YEAR OF LOCAL COMMUNITY REVITALIZING MY LOCAL COMMUNITY: SPACE FOR COMMUNION AND MISSION

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1 ISSUE 8 NEWS LETTER SAINT FRA JANUARY 2018 YEAR OF LOCAL COMMUNITY REVITALIZING MY LOCAL COMMUNITY: SPACE FOR COMMUNION AND MISSION FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL My dear Confreres: I wish you a Happy Feast of our heavenly Patron, St. Francis de Sales ' A Great Master of Spirituality and Peace'! Let us always remain connected to the spirit of our Patron: 'Our nostalgia for God, inscribed in the depths of our hearts, can find true joy and complete fulfillment only in Him'. On the occasion of this Feast, it gives me great joy to present to you the Inter Secretariat News Letter 2018, featuring various initiatives and activities undertaken by the Secretariats of the Congregation and the General Administration during the Year It was the Year of Education and Social Apostolate, the Year of 450th birth anniversary of St. Francis de Sales, th and the Year of Convocation of the 20 Ordinary General Chapter of the Congregation. The Year 2017 was replete with programs SALES Casa Generalizia MISSIONARI DI S. FRANCESCO DI SALES, Via delle Testuggini 21, Roma, Italia. Tel: (06) ; Fax: (06) superiorgeneralmsfs@gmail.com E E IS D CO INTER SECRETARIAT SSIONNARES MI D CONGREGATION OF THE MISSIONARIES OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES and initiatives at the Congregational level. Thanks be to God for His mercy and guidance to our confreres who initiated new programs and ministries in different Provinces! In most of the Provinces in the Congregation, by God's Grace, we are able to accomplish or are in the process of accomplishing the following: January 2017: Re-opened the Cause of our Founder and Convoked the 20th Ordinary General Chapter 2019 Opened the 450th Birth Anniversary of St. Francis de Sales Launched the Mermierian Parish Mission Preaching with training and guidelines for the Team of Preachers Opened the De Sales and Mermier Research and Animation Center in Hyderabad, India Opened Spirituality Program in

2 Annecy 2017 for confreres to deepen the knowledge of Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and to familiarize with the heritage of the Congregation Published the 'MSFS Personal Spiritual Directory' Set up 'Justice and Peace Commission' at the Congregational Level Set up MDO at the Province level and released MDO news letter Organized Fransalian Associates at Province level with the approved Guidelines and Coordinators in each Province Released the Logo for General Chapter 2019 with three Reflection Papers for personal and communitarian preparation for the Chapter Initiated the Congregational Retreat in preparation for General Chapter 2019 Initiated the Process for developing Guidelines for a Graded Formation linking different stages of formation and on-going formation Fransalian Education Policy and Guidelines being prepared Financial Accountability System for Transparency (FAST) being implemented at all levels in the Provinces YEAR 2018: We are in the process of Exploration and Discernment to place our MSFS charism (in view of implanting our Congregation) in ECUADOR in SOUTH AMERICA, FLORES ISLAND in INDONESIA, MALAWI in AFRICA, and SCHLANDERS, South Tyrol, in NORTHERN ITALY. With the consent of the General Council, I am glad to announce the YEAR 2018 as the YEAR OF LOCAL COMMUNITY with the theme: Revitalizing my Local Community: A Space for Communion and Mission A few Guidelines for celebrating the Year of Local Community: Ø In the early part of 2018, the Provincials will convoke Local Superiors Forum Meeting and prepare a plan for the Year of Local Community Ø The meeting will be a day/days of animation and formation for the Local Superiors based on the Province statutes, Constitutions, General Directory, call of General Chapter 2013, and the Church documents on consecrated life. Ø The meeting can also finalize the different ways of celebration of the year in the Province Ø Ensure that half hour adoration before the Blessed Sacrament becomes part of community life Ø Each Province Forum / Local Community can also suggest to the Provincial the different ways of celebrating the theme at the level of the Forum/Community Ø The Provincial Administration will finalize the different ways of celebrating the Year of our Local Community and send a copy of the same to the Asst. General for information to be shared with the rest of the Congregation With good wishes for the New Year,for a meaningful preparation for the General Chapter 2019, and for the Year of Local Community, Fraternally in Christ, Father Abraham Vettuvelil, MSFS Superior General A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 02

