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OSFS INDIAN MISSION NEWSLETTER


Live Jesus ! Samarpanaram, November,2003 Dear confreres! Hearty Greetings from Salespuram! No month passes without exciting news. It was a great joy to celebrate the ordination to deaconate of Vincent and Maichael. Archbishop Pinto ordained them in a worthily manner and it was a good idea to combine it with the celebration of our Founders’ day. I thank once more the whole community of Samarpanaram for the well prepared liturgy as well as the appropriate way this feast took place. I imagine that some of you are now expecting some information about our last meeting of the perpetually professed members in India. Let me try to sum it up for you in a readable way! First of all I would like to state, that I experienced our meeting as a fruitful one. I enjoy the openness and frankness with which we talk to each other. Usually, during our meetings, we touch one or the other hot issue, but we manage to listen to each other, to feel compassion, to understand. All in all I enjoy the atmosphere of our meetings. I thank all who participated for their spirit of brotherhood. The decisions we took are related to the future of India in one way or the other. The erection of the Advisory Board It has been discussed for a while among us that we need a structure in India, which enables us to act appropriately. Therefore, with the understanding that: 1.) The acting Major Superior for Oblate Asia is the Superior General; 2) The acting Regional Council for Oblate Asia is the General Council; 3) The Superior General appointed in 2001 a Delegate Superior for the day-to-day decisions to be done in his name for Oblate Asia; 4) It is for this Delegate Superior, that an Advisory Board should be installed; 5) The Advisory Board would have the same role and function, rights and duties of a Regional Council as prescribed in the Constitutions (cf. Const. 309-318). However their decision would become canonically valid only if they are approved and finalized by the acting Regional Council, the General Council; the Meeting decided to erect an Advisory Board for Oblate Asia. The procedure of electing members of an Advisory Board The meeting decided to adopt following two statutes as procedure for the election of members of an Advisory Board: Statute 1 The General Assembly of Oblate Asia There will be a General Assembly of all professed members of Oblate Asia every year around the end of October. In these General Assemblies all professed members of Oblate Asia have the right to participate. Only perpetually professed members of Oblate Asia have the right to vote. Every other year the General Assembly will elect an Advisory Board for two years. The Delegate Superior with his Advisory Board will prepare the agenda for the General Assembly. (NB: The next General Assembly is in October 2004. The next General Assembly of election is in October 2005.) Statute 2 The Advisory Board of Oblate Asia The members of the Advisory Board are elected by the perpetually professed members of the General Assembly of Oblate Asia. There are four members of the Advisory Board: three elected by the General Assembly of Oblate Asia; one named by the Delegate Superior. The elected members of the Advisory Board must have an absolute majority of votes. If this majority is not obtained on the first or the second ballot, a relative majority will suffice on the third ballot. The members of the Advisory Board may always be re-elected. Any Oblate priest assigned in India at the time of the General Assembly may be elected a member of the Advisory Board, encouraging the election of a majority of indigenous Oblates. If a member of the Advisory Board comes to be lacking, he is to be replaced in the following manner: if the member of the Advisory Board was named by the Delegate Superior, he is replaced by a member named by the Delegate Superior; if the member of the Advisory Board was elected by the General Assembly of Oblate Asia, he is replaced by a member elected by the next General Assembly of Oblate Asia. The new member remains in office until the next General Assembly of election of Oblate Asia. Regarding an outreach of the Indian community to the Philippines After having reiterated the Philippines project thoroughly, having heard also the statement of the Fathers not present at our meeting, the meeting decided to make following statement concerning the Philippines. By the way, all decisions were taken unanimously. “At present the Indian community does not see itself able to answer this call appropriately. However, even now the Indian community would be supportive to any initiative of the Generalate to continue in the Philippines by providing personnel because it understands the urgent need