1. The feast of St. Kuriakose Elias was held in Chavara Pilgrim Centre, Mannanam on 3rd January, 2017. The newly ordained priests celebrated the Holy Mass at 11 a.m. along with the Prior General, Rev. Fr. Saju Chackalackal, General Councillor for Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry and Rev. Fr. Joy Kakkanatt, master of the newly ordained priests.
2. The newly ordained priests of CMI congregation were given reception on 3rd January, 2017 in CMI Prior General's House, Chavara Hills. They shared their experiences and expectations with the community. They celebrated the concelebrated Holy Mass with General Council and Chavara Hills community on 4th January.
3. The meeting of the Provincials and General Council was held on 4th and 5th January, 2017 at Chavara Hills. Apart from sharing on the activities and religious life by the Prior General, General Council members and the provincials, discussion was held on formation, ongoing formation, provincial Synaxis, common programmes for 2017, Management auditing, utilization of Chavara Fund and continuation of Mercy Year Programmes. Institutions under the provinces and generalate have already initiated management auditing despite the resistance from some of our own members and it shall be rigorously implemented in the new context of transparent economic system. Rev. Fr. Prior General thanked the Provincials for their generous cooperation and support during the last 3 years.
4. The Mini Educational Summit was held on 5th and 6th January at Chavara Hills. Fr. Prior General inaugurated the summit. Rev. Fr. Jose Kuriedath presented the Lineamenta and identified 5 core topics for discussion. Rev. Fr. Varghese Panthallookaran made a very insightful presentation of Pallikutam and the web portal was launched. Dr. Valson Thampu, former Principal of St. Stephen's College, Delhi gave an inspiring address to find solutions to most of the challenges we face in terms of Christian mission and commitment to the poor. He challenged the CMIs, "If St. Stephens can allocate 25% seats to the Dalit, why can't the CMI institutions do it?" Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu, General Councillor for Education and Mass Media and the team for organizing the program very effectively. The provincial synaxes will deliberate on the five points of lineamenta and find methods to implement the resolutions of GS 37 to make our apostoalte more relevant and mission oriented.
5. Rev. Fr. John Elavathingal and Rev. Fr. Benoy Joseph were installed the Vicar and Asst. Vicar of Aparecida Parish in Santarem Diocese, Brazil on the feast day of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, 3rd January, 2017. Rev. Fr. Saju Chackalackal, the General Councillor for Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry and the team of provincials of missionaries working in Brazil will visit them in third and fourth week of January.
6. Rev. Fr. Prior General presided over the 43rd Convocation of Paurastya Vidyapitham, Vadavathoor and gave the convocation address on 9th January, 2017.
7. Chavara Hills community made a one day outing to our mission centre in Kaithappara. Rev. Fr. Benoy Chathanat is the priest in charge of the parish. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Provincial and community, Carmel Provincial House, Rev. Fr. Superior and community, Upasana - Thodupuzha and Rev. Fr. Benny and parish representatives for their hospitality.
8. Rev. Fr. Prior General attended Deepika Apex Board Meeting held on 11th January, 2017 at Major Archiepiscopal Curia, Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. The Board appreciated the service of Rev. Fr. Roy Kannanchira for this contribution to increase the circulation of Deepika through Deepika Friends Club. In the context of increase in circulation, it was decided to buy a new press for enhanced quality printing.
9. His Excellency Bishop Raja Rao, Bishop of Vijayawada diocese visited us from 11th to 13th January, 2017 along with Rev. Fr. Peter Kishore SJ, Principal of Andhra Loyola College.
10. Mar Kuriakose Bharanikulangara and Mar Jose Chittooparambil met with the General Council representatives of CMI and CMC congregations in continuation of our request to declare St .Kuriakose Elias Chavara as the Father of the Syro Malabar Church. Based on the feedback from the expert committee and bishops, they made a new proposal to declare St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara as the Doctor of the Syro Malabar Church. Let us make our efforts to make in depth study on our founder so that he will get the deserving recognition in the Church.
11. The Golden Jubiliarians of Religious Profession will assemble at Chavara Hills on 14th, 15th and 16th January, 2017 to thank the Lord and share their golden experiences in the committed life.
12. The Golden Jubiliarians of Priestly Ordination will assemble at Chavara Hills on 15th and 16th January, 2017 to praise the Lord and reflect on their Religious Priestly life.
13. Let us remember our departed sols:
. Rev. Fr. Patrick Kaipuzhavakel CMI (82) of Nirmal Province, Jagdalpur was called to eternal reward on 27 December 2016.
. Mr. Ousepachan Thonippara (65), brother of Rev. Fr. John Francis Thonippara CMI (St. Thomas Province, Kozhikode), slept in the Lord on 26.12.2016.
. Mrs. Omana (56), beloved sister of Rev. Fr. Poulose Pazhunkaran CMI (Devamatha Province, Thrissur), slept in the Lord on 04.01.2017.
. Mr. Paulose (87) beloved brother of Rev. Fr. Jose Stephen Menachery (Devamatha Province, Thrissur) slept in the Lord on 11.01.2017.
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