3 IN THE CONCRETE COMMITMENT TO LOCAL COMMUNITY LIFE MISSIONARI DI S. FRANCESCO DI SALES, Via delle Testuggini 21, Roma, Italia. Tel: Cell: Fax: Fr. Thumma Mariadas MSFS Assistant Superior General BACK TO THE BASICS In the light of our intense preparation and orientation toward the General Chapter 2019, with its Theme: MSFS, WAKE UP TO THE BASICS, and the year 2018 as a Year of Local Community, for us as MSFS, I invite now our attention and reflection on these two significant aspects. I do not however wish to explain what are these Basics, because they are well explained in very main Study and Reflection Papers. Rather, I dwell a little on why this Return to the basics is exigent and urgent. I also do not evaluate community life nor do I suggest guidelines for a sound community life, because they are well reflected and insisted upon, in very many reflection talks and retreat animations. Rather I will focus on the very nature and essence of community life as a Gift and a Blessing, the realisation of which can contribute to a better living of it. WHY BACK TO THE BASICS? This call makes us aware of our frequent tendency of moving away from the basics and getting carried away by the peripherals, and getting stuck with the trivials. This reduces in turn our sense of focus and direction, and also the intensity of our dedication, and the quality of our fidelity to what is essential. Thus we as religious run the risk of becoming shallow and compromising as religious, and as missionaries, that of becoming less effective and credible. Therefore the real purpose to go to the Basics is: To get reconnected to our Essentials, To be renewed in our fidelity to them, To be more rooted and deepened, To be more strong, To become more equipped and filled, To become more resourceful, To be more sufficient, full and fulfilled. RETURN TO THE BASICS IS EXIGENT! Therefore summing up, we can say, To know the basics, to see the basics, to experience the basics, to receive the basics and also to share the same basics A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 03

4 with, we need to return to the basics. You can give others only what you have, and only when you have something to give. An empty vessel cannot fill another vessel, a miserable man cannot enrich another man, a weak person cannot support and strengthen another weak, a misguided person cannot guide another, a falling person cannot keep another standing and walking! So to be resourceful, we need to be source-full. To become base - a point of firmness and support for others, we need to be based, firm on the basics. LOCAL COMMUNITY IS ONE SUCH BASIC OF SPECIFIED REFLECTION IN THE YEAR 2018 Community is a Gift and a Blessing! Religious life is essentially a call to live community life. It is the essence and core of religious life. Community life is a precious gift and a gracious blessing. As gift, it indicates that it is something 'given' and not acquired or one's own making. It is something precious and so to be valued and appreciated for its worth. As gift of God, it also means that it is something given in love. It becomes the expression and occasion of God's own love. In living such a love-gift of God, we are living, experiencing, witnessing and promoting God's own love. As gift of God, it also implies that it calls us for deep gratitude. Living community life becomes an act and ambience of living our gratitude to God. Community life as gift also implies that it is something profoundly positive, because no one gives a bad gift, and all the more, our good and loving God cannot give us any gift which is not beautiful and beneficial. That community life is a gift also means that we must cherish it lovingly and gratefully, and preserve it carefully and diligently. We must constantly keep it safe and intact, guarding it against all the possible stains and blemishes. We cannot afford to get it spoiled or damaged or lose the value of it. That community life is a gift also means that it is something not to be kept simply idle or disused. It must be lived in its fullness. It is not something which can be treated indifferently without attention or concern. It is a 'vibrant' gift which calls for action, enthusiasm and commitment. As gift of love, community life also implies that it is lived joyfully. The difficulties and the challenges that surround community life should not take away or reduce the joy of community life, which is its breath and essence As a blessing, community life implies that it something sacred and divine. It is not merely a human arrangement or making, for the sake of some convenience or profit or external advantage. There should always be this sense of sacred and holy toward community and A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 04

