VOLUME XXV NO. 2, MAY 2016 (For Private Circulation only)
DEAR BROTHERS
14 Generous young men who committed themselves to follow the Lordin the footsteps of Montfort on 25th April 2016 at St. Gabriel’s House,
Sitagarha along with their Provincials, Formatorsand well-wishers.
(See more inside)
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FROM THE PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR
Bro. Clement Kandulna
MAY YOUR NEW YEAR BEAR FRUITS
LIKE THESE TREES
SHARING THE LIFE IN THE MISSION
Jesus said “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt. 4:18ff). When Jesus
called some to be his disciples he was calling them to a life devoted to mission. He wasn’t
calling them to the Religious life as such , because there was no religious life at that time, but a
life of active discipleship. Today we are called to a life devoted to mission through religious life.
When Jesus asked his disciples to follow him, when he asked them to lay down their lives and
then sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom he was asking them to give witness to himself. As
we live out the Jesus’ Creed in everyday life we make ourselves available to participate in the
ongoing mission of God in this world. Jesus promises to make everyday disciples into fishers
of men and he calls each of his disciples to share the good news of the gospel. Jesus calls,
equips, and sends his disciples to live life on mission.
We are all in mission. Jesus tells us to love God. If we are going to take seriously the words of
Jesus to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength and love our neighbour as
ourselves then at some point we are going to be confronted with what this means for mission.
Mission then is giving witness to who Jesus is through the proclamation of what we believe
lived out in our daily actions; actions of loving God and loving others. Mission takes place in
the everyday and ordinary. It is local and global – It involves our worship and devotion as well
as our outreach and love to neighbour. The church becomes the foundation and anchor point
for the continual retelling and celebration of the gospel story. The world, all of it becomes the
context in which we live out the ongoing story of the gospel as participation in God’s Mission
and Ministry in the world.
We need to avail ourselves to God in his ongoing mission and ministry in the world. But here is
what I think – Mission is not something we do for God. It is not something we initiate and then
invite God to participate in. Mission is what God is already active and at work doing in our
world right now. The mission of God is something that we participate in on a daily basis. As we
go about our lives at home, at work, at play, on the weekend and in the community of God’s
people; our witness together grounds us as witnesses in the story and the practice of God’s
mission. How we live gives witness to what we believe is true about God.
Our mission is inside us, manifested by our natural talents, desires and passions.
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St. Gabriel’s House, Sitagarha, Hazaribag
FIRST PROFESSION
On 25th April 2016, 14 novices made their First Profession here at St.
Joseph’s Church, Sitagarha. Rt. Rev. Anand Jojo, the Bishop of
Hazaribag, was the Main Ce lebrant. He was assisted by Fr. Abraham, our
Parish Priest, Fr. Sangeetraj, Sj, the uncle of novice John Joseph Leo, Fr.
George Chittady, the V.G. of Hazaribag diocese, Fr. Patras Tirkey, the Rector
of SSC, and a few more priests from Sitagaraha and Hazaribag.
The presence of Bro. Paul Raj, the Assistant General, Bro. Clement Kandulna,
the Provincial of Ranchi, Bro. James Ekka, the Provincial of Delhi, Bro. PratapReddy, the Provincial of Hyderabad, Bro. Franky Noronha, the National
Chairman and Provincial of Pune, Bro. Mariannan, Provincial of Trichy and a
number of Brothers from MTC, Hazaribag, Dhawaiya, Ranchi, Hathiagonda,
Kanke, Konbir-Noatoli, Patna, Banea and Ambikapur encouraged the novices
who were going to be professed and the Staff of the novitiate. The presence
of our candidates from Hathiagonda and Ranchi were a great help in arranging
the chairs, serving the food, etc. We also had 15 parents and relatives of the
novices from Tamilnadu. They were accompanied by Bros. Stephen Xavier
and Bro. Lawrence from Montfort Aruludhayam, Otterpalayam, Erode. Bro.
