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Email:provincialnortheastmsfs@gmail.com/provincialsecretarynortheast@gmail.com

GPA/14 – Circular- September 2015

Dear Confreres,

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY FOUNDER’S DAY!

Wish you all a Happy Founder’s Day on September 30th

. The Servant of

God Fr Peter Mermier, the Founder of the Missionaries of St Francis de

Sales and of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Cross, was

born on August 28, 1790. From his tender years, he had to experience the

brutality of the French Revolution. In 1802, he was sent to the school of

Sallanches and later on at Melan. At the completion of his studies, he

entered the Major Seminary of Chambery in 1809. He was a good

student, not exceptionally gifted, but fervent, hardworking and very

charitable to his companions. He was ordained a priest at Chambery on March 21, 1813, .at the age of 22

and a half. Then he received his first appointment as Assistant in the Parish of Magland where he also

taught the children at the Parish School. After 3 years of the ministry, in February 1816, he was

appointed teacher in the diocesan college of Melan where he had already been a student. During his 3 ½

years in Melan, Fr Mermier thought of his real vocation. He was first attracted to the Foreign Mission.

Then in 1818, longing for a deeper spiritual life and silence, he thought of joining the Society of Jesus or

the Capucin Order. But the local Bishop was not favourable to his plan and appointed him in 1819 as

Parish Priest of the country parish. He was well-appreciated by his parishners as an available and

committed Parish Priest, but still the people remained indifferent. In 1821, he began his parish mission

Band which had six members, all zealous priests. In 1832, Fr Mermier and Fr Allard met Mgr Joseph

Rey, the Bishop of Annecy, and sought his approval to begin a religious Congregation. The Bishop asked

them to wait for some time so that he could test them and study their project. After seven years, on

October 24, 1838, Bishop Rey granted his canonical approval, making the MSFS Congregation a

diocesan Religious Institute. In 1842, Cardinal Franzoni, the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the

Propaganda, invited several dioceses to send missionaries to Africa. A letter was sent to the Bishop of

Annecy, asking him to offer some of his priests for the African Missions. The letter was received by the

Vicar Capitular who forwarded it to Fr Mermeir, who replied the letter accepting the invitation for the

Mission of the Universal Church. But Fr Mermeir could never go where he expected, as the African

Mission had been entrusted to another Congregation. On May 2, 1845, Cardinal Franzoni again wrote to

Fr Mermier entrusting him the Vishakapatnam Mission in India. The letter was received with great joy by

Fr Memier and his companions. The first MSFS missionaries left their homeland on June 5, 1845 and

landed at Pondicherry on September 8, at the end of a voyage of 90 days. On August 10, 1862, after a fall

followed by a double fracture of his right leg, Fr Mermeir had to be confined to bed. On September 30, at

9 in the morning, consumed with suffering, he calmly slept in the peace of the Lord. May the inspiring

life and edifying missionary zeal of our beloved Founder impel us to be missionaries of faith and hope, of

zeal and charity, and of reconciliation and peace as our beloved Holy Father Pope Francis is today to our

contemporaries.

The Holy Father has been well-appreciated by the general public in taking the Church back to Jesus’ spirit

and looking at issues as Jesus would look at them. It is worth taking note of two recent articles published

by The Outlook Weekly and by the newspaper The Telegraph. In the Outlook published on August 3,

2015, Sudeendhra Kulkarni, an aide of former Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee, wrote the following: “Even

though poor Hindus constitute the majority among the Indian poor, Hindu religious leaders are not very

vocal about poverty in India, much less about global poverty. Have we ever heard the Ashok Singhals and

Praveen Togadias of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) speak about poverty and the egregious wealth

divide as evidence of unacceptable economic injustice that is against the basic teachings of Hinduism?

No. Their priority, it seems, is to make India a ‘Hindu rashtra’, pursuing a divisive agenda that actually

seeks to de-emphasise any anti-poverty agenda. Admirably, I must hasten to add, many Hindu bodies like

the Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON, Sathya Sai Ashram, Mata Amrithanandamayi’s establishment, and

even the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (of the RSS) undertake projects to heal the sick, educate the poor and

feed the needy. However, their functionaries neither speak out on the political economy of poverty in our

society nor demand systemic solutions. Contrast this with how Pope Francis has made the campaign

against global poverty and rampant economic injustice the highest priority of his papacy. Today, his is the

most widely heard, also the most morally indignant, voice against this curse. No head of government, no

political leader, no economist and no ideologue comes close to him in making the war on poverty the

centerpiece of global debate and action. He hasn’t been just talking about poverty, but has brought an

activist’s, nay warrior’s, sense of urgency and resolve to the mission.”

