Dear confreres!
Hearty Greetings from Salespuram! The Philosophers have their first round of exam behind them, the Theologians just started, you know, that your hard work and your presence in the community is appreciated. Fr. Fred being on holidays, Fr. Josef and Fr. Shaju, who successfully completed his studies, are busy running the scholasticate as well as the novitiate. Of course they are not alone any more. Samarpanaram has changed a little bit since Fr. John Dolan returned safely from the States. After his time of settling we will determine together at our next meeting where he will have the possibility to mix his talents to our needs in Oblate Asia. I am happy that his health doesn’t make him anymore troubles and express my gratitude for his return to India. Welcome home, John. As I write this letter, the novices and he are going to Anjali Ashram in Mysore for a ten days ashram experience; you are all in my prayers.
Fr. John Sankarathil has started his studies in Fribourg. I had the chance to meet him in August and was impressed by his busy schedule. His facilities are nice and he significantly improved his French. He is in close contact to Fr. Aregger who looks well after him and enables him to experience community. In October Fr. John will start his thesis on following theme: “Humility and Gentleness: Vertical and Horizontal Dimension of Relational Christian Spirituality: Theological Investigation of the writings of Saint Francis de Sales”. With this theme Fr. John is a guarantee for bringing together our Salesian spirituality and the Indian mind. All the best in your undertaking, John!
As you all already know Fr. Ceresko’s father passed away in September. Since then, Fr. Ceresko has safely returned from the States to the Philippines and resumed his academic work there. Please continue to remember his father, his family and him in your prayers. You know that Fr. Ceresko has always been a big promoter of the idea of us going to the Philippines.
However, since this summer, the Philippine project has received an alternative; We call it the “Unfinished Business India”. In our reflection and thinking we are not yet sure enough to be personnel wise ready to move onto another adventure. One part is calling us to take the chance, another one urges us to make sure that India and its formation communities and its first apostolate gets off the ground before we “foreigners” together with Indians might leave for new endeavors. Therefore we have decided to vote on these issues at our next meeting in October. Are we ready to go now to the Philippines, and therefore postpone the development of India, or do we first finish what has been started and move on from there to new horizons? Though it will always be difficult to make the right decision, our decision in October will be a rather decisive one. If we decide to finish the business India first, for the next five to seven years we will not be able to envision a new foundation in the Philippines. If we do go to the Philippines, our unfinished business India (own Theologate, own novitiate, first apostolate) would obviously be postponed. I kindly request your comments, but especially your prayers for taking the right decision in October.
More decisions have to be taken. We are planning to decide to create something like an “Advisory Board” for Oblate Asia. The number of perpetually professed members getting bigger, we have now to think about structuring our Asian Mission in a way, that decisions can be taken in a proper way and time. Therefore I will suggest to the next meeting in October to elect an “Advisory Board”, who would function like a “Regional Council”. Together with me, this “Board” would be the decision making body, whose decisions would be submitted to the General Superior and his Council for final approval. Here also we need your support, suggestions and prayers. Talking about getting more!
I have the great news to inform you that three of our brothers have requested to make their final profession. Br. Reji, Br. Bruzily and Br. Bosco have turned in their requests today. These are agenda items that bring great joy. During our meeting in October we will also decide on their requests. If you choose to do so, you all, professed Oblates of the Region (with or without perpetual vows), are requested to let me know your opinion about these three brothers. Please do so in writing until October 15th at least! I would consider a no-reaction as a general sign of approval. Feel free to share with me what you think.
On October 21st we are again allowed to witness the growth of Oblate Asia. Vincent and Maichael are going to be ordained deacons by Archbishop Pinto. After this, it looks like that Maichael will go for his deaconate to Idukki and Vincent to Ooty, though nothing has been finalized yet. Wherever they go, I am happy that they have received unanimous consent to their request for holy orders. Needless to request your prayers for them! Please do so!
I would also like to inform you that Fr. Mathew has been appointed the Vocation Promoter for the coming year! Please support him in all his undertakings as well as you supported me!
Br. Chandra is facing some challenging times in Chennai, but apparently he is resolved to face whatever is brought his way. Do not forget to write him once in a while and to let him know how things are going in Samarpanaram.
The same request is valid for Br. Benny who is doing quite well in Salespuram. The last weeks you saw him running around taking pictures of bees and ants and flowers. Together with Fr. Baiju, he is working on our calendar for next year. Fr. Baiju has wisely organized for all brothers of Salespuram a three-days retreat which they enjoyed very much. It was a pleasure to see how serious they took it.
Our Superior General has sent his latest news letter. I recommend it to your reading and meditation.
Founders’ day lays ahead of us. This year we can somehow focus in a special way on our Good Mother Mary de Sales Chappuis, since her files have been reopened for investigation and we can now be more optimistic about having her beatified one day, just like Mother Theresa from Calcutta will be on October 19th. I entrust in a special way our next meeting to the protection of both, the Good Mother and Mother Theresa. With the Good Mother I say: “The soul that fully relies on God is never abandoned by him”and commit myself fully to him. May our faith in him grow more and more! May we let go, what hinders our way to him, may we trust more and more and so experience his care and his protection! With Mother Theresa of Calcutta may we do what is right for India, finding our more concrete vocation as community in India. May both intercede for us!
God bless you and your vocation!
Happy Founders’ Day!
Fr. Sebastian
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