OUR DAILY ENDEAVOUR | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2024

Author: Rojes Coalbe

Intro: When Rojes Coalbe and his family made the commitment to attend daily Mass together, little did they know what God had in store for them.

Having been nurtured in a deeply Catholic upbringing and having served as an altar boy, the Holy Mass held a special place in my heart. However, as life unfolded through teenage years and college, the regularity of daily Mass slipped away. In 2009, God, in his sweet mercy, presented me with a life partner, who shared the same steadfast Catholic faith.

In the early years of our marriage, a sense of incompleteness crept into our lives, overshadowing the joy that the sacrament of marriage was meant to bring. With two small children in tow and a bustling life in Bangalore filled with work commitments and participation in Jesus Youth activities, we decided to make a commitment—a commitment to attend daily Mass as a family. Though unsure how this commitment would unfold, we were certain that God would guide our steps.

Our journey began at a nearby seminary with an early morning Mass at 6:15. The logistics were demanding—early wakeups, preparing two kids, and ensuring we reached Mass on time. Even on challenging days when our car was under repair, God's goodness shone through when friends graciously offered us a spare car, ensuring we didn't miss Mass. Days when the kids were unwell didn't deter us; we firmly believed that the Holy Eucharist was the best medicine for them. This family commitment to daily Mass started in 2013, ushering in enormous spiritual and personal blessings.

In 2018, God's grace continued to unfold as we welcomed our third child. Despite the challenges, God orchestrated a move to Australia, unveiling a new chapter in our lives. Even on the day of our flight, God blessed us with the opportunity to attend a special Mass, a poignant reminder of his ever-protective wings.

Upon landing in Australia, we were greeted with a house prepared for us, alleviating the struggles people often face when seeking rented accommodation in a new country. One thing we found challenging in Melbourne was the timing of Mass in most suburbs, scheduled only after 9 am. Recognising the importance of attending Mass as a family, we faced a dilemma as our work schedules made it challenging to attend daily Mass together. However, God intervened once again.

My workplace had a church nearby that offered a noon Mass, allowing me to attend daily. Although it posed a logistical challenge of rushing to Mass and back to the office, God ensured that I did not miss the Mass, affirming his continuous guidance. After a year in this location, we felt a strong call from God to resume attending daily Mass as a family, becoming witnesses of the Lord's love in our new country.

The search for suburbs with morning Mass led us to a location with significantly higher rental costs, creating a tight budget situation as I was the sole breadwinner. Despite financial constraints, we prioritised Mass, deciding to shift to the new suburb. The house we found was smaller than our previous residence, and the rent was higher, but the joy of attending daily Mass as a family outweighed any material concerns.

As the sands of time continued to flow, three years unfolded in Australia, marked by the gracious blessing of Permanent Residency from the Almighty. With this newfound stability, our hearts turned towards a significant endeavour—finding a home that would not only shelter us but also nourish our spiritual journey.

Guided by prayer and unwavering faith, we established a singular criterion for our house hunt—to reside in a place where our family could collectively attend daily Mass. In the vast expanse of Melbourne, such locations were scarce, and those available were accompanied by exorbitant price tags. Yet, we chose to relinquish control, placing our trust not in worldly wisdom but in the divine providence of God.

Our quest led us through the doors of numerous houses, participating in auctions, and witnessing the rise and fall of possibilities. Six months passed in this search, examining almost 70 houses, yet, each time, for reasons unknown, God redirected us away from these prospects. In the midst of this uncertainty, we remained steadfast, trusting that God had a plan unfolding.

It wasn't until the arrival of the last opportunity that the purpose became clear. Although this particular house stretched beyond our financial means, God, in his miraculous ways, granted us the key to our dream home. What added to the splendour was its location—a place nestled near three churches, one of which hosted five daily Masses and a 24-hour adoration chapel. We had asked for one daily Mass, and He had blessed us with an abundance of spiritual nourishment—an oasis for our souls.

One of these churches was a Syro-Malabar church, ensuring that we have access to both Malayalam and English Masses. Our initial prayer for proximity to the church was not only answered but exceeded, with God presenting us with a residence within walking distance from the railway station, shops, and even our children's school. This miraculous provision underscored the magnitude of God's blessings and the fulfilment of our prayers.

Our journey of faith and blessings extends beyond the realm of our dream home. As previously mentioned, our family comprises three wonderful children—three boys, who join us for the daily Mass. What I'm about to share might surprise you, but it's a testament to the extraordinary grace we've experienced.

In the entire span of their lives, ranging from our eldest at 12 years, the middle one at 10, to the youngest at 5, our children have never visited a doctor, excluding mandatory vaccinations. While it's not that they haven't faced the usual challenges of coughs, colds, or fevers—albeit infrequently—none of these instances have ever escalated to a point requiring a doctor's intervention. This holds true for both our time in Bangalore and Melbourne.

Our firm belief is that the robust health of our children is a direct blessing from the Daily Eucharist. We view the Holy Eucharist as the finest preventive medicine for sickness, a spiritual elixir that safeguards our loved ones from ailments. This conviction has become a cornerstone of our family's faith journey, shaping our perspective on health and well-being.

Our children, with joy and pride, share this testimony with their schoolmates, becoming beacons of inspiration for many. It's a narrative we cherish, illustrating how the spiritual nourishment derived from the Holy Eucharist transcends the confines of our spiritual lives, manifesting in the physical health and vitality of our precious ones.

The Holy Eucharist, we firmly believe, is the source and summit of our Christian life. Surrendering our family to the altar has proven to be the best protection, surpassing material concerns. Daily Mass has become our anchor and saying 'yes' to the Lord in this aspect has brought blessings beyond our wildest imagination. If the opportunity to attend daily Mass arises, we encourage embracing it wholeheartedly. The struggles may persist, but with our 'yes' to the Lord, we are confident that he will guide us through every challenge.

Rojes Coalbe lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and their three boys. He is the national coordinator of the English ministry for Shalom World Australia.