Fraternal and cordial greetings to all of you, dear Confreres!

Christmas is around the corner.  The Christmas season exhorts us to reflect over the incarnation of God as a human being in order to create a just and peaceful society.  ‘The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light.” Yes, the Word of God became flesh two thousand years ago. He became man like one of us.  He spoke human language and made us understand what God is like and what His plan is for us. Hence if we want to know who God is and what He is like we have to look at Jesus, understand what he taught, reflect over his way of thinking and acting and follow his example to be like him to become one with God, the ultimate aim of our existence. We can never see God as He is when we are in our bodily existence. But we can know Him by experiencing what Jesus is. For, He is the Word of the Father or the “visible image of the invisible Father.” Jesus is the only way to this invisible Father. Jesus is asking us to follow his life in order to establish the kingdom of the Father for which he came into this world.

Jesus is the light that the darkness cannot overpower. But people continue to prefer darkness to light. The darkness represents the forces of evil, exploitation and corruption which end up in war and destruction. According to the recently concluded Synod of Africa, “The negative consequence of all these evil elements are visible before the whole world: poverty, misery and disease; refugees within and outside the country and overseas, the search for greener pastures which leads to brain drain, clandestine migration and human trafficking, wars and blood shed, often by proxy, the atrocity of child soldiers and unspeakable violence against women.” In this situation we need to co-operate with Jesus to work as his mouth to speak the truth, to work as his ears to listen to the wailing of thousands under oppressive rule, to work as his hands to heal the sick, to work as his eyes to show compassion and love and work as his tongue to speak for the downtrodden and oppressed. Let this Christmas season again remind all of us of our duties as Christians, as followers of Christ especially in the continent of Africa.

The Synod of Africa proclaims the need to make change: “It is time to change habits, for the sake of the present and future generations”. A change is needed and who can bring this change in us other than the incarnate Word. At the time of the birth of Jesus the Angel sang, “Glory to God and peace to men of good will.” The Synod in the final draft concludes with the exhortation “Family of God in Africa, all you men and women of good will in Africa and beyond, we share with you the strong conviction of this Synod: that Africa is not helpless. Our destiny is still in our hands. All she is asking for is the space to breathe and thrive. Africa is already moving; and the Church is moving with her, offering her the light of the Gospel. The waters may be turbulent. But with our gaze on Christ the Lord (cf. Mt 14:28-32), we shall make it safely to the port of reconciliation, justice and peace.” Let us wish and pray that the dream of our Synod Fathers may come true. I wish all of you a very happy Christmas.

Transfers and Appointments

• Fr. Tomy Kattikkanayil is transferred from Bukene parish and is designated to be appointed parish priest of St Francis de Sales parish, Dumila. The transfer will take effect on the 13^th of December 2009.

• Fr. Santhosh Prakashbhavan is transferred from Aspirancy House, Ndagani, and is designated to be appointed Parish priest of St. Charles Luanga and companions’ parish, Bukene. The transfer will take effect on the 6^th of December 2009.

• Fr. Sebastian Palakudy is transferred from Dumila parish and is appointed as the Rector of Aspirancy House, Ndagani with effect from 27^th November 2009.

• Fr Jacob Puthiyidathuchalil is appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest of Chera with effect from 18^th of December 2009.

Two Scholastics, namely, Bro. S. Clement Sudhakar and Bro. Joji Vechukunnel whom we had been waiting for so long have arrived Tanzania safe. While I thank them for their generosity I welcome them wholeheartedly to East Africa and wish them every success and God`s abundant blessings. Bro. Joji is appointed in the Junior Seminary Kihonda and Bro. Clement Sudhakar is appointed in the Novitiate to do one year of regency. We wish them all the best.

Regents Meeting and Evaluation:

Those brothers who are doing Regency will have their half yearly evaluation together with leadership seminar from 28^th of December to 4th of January2010 at Fransalian Seminary, Kola hills.

SFS VTC, MWAKATA:

On 24^th October 2009, SFS Institute Mwakata, Graduated 27 students (19 VETA students, 7 driving students, and one computer course) who successfully completed their studies in the institute. The day began with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Johnson Pathiyil (councilor in charge for Education), who represented Rev. Fr. Provincial at the graduation ceremony. After the Holy Mass there was a short demonstration of each department, presented beautifully by the concerned teachers and students. The demonstration was followed by the solemn graduation ceremony. The chief guest of the day was Mr. Titus Isaka, the Director of VETA, Shinyanga. Hearty congratulations to Fr. Joseph Poikunnel (Director) and Fr. Antonysamy Sebastian (Administrator) and the entire staff.

Visit of Rev. Fr. Superior General

I take this opportunity to welcome once more our beloved Fr. Superior General for his official visit to East Africa Province. I wish him all the best and pray that for whole province his visit may become an occasion of spiritual revival and enlightenment.

The program of Fr. General’s Visit:

(For MSFS Confreres Only..... please refer to your personal copy)

 New Provincial Curia of South West Province:

Congratulations to the new provincial administration of South west province.

1.                        Fr. Kurian Aranjaniyil, Councilor in charge of Innovative Ministries

New Provincial Curia of Visakhapatnam Province

1.            Fr. George Kottam,

New Regional Team of Southern African Region

1         Fr.  Philip Mangatt

Let us pray for:

Fr. Thomas Olickal

Provincial

Province of East Africa