Provincial Circular FT/07 November 16, 2008
Dear Confreres,
Greetings of Peace! Greetings of love! May you all come to experience the gentle presence of the Lord ever anew in your daily life!
Month of November always captures certain somber facets of human life. The very rhythm of Nature ushers us into a deeper awareness of the mysteries concerning life and death. For example, in most part of our country, the harvest season has begun; in some places the harvest is almost getting over. And the mother earth would wait once again in gentle silence. Elsewhere on the planet Earth, trees keep shedding off their colorful garb in preparation for the Winter. On a liturgical note, month of November always begins with the commemoration of All Saints. Saints are persons who have walked in our midst. During their sojourn on earth, each of them has given distinctive service to humanity; and every one of them has left a trail of unparalleled love, compassion and care. On November 2, the Church gently takes us to the memory of the loved ones who have gone before us in death. And we remember them all very fondly in our hearts. These and other occasions forcefully reveal the inscrutable mystery of human life: the mortal and immortal, corruptible and incorruptible, visible and invisible facet that life is made of and how inextricably linked our life is with God, others and Nature.
Life’s Fragile Condition
The recent bomb blasts in the city of Guwahati has brought us to a startling realization of the fragile condition of every person. For the Guwahatians, the 30th October 2008 will be remembered for the heartrending tale of a series of bomb blast that snuffed out life of their loved ones and several innocents in a blink of an eye. The blasts have clearly illustrated the vulnerability of human life. On that “Black Thursday”, Assam was “drenched in blood”; she was left “scarred and scorched” with scores dead. We empathize with those who have suffered indescribable pain and sorrow. We strongly condemn the perpetrators of violence.
Christian Response to Violence
Of late, our Country has suffered horrific attacks of evil forces. Sadly enough, our law enforcement agencies repeatedly underestimate the organizational and technical capabilities such forces. Despicably, our politicians are ready to use those occasions to further their political clout and power. Blasts continue to be on the rise; tension is on its escalating scale. In times like this, the Christian response has always been incessant prayer coupled with positive action. All need peace. All need to pray for peace. All need to live in peace. Viswadeep, the institute of youth ministry and faith education, Bangalore, has requested us to join the World Rosary Campaign. The Campaign is about praying rosaries both for the persecuted Christians and persecutors of Christians of India. Please instruct your parish community to join the effort of the world catholic community. Your pledge of praying rosaries may be reported by email () or SMS (09448815694). Thank you for taking time to express your gesture of love and concern.
Catalysts for Peace
In the context of rising violence, it is important for us to become catalysts of change and leaders of positive action. Our institutions have the rarest opportunity to offer a leading role in educating the young minds about peace. Today, there is a greater need for us to teach children to overcome anger and to rise above destructive desires and designs. I urge all those in the apostolate of education to explore the possibility of offering a curriculum on peace in all our schools. The rising escalation of violence and communal disharmony invite us also to enter into a collaborative approach with our neighboring communities, civil authorities, and leaders of other religious faith. May the people of our Country learn to live in peace! May we take a lead in promoting peace through our apostolates.
Provincial Chapter Focus 2008-2009
Revitalizing our community and strengthening of community living has been a solemn pledge that we undertook during the Provincial Chapter 2008. Each member of the province has a share in this task. I appeal to the generosity of each confrere to make this dream a reality among us. We are gifts to each other. We are to learn to treasure the gift of each other more. In order to give a fresh focus to this aspect, a Plaque with the following inscription has been sent to all the communities:
“In our striving to build up an authentic Fransalian religious community, bonded in charity and mutual respect, we pledge to make a genuine effort to honor and value the gift of every person, and graciously welcome the diverse manifestations of the gift of the Holy Spirit in each confrere.”
A heartfelt and authentic appreciation is crucial to our community living; it demands that we consciously take certain steps to improve our personal life on a daily basis. In Circular FT06/A, I had invited everyone in the Province to the starting of a new custom among us: “at the end of a busy day’s work and duty, take time for appreciating one another”. As we strive for that goal in our communities, let this Plaque serve as a loving reminder to all of us.
