vote of his Fr.Philip as promoter, Sri Lanka.

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1 INDIAN MISSION VICARIATE NEWSLETTER Wwwww Nr. 4 / Dear Confreres, During the second council meeting of the Indian Mission Vicariate many important decisions, suggestions and opinions took place, to facilitate and enable our Indian mission members to move forward in the right direction with clear motives and strong determination, as the wheel of time rolls on. Sincerely speaking every decision accompanie es if not always to some extent pain and inability to accept, but the ground reality is that as religious we have a common goal and pattern to imbibe our charism and spirituality. Hencee we all need to strive and glue together in all circumstancess to form one uniting force to materialize our dream as our founder exhorted unity will come if you all make one goal ( Ex &Ad 21: 6). By shedding out our individual desires, opinions and reasons, we will pave the way for the collective and common good of our society in general and the Indian Mission in particular. As the young Indian Mission Vicariate is trying to come to terms with the past and catch up with the future, it also beckons each one of us today to try and give our best in all possible ways to live our Salvatorian call meaningfully and fruitfully, without denying that fact that the road ahead seems long, uneven and less travelled as the saying goes if the path is beautiful, first confirm wheree it leads, but if the destination is beautiful then do not bother how the path is, just keep on walking. Fr. Peter K. Nengnong SDS Consultor & Secretary Official communications: Appointments: The vicariate superior with deliberative vote of his council appointed Fr.Philip as the Local coordinator and formator and Fr. Michael Rajesh Jesus as the administrator, vocation promoter, and assistant formatorr of the community in Chilaw, Sri Lanka. Appointmen of Assistant Novice Master: Fr. Stephen Raj has been appointed by the Generalate as the assistant Novice Master for the term of three years with an immediate effect. Peace and Justice Commission: The council nominated Fr. Vinoy Joseph from the Vicariate unit as the member of the International peace and justice commission. Official visitation to Srilanka: The official visitation will commence from January The vicariate Superior delegated Fr. Selvanathan for the Visitation with the accompaniment of the Spiritual animator Fr. Job SDB. Official Visitation Northeast: Nagaon community: November 3-5, 2010, done by Fr. Selvanathan/Fr. Peter K. Nengnong. Dhing: November 6, 2010, done by Fr. Rosario/ Fr. Peter K. Nengnong. Shillong community: November 7-8, 2010, done by Fr. 1

2 Rosario/ Fr. Selvanathan. Laitkynsew community: November 9, 2010, done by Fr. Rosario/ Fr. Peter K. Nengnong. 6. Fr. Job SDB, Spiritual animator will visit North/South communities with the Vicariate Superior. Ranchi- 29 December 2010, Warangal- 30 December -3 January 2011, Bangalore- 3 January 6, Jordan Trust: Fr. Selvanathan is delegated to draft the statutes for Jordan Trust before the next council meeting in January SDS Website: The vicariate superior with deliberative vote of his council appoints Fr. Selvanathan, Fr.Vimalraj and Fr.Sunil Thomas as a team for the SDS Websiste, with, Fr. Selvanathan as its president. 9. The Indian Mission Vicariate is happy to have Fr. Thomas SDS who came from the Austrian province to have some experience in the Indian culture and to share his gifts with the Indian Mission Vicariate. 10. The East Asian Formation workshop was held in Bangalore from 1 -Oct- 8, 2010 on theme Listen, follow and announce. Be a true Apostle of Jesus Christ It was animated by Fr. Milton Zonta, in charge of formation of SDS and Fr. Mario. The participants were 2 from Austraila, 4 from Philippines and 5 from India. 11. Spiritual Encounter: The council nominated Fr. Stephen raj, Fr. James Thapa and Fr. Michael Rajesh Jesus, for the international spiritual encounter in Rome, July, General Visitation in 2011: General visitation will commence from November 8-Dec 8 and will be done by Fr. Piet Cuijpers, Vicar General/Mission Secretary and Fr. Paul Portland, General Secretary. 13. Contract with Fr. Job, SDB: a) The first year to visit and talk to all the members and all the communities in India and Srilanka and furnish the report to the Vicariate Superior. b) To initiate retreats in the North/South/ Northeast using the working paper prepared by the General synod XVII C) to animate the Indian Mission Vicariate chapter in Centenary celebration at Laitkynsew Parish: The Vicariate superior together with his council request Fr. Alex, the Parish priest of Laitkynsew to take necessary initiative in preparing for the centenary celebration of the parish church building in Higher studies: The application of Fr. Vinoy Joseph to pursue his B. Ed studies in Warangal in the academic year was unanimously approved by the council. 16. Formation and Vocation Commissions reports: the reports of the commissions were read out and based on the suggestions, the council have the following decisions; The official beginning of the academic year: 1 st of July. Exception is only with the permission of the Vicariate Superior and his council. Official beginning of the regency: first week of June 2

