MISSIONARIES OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
NORTHEAST INDIA PROVINCE
MSFS PROVINCIALATE
GPO Box No. 308, GUWAHATI - 781 001, Assam, INDIA
Tel: 0361 2648507 / Fax: 0361 2648510
e-mail: /
FT / 01 - CIRCULAR - March 7th, 2008
Dear Confreres,
Greetings of peace and joy!
I come to you with this first circular letter on the feast of Perpetua and Felicity, the martyrs who courageously gave their lives for the Christian Faith. Throughout the history of our Congregation, the missionaries have also strived to live heroically. Like the martyrs, we are also called to become daring and faith-filled missionaries in today’s world. I appreciate your indomitable witness as religious men in Northeast India. Together, let us hold high the ideals of our missionary call and through authentic living of religious life may we all become lights for the church in Northeast India.
The Ceremony of Installation
The Provincial House community arranged a fitting function for the installation of the new provincial. In the Eucharist presided over by Most Rev Thomas Menamparambil SDB, D.D., the Archbishop of Guwahati, 60 confreres and a number of representatives from the local religious communities participated. The mass was followed by a sumptuous meal. Fr. Thomas Nirappel, the superior of the Provincilate community, together with a number of confreres, and sisters from the Verenerini convent did the arrangements and made the event special and memorable. I express my gratitude to all.
Fr. Abraham Mullenkuzhy, the Outgoing Provincial
For the last six years and one month, Father Abraham Mullenkuzhy has served us as provincial. In no few words can we express our gratitude for his leadership and service. On behalf of the members of the province, I convey our appreciation and sincere gratitude to Father Abraham Mullenkuzhy. As I need more introductions to various aspects of governance, I have requested him to stay at the Provincialate for the coming months. Meanwhile, he will be making visits to his family and friends. I wish him safe travel and enjoyable time with them. Whenever he takes up a new appointment, then we will have an occasion to bid him farewell.
Convocation of the Provincial Chapter 2008
After much deliberation, the meeting of the local superiors and confreres held at MSFS Provincialate on 28th February 2008 has finally suggested for a Provincial Chapter. The Provincial Council, at the meeting held on the same evening, decided to hold a Chapter rather than a Congress.
Accordingly I am hereby convoking the Provincial Chapter of the Northeast India Province of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales from the after noon of 26th to 30th evening of May 2008.
An organizing committee has already been set up and it has started functioning. The members of the organizing committee are:
Fr. Thomas Aerathedathu (Convenor) Fr. Francis Thadathil
Fr. Devasia Manalel Fr. Jose Karipadathu
PRAYING FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE CHAPTER
The Provincial Chapter is an important event in the life of the Province, affecting all the members of the Province. It is a special occasion to evaluate our ministries up to now and seek new directions. Before all else, we need to ask the assistance of the Holy Spirit and His guidance for a fruitful deliberation at the Chapter. I request you all to pray for the success of the Provincial Chapter.
COMPOSITION OF THE CHAPTER
Our Constitutions # 237-239 speak about the composition of the Chapter and the norms regarding the election of the participants. It will be made up of ex-officio members, elected delegates and special invitees. The ex-officio participants are:
Fr. Francis Thadathil - Provincial
Fr. Abraham Mullenkuzhy - Outgoing Provincial
Fr. Lukose Kavungal - Councilor
Fr. Thomas Nirappel - Councilor & Bursar
Fr. Emmauel Mappilaparambil - Councilor
Fr. Thomas Aerathedathu - Rector of Seminary
Fr. Jose Kunjaparampil - Superior of S. African Region
Fr. Francis Poovelil - Rector of Seminary
Fr. George Vettukattil - Novice Director
Fr. Joseph Kannamangalathu - Rector of Seminary
ELECTED DELEGATES
There will be 20 elected delegates. These are to be elected by all the confreres. Please find enclosed herewith the list of the names of those who can be elected and those eligible to vote. Ballot papers are also enclosed. Each of the voters will kindly select 20 names from among the list supplied, write them and send to the Provincial Office. Absolute majority is required in the first ballot for being declared elected. Since we can not rule out the possibility of a second ballot, I request you to send these names as early as possible. Although the last date before which, it should reach the Provincial Office is on or before 5th April 2008, an immediate response is highly appreciated. Please send the ballot paper by return post within a day or two of its receipt. This will help us plan better for the upcoming Provincial Chapter.
