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

We are pleased to announce the election of the new provincial Council of the Province of Mary, Mother of Americas:

From left on the attached photo:

1- Fr. Raymond G. Cadran, MS – Provincial Assistant.

2- Fr. René J. Butler, MS - Provincial Superior.

3- Fr. John R. Nuelle, MS – Provincial Vicar.

We pray for their good ministry !

Look at the world today; we see a decline of Justice and Peace. We also see a decline in working for Justice and Peace. Why? May be the thought of individualism is taking over and the globalization is influencing the society very much. What is Justice? And what is peace? How can we experience it in our lives? Pope Paul VI says, ‘development is the new word for peace’. Yes, if the societies, communities or even countries are focusing on the development of its members or citizens we will surely experience peace. Justice is a gift, a call and a commitment. Justice is nothing but sharing what is our due. If the politicians, other leaders and everyone in the society is ready to be just; we will experience justice. To work for justice means is to take hold of the depth of the situation of the poor and understand the reality. Everyone in the world has a right to live in dignity and we have the responsibility to become liberator of the poor and oppressed of the society. How do we respond? Sometimes we think we have nothing to do. Some other times we pass by or remain on the mountain saying I am helpless and I will pray for you. We have to remember that it is our responsibility to walk to Jordan and Calvary experiencing the struggles by being with the people.

Commitment for justice and peace can never escape criticism. But Jesus tells us not to lose heart when we begin to work for something good. Our hunger for justice should have deep spirituality. Our work is nothing but to participate and collaborate with the work of God. We have to restore the covenant with God. We have to build up peace. The Church always had this concept of peace building. We have to look at the world in the eyes of the poor and fulfill the responsibility as faithful Christians.

The message of our Blessed Mother at La Salette was nothing but an invitation for conversion, and to work for Justice and Peace in the world. Justice and peace in the society always demands our conversion and reconciliation with God, with oneself and with one another. In the Gospel of Mathew chapter 5; Jesus reminds us about this justice and mercy that we should maintain in our hearts…. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”. Dear friends, we are called to become the children of God and work for justice and peace. As servants of God and members of the Church, let us hear the cry of the poor and invitation of Christ and our blessed mother to build Peace in the World by committing ourselves for Justice…..

Fr. Roy Parayil MS
La Salette Matha Province, India

ANNOUNCEMENT 
of the La Salette Organizing Committee for XXXI World Youth Day

We would like to pass to you any needed information dealing XXXI World Youth Day which are going to take place in Cracow in 2016.
In July this year the registration of participants started offering some options to be chosen. It is the obligatory condition on which you may take part in WYD. We as La Salette Organizing Committee can serve you passing to you any additional information connected with WYD. In case of required clarifications or any doubts please send us your e-mail on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Your questions with our answers will be attached in a special bookmark on this website: www.lasalette.info.

Depending on the option you have chosen while proceeding the application form of the registration, we will put our efforts to accommodate you in the area of our parish at Cegielniana St. or nearby. If you have chosen the option that you want to take part in the preparations for WYD in any of the Polish diocese, it is necessary for you to contact the right coordinator assigned for this diocese. This info you can find on www.krakow2016.com. Please make sure you have completed all the registration requirements. We want to make you aware that we as La Salette fathers have no possibility to accommodate any participants in groups or individuals, without passing through the registration system.

We are warmly inviting you to visit Poland and to participate in XXXI World Youth Day.

In the name of the La Salette Organizing Committee
Fr.. Piotr Szweda MS
president

Fr. Biju Abraham Chempottickal M.S will be soon publishing a book under the title “La Salette: Call of a Merciful Mother” in French. It is a theological and spiritual interpretation of the message and symbols in the light of the year of mercy. The book contains three parts. In the first part there are articles on the theme of Mercy and the message of Mary at La Salette. In the second part of the book are 18 meditations on the symbols we find at the La Salette apparition. The third part of the book contains articles and prayers on the theme of our response to the invitation of Mary. The book contains beautiful photos of the shrine and the mountains by Daniel Andres. The book will be published on the first week of December 2015 by the Bayard publishers. The official ceremony of the presentation of the book will be on December 8, 2015 with the opening of the Jubilee year of Mercy at the Church of Resurrection in Grenoble. This book comes in the occasion of 170th anniversary of the apparition and the extraordinary Jubilee year of Mercy in 2016.

Fr. Biju

Day Nine: Friday, September 18, 2015

Theme: Mary proclaims the good news of Jesus

Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Lectionary: 447

Reading 1: 1 Timothy 6:2C-12

Beloved:Teach and urge these things.Whoever teaches something differentand does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christand the religious teachingis conceited, understanding nothing,and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds,who are deprived of the truth,supposing religion to be a means of gain.Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.For we brought nothing into the world,just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trapand into many foolish and harmful desires,which plunge them into ruin and destruction.For the love of money is the root of all evils,and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faithand have pierced themselves with many pains.

But you, man of God, avoid all this.Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion,faith, love, patience, and gentleness.Compete well for the faith.Lay hold of eternal life,to which you were called when you made the noble confessionin the presence of many witnesses.

Alleluia: See Matthew 11:25 R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 8:1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.Accompanying him were the Twelveand some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,Susanna, and many otherswho provided for them out of their resources.