for the Congregation to expand its ministry there. The Indian community would also consider the Philippines as its primary place for those confreres who are sent for higher studies/courses in order to get first hand experiences with its culture, language … and to nourish the interest about the Philippines within the Indian community.” As I wrote in my last letter, it would become clear at this meeting, where the Indian Community would go in the near future. I congratulate all who helped us to reach this decision. On the one hand we did not give up our vision. The Philippines and a missionary outreach remain a challenge and a call. On the other hand it gives the Indian community the time it needs to continue to grow appropriately. This decision might come as surprise for some of you. It is the result of many investigations, prayers and discussions. As I write this letter I want to continue to urge you to keep a missionary outreach beyond Indian borders in sight. What we could not envision at this meeting may be realized sooner than we think. By offering to the Congregation personnel, we offer what we have in abundance. I do encourage the idea that a start in the Philippines by another Province or by the Generalate may be realized in the nearer future and will give it my full support. I believe that it is appropriate that we, the Indian community, express our concerns, that we are not yet ready to own this project entirely. In a few years we will also be ready for this. Goals for Oblate Asia within India After our position towards the Philippine project had been clarified, we proceeded to reflect and decide on the process in India and we set following four goals for the near future for Oblate Asia within India: To establish at the earliest possible date a community, where theologians would live as community and from where they would visit a university and receive their theological formation (Goal 2006). To start at the earliest possible date an apostolate within India (Goal 2007). To start at the earliest possible date a separate novitiate for Oblate Asia (Goal 2009). To appoint native Oblates in all offices and leadership positions (Goal 2009). With the beginning of 1) a separate house of studies for theologians, 2) an apostolate within India, 3) a separate Novitiate, and 4) the appointments into all offices and leadership positions within India by native Oblates, the so called “Unfinished Business India” would be considered finished. It is a healthy sign for a community to set goals. We know where we are going together. I kindly request you to join in our common efforts for the good of the whole. One or the other will have to give up something at some moment; there is no doubt about this. But as we are growing together, we will be able to accomplish together our mission and vision as expressed in our declaration. Committee for the Formation Program Over the years we have created and applied policies and ideas in our formation. It is time that we formulate in one document our ideas and policies. Such a program enables us to reflect our positions more clearly and will give us clearer guidelines. First goal of this Committee is that a first draft of a formation program be submitted for discussion to the General Assembly in October 2004. I encourage each one of you to contribute in one way or the other to this document. You will be approached more specifically later. Seats for Candidates for Tamil Nadu As the candidates from Tamil Nadu, due to their different school system, do not know Hindi after 10th, we now have decided to accept for the coming year from Tamil Nadu only candidates after +2. We guarantee four seats in Salespuram for these candidates for the coming academic year. Election of an Advisory Board Finally our Meeting proceeded to the first election of an Advisory Board. The meeting elected Fr. Shaju, Fr. Josef and Fr. Baiju members of the Advisory Board. Later on I appointed Fr. Mathew as fourth member of the Advisory Board. I am absolutely delighted about the election and feel encouraged that all four accepted their election/appointment. I congratulate all four members on their election/appointment and am looking forward to work with them for the coming two years. All other Oblates may feel free to approach any members of the Advisory Board to address their concerns, reflections, ideas or problems. I encourage the dialogue to continue among us and hope and pray for the right decisions at the right moments. Finally our meeting was adjourned and the First meeting of the Advisory Board took place. Find here a short summary of the content of our discussions. After consultation Fr. Mathew was appointed as the fourth member of the Advisory Board. Fr. John Dolan was appointed Master of Philosophers and