marianists newsletterchinnaiah, s. xavier raj, chitti babu gunja, rajesh kumar lakra. [front row...
TRANSCRIPT
June 14th
, 2014 Marianists’ Newsletter Vol 14# 3
"The feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, is drawing near. Our preparation for the great
day should be that of deep, humble gratitude to God. Let us ask two special graces from Our Lady: The grace
of perseverance in our beautiful vocation, and delicate love for God’s poor. The greatness of Our Lady was in
her humility. No wonder Jesus wanted to live so close to her. We learn from him and from her one lesson: To
be meek and humble of heart." ---Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Content
Returning Deacons
Priests’ Workshop
Personnel Appointments
Full-time Studies
Reminder
New seminarians study Italian
Annual Retreats 2014
First Vows
Institution of Lector and
Acolyte
UD Students Visits
The Rising of two Schools
Goodbye
REDS Ranchi
PA Visit to India
Birthday
Returning Deacons
Deacon Arul Raj will return to a work he knows well. In
the Infant Nilaya community Arul will become Program
Director of REDS Bangalore relieving Bro. Tony Xavier
of the double burden he has been carrying for over a year.
We plan a program of pastoral experiences in connection
with the Infant Jesus Shrine parish. Deacon Bro. Jinu
Muthukattil will become Assistant to the Principal at
Jacob Gapp School in Khammam. For two years, Fr.
Xavier Raj has carrying out the position of director and
principal with marked success but also with plenty of
stress. Without having his own authority, Bro. Jinu will
have some delegated authority to lighten Xavier’s
responsibilities.
Br. Jinu M Br. Arulraj F
Priests’ Workshop
The last 5 groups of Marianist priests ordained in
India gathered at Deepahalli for a workshop on
May 19 to 23. The workshop was intended to
support their Marianist priesthood, provide a time
and place for reflection and develop them in their
ministry. Fr. Iggie and Fr. Jack facilitated the
process, and Fr. Chitti managed the temporalities.
There were eighteen men present all together.
[Back Row l-r] Ignase Arulappen, Stephen Glodek, Rajesh
Kumar Kandulna, Varghese, Andre Fetis, Sudhir Kujur.
[Middle Row l-r] James Dungdung, Jack McGrath,
Chinnaiah, S. Xavier Raj, Chitti Babu Gunja, Rajesh Kumar
Lakra.
[Front Row l-r] Sylverius, Birendra Kullu, N. Prasad, G.
Bhaskar, Joseph Barla.
Our Marianist guest speakers were Fr. Andre Fetis,
Head of Religious Life for the Marianists and Bro.
Steve Glodek, our former Provincial and now head
of the Province Office of Formation in Mission. Fr.
Andre addressed the group on the spirituality of the
Marianist Priesthood, drawing on the Scriptures,
the theology of the priest in the Church and our
Marianist heritage. There were also questions for
personal reflection, small group discussion and
general exchange of ideas.
Bro. Steve discussed mixed composition in the
Marianist Family: “why we are the way we are
and how we got that way”. He stressed the
centrality of mixed composition to Fr.
Chaminade’s inspired plan to multiply Christians,
reproduce the fervor of the early Church and revive
the faith in France and beyond. They also spent
time in small groups and in general assembly.
Thursday, May 22, was devoted to looking at the
Church and the priesthood in the Indian context. In
this they were led first by Sr. Lalitha Thomas,
SSJT, head of the Post-Graduate Program at Jyoti
Nivas University, Bangalore. She especially
emphasized the importance of respect, equality and
empowerment of women. Fr. Sanjay of the
Redemptorists spoke to us in the afternoon. He
dealt very practically with the virtues and strengths
needed right now to live a committed and mature
religious life. He was a very intense speaker and
knows religious life and human foibles very well.
The last day began with a panel of Brothers who
spoke of their experience with priests in general
and Marianist priests over the years. They were:
Bros. Basant Kujur, Paulus Lakra, Darwin Joseph,
Tony Xavier and Raj Mohan. There was plenty of
lively but not heated exchange.
Fr. Jack led a session in the afternoon about Pope
Francis the homilist. Two assigned readings
examined 1)the particular striking aspects of Pope
Francis’s homilies and 2) an extended teaching
about homilies from Pope Francis himself (The Joy
of the Gospel, #135-159).
