Not Ended, the Chapter Continues On

“We must fall on our knees before the Master and implore him with tears graciously to pardon us, and bring us back again into the honorable and virtuous way of brothers who love one another” (Pope Clement I to the Corinthians).

Dear Confreres,

We read the above quoted passage in the Office of the Readings on Monday, 14th week of the year. This excerpt from the ancient text superbly summarizes the call to “communion” in community life. The Provincial Chapter 2008 also began with the same clarion call to revitalize our community living. The deliberations of the Chapter have given us a fresh look into our life as religious men, involved integrally in the mission history of the northeast India. We have much to thank God for the gift of our confreres and collaborators. The Chapter has amply highlighted the common longing in our hearts to become effective missionaries. No time shall be lost in our endeavor to strive for that goal, lest we become irrelevant to the mission of the Church in the Northeast. The ground realities of the Region clearly calls for a fresh way of looking at the pastoral ministry and of giving birth to a new mode of involving ourselves and letting others to become collaborators of the mission. The situation demands creative approach in meeting the new challenges. Beaten paths are for beaten men!

Not Ended, The Chapter Continues on

The Provincial Chapter has not ended. It has only begun and continues on for the next three years. The Statement, the Action plan and the Orientations of the Chapter are not sketches for the Provincial administration to complete but guidelines to be lived by everyone in the province. I invite every confrere to become conscious of the call to live a genuine community life, for it is “an essential element of our religious consecration” (Const.92). I call upon all the local superiors to do their best in promoting cooperation and mutual trust among the confreres, and creating an atmosphere for religious living (Cf. Const. 91). A joyful community always generates a fresh enthusiasm for innovative involvement in pastoral ministry.

In the Light of the New Governance Policies

By now, all the members of the province have received a copy of the New MSFS Governance Explanation, which attempts to provide services to confreres in ministry and administration. I request everyone to study the document personally and in group. In accordance with the directives of the New Governance, the members of the province are assigned to one of the five forums and a commission. The list of confreres assigned to each forum has been sent to the General Secretaries for their perusal and suggestion. The next circular will carry the entire list.

Conveners and Secretaries of Apostolic Communities

The election and appointment of the conveners and secretaries of apostolic communities will be completed within a period of next three months. The confreres who currently hold the office of the conveners and secretaries of the apostolic communities are requested to arrange regular meetings and carry on with the duties in accordance with the norms of the General Directory and the Constitutions. Conveners are requested to fix the dates of their meetings and the details are to be send to Provincial office byAugust 30, 2008.

Meeting with the Bishops of the Region

During the period of past four months, at some common gatherings and occasions, I have had the opportunity to meet with all the bishops of the northeast. But personal meetings were held with Archbishop Thomas Menamparambil of Guwahati, Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal, Bishop Stephen Routluanga of Aizawl, Bishop Lumen Monterio of Agartala, Bishop Victor Lyngdoh of Nongstoin, and Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil of Bongaigaon. Each of them has expressed satisfaction over our involvement and pastoral assistance in the northeast. They all share the view that we, as a community of religious men, have the potential for greater involvement. As a single Province, spread through the width and length of northeast India, we are blessed with a panoramic view of the region; and as such they exclaim, we are even better equipped to respond to the needs of a fast changing region. I sense the enormous trust placed by the Bishops of the region. Let us not betray their trust but rather build up the confidence they have placed in us. A greater fidelity to the missionary commitment and an authentic living of the ideals of religious vocation are essential to our relevance in the Northeast. Let nothing distract us from that solemn path!

Visit of Confreres Working Abroad

A number of confreres working abroad had visited the northeast during the past two months. Fathers JohnyKuttikottayil, Philip Kizhakumpurathu, Job Karikampallil, Joseph Kunjaparambil, Sabu Francis and Sebastian Paredom took the opportunity to meet with confreres and even visit some of the mission stations. I sincerely thank and assure them of our support and prayers for the success of their ministry in the foreign lands.