Roshan Kerketta from Dhawaiya had received them at the railway station in
Ranchi and brought them to Sitagarha. Then we had five parents and relatives
from Telangana, five from Chattisgarh and 15 from Jharkhand. The Provincials
of Yercaud and North-east could not be present.
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Before the Mass, at 4.15 pm we had 30 minutes of prayer service in our
chapel, as an immediate preparation for the Religious Consecration. It was
animated by the Novice Master and attended by Bro. Paul Raj, the Asstt.
General, and all the five Provincials. Then we had a short prayer in front of
the statue of our Founder and then proceeded to the church in line. At
sharp 5.00pm the Eucharistic celebration began with entrance dance by
the postulants of Ursuline Sisters. The choir consisted of the Ursuline Tertian
Sisters. Both the groups did an excellent job
The theme of the day was ‘Embrace the Future with Hope’. The readings
and the hymns were selected based on the theme. 25th April was also the
feast day of St. Mark, the Evangelist. Hence referring to him the Bishop
said that according to the Markan gospel the primary duty of a disciple is
to be with the Master (Cf. Mk3:14). Therefore he emphasized on the
importance of daily communion with the Lord for a disciple. He also
shared that the institutionalized religious life prevents one from going to
the ordinary people and sharing their difficulties.
At the time of pronouncement of the vows each provincial was invited to
receive the vows of their novice. After the communion Bros. Chandradeep
Toppo and Bro. Malar Priyan proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of
the group in a creative way. Fr. Abraham, the PP, also thanked the novices
and the staff for their contribution towards the liturgical celebrations of
the parish in different ways.
After the Mass all were requested to move to St. Gabriel’s House. There
we had a short felicitation programme. Bro. Paul Raj in his address
highlighted the significance of the year 2016 as it is the 300th Anniversary
of the death of St. Louis de Montfort, our Founder and the year 2015
was the 300th year of our foundation. He also threw light on the
uniqueness of the vocation of a religious Brother. He thanked the parents
for giving their sons to our Congregation for the service of the Church.
He also thanked and appreciated the dedicated service of the Staff of the
novitiate particularly that of Bro. T.T. Mathew, for the last six years.
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Bro. Franky, the National Chairman, also addressed the gathering. In
his address, he tried to distinguish the ambition of a youth in the world
and of a young religious. He said that it is not the power, wealth and
position that give us lasting happiness but a life of honesty and integrity
where one is able to forget himself/herself and be of service to others.
He also thanked and appreciated the Staff for their contribution. Then
Bro. T.T. Mathew made use of the opportunity to thank everybody for
their cooperation and collaboration during the past six years and said
that he is going away from Sitagarha with a lot of happy memories.
Then the newly professed were welcomed to their provinces by the
respective Provincials with a garland each. Finally the Ursuline tertian
Sisters congratulated them with a song. Meanwhile they cut the cake
and shared it with one another. It was followed by a festive dinner.
Thus the whole ceremony was well organized. Bro. Abraham Toppo,
the Socius, was the M.C. of the whole programme and Bro. Ajit Camil
Toppo, the Administrator, looked into the arrangement for food.
I gratefully acknowledge the whole–hearted cooperation of our
Brothers from MTC, Dhawaiya and of the Sisters and Fathers from the
neighbouring communities towards the successful completion of this
ceremony. May God bless us!
Bro. T.T. Mathew
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VIDYA DEEP COLLEGE, BENGALURU
We have successfully completed the last semester of the academic year 2015-16 withflying colours. Thirteen students graduated this year from this renowned and prestigeous
only college for religious Brothers and Sisters who pursue their theological studies. On 19th ofMarch 2016, the outgoing students were given certificate and a very emotional farewell on thecompletion of three years of their religious studies. There was thematic program delivering themessage of reviving the “Lost Love”. The long awaited summer vocation began on the nextday 20th March, 2016 till 11th of June, 2016.
