OSFS INDIAN MISSION

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OSFS INDIAN MISSION NEWSLETTER


Live Jesus ! Samarpanaram, July 8th,2002 My dear brothers! Greetings from Samarpanaram! Yes, I am here now and resuming my duties as Procurator and Formator of our Philosophers! Whenever I receive mail from Fr. Ceresko who is in the Philippines he helps me not to forget the broader dimension of our life as Oblates. Sometimes I am at risk, maybe you too, to get lost in daily business, and what we are aiming at and what we are living for is forgotten, or at least put on the side for a while. So, in his last mail, Tony included something like a sample of a Mission Statement for Asia. I know we have to work on that as community as we grow and want to Live Jesus, to bring the freeing message of his love, especially to Asia, as Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. “Asia is the largest and most populated continent in the world. It has an extension of 45 million square kilometers, one third of the earth’s surface, and 3,345 million inhabitants or about 60% of the wrld’s population. Its vast size and numerous peoples give Asia a great geographical, ethnic, cultural, political and religious variety. Christianity has not taken roots in the continent and its followers do not reach 4% of Asia’s total population.” We are Indians, part of Asia. I just want to remind you to keep our broader vision in focus. When we came to India, 12 years ago, we wanted to share Salesian spirituality with the Indians. Now the Oblate India is getting older, and will start sooner or later to take responsibilities (ministries, missions (”Philippines”)) on his own. And he has already started. As you know Fr. Baiju was installed as the “Superior” of Salespuram and the one in charge of the candidates on June 30th. It was a moving experience for me. We celebrated for the first time the Eucharist in our main building, in the community hall. All candidates were there, 23 10th standard students, 14 +1 students and 14 candidates who joined after PDC. Our regents, Br. Bala and Benny, Deacon Mathew, and Fr. Shaju were present for the occasion. I know that the brothers are in good hands and so left Salespuram for Bangalore right after the installation of Baiju. Salespuram is almost ready. Almost means that there are tiny and tiring little details which have to be completed here and there, but our younger brothers are filling the cottages and the main house with the necessary and good spirit to overcome one or the other inconvenience. Anyway, the formal inauguration will take place on October 12th and we expect the Bishop of Kannur and our Superior General to be present on that day. The last two months have been filled with many important events: Brazil became World Champion in Soccer: Congratulations, Brazilian confreres! Fr. Baiju finished his Bachelor of Education in the First Division. Congratulations! Fr. John Sankarathil visited us at Samarpanaram and Salespuram and his family. We were glad to welcome him and enjoyed his presence! He is back in Monaco where he is now, among other duties, given the opportunity to celebrate in the Cathedral an English Mass. All the best Father! Four brothers from Tamil Nadu started their +1 studies at Sevasedan College in Bangalore. It is good to have them at Samarpanaram. Bineesh, Dennis, Jinto, Shinto P.D., Shijo, Swamy, Rayappa, James, Christudhas and Siju were admitted into the Novitiate on May 29th. You are the treasure of the Congregation, Brothers! Bala, Jayaraj, Vijay, Jinesh, Jijesh, Mathias, Bhasker, Praveen, Alex Simon and Thomas made their first profession and by receiving the cross accepted their new responsibilities as professed members of the Congregation. Vincent, Maichael, Reji, Xavier, Bosco, Bruzily, Bala, Benny, Shanees, Chandra, John George, Albert, Antony, Alex Martin and Baiju renewed their vows and obviously grow in their commitment. The Germans finished second in Soccer World Cup. Congratulations, dear Brothers! We have 8 brothers who resumed their +2 studies in three different MSFS Minor Seminaries (1 in Vinaya Bhavan, 4 in Prakash Bahvan and 3 in Nidadavolu). I greet them and their communities. Brothers, you are very much in our prayers! All Theologians and Philosophers as well as Fr. Shaju passed their exams successfully. Brothers, your effort in your academics is appreciated. Archbishop Ignatius Pinto ordained Mathew Deacon on June 16th at Samarpanaram. Mathew will be ordained priest in Kothamangalam on January 25th 2003. Fr. John Graden came to give the retreat to our professed scholastics and enlightened obviously them. It was good to have you here, John! South Korea finished fourth in Soccer World Cup. Maybe this is where God is calling us to go after the Philippines! Asia! Yes! Asia! Congratulations! Fr. Josef visited the American Continents, is now back in Austria and is expected to reach India on August 10th in order to enrich the community of Salespuram. Father, you are most welcome! Fr. John Dolan and Fr. Fred Smuda had to give up some of their duties so that I have something to do here at Samarpanaram! Thank you for letting go! I saw a wild elephant between Gonikoppal and Hunsur! I have been waiting for this my whole life! God is good! Live Jesus, Brothers, not tomorrow, today, NOW! God bless you Your brother Fr. Sebastian TOP \| HOME

Live Jesus !
Samarpanaram, July 8th,2002

My dear brothers!

