PC Lr. No. 16 DECEMBER 2017

ContentsIntroductionCONGREGATION NEWSAsst. Superior General’s VisitOfficial Logo of General ChapterAppointment by the Superior GeneralPROVINCE NEWSVisit to Australia and PNGFree Medical CampNews from Caribbean IslandsStewardship Forum MeetingMarriage Preparation CourseRosary Month at KhammamPreaching Team Meeting

Ross Hill Feast 2017Prison Ministry IndiaChurch at Patha Mulapadu, IbrahimpatnamNews from EnglandPriestly OrdinationNatinal Education SeminarAppointments for Diaconate MinistryPromotion to DiaconateA few InformationsTentative ProgrammeLet us pray for the departedSalesian Thought

STELLA MARIS, CHINNA WALTAIR-530017

VISAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Provincial : 0891/ 2710259

Cell : 09985860195, Fax : 0891/ 2702589

Email: msfsvizag@gmail.com, frchinnapareddymsfs@gmail.com

provincialvizagmsfs@gmail.com

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Introduction :

Dear Confreres,

We are in the season of Advent, a time to wait for the Lord Jesus. Towait for the Lord is to pray for peace, joy, hope and love. Advent is anopportunity to renew our own yes to God, telling him, I believe in you; Ihope in you; I love you, accomplish in me your good will. When we seethe manger, do we see what God sees? Do we see what Mary sees?Do we see what the Holy Spirit sees? God saw it as a fulfillment of hispromise to the people of Israel. Mary saw it as a salvific plan of Godcalling her to co-operate with God’s plan. It is our hope that by lookingat the Christmas Manger through their eyes, we can come to appreciatethe gift of Jesus’ birth in a new way.

In his annual Christmas address in the city of Rome in 2015, PopeFrancis told the people , “Where God is born, hope is born… WhereGod is born, peace is born… Where God is born, mercy flourishes…..”.He was not speaking only about the manger where Jesus was born.He was also speaking about every place where God is born, everyhuman heart that embrace him and his message.

Our world is increasingly short of peace and peacemakers. Individuals,families, communities and countries suffer conflicts. As long as pleoplemake choices based on ‘my needs first’ they endanger the basic socialfabric of relations. The quest for peace is from the beginning of time. Ifwe want peace, be a peacemaker. Start from where you are and be aperson of peace. Being at peace is not meant only for the quietness ofChristmas Eve or the joy of Christmas day. It’s a decision that we canmake every day. Instead of saying, “ I can’t help it” or “This is morethan I can handle”, we can learn to say, “I can do all things in Christwho gives me strength” . If we begin every day saying, “Lord, help meto hold my peace today no matter what comes at me,” we will find agreater ability to remain calm day after day…because Jesus will honorour prayer and help us. May this season of Advent and clebration ofChristmas, make us peace makers and enjoy peace in our life.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas andpeace filled New Year 2018.

Congregation Matters:

General Chapter XX is 14 months ahead of us. At this point, we placeourselves in listening to Word of God, through our MSFS tradition and

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heritage and through what every MSFS is experiencing, perceiving andsaying. Our next General Chapter should find means and ways, duringits preparation and during its sessions, to allow all that is lived withinthe Congregation.

Three Reflection Papers, prepared by our own confreres from differentsituations and mission territories for your personal study and reflection,study in the Local Community, and reflection in the Apostolic Community.Please follow the guidelines given in studying the Reflection Papersand send your proposals to Fr. James Pattarkalayil, the convener of thePreparatory Committee for the General Chapter 2019.

Congregation Retreat:

The Second Congregation Retreat is arranged from 8th - 13th January2018. All those who have not attended the retreat are requested toparticipate in it without fail. It is mandatory.

Assistant Superior General’s Visit to the Province:

Rev. Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy, the Assistant Superior Generalwill be visiting the Province between 31st January - 12th February 2018.He will meet the confreres in Apostolic Communities and give orientation.On behalf of the Province, I accord him a warm and cordial welcome.

