Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette
Items filtered by date: Wednesday, 04 March 2015
INDIA / Provincial Circular 02-2015
Dear Fathers and Brothers,
Lent is a time to recapture our true identity. We are God’s sons and as a result all God’s children are co-heirs of our riches. It should be a time that inspires us to share our time, talent and resources with others. In order to be partakers in this sharing there is a need for equality. Discrimination against anybody on the basis of caste or religion is a sin against God and humanity. Today, Church has to take the responsibility to wipe away this discrimination and untouchability. The mission of Jesus Christ was for the poor and the marginalized. Church should come forward to render justice to all. We should aim to review the struggles for dignity, rights and faith. In this regard we see a great need to be reconciled with one another. The season of lent is the best time we can think of that reconciliation with God and with others. We have to get back to our own identity and come together as people of good will for cultivating and nurturing peace in the place of violence and strife, and work together for the possible prevention of conflicts.
When we think of lent, mostly our reflections go with the suffering, passion and death of Jesus Christ. I was thinking of what makes us sad often when we think of this suffering. Is it really because we all want to be on the winning side? We wish to be happy all the time and we do things for that happiness. Do we ever have thought of making Jesus happy? I truly believe that if we are able to make Him happy by our words, deeds and actions during this season of lent; this will surely become the best time for us.
There is also a need to take initiatives and try to restore what is broken or spoiled or interrupted, or sometimes even destroyed. This applies also to one’s relationships with God. Relationship with God is essentially expressed in one’s surrender to Him and to His directions for living our life. There is a need for total surrender. But, is this total and unconditional surrender possible for us human beings? It is possible though it is difficult! The most desirable thing for us is that our relationship with God is never interrupted or broken. But, if and when that happens, reconciliation is the way that is always open for us.God continues to take initiative for man to reconcile with Him. His Son Jesus Christ is always inviting humanity to return to His Father, as He says, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news” (Mk 1:15). God is ever faithful in His love and He wants human beings to recognize their unfaithfulness and be ready for reconciliation!
May you have a fruitful season of lent. God Bless, Yours in our Blessed Mother
Fr. Roy Parayil M.S.
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Fr. Jince Koothodiyil M.S
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Fr. Sanish Poovathinkal M.S
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Retreat at SingaporE
The La Salette retreat team is back home after a successful retreat preaching at Singapore. Fr. Baiju Avittapally MS, Fr. Joby Muttathil MS, Fr. Jose Muttathan MS, Fr. James Kalliyath MS and Mr. Jaison were in the team. A four days retreat was conducted for the Malayalee Catholics in Singapore.
Formation
La Salette Nikethan
CONSECRATED YEAR
We solemnly began the year of consecrated life on February 2nd with lighting the lamp during the Holy Eucharistic celebration and an hour of a special adoration was also conducted in the community.
HAPPY BIRTH DAY
The birthday of Rev. Fr. Robin Vallattu, MS was celebrated on 6th of February. Community thanked him for all the services, and wished him all the best for his future life.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Our community started Lenten preparations and special devotions on 18th of February.
RECOLLECTION DAY
On 22nd our seminarians had their monthly recollection, facilitated by Bro. Anoop Chakittakudiyil, MS.
VISITORS
On 24th we had two visitors, Rev.Fr. John, from USA doing his doctoral studies in Dharmaram College, Bangalore and Fr. Devadas OFM from Bangalore stayed in Nikethan as part of their visit in Mysore.
STUDY LEAVE
Our 3rd year minor seminarians had finished their classes and are in their study leave. They are very busy with their preparations for the board examinations. Our 2nd year seminarians had finished their first year PU final examinations on 27th of February.
La Salette Sadhan
FAREWELL
The community gave a farewell to the Superior General Rev. Fr. Silvano Marisa and his councilor Rev. Fr. Henryk on the 1st of February.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
The Sadhan community celebrated the birthday of Fr. Biju Chempottical MS on February 2nd and the whole community wished him the blessings of day.
EXAM FEVER
3rd year philosophy students have successfully completed their comprehensive exam and rest of the seminarians had their semester exams.
DEATH ANNIVERSARY
The community remembered and prayed for the departed soul of our beloved Dn. Binish Muttathil MS on his 3rd death anniversary on 20th February.
LAY GATHERING
La Salette Lay Association Bangalore Unit had their gathering on 22nd February. Rev. Dr. Biju Chempottical MS delivered talk on La Salette and Lenten season and at the end a graceful hour of adoration conducted by Bro. Joyal Narimattathil.