5 community life. It should be esteemed and treated with respect and reverence, with the deep awareness of its dignity and nobility. As blessing, community life also implies that it should always carry and transmit that aspect of divinity and holiness. Those who live community life should feel, experience, nurture and relish the dignity of it. Those who watch those in community life, should also be able to see and get touched by this sense of the sacred. They should receive the blessings of such community life. As blessing, community life brings to all those who live it as well as those are served by it, the divine gifts of illumination, guidance, comfort and strength. Revitalise community life is a clarion call! It is in this context, the need of the hour is: to rediscover the vitality of community and to revitalise the quality of community. Therefore the summon is to Revitalise: to revive refill recharge reinvigorate community life. Community is the fertile soil which nurtures virtues and a personality that is emptying, giving and fulfilling. It is a strength and support to life. It is also a help to effective mission. It is a powerful antidote against the increasing malaise of individualism, and a powerful pathway to a profound spirituality and fraternity the most urgent needs of the present times! MISSION SECRETARIAT Fr. Agnelo Fernandes MSFS The Year 2017 saw the Secretariat for Missions engaged in the second round of meetings with the Province Mission Forums of South- East, Vizag and South-West. Similar round of meetings will take place in the Year 2018 in North-East, Nagpur and Pune Provinces. The Focus of these meetings were to evaluate the implementations of the Action Plans of the General Chapter 2013, the TMM 2016, and of the Action Plans of the Provincial Congress/Chapter of the province concerned, and the Regional Mission Forum Meeting of MOVING TO THE PERIPHERY It is heartening to see a conscious effort in the Provinces to move to the periphery as the conscious mission engagements of the Provinces.The new mission undertakings are in favour of the poor and the emergence of a vision for their all-round development in the years to come. These are right steps in the right direction as.asked of us by the General Chapter MISSION SANGAMAM Most Mission Province Forums organize Mission Sangamam at different frequencies. But what a Mission Sangamam is varies from Province to Province. While in some Provinces, it takes the shape of a seminar or symposium for confreres inviting refreshing mission reflections, in others it is a A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 05

6 meeting of representatives from various parishes and of our mission confreres. The meeting while bringing education for the lay representatives from the parishes, it becomes a feedback and evaluatory exercise for the confreres.the evaluation of the Missionaries is also done by the lay people and their effectiveness and also expectations of the laity are noted for future appropriate response. THE ETHOS OF THE SPIRITUALITY OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES AND OF THE MSFS IN OUR MISSIONS A number of parishes and missions have nucleus cells of friends of Fransalians. These cells can be feeders to the Fransalian Associates established in each Province, as and when they are ready for such absorbtion by the Cordinators of the Fransalian Associates of the Provinces. The Feast of St Francis de Sales,of The Mother of Sorrows and the Founder's Day are regular occasions of renewal in parishes through short or long periods of preparation for these events. Also praying through the intercession of Blessed Fr Mermier is being progressively introduced in most parishes as we have the prayers printed in the local language. Profile of a MSFS in ministry and in parishes needs a regular study and prayerful collective reflection and integration in life to ensure the visibility of our charism at the service of the local church. REGIONAL (INDIA) MISSION FORUM MEETING 2017 Regional Forum Meeting, September 2017 highlighted two important aspects of growth of the members of the Forum through the need for each Forum to organize a systematic inputs of reflections on themes of importance and relevance in the pastoral context of our time. The Meeting listed a number of these concerns and asked the PCICs to prioritize them in the context of the Province and have a time-table of implementation of the same over the coming years. The second concern was the need to encourage our pastors to have social and human skills in the to be effective in ministry. Through the guidance of Fr Philip Thomas, MSFS, professional counsellor and psychologist, a list of these skills and their understanding was placed before the PCICs, with the indication that these should be made known to every member of the Forum and encouraged to practise the same. Skills are honed not merely through knowledge but also by regular individual practice of the same. The Regional Forum also suggested that the General Secretary for Missions should annually bring the PCICs together for their update in training as PCICs and to learn from each province new approaches and inroads in attending to mission concerns. PARISH MISSION PREACHING Parish Mission Preaching Training of the PMP Province teams has been a major concern of the Secretariat through the special committee appointed by Fr. General in the persons of Fr. Fournier, Fr. Jose Parapallil, Fr Regi K, Fr. Jeyakumar and Fr. Agnelo Fernandes as its convenor. The Committee with 6 Indian Province PMPs A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 06