Programme:

31-1-2018 Mermier Bhavan 8.30 am – 12.30 pm04-2-2018 Shanthinagar 4.30 pm – 8.30 pm05-2-2018 Anantapur 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm06-2-2018 Rest07-2-2018 Parchur 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm08-2-2018 Vijayawada 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm09-2-2018 Tanuku 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm10-2-2018 Seethammadhara 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm12-2-2018 Provincial Curia

Stella Maris 9.00 am onwards

DYNAMICS OF THE APOSTOLIC COMMUNITY MEETINGSIN VISAKHAPATNAM PROVNCE, INDIA

1. Event: Meeting of Assistant General with Apostolic communitiesin VISAKHAPATNAM PROVNCE, INDIA

2. Nature: Evaluating and Re-Orienting

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3. Objectives:

1) To reflect, Review and Assess, and thus to become yet againaware of the quality of our life and Mission as MSFS andspecifically as MSFS in VISAKHAPATNAM PROVNCE, INDIA

2) To realistically and honestly see where we stand, which are theareas of inadequacy and for further improvement

3) To resolve, rededicate and re-orient ourselves, both personallyand collectively, aimed at a stable and deep renewal, throughpossible steps and measures, by way of proposals and plans ofaction.

4. Preparation for the Meeting:

1) Let the date and the venue of the Apostolic Community Meetingwith the Asst. SG and the invitation for the same becommunicated to all the members of the Apostolic Communitiesby the respective Conveners and Secretaries

2) Let the programme for the day, and a workable Agenda beprepared and sent to all the members

3) Let the physical on-the-spot arrangements at the venue be doneby the local community that is hosting the meeting and let thembe formally informed and requested by the Conveners andSecretaries

4) Let each member go through the draft already sent, reflect deeplyand come prepared and well-focused for active deliberation andeffective results of the meeting

5) Let the Conveners and Secretaries guide and moderate thesessions in an atmosphere of fraternal cordiality and sinceresharing, intent on higher good.

5. Dynamics and Mode of Operation:

1) A Draft from the ASG, with some guidelines and Pointers forreflection and discussion, circulated in advance

2) Coming together on a day with a prescribed schedule andagenda as apostolic communities

3) Half-hour of Adoration / Salesian Devotion

4) 30 – 45 minutes of Animation and Orientation by the ASG

5) 3 hours of Deliberation and discussion which comprisesobservations, insights, recommendations, toward evaluation andre-orientation:

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(a) Time for deliberating on the items on the Draft sent by theAsst. SG

(b) Time for other concerns that pertain to the life and missionof the Apostolic Community in particular or to the Province

(c) Time for evolving certain concrete proposals andrecommendations

6) An hour of Eucharistic celebration

Giving space to these factors, the Conveners and Secretaries canaccordingly organize the day, discerning upon when to start, when toconclude, etc.

SOME POINTERS FOR REFLECTION AND EVALUATION,IN VIEW OF ASSISTANT GENERAL’S VISIT OF VIZAGPROVINCE IN APOSTOLIC COMMUNITY MEETINGS,

FEBRUARY 2018

1. Mention five major accomplishments of the Province in the last 2years

2. Indicate five main drawbacks or areas of inadequacy in the Provincein the last 2 years

3. Underline five main priorities of the Province in the coming 3 to 4years

4. How do you rate the quality of Religious life in the Province, withregard to

1) Upholding the religious spirit and values, contrary to the worldlyvalues and compromises

2) Primacy and fidelity to prayer and spiritual concerns

3) Spirit of community life, guarding against individualism andconflict of roles and interests

4) Fidelity to consecrated vows, checking against material andmoral abuses

5. How do you assess the spirit of oneness and unity in the Province?

Is there a sufficient culture of Integration?

What are the blocks against unity?

What are the steps to face the possible danger of division andgroupism?

6. What is the level of mission thrust in the Province?

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What are some challenges and constraints in the missionarydynamism and commitment?

7. What is the quality of our education and the effectiveness of oureducation institutions?

What are some defects and pressures?

What are the remedies to sustain education as a mission, and notmerely a profession?

8. What are some challenges in our formation?

How can we address the decline of vocations?

How can we foster a transformative formation?

9. How do you rate the efforts in promoting creative and relevantministries, such as faith renewal, family counselling, youth animation,educative preaching, catechetical training, social empowerment,legal aid, faith and value orientation through literature, etc.?

