1. The In-service Training Programs for our Aspirants’ Rectors, Formation Coordinators and Vocation Promoters were held during 5 October 2017 to 08 October 2017 at Chavara Hills. 30 Aspirants Rectors and most of the Vocation Promoters and Formation Coordinators attended the Program. Rev, Fr. Vicar General welcomed the gathering and Rev. Fr. Prior General gave the orientation talk. Fr. Jose Poovattil, Fr Biju Koottaplackal and Fr. Varghese Pudussery animated the input sessions.

2. CMI Freshers Meet 2017 was held at Chavara Hills. 113 Aspirants from 8 South Indian provinces came together along with their Rectors and Regents. Fr Prior General welcomed each aspirant with a memento and emphasized on the CMI fraternity in his welcome address and reminded that most of the epoch-making initiatives in the history of the church were from 'young' priests at their youth, St. Chavara is the best example- he said. All the 8 Rectors concelebrated with the Prior General. In the afternoon gathering variety entertainments were staged by participating Seminaries. Thanks to all the Aspirants Rectors and Regents for making this possible by your whole hearted support. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Joshy Cheruparambil, the General Formation Coordinator for having organized the In-service Training Programs and CMI Freshers’ Meet 2017 very effectively.

3. Spirituality of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, written by Rev. Fr. Thomas Kochumuttam, the first in the series of Theological Studies on St. Chavara was released by Rev. Fr. Biju Vadakkel, the provincial, Bijnor Province. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Thomas Kochumuttam for the quality publication.

4. On 4th October, 2017, Rev. Fr. Prior General presented Chavara Award 2017 instituted by CMI Cultural Academy to Mr. T. M. Abraham in a function organized at Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi. Mr. T. M., the well-known playwright and director took keen interest to publish the Idayanatakangal of St. Chavara. Congratulations to Rev. Fr .Sebastian Thekkedathu, General Councillor and Rev. Fr. Roby Kannanchira for taking the initiative and organizing the event. He was given a reception at Chavara Hills on 7th October 2017.

5. The Sixth Quinquennial programme, ongoing formation for the Young priests, was held from 18 October 2017 to 20 October at Poornodaya, Bhopal. Fr. Peter kochalumkal, Rector, Samanvaya College of Theology welcomed the gathering. Fr. Vicar General gave the orientation and guided the whole Programme. Rev. Fr. Benny Thettayil CMI and Fr. Thomas SVD led the sessions. Thanks to Fr. Rector and Team for having organized the event. Fr. Benny Thettayil and Fr.Mathew Thadathil worked hard to organize the programme beautifully well. We gratefully appreciate your service. Thanks to Fr. Joshy for conducting the programme.

6. Rev. Fr. Prior General visited our missionaries in Jammu mission from 9th to 14th October. He met with His Excellency Dr. Ivan Pereira, Bishop of Jammu and Kashmir and the bishop was in high praise for our service in the diocese. Rev. Fr. Prior General visited all the mission stations and attended the meeting of all the missionaries in Jammu mission in Noushera on 13th October. He appreciated the missionaries working in highly sensitive areas in the borders and their commitment to the poor and for building up of the Church in Jammu and Kashmir.

7. Rev. Fr. Prior General visited our missionaries in Patiala and Jalandhar in Punjab from 15 to 20th October, 2017. Rev. Fr. Prior General met with our missionaries in Patiala and attended the gathering of our members and held discussion with them on their mission experience and future plans. He spent time with three CMI members working in Jalandhar diocese and visited the centers of their work in the diocese, viz, Bishop’s house, Major seminary and Trinity College and the major Center of the diocese of Jalandhar. He met with Bishop Franco Mulackal and the bishop appreciated the great contribution of our members in his diocese and requested for more members and to take up new mission stations. Rev. Fr. Prior General appreciated the significant contributions our members make in Punjab.

8. On 21 October 2017, the "Kainakary Chavara Chronicle" was released by Fr. Antony Elamthottam CMI, General Councillor for Finance, by giving the first copy to Fr. James Madathikandam CMI, former Vice-Postulator of the Cause of Saint Chavara.On the same day, Chavara Bhavan also opened up an Information cum Book Centre along with a Snacks Centre; this new facility was blessed and inaugurated by Fr. Saju Chackalackal CMI, General Councillor for Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry. This new facility is established at the entrance so that pilgrims visiting the Birth-Home of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara will be guided and assisted by a guide. Pilgrims could also procure some devotional articles or artifacts or mementos associated with Saint Chavara from this Book Centre. As there are no other shops or restaurants in the vicinity, the Snacks Centre attached to this Book Centre will be a great help to the pilgrims who come to Chavara Bhavan. Congratulations to Fr. Thomas Kallukalam CMI, Director of Chavara Bhavan, and Fr. James Karoor CMI, and the entire team collaborating with them in bringing out the newsletter and in establishing the Information cum Book Centre.

9. Meeting of the scholastics who study in Colleges for graduation and post graduation in the South Indian Provinces will be held at Chavara Hills from 28 to 29 October 2017.

10. CMI Theologians and Philosophers Forum will be held in DVK Bangalore on 27th and 28th October 2017. All our members who have pursued Ecclesiastical Education shall attend the program in order to reflect on our response to current challenges based on the legacy of our founding fathers.

11. The Pre Ordination Course for CMI deacons will be held at CSR Pariyaram from 1st to 19th November, 2017.


12. Meeting of the scholastics who study in College for graduation and post graduation in the North Indian Provinces will be held in Poornodaya, Bhopal from 03 to 05 November 2017.

13. Koinonia 2017, An Enrichment programme on Redefining Mission and Ministry, for CMI priests ordained from 1980 to 1990 has been scheduled from 28th November 2017, 06.00 pm to 30th November 2017, 01.00 pm in CMI Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, Kakkanad. The program aims at making introspection into our religious and priestly ministry in the changing times through input sessions by Dr. Augustine Pamblani CST and Mar Thomas Tharayil, Auxiliary bishop of Changanacherry, discussion, personal sharing and other interesting events.

14. The last Quinquennial programme for the year 2017 , ongoing formation for the Young priests, will be held from 21 December 2017 to 23 December at Chavara Hills. The junior Priests ordained from 2011 December to 2016 January who were not able to attend the programme so far are expected to attend it without fail.

15. Our members who celebrate their Golden Jubilee of Religious profession will assemble at Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, from 13th to 15th January, 2018.

16. Members who celebrate their Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination will meet in Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, from 17th to 19th January, 2018
Let us Remember Our Departed Souls:
• Rev. Fr. Sebastian Palathara CMI (78) of St Joseph's Province, Thiruvananthapuram slept in the Lord on 18-10-2017.

• Mrs. Chinnamma Chirappanath (72) beloved younger sister of Rev. Fr. Philip Neri Payyappilly of Mary Matha Vice Province, Hyderabad, slept in the Lord on 16-10-2017