7 have made a big headway in the understanding of PMP in our modern context, through two training seminars held for about 30 confreres on an average,in the year 2016 and A similar training seminar is foreseen in the year The collective outcome has been: (i) The study of the PMP module as practiced by Fr Mermier and proposing a adapted module. (ii) The Fransalian Approaches and the Content of the Module (iii) Preparation of a draft of the Manual for PMP forthe approval by the Superior General (iv) Preparing a second content module as a follow-up to the first What is urgently required for implementing and follow-up: (i) A clear mandate to one or two confreres who are set free for the purpose of organizing the PMP in each Province under the guidance of the PCIC (ii) Urgent need for those assigned in each team to come at a regular time to live and deepen PMP way of life, prayer and preparation as specified in the draft of the Manual (iii) A coordinated effort by the PMP in charge. PCIC for Missions and pastors of our parishes to plan a cycle of PMPs in our parishes and centers preached by our teams. URGENCY FOR THE MISSION FORUM OF EACH PROVINCE TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING TASKS (i) Each PCIC to ensure collating Pastoral Plans of each Diocese in which MSFS are working and which are readily available (ii) Each center to have a annual pastoral programme schedule worked out and presented to the PCIC (iii) Each PCIC to ensure that each mission center has mission map with sub-centres and major details,made and displayed in the parish house of the mission center. Each PCIC to have a common Forum filing system (soft copy system in the computer) to be handing over when there is a change in office. A sample has been given to the PCICs. SECRETARIAT FOR FORMATION The year 2017 has been an eventful year for the Secretariat of Formation, with the follow-up of the on-going Initiatives: I. FORMATION of FORMATORS (FOF) Programmes While FOF began in the first semester of the academic year , it was completed in the first semester of the academic year Fr. Philip Thomas, msfs conducted three programmes at Harmony, Belgavi; SFS Fr. Noel Rebello MSFS Seminary Medziphema; and Vinayalaya, Bangalore, that were attended by Fortyfour (44) formators serving in the nineteen 19 Formation Houses of the six Provinces in India. The Programme focused on the following themes : Vocation Promotion; The Human Person, Integral Development, Challenges of Formation; The Formator; A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 07

8 Accompaniment; Positive Formation; Psycho-Sexual Integration All in all, the programme generated a thirst for a follow-up programmes to more adequately respond to challenges and opportunities of the present times. It was proposed that Inter-Province Training (follow-up) Programmes for formators be conducted at mutually convenient dates and venues, during the academic year June April The INITIATIVE FOR INTEGRAL GRADED FORMATION The Initiative for Integral Graded Formation was taken up by the Preparatory Committee for Graded Formation (PCGF) set up by the Superior General in June, 2016, (mandated to focus initially on the Formation Programme in India) with a member each from the six Indian Provinces. In its preparatory phase (July to December 2016) the six-member PCGF, working in three pairs drew up a 'fact-file' for each house of formation, collated all the relevant material relating to infrastructure, resources (physical, human, technical, etc) and programme / syllabus / curriculum. In the first half of 2017 the PCGF, on the basis of the 'fact-files' and with a specified Programme of Studies (POS) as a point of reference, drew up a draft prospectus for each of the successive Stages of Formation (Vocation Promotion, Minor Seminary (Orientation-Postulancy), Novitiate, Period of Temporary Profession (Philosophy-Regency-Theology), Diaconate, Initial Priestly Ministry, Ongoing Formation). This draft prospectus was fine-tuned in August 2017, at the meeting of an Extended PCGF [that included three Experts, and Directors of the De Sales Mermier Resource (DSM) Centre], and guided by the Mentors (Frs. George Panthanmackal and Benni Kootanal) designated by the Provincial of India Forum (PIF). This draft prospectus was presented, In October 2017 to the PIF at their joint meeting with the General Administration. 3. The Statutory Meeting of the Inter-Province Regional Formation Forum was held in the Nagpur Provincialate from 23 to 24 October It was attended by the Provincial Councillors in charge of Formation together with the convenors of the formation forums of the respective provinces. The participants held an exchange on the Reports that presented the follow-up action undertaken taken in the respective Provinces over the past year, in pursuance of the Proposals and Recommendations tabled in the Minutes. There followed a presentation of the Progress Report of PCGF, and the house met in workshops to study the draft Prospectus for the respective stages of Formation finalized by the extended PCGF in August 2017, and to make proposals for further consideration. The draft prospectus is now in its preoperational phase over the next academic year THE FIRST PHASE An inter-province Meeting of Rectors/Novice Masters of our Houses of A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 08