10. How good and effective is the functioning of the different Forums?

11. What is the extent of interest and promotion of SFS spirituality andFransalian heritage?

12. How well are used the various infrastructures in the Province foranimation and renewal?

13. What is the extent of Province’s contribution and impact on the localChurch, especially in the Telugu states?

14. What is the extent of financial accountability in the Province?

15. What is the spirit of the Province toward frontier missions?

16. What is the Vision and plan for the mission units abroad, like PNG,Canada and Trinidad?

17. How do you understand and address the increasing cases ofexclaustration and incardination?

Note Please :Pointers for reflection, could be discussed in an apostolic communitymeeting, local community meeting and bring their discussionresponses to the meeting with the Asst. Superior General. Each onethoroughly go through the Draft of the pointers, and come to theofficial meeting well-prepared and focused, so that we will not wastetime unnecessarily.

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Two New Vatican Postage Stamps:

The Vatican issued two newpostage stamps onNovember 23, 2017. A 2.55- euro stamp celebrates the450th Anniversary of the birthof Saint Francis de Sales. A1.00 - euro stamp marks theOctober 31, 2017, 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

OFFICIAL LOGO FOR THE GENERAL CHAPTER 2019 :

Our Beloved Superior General haspresented to the Congregation the Logofor the General Chapter 2019. My dearfathers, we have a LOGO prepared forthe next General Chapter 2019. TheLogo includes the theme of the 19th

General Chapter and its thrust pointssuch as the Community Life,Mission,MSFSness and the Spiritulaity of St.

Francis de Sales. Hereafter, this Logo will be officially used in referenceto the General Chapter 2019. As requested by the Superior Generalthis LOGO shall be displayed in our Provincial House, Formation Houses, Local Communities and Schools.

THE MSFS PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTORY :

The MSFS Personal Spiritual Directory which is an adapted version forthe Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales and Fransalian Associates isprepared by Rev. Fr. Agnelo Fernandes. It comprises the spirit andspirituality of St. Francis de Sales as he imparted it to those he servedas Spiritual Director. In the words of our Superior General Rev. Fr.Abraham Vettuvellil “ Spiritual Directory is a practical guide to help us‘Live Jesus’ in the midst of daily life.”

Appointment by the Superior General:

Fr. Suresh Babu is appointed as the coordinator of Fransalian Associates

Fr. Mani Malana is appointed as the coordinator of MSFS confreres inAustralia

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Province News

My Visit to Australia and PNG:

I reached Melbourne on 31st October2017. Fr. Manohar received me atthe airport and made thenecessary arrangements for mystay and to meet Rev. Fr. GregBernard, the Vicar General of theArchdiocese of Melbourne on 1st

November 2017. I discussed withhim matters concerning the

confreres working in Melbourne and the possiblity of accommodatingtwo more MSFS confreres in the Diocese in view of forming a religiouscommunity of MSFS. On 2nd November 2017, I met Fr. George Azhakathalong with Most Rev. Vincent Long, the Bishop of Paramatta. After thediscussions Fr. Azhakath has agreed to come back to the Province.On 3rd November, I was with Fr. Mani Malana, at Menai, Sydney. I metMost Rev. Jerry Gleenson, the Vigar General of Sydney and requestedhim to accommodate two priests in the coming year. I met Fr. FrancisSales at Balmain and offered Mass in his parish at 5 p.m. which wasfollowed by dinner with the Auxilary Bishop of Sydney. On 5th I stayedwith Fr. Mani Malana and offered Mass at Menai. I met all the confrerespersonally and had a community meeting at Menai.

On 6th November 2017, I and Fr. Mani Malana travelled to PNG. Wereached Portmoresby, the capital of PNG. SMI sisters welcomed uswarmly and we stayed with them till 8th as the flight to Vanimo wascancelled. We reached Vanimo on 9th and a warm welcome wasaccorded to us. We had a short community meeting with the confreresat Don Bosco House. I met Fr. Jose Mullanmadackal in his parish. On10th November 2017, we met the Bishop of Vanimo, who was veryhappy with our ministry and apostolate. Fr. Prabath is appointed as the

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Rector of the Seminary, Fr. Ravi is send to the Bush and Fr. Sandeep ishelping in a parish. All our confreres are happy and doing their best tolive a contented religious life with the minimum conveniences. I thankall our confreres for their dedicated service to the Lord and the peoplewhom they are called to serve. My sincere thanks to SMI sisters andDPM sisters for their hospitality and concern during our visit in PNG.