We arrived at the Provincialate, Kanke, Ranchi on 25th March. Then on we were busy preparingfor the installation programme of the new Provincial and team which was held on 28th March.Bro. Amit left the same day for Nawatanr to render his help to this community. Bros. Philipand Sonu left the next day for a short home visit and then went to Bagaha on 4th and Philip on5th.. Bro.Zef remained in Kanke. Bros. Philip and Sonu were helping out at the wheat field forharvesting outside class hours. It was a great experience to work at the field till 10.00 pm .These days all of us are busy in schools taking classes and learning various things from Brothers,teachers and students over here. We are also busy getting ready for the feast celebration of ourfounder Montfort and looking forward to have grand celebration. We will be going for homevisit once schools get summer vocation, and will be back in CRI on 13th of June. We arelooking forward for some more Brothers in the Institute from our Province. Bros. Amit, Philipand Sonu will be going to the final year of their theological studies and Bro. Zef to 2nd year. Weask your prayerful support for our final year studies and for our success.
Bro.Sonu Dungdung
Faith must have adequate evidence,else, it is mere superstition.
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CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL, CUTTACK
The heat wave in Odisha became unbearable when the temperature
reached 47 degrees C. The schools in the state remain closed from
12th April in order to avoid sun-stroke. All the commercial
establishments remain closed after 11 am and reopen in the evening.
Utkal Diwas (Odisha Foundation Day) was celebrated on 1st of April
with colourful cultural events. To mark the event, various competitions
like painting and story-telling were organised by the teachers. Prizes
were distributed on the following day.
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Teachers of Montfort School, Noatoli arrived in Cuttack on 1st of April for
two days of outing. On the first day they went to Puri and the following
day to Bhubaneswar. On 7th April we had the Community meeting to
plan out the holiday programme and settling the account related matters.
Bro. Pratap had a hectic schedule during the month of April. On
8th he went to Noatoli to admit his nephew in Montfort School and
returned on 10th April. On 13th he travelled to meet his relatives in
Vizag and returned on 16th. Again on 23rd he moved to Rourkela to
meet his mother and relatives and returned on 28th April.
On 14th April the F.S.I Sisters gave farewell to Sr. Kanuka who was with
us for two years. We were invited for a farewell dinner. On 18th April Bro.
Clement arrived here for an official meeting and he returned the next
day.
On 21st April Bro. Johnson was invited for the presentation ceremony of
the inter-school Cricket tournament. The best teams from the state
participated in the week long tournament. The former Cricketer and
commentator Kirti Azad was the Chief Guest. The sports minister and
the local MLA were present to grace the occasion.
On 22nd Bro. Johnson Went to Ranchi to attend the Council meeting and
retuned on 24th. The following day his birthday was celebrated in the
school as well as in the community in the presence of Religious and
friends.
The feast of Montfort was celebrated on 30th April instead of 28th. On 28th
we had a short celebration in the community and the main function was
on 30th. Large number of Priests and Religious gathered for the special
prayer and dinner.
Bro. Johnson
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PRATYASHA
The mercury has shot up to 42 degrees C in Ranchi but in other districts ithas gone up to 43 - 45. The area I am moving around is a hilly terrain
where the rivulets have dried up. The villagers are going as far as one km towash clothes and bathe. It is not hygienic to use such stagnant water, for theanimals too take a dip in the scorching heat. The paradox is that the govt.spends money on paper and the beneficiaries get a share. The programme iscompleted successfully in the record. The panchayat Raj approach is goodprovided the people are educated, have the power to question. The groundreality is that the local village body has become more corrupt. The Tribalnature is to live and let live.
Bro. Mathew M.K. from Hyderabad Province came to visit Pauta area andcommunities to revive and recapture the sweet memories of the past. He hadbegun social apostolate 33 years ago here and had contributed his mite forseven years to the growth of Pauta and surrounding villages. He was popularlycalled as Dr. Mathew for he was in the healing ministry. The tender approachto the patients healed them more than the medicine. His whole approach wasa testimony of Montfortian Spirit burning within him. At the end of his visit wehonored him with a Jharkhandi shawl to keep alive the old memory.