The first page of The Telegraph of September 21, 2015, with the article of K. P. Nayar, was almost

completely devoted to Holy Father’s visit to Havana where he was received by several thousands of

teenage Cuban Catholics who lined up for a historic welcome. The Holy Father celebrated Holy Mass in

Havana’s Revolution Square associated with communism for half a century. A huge image of Jesus Christ

was at the square with backdrop portraits of revolutionary leaders. In the words of K. P. Nayar, “Cubans

are seeking to project the papal visit in terms more positive than the fall of the Berlin Wall. In Eastern

Europe the Iron Curtain symbolized by the wall just collapsed and chaos ensued. In Cuba, Pope Francis,

one of their own as the first Latin American Pontiff, is a hero with a difference from either Mikhail

Gorbachev or Ronald Reagan. This Pope avoided the dust and debris of Berlin by transforming the wall in

Cuba into a bridge of friendship.”

Holy Father’s Address to the United Nations General Assembly

The following are a few excerpts from the text of the Holy Father’s address to the 70th Session of the

United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2015:

“The effective distribution of power (political, economic, defense-related, technological, etc.) among a

plurality of subjects, and the creation of a juridical system for regulating claims and interests, are one

concrete way of limiting power.”

“The misuse and destruction of the environment are also accompanied by a relentless process of

exclusion. In effect, a selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity leads both to the

misuse of available natural resources and to the exclusion of the weak and disadvantaged, either because

they are differently abled (handicapped), or because they lack adequate information and technical

expertise, or are incapable of decisive political action. Economic and social exclusion is a complete denial

of human fraternity and a grave offense against human rights and the environment. The poorest are those

who suffer most from such offenses, for three serious reasons: they are cast off by society, forced to live

off what is discarded and suffer unjustly from the abuse of the environment. They are part of today’s

widespread and quietly growing culture of waste.”

“At the same time, government leaders must do everything possible to ensure that all can have the

minimum spiritual and material means needed to live in dignity and to create and support a family, which

is the primary cell of any social development. In practical terms, this absolute minimum has three names:

lodging, labour, and land; and one spiritual name: spiritual freedom, which includes religious freedom, the

right to education and other civil rights.”

“War is the negation of all rights and a dramatic assault on the environment. If we want true integral

human development for all, we must work tirelessly to avoid war between nations and between peoples.”

“There is urgent need to work for a world free of nuclear weapons, in full application of the non-

proliferation Treaty, in letter and spirit, with the goal of a complete prohibition of these weapons.”

“Along the same lines I would mention another kind of conflict which is not always so open, yet is silently

killing millions of people. Another kind of war experienced by many of our societies as a result of the

narcotics trade. A war which is taken for granted and poorly fought. Drug trafficking is by its very nature

accompanied by trafficking in persons, money laundering, the arms trade, child exploitation and other

forms of corruption. A corruption which has penetrated to different levels of social, political, military,

artistic and religious life, and, in many cases, has given rise to a parallel structure which threatens the

credibility of our institutions.”

“The common home of all men and women must continue to rise on the foundations of a right

understanding of universal fraternity and respect for the sacredness of every human life, of every man and

every woman, the poor, the elderly, children, the infirm, the unborn, the unemployed, the abandoned,

those considered disposable because they are only considered as part of a statistic. This common home of

all men and women must also be built on the understanding of a certain sacredness of created nature.”

As Missionaries of St Francis de Sales, following Jesus in the footsteps of St Francis de Sales and Fr Peter

Mermier, let us join our Holy Father in his effort of promoting faith, hope, peace, reconciliation, social

awareness, compassion and love in our own communities as well as in our society at large through

bridges of friendship.

Dawn of a New Region

Given the vast geographical territories, the Northeast India Province of the Missionaries of St Francis de

Sales has been ardently pursuing the establishment of some kind of administrative unit in the Province

since the time of two previous Provincial Administrations. The need for better animation of religious life,

ministries and missionary activities by the Provincial Administration – haphazardly affected by cultural

diversity, geographical distance between communities and inadequate communication facilities – has been

time and again giving rise to the call for some form of administrative units to enhance the quality of our

religious life and missionary effectiveness. Diversified ministries in missions, ample scope for missionary

work and dynamism of the MSFS in the area, adding to all that the growing number of local vocations,

have been over and over awakening our missionary spirit to re-focus on the need for better animation and

administration.

In answer to the reasonable yearning, relentless prayers and repeated requests, the directives of the joint-

meeting of General Curia and Provincial Curia at MSFS Provincialate, Guwahati, on Oct. 13-14, 2014,

guided the Provincial Administration to initiate the process of creating an administrative unit

(Delegation/Region) in Northeast India Province. Accordingly, “Consultation Paper” was circulated

among all the members of the Province on October 23, 2014. In all, the Provincial’s Office received 134

Consultation Papers back by November 19, 2014, of which 130 were for an administrative unit, and most

of the respondents preferred a new Region including Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Assam, Nagaland and

Manipur. An advisory committee – consisting of Fr Emmanuel Uppamthadathil (Convenor), Fr Athnas

Kerketta, Fr Benoy Veliyath and Fr Reji Kizhakethalackal – was set up to study further and speed up the

process of establishing a Region. The Committee formulated a few propositions and questions, which

were studied and discussed at the Apostolic Community level in order to arrive at maximum clarity on the

modalities of establishing of a Region and its functioning under the Province. The Apostolic

Communities, after their meetings, sent their reports favoring the establishment of a Region within the

Province.