Formator in charge of the deacons. The General and his Council have approved this decision. Brothers Reji, Bosco and Bruzily, who had submitted their request to do their final vows, were met and later approved. They also have been approved by the Superior General and his Council. The date fixed for the final profession is January 24th, 2004. A tentative planning was discussed for the coming two years, but no final decisions were taken. A ‘Committee for apostolate’ of three was installed (Fr. Shaju, Chair; Fr. Baiju and Fr. Mathew) and entrusted the duty to prepare a meeting of all perpetually professed Indian Oblates. This meeting is intended to clarify in which direction the Indian community of Oblate Asia intends to start its first apostolate/s. A first meeting will take place on January 25th, 2004. Fr. Josef was put in charge of the investigations concerning the start of a house of studies for theologians in the near future. Following confreres have been asked to become members of the “Committee for the formation program” as stipulated by the decision of the Meeting: Fr. Sebastian (Chair), Fr. Fred, Fr. John Dolan, Fr. Josef, Fr. Mathew and Fr. Baiju. The issue of St. Sara’s Educational Society was brought up and delegated for solution to the Superior of Samarpanaram in consultation with the other Fathers living there. It is a great gift to our community that three more brothers are ready and willing to make a final commitment. I welcome them wholeheartedly in our midst. May God bless your undertakings and vocations. As this letter reaches you, Deacons Maichael and Vincent are assuming their ministry as deacons in Ooty and Idukki respectively. Find here their addresses and phone numbers so you can contact them at your convenience. Rev. Mr. Maichael Eattathottu, OSFS St. Joseph's Church Shantigram Idukki Dt.- Kerala 685 510 Ph. 0486-82 76 234 mikysfs@rediffmail.com (November 8, 2003 till March 2004) Rev. Mr. Vincent Kumar, OSFS St. Theodore's Church St. Theodore's Sanatorium Beratty B.O. -Wellington Barracks (P.O.) The Nilgiris 643 231 – Tamil Nadu Ph. 0423-22 30 787 vincekum@yahoo.com (November 10, 2003 till March 2004) Do not forget our brothers who are not living in Oblate communities. Br. Selvaraj at SOLA, and Br. S. Santhanan and Br. X. Thomas Vincent in Puddukottai. Of course Br. Chandra is still working in Madras and will be happy to receive one or the other letter from you. Fr. John Sankarathil is busy with his studies in the now cold Fribourg and Fr. Ceresko continues to teach in the Philippines. Let me close this rather long letter. I am reading Bernard Langley’s edition of the ‘Treatise on the Love of God’. I enjoy it. I came across a spiritual advice of St. Francis de Sales which I would like to pass along. Sometimes, especially in our spiritual journey, we start too many things at a time and fail to achieve anything. In the 8th chapter St. Francis writes: “The enemy often attempts to get us in way over our capacity. We become overwhelmed by all the things we are attempting to do and never finish any of them. Sometimes we are tempted to do some great work we can never achieve and fail to do a lesser work that was easily within our grasp. The devil does not worry about how many ideas we have or how many plans and beginnings we make, as long as nothing gets done. St. Jerome says that among Christians it is not so much the beginning as the end that is important. We need to be careful about swallowing more food than we can digest. The deceiving spirit keeps us beginning things. We become content with flowering springtime. The Divine Spirit shows us that beginnings are only a means to an end. The joy we experience with spring’s flowers is the expectation of enjoying ripe fruit in summer and autumn.” I came across this passage in a time, where I felt a little overwhelmed with what to do next, and with so many things I need to work in my spiritual life. It helped me to focus on one or two things at a time. It may encourage you to put your own spiritual matters in a smaller frame, attempting to work on one or two areas. I wish you the perseverance needed to bring one or the other matter within you to an end. Finally I would like to thank: Fr John Dolan for accepting his new positions; The editors of OSAI and POINT ALPHA for their efforts to bring us closer together; The community of Salespuram for their constant care; The rectors and staff of SOLA and Puddukottai for looking after our brothers; The General and his Council for constant and fruitful contributions; All confreres in all Provinces and Regions for their continuous financial, moral and/or any other support; YOU, for taking all this time to read my letter. You know that you are in my prayers! Please keep me in yours! Fr. Sebastian TOP \| HOME

