Dear Confreres,
I look forward with excitement and yearning to the General Meeting. These are days spent in close fellowship, praying and sharing, listening and learning, filling the air with laughter and optimism as we challenge ourselves anew in living the vision and spirit of our Holy Founders. I look forward to seeing all of you in Samarpanaram.
May the ‘Comforter’ promised us at Pentecost be our guide and companion during this season of renewal and celebrations.
1. Renewal of Vows: I am happy to inform you that the General Council has approved the following brothers for the renewal of their vows.
Asish Augustine Second renewal
Gali John Second renewal
Kala Sleeva Raju Second renewal
Lalson Joseph Second renewal
Paulraj Second renewal
Bala Prasad Third renewal
Dennis Jose Third renewal
George Thomas Third renewal
Johnson Mathew Third renewal
Stanislas Bandanadam Third renewal
Thambijoseph Mekala Third renewal
Bandanadam Prasad Fourth renewal
Bijseh Thomas Fourth renewal
Jayraj Fifth renewal
They will renew their vows on 30th May 2008. Thank you brothers for persevering your vocation and your commitment as Oblates. May the Holy Spirit guide you, granting you the lights and strengths needed as Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Congratulations and Best Wishes.
2. Congratulations: Fr. John Sankarathil secured his Doctorate in Salesian Spirituality from Freiburg University, Switzerland. Fr. John, we are honored and we truly rejoice at your achievement; on behalf of Indian Region I take this opportunity to congratulate you and wish you all the best. I hope you will help us to deepen our Spiritual life. Fr. John will spend a few more months in Switzerland to complete the publication of his thesis.
3. From Salespuram: The following brothers are recommended for BA studies in Bangalore. Brs. Akhil John, Arokyaraj, Dominic Thomas, Jinson P.V, Stephen, and Suresh Janga. They all have secured first class in their higher secondary examination. Congratulations brothers! The Plus One and Plus Two students are back from their holidays and have begun their classes. We expect the fresh students on 15th June 2008.
4. I have a new email ID, oblatesindia@aol.com. Recently some strangers accessed into my official ID and have manipulated it. Please be aware of the phishing scams. Do not reveal your personal information to any strangers through the mail.
5. Minutes: Let me also share with you in short what was discussed at the last advisory board meeting:
- We decided to continue to send the candidates for BA studies in SFS College for one more year. A concrete decision will be made after an evolution meeting with the students and the formators next year.
- We decided to replace Br. Stanislas with Br. Thampi as regent for Salespuram from what we had decided earlier.
- We decided to ask Fr. Vincent to be the in charge for the regents in the coming year.
- Fr. Smuda is released of responsibility of theologians in Eluru.
- We decided to send Br. Jayraj for a course on Consecrated Life in Sanyasa, Carmalaram. He is released of his vocation promotion responsibilities.
- We decided to go ahead with the Apostolate in the diocese of Vijayawada. Fr. Mathew will go and visit the Bishop of Vijayawada and finalize the parish ministry.
- Fr. Michael was asked to continue till next General meeting and give report to the general meeting about his work on peace justice issues.
- We decided to continue with our own formation house for Theologians and Novitiate in Eluru. We begin from next academic year the Theologate and later on the Novitiate. When we begin construction, we will plan carefully to meet both needs: novitiate and theologate.
- Budget Presentation: we decided to bring to the awareness of the confreres about the financial situation of the region and our concerns during the general meeting.
6. General Meeting: I am attaching here the tentative agenda and the proposals for the General Meeting. Like last year I have asked Fr. Fred Smuda to lead us through the proceedings of the meetings.
Tentative Agenda for the General Meeting, May – June 2008
- Report of Fr. Mathew
- A Review of OSFS in India.
- Election of 1 Advisory Board Member for 1 year
- Discussion of the Proposals
- Financial Report - Fr. Josef
- Father’s Meetings
7. Events to know:
- 31st May – General Meeting
- 1st June – Assuming of responsibilities for the staff in the respective places
- 12th June – Deaconate of Br. John George, St. Joseph’s seminary Mangalore
8. Let us pray for the departed:
- 2nd May 2008, Fr. Leo Heijnen, [Dutch Pr.] 89 years old, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales for 70 years, professor Theology, and parish priest.
9. Thoughts from our Holy Founder
Let us cling onto God and never part from him, whatever it may be. He is the core of our being and the marrow of our soul. (Chapter 1891)
Fraternally,
Fr. Mathew Mukkath osfs