9 Formation was convened in Pune, from December 2017, with the objective of making available to them the draft Prospectus for the respective stages of Formation; besides, under the guidance of the PIF Mentor, the resource person (Fr. Binu Edathumparambil, msfs) introduced the Christological Model of Formation based on love of God, Neighbour and Self, with the emphasis on the spiritual, human and missiological dimensions, and its threefold goal of individual growth, personal sanctity and servant leadership. The participants were briefed on the knowledge and skills required to pursue this model. The resource person, as requested, also offered insights into the importance of Accompaniment of Formees, Teamwork among formators, and, the ingredients for assessment of students in the preparation of Confidential Reports on their progress. DSM, to prepare for printing, text books based on the draft syllabus and curriculum for the initial stages of formation, namely, Minor Seminary (Orientation-Postulancy), Novitiate. The text books are expected to be ready by the beginning of the academic year THE SECOND PHASE Will consist of an initial evaluation by the extended PCGF of the initial implementation of the draft syllabus and curriculum. This will be presented to the PIF and the General Administration for the required follow-up action. THE THIRD PHASE AT the onset of the Academic Year 2018, JuneJuly 2018, an Inter-Province Training Programme, for the Formation Teams of the MSFS Houses of Orientation, Postulancy and Novitiate, in India, at two venues. The objective of these programmes will be to introduce the methodology for the Implementation (on a trial basis) of the finalized draft syllabus and curriculum for the successive initial stages of Formation. THE FINAL PHASE A meeting of the Team designated by PIF will be held at MSFS House, Hyderabad, in the first quarter of 2018, under the guidance of the SECRETARIAT FOR EDUCATION EDUCATION OF THE HEART IS THE HEART OF EDUCATION - Peter Marie Mermier Fr. George Parampukattil MSFS In the prologue of our Constitution we read, From the beginning of its life, our missionary congregation took upon itself the challenging task of the apostolate of the renewal of Christian life, apostolate of mission overseas and the apostolate of education of the young. Apostolate of education was very close to the heart of Fr. Mermier. That is why, with his limited human and financial resource Fr. Mermier took upon himself the management and running of the college of Melan and A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 09 VOL. 8 JANUARY 2018

10 College of Evian. Even the early missionaries who came to India from France, established schools in Visakapatnam, Nagpur, Jabalpur and so on, in the early years of their missionary work in India inspite of their limited human and financial resources. 7. Voluntary health camps were organised for the students of our schools together with awareness camp of the evils of junk food. 8. Many of our schools organised the 450th birth anniversary of St. Francis de Sales our patron on the 21st August, in a colourful and meaningful way. YEAR OF EDUCATION Following the directive of our Superior General, Rev. Fr. Abraham Vettuvelil, who declared the year as the year of education, all the province education forums have undertaken various programs in the schools to celebrate meaningfully the year of education. 1. Orientation programsfor the staff of our schools were organised and conducted to make our staff aware of the Fransalian vision and mission of education and make them sharers of the same. 2. Eco Clubs were started in many of the schools to make our students aware of the need to take care of the mother earth/ planet. 9. Fransalian Alumni meetings were organised to evaluate and assess the impact of Fransalian education in our schools 3. Go Green programmes were organised for a plastic free campus in many of our schools NEW VENTURES Fransalian Education Forum-Regional (FEF-R) had their regional meetings in Trichy at the end of September for two days during which the FRANSALIAN EDU TIMES INTERNATIONAL Vol - X 2017, was released. During the meeting,in which all the forum members were present, all the province forums presented their reports of the activities of the education in the province level and made evaluation of the apostolate of education.during the meeting quality time was spent on the evaluation of the activities of the year of education. 4. At least one unit of the FRIENDS of FRANSALIANS (FoF) a student wing, was started in one school in every province. Friends of Fransalians (FoF) will be started eventually in all the High/Higher Secondary schools as well. 5. Students visited some old age homes of Mother Teresa's Sisters as well as schools for the differently abled children as social extension programmes. 1. Friends of Fransalians (FoF) a student wing. It is a new initiative of the FEF-R to organise anon religious voluntary 6. In some schools students were given road safety courses by police officers. A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 10 VOL. 8 JANUARY 2018