3 Aspirants contribution: Rs 1000 Intermediate study (+ 2): Rs Any + 2 students who leave the society on their own is charged Rs 1000 for the release of the certificates. Pre philosophy: during pre philosophy program the candidates bears all the personal expenses. Exception to this is based on the report from the concerned formators. Holidays: annual home leave for every stages of formation Holiday allowances: Pre philosophy: one way ticket + food allowance Philosophy: 2 way tickets + food allowance + Rs 1000 (holiday allowance) Novices & Regents: 2way tickets + food allowance (holiday allowance) Theology: 2 way tickets + food allowance + Rs (holiday allowance) Ongoing formation: 2 way tickets + food allowance + Rs (holiday allowance) NB: Rs.150 is the food allowance only for the days of travel. MA Christian studies along with theology. The council requested to the various commissions to have the meeting prior to the vicariate chapter for for mulating any amendments of the formation program. 17. Use of cell phones: under no circumstances the formants are allowed to use personal cell phones during the initial formation. 18. Madhur and Anakel: The council has decided to dispose both the land. Fr. Selvanathan was entrusted with the job of finding interest buyers. The council also thanked Fr. Selvanathan for his tireless and dedicated work in resolving legal p roblems to a certain extent. 19. TamilNadu Project: the approved yet not realized TN project, the council delegated Fr. Selvanathan to initiate about the establishment of the mission as early as possible. The council suggested that TN project has the following clarity; Find the suitable location that helps to begin with the ministry of minor seminary formation house and a school apostolate In case the available fund is not sufficient use the frozen fund of Anakkal and Madhur for the need. 20. Laitkynsew Projects: The future plan for Laitkynsew parish includes renovation of the church, construction of hostel, multi-purpose hall, of the first floor (presbytery), and primary English medium school building is in the final shape. 3

4 Report of the official Visitation of the Indian Mission Vicariate Some flowers grow best in the sun, while others do well in shade. Remember, we are put where we grow the best and accordingly we get people and situation to grow with We are happy to share with you the outcome of the official visitation of the Indian Mission Vicariate from September The official visitation was conducted by Fr. Rosario Chinnappan, Vicariate Superior and Fr. Peter K. Nengnong, Vicariate Secretary and cousultor. During the visitation we felt the Indian unit is moving forward towards the goal of our founder Fr. Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan eternal life is knowing the true God and his Son Jesus whom He sent. The members live in the rapid growing scientific world where the multi-regional, cultural and linguistic differences challenge us to manifest our true identity and genuine faith in our Salvatorian commitment. However, some flowers grow in the sun, while others do well in shade we could notice that there is a great desire to collab orate with one another keeping in mind that we are put where we grow the best and accordingly we get people and situation to grow with. The binding force of the unit is the essential element of universality which needs to accompany consciously for the younger Salvatorians in the unit. This report is based on the assessment of various communities in light of spiritual, community, apostolate and academic fields. During the visitation, the visitors: The visitation started with Eucharistic celebration, where the meaning and importance of visitation was highlighted during the homily. Met with individual members in personal talks. During the personal talks the document Working paper: - On the Road to the XVIII SDS General Chapter. Know/Love/Proclaim was given to each member with the request to use for reflection individually and to share in the community. Led a community meeting for the members and evaluated Our Life in Apostolic Community. Visited Madhur, Anakel land and Chullikkara Estate. Spiritual Life and growth There is a constant consciousness effort in the lives of the members to strive for holiness and sanctity. This religious spirit is manifested in the daily Eucharistic celebration, daily prayers, adoration, rosary, praying for vocations and prayer for the speedy process for the beatification of our venerable founder Fr. Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan. Community Life: The rhythm of community life has been steadily growing in mutual respect, understanding, mutual dialogue and acceptance. The visitors have observed there is a strong sense of belongingness and oneness in various communities in carrying out the common goal of the Society eternal life is knowing the true God and his Son Jesus whom He sent. However, we could notice there is a serious alienation and estrangement present within some communities, which need more dialogue and reconciliation. The tendency of some members who inclined to create an unhealthy atmosphere in the unit in terms of regional bias which stands as a stumbling block for the growth of the individual and community as a whole. 4