The closing of the workshop was a prayer service
of affirmation featuring four symbols of the
Marianist priesthood: the Scriptures, a bowl of
water and a towel, the chalice and paten, and the
Rule of Life. Each symbol was surrounded with a
testimony, a reading and a prayer.
Some Personnel Appointments
Bro. Oscar Kerketta will be coming to
Deepahalli as Assistant Master of
Scholastics. Jacob Gapp School in
Khammam will have a new teacher on
the arrival of Bro. Arokia Doss
Ambrose from the USA. Bro. Antony
Nesam will move from Patna to the
Gyan Deep Community to work for
REDS Ranchi. Without changing
community Fr. Varaprasad Nittamaria
will be school-in-charge at Chaminade
School, Austin Town. Likewise,
without changing community Fr.
Bhaskar Gallelli is the principal of St.
Joseph – Chaminade Academy. Bro.
Libin Tete will bring his experience to
the Marianist Community in Singhpur,
working at Prabhat Tara School and
director of the community. Without
changing community, Bro. Julius Tete
will become full-time hostel-in-charge
at Fidel Nilaya in order that we can
provide more supervision and guidance
for the boys in our care.
The past year’s third year scholastics
will be assisting a number of
communities: Bro. Daniel Tamilarasan
will be replacing Bro. Raj Mohan as
Program Director at REDS Deepahalli;
Bro. Lalit Dhanwar will work full time
with REDS Bangalore at the Infant
Nilaya Community. Bro. Suresh
Samad will strengthen our team at St.
Mary’s Multipurpose Training Institute,
Barh. Bro. George Majhi will assist Fr.
Bhaskar in managing St. Joseph -
Chaminade Academy, as a member of
the Faustino Commuity. As the
enrollment increases at Roman Catholic
Upper Primary School, Budakata, the
staff will be bolstered by Bro. Binod
Bahla.
Bro. Ashok Dungdung for an B.Ed. at the Loyola School
of Education, Jamshedpur, living with the local Jesuit
community; and Bro. Renny Markose for a certificate and
M.A. in Philosophy at Dharmaram/Christ University. His
community will be Infant Nilaya.
Full-time Studies
Three of our brothers will be
newly engaged in full time
studies this year: Bro. Jyoti
Prakash Minj at Xavier
Institute for the Social Service
for a Master’s in Rural
Development;
New seminarians study Italian
Bro. Sebastian Bara and Bro. Raj Mohan have already
reached Rome to begin their seminary. After a short time
at Via Latina they will leave with other first-year
seminarians for Verona, Italy to spend the next two
months and more in language study.
Reminder
The District Assembly will begin on the
evening of Dec.28 with prayer, formal
opening and social. Work will continue on
Dec. 29, 30, and 31. The new Council will
be installed on January 1 and the perpetual
vow ceremony will take place on January
2, 2015.
Welcome Back Home: Bro. Arokia Doss Ambrose will
be back in the District in early July after receiving a
Master’s degree in Catholic School Leadership. Warm
Congratulations and wholehearted welcome!
Contemplation is nothing else than a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which if
admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.
---St. John of the Cross
The group of
Brothers who
attended retreat
at Nirmal Deep,
Ranchi.
The group of Brothers
who attended retreat at
Deepahalli, Bangalore.
Annual Retreats 2014
Some 35 of the District Brothers came together for annual retreat at Nirmal Deep on May 26, beginning
with prayer and a social; the formal retreat began on the morning of May 27. Fr. Jim Tobin, SM, visitor
in 1997 and preacher in 2006, came again to preach, on the theme of “Missionary Disciples: Called and
Sent”. He called often on the words of Scripture, the thoughts of Pope Francis and the teachings of Fr.
Chaminade, and all under the guidance of Mary. Perhaps the Brothers’ fervor was as hot as the
weather’s temperature. The retreat concluded on June 3 with renewal of temporary vows for Bros. Julius
Tete and George Hans, and the reaffirmation of their perpetual vows by all the other Brothers. Very
good attention was given to the retreatants by the novices, Bro. Basant (President of the retreat), Fr.
Chinnaiah, Bro. John Paul, and Bro. Del, our hosts. May the graces of the retreat bear fruit in the life of
the District!