After having consulted all the members of the Province through both ‘Consultation Paper’ and ‘Apostolic

Community Meetings’, with the consent of the Provincial Council, and in accordance with the

Constitutions of the Congregation, Fr George Panthanmackel, the Provincial, requested Rev Fr Abraham

Vettuvelil, the Superior General, to erect a Region in Northeast India Province comprising of Arunachal

Pradesh, Upper Assam, Nagaland and Manipur on June 28, 2015. In his letter to the Superior General, Fr

Provincial stated that the establishment of a distinct Region was for the purpose of strengthening religious

commitment as MSFS, facilitating effective administration, encouraging closer community living,

properly nurturing and utilizing talents and gifts, and consolidating and expanding missionary activities.

He mentioned that the establishment of the Region is in view of animation and administration of the

mission and confreres.

Since then, we have been eagerly waiting for the decree announcing the establishment of a Region. On

September 15, 2015, in the fortieth year of the arrival of the first MSFS missionaries in Northeast India,

Rev. Fr Abraham Vettuvelil, our beloved Superior General, issued the decree of the establishment of the

new Region comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Upper Assam. The following is the

Decree of Establishment of Region issued by Superior General:

DECREE OF ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGION OF THE MISSIONARIES OF ST FRANCIS DE

SALES, UNDER NORTHEAST INDIA PROVINCE

The Superior General of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales, Fr. Abraham Vettuvelil, according to

Articles 185 and 245 of the Constitutions of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales, and having carefully

examined the request of the Provincial of Northeast India Province, Fr George Panthanmackel, to

establish a Region in Northeast India Province comprising of Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Assam,

Nagaland and Manipur, states as follows:

1.North-East India Province with the boundaries of the geographical territories of Arunachal Pradesh,

Upper Assam, Nagaland and Manipur with all the Local MSFS communities and confreres duly

appointed for ministry there as on the date of issue of this Decree and those who will be appointed in the

Region in the future, and new Local communities established, will constitute the new Region of the

Missionaries of St Francis de Sales, and will be under the immediate jurisdiction of the Province of

North-East India Province.

2. The Region is established for the following objectives:

a) For facilitating effective administration;

b) For fostering and encouraging closer community living;

c) For consolidating and expanding the missionary activities;

d) For better nurturing and utilizing of the talents and gifts of the members; and

e) For discernment and promotion of vocations to the Congregation

3. The establishment of the Region in the given present situation is not in view of a Vice Province or

Province but in view of animation and administration of the mission and confreres. If and when process

for a new Vice Province/Province needs to be initiated, fresh procedures, as laid down in the MSFS

Constitutions and in the General Directory, will have to be followed.

4. The Region will come into existence on the day the Regional Superior takes charge of his office as

notified in his appointment letter.

5. The Provincial of North-East India Province, on behalf of the Superior General, will consult the

members of the Region as on its roll on the date of the issue of this Decree before Regional Superior is

appointed by the Superior General with consent of the General Council.

6. The SPECIFIC GUIDELINES AND DELEGATED ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS as

recommended by the Provincial and his Council for the functioning of the Region and which are herewith

attached are approved by the Superior General and his Council for the functioning of the Region.

7. All provisions of the MSFS Constitutions and General Directory with regard to the administration of

the Region, the approved Specific Guidelines and Delegated Administrative Powers, and powers that will

be delegated in the future, if necessary, following due procedures, are to be respected and followed.

Father Abraham Vettuvelil, MSFS September 15, 2015

Superior General Feast of Mother of Compassion

Attached:

1. Approved Norms and Specific Guidelines and Delegated Administrative Powers for the Region

2. List of Centers and Members of the Proposed Region in the Northeast India Province

Promotion to Perpetual Profession

The Superior General has already promoted Daimari Ajit, Kharumnuid Wanlambor, Puthuparambil Bibin

Martin, Thadathil Jaimon and War Riawed Marcellinus (Mardona) to perpetual profession. They will be

making the perpetual profession on September 30, 2015, at MSFS Study House Shillong. Let us

congratulate these confreres who have been drawn to a lifelong commitment to the Lord.

Transfers and Appointments

Fr Panii Paul is designated to be appointed Parish Priest of SFS Church, Tening, and appointed Local

Superior of the Centre and Manager of St Francis de Sales School, Tening, with effect from September

01, 2015.