Greetings from Samarpanaram! Yes, I am here now and resuming my duties as Procurator and Formator of our Philosophers!

Whenever I receive mail from Fr. Ceresko who is in the Philippines he helps me not to forget the broader dimension of our life as Oblates. Sometimes I am at risk, maybe you too, to get lost in daily business, and what we are aiming at and what we are living for is forgotten, or at least put on the side for a while. So, in his last mail, Tony included something like a sample of a Mission Statement for Asia. I know we have to work on that as community as we grow and want to Live Jesus, to bring the freeing message of his love, especially to Asia, as Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.

“Asia is the largest and most populated continent in the world. It has an extension of 45 million square kilometers, one third of the earth’s surface, and 3,345 million inhabitants or about 60% of the wrld’s population. Its vast size and numerous peoples give Asia a great geographical, ethnic, cultural, political and religious variety. Christianity has not taken roots in the continent and its followers do not reach 4% of Asia’s total population.”

We are Indians, part of Asia. I just want to remind you to keep our broader vision in focus. When we came to India, 12 years ago, we wanted to share Salesian spirituality with the Indians. Now the Oblate India is getting older, and will start sooner or later to take responsibilities (ministries, missions (”Philippines”)) on his own. And he has already started.

As you know Fr. Baiju was installed as the “Superior” of Salespuram and the one in charge of the candidates on June 30th. It was a moving experience for me. We celebrated for the first time the Eucharist in our main building, in the community hall. All candidates were there, 23 10th standard students, 14 +1 students and 14 candidates who joined after PDC. Our regents, Br. Bala and Benny, Deacon Mathew, and Fr. Shaju were present for the occasion. I know that the brothers are in good hands and so left Salespuram for Bangalore right after the installation of Baiju.

Salespuram is almost ready. Almost means that there are tiny and tiring little details which have to be completed here and there, but our younger brothers are filling the cottages and the main house with the necessary and good spirit to overcome one or the other inconvenience. Anyway, the formal inauguration will take place on October 12th and we expect the Bishop of Kannur and our Superior General to be present on that day.

The last two months have been filled with many important events:

Brazil became World Champion in Soccer: Congratulations, Brazilian confreres!

Fr. Baiju finished his Bachelor of Education in the First Division. Congratulations!

Fr. John Sankarathil visited us at Samarpanaram and Salespuram and his family. We were glad to welcome him and enjoyed his presence! He is back in Monaco where he is now, among other duties, given the opportunity to celebrate in the Cathedral an English Mass. All the best Father!

Four brothers from Tamil Nadu started their +1 studies at Sevasedan College in Bangalore. It is good to have them at Samarpanaram.

Bineesh, Dennis, Jinto, Shinto P.D., Shijo, Swamy, Rayappa, James, Christudhas and Siju were admitted into the Novitiate on May 29th. You are the treasure of the Congregation, Brothers!

Bala, Jayaraj, Vijay, Jinesh, Jijesh, Mathias, Bhasker, Praveen, Alex Simon and Thomas made their first profession and by receiving the cross accepted their new responsibilities as professed members of the Congregation.

Vincent, Maichael, Reji, Xavier, Bosco, Bruzily, Bala, Benny, Shanees, Chandra, John George, Albert, Antony, Alex Martin and Baiju renewed their vows and obviously grow in their commitment.

The Germans finished second in Soccer World Cup. Congratulations, dear Brothers!

We have 8 brothers who resumed their +2 studies in three different MSFS Minor Seminaries (1 in Vinaya Bhavan, 4 in Prakash Bahvan and 3 in Nidadavolu). I greet them and their communities. Brothers, you are very much in our prayers!

All Theologians and Philosophers as well as Fr. Shaju passed their exams successfully. Brothers, your effort in your academics is appreciated.

Archbishop Ignatius Pinto ordained Mathew Deacon on June 16th at Samarpanaram. Mathew will be ordained priest in Kothamangalam on January 25th 2003.

Fr. John Graden came to give the retreat to our professed scholastics and enlightened obviously them. It was good to have you here, John!

South Korea finished fourth in Soccer World Cup. Maybe this is where God is calling us to go after the Philippines! Asia! Yes! Asia! Congratulations!

Fr. Josef visited the American Continents, is now back in Austria and is expected to reach India on August 10th in order to enrich the community of Salespuram. Father, you are most welcome!

Fr. John Dolan and Fr. Fred Smuda had to give up some of their duties so that I have something to do here at Samarpanaram! Thank you for letting go!

I saw a wild elephant between Gonikoppal and Hunsur! I have been waiting for this my whole life!

God is good! Live Jesus, Brothers, not tomorrow, today, NOW!

God bless you
Your brother

Fr. Sebastian

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