Our Gift to the Church in the Pauline Year
I am fascinated by the words of St. Paul, who offers an elegant articulation of the gift of the other: “If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and common mind… There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead”(Phil 2:1-4). In this regard, let us not hesitate to take some personal initiatives and learn to celebrate the gift of others in our communities. Let our growth in appreciation for each other become our gift to the celebration of the Pauline Year in the Church. In this year, we shall also take some steps to honor all our catechists, who have served and continue to serve our missions. I request the apostolic communities to plan and organize an event at which our catechists can be honored and appreciated.
Reasons to Rejoice and Celebrate: Eight Candidates for Ordination
If God willing, by the second week of Jan 2009, the Province will be blessed with eight more priests, who will be ordained in their own home parishes. As we all know, many persons have accompanied them in their walk toward priesthood. The Province raises its heart in gratitude to all of them. Moreover, as priests we are always enveloped in the prayers and support of so many persons; often we do not realize how blessed and rich we are! We thank God for the gift of our new priests to the Province and joyfully look forward to their fresh journey with us ahead. It is a joy and honor for me to welcome these new priests for the service of God and people. The following paragraphs provide some basic information on the ordinandi:
Deacon Ambiyil Shaju Varghese
Dn. Shaju Varghese Ambiyil was born on 25-01-1981 as the youngest child of VD Varghese and Thresiamma Ambiyil. He is a member of St. Joseph Church, Kariyathumpara, Kerala in the diocese of Thamarassery. After completing the high school studies in 1997, he joined Vinaya Bhavan seminary, Thamarassery in Kerala. He made his first religious profession on 07-06-2001 at MSFS Novitiate, Chabua, Assam. Upon the completion of philosophy at Suvidya College, Bangalore, he was sent for regency at SFS Parish and School, Silapathar, Assam. In July 2005, Shaju was sent to MSFS Study House, Shillong to pursue his theology course at Oriens Theological College and was ordained a deacon on 22-05-2008. Having successfully completed his theology course, Shaju will be ordained a priest on 31st December 2008, at St. Joseph’s Church, Kariyathumpara, by Mar Paul Chittilapilly, Bishop of Thamarassery.
Deacon Bashena Adani James
Dn. Adani James was born on 21-12-1980, as the third child of S. Lowli and Asiisa, of Daili Village, Manipur. He is a member of the SFS parish, Kangpokpi, in the Archdiocese of Imphal. He joined M.S.F.S. Seminary Medziphema Nagaland, in 1995 and completed his high school studies in 1998. He completed the initial stages of formation from MSFS Seminary, Umroi, Meghalaya, in 2000. He made his first religious profession on 07-06-2001 at MSFS Novitiate, Chabua, Assam. He finished the study of philosophy from Suvidya College, Bangalore and did regency at SFS Church, Tening, Nagaland. In July 2005, Adani was sent to MSFS Study House, Shillong to pursue his theology course at Oriens Theological College. He was ordained a Deacon on 22-05-2008. Having successfully completed his theology course, Adani James will be ordained a priest on 20th December 2008, at Christ the King Church, Mao Gate, by Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, Archbishop of Imphal.
Deacon Eattikkattil Antony Joseph
Dn. Antony Joseph was born on 05-09-1980, at Goodalloor as the fourth child of Joseph and Mary Eattikkattil. He hails from St. Joseph Church Nooramthode, Kerala in the diocese of Thamarassery. After completing the high school studies in 1997, he joined Vinaya Bhavan, Thamarassery, Kerala. He made his first religious profession on 07-06-2001 at MSFS Novitiate, Chabua, Assam. He also completed philosophy at Suvidya College, Bangalore and was assigned for regency at Holy Rosary Church, Purul, Manipur. In July 2005, Antony was sent to MSFS Study House, Shillong to pursue his theology course at Oriens Theological College. He was ordained a Deacon on 22-05-2008. Having successfully completed his theology course, Antony Joseph will be ordained a priest on 29th December 2008, at St. Joseph’s Church, Nooramthode, by Mar Paul Chittilappilly, Bishop of Thamarassery.
