Dear Confreres,
Greetings from Samarpanaram, Bangalore.
We just celebrated a great day with two important events, the Assumption of our Mother to heaven and our 61 years of independence. On this twin feast I greet each of you Happy feast of Assumption of Mother Mary and Happy Independence Day. This moment let us spare a minute and think of all these years how responsibly we have conducted ourselves and shouldered our duties as Indian citizens and as a Catholic in the nation building.
I feel at the moment the Indian Church is faced with growing persecutions of various kinds both direct and indirect in the various parts of our country. Barely a few days ago one Fr. Thomas CMI was murdered in the hands of ruthless criminals in Andhra and as I am writing these lines, I am aware that there are many nuns, priests and Christians living in the forests of Orissa fearing the Hindu fundamentalists. There was a woman and a man burned to death a few days back, a few other Christians killed, a nun molested by a gang, a priest succumbed to serious injuries, churches and properties of the church and Christians destroyed, Christian people living in fear! Even the Church of Kerala today is persecuted by false campaign to tarnish the image of the church and it’s institutions by spreading false propaganda and by other unjust means, mainly by the law makers and their parties.
It looks like in India the church going back to a time when she was persecuted. The Church basically grew taking life from the blood of the martyrs. It is in this context we just celebrated our independence day and the feast of Assumption. May be the graces of her assumption by the merit of out ardent and incessant prayers can make these twin celebrations to be celebrated more meaningfully in the future.
Is India free today? Moving a little away from the aspect of religious freedom India is also faced with countless problems and we see everywhere absence of peace and development. I feel in spite of being a persecuted religious minority each one of us has a role to play in the building up of our nation. Our great tradition of non-violence coupled with the Christian value of love can play the role of yeast of love and forgiveness in our country, which is to be first practiced in our own lives to one another with the help of our blessed Mother.
Following the model of our heavenly patron, St. Francis de Sales and our holy founders we are today called to live and spread the message of Christ, “we must reprint the gospel” that’s the wish of Good Mother. And we have a unique means to fulfill this call, that is by our faithful living of the Directory, “Directory lived by you, lived for souls that you guide, for the whole society, in whose midst your influence takes place……” Here I am reminded of what our Superior General wrote in his preface to the new General Directory. ‘Take the gospel to every person with whom you come into contact, take the Gospel from one person to another and also word, in the companionship of St. Paul, St. Francis de Sales, the Good Mother. You will discover that the Directory, the living of the Directory is precisely the art capable of making the Gospel reach souls. Preach the Gospel with the Directory and by the Directory: the presence of God, Right intention, frequent loving union of our will with the will of God. May our religious practice the Directory, and may this practice encompass his whole life. The Directory is not something else but the Gospel carried out and lived. This is not a simple devotion, a simple pious practice. It is the complete, total and fully living of Christian life. Practice it, because it is life. It is the pulsing heart in the Christian body. It is the breathing of the heart”.
We, the Oblates in Indian region are very young and energetic and each one of us is really eager to contribute our life and talents to the growth of our mission as well as for the well being of our country. We must act vigorously to achieve our goal of bringing strong presence of ours to the Indian society, so that as Oblates we can work against the cancers in the society that destroys our country. As St. Francis de Sales took up the challenge courageously to bring an end to Calvinism, we should take up the mission of bringing an awareness of freedom on each one’s mind. Therefore it is a need today to recommit ourselves to our Christian values, to our Spiritual directory and our constitutions, so that we live more faithfully to our commitments and contribute to the growth of the church in India and to help church to face our present challenges with courage. United together we can move forward and bring into reality our dreams and visions as Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.
With these few lines now I wish to let you know what is happening in the region and around the world.
Unification of Provinces and Regions, in the assembly held at Fockenfeld last week, the Swiss community officially merged with the Austrian – South German Province. A similar process is taking place between the Austrian – South German Province and German Province, and Keimoes and Keetmanshoop Regions. The official unification will be on July 1, 2009 and November 21, 2008 respectively. These are important moments in the history of our life. Let us keep in our prayers the confreres of these provinces and regions.