FREE MEDICAL CAMP AT TRIPURANTHAKAM

A three day free medical camp from 17th to 19th November, 2017 wasorganized in Tripurantakam Parish by Rev. Fr. Abraham Vettukatil, Dn.Rajesh Chatragadda with the assistance of Parish Council. Rev. Sr. Dr.Rosanis and her team belonging to the Congregation of FranciscanMissionary Sisters of Sacred Heart, willingly accepted our request toconduct free medical camp for three days. Dr. Sr. Rosanis who is workingin St. Francis Hospital at Kalipatnam, West Godavari, came along withSr. Haritha and a lay associate Mr. Rajesh for a three day camp. TheMedical Camp was inaugurated by local S.I. Mr. T. Tyagaraj and M.P.P. Neelam Chennama. It was arranged in three centers of the parish.(Endurivaripale, Lellapale, Tripurantakam). The whole parish and thevicinity of the Parish benefited a lot from the medical services.Approximately 250 people attended the camp. The whole parish wasvery appreciative of the kind service rendered by the parish team. Weare ever grateful to Sr. Dr. Rosanis and her team for their valuable services.

Dn. Rajesh MSFS

VISIT OF MISSIONARIES OF ST. FRANCIS De SALESSERVING IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION TO TRINIDAD

OVER THE PERIOD 5TH - 10TH NOVEMBER, 2017

I, Fr. Antony Baskar-Jayaseelan M.S.F.S. (Local Superior), on my owninitiative approached the Archbishop of P.O.S with a request to invitethe Missionaries (M.S.F.S) who are serving in the Caribbean to visitTrinidad over the period November 5-10, 2017.

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Archbishop Joseph Harris accepted to this request, and official invitationswere sent to our Missionaries serving in the islands of Dominica, St.Kitts and St. Lucia. They were welcomed at the Airport by Frs. Santhosh,Jose Marie and myself. We then proceeded to our Mother Houses atPrinces Town and Point Fortin where they were accommodated.

On Wednesday 6th November, 2017 we met with Archbishop JosephHarris. He addressed us on the Missionary Spirit in the Caribbean. Hespoke of the challenges one encounters, the missionary identity in themidst of different cultures and lifestyles and how one must adapt byaccepting the goodwill of the people and making use of their talents forthe glory of God.

He stated that as human beings, we must co-exist in the world as onefamily sharing one faith and serving one God, despite our ethnicities(various races). Missionaries must learn the culture and language ofthe people whom they serve, for the people’s sake. They must learn topray like the people even if it means giving up their own way of praying.

He said that the world had become so selfish that self-fulfillment hadover ridden self-sacrifice. Our value systems are heavily influenced bythe American system. We are therefore called to extricate ourselvesfrom our comfort zones and enter that of uncertainty and trust in Jesuswho called us. The call of Christian Life is martyrdom and we are calledto obey God’s will even to the point of death.

During their stay in Trinidad we prayed the Rosary together, celebratedHoly Mass and visited the Parishes of Moruga, Tortuga, Point Fortinand Cedros where our Missionaries are stationed. We also visited Mt.St. Benedict. We shared the challenges we faced and our ideas withrespect to our Mission and Vision for the Caribbean in the future. Weenvisioned that the Caribbean Area could become a Region or aProvince.

This visit was really a wonderful experience since it presented anopportunity for all of us to interact in a spirit of togetherness andbrotherhood, a truly great event in the history of the M.S.F.S.

Fr. Baskar Jayaseelan MSFS

Stewardship Forum Meeting (2017-18):

We had Stewardship Forum Meeting on 15, 16, 17th of November 2017.The talk was given by Rev. Fr. Trevor Dsouza O.F.M.

The meeting began with a prayer, Resource person was welcomed byRev. Fr. Chinnappa Reddy (provincial and the president) with a bouquet.