MONTHLY RECOLLECTION
The brothers had their monthly recollection on 22nd February and Rev. Fr. Biju SOLA animated by his talk on Mature Spirituality and Lenten Season and followed by adoration and confession.
La Salette Bhavan
MARRIAGE CEREMONY
Community participated in the marriage ceremony of the brother of Fr. Joby Kadambattu MS on 1st February.
VISIT
Fr. Cyriac Mattathilanickal MS made a flying visit to La Salette Bhavan on 2nd February.
ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY
Bhavan community celebrated the ordination anniversary of Frs. Benny Thadathikunnel MS and Jiju Valiyakandathil MS on 4th February.
FIRST MASS
Our new priests Frs. Rijo Muttathil M.S, Saneesh Poovathinkal M.S and Jince Koothodiyil M.S celebrated their Thanksgiving Mass at La Salette Bhavan on 7th February.
DEATH ANNIVERSARY
Priests, relatives and parishioners participated in the Memorial Mass on the third death anniversary of Dn. Binish Muttathil MS on 20th February.
SEND OFF
Community acknowledged the valuable services of Fr. Rijo Muttathil MS as procurator of the house and gave farewell as he is transferred to St. Ann’s Parish, Pettah, Trivandrum.
HEARTY WELCOME
Community wholeheartedly welcomed Fr. Anoop Manchira MS, the new procurator on 23rd February.
ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY
Community celebrated the ordination anniversary of Fr. Joy Chukkananickal MS on 23rd February.
HOME VISIT
Fr. Superior and director of Postulants together with the brothers visited the houses of Postulants on 26th February.
LAY GATHERING
La Salette Lay Association Parakkadavu Unit had their gathering on 22nd February.
Missions
La Salette Vidya Nikethan School
PREPARATORY EXAMINATIONS
Second preparatory examinations for SSLC students were conducted in Vidya Nikethan from 18th February. Now all the SSLC students are very busy with their studies for their first Public Examination.
SEND OFF PARTY
Vidya Nikethan conducted a sendoff party for our first batch on 28th February. Staff and other students wished them all the best and offered their prayers.
La Salette Nilayam
ASH WEDNESDAY
On 18th February Wednesday we solemnly celebrated Ash Wednesday and began our zealous preparations for the Easter.
THANKSGIVING MASS
Our New Priests, Fr. Jince Koothodiyil M.S Frs. Rijo Muttahil M.S and Saneesh Poovathinkal M.S celebrated their First Telugu Mass on Ash Wednesday. Fr. Jince was the main celebrant and Fr. Roy, Fr. Sibi, Fr. Jobit and Fr. Anil were also the concelebrants. People were excited to have a handful of priests to join with them for the mass and honored the new priests with flowers and standing ovation.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO FR. ANIL
We celebrated the birthday of Fr. Anil Kochuthazhath M.S joyfully on 16th February. We prayed for him and wished him all the best in the future life. Fr. Anil shared his joy by cutting the cake along with the parishioners and the community here.
La Salette Vidyanilayam School
MOST AWAITED ANNUAL DAY…
On 17th February, La Salette Vidyanilayam School celebrated its 3rd Annual Day. ‘Practice makes perfect’, this proverb became true in its effect, producing a magnificent visual treat on the annual day by the diligent practice of our students. Our students from LKG to 3rd Standard have impressed all their spectators and received positive reviews and applause. Thanks to all the staffs and students for the cooperation and team work under the guidance Fr. Jobit Thottumkara M.S, the Principal. We had not less than two thousand audience including invitees, dignitaries, guests, parishioners, friends, parents, etc. Fr. Roy Parayil, MS, the Provincial Superior, was our Chief Guest for the program. This was also one of the best occasions to honor our new priests in the school.
La Salette Ashram
MARIAN RETREAT
From February 8th to 11th there was the Marian Retreat in La Salette Ashram. Nearly 50 people attended the retreat.
BIRTH DAY CELEBRATION
Ashram Community cordially celebrated the birthday of Bro. Anoop Chakkittakudiyil MS on 15th of this month.
THANKS GIVING MASS OF OUR NEWLY ORDAINED PRIESTS
Our newly ordained priests Fr. Jince Koothodiyil M.S, Fr. Rijo Muttathil M.S and Fr. Saneesh Poovathimkal M.S celebrated their thanksgiving mass at La Salette Ashram on 14th of this month amidst many people who came to attend the second Saturday program.