SPECIAL INVITTES
The Provincials of the five Indian Provinces, Rector of Suvidya College and two representatives of those under temporary profession – one from the students of theology and the other from students of philosophy together with those under regency – will be special invitees. Those who are in charge of specialized ministries in the Province will also be invited to attend, if they are not members by right or by election.
Those who are eligible to vote and to be voted for
(Constitutions # 177, 234 & 235)
1. AMBIYIL Shaju Varghese (Joseph)
2. ANAKALLIL Tomy Alex
3. ARACKAL Thomas
4. ARACKATHARA Baby
5. AVITTAPALLIL Antony (Vintu)
6. BAMHINGBE Joseph
7. BARA Cornelius Constantine
8. BARA Nicholas
9. BARMAN John
10. BAROWA Carlos
11. BASHENA Adani James
12. BELO Francis
13. BOLWARI MARAK Peter
14. CHAKALACKEL Davis
15. CHAKALAMURIYIL Varghese
16. CHAKKALACKAL Joseph
17. CHAVARANAL Martin (Santosh)
18. CHENNALA Daniel
19. CHETTANIYIL Jose
20. CHETTUPUZHA Varghese
21. CHIRATTOLICKAL Gracious
22. CHOTTAKARA Michael Jacob
23. DIO D. Jacob
24. DOTAOMAI RAILE Paul
25. EATTIKKATTIL Antony Joseph
26. EDACHERRY PAUVATH John
27. EDAKAZHIKAL Thomas
28. EDATTU Mathew
29. EZHANIKAT Shaibu Mathew
30. FIRSTAR Asterius Shylla
31. HEPUNI John
32. HRIINII Mark
33. ILLICKAL Joseph
34. KAIPPALLIL Kuriakose
35. KALLAKULAM Jobin Thomas
36. KANICHERRY Biju Kurian
37. KANIYAMMATTEL Joy (Scaria)
38. KAREKAT Dominic
39. KARIKKAMPALLY Job
40. KARIPADATHU Jose
41. KARONDUKADAVIL John
42. KATTATHARA Antony
43. KELAMKUZHACKAL John
44. KERKETTA Athnas
45. KHAKHA John Bosco
46. KIZHAKETHALACKAL Reji
47. KIZHAKEVEEDU Joseph
48. KIZHAKUMPURATH Philip Thomas
49. KOCHUPARATHANATH Thomas
50. KOLLATHUVAYALIL Thomas
51. KONTHANANICKAL Jiji
52. KUDAKKACHIRAKUNNEL Babu Joseph
53. KULANGARA Augustine
54. KULLU Sudhir John
55. KUNNAPPALLY Thomas
56. KUNNEL George
57. KUNNUMPURATH Johnson Mathew
58. KURIKILAMKATTU Joby Mathew
59. KURISUMMOOTTIL Philip
60. KUTTIKOTTAYIL John
61. KUZHUPIL Sebastian
62. MADAPPALLIL James Shijo
63. MAMALASSERIL Jose
64. MANALEL Devasia
65. MANASRAYIL Sabu
66. MANDA SANGMA Bernard
67. MANGAT Philip
68. MANICKATHAN Varghese Paul
69. MARAYIKULAM Stephen (Jr.)
70. MARAYIKULAM Stephen (Sr.)
71. MAROTTICKATHADATHIL Cherian
72. MATHIRAMPALLIL Aji Cherian
73. MATHIRAMPUZHA Jimmy
74. MATTAPILLIL Sibi
75. MATTATHIL Jacob
76. MOONNANAPALLIL Tomy
77. MUNDACKAL Baiju Kurian
78. MUNDOLY Jose
79. MURIANKARIYIL Mathew
80. MUTHADATHU Roy
81. NARZARY Ronesh (Luke)
82. NEENDUKUNNEL Sebastian
83. NELLIYANIYIL Pius
84. NGADE Benjamin Nakho
85. NONGBAK ARENG Clean
86. OLICKAMALAYIL Thomas
87. OTTAPPALLIL Mathew
88. OVELIL Kurian
89. OVÜNG Philip Mhonchumo
90. PALLICHANKUDIYIL Mathew
91. PANII Paul
92. PANTHANAZHIVADAKETHIL Sunny
93. PANTHANMACKEL George
94. PARAMPUZHAYIL Augustine
95. PARANKIMALIL Peter