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50 priests and sistersattended the meeting.The main objective of themeeting is to get goodknowledge of financialsystem and preparingreligious accounts withincome tax point of viewsystematically.

In the meeting we havelearned basic accountancy using with tally, formation of society andtrust, preparation of documents, rules and acts, Foreign Accounts,Communications in financial matters, Donations and Transfers, Banking,Auditing, Budgeting, Brief explanation of GST, value of procuratorshipand importance. Payments & Taxes etc… We have clarified manydoubts on financial systems and found solutions on it.

We thank you for your co operation to make this meeting successful.

Fr. B. Anil Bosco MSFS

Marriage Preparation Course at MSFS Dhyanashram:

By the Grace of Almighty God, and the blessings of Most Rev Dr.Mallavarapu Prakash, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam and theencouragement of Very Rev.Fr. Chinnappa Reddy, ProvincialSuperior enabled the MSFS Dhyanashram to conduct a MARRIAGEPREPARATION COURSE, on 11th Nov. 2017 at WHITE HOUSE, ChinnaWaltair, Vizag. The day began with a Hymn of Praise, Scripture Readingand an Opening Prayer by Rev. Fr. J. L. Ravi Kumar, the Councillor Incharge of the Innovative Ministries followed by the Lighting of the Lamp.Then the Director of Dhyanashram has extended a WARM WELCOMEto the participants and the Resource Persons.

We had seven sessions during the day and the first session wasdealt by Rev Fr. Yugal Kumar in which he spoke about the Biblicalperspective of Marriage: Marriage a Permanent Covenant and a Holy

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Sacrament. In the second session Rev. Fr. Velangani Rao explainedin detail about Marriage and the Canon Law and its Implications. In thethird session Rev Sr. Nirmala Mathew brought greater awareness tothe participants and enlightened them regarding the Marriage and theCivil Law with its merits and demerits. With that morning session cameto an end and we had a fraternal meal.

After the lunch break and a short recreation, we had resumed the sessions.In the fourth session Dr. Jayaraj has deepened our knowledge regardingthe Biological, Psychological, Medical, Sexual and Moral aspects that a person entering into marital relationship should be aware of. In thefifth session Rev. Sr. Mary James spoke beautifully about the value oflife and our responsibility to safe guard life and not to damage it in anymanner. In the sixth session Fr. Francis Stephen spoke briefly aboutResponsible Parenthood: Personality Development, Inter PersonalRelationships and the Importance of Communication in family life. TheSeventh Session was a special session dedicated for the senior coupleto share. Mr. Richard & Mrs. Michelle Smythe shared their 34 years of Actual Marital Life Experiences. Their talk was highly inspirational andmotivational to the youth. After a brief evaluation the Rev. Fr. J.Balashowry, Chancellor of Archdiocese, Vizag presented to all the 101participants an attractive and beautiful Certificate. With vote of thanksto all who have cooperated and especially to his Grace Most Rev. Dr.Mallavarapu Prakash, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam and Rev. Fr. P.Chinnappa Reddy, Provincial Superor, all the Parish Priests and theResource Persons. Special thanks to Shanice and Dominic who helpedin Registration and writing the certificates. Thanks to our domestic staffand cooks who contributed for the greater success. The programmewas concluded by posing for the group photograph and then sharingthe snacks at 5.30 p.m.

The Next Marriage Preparation Course will be on10th February 2018 at MSFS Dhyanashram,

Chinna Waltair, Vizag.

Fr. Francis Stephen MSFS

Rosary Month at Khammam

Ballepalli parish celebrated the month of October with great devotion. All the sub-stations were given prior instructions about the chain Rosary. All the evenings in all the sub-stations we had the family Rosary. 22nd

October onwards for last 8 days of the month we had processions in allthe villages. A new “Theru” was sponsored by a single family with a teak

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grown in their own field for 46 years and it was decorated with mariegold flowers grown in the fields. Candle processions illuminated thestreets. Every procession was welcomed by Legion of Mary memberswith a kolatam dance. Coconuts were broken and pieces were sharedas “prasadam” as of local devotion. At the end of the processionthanksgiving mass was offered and followed by a fellowship meal whichwas cooked and served by the Legion of Mary members. This broughttogether the Catholic faithful and Elders. Out gone and dulled downfaithful received renewal experience. It became an exclusive expressionof catholicism amidst many denomination and it stood out as a specialidentity to Catholics. Thanks to church elders and catechist for arrangingand taking trouble to make it happen.