Bro. M.K. Mathewwho carried the Gospel of Social Apostolate to Hyderabad 33 years ago
from Pauta visited to revive the sweet memories.
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We celebrated the feast of our Founder Montfort with the local Saheracommunity . I used this platform to tell them how passionately he lived hiscall till the end of his life. The role of Mother Mary to shape and design hisway of life to embrace Jesus’ own spirituality as a blueprint for the rest ofhis life. I exhorted the children to pray to Mary daily to take them to Jesus,to study, to work hard, to obey the parents and to become a model child inthe village.
These days we are engaged in to solve the water crisis in different villages.It is a multipurpose community-involved programme in which thecommunity has to contribute twenty five percent of the cost.
The wheat and mustard cultivation in village Kharsidag were encouraging.The high yielding seed was supplied by the Birsa Agriculture University.The poultry enterprise was unsatisfactory due to the death of poultry birds.The piggery farming is satisfactory. The Agriculture University is planningto develop Kharsidag as a model farming unit.
Bro.Jacob Panjikaran SG.
The 4th of April was the reopening day of the school. This year a number of students
got admission in the school. The total has reached above one thousand. In Montfort
hostel one hundred new students were admitted. At present we have 290 students, both
boys and girls in the hostel. Brothers are trying to provide good facilities to the hostellers,
so far students and parents are happy. Many children could not get admission in the
school because they could not get place in hostel.
Summer vacation is declared by the state. Hostellers are back to their home. We are
facing scarcity of water, Perhaps it is the first time all the three wells have dried up in the
campus early in the month of April.
On 25th of April three of our Brothers went to Sitagrah to atten d the first profession of
fourteen Novices.
The feast of St. Montfort was celebrated, thanking God for giving us such a great Saint.
We had invited our neighbouring communities for dinner.
Bro. Xavier Tete
MONTFORT NIKETAN, KONBIR- NOATOLI
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ST. ALOYSIUS’ SCHOOL, RANCHI
The new academic session 2016 -17 started on 4th April. The new
admissions in class I and VII responded well. On 14th April we
celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti. On this special day the statue of
Ambedkar was venerated by putting garland on it. One of the students
briefed about the life history of Ambedkar.
The community members and the candidates gave full moral support
to the newly professed Brothers in Sitagraha through prayers and by
our presence. The candidates also gave a helping hand for the smooth
running of the function. We were blessed with the visit of Bros. James
Ekka Provincial superior of Delhi and Paul Raj the assistant general
on 28th and 29th respectively.
Montfort’s feast was celebrated with full vigour. We started the day
with the holy mass. The main celebrant was Fr. Deepak, the Rector of
St. Albert’s College Ranchi. He also inspired us through his sermon.
He quoted several sayings of St. Montfort.
Bro. Sujit Majhi was hospitalized for a week in Bhuthnath Hospital.
He was suffering from stomach ache. He underwent a minor operation.
Now he is taking rest in the community.
Due to the excessive heat in Jharkhand the education secretary Aradhana
Patnayak has declared holiday from 28th April to 12th June.
Bro. S. Topno
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Printed and Published by the Ranchi Province of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel13
JUNE04. ABRAHAM PUTHENPURAYIL04. JOY ALEX05. OTHON RONARCH06. FRANCIS XAVIER07. JOHN DE BRITTO08. GABRIEL DAIRIAM08. STEPHEN11. RAPHAEL JOSEPH16. STANISLAUS KOSKA16. ANTONY OF PADUA19. MARTIN DE VERTOU22. CHANDY THOMAS0722. STEPHEN V.K.23. OCTAVIAN23. ERIC DAVIDSAMY27. AUGUSTINE NOVELLO27. VICTOR28. JOHN DE MONTFORT(Pascal)
JUNE11. THOMAS JOHN18. ANUP MINJ19.ROSHAN KERKETTA
