Live Jesus !
Samarpanaram, May 15th,2005

Dear confrere!

Greetings from Samarpanaram! On the eve of Pentecost I write this letter to you and I hope it reaches you safely.

When I worked in Austria I was famous for sometimes not finishing my sentences. I would start a sentence but somehow forget the object presupposing that the listeners would complete it by themselves.

• When Fr. Anthony R. Ceresko osfs was asked to leave India 5 years ago, it was a little bit similar. He had to leave in a hurry without being able to bring his stay to a closure in a proper way. Fortunately Fr. Ceresko has returned and is now able to do exactly this: to bring his nine years in India from 1991 to 2000 to a closure. I have visited with him last week quite a few places and people. Fr. Ceresko’s latest book “St. Francis de Sales and the Bible” was published and launched at the Indian Institute for Spirituality. Whoever we met put a smile on his face and was really glad to see Tony back in India. It is good for us to see and to become aware again how much positive impact Tony has made in his nine years here. His visit filled us with joy, gratitude and pride in sharing his talents and his being an Oblate. As he is heading back to the Philippines may I express the hope that this was not Tony’s last visit to India! We hope to see him once in a while for one or the other course he gives or for holydays simply. Tony, it was very good having you. May your visit not be a “full stop” but rather a “comma”! Come again!
• The Archbishop of Bangalore, Fr. Jabamalai, the parish priest of St. Mary’s Basilica, and Fr. Vincent Kumar osfs himself have requested me to allow Fr. Vincent to stay for an additional year at St. Mary’s Basilica as assistant parish priest. Having consulted with the advisory board I have given Fr. Vincent the permission to work until May 31st 2006 at St. Mary’s Basilica. It is good to hear how much his work is being appreciated and I wish him all the best in his second year as assistant parish priest at St. Mary’s Basilica in Bangalore.
  The Archbishop of Tellycherry has transferred Fr. Reji Choorakunnel osfs to “Little Flower Church” in Chandanakkampara PO, 670 633 Kannur. His new phone number is 0498 22 15 617 or 9447 82 36 83. The Archbishop had mentioned from the very beginning that Fr. Reji’s first assignment would be until May 2005, and then a new assignment would be given to Fr. Reji.
• As of this week we remember also all those who have moved recently or are about to move: Fr. Mathew Mukkath osfs and Fr. Maichael Eattathottu osfs who are both to be found in Salespuram, Deacon Bruzily osfs who is now busy working in Mudhur and Fr. Xavier Manchu osfs who is fully involved in his ministry in Vissannapeta .
• As promised in my last newsletter I want to update you on our hostel. First of all I have to correct a mistake from my last newsletter. The Director of the hostel is of course Fr. Shaju Kanjiramparayil osfs. The hostel has received a name and will be called “Brisson Bala Bhavan”. The construction is progressing smoothly. The dormitories are ready, the dining hall and study hall are almost ready. We will accept for this year 12 boys who will attend the 1st standard of SFS High School in English Medium in Hebbagoddi. The boys come from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. All of them will start their schooling by the beginning of June. Two ladies, one teacher and one caretaker, will help Fr. Shaju in looking after the children. If all goes well and if we find necessary funds, we will extend the hostel to 20 children. We want to make sure that the children get the proper attention and education. We want to foster their talents and provide them with a holistic approach to education.
• The visit of Fr. Bernard O’Connor osfs and Fr. John O’Neill osfs was a moment of looking into the future of Oblate Asia. De Sales University plans to extend their activities to India and is hoping to be able to do so with us. The first step having been made, this relationship between the DeSales Oblates of Wilmington-Philadelphia and India will hopefully continue to flourish and be fruitful. Thank you for your visit.
• We now expect the visit of Fr. Jim Greenfield osfs and Fr. Kevin Nadolsky osfs, who will reach Bangalore on the 23rd of May. Jim, along with Kevin, will give the annual retreat to our young confreres. We are looking forward to have them here in India for a couple of weeks and are grateful that the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province continues to support us in our work.
• You all may want to know what happened to Fr. John Dolan osfs. After his departure from India and a few weeks of transition he has now been assigned to “Our Lady of God Counsel” Church as assistant parish priest if I am not mistaken. His new address is: “Our Lady of Good Counsel Rectory”, 8601 Wolftrap Road, PO Box 97, Vienna, VA, 22183, USA. We wish Fr. John Dolan osfs all the best and hope that he gets acquainted quite fast in his new ministry.
• Let me announce the dates for our big celebrations at the end of the month. You are all most welcome to appear for the one or the other celebration here in Samarpanaram. If you cannot come please make sure to remember our young confreres in your prayers. I thank all young confreres for their love for St. Francis de Sales and their commitment. Keep it up!
  