Samarpanaram, after many years in Salespuram with classes and in the midst of many ongoing activities throughout the day, it is a strange experience to be here. The morning hours are very quiet. What really encouraging is living with the young, vibrant and enthusiastic brothers who are the hope and future of our congregation in India. Of course the cheerful and smiling hostel kids adds joy to the living and lift up the spirit. Though, during the day, Samarpanaram is really quiet, other times are in the midst of hectic academic and other activities. The philosophers are busy in completing their dissertation and are already in the exam mood. The BA students are busy with their studies. I see them always working with the assignments and home works. Some of them are going to a TV station to experience and learn the recording of programmes etc. Fr. Josef is away for CMF meetings and well deserved holidays and will come back to the community in the first week of September. Fr. Regi has settled well with his teaching ministry in the SFS School, Hebbagody.
Salespuram is full in its capacity this year. All the four students’ cottages are full. And Salespuram staff, under the leadership of Fr. Vincent Kumar, is helping the students to get in touch with Jesus and religious life, promoting growth in their spiritual, academic and intellectual development of brothers.
Bliss Study House; in the last Advisory Board Meeting we decided to close down Bliss Study House in Mangalore. Our search for a property, which is affordable for us, has not found its success, we still keep looking. I am aware of the painful process of closing down and adjusting to the new places. The rector of St. Joseph College has accepted our request to accommodate Bros. Mathias and Rayappa and they too are willing to live with other seminarians. I know, Fr. Fred will miss Mangalore, but we will benefit him more in Samarpanaram. Fr. Fred is leaving for holidays to United States and Brazil in this weekend. Deacon John George is preparing for his ordination to priesthood. He will be ordained on the 7th of January 2009 by Bishop Lawrance Mukkuzhy, Bishop of Belthangady. Please keep him in your prayers
Regents have begun their ministries in their respective places. They are entrusted with the MSFS North East Province and all are working in the parishes, schools and hostels. Bros. Bala Prasad and George Thomas are placed in Meghalaya, Thambi Joseph in Nagaland and Johnson Mathew in Manipur. They all have adjusted well to the new places and are doing well. Please find their addresses in the attached list. Our two regents in Salespuram Br. Dennis and Stanislaus are also doing well, guiding our young brothers.
Brisson Nilayam, we are still waiting for the final approval from the general Council to begin the construction at Eluru. We have an architectural plan of the building and have found the contractors in Eluru. Fr. Bala Dande will stay at St. Francis College and will supervise the construction. Br. Bijesh has well adjusted to the life of the new Major Seminary and Br. Jayraj, with his vast experience, has certainly helped Bijesh to make him feel well in the new place. They both are doing very well.
New Apostolate at Vangutur, the General Council and the Bishop of Vijayawada have officially approved our first apostolate effort in the diocese of Vijayawada. Soon we will make the contract with the diocese and Fr. Xavier Manchu osfs will start living and working at our new parish. It is our first attempt to spread the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and of our Holy Founders at a new place with our unique presence and works. It is a pastoral outreach for our young Oblate priests, to help in the faith formation and deepening of the laity, to contribute to the social transformation of the people and society by our ministry to the poor and through social development programmes. My prayerful best wishes to Fr. Xavier Manchu.
Fr. Bruzily is attending a 10 months course for formators and counselors at NVSC, Pune. I hear from his sometimes; he is doing well.
Fr. Chandrashekhar was reappointed as assistant parish priest at Infant Jesus Cathedral, Guntur Diocese until May 2009. The Bishop is very happy to have him there that the bishop asked us if we would allow him to continue there for another year.
Fr. Baiju Puthussery has begun his teaching experience in Salesianum School. He will continue to stay at St. Anthony of Padua community.
Fr. John Sankarathil, after successfully defending his thesis is now engaged in translating and publishing his thesis in English and French.
Fr. Shaju is doing well at Rome. I hear from him occasionally. At present he is attending a three months intensive Italian course at Perugia.
5th Member in the Advisory Board, after talking with the advisory Board I have appointed Fr. Vincent Kumar to the place of Fr. Shaju as the member of the advisory Board. He has accepted the appointment. We welcome him in this ministry wholeheartedly. I hope his insights will certainly of good help to us to make good decisions.
New member for Peace and Justice Issues, Fr. Mathew Mukkath was elected as the new member for peace and justice issues. I will try to combine this ministry together with my office as the delegate superior.
