R.I.P.
Fr . John Khanna
(GUJ) 74/54 expired
on 09 Feb 2014 at 10.30 p.m in Pilar
Hospital,Baroda. The funeral will be held at 4.00 p.m in St.Joseph's
Baroda on 10
( Monday)Feb 2014.
Please remember him in your prayers.
Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj
SJ
Socius-GUJ
Fr John Khanna
Birth: 22-06-1940, Entrance to SJ: 20-06-1960, Priesthood:24-03-1971, Last Vows: 14-11-1976, Death: 09 Feb 2014
Fr Khanna John did wonderfully well in handling variety of ministries
ranging from being an Assistant Parish Priest to Province Consultor. He had
held very many responsible posts such as Superior, Minister, School
Manager, Province consultor and Coordinator for Youth Ministry.
John started his priestly life as an assistant parish priest in
Khambhat. There he teamed up with the Behavioural Science Centre in
conscientising the Dalit Christians against the exploitation and oppression by
Darbars. It was a painful but at the same time, consoling and an eye opening
experience for John. From Khambhat, John moved to Vadodara St Joseph’s as a
Parish Priest. The years at Vadodara were perhaps the most fulfilling years in
John’s life as priest. He had clear pastoral vision. He wanted to make
St Joseph’s a vibrant Christian community. Through patient and painstaking
efforts, John succeeded in building the parish community, in getting the
parishioners involved and committed to the parish and in forming perhaps the
first parish pastoral council of the diocese in Gujarat.
John was gifted with a charming personality, very human, open, friendly, people oriented,
caring, sincere and authentic. John was also witty and had many jokes to
entertain his companions and friends. He was a transparent person and spoke out
truth boldly. He was very creative and innovative in his ministry.
John was an authentic and loyal Jesuit; he cherished his Jesuit vocation
and enjoyed the companionship of other Jesuits in the Province. He had been a
good community man, helped to bring people together and fostered community
spirit.
John suffered from many serious health problems – high BP, weakened
heart, kidney failure etc. One young man asked him: “Father, how is that
you got so many health complications?” John answered: ‘All do not get these
blessings; only some chosen ones. I am the chosen one; Jesus and Mother Mary do
take care of me through so many of my friends.’ John was a man of deep faith.
He had accepted his many health problems in a very edifying way. He had learnt to gracefully hand over himself to the providence of God.
Ignatian ideals “Magis, Purity of Intention and Union of
hearts and mind” were very dear to him. He said often ‘these ideals make even
greater sense today in his sickness and in his retirement. The sickness was a mysterious gift of God which
he realized and often publicly acknowledged. He used to pray for
the province during the time of dialysis twice a week for the last several
years. He was never crippled down by his sickness. However the cross that he
was carrying for the last four years became heavier day by day. Nevertheless,
he took up his cross and followed Jesus patiently. Finally, he heard the call
of his Creator; "Well done, you good and faithful servant!.. Come on in
and share my happiness!"
By: Fr.lawrence Dharmaraj
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