1. A meeting of the authors and collaborators of the proposed series of books on “Theological Studies on Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara” was held at CMI Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, under the auspices of Chavara Central Secretariat (a joint venture of CMI and CMC), during 9-10 December 2017. 45 CMI Fathers and CMC Sisters came together to present their respective projects and to discuss and review them. Fr. Paul Achandy CMI, Prior General, and Mother Sibi CMC, Superior General, joined the deliberations and contributed into the discussions with the Inaugural Address and Concluding Address, respectively. Fr. Joseph Pathrapankal CMI offered the Keynote Address on “The Prophetic Ministry of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara in the Society during the 19th Century” and Fr. Benny Thettayil CMI, editor-in-chief of Herald of the East (Dharmaram Journal of Chavara Studies), offered a session on “Orientations in Theological Research on Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara.” Of the total forty-five projects already proposed, plans of thirty projects were presented during these two days’ workshop. These project presentations enabled the participants to clarify their positions, enhance the overall plan, and to understand the perspectives adopted by other authors; thus, the whole workshop was mutually beneficial. As the scope of the “Theological Publications on Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara” was better clarified, if anyone other than the current group of authors wants to join this project to cover areas that have not yet been considered, they are invited to contact the general editor of the series Fr. Saju Chackalackal CMI. Periodic meetings of the authors will be held in the coming months to offer them technical support and to promote the completion of the projects as per the schedule.

2. 76 CMI novices made their First Profession On 8th December. Rev. Fr. Vicar General presided over the ceremony in Vinayalaya, Jagdalpur. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedath, General Councillor, was the main celebrant for the profession of vows in Kenya. Congratulations to the newly professed CMIs. The meeting of the North Indian Provincials was held on 8th December in Vinayalaya presided over by Rev. Fr. Vicar General. Congratulations to the newly professed CMIs.

3. Congratulations to the Department of Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, Carmel Province Muvattupuzha for the initiative to popularise the message of Chavarul with a prayer and resolution for each day in preparation for Christmas.

4. Department of Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, Devamatha Province Thrissur, with the support of the newly ordained priests of the last year, organized a youth retreat in Jerusalem Retreat Centre on 15,16 and 17 December, 2017. Around 400 youth attended the retreat. Congratulations.

5. The retreat for the Deacons in preparation for their priestly ordination began in CSR Pariyaram from 15th to 22 December. Rev. Fr. Jimmy Poochakkatt guides them. Let us pray for the deacons to prepare well for the ordination being powered by the Holy Spirit.

6. Christmas celebration was held with the families in the neighborhood at Chavara Hills, Kakkand on 16th December, 2017.

7. Social Apostolate department of different provinces have got involved in to support the people affected by 'Ockhi Cyclon'. St. Joseph’s Province, Thiruvananthapuram and SH Province, Kochi have got involved in providing food and repairing houses and meeting other needs. St. Joseph’s Province, Kottayam has already handed over a cheque of Rs. 10 lakhs to Archbishop Soosa Pakiam. General Social Apostolate Department is reaching out to the affected people through CEVA. The interested CMI houses and institutions can support the people through CEVA. or join hands with other provincial social apostolate departments.


8. An advent retreat was organized in our Mall Chapel in Boston. The retreat was given by Rev. Fr. Roy Palatty. A large number of people attended the retreat. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Jilson, the Director for the creative initiative.


9. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedath and Rev. Fr. Antony Elamthottam General Councillors visited our mission in Ghana. They will visit our missions in Namibia and Madagascar and will be back on 26th December, 2017,


10. Rev. Fr. Shinto Puthumattathil CMI will make the public defense of his PhD dissertation entitled: “Revelation as an Interpersonal Dialogue between God and Human Beings: A Comparative Study of the Theology of Revelation according to Karl Rahner and the Second Vatican Council with a Selective Reception Analysis” in Leuven, Belgium on 18 December 2017. Best wishes and God’s blessing to Rev. Fr. Shinto.

11. The last Quinquennial programme of 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.


12. 150th Year of Chavarul, CMI Family Day, Reception to the Newly Ordained Priests and Honouring outstanding CMIs will be held at 9.30 a.m. at Chavara Hills on 4th January 2018.

13. Meeting of the Provincials with the General Council will be held on 4th and 5th January 2018 in the Prior General’s House, Kakkanad.

14. 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.

15. Members who celebrate their Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination will meet at Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, from 17th to 19th January, 2018

16. Meeting of the scholastics who study in College for graduation and post graduation in the South Indian Provinces will be held from 26 January 2018 to 28 January 2018 at Chavara Hills.


17. Get together of our members in brotherhood will be held from 2 February 2018 to 4 February 2018 at Chavara Hills.

18. Gathering of CMIs ordained between 1970 and 1980 will be held from 26 February 2018 to 28 February 2018 at Chavara Hills.
19. Gathering of CMIs ordained between 1960 and 1970 will be held from 9 March 2018 to 11 March 2018 at Chavara Hills.

20. Get together of the newly professed CMIs will be held in Chavara Hills from 7th evening to 10th evening in April, 2018. On 10th they will make pilgrimage to Mannanam and Kainakary.



*Let us Remember Our Departed Souls:*
• Mrs. Annakutty Thomas (84) beloved elder sister of Rev Fr. Peter Akkapadickal CMI of Carmel Province, Muvattupuzha, slept in the Lord on 4-12-2017.
• Mrs. Eliamma Varghese (75), beloved mother of Rev Fr. Antony Thuruthikoduthan CMI of St. John’s Province, Bijnor, slept in the Lord. on 4-12-2017
• Mr.Devassy Nereparambil (84), beloved father of Rev. Fr. George Nereparambil CMI of Devamatha Province, Thrissur, slept in the Lord on 3- 12-2017