5 Hence, it is important to go back to the root of our Salvatorian spirit of universality, identity and Charism according to the vision of our founder Fr. Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan. Initial and Continuing Formation Currently the formation structure in the Indian Mission Vicariate has been more or less stabilized. We could observe that the members who are involved in the formation dedicate their quality time and ability spirit in guiding and leading the formants to discern and strengthen their vocation in the Salvatorian life. At some point we could observe that the formants lack the accompaniment of the formators, such as regular talks, recollections and physical presence of the formator in the formation houses. There could be a serious consequence in the unit if the members who are within five years of perpetual vows/ordinations are not given prime importance to the concerned members. The members need strong accompaniment in the continuing formation, the lacking of which will affect the genuine growth of the individual and community spirit. Information and communications We live in a rapid growth of the scientific world, the need of communication and information among the members is very essential. The regular publications of Newsletters, Informationes, and the magazine in the shadow of the cross will not sufficiently bind the members together in the unit, unless communications and information is given due importance. We suggest that all the members could have regular contact with each other in sharing the apostolate activities, their experience and suggestions that will bind the unit for future better growth. Finances At present, the Vicariate budget is met through the contribution from the Generalate and with locally generated income. We suggest that each member makes a conscious effort to explore various means to become total self-sufficient financially in the near future. Laitkynsew: renovation of the church, first floor for the presbytery, hostel, multipurpose hall and English medium school building at Laitkynsew, Shillong. Shillong: renovation and setting up of one more floor for the theology study house at Mawroh, Shillong. Nagaon/Assam: a new wing for the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) Tokabari/Assam: Minor seminary for the North east. Tamil Nadu: take some steps to establish a formation house, Parish and school as early as possible. These plans have been presented to the General Mission secretary. Some projects have been initiated and the work in progress and some yet to be worked out. Recommendations: Prayer life: The visitors recommend that the fathers in Bangalore have a specific time for laudes and vespers, monthly recollections and common celebrations (Aspirants and Novitiate) for the Salvatorian feasts and solemnities. Apostolic Life: The visitors recommend besides the community apostolate to engage into pastoral ministry in the immediate parishes to gain some experience in pastoral field on Sundays and Solemnities. 5

6 Initial formation: The visitors recommend that the vocation promoters have to screen the candidates well before promoting to the Society by fulfilling the norms of the Indian Mission Vicariate. In order to have a genuine formation formators are advised to accompany the formants in all stages of life. Continuing formation: the existing policy of the continuing formation programme in the Indian Mission Vicariate has to be implemented strictly for the betterment of the members who are within five years of perpetual vows/ordination. Self-reliance: for the long range plan the visitors saw the immediate need for the members to study the situation of the local place and possibilities to create some income generation activities for self-reliance. Concluding Remarks The visitors thank the members of the Indian Mission Vicariate of the various communities for their collaboration, support and readiness to shoulder responsibilities in various aspects and for the services render to the local churches (Ranchi/Bangalore/Warangal) in India. Father Rosario Chinnappan and Father Peter K. Nengnong express special thanks to all the local coordinators and to each member for their active cooperation for the success of the first official visitation of the Indian mission vicariate. Request for prayer: Beatification process of our venerable founder Fr. Francis Jordan Establishment of a new formation house in Srilanka Minor seminary at Tokabari/Assam New wing college construction at Nagaon/Assam A possible establishment of apostolate in TamilNadu. 6