In his recent message on what it is to be a Passionist religious today, our Superior General, Fr. Joachim Rego invites every Passionist for a joyful service, filled with hope. "We are called to rekindle the hope of our brothers, to warm the hearts, bearing witness of the courage to open un new paths, beyond those already consolidated and defined, daring to try new things, with faith and hope, in the creative faithfulness to the charism and courage of the Founders." Yet there is no greater freedom than that of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, renouncing the attempt to plan and control everything to the last detail, and instead letting him enlighten, guide and direct us, leading us wherever he wills. (Evangelii Gaudium, 280). I invite each one of you, dear Brothers, to reflect personally on these words of Fr. General and renew yourself, as we take up new ministries, let us be more creative and generous in the service of the Lord. As the transfer list is being published in this issue of the newsletter, I thank you for consenting to these transfers and new appointments in the spirit of faith and joy. Let us seize this occasion to renew ourselves in the true spirit of the Resurrection of the LORD! Let us be re-created and renewed in life at the personal level and community level, enabling us to face the challenges in the spirit and faith-inspired dynamism, which will bring about a visible change in the entire Vice Province. May the Holy Spirit inspire and strengthen everyone, bearing witness to our Crucified and Risen Lord. Blessed Holy Week & Happy Easter to All... Fr Tomy Kanjirathinkal CP St.Thomas, the Apostle Vice Province,(THOM) Passionist Jyotir Bhavan, Carmelaram PO, Bangalore-560035, Karnataka, India. thomviceprovince@gmail.com www.passionistindia.com, Ph 080-28439527
APRIL 2014 4th: Dcn. Vimal Backiyaraj CP 5th: Fr. Shaji Joseph CP 13th: Fr Roy Srampical CP 30th: Fr Junesh Vakapadath CP APRIL 2014 6th: Fr. Xavier Valiaparambil CP 11th: Fr Jose Kulangharathottiyil CP 13th: Fr Antony Arackal CP 15th: Fr Benzen Valiyaveetil CP 18th: Fr Roy Srampical CP Fr Thomas Anamattathil CP 21st: Fr Sugun Lawrence CP 22nd: Fr Antony Chirammel CP Fr Shaji Joseph CP 24th Fr Paul Cherukoduth CP Fr Biju Paliyath CP 25th: Fr Sebastian Konnully CP Fr Pascal Cuthina CP 26th: Fr Dennis Murickanamkuzhiyil CP 27th: Fr Tomy Kanjirathinkal CP Fr Junesh Vakapadath CP 30th: Fr Louise Stanislaus CP SACRED DAYS 13th to 19th HOLY WEEK 2oth EASTER COUNCIL MEETING The Sixth Official Council meeting was held in Jyotir Bhavan on 26th and 27th of March,2014. The FMT also held its monthly meeting on 26th and 27th of March 2014 in Jyotir Bhavan and updated the council on the progress of the discussions on various projects and establishing a system in place for administering finances and assets of the Congregation. ORDINATIONS The Council has approved all the Deacons for the Sacred Order of Priesthood. Diaconate retreat is from 6th to11th April. Invitations and updates on upcoming ordinations are incorporated in the PIANO. Please contact Fr Joe Van Leeuwen for accommodations for those who will commute through Cochin. VOCATION CAMP The Vocation camp for 2014 will be held at Ashram JXP on 22nd and 23rd April, 2014. Please try to send as many boys from your contacts to participate in this camp. NOVITIATE The Novitiate for our two brothers, Antony John PS and Antony Thomas Polakkat commences on 21st May, 2014. APPOINTMENTS AND TRANSFERS A major task of the council was in c o n f i r m i n g a n d a s s i g n i n g v a r i o u s responsibilities within the membership of the Vice-Province. All the members, within India, are requested to take up their new responsibilities by May 15th, 2014. The process has begun for those taking up foreign ministries. An appointment letter detailing the responsibilities shall be sent to you and those continuing in the present responsibilities shall receive an affirmation letter. A whole picture of the membership of the vice province is presented with present contacts. Any changes in the contact details and specific addresses shall be sent to you later.
GENERALATE Continue to pray for Fr. Joachim who is recovering from a heart by-pass surgery at the University Hospital of Umberto I, Rome. Following surgery, as is normal practice, Fr Joachim will be in the intensive care ward and later in the normal wards for a minimum of one week. Following this there will be a time of recuperation and rest. At this period of time that Fr Joachim is prevented from acting, the first Consultor Fr Augusto Canali will substitute. Please keep Fr General in your constant thoughts and prayers!
By the Grace of God we have in the Vice Province of THOM (India) five brothers for the Sacred Order of Priesthood. Brother Vimal Backiyaraj C.P., who will hands of Most Rev. Dr. Soundararaju Periyanayagam, SDB, Bishop of Vellore, on 3rd of May, 2014,Saturday at 5 p.m., at Our Lady of Victories Church, Periyakolappalur, Tamilnadu, India. Brother Febin Barose C.P., who will hands of Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Karikkassery, Bishop of Kottappuram, on 10th of May, 2014, Saturday at 10:30 a.m., at the Church of Our Lady of Velankanny, Kadappuram, Palliport, Kerala, India. Brother Welfen Xavier C.P., who will hands of Most. Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarackal, Archbishop of Verapoly, on 12th of May, 2014, Monday at 10 a.m., at St. Sebastian's Church, Kadavanthra, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Brother Ajesh Mathew C.P., who will hands of Most. Rev. Dr. Stanley Roman, Bishop of Quilon, at 10am on 13th of May, 2014, Tuesday at 10 a.m, at St Mary's Church, Kanjiracode, Kundara, Quilon, Kerala, India. Brother Rajan George C.P., who will hands of Most. Rev. Dr. Stanley Roman, Bishop of Quilon, on 17th of May, 2014, Saturday at 10 a.m., at St. Thomas Church, Poonthura, Thiruvanandapuram, Kerala, India.
Jiffin Sebastian with the boarding children in the North East State of Manipur where he does his Pastoral Ministry. Antony John PS and Antony Thomas Polakkat enters Novitiate on 21st May, 2014. Fr Dennis CP celebrated his farewell mass with Fr junesh and the students in Bhopal. Fr Tomy CP at the Parish where Binu Johnson does his Pastoral Ministry in the North East State of Manipur. It was a grace filled experience for Fr. Tomy, visiting our brothers, Jiffin Sebastian and Binu Johnson in Imphal, in the state of Manipur. In their mission context, they are mostly involved in Education Apostolate. The whole day is spent in teaching, after which, they look after the mission hostel and boarding. The boarding facilities give the children a homely atmosphere in which they are trained in discipline and simple living. It was so inspiring to see our brothers happily making their contribution to this mission out reach of the diocese. The smiling faces all around give them encouragement and support. We wish both Binu Johnson and Jiffin Sebastian continued blessings of the Lord. Fr Pascal CP celebrated his Birthday with members in Bangalore Dcn Vimal at the Parish where he does his Diaconate Ministry Fr Shaji CP celebrated his Birthday with students in Randham