GATHERING OF CHARISMATIC PRAYER LEADERS
There was the first gathering of charismatic prayer leaders from Mananthavady diocese and nearly 150 people attended the program. The section included Holy Mass, adoration and talk on Charismatic renewal by Fr. Vincent Pulimoottil.
La Salette Marian Center
HEARTY WELCOME
Marian community joyfully welcomed our newly ordained priests Frs. Sanish Poovathinka MS and Jince Koothodiyil MS in the early hours of the day on 8th of February and they celebrated their thanksgiving mass in our Panachamoodu Parish on the same day. The parishioners were very happy to see the newly ordained priests and they expressed their gratitude towards them for blessing them with holy mass.
SEND OFF AND WELCOME
On 23rd February the community gave farewell to our dear Fr. Jiss Kunnumpurath MS who served the community as the procurator of the house and the assistant parish priest of St. Jude’s church Panachamoodu and the community accompanied him together with Fr. Joby Payyappilly MS to his newly assigned parish St. Ignatious Church Puthanthoppu. As he was saying adieu to parishioners many were in tears because of his hard work and dedicated service in the parish especially during the construction of their new church above all his dynamic and vibrant dealings with them and many of them expressed it through their words. On the same day Fr. Sanish MS took charge as the procurator and the program co coordinator of the house. The community wished both of them all the best.
Monthly Intention
Let us pray for the Province of Philippines.
Days to Remember
ANNOUNCEMENT
Community Study Days
Scholastics Retreat
New Addresses
Puthenthope Kanjirapuzha P.O,
Trivandrum 695 586 Kerala – 678 591
PEACE article by Fr. Chendrappinny Jenson MS
A drawing competition on the theme of peace was conducted. Many came out with various kinds of drawings. One was that of a child sleeping at the breast of its mother, another one is a flower in the desert and so many of such kind. But the price winning one was a different one; it was a painting of a sea-crow singing, sitting on a sea rock amidst the high waves approaching towards it. The picture clearly depicts peace, which is complete trust in God. As the psalmist says, it is a belief that even if one walks in the valley of death, nothing will harm him (Ps 23).
Peace is something that we seek most. We are aware of the persecutions, wars and calamities happening in the world. There are so many incidents that can cause the destruction of our serenity. Amidst all theses adversities how can one have peace? And of course one may ask, where can I find peace? According to Joseph F. Girzone, “the reason the world has no peace is that people have no peace inside themselves. How can people give peace if they have not found peace themselves? Peace means disciplining what is unruly and harmful within oneself. It means overlooking hurt and insult and forgiving those who offend you. It means reaching out to God and allowing Him into your soul, where He can become your friend. When God is within you, then you will have peace. Bringing peace to the world means bringing God into the hearts of others. It cannot be otherwise. You cannot have peace without God.”[1] Thus, one should find it within. He needs to trust in God. According to J.Maurus, faith is involvement of the whole person. It implies an attempt to relate as well as possible with others and with God. It is a matter of inner freedom. Unless we have learned to cut the emotions down to size and control them meaningfully, we can never really live with any semblance of true and authentic freedom.[2] In a way if we want to enjoy freedom and peace we must travel in to ourselves. To the inside of us. Peace that cannot be found within cannot be found elsewhere. Peace that is enriched inside will flow out to the world.
One method of attaining peace is, learning to forget. Forgetting two things in life: 1- The good you have done to others. 2- The harm others have inflicted on you. It is very difficult but possible. It should be possible for us who wish peace in the name of the Lord. ‘The peace of the Lord be with you always’. Often, the advocates of peace are in search of peace. We search it everywhere except in God. That is the irony of our life. Peace is not the absence of problems. Instead, it is the realization of the presence of God within us. St.Paul has rightly said it, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will it be trials, persecution or hunger, lack of clothing, or dangers or sword?” (Rom 8:35). Remember; there is nothing wrong in touring from place to place for consolations, if only one can realize that it should begin and end in God. When we wish peace to each other, let God grant us the same peace.
[1] Joseph F.Girzone, Joshua in the Holy Land, (Simon & Schuster, New York, 1992) 51.
[2] J.Maurus, Cybernetics or Liberation, (St.Paul’s, Allahabad, India, 1981) 50.