Fr. Joseph Kondala MSFS

Preaching Team Meeting at Gauhati

This is to bring to your notice dear Conferrers that I am indeed verydelighted to present a report on the parish preaching mission (PMP)meeting that was held from November 13th to 17th in Guwahati, NorthEast Provincialate. We had very meaningful and fruitful discussion onhow we can reach people through our Charism of the Congregationand modules and how we can develop various ways. 30 membersfrom all over India had attended this meeting. The meeting was startedon 13th evening with orientation points given by Fr. Agnelo Fernandesand then followed by the message of Fr. Philip Thomas, the mission incharge of North East Province on behalf of Fr George Panthenmackel,the Provincial of North East. The message and outlines given by Fr.Superior General was read by Fr. Reji. We started with some of theobjectives, targets and approaches and number of days and themesand timings and content of PMP and exemplifying in an elaboratedmanner in the footsteps of our founder and in the spirit of St. Francis deSales. First and foremost they had asked us to present a report fromeach province for about 15 minutes. Fr. Rathnaswamy, Fr. Joshi, andFr. A. Showry Kumar from Vizag province participated in the meeting. I,Fr. A. Showry Kumar had presented the report on behalf of our provinceand all were extremely happy with the presentation. All appreciatedthat we are doing well in our province. During the next 3 days of ourmeeting we had seriously and elaborately discussed about the concern, goals and aims of our congregation. The purpose and goal is to respondto the situation and context we are living today with regards to signs ofthe times knowing the pulse of the people. The present concern of ourcongregation is to revive this parish mission preaching ministry torespond to the situation we are in today as in Fr. Peter Mary Mermier’s

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times when so much of secularism and materialism and relativism isholding sway over the minds and hearts of people. For Fr. Mermier theobjectives of preaching parish mission was catechesis rather than highflown elequence. Solid doctrine was expressed in simple language thatall could understand. Parish mission preaching must be a witness ofpersonal sanctity and a striving for personal integrity and to the spiritualityof SFS. Finally we have concluded with the thought that our ministryobliges us to show ourselves to the people, to society, as SFS, utterlyunselfish, afire with zeal for the salvation of souls, filled with compassionat the sight of the evils which distress people without bothering to wasteour time in useless ranting with lawful mission, blameless doctrine andabove all, a good life. A preacher may say something interesting,something moral, something that will make you feel good, a philanthropicgood but there is no word of God. Finally Fr. Mermier did not take upthe ministry consecutively. There had to be a break for physical andspiritual rest, for stock taking, for replenishing the spiritual energy, forevaluation, for critique of the sermons, for preparing for the next parishmission and to live a common life together.

Fr. A. Showry Kumar MSFS

Visakhapuri Mary Matha Annual Feast Celebrations at Ross Hill

The annual feast of our Shrine was celebrated with utmost devotion,piety and pomp on 8th December 2017. The nine days of spiritualpreparation was inaugurated by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Bhagyaiah,Bishop of Guntur, with flag hoisting on 29th November. The novenadays were conducted by all the parishes and religious communitiesfrom the city of Visakhapatnam who took active part in making thispreparation truly a spiritual event. On 3rd December the six feet SFSStatue was blessed and inaugurated by the Provincial as the memorialof 450th birth anniversary of St. Francis de Sales. The Pontifical SolemnMass on 8th December was celebrated at 7.30 a.m. by His Grace MostRev. Dr. Prakash Mallavarapu, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam while Very

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Rev. Fr. Chinnappa Reddy, Provincial of Visakhapatnam and otherpriests concelebrated in it. At 2 p.m. the Procession took place from St.Aloysius’ School to the Hill Chapel with the Decorated statue (Theru) ofOur Lady in which all the faithful took part by reciting Holy Rosary andsinging Marian Hymns. At the Grotto during the Benediction conductedby the Archbishop, Rev. Fr. Jojaiah, the Provincial Admonitor and ParishPriest of Ibrahimpatnam preached about the Immaculate Conceptionof Our Lady. The devotees who participated in the celebrations wereabout 1 lakh, as estimated by the local media.

