Dear confrere!
We are about to enter retreat and I just want to update you on recent decisions and happenings.
We are delighted to have Fr. Aldino J. Kiesel, Superior General, among us. His visit is support and encouragement and we are looking forward to listen to him during our retreat.
Our last advisory board meeting at the beginning of May reached following decisions that I want to communicate:
1.) It is with great joy that I can announce that following brothers have been approved to renew their vows on May 30th 2007:
Arepalli, Jayaraj Fifth Renewal
Kumar, Mathias I Fifth Renewal
Yeruva, Rayappareddy Fourth Renewal
Bandanadam, Prasad Third Renewal
Koonakiyil, Bijesh Thomas Third Renewal
Raj, Christhu Third Renewal
Bandanadam, Stanislas Second Renewal
Kaligiri, Bala Prasad Second Renewal
Karakkattu, Dennis Jose Second Renewal
Mekala, Thambi Second Renewal
Onasseril, Johnson Second Renewal
Thomas, George Second Renewal
Kala, Sleeva Raju First Renewal
Gali, John First Renewal
Mukulath, Asish First Renewal
Paulraj, A First Renewal
Vettukallamkuzhy, Lalson First Renewal
2.) Fr. Xavier is busily looking into land in Eluru and I am hopeful that soon we will be able to proceed in that regard.
3.) Br. Jayaraj Arepalli is being transferred to Eluru, where he will commence his studies in theology. He will be affiliated to “Bliss”. He will be living with the Capuchins. Once I have an address I will inform you immediately.
4.) My term as Superior of Samarpanaram will commence on May 27th 2007. Fr. Aldino Kiesel will introduce me into office during evening prayer. We have invited our nighboring communities for the occasion to provide an opportunity for them to meet Fr. Aldino Kiesel.
5.) After completing their BA studies Br. Bijesh and Br. Christhu Raj are being transferred to Salespuram. They will work there as regents.
6.) Br. Prasad is being assigned to Brisson Bala Bhavan, where he will work in the hostel. From October onwards Br. Prasad is being sent for B.Ed. studies in Bangalore.
7.) Fr. John Sankarathil is being sent for a year of Intensive Personal Development Programme studies to the United Kingdom. It will start in October 2007 and last until August 2008. We wish him all the best with these studies.
8.) The next advisory board meeting will be on Friday May 25th at 6:00 PM at Samarpanaram.
9.) Fr. Shaju is being transferred to Salespuram from May 28th onwards awaiting the exact date for commencing his studies in the States.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank Fr. Shaju in a special way. He has accepted to lead the Samarpanaram community for the last three years and done so very well. Formation being a new field for him, I have seen in him a man full of responsibility, energy, dedication, sincerity, and spiritual search. Always ready to dialogue, he helped the community to grow: in our own dedication, in our Salesian way of life, in our responsibility. I want to appreciate the amount of energy and time Fr. Shaju has put into Samarpanaram. With his departure he leaves also Brisson Bala Bhavan into other hands. Also in that regard he has done very well, keeping focused on the main aim of Brisson Bala Bhavan, not compromising on its quality or on its goals. Thank you for who you are. For his studies I wish him the best of luck and am looking forward to welcome him back in India at the earliest.
And here a few other things we discussed
• We discussed the present situation of Bliss and Mangalore as place for our “House of theologians” and must acknowledge that we are presently not really able to act on any investment there.
• Fr. Mathew Mukkath is put in charge of all three regents for the coming academic year.
• Fr. Sebastian will be in charge of Deacon Chandra Shekar.
• We reviewed two years of work as advisory board.
• We discussed the salary scheme of our workers in all the communities.
• Together we went through the financial statement of the region and evaluated our financial situation.
• We clarified that presently all brothers in Salespuram and the brothers before Novitiate are called candidates.
• We approved that Fr. Mathew may apply for MA studies in correspondence.
• We approved the construction of workers quarters in Salespuram.
• We discussed the personal development of our candidates in Salespuram as well as in Samarpanaram.
• We approved the purchase of a car for Samarpanaram and the transfer of the old car to Brisson Bala Bhavan.
• We spent time on preparing for the General Meeting on May 26th 2007.
Finally let me give you in brief the anticipated agenda for the General Meeting. Fr. Fred Smuda will lead us through the proceedings on that day!
Agenda for the General Meeting May 26th 2007
(Without any finalized order)
a) Report of Fr. Sebastian (Region-General Chapter) (Followed by discussion)
b) Address of Fr. General (Followed by discussion)
c) Election of 3 advisory board members for the coming 2 years
d) Discussion of proposals to the General meeting
e) Think Tanking – 1908 – 2008 – 100 years Death of Fr. Brisson
f) Formation program – Salesian/Oblate formation
Individual Work: Name in short what you appreciate (d) about your Salesian/Oblate formation and what would need improvement.
Group Work: Split into different periods of formation, according to you, what should be done when? Explain! Refer also necessary bibliography for each period of formation.
g) Others
I am looking forward to see you all on May 26th 2007. May God bless you!