deeney was born in Philadelphia, on July 22, 1921, joined the Society of Jesus in 1939 and was ordained a priest in 1952. He came to India in January, 1950. He had long had an interest in the problems of India and the adaptation of the missionary to the new surroundings. He had a sharp and logical mind. His Theological studies were partly in Pune and Kurseong. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ferdinand Perier in Kurseong. Fr. Deeney appeared in the Chaibasa scene on July 11, 1955 as Headmaster of the High School and Assistant Parish Priest, and later, for a short time, Pastor. During these years he undertook extensive research into the life of the Ho people around, their culture and language. He also prepared many liturgical and catechetical works for use in the villages. The whole liturgy is now conducted in the Ho language. He prepared and published the New Testament in Ho, as well as a pictorial life of Christ, wrote a Ho Grammar and Vocabulary and a Ho English Dictionary. His prolonged requests to the Government of India for Indian Citizenship, were granted on February 20, 1991. The treasured document reads:

“Fr. John Joseph Deeney is entitled to all political and other rights, power and privileges, and is subject to all obligations, duties and liabilities to which an Indian citizen is entitled or subject, and he has to all intents and purposes the status of an Indian citizen.” It was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of India. This honour is perhaps the highest testimony to the Incarnational dimension of the life of the Church in himself and his work.

Fr. John Deeney was admitted at Mercy Hospital, Jamshepdur for his treatment for cancer of gall blander on 12 January where he was visited by Jesuits and others constantly. He always looked looked happy and grateful. He breathed his last on 18 January at 7.30 pm. The body was kept in Tata Main Hospital morgue for 4 days.

On 22 January the ornately -decorated ambulance with a bust size coloured photo of Fr John Deeney mounted in the centre of the windshield, left the hospital in Jamshedpur at 9.30 a.m .to Chaibasa. It took 3 hours to cover 70 kms of the worst possible roads one could ever find – bumps and pot holes galore!. Another forty-seater-bus from XITE carried some of our Jesuits, novices, sisters and there were others who also accompanied the ambulance in 4-wheelers.

The Parish Priest of Chaibsa together with the faithful waited patiently for the ambulance half a km ahead of the Chaibasa Parish Church in order to greet Fr. John Deeney on his final journey. There was a contingent of 80 or more from the school band who provided the beat for the slow march as the body made its way towards the Parish Residence. It was so truly moving that it brought tears to our eyes.

At the Presbytery the body was taken out of the mobile mortuary (which was constructed by the carpenters as no air conditioned ambulance was available) and the body was prepared in the traditional Ho rituals and taken in procession to the school ground for the faithful to view. The parishioners had put in a lot of hard work setting up a massive shamiana to accommodate 2000 people.

Fr Robert Sequiera, born at Mangalore on 02 Jun 1924, entered on 10 Jun 1944, ordained on 24 Mar 1958, Final Vows on 02 Feb 1961, died at Bhubaneswar on 04 Aug 2009.

Fr Eugene Welch, born in Pittsburg, USA, on 11 Sep 1928, entered on 30 Jul 1947, ordained on 24 Mar 1960, Final Vows on 15 Aug 1965, died at Jamshedpur on 22 Oct 2009.