Fr Francis Huwn is designated to be appointed Associate Priest of St Francis de Sales Church, Tening,

with effect from August 16, 2015.

Fr Augustine Kulangara is designated to be appointed Associate Priest of St Francis de Sales Church,

Hamren, with effect from September 1, 2015.

Fr Sebastian Paredom is designated to be appointed Parish Priest in the Archdiocese of Munich with

effect from September 17, 2015.

Fr Saji Tharayil is designated to be appointed Parish Priest of St Peter’s Church, Chandrapur, and

appointed Local Superior of the Centre with effect from September 23, 2015, and Principal of Don Bosco

High School, Chandrapur, with effect from October 15, 2015.

Fr Antony Avittapallil is designated to be appointed Associate Priest of St Francis de Sales Church,

Dhemaji, and appointed Headmaster of St Francis de Sales School, Dhemaji, and the Zonal Director of

FAsCE India, Upper Assam, with effect from September 21, 2015.

Fr Varghese Chettupuzhakaran is appointed Local Superior and Local Bursar of the MSFS Provincialate

Community, Narengi, with effect from October 05, 2015.

Fr Nicholas Maiong is designated to be appointed Associate Priest of St Francis de Sales Church,

Sindukpathar, with effect from October 26, 2015.

Bro. Chimneilian Halem (Clement) is appointed regent to the Community of Chandrapur with effect from

October 4, 2015.

Fr Antony Eattikattil is designated to be appointed Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier’s Church, Bashbari,

with effect from November 15, 2015. Zonal/Regional Directors of FAsCE India Upper Assam: Fr Vintu Augustine

Lower Assam: Fr George Pekadankuzhiyil

Barak Valley Assam: Fr Abraham Puthenpurackal

Arunachal Pradesh: Fr Lukose Kavungal

Manipur: Fr Simon Thaikho

Nagaland: Fr Kusum Kant

Garo Hills: Fr Saji Kaippallil

Khasi Hills: Fr Antony Kattathara

Mizoram: Fr Lijeesh Kaduthanathu

Tripura: Fr Joy Kaniyammattayil

Galsi: Fr Varghese Vanisseriy

Information of/ Thanks/ Congrats/ Appreciation to:

Fr Salu Thattamparambil who has successfully served as Parish Priest at Pilgersdorf in the Diocese of

Eisenstadt, Austria, for the past ten years. He was very much loved and appreciated for his Fransalian

simplicity, cordiality, joviality and fraternal concern.

Fr Job Karikkampally and Fr Thomas Vanderkunnel for being elected Regional Councillors of Southern

African Region and Fr Lukose Perumannikala the new Regional Bursar.

Bible Diary 2016 from SFS Publications, Bangalore: The SFS Publications, Bangalore has already

brought out the Bible Diary for the year 2016. The name of the Bible diary is ‘Joy of the Gospel 2016’.

The readings of the days, response of the psalm, the day’s saint and above all wonderful reflections on the

day's reading are given. I request all the Local Superiors of the Province to collect the Bible diaries from

the Provincialate and make them available to the community and to the parish community. The price of

the Diary is Rs. 120/- .

Fr Saji Kaippallil, who has compiled and edited the ‘Fransalian Prayer Book’ for the Fransalian renewal

Ministry. It contains prayers used by the MSFS congregation and some common prayers added for those

interested in deepening their spiritual life. It is a good prayer book for our boarders. Single copy is priced

@ Rs. 100/- but you can avail 10 % discount on bulk orders only. The proceeds from these books will go

to the Holy Redeemer Renewal Centre, Tura. You can place your order by sms or by email with

Provincial Secretary.

Fr Carlus Barowa, who organized a “Fransalian Evening” for the Benefactors and well-wishers in the

“Pfarrheim’ Ziemetshausen, with the help of Frau Gabi Natzer, on September 10, 2015.

Fr Augustine Thundathil, who completed Master of Arts in English Literature with distinction (74%)

from Mangalore University.

Fr Vijoy Velicakathu for helping the young boys and girls to experience Jesus in their life. The parish of

St Georg, Surberg, in the diocese of Munich-Freising in the state of Bavaria, Germany, has been blessed

with eight new Ministranten (altar servers) this year. After two months of intense preparation, five boys

and three girls, who had celebrated their First Holy Communion in May 2015, were admitted to the group

of servers at the altar by the end of July.

Fr Joseph (Jojo) Pazheveettil (Germany-Austria Delegation Bursar), Fr Vijoy Velickakathu, Fr Gracious

Chirattolickal and Fr Samuel Patton (Advisors of the Delegation) have been appointed by Provincial in

consultation with the confreres of the Delegation.