Recollections with St. Francis de Sales

Under the direction of the Superior General, a team of confreres have worked to bring out a series of Recollection booklets based on the “Introduction to the Devout life”. Recollection-5 with St. Francis De Sales is meant to be used from July 2008 to March 2009. Let us employ this excellent resource to know St. Francis de Sales more and study his methods and imbibe his spirit. Fr. DevasiaManalel, a member of our province, is the convener of this team. We appreciate the good work done by the whole team. I request all the Apostolic Communities to use this booklet for the monthly recollections.

The Annual Retreat Conducted at MSFS Study House

A group of 38 confreres attended the first annual retreat at MSFS Study House Shillong. The retreat was preached by Fr. Jose Kumblolickal, the Director of Indian Institute of Spirituality. I sincerely thank him for animating the confreres of the Province and invigorating in them a fresh desire to walk with St. Francis de Sales. Sincere thanks to Fr. Emmanuel, the Rector and Fr. JojanPlathottahil, who together with Deacon Ashihe Andrew and Brother Praveen made all the arrangements for our confreres to make a fruitful retreat.

The Second Salesian Retreat

The next Salesian Retreat will be held at the MSFS Provincialate from 6th to 11th October and the preacher will be Fr. Benny Koottanal, Asst. Director, Indian Institute of Spirituality, Bangalore. The confreres who have not attended the first retreat are expected to attend the second Salesian retreat. For registration, please call Fr. Corbinus, the provincial Secretary.

Transfers and Appointments

The Provincial Council has approved the transfer and appointment of the following confreres.

Fr. KurianOvelil is designated to be appointed Parish Priest at Holy Rosary Church, Purul with effect from July 1, 2008.

Fr. Mathew Edattu is appointed as the local Bursar, Holy redeemer Renewal centre, Umroi with effect from July 1, 2008.

Fr. RoneshNarzary is appointed at the community of SFS Printing and Technical School, Manipur with effect from July 10, 2008.

Fr. JospehPazheveetil is designated to be appointed assistant Parish Priest at SFS Parish, Kangpokpi, Manipur with effect from 8th August 2008.

Fr. Jose Karipadam is appointed Principal of SFS College, Alao, Arunachal Pradesh. With the assistance of another confrere, he will continue to serve as the Director of FaSCe India and will monitor the social work in the province.

I am very grateful to the above mentioned confreres for their readiness to accept the appointments and discharge the new responsibilities to the best of their abilities. Let us accompany them with our support and prayers.

The Continuing Education of the Confreres.

Taking into consideration the needs of the Province, the Provincial Council has approved the plan for the continuing education of the following confreres:

Fr. George Vadakkepericherimannilfor B. Ed atPasighat, Arunachal Pradesh

Fr. Peter Parankimalil for B.Ed atPasighat, Arunachal Pradesh

Fr. RoneshNarazary for B.Ed at Imphal, Manipur

Brothers in Regency

A team of formators was well prepared to offer an orientation program to those who were coming to do the regency period of formation. Due to the cancellation of Trains and late arrival of some brothers, the proposed programme could not be conducted. However, the regents will be having a half yearly evaluation cum retreat program towards the end of the year. Without much delay, the Councilor in-charge of Formation will be sending the details. Two SCJ and four OSFS brothers have come to the province for the regency year of their formation. We offer a warm welcome to each of them and wish a fruitful year of practical training. A complete list of the appointment of brothers for regency is given below:

1. Huwn Francis Reyland, - VinayaBhavan Seminary, Thamarassery, Kerala
2. Kanjirathinkal Joseph, - Holy Cross Church/ School, Phaibungkhullen, Manipur
3. Nellisery Jose Varghese - SFS Church/ School Telam, Assam
4. VenghathadathilJobins Mathew - SFS Seminary, Ghaspani, Nagaland
5. George Thomas S, osfs- Ka SyiemJingsuk Parish/ School, Amlarem
6. Thambi Joseph Mekala,osfs - SFS Parish/ School, Tening, Nagaland
7. Johnson Mathew,osfs - Holy Rosary Parish, Purul, Manipur
8. K. Venkatesh,osfs - SFS Church/School, Nongalbibra, Meghalaya
9. Anthony Joseph Livin,scj- St. Francis Xavier Church, Bashbari, Assam
10. George Mathew,scj- Marjum Memorial (SFS School), Aalo, Arunachal Pradesh

Appointment of New Provincials

The Superior General, with the consent of the General council, has appointed the following provincials:

Pune Province: Fr. Mario D’Souza is appointed as Provincial of Pune Province for a second term.

Nagpur Province: Fr. Sebastian Annaikandathil is appointed as Provincial of Nagpur for the first term.

East Africa Province: Fr Thomas Olickal is appointed as the Provincial ofEast Africa Province for a second term.

In the name of the confreres of the Northeast India Province, I congratulate and assure them of our prayers and cooperation.

Secretariat for Mission

According to the decision taken by General Council at Rome on 8th June, the Secretariat for Mission is shifted to Fransalian Seminary at Pune. Fr. ThummaMariadas, the General Councilor in charge of Mission was serving as Rector of the Study House at Eluru. We wish him success and God’s blessings in his new responsibility at the service of the entire Congregation

The Change of Name of Chennai Province

The Superior General, with the consent of his Council, has issued a Decree dated 7th July 2008 stating that “henceforth the Chennai Province of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales will be known as South-East India Province of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales with effect from 15th August 2008.” Certainly, the new name sounds better and has a broader connotation. Let us assure the confreres of the Province our prayerful support.

The Silver Jubilee Year of Suvidya College, Bangalore

Suvidya College, which began in 1984 as a province-venture has grown. Today, as an inter-province venture, Suvidya has crossed many academic milestones. The Jubilee Year was opened on 14th June 2008, by Fr. Anthony Mookenthothammsfs, the founder member of this Institute. The Northeast Province has rendered service to the institute by sending regularly qualified personnel to be on the staff. In due course of time, we shall be receiving more details of the programs envisaged by the institute for the celebration of the Jubilee year. In this Jubilee Year, let us accompany the staff and students with our support and prayer.

In My Absence from the Province

I leave for USA on 21st July to participate in the Summer Session at Pacifica Graduate Institute and will return on 19th August. In my absence, Fr. Francis Poovelil will attend to the ordinary administration of the Province. I request everyone to give him the best of cooperation.

My Visits & Programmes

July 11-Medziphema

12-13-Tening

14-15-Peren

16-Dimapur

17-18-Imphal

19-Council Meeting

21-Leaving for USA

Aug.19-Return to Guwahati

25-30-Apostolic Community meeting

Sept.1-15Regional CRI Meeting

NE Pastoral Conference, Shillong

We pray for the sick among us.

Fr. James Mukalel of South West Province in Germany, who is unwell,

Fr. Joseph Thayil of the South West Province, who met with a motor vehicle accident,

and Fr. A M Sebastian (Provincial elect, Nagpur Province) who was admitted to a hospital in the USA with severe Malaria.

Let us pray for the departed

Fr. P.V. Joseph, a veteran missionarybelonging to Nagpur province, who expired on 5th June at Khamgaon. May the Lord reward his good work and grant him eternal rest.

Conclusion

The past four months have a time of blessing and grace to me. I have traveled lot, seen places, met people and received love and hospitality of many- from the stranger on the road to bishops in their visiting rooms. More than all, I have experienced the care and love of the confreres. I have listened to their stories of joys and sorrows, successes and struggles. And each encounter is a story worth numerous pages. Each of these encounters has revealed something of the beauty and goodness of God. I thank God.

