10 Questions : 1 Fr Bruno

By Russell Chander and Julianna Teo

We’re sure that everyone remembers Fr. Bruno, especially for his interesting sermons and joyous personality. He left for India a year ago to further his studies. He was recently in town for a short visit, so we got together and caught up with him.

1. Hi Father Bruno! How’s India?

First, I must tell you that I’m going to be in India for one more year!

It’s a very interesting experience, because India is so different from Singapore. The first week I told myself that I had to change my hard disk…

I live in a village, with many animals around, and the pace of life is quite slow, so if you intend to be as "efficient" as in Singapore, people will look at you in a strange way! And it may be better like that: after all, what is that "efficiency" for?

2. Could you tell us more about your work there?

I’m a student! I’m studying Tamil, and I’m also following a university course on Christianity and Asian religions. During the week, I join the Tamil masses in the parish or convents in other villages (I go there by bicycle). On Sunday I give a hand in the French parish in Pondicherry. But as soon as I can say the mass in Tamil, I might stay in the village!

3. What were some of the difficulties that you faced during your stay there?

No difficulties lah!

No, I’m joking. In Tamil, it seems that people use a lot of the imperative tense, so, even in English, people tell me "sit here" or "eat more of this", which was quite strange for me at the beginning. One day when I told someone I was a bit fed up being treated as a child, he told me that was a way for them to show their care for me. How two cultures will understand the same sentence differently! For myself, I still try to take other people’s wishes into account rather than just telling them what to do.

Another difficulty was the way they study at the university. Students learn a lot by heart (I’m not very good at that) even if they don’t understand what the subject is about. And so for the exams they expect me to write as many pages as possible, as if I should remember and write down all that the teacher had said!

4. Was there any particular event that had a significant effect on you?

Yes, a retreat in March in a Catholic ashram (local monastery) was a turning point in my stay there because I started to see more of the beauty of the local traditions there (the ashram adopts Indian spirituality). For example, there is a lot of silence, the mass makes use of many local symbols and speaks about "God our Mother and Father". We sit on the floor, eat vegetarian food and live in a very simple way (the bed is a wooden plank with a mat on it!). All this helps you to spend your day in God’s presence because you don’t have to focus on many other things. Of course, God is always here with us, but most of the time we are not!

5. How’s the food there?

Nice and not too spicy! My favourite is called "thosai" (besides the chocolate, of course, which is difficult to find and expensive).

6. Did you have any problems adjusting?

No. Through the university classes, I made friends quite quickly. But then it takes time to understand a different culture. And I also think that, as a foreigner, I will always remain a foreigner and there may be something good in that: there are certain things I may not be able or may not want to adjust myself to. The caste system, for example. I’m out of it, and I prefer it like that. I suppose being out of the system allows me to meet any person, whatever caste he or she is from.

7. Ever missed Singapore at any point?

Usually I don’t miss other places. I try to live and be happy where I am. Sometimes I have good memories about places I’ve been to, or I pray for people I’ve met, but it’s not really with the meaning of "miss"…

Or rather I should say I miss everyone always, as I believe we are called to a communion we can hardly fully reach. So better enjoy the present moment, keeping in mind and heart the past and the future.

8. How do you feel about the Youth Ministry’s progress so far?

Well, you would answer better than me I suppose…

Since I came to Holy Trinity 3 years ago, I’ve seen quite a few people involved in the youth ministry (and I must say Teens Connect were among the most active!) and so with Dorothy, Lawrence and a few others we tried to coordinate and encourage all that. Now it seems it has taken a higher speed, with Fr Bosco, a youth room, etc. So I think things are improving.

But the important thing is always to remember all the youths around you who may be searching for meaning in life, for Someone to meet, and to be there for them; to be witnesses of the love of God for all people.

9. Any advice for the youth concerning church, studies or anything?

Be yourself! Which means… because we will never finish discovering who we are… take time to live, to wonder at the flowers on the path, and give thanks! Life is beautiful when we share it.

And never be afraid to search deeper, to answer God’s call. He is calling each and every one of us! To love! In different ways. Which way, that’s not the most important. The most important is to love. That’s what Church, studies, and the rest are about! If you find that it’s not, it may mean that either you need to open your eyes, or that you can help improve things.

10. Any chance of seeing you again at Holy Trinity?

Yes, I may pass by once in a while. But when I come back in Singapore next year, the bishop will send me to a parish, and usually we don’t go to a previous one. I think it’s better like that: then you can see new faces, new gifts from God!