The Hill Chapel Community sincerely thanks Very Rev. ChinnappaReddy, Provincial of Visskhapatnam, all the MSFS confreres, Diocesanclergy, Religious, lay volunteers, Media, Visakhapatnam Port Trust,Government officials who in very many ways helped in organizing thefeast. God Bless all. May Mother Mary intercede for all.

Fr. Velangani Rao MSFS, Director

Prison Ministry India (PMI) Vizag Unit:

As Rev. Fr. Provincial designated me to the Most Rev. Dr. MallavarapuPrakash, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam, as the Diocesan co-ordinatorof Prison Ministry India, Visakhapatnam Unit; the Archbishop appointedme as the co-ordinator on 6th November 2017. After the appointment Ihave conducted a few PMI meetings and have visited thrice the centralPrison, Visakhapatnam and also met the prison authorities. A monthago we have taken permission to conduct the Christmas programme atthe central jail and accordingly we have conducted the Christmasprogramme on 10th December 2017.

The programme began with the lighting of the lamp followed by prayersong, prayer dance, Christmas Skit and a few more cultural itemsperformed by the AKM Jubilee Memorial E.M. School students underthe guidance of its Principal Rev. Sr. Manjula and her team. Theprogramme performed by the students was very much appreciated by

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the Jail authorities and thoroughly enjoyed by the inmates. Thanks tosister and her team for their beautiful programme.

Fr. Francis Stephen gave a short Christmas message followed by thecutting of the Christmas cake and distributed to 550 inmates. It wasreally a beautiful experience of God’s divine love.

Thanks to Most Rev. Dr. Mallavarapu Prakash for his blessings and to Rev.Fr. Provincial for his fraternal support. Thanks to all the prison authoritiesespecially the jail Superintendant Sri Rahul Garu, Thanks to Rev. Sr.James, the Asst. Co-ordinator and Mr. B. V. R. Seshu Babu, Secretary.Thanks also to the PMI members who have participated in the programme.Thanks to Mr. Ravi Kumar Reddy (Deepthi book distributor) for providingbus facility. We have concluded the programme with fraternal Christmasmeal shared by all the participants of the jail premises. Thanks to all thecontributors in one way or the other for its great success.

Fr. Francis Stephen MSFS, Co-ordinator, PMI

Inauguration of the Church at Patha Mulapadu, Ibrahimpatnam

At 5 p.m. on 9th December, people of Patha Mulapadu, a sub-station ofIbrahimpatnam Parish, were not able to compress all the joy in theirhearts, as what they always had believed that it could never happen,had become a reality, i.e., to have a new church being built inspite of several external forces miserably tried to impede its realization. Rev.Dr.Rajarao Thelagathoti, Bishop of Vijayawada and Rev. Fr.Chinnapa Reddythe Provincial, cut the ribbon and Inagurated the newly blessed churchand dedicated it to the Resurrected Christ. The thanksgiving massoffered in the new church was concelebrated by 25 priests and wasfully packed with good number of faithful.

Fr. Jojiah thanked and felicitated Provincial, Bishop and all the donorsespecially Mr& Mrs.Greg Trum. Almost 3,500 people shared fellowshipmeal after the eucharistic celebration. Whole crowd was in full praiseand celebration mood.

Fr. M. Jojaiah MSFS

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News from Fr. Lijo Jose, England:At the arrival here in England, I was sent to Corby, a small parish in theDiocese of Northampton, with vast majority of its parishioner fromScotland and Ireland. I had very good experience and rich exposure atCorby under a friendly, cordial and helpful English diocesan priest.During the general transfers here, at the third week of September, Bishopasked me to join the group of priests, to the new project of the dioceseat Milton Keynes. Milton Keynes is quite new and young city, onlycelebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Mainly, due to lack of priests, Bishop has amalgamated two pastoralareas of Milton Keynes south and north and establishing the centre‘Milton Keynes cluster’, responding to the changing times, needs andsituations. Bishop has clustered five parishes with seven churches andwe three priests to take care of them. As the area of newly establishedMilton Keynes pastoral cluster is fairly vast, besides the seven churches,we too got to cater to the spiritual and sacramental needs of severalcare homes, three schools and a university hospital coming under it.So, the new project keeps us quite busy and almost occupies throughout.As it is in its initial and inceptive stage, many things are to follow to getits desired shape and form. People are also gradually getting used tothe new changes, though the process at the beginning seemed to bebit difficult and painful. And for me personally, I am rather successfullyadapting myself to the new changes in my life.