Deacon Madappallil James Shijo
Dn. James Shijo was born on 23-12-1981, as the eldest child of Joseph and Mary Madappallil. He hails from Therthally, Alakode, and belongs to Little Flower Forane Church, Marygiri, Kerala in the diocese of Tellicherry. After completing his high school studies in 1997, he joined Vinaya Bhavan, Thamarassery, Kerala. He made his first religious profession on 07-06-2001 at MSFS Novitiate, Chabua, Assam. He had his philosophy course at Suvidya College, Bangalore and the practical training at SFS Church, Nongalbibra, Garo Hills, Meghalaya. In July 2005, James Shijo was sent to MSFS Study House, Shillong to pursue his theology course at Oriens Theological College. He was ordained a Deacon on 22-05-2008. Having successfully completed his theology course, James will be ordained a priest on 3rd January 2009, at Little Flower Forane Church, Marygiri, by Mar George Valiyamattam, Archbishop of Tellicherry.
Deacon Ngade Benjamine Nakho
Dn. Benjamine was born on 10-03-1979, as the youngest child of Khoho John and Khanai Mary. He hails from Purul Atongba Village, of Holy Rosary Parish, Purul, Manipur in the Archdiocese of Imphal. He joined MSFS Seminary, Medziphema, in the year 1995. He did his High School in S.F.S School Medziphema, Nagaland. After the high school studies in 1998, he joined M.S.F.S. Seminary Umroi, and completed his minor seminary from MSFS Seminary, Umroi, Meghalaya in the year 2000. He made his first religious profession on 07-06-2001 at MSFS Novitiate, Chabua, Assam. He did philosophy course at Suvidya College, Bangalore and regency at St. Paul’s Church, Peren, Nagaland. In August 2005, Benjamine was sent to MSFS Study House, Shillong, to pursue his theology course at Oriens Theological College. He was ordained a Deacon on 22-05-2008. Having successfully completed his theology course, Benjamine will be ordained a priest on 3rd January 2009, at Good Shepherd Church Purul Atongba, Holy Rosary Parish, by Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, Archbishop of Imphal.
Deacon Raising Jacob
Dn. Jacob was born on 14-02-1974, as the Sixth child of Maringthuk and Leiyaphi and hails from Poi Village, Holy Spirit Parish, Longpi in the Archdiocese of Imphal, Manipur. After completing his high school studies in Holy Spirit School Longpi in 1997, he joined Vinaya Bhavan, Thamarassery, Kerala, and in the year 1998 he came to M.S.F.S. Seminary Umroi, Meghalaya. He made his first religious profession on 07-06-2001 at MSFS Novitiate, Chabua, Assam. He completed philosophy course at Suvidya College, Bangalore and regency at SFS Church, Telam, Assam. In August 2005, Jacob was sent to MSFS Study House, Shillong to pursue his theology course at Oriens Theological College. He was ordained a Deacon on 22-05-2008. Having successfully completed his theology course, Jacob will be ordained a priest on 11th January 2009 at Good Shepherd Church, Poi, Holy Spirit Parish Longpi, by Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, Archbishop of Imphal.
Deacon Saprünamai Ashihe Andrew
Dn. Ashihe Andrew was born on 20-10-1976, as the fourth child of late Dihe and Lidzüsa and hails from Punanamai Village, Senapati, of St. Mary’s Parish, Mao, in the Archdiocese of Imphal, Manipur. In 1993 he joined SFS Seminary, Medziphema, Nagaland, and did high school studies. In the year 1997, he was admitted to MSFS Seminary Umroi, Meghalaya for continuing the initial stage of formation. He made his first religious profession on 07-06-2001 at MSFS Novitiate, Chabua, Assam. He did philosophy course at Suvidya College, Bangalore and regency was at SFS Seminary, Medziphema, Nagaland. In August 2005, Andrew was sent to MSFS Study House, Shillong to pursue his theology course at Oriens Theological College. He was ordained a Deacon on 22-05-2008. Having successfully completed his theology course, Andrew will be ordained a priest on 20th December 2008, at Christ King Church, Mao Gate, by Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, Archbishop of Imphal.
