Dear Oblate confreres!
On 24th Jan. we, oblates celebrate the feast of St. Francis de Sales, our patron. I pray that this may be an occasion for all of us to learn more about this great Saint and to commit ourselves more fully to imbibe his spirit and to follow the ideals set by him.
On the 26th of January our country is celebrating 60th Republic Day. This day is one of the most important days in Indian history as the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. May this celebration encourage us working for a just nation based on the values enshrined in the Constitution of India.
I take this opportunity to greet each of you affectionately “A VERY HAPPY FEAST OF OUR PATRON ST. FRANCIS DE SALES AND HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY”. May our Patron intercede for us and may his apostolic zeal be a motivating force for all of us to “LIVE JESUS”
Congratulations to our New Priests
Fr. Rayappa Yeruva Reddy osfs: Ordained on the 27th of December by Bishop Gali Bali of Guntur diocese at the Epiphany Church. Fr. Joseph Jeraldin Kumar (Mathias I Kumar) who belongs to the Parish Sacred Heart, Mathagondapalli was ordained on the 29th of December 2009 by Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj the bishop of Dharmapuri. We specially thank the Parish Priests and the other fathers for their cooperation and support. I wish to thank their parents and family members for offering them so generously to the Congregation of the OSFS.
On behalf of the Indian Region I extend my hearty congratulations and pray for abundance of God’s blessings in their priestly commitment and mission.
Ordination to the Deaconate
Fr. Aldino our Superior General and his council has granted approval to Bro. Jayaraj Arepalli for the ordination to the Diaconate. The ordination has been fixed on January 28th in the chapel of the MSFS community at Eluru. His Grace PRAKASH MALLAVARAPU, the Bishop of Vijayawada Diocese has agreed to be the ordaining prelate.
Perpetual vows
Fr. Aldino our Superior General and his Council has granted approval to Bro. Bijesh Thomas to make his Final commitment. The celebration will take place on 6th February, 2010 at Salaespuram community.
Appointments
The General council has approved unanimously the nomination of Fr. Mathew as superior of Brisson Nilayam. He will assume his office the middle of January. His formal installation will take place on 29th January, 2010. Fr. Mathew will assume the responsibility for the theologians and also be in-charge of the completion of the construction.
Fr. Rayappa Reddy Yeruva osfs was, at my request, appointed by the Bishop of Guntur to the parish of Vijayapuri south at Nagarjuna Sagar.
Fr. Vincent Kumar started his German course at Max Muller Bhavan Bangalore. Fr. Vincent will reside at St. Michael’s parish house, Church Road, Shanthinagar, Bangalore. He is also expected to work with parish community for his day today expenses. I thank Fr. Vincent for accepting this new ministry.
Fr. John George’s time in the Diocese of Belthangady is coming to an end on February 3rd 2010. He is transferred to the community in Salespuram.
Fr. Bala Dande will have four months of parish experience at Visakhapatanam Diocese before he starts his studies at Dharmaram Collage. I formally release him from the responsibilities of the community of Brission Nilayam. I thank Fr. Bala for his service to the community as the Superior and incharge of theologians. You looked after well the Brisson Nilayam community. I am grateful for your great service to the congregation.
I am happy to announce that Fr. Rayappa, Fr. Mathias, and Fr. John George are appointed as vocation promoters of 2010-2011. The Superior of Salespurm will coordinate vocation promotion.
De Sales Junior college at Samarpanarm
I am happy to announce that Advisory board has decided to start a Junior college at Samarpanarm. Fr. Baiju is looking after the conversion of the land and permission of starting a P.U. College.
Request for prayers
Please keep our brothers in Haiti, in our prayers as they are undergoing difficult time. In your name the Indian region will make an initial contribution of Ninety-two thousand rupees. Once we know the specific needs of our confreres in Haiti we will do everything we can to further assist them. We continue to hold all our Haitian brothers and sisters before the gentle and merciful hand of God.
Salesian Thought
God is eager for our love, because of this; He sends His inspirations to some people, separating them from others. These persons by a firm determination consecrate and dedicate to His honor and glory their hearts with all their love, their bodies and their possessions. (SFS)
Once again a Happy Feast and God may bless and protect you
Baiju Puthussery osfs
Delegate superior, India
Email: baijuosfsindia@gmail.com