Fr Benoy Veliyathu and Community of Umroi, for organizing a three-day seminar on ‘Consecrated Life

for Mission’ from September 16 to 18, 2015.

Fr Andrew Ashihe and Fr Donsuk, who organized the Parish Day at Amlarem, in which 154 children

received the First Communion.

Fr Kurian Pattimackel, who organized one-day seminar on faith formation for the faithful on August 9,

2015.

Fr John Karondukadavil, who has already embarked on a special mission of prayer and mortifications for

one year beginning from September 8, 2015, at Deepashram, Gurgaon.

Fr George Pekkadankuzhiyil and Fr Albert Sahayaraj, who organised the Boarders Day Celebration at

Bahalpur.

Fr Antony Eattikattil, whose encouragement and support enabled the students of Don Bosco School,

Chandrapur to secure the first and second prizes in the block level Science Exhibition.

Fr Agnelo Fernandez, who animated the programme for the Parish Priests at Guwahati from September 14

to 15, 2015, on ‘Salesian Pastoral Leadership’.

Fr Francis Thadathil, who was on a short visit to USA in view of contacting and encouraging donors and

benefactors to help some of the projects of the Province.

Fr Emmanuel Uppamthadathil, who is a on a lecture-programme at Augsburg University, USA.

Fr Emmanuel Mappilaparambil, who is on a visit to Europe in view of raising resources for the projects of

the Province.

Fr Abraham Mullenkuzhy, who was on a visit to India.

Fr Gracious Chirattolickal, who was on holiday in India.

Fr Francis Poovelil, who was on a visit to Northeast and participated in Salesian Seminar at Umroi.

Fr Tomichan Moonnanappallil, who is on a week-long visit to his ailing mother in Kerala.

Fr Sebastian Kuzhupil, who was on a short visit to USA.

Fr Kusumkant Toppo, Fr Philip Mhonchumo and CMC Sisters who organised a three-day summer camp

for the children with the help of Fr John Barman and Fr Francis Huwn.

Fr Joby Kurikilamkattu, Fr Francis Peethuruthel and Mathew Muriyankariyil who conducted a two-day

seminar for the Men’s Association at Mary Mother of Compassion Parish, Mawkhlam.

Fr Bara Cornelius Constantine, who organised Mothers’ Day celebration at St Joseph’s Church, Kaying,

on August 27, 2015.

Upcoming Events in the Province

The annual meeting of Stewardship Forum will be on September 29, 2015, at MSFS Provincial House,

Guwahati.

The concluding celebration of the year of “Our Consecrated Life for Mission” in the Province will be

held on January 20, 2016, at 4 p.m. at the MSFS Provincial House, Guwahati. A committee has already

been set up to organise the celebration. The following are the members of the committee: Fr George

Panthanmackel (Moderator), Fr Jose Karipadam (Convenor), Fr K. P. Joseph (Member), Fr John

Kuttikottayil (Member), Fr Shaibu Ezhanikat (Member), Fr George (Shibu) Poovathumkal (Member), Fr

John Barman (Member) and Fr Vintu Avittapallil (Member).

The Superiors forum meeting will be held at MSFS Provincialate, Guwahati, on January 21, 2016.

Assamese Course: There will be an Assamese Language Course, as part of Mission Solidarity Learning,

organized at MSFS Provincial House, Narengi, from December 14 to 28, 2015. You are most welcome to

join for the course. Those who want to join the Course may register your names with Fr Praveen

Kumbattu, the Provincial Secretary, at the earliest, the latest by November 1, 2015.

Decennial of FAsCE India

This year (2015), FAsCE India (Fransalian Agency for Social Care and Education) celebrates the

decennial of its humble origin. I would like to congratulate Rev. Dr Emmanuel Mappilaparambil the

Executive Director, Mr Shaji Fernandez the Deputy Director, Rev. Fr Clean Arengh the Associate

Director, Rev. Fr Vintu Avittapallil the outgoing Associate Director and the entire staff of FAsCE India

for their indomitable spirit in selflessly committing themselves to the mission of loving God and loving

neighbour through manifold instances of innovative projects and programmes that uplift the poor and the

downtrodden. It is also time to remember with gratitude the heroic effort of Rev. Fr Jose Karipadam, the

Founder Director, and his team of collaborators who conceived and shaped the initial growth of FAsCE

India under the patronage of Rev. Fr Abraham Mullenkuzhy and Rev. Fr Francis Thadathil, the Former

Provincials and Presidents of FAsCE India, who visualized and propelled its phenomenal growth. May I

also acknowledge with appreciation the support provided to it by MSFS confreres, financial agencies,

benefactors and friends.

Mission Heritage Week

The upcoming Mission Heritage Week in Visakhapatnam from October 19 to 24, 2015, organized by Rev.