His Address: Fr. Lijo Jose25 Norman CrescentMiddleton, Milton KeynesMK 10 9JN, England

PRIESTLY ORDINATION :Dn. Johnson PanthalanickalParents : Joseph Sebastian & Sherly JosephDate of Birth : 08 - 03 - 1987Place of Birth : Moozhoor, PalaiSecondary Education: St. Aloysius High School, ManalumkalMinor Seminary : MSFS Seminary, VadakumcherryFirst Profession : 10-06-2007, at SalesianumPholosophy : Suvidya College, BangaloreRegency : Fransalian Vidya Jyothi, NidadavoleTheological Studies : Bonlieu Seminary, Fribourg, SwitzerlandPerpetual Profession : 12-01-2014, Bangalore

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Diaconate Ordination : 28-01-2017, St. Peter’s Church, Fribourg,Switzerland

Priestly Ordination : 06-01-2018, at Moozhoor, Palai,By Mar Joseph Kallarangatt.

NATIONAL EDUCATION SEMINAR, MAY 2018(4th May to 7th May)

The National Education Seminar will be held at Hyderabad during theMonth of May. The Province of Visakhapatnam will conduct and organizethe Seminar. The Seminar will begin in the evening of 4th may with aformal inauguration at 5:30 pm and will be concluded on 7th May, 2018.All confreres who are members of respective Province’ Education Forumwill participate in the Seminar. Topics like: Leadership and levels ofLeadership, 21st century schools and Leadership, Effective PrincipalToday- His role and involvement with the staff, Changing Paradigm inthe Education in India and the stand of CBCI on Education etc.. will bedealt during the Seminar. Professor B.L. Handoo, a renownedEducational Innovator will lead the sessions for one day. The Seminaris to be held at Alankrita resorts, Thumukunta Village, Karimnagar mainRoad, Shameerpet, Hyderabad.

Fr. Sandeep Reddy, MSFS

Appointments for Diaconate Ministry:Swarna Anil Kumar KhammamKandi Vijay Kiran NunnaBoilla Ravi TanukuThalakala Ratna Raju SFS Study House, Janampet, ParishBoilla Vijay Kumar Ananthapur

Promotion to Diaconate:Pentareddy Joseph SunderPutti Anil KumarVelamarthi Solomon Raj

A few Informations:

Principal’s Meeting will be held on 17th December 2017, at Shanthinagar,Secunderabad.

Regent’s Meeting will be held on 3rd – 4th January 2018 at Shanthinagar,Secunderabad

Diamond Jubilee of Bro. C.D. Michael and Bro. Olickal Michael will becelebrated on 8th January, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Ross Hill, Vizag

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Tentative Programme :

December 2017

14th School Day, Khammam

15th Anajipuram

16th Sports Day, Medipally

21st Jubilee at Thubadu

25th Christmas, Godavari Parish

26th Steel Plant

January 2018

08th & 13th Retreat at MSFS Dhyanashram

Pray for the Departed :

Mrs. Ammini, aged 80. Aunty of Bro. Sebastian passed away on 4th

November 2017.

Mrs. Elia Kutty, aged 84. Sister of Bro. Sebastian passed away on 28th

November 2017.

Mr. Chitikala Prakasam, aged 75. Uncle of Fr. Ch. Vijay Kumar passedaway on 13th December, 2017.

May their souls rest in peace.

Salesian Thought

Do not become upset when difficulty comes your way.Laugh in its face and know that you are in the

HANDS OF GOD. - St. Francis de Sales

Yours fraternally in Christ,

Fr. P. Chinnappa Reddy msfs Provincial Superior