11 student wing organisation from the students of the High / Hr Secondary / college, level students who are ready to serve the institution or society for a social cause in a special way. 2. Fransalian Education Policy and Guidelines 2018 is in the pipe line which will be ready by May Animation of the different province education forums have been undertaken and carried out 4. Animation of the teachers of various schools have been completed to enable them to share the vision and mission of education. FUTURE PLANS An Education seminar for all those who are engaged in the apostolate of education is being th th planned. The seminar will be held on the 4-6 of May 2018 in Hyderabad.It will deal with the current and relevant topics in education and present day challenges.it will be co- hosted by the education forum of Visakhapatnam province. FRANSALIAN EDUCATION POLICY AND GUIDELINES 2018, a booklet which explains the various aspects of Fransalian Education Policy and Guidelines will be released during the education seminar in th Hyderabad on the 5 of May Being the year of Education and social apostolate, various activities and programmes will be conducted in the schools till the end of the academic year, i.e. March 2018 CONCLUSION Education today presents a highly competitive environment. In this mad rat race, values are being side lined in the altar of modernism. Discipline once looked upon as sacred and must, has become an elusive subject in the name of modernity. Teachers are tend to be replaced by Google and smart class programmes and teachers assume the role of supervisors and pleasers. The question today is how to maintain and sustain students interests in serious study and learning, enhance their achievement and prop up their personal growth. Educating is a transformative process and learning is transformation. That was Mermier's vision. Understanding, evaluating, and innovating the teaching and learning process is the need of the hour. Education is the most powerful weapon for social cohesion and social change. We are challenged to BE THE CHANGE. GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR SOCIAL APOSTOLATE AND INNOVATIVE MINISTRIES (SAIM) Fr. Agnelo Fernandes MSFS As announced by the Superior General, Fr. Jayaseelan has been appointed as the Provincial of Pune Province from August Fr General has asked Fr Agnelo Fernandes, the General Secretary for Missions to assume responsibility of the General Secretariat SAIM in the absence of Fr. Jayaseelan. On behalf of the General Secretariat SAIM, the members of the SAIM forums along with the PCICs thank Fr. Jayaseelan for the leadership that he provided to this very intricate and ever evolving ministry with studied and devoted attention with plans and vision for its future. We unitedly extend to him our good wishes and prayerful solidarity in the responsibilities entrusted to him by the Superior A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 11

12 THE SECOND-ROUND OF EVALUATORY MEETINGS IN SIX YEARS, WITH THE GENERAL SECRETARY AND THE PROVINCE SAIM FORUMS. These meetings commenced from September 2017 in the Provinces of Vizag, South-East and South West. The rest of these meetings will take place in the Provinces of North-East, Nagpur and Pune in the month of February on dates given by the Superior General in his circular. Some of the salient features of the evaluation are the following: 1. There is a steady and growing evolution of these social and innovative ministries in all provinces, in some through formal NGO societies and in others through informal undertaken social activities through the pastors and heads of institutions. There is a growing realization of the time-tested and firm belief that proclamation of the Word of God and implanting of faith is to be simultaneously accompanied by appropriate social work that helps people to integrate faith with life. 2. In Provinces where there are NGO Societies with their own administrative set-up and staff members, the social works are done systematically, extensively and creatively responding to the needs of the place where they reach out.the challenge for these NGO Societies of our Provinces is to have a network that links all the MSFS Province NGOs with the MDO of the Congregation. It has already been proposed that the Director of Mission Development Officeof the Congregation will contact the MDO Contact person of the Province appointed by the Province to ensure greater coordination and effectivity and out-reach. 3. In Provinces where are no formal NGO Societies, a lot of social works are being carried on by some of the registered societies with mixed objectives, or by individual pastors or institutions or by the provincial administration itself. These are to be identified, codified and systematically presented by the Province as its SAIM till such time as they have their own formal NGO Society, if needed. JUSTICE AND MISSION COMMISSION The Superior General had asked the former General Secretary SAIM, Fr Jayaseelan to present a draft of the composition and functioning of Justice and Peace Commissions of the Province and of the Congregation. Fr Jayaseelan with the help of an adhoc expert committee of confreres had presented a draft of the same. This draft is being studied by the Provincials, and the General Administration. Meanwhile, Fr General has requested all the Provinces to appoint Justice and Peace Commissioners in their Provinces.These Justice and Peace Commissioners will be assembled in the month of August 2018 on a date to be fixed in course of time for a Training Programme on how to exercise the role of the Justice and Peace Commissioner. Fr General also expects the Group of Commissioners to study the draft of the Composition and Terms of Reference of the Justice and Peace Commission at the Province level and the Congregational level and propose the modified draft to him after the Training Seminar. We will be in the process of organising this training seminar, the details of which will be given to all concerned in course of time. REGIONAL(India) SOCIAL AND INNOVATIVE MINISTRIES FORUM MEETING The Regional (India) SAIM Forum Meeting that was scheduled to take place in November 2017 has been postponed and it will be held on th st 20 and 21 March at Stella Maris, Vizag. It will be an occasion for the PCICs SAIM Forum to share the latest social concerns that the Provinces are addressing andto be enlightened and motivated by the progressive engagement of the Congregation in the social A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 12

