NORTHEAST INDIA PROVINCE, MSFS PROVINCIALATE
GPO Box No. 308, GUWAHATI – 781 001
Tel: 0361 2648507 / Fax 0361 2648510
Email:/
FT/48 – Circular – February, 2013
Dear Confreres,
Greetings! The 19th General Chapter of the Congregation came to its close on 15th Feb 2013. The Chapter has given us all a new team of General administration. It has also offered a set of new orientations for carrying out the mission of the Lord through our consecration in the communities. A return to living the basics of religious life in the context of the mission has found a new thrust in all the deliberations. The Chapter has also proposed innovation in various aspects of our life, mission and witness. It has placed a fresh emphasis on networking and collaboration, sharing personnel and pooling of material resources for giving a brand new visibility to the Charismatic expressions of the Congregation. Such a visibility is achievable only when each member is able to look beyond the boundaries of the respective Province and its concerns. The Chapter highlights, especially in the context emerging trends in the world, that networking and collaboration is, no more an option, but imperative. Moreover, it has proposed a new road map for bringing innovation in mission, life style, community living, spiritual leadership and the manner we carry out the various apostolates. The entire Congregation must embrace this road map to take the New Governance to a new level of implementation so that Good Governance becomes a reality.
The General Chapter was held at Nirmala Dyaan Sadan, at Medchal, Hyderabad from Feb 01-15, 2013. In all, 38 Capitulants participated in the two-week long program. Two of the ex officio members were absent due to ill health. Eleven of the thirteen invitees were present to offer a firsthand account on select topics or concerns. Indeed, the General Chapter was well organized and the participants took part actively with genuine interest in the growth of the Congregation. The steady progress of the Congregation sounded loud in the floor of the Chapter; and several plans were voiced forth for taking this concern to the attention of every member of the Congregation. We thank God for directing the Capitulants to remain ever open to the spirit of God, and assisting them to take bold steps for guiding the members. For more details on the directives of the General Chapter, we shall wait for the Circular letter from the Superior General.
The New Superior General and General Administration
The 19th General chapter has elected a team of confreres to the General administration of the Congregation with Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Vettuvelil, as superior General. Fr. Vettuvelil becomes the 14th Superior General of the Congregation. Let us assure him of our love and continuous support. May he guide the members of the Congregation to a greater fidelity to living the Charism!
The Chapter also elected the following confreres to assist the Superior General in the governance of the Congregation: Very Rev. Fr. Mariadass Thumma reddy (Assistant General), Very Rev. Fr. Noel Rebello, (General Secretary for Formation), Very Rev. Fr. George Parapukattil (General secretary for Education), Very Rev. Fr. Jose Kumblolickal (General secretary for Social apostolate and Innovative Ministries), Very Rev. Fr. Jayaseelan, (General secretary for Mission), and Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Mangat (General Bursar). In the name of the members of the Northeast India province, I congratulate the General Curia members and assure them of our prayers and support
Pilgrimages to Ross Hill Chapel and Yanam
After the completion of the General Chapter, the Capitualants took on pilgrimage to two of the sacred sites- Ross Hill Chapel, and Yanam, where the first MSFS missionaries arrived in India.
On 16th February, the Capitulants visited the Ross hill Chapel and prayed together to Mary, the Mother of Compassion. The hill, which has been named after Monsieur Ross, has a history of faith. The beautiful Chapel built by Monsieur Ross on the hill in 1864 is dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. Today, it is a historical pilgrimage center in the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam and it draws numerous pilgrims and visitors each year. An iron cross is erected at the top of the hill. The trail to the Shrine is strewn with Catholic icons. A Museum which houses valuable artifacts offered by devotees is also present here. The peaceful atmosphere is very soothing and helps one to enter into a deeper reflection and prayer. Today, the Ross Hill also has a temple and a mosque, and the port on the right side. A drive up to the hill will offer every visitor a panoramic view of the harbour
On 17th February, the Capitulants travelled to Yanam. Yanam is a town in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. The region, which covers an area of 30.0 Sq. kilometers, has a population of 31,362 according to the 2001 census. The entire region, consisting of Yanam town and six villages is treated as Municipality for purposes of local administration. Yanam bears a unique blend of French and Telugu culture and has a history of 300 years; and it is well known as French Yanam even now although it was transferred to India in 1954.