As I conclude this letter, once again I come back to the theme of community life. I strongly believe that community life is the springboard for a fruitful pastoral involvement. Each day we receive the care, love, attention and service of several persons. In serving others, we too are served. However, the offering of a genuine appreciation, warm encouragement and sincere support by our own confreres cannot be substituted by anyone else. A gentle look, a warm smile, and a generous touch from the confreres are crucial to community life. Let us acknowledge the gift of our confreres.

PerfectaeCaritatisspeaks of the community as a true family in which love has flooded the hearts the members. Let love reign in our hearts and our communities be flooded once again with love.

Fraternally,

Fr. Francis Thadathil, msfs.

When God calls anyone to be a religious, He binds Himself to bestow on that person

all that is needed for perfection in his vocation.

(Spiritual Conferences, 17)

For it is not through the multiplicity of things that we do that we arrive at perfection,

but rather through the perfection and the purity of intention with which we do them.

(Spiritual Conferences Vol. 2, 5)

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9th July 2008 sgmsfs- 2af -7

FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION

My Dear Confreres,

Each of you engaged in the works of the Lord entrusted to your care is a source of strength , blessings and inspiration to our Fransalian family. Recall to mind those confreres whom you have never met nor have you seen or perhaps you will never meet. You are as close to them as you would be to those whose life you share .There is a bond that transcends space and time .There is a radical option to follow Jesus in the way of Fr Mermier in the spirit of St Francis de Sales that knits us together into a family of God’s Spirit. I greet you and bring to you the encouragement and joy of our common vocation.

Let us always go to the sources from where to drink the pure, crystal energizing waters of life: God’s Word, Salesian Spirituality and our Constitutions. You can be sure that every faith-filled return to these sources will be an explosion of renewal and your valued contribution to the life and mission of the Congregation.

SIGN- POSTS AHEAD

Looking forward in the next few months, I see sign -posts of great significance to the Church and to the Congregation:

Feast of the Mother of Compassion on 15th September: Mary is the symbol of all that one becomes when God is the center of one’s life. Love is his driving force and God’s plan his daily work.How beautiful and graceful to stand with hope, courage and confidence amidst the imponderables of our own life and that of others! Let us stand beside Mother Mary beneath the Cross of Jesus!

Founder’s Day, 30th September: Linked with our spiritual Father, Peter Mermier, we inherit in seedform the original God-experience of this saintly man and which gave birth to our Congregation. This seed sown in our times, in varieties of cultures, countries and apostolates makes the charism of our Congregation come alive. It is a gift to the Church and the society. May we always live fully present today and fully rooted in the heart of Fr Mermier.

Canonisation of SrAlphonsa: The Canonization of Sr. Alphonsa in Rome on 12th October 2008 is a harbinger of the grace of God at work in the hearts of simple ordinary religious who have left a trail of sanctity amidst the humdrum of life. She is an example for all to imitate. Coming as SrAlphonsa does from India, the country where we have so many Fransalians, it is an event that we will treasure with special delight and pray for the Church in India.

The Synod on the Word of God: In October 2008 the Synodal Bishops will gather in Rome to assist the Church to rediscover the primacy of the Word of God in our lives and to enable us to use its power and light to build a better world .Let us pray that the Lord may spare us “the famine for the word of God” and that He may give us “a real hunger” for His Word.

Foundation Day, 24th October: On 24th October 2008, our Congregation will complete 170 years of its existence. Founded in 1838, we have travelled in time and continents faithful to the command of the Lord Jesus to proclaim the Good News. Fr Mermier has asked us to follow the example of St Francis de Sales in our works for the Church. The checkered history of our Congregation, at times apparently unplanned, but dotted with the precious blood and witness of the exemplary lives of confreres of today and yesteryears is a project of God at the service of humanity. Let the Foundation Day be dedicated to the memory of our senior retired priests. Let us extol the marvels God has done through their lives. Let us light a candle each in remembrance of the confreres who have died in the past year as a mark of respect and gratitude. I will appreciate if each community, under the guidance of the Provincial, takes an initiative in this direction.