Live Jesus !
Samarpanaram, November,2003

Dear confreres!

Hearty Greetings from Salespuram! No month passes without exciting news. It was a great joy to celebrate the ordination to deaconate of Vincent and Maichael. Archbishop Pinto ordained them in a worthily manner and it was a good idea to combine it with the celebration of our Founders’ day. I thank once more the whole community of Samarpanaram for the well prepared liturgy as well as the appropriate way this feast took place.

I imagine that some of you are now expecting some information about our last meeting of the perpetually professed members in India. Let me try to sum it up for you in a readable way!

First of all I would like to state, that I experienced our meeting as a fruitful one. I enjoy the openness and frankness with which we talk to each other. Usually, during our meetings, we touch one or the other hot issue, but we manage to listen to each other, to feel compassion, to understand. All in all I enjoy the atmosphere of our meetings. I thank all who participated for their spirit of brotherhood.

The decisions we took are related to the future of India in one way or the other.

The erection of the Advisory Board

It has been discussed for a while among us that we need a structure in India, which enables us to act appropriately. Therefore, with the understanding that: 1.) The acting Major Superior for Oblate Asia is the Superior General; 2) The acting Regional Council for Oblate Asia is the General Council; 3) The Superior General appointed in 2001 a Delegate Superior for the day-to-day decisions to be done in his name for Oblate Asia; 4) It is for this Delegate Superior, that an Advisory Board should be installed; 5) The Advisory Board would have the same role and function, rights and duties of a Regional Council as prescribed in the Constitutions (cf. Const. 309-318). However their decision would become canonically valid only if they are approved and finalized by the acting Regional Council, the General Council; the Meeting decided to erect an Advisory Board for Oblate Asia.

The procedure of electing members of an Advisory Board

The meeting decided to adopt following two statutes as procedure for the election of members of an Advisory Board:

Statute 1
The General Assembly of Oblate Asia

There will be a General Assembly of all professed members of Oblate Asia every year around the end of October.

In these General Assemblies all professed members of Oblate Asia have the right to participate.

Only perpetually professed members of Oblate Asia have the right to vote.

Every other year the General Assembly will elect an Advisory Board for two years.

The Delegate Superior with his Advisory Board will prepare the agenda for the General Assembly.

(NB: The next General Assembly is in October 2004. The next General Assembly of election is in October 2005.)

Statute 2
The Advisory Board of Oblate Asia

The members of the Advisory Board are elected by the perpetually professed members of the General Assembly of Oblate Asia. There are four members of the Advisory Board: three elected by the General Assembly of Oblate Asia; one named by the Delegate Superior. The elected members of the Advisory Board must have an absolute majority of votes. If this majority is not obtained on the first or the second ballot, a relative majority will suffice on the third ballot. The members of the Advisory Board may always be re-elected.

Any Oblate priest assigned in India at the time of the General Assembly may be elected a member of the Advisory Board, encouraging the election of a majority of indigenous Oblates.

If a member of the Advisory Board comes to be lacking, he is to be replaced in the following manner:

if the member of the Advisory Board was named by the Delegate Superior, he is replaced by a member named by the Delegate Superior;

if the member of the Advisory Board was elected by the General Assembly of Oblate Asia, he is replaced by a member elected by the next General Assembly of Oblate Asia.

The new member remains in office until the next General Assembly of election of Oblate Asia.

Regarding an outreach of the Indian community to the Philippines

After having reiterated the Philippines project thoroughly, having heard also the statement of the Fathers not present at our meeting, the meeting decided to make following statement concerning the Philippines. By the way, all decisions were taken unanimously.

“At present the Indian community does not see itself able to answer this call appropriately. However, even now the Indian community would be supportive to any initiative of the Generalate to continue in the Philippines by providing personnel because it understands the urgent need for the Congregation to expand its ministry there. The Indian community would also consider the Philippines as its primary place for those confreres who are sent for higher studies/courses in order to get first hand experiences with its culture, language … and to nourish the interest about the Philippines within the Indian community.”

