Dear confreres,

Peace and joy of the Lord be with you.

The celebration of the feast of  St Francis de Sales our patron is just over and all of us had been reflecting over his writings and making special prayer of intercession and trying to imbibe his spirit to follow  Jesus after the manner of this great saint. Our Superior General in his Circular sgmsfs-af-11 writes “A Fransalian growing in salesian spirituality is a fransalian in whom the brilliance of God’s love shines through assiduous practice of virtues which are typically Salesian”. Let us use all opportunities at our disposal to learn more about this great patron of ours through reading his writings or attending Salesian spirituality courses to practice virtues that are typically Salesian so that they may become the ‘Visible identifying mark” of every MSFS working all over the world. May our heavenly patron whose feast we just celebrated may intercede for us so that we may become true Fransalians.

We have already entered in the season of Lent. And I wish all of you a fruitful season of Lent. Let us once again put on the weapons of prayer, abstinence and fasting in order to fight against the evils that surround us.

The visitation of our Beloved Superior General to our province

The visit of our beloved Superior general to our province of East Africa was of immense importance for this visitation has given us a new impetus, a new spirit of orientation, courage and strength. Though only few days and that also long days of journeys and amidst of different engagements he found time to meet all the confreres in person and share their concerns. It was indeed the days of blessing for all of us and his visit was something very personal, touching the core of our lives for we could experience real spiritual revival within from his fatherly concern and care for us. The input talk as part of the international year of the priests citing examples from our patron St. Francis de Sales really provoked thoughts and consequently began to reflect and see where do we stand as a holy priest of Jesus in His ministry. The apostolic community meetings and the sharing of our concern in his presence deepened our unity and strengthened our commitment. On behalf of the members of the east African province I offer you father our heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation. Thank you Fr. General for your encouraging words of appreciation and strengthening presence and warm affection to all the confreres in East Africa. We cherish your warmth and love and I am sure the effect of your strengthening visit will be seen in the apostolate of Fransalians in East Africa in the days to come. We in turn assure you of our whole hearted support and humble prayers for your success in your Missionary journeys of strengthening unity and love.

Ms. Maria Denier, one of our dear benefactors, passed away

As a young widow in her late thirties, with six children to care for, Ms. Maria Denier dared to contribute her mite to the missions of MSFS with compassion so unparalleled in our times that any Fransalian who knew her would acknowledge it without any hesitation.  It all began when Fr. Perry De Silva of Pune Province met her for the first time at Au-Wadenswil in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland and explained to her about our missionary activities in Central India.  Deeply moved by the demands of the missions especially of training young seminarians, she sought for ways and means to support them. Being an unemployed widow, living in a rented flat, with six little children to care for would someone dare to engage in charity? Yet, nothing of these would impede her determination. At midnight when all the children were put to sleep she would quietly slip out of her flat for a few hours and work in a factory to pack and seal containers. The amount she would earn would, in its entirety, go to the missions for the support of Seminarians! She continued this support tirelessly and later extended it to Africa when the Fransalians opened their missions there. In her ripe old age when she could no more work she found yet another means to support the missions. An old man of 99 years unable to care for himself was accommodated in her flat and tenderly cared for until she breathed her last.  The amount of money the old man would give her was sent to support the missions of Fransalians! Furthermore, every Fransalian who came into contact with her knew her as a very affectionate and holy person deeply rooted in Catholic faith with an unshakeable trust in the Providence of God. In her later years especially as she fell ill she demonstrated an edifying resignation to the Divine Will and passed away peacefully on December 08, 2009, on the feast of her patroness! Her life here on earth was an inspiration and support for many Fransalians. Her death is a gain, as Paul would say, for in her we have an intercessor in Heaven!

 FR. GABRIEL AMRITHANAYAGAM MSFS IS NO MORE:

On 10th of January 2010 Fr Gabriel MSFS a close friend of Fransalians in East Africa said good bye to all of us leaving all of us in deep sorrow. Sorry that I could not give you the news early because I got this news very late. Fr. Gabriel was born on 7th July 1949 to Mr. Amirthanayagam and Mrs. Annamal at Thirukkurichi, Tamilnadu. He was ordained a priest on 4th May 1979. After serving for a while as an assistant Parish Priest in Kolar, Karnataka, he went to Rome to complete his doctoral studies in Scripture. With his vast knowledge and simple life-style he ignited the minds of many scholastics in various institutes such as JDV Pune, St. Peter’s Bangalore, Janampet in Eluru, Suvidya College Bangalore and in Hyderabad, Goa, Mangalore, St. Pius Goregaon, Mumbai and in many major seminaries in East Africa. He was a beloved and excellent teacher who touched the hearts of many young seminarians and nurtured their vocation. Besides being a professor of Theology and Philosophy, he served as the General Councilor for many years in the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales and as the Provincial Councilor in Vizag Province of the Fransalians. After his illness he was resting at St. Thomas Mount, Chennai as a member of the South East India Province of the Fransalians.