Fr Noel Rebello, is “to make every effort to stick to our plan and decisions with greater passion and

determination.” In the words of Father Superior General, “The objective of the MISSION HERITAGE

WEEK is: 1. To step back for a week and check whether or not our decisions and policies expressed

through Action Plan during the last months of CLM 2015 are realized; 2. To have a MIDTERM

EVALUATION in order to go ahead with deeper commitment to Consecrated Life and Missionary Life in

the Congregation. The dynamics of the WEEK can be worked out by the Coordinators from each

Province in consultation with Fr. Noel Rebello, the General Secretary for Formation.”

Towards a Short History of Northeast India Province

Fr Jose Thenganakunnel is engaged in writing a short history of Northeast India Province, which can be

released on January 20, 2016. May I request all Local Superiors to furnish him with updated information

about each House and Centre at the earliest, the latest by October 31, 2015.

Hearty Congrats to New Members of Visakhapatnam Provincial Curia

Hearty congrats and prayerful wishes to all the new members of the Provincial Curia of Visakhapatnam

Province, who were elected by the Provincial Congress held from September 23 to 26, 2015. The Curia

members are: Fr Mandagiri Jojaiah (Admonitor and Councillor Incharge for Mission Forum), Fr

Jonnalagadda Lourdu Ravi Kumar (Councillor Incharge for Innovative and Social Forum), Fr

Putchakayala Sundar Rao (Councillor Incharge of Formation Forum), Fr Gundapureddy Sandeep Reddy

(Councillor Incharge for Education Forum), and Fr Bellamkonda Anil Bosco (Provincial Bursar).

Hearty Congrats to New DSFS Mother General

Hearty congrats to Rev. Sr Phina Kuruvilla, who has been elected the Mother General of the Daughters of

St Francis de Sales during the recently convoked General Chapter in Rome from July 16 to 28, 2015.

Updates from Southern African Region by Regional Superior

The Regional Assembly took place at Holy Cross Provincial House, Cape Town, South Africa, from

August 04 to 06, 2015. There were 14 priests present from the Region along with Rev Frs George

Panthanmackel and Athnas Kerketta. We thank everyone involved in making the Regional Assembly a

success. We congratulate Frs Job Karikkampally and Thomas Vanderkunnel for being elected as the

Regional Councillors and Fr Lukose Perumannikala as the Regional Bursar. I express my gratitude to the

outgoing Councillors: Frs Baiju Mundackal and Lukose Perumannikala and the Regional Bursar Fr Saju

Thalayinakandathil for their committed services to the Region for the last three years.

Fr Noble Jose Nakathingal received his entry visa for Namibia. I am grateful to Fr Joseph

Kunjaparambil for intervening to expedite the process. He is scheduled to arrive in Windhoek on October

7, 2015 at 19.45. After spending a few days in Windhoek and Keetmanshoop, he will leave for Gabis,

where OSFS Sisters manage a school and a hostel. He will do the first part of language learning there and

by mid-December he will come to Luderitz to continue his language course. On behalf of the members of

the Region, I extend a warm welcome to Fr Noble.

Welcome to Fr Nikseng Sangma: Fr Nikseng arrived in Cape Town on September 3, 2015. On behalf of

the members of the Region, I extend a warm welcome to Fr Nikseng to Southern African Region. For the

past week, Fr Nikseng, while spending time with our priests in Cape Town, had several induction

sessions. On September 11, he went to OSFS Mission Centre in Majieskloof for 6 weeks of intensive

language course. After his initial course there, he will continue with the language course in Okiep parish.

We wish him well as he undertakes the language course.

Fr Salu Mathew Thattaparambil: Fr Salu Mathew has said good bye to Pilgersdorf parish in Austria. He

spent his last 10 years in this parish ministering to the people there and supporting the missions in

Southern Africa. On behalf of the Region, I wish to thank Fr Salu for all the efforts that he undertook to

support the Region and for the commitment to the parish of Pilgersdorf. He will arrive in South Africa

on October 8, 2015. We extend to him a cordial welcome as he returns to the Region and wish him well.

Fr Augustine Parampuzhayil will complete his studies in Manila, Philippines, towards the end of

October 2015. After completing the formalities at the University, he will spend some time in India and

will return to the Region in the new year. We wish him well for his final examination and assignments and

a fruitful holiday.

Bro. Ventino Peter Mutume will begin shortly his theological studies along with MSFS Scholastics at

Morogoro, Tanzania. We wish him well as he begins this important part of his formation.

Bro. Patro Pio has begun the first part of his regency at the MSFS Parish in Chera, Kenya. We wish him

God's blessings.

New Parish in Dundee diocese: Due to lack of members we gave back the parish of Dundee to the

diocese with an understanding that we will take up another parish as soon as a priest is available. If

everything goes well, we will take up the responsibility of the parish of Ermelo during the first quarter of

2016.

