NEWS UPDATE
1. The immediate preparation for perpetual profession commenced with a retreat in Sehion Retreat Centre, Attappady, on 23 April 2017, followed by three weeks course in CSR Pariyram. The course consisted of inputs by experts, presentation by the scholastics and constitution study along with intense spiritual exercises. One year long preparation was organized in the common study houses with the study of Church documents on Consecrated life and talks by experts. 26 scholastics will make the perpetual profession in the respective provinces after the retreat by Rev. Fr. Jomon Kochukaniamparambil, which will be concluded on 25 May 2017. Let us pray for all our scholastics for a committed religious life in CMI family to be the Joy of the Gospel.
2. Prior to the commencement of the Philosophy Course, all the CMI first year Philosophy students attended English language course in Dharmaram College during 1-13 May 2017, followed by a workshop on effective communication and human relations during 15 -17 May. Three weeks program will be over on 20 May 2017 and the students of Darsana will leave for Bhopal for further training in Hindi and leadership animation program which will be held for a period of three weeks in Samanvaya/Poornodaya, Bhopal and they will leave for Wardha on 12 June 2017.
3. The meeting of the Provincials with the General Council was held on 7th and 8th May 2017 in Chavara Hills, Kakkanad.
4. General council- Provincial Council (GCPC) was held during 8 - 11 May 2017 at Chavara Hills. All the members of General Council and Provincial Councils were present. After the self-introduction by all the participants, Rev. Fr. Prior General gave the orientation talk. The input sessions were given by Rev. Fr. Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Saju Chackalackal and Rev. Fr. Johny Edapulavan on the Dynamics of the Provincial Council. Rev. Fr. Antony Elamthottam gave inputs on the Financial Policies and directives in the congregation. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu facilitated the sessions. Talks were given by Adv. Litto Palathingal and Rev. Fr. Varghese Perumayan on Abuse against women and children from civil and ecclesiastical perspectives. Mr. GuilhermeVaz gave orientation on changing government policies on education and finance and the need for being more vigilant, accountable and transparent. Mr. Romid and Mr. Biji, Statutory and Management Auditors made clear the need for proper accounting and transparent financial action. Group discussions were held on the functioning of each department and tentative future plans were also presented by each provincial and councillor. The participants appreciated the way the program was evolved and organized.
5. Congratulations to the Vice Chancellor and Christ University team for the best ranking in India Today Survey of the Best Colleges. Christ University has been ranked with all India First in Science, BCA and BBA, Second in Commerce and Third in Arts and Mass Communication, Fifth in Law and Sixth in Hotel Management.
6. Birthday celebration of Servant of God, Fr. Canisius Thekkekara CMI was held on 12 May 2017 in Canisium, Anandapuram with a one-day prayer session organized under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Walter Thelappilly, the Provincial. Mar Pauly Kannookadan attended the prayer and gave the final blessing. Rev. Fr. Prior General celebrated the Holy Mass and gave the message. Rev. Fr. Saju Chackalackal, General Councillor, officiated the final prayers after the Holy Mass.
7. On 11 May 2017, the CMI Foundation Day, all the members of the GCPC were in Mannanam at the tomb of our beloved founder St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and renewed our commitment to live the legacy of the founding fathers. Rev. Fr. Prior General was the main celebrant for the Holy Mass and consecrated our congregation to Our Lady in the presence of all our General and Provincial Council team members. Being the 186th anniversary, 186 CMI members joined for the Eucharistic celebration. The ceremony was well organized by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chamathara, Provincial and Rev. Fr. Scaria Ethirettu, the Prior, St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam and the Director of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara Pilgrim Centre.
8. The first meeting of the newly constituted family apostolate unit at the General level was held at St. Chavara Bhavan on 14 May 2017. It was providential that the new team began its family mission with prayers at the home where St. Chavara was born and groomed. The team members consisting of Fr. Wilson Tharayil, Fr. Thomas Irumpukuthiyil, and Fr. Johnson Panthalanickal spent about three hours along with Fr. Saju Chackalackal, General Councillor, and Fr. James Madathikandam and Fr. Joshy Cheruparampil, chalking out a plan of action for the next three years. The team will operate from CSR Pariyaram and will be coordinated by the General Department of Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry. More details about the plans and programmes of new family apostolate team will be announced soon.
9. The first Quinquennial programme of the year 2017 will commence on 21 May 2017 at Chavara Hills, Kakkanad. The junior Priests, ordained from 2011 December to 2016 January in our congregation make sure to attend any one of the 6 programs of the year 2017. The second Quinquennial program will be held on 28th May, 2017 at Chavara Hills, Kakkanad. The members who have registered for the program shall reach in time and attend the whole program.
10. Local Superiors' Orientation Program commenced in South Indian Provinces from 15 May 2017. The program is organized in each province by the provincial council guided and led by a General Councillor.
11. Rev. Fr. Prior General will leave for Rome on 22 May 2017 to attend the Union of Superior Generals' Meeting and he will return on 11 June 2017 after the meeting with our missionaries in Peru.
12. Get together of members serving in common houses (except common study houses) in India directly under the Prior General and the animation of their local superiors (including the Rectors of the common study houses) will be held from 12th to 14th July 2017 at Chavara Hills, Kakkanad.
13. The blessing of the new novitiate house in Budhini, (Bhopal Province) for the students from the North Indian Provinces will be held on 14 June 2017.
14. In response to the request from Mar Jacob Murickan, Chairperson, KCBC SC/ST/BC Commission, Kerala CMI Provinces have agreed to provide support to construct 101 houses for the Dalit Catholics in Kerala as a continuation of our House project evolved in GS 37.
Let us Remember Our Departed Souls:

Padmabhushan Rev. Fr. Gabriel Chiramel CMI (103), the senior most member of CMI family, left for eternal reward on 11th May, 2017, 186th anniversary of our Foundation Day. He was given a befitting funeral with State Honours. Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church was the main celebrant for the funeral mass held in Christ Monastery, Irinjalakuda. Mar Pauly Kannookadan officiated the funeral ceremony. Rev. Fr. Prior General gave the funeral message. Mar Andrews Thazhath celebrated Requiem mass in Amala Hospital Chapel. Ministers and a host of dignitaries paid their homage to the illustrious son of CMI family, Rev. Fr. Gabriel, along with a large gathering of CMI members, bishops, priests and the religious. Padmabhushan Rev. Fr. Gabriel leaves a great legacy of high thinking and action with simple life and institutions such as Christ College and Amala Hospital speak of his contributions to CMI congregation, to the Church in India and to the Nation.
. Mrs. Mariyam Pathrose (100), beloved mother of Fr. George Peter Pittappillil CMI, of Sacred Heart Province, Kochi, slept in the Lord.