We, the Fransalians in East Africa, remember him very specially because of his closeness with each one of us. We all have profited a lot from his vast knowledge even through simple conversations. He had a name for his simplicity, humility, intellectual capability and impartiality. The Arusha Lumen Christi Institute was his dream and infact he wanted to come to Arusha to be there. Although he could not see his dream fulfilled yet I am sure he will be very close to us and he will live in the hearts of many of us leaving a nostalgic feeling whenever we remember him. May God grant him eternal peace.

The funeral ceremony took place at SFS Seminary, Pudukkottai, Tamilnadu in the presence of his dear relatives, over 100 Fransalian confreres, provincials, professors from Suvidya college and many religious nuns and people. It is indeed a great loss not only for the South-East India Province but for the entire congregation and the Church. May His Soul Rest in Peace!

The inauguration of IKINA Sub station Church

On the 5th of February Thursday 2010 the Ikina sub-station church of Lububu Parish, which is dedicated to St Theresa of Child Jesus was blessed and inaugurated by Fr. Superior General in the presence of a number of MSFS Missionaries and other religious and laity. It was a colorful function well arranged and attended by a large crowd of different religious background which shows forth unity and friendliness. Congratulations to Fr. Nelson Vijayakumar the Parish Priest, Fr. Laurence the Asst. Parish priest and the faithful of Ikina.

The new parishes of St Stephen at Maji ya Chai and St. Francis de Sales Ngurudoto, Arusha

A Committee

As there was a strong suggestion from the members of the Junior seminary Kihonda which was supported by the Fransalian Education board on its meeting on 12th of December 2009 to separate O level studies from A level for better concentration on both levels, the council meeting held on 2nd February 2010 approved a committee to study in detail the matter and submit a detailed report to consider this matter and take a decision about the feasibility.

The following are the members.

Fr. Sunny Vettickal (Convener)

Fr. Sheejan Kallarackal

Fr. Pius Kochuparampil

Fr. James Panthalanickal

The convener is requested hereby to convene the meeting at an appropriate time and submit the report before the 30th of October for further discussion and study.

Visit of the Education core committee

The councilor in Charge of Education Fr. Johnson Pathiyil along with Fr Sheejan Kallarackal (Member education Board) and Fr. Joseph Poikunnel (member of the education board) will be visiting all our educational institutions to propose ways and means of improving our educational set up for more efficiency and development.  They will be sending a time table of their visit. Please cooperate with them in giving facts and figures to asses the situation and make proposals.

Province Retreat

The province Annual Retreat will be from the 1st of July 2010, Thursday evening to Tuesday 6th evening. This Retreat will be preached by Fr john Judie from the USA. I am informing well in advance so that you can adjust your programs accordingly to attend the Retreat. As it is the Annual Retreat please do not fail to attend it. Please bring along with you as usual your prayer book, alb, stole and a copy of the profession Formula.

Forum Meetings

Pastoral Forum-29th June 2010, Superior`s Forum-30th June 2010

Graduation of Form VI in Junior Seminary Kihonda:

On 23rd Jan 2010, SFS Junior seminary celebrated the graduation ceremony of 25 young men who finish their A level studies. Fr. Josemarie Thekkekkut msfs was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration. The Chief Guest of the graduation ceremony was Mrs. A.E. Pereka, the assistant vice chancellor of SUA (Sokoine University of Agriculture). She advised the students to study hard and to set goals in life to be successful people. Congratulations to the management and the staff for their contribution. 

School results

Kagongwa School 7th class

Total numbr-26 All pass and 6/233 in the district 16/1051 in the region and 806/14,376 in the country.

De Sales School in Isaka

Total number-33 All pass and 4/233 in the district, 7/1051 in the region and 116/14,376 in the country.

St Francis Bukene

Total number 14 All pass 2/157 in the district, 4/634 in the region and 384/14,376 in the country.

MSFS Junior seminary Kihonda Form IV,

48 students All passed. 10th place in Region and 106th place in the country out of 2259 schools

Bro. Amal Paul Neerolickal

Bro. Amal Paul Neerolickal, who belonged to the Ocarm Order (Order of Carmelites) after finishing his philosophical studies, joined the Fransalians in East Africa.  Hearty welcome to East Africa. He will be doing a year of Probation in the Junior Seminary. Later he will continue with his formation.

Fr. Thomas Olickal

Provincial

Province of East Africa