96. PARAYANIYIL Roy
97. PAREDOM Sebastian
98. PATTARAKALAYIL James
99. PATTIMACKEL Kurian
100. PATTON Samuel
101. PAZHEVEETTIL Joseph
102. PEETHURUTHEL Francis
103. PEKADANKUZHIYIL George
104. PERUMANNIKALA Lukose
105. PEZHATHUMMOOTTIL James
106. PLATHOTTATHIL Jojan Joseph
107. PONVELIL Abraham
108. POONTHURUTHIL Shiji Mathew
109. POOTHANKUNNEL George
110. POOVAKULATHU Jude
111. POOVATHUNKAL George
112. POU Stephen
113. PRAKUZHY Varghese
114. PULIYILAKAT Joseph
115. PURAYIDATHIL Philip
116. PUTHENPURACKEL Abraham
117. PUTHIYADATHUCHALIL Jacob
118. PUTHIYAKULANGARA Saji
119. PUTHUMANA Mathew
120. RAISING Jacob
121. SAHAYARAJ Albert
122. SAPRÜNAMAI Ashihe Andrew
123. SHANGPLIANG Genes
124. SORENG Corbinus
125. THAIKHO Simon
126. THAILE Jacob
127. THALAYINAKANDATHIL Saju
128. THARAYIL Saji
129. THATTAPARAMBIL Salu
130. THAYILKUZHITHOTTU George
131. THAZHATHUKUNNEL Joseph
132. THEKKEL Jose
133. THEKKEL Tomy
134. THENGANAKUNNEL Jose
135. THUNDATHIL Augustine Joseph
136. TIRKEY Milkius
137. TOPNO Anil Francis
138. TOPPO Kusumkant Samir
139. UPPANTHADATHIL Emmanuel
140. VADAKKEPERINCHERIL George
141. VANDERKUNNEL Thomas Joseph
142. VANISSERIL Varghese
143. VARAPADAVIL Chacko
144. VARAPADAVIL Thomas Paul
145. VARICKAMANTHOTTY Alex
146. VAZHEPARAMBIL Mathew
147. VELICAKATHU Joy
148. VELIYATHU Binoy
149. VELLARAMKUZHY Augustine
Conclusion
I have confidence in your love and service to the Province and Congregation. The process of electing the delegates to the Chapter is a privileged duty of each one of us. Consider prayerfully the importance of this duty and let us be earnest in doing this service to the Province. You are in my prayers. Once again, I thank you for your devoted service.
Installation of the Bishop- elect of Tezpur
At an impressive ceremony on 2nd Feb 2008, Bishop-elect Michael Akasius Toppo was consecrated and installed as the fourth bishop of Tezpur. Archbishops, bishops, priests, religious and lay people from the region participated in the function. The entire ceremony was videographed by Fr. Jiji Konthanickal, the director of Fransalian Comunications. The MSFS has always enjoyed very close association with the diocese of Tezpur and I have conveyed to the new bishop our compliments. Let us accompany bishop Toppo with our prayers and vouch our unreserved support for his pastoral leadership.
Celebration of the Salesian Year 2008
Our Superior General has constituted the year 2008 as “Salesian Year.” As missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, we are exhorted to celebrate the Salesian Year in a fitting style. A group of confreres have been asked to bring out a plan for the suitable celebration of the year in our parishes, schools and at Province level. As soon it is ready, the plan shall be sent to the apostolic communities for review and action.