Beatification of Benedict Daswa: The beatification of Benedict Daswa, the first saint of South Africa,

was approved by Pope Francis in April 2015. Benedict Daswa, the first born-son of Tshililo Petrus Daswa

and Thidziambi Ida Daswa was born on June 16, 1946, in Mbahe Village situated 30 kilometres from

Thohoyandou the main town of the former Venda Homeland, Limpopo Province, South Africa, in the

Diocese of Tzaneen. Benedict Daswa was brutally murdered on February 2, 1990, a day on which

President F.W. de Klerk announced the release of Nelson Mandela. His martyrdom did not come out of

the blue. He led a holy life. He was a diligent worker, a good family man, an industrious educator, an

active layman, an avid sportsman, an involved community leader, a man of charity and, above all, a

person of deep prayer and spirituality. He was martyred for standing against witchcraft and untruth. In

short, he lived well and died holy. He was declared “Blessed” on September 13, 2015. Let his intercession

be a source of blessing for us in the Region.

Transfers/ Appointments in the Region Fr Philip Mangatt is designated to be appointed Parish Priest of Anne's Steenberg, Archdiocese of Cape

Town, with effect from December 2015.

Fr Salu Mathew Thattaparambil is designated to be appointed Parish Priest of St Thomas Church,

Vredendal, Diocese of Keimoes-Upington, with effect from October 18, 2015.

Fr Nikseng Sangma is designated to be appointed Associate Priest at St Thomas Church, Vredendal, in the

Diocese of Keimoes Upington with effect from December 2015.

Fr Noble Jose Nakathingal is designated to be appointed Associate Priest at Christ the King Parish,

Luderitz, Diocese of Keetmanshoop, with effect from December 06, 2015.

Fr Shijo Joseph Madappallil, after having completed his language studies, will move to a parish in

Hildesheim diocese from October 2015.

Fr Alex George Varickamanthottiyil is appointed Parish Priest for the parishes of

Bilshausen, Lindau, Krebeck and Renshausen in Hildesheim. His Installation as the parish priest will take

place on October 25, 2015, at 4 pm in Bilshausen.

Change of Address Fr Mathew Puthumana

PRATYASHA

A Centre for counseling, Psychotherapy &

Research

3, Chilarai Nagar Path

Bhangaghar, GS Road

Guwahati – 781005

Phone No: 09954338814

Fr John Karondukadavil

Deepashram,

Atul Kataria Marg,

Rajiv Nagar, Gurgaon – 122001,

Post Box No. 74, Haryana.

Mobile: 08586006605

P.Stephen Marayikulam (Jr.)

Pfarrplatz 1

A 7441 Pilgersdorf

Austria

P. Sebastian Paredom

Kienberger Str. 12

D-83119 Obing

Tel No: 08624-2201

Fr. Biju msfs (Daniel Chennala)

Sacred Heart Hospital

Pastoral Care Department

900 W. Clairemont Ave

Eau Claire, Wi 54701, USA

Mob No: 001-715-271-0156

Tirkey Milkius

Procura Generale dei MSFS

Via del Mascherino, 46/2

I - 00193 ROMA

Italy

P. Alex George

Pfarrstrasse 2

37434 Bilshausen

Germany

Tel. (Office): 0049 5528 8926

E-Mail: pateralexmsfs@yahoo.de

P Shijo Joseph Fritz Reuter Rings 5 31028 Gronau Tel: 00495182908764

Please note the new contact number of the following confreres:

Fr Daniel Chennala: 0017152710156

Fr John Karondukadavil: 08586006605

Fr Jacob Mattathil: 09402231365

Fr Francis Thadathil (Land line): 0389 2573270

Fr Stephen Marayikulam (Jr): 0676 88070 8504, 0043 26 16 7707

Fr Sebastian Paredom (E-mail ID): sebastianparedom@gmail.com

Fr Nikseng Sangma: 0629951744 / 0810523658.

Fr Jude Poovakulathu: 08258953089

Half-Yearly Auditing: Dates and Places

26th September 2015 – Sateek

2nd October 2015 - Medziphema

3rd October – Peren

4th & 5th October – Purul & Kangpokpi

9th October 2015 - Manikbond

14th October – Panbari

15th October 2015 – Bahalpur, Bashbari

16th October – Panishali

25th October – Basar

26 – 28th October 2015 – Aalo college, School, hostel, Parish, Yingkiong, Tato – (The centre of auditing

will be in Aalo college)

29 – 30th October 2015 – Pasighat, Jonai, Silapathar

8th November 2015- Galsi

11 & 12 November 2015- Umroi & Mawrenkneng

15th November 2015 – Nongalbibra

3rd

January 2016 -- Thamaraserry

Departure from the Congregation

Pullattuvaliyaparambil Joseph Rojin, Albert Marwein and Oliver Vincent Olowo cease to be members of

the Congregation.

