---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Raymond Rebello <raymond...@gmail.com>Date: Wed, Sep 28, 2016 at 5:25 PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: [avoba] Fr.Rudolf R Schoch
To: Goggle Grp A <
av...@googlegroups.com>, Google Grp B <
bv...@googlegroups.com>, Google Grp C <
cv...@googlegroups.com>, Vincentian Ex Staffers <
vincentian-...@googlegroups.com>
Additional piece of information forwarded by Vincentian & VOBA member Lourdes Baptista.
Raymond Rebello.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Lourdes Peter Baptista" <bapt...@rediffmail.com>
Date: 28 Sep 2016 11:24
Subject: Re: [avoba] Fr.Rudolf R Schoch
To: <raymond...@gmail.com>
Cc:
> Another very important dimension to be added to Sanjeev's note is that Fr. Schoch after
> his retirement was the treasurer of the Pune Catholic Education Association and made a
> great contribution to the Financial Administration of the then Goa-Pune Province of the
> Society of Jesus. He helped in raising funds for many projects of the province. He also
> assisted the Pune and Nashik Dioceses in managing and raising funds.
>
> Lourdes
>
> On Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:08:34 +0530 Raymond Rebello wrote
>
> >Compilation forwarded by Sanjeev Javale, VOBA Member (11th & 12th) as well as ELAN Member
> (1st to 10th)
> REV. Fr. RUDOLF R. SCHOCH SJ
> Rev. Father Rudolf Robert Schoch SJ needs no introduction. Thousands of his students all
> across the world would be pleased to note that his Birth Anniversary is on 27th Sept.
> Fr. Schoch – the educationist par excellence – was an outstanding teacher, basically
> because he was a great, kind and benevolent human being. He had this rare quality of love
> for humanity and the inclination to do good for others.
> Born in Basel, Switzerland on September 27, 1913, he completed his schooling at St. Gaulle
> and Stella Matutina in Feldkirch (Austria). After his graduation from St Ballen–Perugia,
> he entered the Society of Jesus at Tisis (Feldkirch) in 1932, when he was not yet 19
> years. He studied philosophy for six years at Berchmans Kolleg, Germany and came to India
> in 1938. In India he continued his studies, learning Marathi and Sanskrit for a year. He
> studied theology in Pune from 1942 for three years.
> During the Second World War, the German Priests were sent to concentration camps and the
> Swiss Jesuits had to take their places. He was ordained a priest on 20th March, 1945. From
> 1946-48, he taught at a school at Dehu Road. In 1948, he became Principal of Dnyanamata
> Vidyalaya at Sangamner, Ahmednagar district – the first Marathi secondary school – a post
> he held for four years. He was already speaking fluent Marathi and he was granted
> citizenship.
> Between 1957 and 1966, he was Principal of St. Vincent’s High School. He was instrumental
> in wide-ranging reforms, including construction of new buildings with large labs and
> audio-visual facilities and increasing the number of playgrounds.
> In one of his rare interviews, Fr. Schoch said that after Independence, the Poona Mission
> had felt the need to establish a new school in Poona, as St. Vincent's was the only large
> English Medium School of the Society of Jesus. Once at a tea party at the Governor's
> place, he met Dr. Venkataraman, the then Director of N.C.L., who suggested that he
> consider some land near N.C.L. as a site for the school. Fr. Schoch finally selected the
> site. The Architect-in-charge was an old student of Fr. Schoch. Some people were generous
> with donations especially Mr. Homi Irani and Mr. Kanga. What Fr. Schoch really appreciated
> were the small donations like Rs. 10/-, Rs. 50/-, etc which were really precious ones He
> received foreign aid too, from the Swiss and German Governments. In 1952, Fr. Schoch had
> helped the Germans to start courses in Poona University and in founding of the Max Mueller
> Bhavan; they reciprocated by helping Loyola.
> Fr. Schoch was Principal of Loyola from 1966 to 1973. He was then again Principal of St.
> Vincent’s High School from 1973 for six years. He drew out the best from both his staff
> and students. He exercised authority as Principal, at the same time supporting his staff
> and entrusting responsibility. He would strive to solve the teachers’ and students’
> difficult class and domestic problems, visiting them in their homes and strengthening his
> rapport with them. The secret of his success as an administrator was partly due to his
> toiling at nights studying the boys’ reports in different standards, finding out ways to
> improve their performance.
> He would read the rules and regulations of the Maharashtra S S C Board and the Education
> Department with a keen critical eye and would advise the several school administrators who
> sought his advice. Both Pune University and the Maharashtra School Board recognized his
> expertise and he was Member of the Senate of the University and a Member of the Academic
> Council of the Maharashtra School Board for 14 years. He was also Vice President of and
> Secretary to the Poona Schools Athletics Association for 12 years and an honorary Rotarian
> for 14 years.
> Fr. Schoch is well remembered for teaching German and Civics. He was also a writer. His
> much acclaimed book ‘Civics and Indian Administration’ was prescribed as a Maharashtra
> School Text Book for several years. He also authored ‘God on Weekdays’.
> Fr. Schoch reiterated “The crime that the government commits is that they give a very low
> salary to teachers. In advanced countries, teachers enjoy an honoured place in society and
> earn a good salary; but not in India. In the land of the 'Guru', teachers are neglected. A
> nation that believes in its future should believe in education”. How very true!
> Fr. Schoch said that he studied Shankaracharya. He read books on Advaita. He was also
> interested in Tukaram and translated 39 of his poems to German.
> Fr. Schoch made a very pertinent point on fairness and justice. He said that all his
> teachers were good, but one of them, Fr. Peter influenced him more than anyone else. If he
> had become a good Principal, it was primarily due to him. Fr. Schoch stated, “I saw the
> necessity of fairness and justice because he was very unjust to me. We learn as much from
> our bad teachers as from the good”.
> Another important point to be noted is what he stated about his mother – he said his
> mother had a great respect for her children.
> Fr. Schoch would always advise his students saying, “Do your utmost; love God and people,
> giving yourselves to them. Then you will really enjoy life and have many friends”.
> Fr. Schoch, who was an institution by himself, motivated us students to strive and excel
> in all fields and to play the game in the right spirit. His was an endeavour to provide
> holistic education to his students, by building character and inculcating ethical conduct
> in us. This speaks volumes for his dedication and commitment to high moral values, which
> helped him make gentlemen out of his boys and make them responsible citizens of this great
> country.
> He said “Naturally I fell in love with India. In addition to Poona, I also spent many
> years in Sangamner. I am grateful to India for having given me a chance to do a good job.
> A job I would not have been able to do anywhere else. God has been kind to me”. Two
> thoughts that constantly came up in his mind during his last days in Shrirampur were “my
> Mother and Pune”.
> For the thousands of students, teachers, parents, non-teaching staff and other people who
> were fortunate to be acquainted with him, he was the motivating spirit behind some of the
> finest schools in India. A man of strong principle and belief, Fr. Schoch is no more, but
> he continues to live in the hearts of all his students.
>
>
>
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