Annual Retreat 2008
The confreres gathered at the meeting on Feb 28, 2008 made suggestions for having “Salesian Retreat” during the year 2008. Annual retreat is an important spiritual event. It is a time for renewing and reconnecting ourselves with one another. Accordingly, two retreats- one in first week of July, the other during the first week of October- have been arranged. This arrangement will give the prospect for every member of the province to participate in either of the scheduled retreats. The Saleasian Retreat 2008 is obligatory for the members of the province. Confreres are requested to mark these dates to ensure participation in one of the retreats. More details of the retreat will be given in the future circulars.
The Feb 28th Meeting of Local Superiors and Confreres
The meeting was attended by 39 confreres. I have witnessed a great deal of goodwill among the confreres. The spirit of joy and positive stance of the confreres is truly heartening and to me, it is an encouraging sign. I offer you my confreres sincere thanks for the enthusiastic participation at the meeting. The brainstorming session has already indicated several topics that may be considered for the Provincial Chapter. Those topics will be brought to further discussion and reflection of the apostolic communities. My visits to the apostolic communities prior to the Chapter will provide an opportunity to come to certain concrete proposals for the Chapter. I look forward to those meetings with you. The planning for the Provincial Chapter is in progress. I request your prayers for the success of the forthcoming Provincial Chapter.
The New Priests for the Province
We thank God for the gift of nine new priests who begin their pastoral ministry in the province. Their appointment as associate priests takes effect from March 7, 2008. Please welcome them with fraternal love.
Fr. Avittappallil Antony - Asst. at SFS Church, Dhemaji
Fr. Bamhingbe Joseph - Asst. at SFS Church, Yingkiong
Fr. Barowa Carlos - Asst. at Christ King Church, Gogamukh
Fr. Belo Francis - Asst. at New School & Parish, Aalo
Fr. Chavaranal Santhosh - Asst. New Mission, at Umwahlang
Fr. Kallakulam Jobin Thomas - Asst. at St. Jude Church, Chapar
Fr. Kudakkachirakunnel Babu - Designated to South Africa
Fr. Kunnumpurath Johnson - Asst. at Ka Syiem Jingsuk Church, Amlarem
Fr. Nokrek Areng Clean - Asst. at St. Joseph’s Church, Kaying
Fr. Barman John - Asst. at SFS Church, Pasighat
The first year of the priestly ministry is so important to their life as priests. We enrich these young priests with our support and encouraging words. I sincerely thank our senior confreres who have accepted these young priests to their parishes. As we thank the new priests for their generosity, let us welcome them to our midst and introduce them to a richer and fuller experience of priestly ministry. In the name of all of us I wish all our young priests a very fruitful ministry for many years.
Transfers and Appointments
Taking into consideration the needs of the province, the Provincial Council has decided to make the following transfers and appointments of the confreres. I appreciate the readiness of the confreres in accepting these appointments and wish them success in their ministry.
Fr. Jose Mundoly - Parish Priest, at SFS Church, Telam
Fr. John Bosco Khakha - Parish Priest, at Christ King Church, Gogamukh
Fr. Joseph Kannamangalathu - Rector, at SFS Seminary, Medziphema
Fr. Thomas Olickamalayil - Vice-Retor at SFS Seminary, Medziphema
Fr. Philip Mhomchumo - Principal at New High School, Aalo, Arunachal Pradesh
Fr. Dominic Karekat - Assistant, at Holy Rosary Church, Purul
Fr. Augustine Kulangara - Assistant, at Christ King Church, Gogamukh
Fr. Jude Poovakulath - Assigned to retreat centre, Umroi
Fr. Genes Shangpliang - Assistant, at Ka Syiem Jingsuk Church, Amlarem
Fr. Peter Parankimalil - Assistant, SFS Church, Jonai
Fr. Francis Peethuruthel - Assistant, St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Bashbari
The Silver Jubilee of Ordination
Fr. Job Karikampallil and Kurian Ovelil are completing their Silver Jubilee year. We thank God for the gift of our confreres who have served the province for the last 25 years. A celebration at Province level is being planned in May 2008. More details concerning the celebration will be made known in the course of time.