The four hour-long journey took the Capitulants to Yanam through Pitapuram, an msfs mission. At Yanam, we celebrated the holy Eucharist in the Church. The small church, which bears the French style architecture, was built by our missionaries. The Church has a crypt of Fr. Jacob Martin, the first Mission Superior who died after a few months of his arrival in India. The first batch of six French MSFS missionaries came to India on 8th September 1845. About two kilometers away from the Church, there is a cemetery which has the mortal remains of some of our French missionaries who were also buried along with several French nationals. The Capitulants visited the cemetery and paid homage to our earlier missionaries. Today the cemetery is a heritage place.
175th Anniversary Celebration at St. Aloysius School, Vizag
On 16th February 2013, the Capitulatants were joined by the religious, priests and people of surrounding areas of Visakhapatnam at St. Aloysius School to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation. St. Aloysius School was one of the first schools opened by the msfs missionaries in Visakhapatnam. The courtyard of the school had a festive look, and on the well decorated stage, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated by the Superior General and the curia members. Several Priests and religious of the diocese joined the MSFS confreres to celebrate the event. Archbishop Mallavarapu Prakash of Visakhapatnam also joined for the felicitation program and the fellowship meal. We appreciate the efforts taken by Fr. Simon Paicat, the Provincial and the confreres of Vishakhapatnam province in arranging these events so well.
Gratitude to Fr. Agnelo Fernandes, the former Superior General
Very Rev. Fr. Agnelo Fernades has served the Congregation as Superior General for the last twelve years. Under his dynamic leadership, the Congregation has experienced incredible growth and development. During the Chapter, the delegates profusely expressed their gratitude to the outgoing Superior General for his patient and loving guidance of the Congregation. The Congregation has been immensely enriched by this great “Fransalian”. Acknowledging his historic, compassionate and spiritual leadership, Fr. Agnelo Fernades was given a standing ovation by the Delegates at the floor of the assembly. The Members of Northeast India Province joins everyone in appreciating the person of Very Rev. Fr. Agnelo Fernandes and his immense contribution to the entire Congregation. Well done, faithful servant! Dear father, for your personal love and concern to all of us in the Northeast Province, we offer our sincere gratitude.
Installation of Father Sunny Thomas as Parish Priest in Switzerland
After seven years in Switzerland and having done ministry in 3 parishes, Fr. Sunny Panthanazhivadekethil was officially installed as parish priest at Turbenthal, in the Swiss canton of Zurich on October 10, 2012. He had been serving this parish community for the past one year as its vicar. This became an occasion for a great celebration for the parish community. The day started very well, although it had snowed a lot during the night before and the day was cold but completely sunny! What a perfect scene for Father Sunny’s installation in his parish!
The first parishioners and guests arrived early, and soon the church was packed and spare chairs had to be brought in. Those arriving last had to stand in the back of the Church. The Church was decorated with white and yellow flowers, the choir and instruments highlighted the festiveness of the occasion. Father Hugo Gehring, the Dean with whom Father Sunny worked as assistant during his first 3 years in Switzerland, officiated at the Holy Eucharist. The mass, celebrated with the Salesian theme “bloom where you are planted”, was beautifully connected to the ministry of Fr. Sunny as well as to his congregational patron St. Francis De Sales.
The ceremony of installation was held during the mass. The main celebrant presented the Bible to Father Sunny as sign of his mission to preach the Gospel, and the key of the tabernacle as a symbol of the new responsibility towards the parish.
After the mass, the participants were invited to the town hall – as the parish hall was too small for such an event – for drinks and food. Approximately 200 people followed the invitation. Several speeches were given- all of them congratulating Father Sunny with gifts and well wishes.
It was a joy and pleasure to be present and witness the warm welcome given by the parishioners to their new parish priest. Father Sunny looked very happy and overwhelmed; and no doubt, he enjoyed the day very much. (Reported by Mrs. Kathrin Joye from Switzerland)
Jubilees of Ordination and Religious profession
The Province is blessed to have its first Golden jubilarian in the person of Very Rev.Fr Abraham Mullenkuzhy. Fathers Thomas Aerathedathu, Joy Velicakathu and Devasia Manalel are entering their Silver Jubilee of their priestly ordination. We thank God for the gift of our confreres who have served the Province through their priestly ministry. As announced in the previous Circular(FT/47), the Province level celebration of the Jubilee will take place soon after the second retreat on 20th July 2013 evening, at MSFS Study House, Mawroh, Shillong. All the confreres are invited to join the celebration of the Golden and Silver Jubilee of our confreres. I am also glad to inform that Fathers Sudhir John Kullu, Corbinus Soreng and George Thayilkuzhithottu are celebrating the Silver jubilee of their religious profession. All the jubilarians are requested to attend the second retreat. We shall have the opportunity to appreciate them also during the felicitation program after the second retreat.
