NEWS UPDATE
02 December 2017.
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1. 3rd Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, our beloved founder, was celebrated with Holy Mass, Novena and special prayers for the students on 23 November 2017 at Mannanam. Rev. Fr. Prior General was the main celebrant. Rev. Fr. Saju Chackalackal and Rev. Fr. Antony Elamthottam, General Councilors and Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chamathara, Provincial were present for the concelebration along with other members. Rev. Fr. Paul Vadakkemury led the prayer session for the students. There were around 8000 students from all the schools under St. Joseph’s Province, Thiruvananthapuram. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Scaria Ethirett, the Prior and the Director of Chavara Pilgrim Centre, Mannanam.
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2. Koinonia 2017, An Enrichment programme on Redefining Mission and Ministry, for CMI priests ordained from 1980 to 1990 was held from 28th to 30th November 2017 at Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, Kakkanad. 59 CMI Priests participated in the Koinonia 2017. Rev. Fr. Vicar General welcomed the gathering; Rev. Fr. Prior General gave the inaugural message. Rev. Fr. Paul Thelakkat and Rev. Fr. Varghese Puthussery gave inputs for reflection and further discussion. All the 59 participants shared their priestly life experiences and all appreciated the enrichment program. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Joshy Cherumparambil, General Formation Coordinator who organized the event.
3. The Platinum Jubilee of Carmel Vidya Bhavan, Pune, the Silver Jubilee of Carmel Parish and Decennial of Christ College were celebrated on 24th, 25th and 26th November. Mar Thomas Elavanal was the main celebrant for the jubilee mass. Bp Thomas Mar Anthonios, gave the message. Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Dabre, Bishop of Pune presided over the meeting. Rev. Fr. Prior General, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedath, General Councillor for Education, former Rectors and other members attended the program. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Rector, Rev. Fathers and Brothers for the meaningful jubilee celebration.

4. The newly constructed building of Christ College, Pune was blessed by Bp. Thomas Dabre and inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Prior General. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedath gave the message. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Joy Puthussery, Rector, Rev. Fr. Sony Chundatt, Principal and Rev. Fr. Anish for their hard work to making things happen.

5. A Mission Seminar and Honouring of the Missionaries of Jagdalpur were held at Nirmal Sadan, Provincial House, Jagdalpur, on Monday, 27 November 2017 to mark the silver jubilee of the Episcopal Consecration of Bishop Mar Simon Stock CMI. The silver jubilee programme was jointly celebrated by CMI Nirmal Province and the Eparchy of Jagdalpur. Fr. Saju Chackalackal, General Councillor, presented the keynote address on 'The Missio ad Gentes of the Syro-Malabar Church and the Necessary Role of Consecrated Communities. and The mission seminar was attended by His Grace Victor Henry Takur, Archbishop of Raipur, Mar Gratian Mundadan CMI, Mar Joseph Kunnath CMI, and many other major superiors of different religious congregations. Fathers from St. Joseph Province, Kottayam, and St. Joseph's Province, Thiruvananthapuram, were also present for the programme. Bishop Simon Stock Palathra presided over the thanksgiving Qurbana, which was concelebrated by Archbishop Victor Henry Takur, Bishops Joseph Kollamparampil, Ephrem Nariculam, Gratian Mundadan, and Joseph Kunnath, and Fathers Josey Thamarassery, Joshy Pazhukkathara, Provincials. Mar Ephrem Nariculam preached the homily. Congratulations to Mar Joseph Kollmaparambil and Rev. Fr. Provincial for organizing the event.

6. The formal release of Peripheries to the Centre: Launch and Growth of Chanda, the First Syro Malabar Mission authored by Fr. Thomas Chirappurath CMI and edited by Fr. Benny Thettayil CMI, was held at Darsana Institute of Philosophy, Wardha. Fr. Benny Mukalel CMI, Provincial of Mar Thoma Province, Chanda, presented the first copy of the book to Bishop Mar Ephrem Nariculam, Bishop of Chanda, who, in turn, released it by presenting it to Mar Joseph Kunnath CMI, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Adilabad. This voluminous book, result of about ten years of research and documentation, spread into 900 pages. Fr. Saju Chackalackal CMI, General Councillor for Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, Fr. Joshy Pazhukkathara CMI, Provincial of CMI Mary Matha Vice-Province, Hyderabad, also attended the ceremony and spoke about the uniqueness of Chanda Mission.

7. 76 CMI novices will make their First Profession On 8th December. Let us pray for our young members so that they will live up to the original charism and legacy of the founding fathers.

8. The final retreat for the Deacons in preparation for their ordination will be held in CSR Pariyaram from 15th to 22 December. Rev. Fr. Jimmy Poochakkatt guides them. Let us pray for the deacons to be powered by the Holy Spirit.


9. 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.

10. 150th Year of Chavarul, CMI Family Day, Honouring outstanding CMIs and Reception to the Newly Ordained Priests will be held at 9.30 a.m. at Chavara Hills on 4th January, 2018.

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

12. 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.

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


Let us Remember Our Departed Souls:
• Mrs. Annamma Thomas (89), beloved mother of Rev Fr Antony Kanjirathinkal CMI of St. Joseph’s Province, Thiruvananthapuram, slept in the Lord on 22-11-2017.
• Mr. K. M David (90), beloved father of Rev. Fr. Jose Kidangan CMI of Devamatha Province, Thrissur, slept in the Lord on 23-11-2017.
• Mr. Varkey Orapuzhickal (90)*, beloved father of Rev. Fr. Sebastian Orapuzhickal CMI of Mar Thoma Province, Chanda, slept in the Lord 28-11-2017.
• . Mr. Devassy Karingen (68), beloved father of Rev. Fr. Dipin Karingen CMI of Sacred Heart Province, Kochi, slept in the Lord on 29-11-2017.
• Mrs. Mariyamma Mathews (80), beloved sister of Rev. Fr. Jose Koluthara CMI of Sacred Heart Province, Kochi, slept in the Lord29-11-2017