Let us pray for the departed

Fr Baptist D’souza MSFS(53), belonging to Pune Province, who passed away on August 19. 2015 at

KEM Hospital Pune.

Fr Gerard Gill MSFS (Gerry, 87), belonging to English Province, who passed away on September 10,

2015 at Sacred Heart Residence, Dublin.

Mr Balison Marak (22), nephew of Fr Bernard Sangma, who passed away on August 11, 2015 in an

accident.

Mr Pius Edacherry Pauvath (55), the younger brother of Fr John Edacherry Pauvath, who passed away on

September 20, 2015.

Mr Abraham Ponvelil (95), the grandfather of Fr Abraham Ponvelil, who passed away on September 24,

2015. Provincial’s Programme October 2015 –March 2016

October-November

Oct. 2: Medziphema: Founder’s Day of Sisters of Providence

Oct. 3: Peren

Oct. 4: Tening

Oct. 5: Diphu

Oct. 8: Guwahati Archdiocesan Recollection cum Felicitation Programme

Oct. 9: Dhemaji

Oct. 10-15: Mission Solidarity Stay at Yingkiong-Tuting

Oct. 16: Parents Day at Silapathar

Oct. 19-24: Province Retreat –III at Guwahati

Oct. 21: Consultation on 6 Communities of Assam at Sanskriti

Oct. 25: Claretians’ Patron’s Day

Oct. 26-Nov. 14: Visitation to Confreres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Nov. 16: Provincial Council Meeting

Nov. 20-22: General Curia cum PIF-PEA Meeting at Belgaum

Nov. 23: Governing Body Meeting at Suvidya

Nov. 27-28: FAsCE India Programme

December

Dec. 8: Father Gabriel Memorial Symposium at Suvidya College

Dec. 11: Bashbari

Dec. 12: Bahalpur

Dec. 13: Mawkhlam Church Blessing

Dec. 14-27: Assamese Course at MSFS Provincial House, Guwahati

Dec. 16: Provincial Council Meeting

January

Jan. 1: Ordination of Dn Libin Vattekattukandam

Jan. 2-3: Thamaraserry

Jan. 4: Ordination of Dn Mathew Maliyil

Jan. 11-12: Sindukpathar, Amarpur, East Harina

Jan.14: Village Church blessing, Panishali

Jan. 15: Somonpara-Tura

Jan. 17: Ordination of Dn Prior Khongsit

Jan. 20: Concluding Celebration of Mission Year

Jan. 21: Superiors Forum Meeting and Provincial Council Meeting

Jan. 22: Hamren

Jan. 23: Regional CRI Gathering, Diphu

Jan. 29: Manikbond

February 15-March 15: Extended Apostolic Community Meetings (EACM)

Feb. 15: Guwahati-Hamren EACM

Feb. 16: Lower Assam EACM

Feb. 18: Upper Assam EACM

Feb. 19: Arunachal EACM

Feb. 22: Nagaland EACM

Feb. 24: Manipur EACM

Feb. 26: Provincial Council Meeting

March

Mar. 1: Agarthala-Aizawl EACM

Mar. 4: Galsi-Ranchi EACM

Mar. 7: Khasi Hills EACM

Mar. 9: Garo Hills EACM

Mar. 15: Thamaraserry EACM

Mar. 19-20: Novitiate, Chabua

Mar. 30-31: Provincial Council Meeting

A Concluding Thought

May I place before you one incident from Fr Mermier’s life as we pay special attention to our beloved

Founder on these days. When Fr Mermier was received by Cardinal Ostini, the Prefect of the

Congregation for Bishops and Regulars on October 16, 1842, the latter asked him the following questions

to which Fr Mermier answered gently and humbly: 1. Cardinal: “How many houses have you?” Mermier:

“Only One”; 2. Cardinal: “How many subjects are there in the Congregation?” Mermier: “Eleven”; 3.

Cardinal: “Where do the missionaries work?” Mermier: “Just in their diocese” (Cf. Adrian Duval,

Monsieur Mermier 1790-1862, Bangalore: SFS Publications, 1985, p. 97). After hearing the answers, the

Cardinal refused to give approval to the Rules of the new Congregation. For Fr Mermier, it was a

disappointing experience. However, he was not prepared to give up his effort. He sought refuge in the

Lord through prayer and mortifications. The same Cardinal received him on June 2, 1843, with

exceptional cordiality, and appreciated the Rules of the new Congregation. What a change that humble

prayer can bring about in the lives of persons, if only we pray and mortify ourselves humbly, gently,

patiently and perseveringly!

Fraternally,

Yours in the Lord,

Fr George Panthanmackel

Provincial of Northeast India Province

WALKING ON THE PATH OF THE PATRON

“Love the poor and poverty because by this love you will become

truly poor; as Scripture says we become like the things we love”.

SFS