Concluding of Fr. Brisson Year, Salespuram community has agreed to host the concluding celebrations of the Centenary of our founder Fr. Brisson. All the fathers and scholastics are invited for this special event. We have invited Fr. Jim Cryan to officiate the celebrations.
Congratulations:
To Fr. Vincent Kumar who completed his Masters in Psychology and Counseling from Bangalore University with 75%.
To Fr. Michael Ettathottu who completed his Masters in Social Work from Mangalore University with 70%
To Fr. John Sankarathil on his successful defense of his Thesis and completion of his Doctorate in Salesian Spirituality from Freiburg University, Switzerland
We congratulate them and wish them all the best.
Events to know:
- 08th September – Nativity of Mother Mary
- 07th October – Death Anniversary of Mary de Sales Chappuis
- 12th October – Founders’ Day OSFS, Canonization of Alphonsa
- 16th October – St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Let us pray for the departed:
- 19th June 2008. Fr. William W. Lanphear [Toledo Pr.] 70 years of old, Ann Arbor - Hospital Chaplain
- 9th July 2008, Fr. Bernard F. Donahue, Wilmington Province, 78 years old, Professor.
- 7th August 2008, Fr. John A. Beattie [Wilmington Pr.] 70 years of old, Fort Myers - High School Teacher
Thoughts from our Holy Founder
The Directory is our heritage and our treasure.
It is essentially that we enter fully into all the thoughts of the Directory….
All that we do must be done in His sight, under his gaze, and through love of Him. Then our whole soul will be so to speak, surrounded and penetrated with God.
In all that we do we will be aware of God’s presence.
Blessings of God on you and on all that you do,
With fraternal regards,
Fr. Mathew Mukkathu osfs
Email: oblatesindia@aol.com
PS: Visit our homepage on www.osfs-india.net for the latest pictures and news.
RESIDENCIAL ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS
Samarpanaram Tel.: 0091 80-(2)78.32.450
Hosur Road Fax: 0091 80-(2)78.32.550
Chandapura PO
560 081 Bangalore India
1 |
Bandanadam, Prasad |
Scholastic |
24 |
Indian M. |
prasabosfs@rediffmail.com |
2 |
Choorakunnel, Reji |
Priest |
33 |
Indian M. |
choorakunnel@rediffmail.com |
3 |
Dande, Bala Swamy |
Priest |
35 |
Indian M. |
balaxyz@rediffmail.com |
4 |
Gali, John |
Scholastic |
24 |
Indian M. |
galiosfs@rediffmail.com |
5 |
Kala, Sleeva Raju |
Scholastic |
21 |
Indian M. |
kalaosfs@rediffmail.com |
6 |
Költringer, Josef |
Priest |
48 |
Austrian Pr. |
koeltringer@osfs.at |
7 |
Manchu, Xavier |
Priest |
32 |
Indian M. |
manchuosfs@rediffmail.com |
8 |
Mukkath, Mathew |
Priest |
34 |
Indian M. |
oblatesindia@aol.com |
9 |
Mukulath, Asish Augustine |
Scholastic |
22 |
Indian M. |
asishosfs@rediffmail.com |
10 |
Paulraj, A. |
Scholastic |
23 |
Indian M. |
|
11 |
Vettukallamkuzhy, Lalson Joseph |
Scholastic |
21 |
Indian M. |
lalsonjoseph@rediffmail.com |
Salespuram Tel.: 0091 490-24.20.856
Vallithode Fax: 0091 490-24.21.067
Kiliyanthara P.O.