Deacon Albert Sahayaraj
Dn. Albert was born on 05-12-1978, as the first child of Antony Samy and Amalorpava Mary and belongs to St. John De Britto Church, Kalaiyarkoil in the Diocese of Sivagangai. After completing his high school studies in 1998, he joined MSFS Minor Seminary, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu. He made his first religious profession on 07-06-2001 at MSFS Novitiate, Chabua, Assam. He completed his philosophy course at Suvidya College, Bangalore and was assigned at St. Francis Xavier Church, Bashbari, Assam fro regency. In August 2005, Albert was sent to MSFS Study House, Shillong to pursue his theology course at Oriens Theological College. He was ordained a Deacon on 22-05-2008. Having successfully completed his theology course, Albert will be ordained a priest on 5th January 2009, at St. John De Britto Church, Kalayarkoil, by Rt. Rev. J. Susai Manickam, Bishop of Sivagangai.
Fr. George Panthanmackel Secures another Doctoral Degree
“Indian Metaphysics,” according to Dr. George Panthanmackel, “is expressed through a rich variety of thoughts and practices that have developed over more than three thousand years. There is no single Indian metaphysics, but rather a plurality of ways of understanding and relating to Being from a stock of widely held ideas, especially as reflected in the Vedas and Upanishads.” With his thesis, COMING AND GOING OF TADEKAM: An Investigation into Indian Metaphysics, Fr. George has secured a doctoral degree in philosophy from the University of Bangalore, under the guidance of Prof. Vincent G Furtado. An hour and a half long defense of the thesis took place on 15th October, 2008. The whole Province joins to congratulate Father George in the successful completion of his second doctoral degree in philosophy. Hearty Congratulations to you Father George! May your learning become a blessing to many more!
Meeting with the Scholastics at Suvidya, Bangalore
I had the opportunity to meet with 35 of our young confreres, who are pursuing their philosophical training at Suvidya College, Bangalore. The staff members who are responsible for their formation have expressed satisfaction over their progress. Particularly, we are grateful to Fathrs George Panthanmackel, Joseph Thekkel and Emmanuel Uppanthadathil for the unflinching guidance and supervision they have given to our young confreres. Let us also pledge our support to all our young confreres in formation.
Provincial Congresses of Three Provinces
The Provinces of East Africa, Pune and Nagpur have successfully concluded their Provincial Congresses. Each has elected a fresh administration to assist the respective Provincial in the governance of the Province. I had the opportunity to participate in the deliberations of the Provincial Congresses of Pune and Nagpur. It is very heartening to “listen” to the life pulse of each Province and learn a little more about the courageous witness of our confreres, who work in various parts of our country. Thank you dear confreres for your religious commitment! Let all our Provinces grow to greater heights of religious commitment and priestly fervor.
New Administrative Teams of East Africa, Pune and Nagpur Provinces
At the 5th ordinary congress of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales of East African Province, the following confreres were elected: Jacob Thekkekara (Councilor and admonitor), Johnson pathiyil(Councilor), Regi Pendanath (Councilor), Sunny Mattathil (Councilor). Jose Eriyanickal was elected as Bursar of the province.
At the 5th ordinary congress of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales of Pune Province, the following confreres were elected: Jerson D’Souza (Admonitor and councilor), Terrie Pinto (Councilor), Daiy Sebastian (Councilor), Daniel Alphonso (Councilor), and Fr. Sunny Kulangarath (Bursar).
At the Provincial Congress 2008 of Nagpur province, the following confreres were elected: Jacob Karamkuzhiyil (Councilor and admonitor), Joseph Plattottam (Councilor), John Britto Muthuswamy (Councilor), and Melroy Almeida (Councilor). David Paul is re-elected as Provincial Bursar.
Hearty Congratulations to you dear confreres! We wish you success and pray that your ministry may help the Province and its confreres.