As I wrote in my last letter, it would become clear at this meeting, where the Indian Community would go in the near future. I congratulate all who helped us to reach this decision. On the one hand we did not give up our vision. The Philippines and a missionary outreach remain a challenge and a call. On the other hand it gives the Indian community the time it needs to continue to grow appropriately. This decision might come as surprise for some of you. It is the result of many investigations, prayers and discussions. As I write this letter I want to continue to urge you to keep a missionary outreach beyond Indian borders in sight. What we could not envision at this meeting may be realized sooner than we think. By offering to the Congregation personnel, we offer what we have in abundance. I do encourage the idea that a start in the Philippines by another Province or by the Generalate may be realized in the nearer future and will give it my full support. I believe that it is appropriate that we, the Indian community, express our concerns, that we are not yet ready to own this project entirely. In a few years we will also be ready for this.

Goals for Oblate Asia within India

After our position towards the Philippine project had been clarified, we proceeded to reflect and decide on the process in India and we set following four goals for the near future for Oblate Asia within India:

To establish at the earliest possible date a community, where theologians would live as community and from where they would visit a university and receive their theological formation (Goal 2006).

To start at the earliest possible date an apostolate within India (Goal 2007).

To start at the earliest possible date a separate novitiate for Oblate Asia (Goal 2009).

To appoint native Oblates in all offices and leadership positions (Goal 2009).

With the beginning of 1) a separate house of studies for theologians, 2) an apostolate within India, 3) a separate Novitiate, and 4) the appointments into all offices and leadership positions within India by native Oblates, the so called “Unfinished Business India” would be considered finished.

It is a healthy sign for a community to set goals. We know where we are going together. I kindly request you to join in our common efforts for the good of the whole. One or the other will have to give up something at some moment; there is no doubt about this. But as we are growing together, we will be able to accomplish together our mission and vision as expressed in our declaration.

Committee for the Formation Program

Over the years we have created and applied policies and ideas in our formation. It is time that we formulate in one document our ideas and policies. Such a program enables us to reflect our positions more clearly and will give us clearer guidelines. First goal of this Committee is that a first draft of a formation program be submitted for discussion to the General Assembly in October 2004. I encourage each one of you to contribute in one way or the other to this document. You will be approached more specifically later.

Seats for Candidates for Tamil Nadu

As the candidates from Tamil Nadu, due to their different school system, do not know Hindi after 10th, we now have decided to accept for the coming year from Tamil Nadu only candidates after +2. We guarantee four seats in Salespuram for these candidates for the coming academic year.

Election of an Advisory Board

Finally our Meeting proceeded to the first election of an Advisory Board. The meeting elected Fr. Shaju, Fr. Josef and Fr. Baiju members of the Advisory Board. Later on I appointed Fr. Mathew as fourth member of the Advisory Board. I am absolutely delighted about the election and feel encouraged that all four accepted their election/appointment. I congratulate all four members on their election/appointment and am looking forward to work with them for the coming two years. All other Oblates may feel free to approach any members of the Advisory Board to address their concerns, reflections, ideas or problems. I encourage the dialogue to continue among us and hope and pray for the right decisions at the right moments.

Finally our meeting was adjourned and the First meeting of the Advisory Board took place. Find here a short summary of the content of our discussions.

After consultation Fr. Mathew was appointed as the fourth member of the Advisory Board.

Fr. John Dolan was appointed Master of Philosophers and Formator in charge of the deacons. The General and his Council have approved this decision.

Brothers Reji, Bosco and Bruzily, who had submitted their request to do their final vows, were met and later approved. They also have been approved by the Superior General and his Council. The date fixed for the final profession is January 24th, 2004.

A tentative planning was discussed for the coming two years, but no final decisions were taken.