The annual retreat in Bangalore began on the Feast of the Ascension and concluded on Pentecost – with
many gifts given by the Spirit during this time. More than 30 brothers gathered at Deepahalli from 31st
May through 9th
June. Fr. Jim Schimelpfening was the retreat preacher and he was delighted to be back
with us after 14 years. It was a special reunion for Frs. Joseph Barla, Xavier Raj, Bhaskar, as Fr. Jim had
been their Assistant Novice master. At the end of the retreat 23 members renewed their temporary vows.
Special prayers and thanks were given as Fr. Jack celebrates 60 years of religious profession and Bro.
Mark celebrates 50 years. Thanks be to God and Mary for the many blessings received on this retreat. Fr.
Varghese carried out the duties of Presidents and the needs of the brothers were generously taken care of
by Fr. Chitti, the scholastics and Fr. Ignase Arulappen.
Congratulation
To
Our Beloved Brothers
Institution of Lector
and Acolyte
On May 19, Fr. Manuel
Cortes, instituted eight
seminarians in the minor
orders, five of them as
acolytes and three as
lectors. Among them were
members of the District of
India, Bro. Joseph Raj as
acolyte and Bro. Mariandu
Belevendiran as lector. In
his homily Fr. Cortes
emphasized how these
ministries, while being
services to the Church, are
aimed at transforming us,
the ministers, into
Christ. We join our
congratulations and
affection to all who took
part!
First Vows
May 1st, the Feast of St. Joseph, the Worker was a day of
blessings for the Mariansits in India. On that day, two
brothers, namely Bro. Arul Ambeth(Anbu) and Bro.
J.Antony Casimeer professed their first vows at Nirmal
Deep, the Novitate Community, Ranchi. Fr. David Fleming,
the Novice Master was the main celebrant along with Fr.
Jack McGrath, the Assistant District Superior, and Fr. Ignase
Arulappan, the homilist on that day. Bro. Augustus Surin,
the District Superior received their vows and welcomed
them into the Mariansit Family with great joy. Surrounded
by many Marianists Brothers, Sisters, laity, and family
members from Bro. Anbu, the two brothers with joyful
hearts pronounced their first vows. Bro. Anbu is appointed
to REDS Bangalore, Infant Nilaya Community and Bro.
Casimeer is appointed in REDS Deepahalli, St. Joseph
Community. A two-day orientation program on Marianists
ministry and Community life was organized for both the
newly professed brothers at Deepahalli, before they started
their own pastoral service in the Society of Mary. We wish
both young men happy community & ministry life! Let us
also assure them our fraternal support and prayers.
Bro. Anbu, Fr. David Fleming, the Novice Master and
Bro. Casimeer
Those received as Lectors: Sean Downing (US), Bernard Ombima Lugutu (Kenya)
& Mariandu Belevendiran Antonysamy (India) Those received as Acolytes:
Javier Sanz (Spain), Gautier Some (Ivory Coast), Robert Jones (US), Daniel Odero
(Kenya), and Josephraj Rymond (India), along with Fr. Manuel Cortés, the
Superior General.
UD Students Visit India
Eight students with the guidance of Ms. Maureen O’Rourke made
their visit to our ministries and communities in India. From April
14th
to 28th
, they were in Ranchi visiting our communities and
ministries. Though the temperature was too high for them to bear in
Ranchi, our hospitality and ministries especially for the street
children cooled their minds and hearts. They also visited our
ministries in Bangalore from May 29th
to June 7th
. Under the
guidance of Bro. Antony Xavier, the Executive Director of REDS
Program, along with his team, the UD Students visited some places
around and in Bangalore, like Mysore, Bannerghatta National Park,
Museums and Iskon Temple. They were all impressed by our
ministries in India. In fact, it was the time of our Annual Retreat
that they were in Deepahalli, Bangalore. Some of the UD students
also joined with us in our prayer services and Eucharists. Thanks to
all those brothers who were at their service.
Prayer Intentions of the Pope
June
General: That the unemployed may
obtain the sustenance and the job they
need to live in dignity.
Missionary: The Europe may regain its
Christian roots through the testimony of
the faith of believers.
July
General: That the Practice of sports may
always be an occasion of human
fellowship and growth.
Missionary: That the Holy Spirit may
support the work of the lay persons who
proclaim the Gospel in the poorest of
countries.
We cannot become holy on our
own. ~someone
Hospitality is
one form of
worship
- A Jewish proverb
UD students welcomed at Nirmal Deep with dancing.