13 ministries. The meeting will also explore the possibility of inter-province assistance and cooperation in social and innovative ministries and propose the same to the Provincials and the Superior General Usually new ministries other than pastoral are attached to the General Secretariat of SAIM and Province Forum Secretariat. We will evaluate the pros and cons of the same and see if we have some definite proposals to make to the Superior General on this matter. The Regional Forum will also explore the possibility of having a Social Works Directory at the level of the Congregation. The Regional Forum will also attend to the organization of the Training Seminar for the Justice and Peace Commissioners in the month of August SOME OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF SOCIALAND INNOVATIVE MINISTRIES IN THE CONGREGATION 1. It is very heartening to note that in most Provinces there is a concerted effort to reach out to poor children and youth especially through their education, formal, non-formal and informal. The commitment to the cause of the poor and deprived children is seen in a visible way through FRIENDLY HOMES of South East; the NESTS and PRATEEKSHA homes of FIDES of South West along with the centre ITSSCAT, Trivandrum for the poor and exceptionally gifted children; the evening wellorganized classes for the poor by FASCE of the NorthEast and its youth empowerment programmes; the increase in poor children scholarships of Vizag Province through SEVA KENDRA, and skill training and in its commitment to the education of the tribal children in Garla and skills training of the youth in Vizag; the launching of a QUALITY SCHOOL FOR THE POOR in Kadgaon of Pune Province; the attention to the-differently abled of SNEHALAYA and their rehabilitation,pune; the care for street children of MERMIER BAL ASHRAM, Koparkharaine, Mumbai; FOSTER school for the orphans and the poor at Ipuli, Tabora of East Africa Province and the skill training of the youth at MWAKATA, Kahama; the upcoming quality English medium school for the tribals of Orissa missions at BAMRA, Nagpur Province.These and many other efforts made by confreres in big or small ways in Mozambique Delegation, Southern Africa Region, Chad-Cameroon, Zambia Community, Philippine Delegation and backed by the generous donations of our benefactors and confreres of western provinces and units is indeed precious cooperation and solidarity in extending the service of the Congregation to the poor children and youth of the world. It is a challenging task fraught with difficulties and anxieties but a service that deserves our appreciation and commendation 2. The empowerment of women is also very important social ministry in Provinces that have NGOs and which are doing excellent work in the strengthening of the woman, the mother and the family. 3 Two provinces have ministry to the senior citizens and the dying through institutions: NIRMALA BHAVAN, Nizamabad of Vizag and CHARIS NIKETAN, ATHIRAMPUZHA of South-West. 4. The combined ministry of education, spiritual, and empowering to the tribal children, youth and to the public in general in and around Dahanu.Mumbai of Pune Province is yet another creative initiative that reminds us of God's grace and Spirit at work in our apostolates, and where efforts are on to explore A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 13