Rev.Fr Abraham Mullenkuzhy
Fr. Abraham, born at Anickadu on 13th July 1938 as the second child of Joseph and Mary, belongs to St. Mary’s Church, Anickadu, Kerala, in the Diocese of Kanjirappally. After his matriculation, he joined St. Joseph’s Mission Home, Pala in 1953. Later, he pursued his philosophical studies in St. John’s Seminary, Nellore. In 1959 he was admitted for Novitiate at Salesianum, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and made his first religious profession on 24th April 1960. He did his theological Studies at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune and made perpetual profession on 24th April 1963. After the completion of the theological studies he was ordained a priest on 23th September 1963. Fr. Abraham will be completing the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination on 23th September 2013. He completed his studies from various Universities: B.Sc (Kerala University), B.Ed (Mysore University), and M.A (Mysore University)
Father Abraham has held several administrative responsibilities in the Congregation- General councilor, Regional Superior, Vice Provincial and Provincial. Acclaimed as an excellent teacher of many subjects, he has taught both in schools and seminaries. During his service in Andhra Pradesh, the “Best Teacher’s Award” was conferred on him. As an avid reader, he has a first-rate grasp of the social and religious issues; and also keeps himself abreast with national and international affairs. Currently, Father Abraham renders his service to LCI, Arusha in Tanzania. In his acceptance to serve the LCI community, Father Abraham has also given expression to the daring missionary dynamism of the Congregation. We are indeed proud of you dear Father!
Fr. Abraham’s assignments and the centers of work
Sl. No. / Place of Appointment / Designation / Period1 / Fatimagiri, Nilambur (Philosophate) / Professor / 1967 – 1971
2 / St. Aloysius School, Visakhapatnam / Teacher / 1971 – 1972
3 / N. H. Boy’s School, Nizamabad / Headmaster / 1973 – 1981
4 / LRG School, Anantapur / Headmaster / 1981 – 1982
5 / Guwahati, Assam / Regional Superior / 1983
6 / SFS Bhavan, Sreenagar, Guwahati / Vice - Provincial / 1984-1990
7 / Suvidya College, Bangalore
Vinaya Bhavan Seminary Thamarassery, Kerala / Staff
Rector / 1990 – 1992
1992-1994
8 / Suvidya College, Bangalore / Rector / 1994 - 2000
9 / St.Patrick Church,Norcross,USA / Co-Pastor / 2000-2002
10 / MSFS Provincialate, Guwahati / Provincial / 2002 – 2008
11 / Vinayabhavan Seminary, Thamarassery, Kerala / Rector / 2008 – 2010/9
12 / Lumen Christi Institute, Arusha, Tanzania / On the Staff / 2010/9- Present
1. Fr. Thomas Aerathedathu
Fr. Thomas, born at Anakkallu on 8th April 1961 as the eighth child of Michael and Claramma, belongs to St. Antony’s Church, Anakkallu, Kerala, in the Diocese of Kanjirapally. After his matriculation, he joined SFS Seminary Ettumanoor in 1976. In 1979 he was admitted for Novitiate at Salesianum, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and made his first religious profession on 10th June 1980. He pursued his philosophical studies in Morning Star College, Calcutta. He completed his B.Ed from St. Xavier’s Calcutta in 1984. Before he joined the St. Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bangalore for his theological studies in 1985, he did one year of regency at SFS Church, Jonai, Assam. He made his perpetual profession on 5th June 1985. He was ordained deacon at Vinayalaya, Bangalore on 4th June 1988 by Rt. Rev. Mathew Cheriankunnel. After the completion of the theological studies he was ordained a priest on 8th April 1989 at St. Antony’s Church, Anakkallu, Kerala by Rt. Rev. Mathew Vattakuzhy. He has completed his doctorate in theology from Innsbruck University, Austria in the year 1999. Fr. Thomas will be completing the silver jubilee of his ordination on 8th April 2014.