Farewell at REDS-STC Deepahalli
Prince
Bro. Prince Arokiam has not renewed his temporary vows.
His discernment has taken him in another direction. We are
happy with the years we have spent together, we wish him
great success and the continuation of a Marianist spirit of
faith and justice in whatever endeavors he pursues. Prince
helped with the audit and orientation of new community
members before his vows expired on June 3, 2014.
Alex Kujur
Bro. Alex Kujur has been working steadily over the past
year for good health with the help of doctors. He wishes to
continue treatment of the homeopathic variety in his home
village. Since he would be full time at home the District
Council and scholasticate think it best not to renew
temporary vows. We wish Alex the best of health and pray
for good progress.
The Rising of two School
Ministries
With a great spirit of enthusiasm and
hope the two schools, Bl. Chaminade
School, in Austin Town, Bangalore, and
St. Joseph-Chaminade Adademy, in
Deepahalli started their academic year
this month, June 2014. The opening
ceremony at Bl. Chaminade School at
Austin Town was held on 13th
June,
2014. Fr. Varaprasad, the Principal of the
school was the master of the ceremony.
The invited guests were Fr. Jack
McGrath (preside), Bro. Augustus Surin
(District Superior), Fr. Kip, Fr. Ignase
Arulappen, Dr. Rani, the Dean at UD
Deepahalli Program and the directors of
all the surrounding Marianists
Communities. The parents of all the 25
students were also present. We expect
about 30 students by the end of June
2014 in Austin Town. Thanks to all the
brothers those worked hard to launch the
two schools!
REDS Ranchi
We have just passed the times of admission and
readmission. From the 11 centers of REDS Ranchi, 56 new
students were enrolled, 365 students were promoted and
91 children dropped out. On the Matric level, 31 students
passed and 26 failed (they will remain in 10th
standard).
This performance was actually good, and we plan for
even better in the future.
Family Apostolate. During April Counselors visited 487
household in all 11 centers. The purpose is to assess needs
and plan assistance in the areas of pre and post-natal care,
job training, and personal and family counseling. Basic
medicine and special nutrition were also provided in several
centers.
Six workshops were developed and offered during April.
Dr. Dewashih, Prof. Sant Prasad and Sr. Stella spoke about
and discussed issues of AIDS/HIV, parents/children
relation, and happy family development.
On three occasions, April 5,7 and 11, Parents’ Meetings
were held at 7 centers. About 130 parents participated in
talking about Self-Help Groups, Student Re-admissions,
care of infants, off-site workshop, and AIDS/HIV
“I am a slow walker,
but I never walk back.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
PA Consultation about the New Council
From July 9 to July 18, three members of the
Provincial Council will be in the District to consult
personally all the members about the new District
Council.
Fr. Marty will be in Patna & Barh (July 9-
11), Budakata (July 13-14), and Khammam
(July 16-18).
Bro. Joe Kamis will visit all five
communities in the Bangalore area.
Fr. Paul Marshall will consult with
everyone in Ranchi, Singhpur, Fidel Nilaya,
Binda/Roro, and Nirmal Deep.
Since six members of the District will be at the
Rome meeting of formators during much of that
time, PA members Fr. Bill Meyer and Bro. Ed
Brink will speak with them. Three of the
seminarians will be in the District during July.
The two brothers in language school and one at a
workshop will be consulted by mail or phone.
Three days of workshop was conducted
from May 16th
to 18th
, for the CRDP staff and
RCM School staff at Binda by Bro. Augustus
Surin on the topic of “Socio-Educational
Development”
?
Parents Meeting – REDS
Ranchi
Birthdays
June
14 P. Antony Xavier
16 Larry McBride
17 Paulus Lakra
26 Sukrit Tirkey
July
06 Chittibabu Gunja
10 Libin Tete
11 Ignase Arulappen
18 Shashi Tirkey
19 Antony Nesam
28 Jyoti Prakash Minj
August till 10th
04 Anuranjan Lakra
05 Augustin Kandulna
07 Libin Minj
08 Xavier Raj. S
10 Anand Prakash Kujur
Santosh Tudu
Oscar Kerketta
God gave us the
gift of life; it is up
to us to give
ourselves the gift
of living well.
~Free SMS from
Voltaire