La Salette Scripture Reflection: Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week Of The Year    

Luke 8:1-3: “He traveled through the towns, preaching and evangelizing the Kingdom of God.”

Brother Juniper once asked St. Francis, “Teach me to preach as eloquently as you. I am not good with words.” Francis replied, "I will teach you to preach more eloquently than I. Meet me tomorrow morning."

Brother Juniper dutifully met Francis early the next morning. To Juniper's surprise, they began walking. They walked through the marketplace, smiling at the laborers, the merchants, the children. They helped an old woman carry her wash up a set of stairs. They walked and walked. Finally, an exasperated Brother Juniper asked, "Francis, when will you teach me to preach?" Replied the Saint, “Why, we are preaching.”

In today's Gospel, Jesus invites us to practice what we preach – and to preach what we practice. What did

Mary preach at La Salette? Prayer, reconciliation, penance; come back regularly to the Lord's table; don't abuse Jesus's name. Mary's homily at La Salette was a true “parable in action” – a mother weeping over the sins of her children. Action parables are positive gestures without words. Often our actions shine forth better than our spoken words.

A Reflection Question: What do I “preach" by the way I live my daily life?

Day Eight: Thursday, September 17, 2015

Theme: Faith in her Son can save us

Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Lectionary: 446

Reading 1: 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Beloved:Let no one have contempt for your youth,but set an example for those who believe,in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching.Do not neglect the gift you have,which was conferred on you through the prophetic wordwith the imposition of hands by the presbyterate.Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them,so that your progress may be evident to everyone.Attend to yourself and to your teaching;persevere in both tasks,for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Alleluia: Matthew 11:28 R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 7:36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

Now there was a sinful woman in the citywho learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,she stood behind him at his feet weepingand began to bathe his feet with her tears.Then she wiped them with her hair,kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,“If this man were a prophet,he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,that she is a sinner.”Jesus said to him in reply,“Simon, I have something to say to you.”“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.Which of them will love him more?”Simon said in reply,“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,“Do you see this woman?When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,but she has bathed them with her tearsand wiped them with her hair.You did not give me a kiss,but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.You did not anoint my head with oil,but she anointed my feet with ointment.So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven;hence, she has shown great love.But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The others at table said to themselves,“Who is this who even forgives sins?”But he said to the woman,“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

La Salette Scripture Reflection: Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week of the Year  

Luke 7:36-50: The Lord said, "You have judged rightly."

Jesus's message here seems blunt and unmistakable. We have no right to criticize since we ourselves are certainly not free of faults.

Whenever we go shopping, we can pick and choose. Those of us who are asked to give presentations tend to pick out favorite topics for elaboration. The Lectionary – the book of readings for Mass – does not permit us to do selective shopping with God's word. Some days we are faced with concerns that we might first wish to avoid.

Msgr. Andy Cusack of Seton Hall University gave the La Salette Missionaries a retreat a number of years ago.

He left us with the suggestion, “We are invited not to judge others and not to belittle ourselves.” Msgr. Cusack's test is this: for thirty days do not say anything negative about your neighbors. If you can do that, you will most likely not say anything negative about yourself either.

Mary's message at La Salette was a positive one. It was about returning to penance, prayer and zeal. Mary gently asked the children, “Do you say your prayers well?” There is no privilege offered to pick and choose. We are all called to be good evangelizers – a people of penance, prayer and zeal. If we are to remain such people, we must be people of right judgment.

A Reflection Question: Do I tend sometimes to judge other people unfairly? Perhaps I should try the 30 Day Test mentioned above.

Day Seven: Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Theme: Mary shows us ways of strengthening our faith in her Son

Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs: Lectionary: 445

Reading 1: 1 Timothy 3:14-16

Beloved:I am writing you,although I hope to visit you soon.But if I should be delayed,you should know how to behave in the household of God,which is the Church of the living God,the pillar and foundation of truth.Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,Who was manifested in the flesh,vindicated in the spirit,seen by angels,proclaimed to the Gentiles,believed in throughout the world,taken up in glory.

Alleluia: See John 6:63c, 68C R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, you have the words of everlasting life. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds:“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?What are they like?They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine,and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

La Salette Scripture Reflection: Wednesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week of the Year    

Luke 7:31-35: “To what then shall I compare this generation, and what are they like?”

We are constantly being evaluated. We evaluate people every day. God in the Scriptures gave us the blueprint to evaluate ourselves with his most basic call to love one another.

Bill Russell, the legendary center for the Boston Celtics basketball team, used to keep his own personal scorecard. He graded himself after every game on a scale of one to one hundred. In his career he felt that he had never achieved more than a score of sixty-five.

Now, given the way most of us are taught to think about goals, we would regard Russell as a failure. He played in over twelve-hundred basketball games and never achieved his standard! Yet it was his striving for that higher standard that made him arguably one of the best basketball players ever.

What a call we have, not to sit around like children whining. We are called to goodness, to perfection. We are called to be saints. Mary says, “Come near, my children; be not afraid.” Her call, like that of God, is extended as a universal invitation. We are invited to hear her message and then make that message known to all her people.

Some Reflection Questions: Do I see my own call to discipleship as a standard always just out of reach, but infinitely worth striving after? What causes me at times to lower my goals in life?