14 the paths of socio-educational and cultural works and spirituality. 5. Innovative Ministryto the Youth integrated into the pastoral and educational context of North-East, De Sales Music School, Hebbagodi in South-West, Fransalian Kalai Ulaigam Centre, Chennai of South-East are other visible creative ministries that we can be proud of and thank God for. Publications by IIS, Bangalore, printing presses at Vizag, Koparkharane, Chattram, Malur, Diphu, Imphal, Aurangabad are valuable services in which some of our conferes are engaged in. These are some of the creative initiatives which did not appear on our missionary horizon for long.we should admire the courage and perseverance of the Provinces in being missionaries in new areas of human life. THE GENERAL BURSAR'S VOICE STEWARDSHIP IS A CALL TO RISE UP TO THE ESSENTIALS Fr. Augustine Mangatt MSFS 1. BURSARSHIP AS STEWARDSHIP I am happy that the role of a bursar is seen more and more as stewardship. Rightly this is the essence of all bursarship: stewardship. In this perspective, two things happen at the same time: On one hand, on the part of temporal administration, it is raised to a higher level. It is not merely dealing with things, goods and money. It is not merely a material aspect. But it is a more comprehensive level of all that affects our temporal existence. It is bestowed a higher dignity of care, responsibility and diligence so essential to stewardship. On the other hand, on the part of stewardship, referring specifically to bursarship, it is also conferred with a relevant dimension. No more bursarship can be looked at, being reduced merely to temporal, material level of 'bursetransactions'. Rather it is made more concrete and proper. Certainly stewardship is not exclusively bursarship, and cannot be entirely equaled with only financial management. Yet, there is no true stewardship without a faithful bursarship. One cannot be a faithful steward, without being a faithful bursar. In tune with Jesus' words, One who is not faithful in little things, will not be faithful in bigger things as well. If you are not faithful in the things of this world, which are temporary and perishable, who will entrust you with the riches that are eternal and imperishable? Therefore our constant and consistent effort is to foster this mindset, so much so that it gets engraved into each one's heart. 2. STEWARD LIKE BURSARSHIP: A HALLMARK OF RELIGIOUS INTEGRITY Such a bursarship as stewardship, becomes loftier with a new dignity and nobility. It is no more dealing with mere finances or material things, but is an integral way of living our very religious life. It not limited just to the material sphere, but embraces and affects the whole religious spectrum. It implies a profound fidelity and honesty. A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 14

15 3. STEWARDSHIP: CONCRETIZED IN FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY It is in this context that our sacred role as stewards, is concretely shown in financial transparency and accountability. It essentially calls for a deep sense of responsibility to what is entrusted. It constantly urges us to guard against all carelessness, callousness, negligence and indifference, on one hand, and on the other hand, also to guard against all pulls and allurement toward manipulation, squandering and extravagance. 4. STEWARDSHIP: A BLEND OF COMPLIANCE, VIGILANCE, COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE A perfect stewardship does comply to the legitimate norms and policies, keep ever alert, grows competent and is ever assiduous. 1) Compliance: In the context of our congregation, this stewardship implies a compliance to the prescribed regulations and directives, which govern our temporal administration and financial transactions. Very particularly this compliance also calls for falling in line with the requirements of FAST (Financial Accountability Structure for Transparency) 2) Vigilance: Vigilance implies to be constantly alert to and aware of the various governmental rules and laws, which keep on changing and get updated. Very many times, this lack of awareness and knowledge can lead to unnecessary legal complications and huge financial liabilities and losses 3) Competence: Competence implies different aspects: (a) Ability to manage wisely, beneficially and economically the temporal goods (b) Gaining an adequate familiarity and knowledge of financial matters through updating and enhancing courses and skills, and exercising a higher efficiency and effectiveness in discharging our stewardship (c) Exploring innovative ways and means to tap and mobilize financial resources (d) Ability to coordinate various financial sectors and personnel (e) Ability to alert, advise and guide the administrations in investing and allocating the funds, regarding their usefulness and sustainability 4) Diligence: Diligence implies a constant spirit of hardship and assiduity. A diligent steward is ever charged with a deep sense of devotion and dedication toward what he is entrusted with. He is always conscious that he is there on behalf of God and the congregation, for the sake of the community, mission and the people. 5. REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP FORUM MEETING (INDIA) The Regional Stewardship Forum Meeting (India) was held at Shanwadi, Pune on October 4 5, 2017, The Stewardship Forum focused on the importance of educating the Bursars of Local Communities/Institutions to write the books of accounts daily with proper vouchers/bills The Stewardship Forum insisted on: The practice of tabling the monthly statement of accounts of Local Communities during the monthly community meetings for information and evaluation by the community members Preparing the community budget and strictly adhering to the format of the Financial Accountability System for Transparency (FAST) Provincial Bursars shared with the group an evaluation on the implementation of the FAST in their respective Provinces. Though FAST is being implemented, there are a few communities yet to fall in line with this new system. Let us ever strive to grow in the true spirit of stewardship! A SECRETARIAT NEWSLETTER 15