A ‘Committee for apostolate’ of three was installed (Fr. Shaju, Chair; Fr. Baiju and Fr. Mathew) and entrusted the duty to prepare a meeting of all perpetually professed Indian Oblates. This meeting is intended to clarify in which direction the Indian community of Oblate Asia intends to start its first apostolate/s. A first meeting will take place on January 25th, 2004.

Fr. Josef was put in charge of the investigations concerning the start of a house of studies for theologians in the near future.

Following confreres have been asked to become members of the “Committee for the formation program” as stipulated by the decision of the Meeting: Fr. Sebastian (Chair), Fr. Fred, Fr. John Dolan, Fr. Josef, Fr. Mathew and Fr. Baiju.

The issue of St. Sara’s Educational Society was brought up and delegated for solution to the Superior of Samarpanaram in consultation with the other Fathers living there.

It is a great gift to our community that three more brothers are ready and willing to make a final commitment. I welcome them wholeheartedly in our midst. May God bless your undertakings and vocations.
As this letter reaches you, Deacons Maichael and Vincent are assuming their ministry as deacons in Ooty and Idukki respectively. Find here their addresses and phone numbers so you can contact them at your convenience.

Rev. Mr. Maichael Eattathottu, OSFS
St. Joseph's Church
Shantigram
Idukki Dt.- Kerala
685 510
Ph. 0486-82 76 234
mikysfs@rediffmail.com
(November 8, 2003 till March 2004)

Rev. Mr. Vincent Kumar, OSFS
St. Theodore's Church
St. Theodore's Sanatorium
Beratty B.O. -Wellington Barracks (P.O.)
The Nilgiris 643 231 – Tamil Nadu
Ph. 0423-22 30 787
vincekum@yahoo.com
(November 10, 2003 till March 2004)

Do not forget our brothers who are not living in Oblate communities. Br. Selvaraj at SOLA, and Br. S. Santhanan and Br. X. Thomas Vincent in Puddukottai. Of course Br. Chandra is still working in Madras and will be happy to receive one or the other letter from you. Fr. John Sankarathil is busy with his studies in the now cold Fribourg and Fr. Ceresko continues to teach in the Philippines.

Let me close this rather long letter.

I am reading Bernard Langley’s edition of the ‘Treatise on the Love of God’. I enjoy it. I came across a spiritual advice of St. Francis de Sales which I would like to pass along.

Sometimes, especially in our spiritual journey, we start too many things at a time and fail to achieve anything. In the 8th chapter St. Francis writes:

“The enemy often attempts to get us in way over our capacity. We become overwhelmed by all the things we are attempting to do and never finish any of them. Sometimes we are tempted to do some great work we can never achieve and fail to do a lesser work that was easily within our grasp. The devil does not worry about how many ideas we have or how many plans and beginnings we make, as long as nothing gets done.
St. Jerome says that among Christians it is not so much the beginning as the end that is important. We need to be careful about swallowing more food than we can digest. The deceiving spirit keeps us beginning things. We become content with flowering springtime. The Divine Spirit shows us that beginnings are only a means to an end. The joy we experience with spring’s flowers is the expectation of enjoying ripe fruit in summer and autumn.”

I came across this passage in a time, where I felt a little overwhelmed with what to do next, and with so many things I need to work in my spiritual life. It helped me to focus on one or two things at a time. It may encourage you to put your own spiritual matters in a smaller frame, attempting to work on one or two areas. I wish you the perseverance needed to bring one or the other matter within you to an end.

Finally I would like to thank:

Fr John Dolan for accepting his new positions;

The editors of OSAI and POINT ALPHA for their efforts to bring us closer together;

The community of Salespuram for their constant care;

The rectors and staff of SOLA and Puddukottai for looking after our brothers;

The General and his Council for constant and fruitful contributions;

All confreres in all Provinces and Regions for their continuous financial, moral and/or any other support;

YOU, for taking all this time to read my letter.

You know that you are in my prayers! Please keep me in yours!

Fr. Sebastian

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