  On Sunday, May 29th 2005 at 6.30 PM we will welcome our postulants into Novitiate.
  On Monday, May 30th 2005 at 7.00 AM our scholastics will renew their vows.
  On Tuesday, May 31st 2005 at 10.30 AM our novices will celebrate their first profession.
  
  
• Fr. John Sankarathil osfs has returned safely to Duedingen. I recommend him to your prayer since he is facing some difficulties with his health as well as with his doctorate.
• I hear from Fr. Josef Koeltringer osfs in the Philippines that he is progressing very well in his mastering of the local language, Tagalog. At the same time he is discerning along with Fr. Ceresko a possibility of land being donated to the Congregation for free. Furthermore he is already very active in spreading Salesian spirituality by giving some days of recollection as well as retreats to local religious communities. Josef, we remember you.
• I add to this letter the last newsletter of our Superior General Fr. Lewis S. Fiorelli osfs for your kind attention, study and meditation.
• NBCLC has published a Breviary in 4 volumes for 1400, -- Rupees. I am most willing to purchase them for our fathers and deacons. However, before I do so, I would like to get a word from you that you also want it. Please let me know at your convenience.

Please remember in prayer and mass our deceased confreres:

Paul Gillespie, OSFS died on March 5th, in his 80th year, the 58th year of his Religious Profession and the 49th year of his priesthood, Toledo Detroit.
Eric Laudemann, OSFS died on March 10th, in his 35th year, the 4th year of his Religious Profession, Wilmington-Philadelphia.
David Hagan, OSFS died on May 1st, in his 66th year, the 48th year of his Religious Profession and the 39th year of his priesthood, Wilmington-Philadelphia.
JOHN O. EBENHOEH, OSFS died on May 4th, in his 71st year, the 51st year of his Religious Profession and the 41st year of his priesthood, Toledo- Detroit.

I take the opportunity to thank all of you. I appreciate all you hard work and your effort to strengthen our community in India. Your efforts make a difference. Thank you! May the Holy Spirit touch and inspire you again and help you to continue faithfully your mission as Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.

May God be praised!

Your brother

Fr. Sebastian Leitner osfs

PS: Three pictures will come in a separate email!

Oblates in Asia
Addresses and Phone numbers - May 2005

Name	Address	Phone
Anthony Ceresko	Divine Word Seminary PO Box 073 Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines	0063 46 413 1253
Bruzily Vettukallamkuzhyil	St. Mary's Church, Mudhur Post, Uduppi District  Karnataka 576233	08254 28 91 00
John Sankarathil	Provincial Residence Thaddaeusheim Hauptstrasse 40 CH 3186 Duedingen Switzerland	0041 26 493 11 36
Josef Koeltringer	Parish of St. Sebastian C.M. Recto Avenue 4217 Lipa City, Philippines	0063 917 922 4332
Reji Choorakunnel	Little Flower Church Chandanakkampara PO 670 633 Kannur	0498 22 15 617 or 9447 823 683
Salespuram	Vallithode Kiliyanthara PO 670 706 Kannur	0490 24 20 856 or 0490 24 21 067 or 9447 35 25 56
Samarpanaram	Hosur Road Chandapura PO 560 081 Bangalore	080 78 32 450 or 080 78 31 608 or 9845 17 50 47
Santhanam	SFS Minor Seminary Kovilpatty Road Thirugokarnam 622 002 Puddukottai	0432 22 21 98
Vincent Kumar	St. Mary’s Basilica Shivajinagar Bangalore 560 051	080 22 86 54 34 or 9448 029 839
Xavier Manchu	R.C Mission Vissannapeta 521 215 Krishna District Andhra Pradesh	08673 27 28 34 or 9866 25 13 24

 

 

 

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