670 706 Kannur Dt. India
1 |
Eattathott, Maichael M. |
Priest |
37 |
Indian M. |
mikeosfs@gmail.com |
2 |
Karakkattu, Dennis Jose |
Regent |
24 |
Indian M. |
senzosfs@rediffmail.com |
3 |
Kumar, A. Vincent |
Priest |
32 |
Indian M. |
vincekum@yahoo.com |
4 |
Bandanadam, Stanislas |
Regent |
25 |
Indian M. |
stanzosfs@rediffmail.com |
St. Francis College Tel.: 0091 8812.22.54.21
Eluru 534 475
Janampeta, West Godawari Dt. India
1 |
Arepalli, Jayaraj |
Scholastic |
29 |
Indian M. |
manikumarraj@rediffmail.com |
2 |
Koonakiyil, Bijesh Thomas |
Scholastic |
25 |
Indian M. |
bijosfs@rediffmail.com |
Bliss - OSFS Study House for Theologians Tel.: 0091 824.24.14.395
Seminary View, 1st Cross Fax: 0091 824.24.14.391
Jeppu
575 002 Mangalore India
1 |
Kadavumkandathil, John George |
Deacon |
29 |
Indian M. |
johnosfs@gmail.com |
2 |
Kumar, Mathias I. |
Scholastic |
28 |
Indian M. |
mathias4u@rediffmail.com |
3 |
Smuda, Alfred J. |
Priest |
70 |
Wilmington Pr. |
fredsmuda@gmail.com |
4 |
Yeruva, Rayappareddy |
Scholastic |
27 |
Indian M. |
rayuduosfs@rediffmail.com |
Phirangipuram Parish Tel.: 0091 (0)8641-25.72. 25
Phirangipuram P.O.
Infant Jesus Cathedral
522 529 Guntur Dt India
1 |
Pinapati, Chandra Sekhar |
Priest |
28 |
Indian M. |
chanduosfs@rediffmail.com |
National Vocation Service Center Tel: 0091 (0) 9766904166
P.B. No. 3005, Matchwel Road,
PUNE – 411 014
Maharashtra India
1 |
Vettukallamkuzhyil, Bruzily Abraham |
Priest |
30 |
Indian M. |
bruzily@gmail.com |
SFS Church Tel: 0091 (0) 3639 26334,
Nongalbibra Priest Cell: 0091 (0) 94363 31197
South Garo Hills Dt.
794 107 – Meghalaya India
1 |
Kaligiri, Bala Prasad |
Regent |
22 |
Indian M. |
balu4osfs@rediffmail.com |
Holy Rosary Church Priest Cell. 0091 (0) 9436018155,
Purul BPO, Maram PO
Senapati Dt.
795 105 - Manipur India
1 |
Onasseril, Johnson Mathew |
Regent |
24 |
Indian M. |
omjohn@rediffmail.com |
SFS Church Priest Cell. 0091 (0) 9436262958
Tening
Peren (Via), Dt. Peren
797 101 – Nagaland India
1 |
Mekala, Thambi Joseph |
Regent |
24 |
Indian M. |
massosfs@rediffmail.com |
Tel: 0091 (0) 3653 261246,
Ka Syiem Jingsuk Parish
Amlarem
Jowai (Via), Jaintia Hills Dt.
793 150 - Meghalaya
1 |
Thomas, George |
Regent |
22 |
Indian M. |
jungleg@rediffmail.com |
RESIDENCIAL ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS IN FOREIGN MISSION
Curia Generalizia Tel.: 0039 06-58.12.389
Via Dandolo, 49 Fax: 0039 06-99.93.87.39
I-00153 Rome Italy
1 |
Kanjiramparayil, Shaju J. |
Priest |
37 |
Indian M. |
osfsshaju@gmail.com |
Thaddäusheim Tel.: 0041 0264-9250.90
Hauptstrasse 40 Fax: 0041 0264-9250.91
CH-3186 Düdingen Switzerland
1 |
Sankarathil, John |
Priest |
43 |
Indian M. |
gentlesaint@gmx.ch |
St. Anthony of Padua Tel.: 001 302-421-3700
901 North DuPont Street Fax: 001 302-421-3709
Wilmington, DE 19805 United States
1 |
Puthussery, Baiju |
Priest |
36 |
Indian M. |
baijuosfs@yahoo.co.in |
Birthdays:
September
08. 09 Prasad Bandandam
12. 09 Balaprasad Kaligiri
14. 09 Bala Dande
22. 09 Stanislaus Bandanadam
26. 09 John George
October
12. 10 Jayraj Manikumar
18. 10 Thambi Joseph
22. 10 Chandrasekhar Pinapati
November
03. 11 Sleevaraj Kala
12. 11 Bijesh Kooakiyil
December
05. 12 Xavier Manchu
17. 12 Mathew Mukkath