Items filtered by date: November 2015

Our meeting this year took place in the Eternal City. Now it becomes annual, this time of sharing is a privileged time, a moment where we enriched each other in our different experiences of collaboration: for formation, for the service of our shrines, for the mission, in a common prayer, especially for our deceased and the monthly La Salette Novena. Our charism is enriched with the contribution of different sensitive concerns and together- we realized and became aware - we already really live something beautiful that only needs to be deepened.

To give thanks this path and process and continue to entrust to the Lord, we participated together in the audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday, 18. We took with us his invitation to "keep our doors open to bear witness to Christ, the only true and real Door that opens to the Father".

It is also a chance for us, MS and SNDS to share together moments not only in formal and business meetings but of fraternal and informal sharing of presence – where we can relax in the presence of one another, the complimentarily of the Melanie and Maximin as La Salette.

We experienced also the generosity of one another to be available to experience the history of Rome. We were able to share our common friend through the presence and visit of Cardinal Luis “Chito”Tagle who had a close connection also with both the SNDS and MS.

Our meeting, “Rendez-vous” for next year is already set!

S. Elisabeth Guiboux, snds

From Nov. 9-13, we the LaSalette International Formation Commission met in Rome to share insights, stories and support in our work of evaluating, planning and enriching, the exciting ministry of formation around the LaSalette world. We discussed evaluating students and programs, we explored the results and implications of the Congregational formation survey, and shared insights and concerns on the formation of our formators. We also began to plan for a revision of the Basic Program for La Salette Formation to be presented to the 2018 General Chapter. In the midst of all this work , we shared a wonderful visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel and received with gratitude, the hospitality of the Casa Generaliza! All in all, this was truly a joyful time of fraternity, hope, fun and care for the vital ministry of Congregational formation.

Ray Cadran, MS (Mary, Mother of the Americas Province)

Frs. Mathew Manjaly, Jolly C. Ayyamkolil, Joy Porathur and Sunny Poovathumkudy were the first La Salettes who came to the Diocese of Parramatta. The Parramatta Diocese is one of the fastest-growing in the western Sydney area. We started ministering in different parishes and returned home to a community house provided by the diocese in 2012. We were given a parish (St. Nicola of Myra, Pernith). Fr. Mathew M. Antony is parish priest and Fr. Jose Manjaly is assistant. Fr. Jolly C. Ayyamkolil is the administrator in Glenbrook parish which is not far from the Pernith parish.
When Frs. Jolly and Sunny went back to India, three others arrived, Jose Manjaly, Joy Chukkananikal and Joby Kadampatt. Later Fr. Jolly came back to Australia and Fr. Joy C. went back to India.
At present we are considering the parish in Pernith our community center for gatherings, both formal and informal. We have two La Salettes ministering in the Archdiocese of Canberra, Frs. Sijo Thekkekunnel and Jiss Kunnumpurath.
Fr. Joseph Punnakunnel was in Canberra for three years before returning to India. Fr. Jiss will arrive in November 2015. At present we are 7 members from the Indian province ministering in Australia.
Every Thursday we come together as a community and spend time sharing prayer and meals, engaging in meetings and recreation.
We are trying our best to bring the charism of reconciliation to our ministries in the parish, the school, and other areas of mission and ministry. We celebrate the La Salette Feast by involving many parishioners and stressing the multicultural aspect of our parish communities. We do ministry in the parish schools. We make it a point to help out in the sacrament of reconciliation in all parishes of the Deanery whenever called upon. We do have two hours of confession every week in the parishes where we minister. We are trying to live a simple life, saving as much as we can to support the Province.
As of now we are all doing well and are happy in our ministry and mission. The Australia mission is a mission worth continuing. There is also the possibility of expanding our presence in the future. May God bless our Congregation in all our missions and ministries.
Rev. Mathew Manjaly Antony, MS