June 14th

, 2014 Marianists’ Newsletter Vol 14# 3

"The feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, is drawing near. Our preparation for the great

day should be that of deep, humble gratitude to God. Let us ask two special graces from Our Lady: The grace

of perseverance in our beautiful vocation, and delicate love for God’s poor. The greatness of Our Lady was in

her humility. No wonder Jesus wanted to live so close to her. We learn from him and from her one lesson: To

be meek and humble of heart." ---Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Content

Returning Deacons

Priests’ Workshop

Personnel Appointments

Full-time Studies

Reminder

New seminarians study Italian

Annual Retreats 2014

First Vows

Institution of Lector and

Acolyte

UD Students Visits

The Rising of two Schools

Goodbye

REDS Ranchi

PA Visit to India

Birthday

Returning Deacons

Deacon Arul Raj will return to a work he knows well. In

the Infant Nilaya community Arul will become Program

Director of REDS Bangalore relieving Bro. Tony Xavier

of the double burden he has been carrying for over a year.

We plan a program of pastoral experiences in connection

with the Infant Jesus Shrine parish. Deacon Bro. Jinu

Muthukattil will become Assistant to the Principal at

Jacob Gapp School in Khammam. For two years, Fr.

Xavier Raj has carrying out the position of director and

principal with marked success but also with plenty of

stress. Without having his own authority, Bro. Jinu will

have some delegated authority to lighten Xavier’s

responsibilities.

Br. Jinu M Br. Arulraj F

Priests’ Workshop

The last 5 groups of Marianist priests ordained in

India gathered at Deepahalli for a workshop on

May 19 to 23. The workshop was intended to

support their Marianist priesthood, provide a time

and place for reflection and develop them in their

ministry. Fr. Iggie and Fr. Jack facilitated the

process, and Fr. Chitti managed the temporalities.

There were eighteen men present all together.

[Back Row l-r] Ignase Arulappen, Stephen Glodek, Rajesh

Kumar Kandulna, Varghese, Andre Fetis, Sudhir Kujur.

[Middle Row l-r] James Dungdung, Jack McGrath,

Chinnaiah, S. Xavier Raj, Chitti Babu Gunja, Rajesh Kumar

Lakra.

[Front Row l-r] Sylverius, Birendra Kullu, N. Prasad, G.

Bhaskar, Joseph Barla.

Our Marianist guest speakers were Fr. Andre Fetis,

Head of Religious Life for the Marianists and Bro.

Steve Glodek, our former Provincial and now head

of the Province Office of Formation in Mission. Fr.

Andre addressed the group on the spirituality of the

Marianist Priesthood, drawing on the Scriptures,

the theology of the priest in the Church and our

Marianist heritage. There were also questions for

personal reflection, small group discussion and

general exchange of ideas.

Bro. Steve discussed mixed composition in the

Marianist Family: “why we are the way we are

and how we got that way”. He stressed the

centrality of mixed composition to Fr.

Chaminade’s inspired plan to multiply Christians,

reproduce the fervor of the early Church and revive

the faith in France and beyond. They also spent

time in small groups and in general assembly.

Thursday, May 22, was devoted to looking at the

Church and the priesthood in the Indian context. In

this they were led first by Sr. Lalitha Thomas,

SSJT, head of the Post-Graduate Program at Jyoti

Nivas University, Bangalore. She especially

emphasized the importance of respect, equality and

empowerment of women. Fr. Sanjay of the

Redemptorists spoke to us in the afternoon. He

dealt very practically with the virtues and strengths

needed right now to live a committed and mature

religious life. He was a very intense speaker and

knows religious life and human foibles very well.

The last day began with a panel of Brothers who

spoke of their experience with priests in general

and Marianist priests over the years. They were:

Bros. Basant Kujur, Paulus Lakra, Darwin Joseph,

Tony Xavier and Raj Mohan. There was plenty of

lively but not heated exchange.

Fr. Jack led a session in the afternoon about Pope

Francis the homilist. Two assigned readings

examined 1)the particular striking aspects of Pope

Francis’s homilies and 2) an extended teaching

about homilies from Pope Francis himself (The Joy

of the Gospel, #135-159).

The closing of the workshop was a prayer service

of affirmation featuring four symbols of the

Marianist priesthood: the Scriptures, a bowl of

water and a towel, the chalice and paten, and the

Rule of Life. Each symbol was surrounded with a

testimony, a reading and a prayer.

Some Personnel Appointments

Bro. Oscar Kerketta will be coming to

Deepahalli as Assistant Master of

Scholastics. Jacob Gapp School in

Khammam will have a new teacher on

the arrival of Bro. Arokia Doss

Ambrose from the USA. Bro. Antony

Nesam will move from Patna to the

Gyan Deep Community to work for

REDS Ranchi. Without changing

community Fr. Varaprasad Nittamaria

will be school-in-charge at Chaminade

School, Austin Town. Likewise,

without changing community Fr.

Bhaskar Gallelli is the principal of St.

Joseph – Chaminade Academy. Bro.

Libin Tete will bring his experience to

the Marianist Community in Singhpur,

working at Prabhat Tara School and

director of the community. Without

changing community, Bro. Julius Tete

will become full-time hostel-in-charge

at Fidel Nilaya in order that we can

provide more supervision and guidance

for the boys in our care.

The past year’s third year scholastics

will be assisting a number of

communities: Bro. Daniel Tamilarasan

will be replacing Bro. Raj Mohan as

Program Director at REDS Deepahalli;

Bro. Lalit Dhanwar will work full time

with REDS Bangalore at the Infant

Nilaya Community. Bro. Suresh

Samad will strengthen our team at St.

Mary’s Multipurpose Training Institute,

Barh. Bro. George Majhi will assist Fr.

Bhaskar in managing St. Joseph -

Chaminade Academy, as a member of

the Faustino Commuity. As the

enrollment increases at Roman Catholic

Upper Primary School, Budakata, the

staff will be bolstered by Bro. Binod

Bahla.

Bro. Ashok Dungdung for an B.Ed. at the Loyola School

of Education, Jamshedpur, living with the local Jesuit

community; and Bro. Renny Markose for a certificate and

M.A. in Philosophy at Dharmaram/Christ University. His

community will be Infant Nilaya.

Full-time Studies

Three of our brothers will be

newly engaged in full time

studies this year: Bro. Jyoti

Prakash Minj at Xavier

Institute for the Social Service

for a Master’s in Rural

Development;

New seminarians study Italian

Bro. Sebastian Bara and Bro. Raj Mohan have already

reached Rome to begin their seminary. After a short time

at Via Latina they will leave with other first-year

seminarians for Verona, Italy to spend the next two

months and more in language study.

Reminder

The District Assembly will begin on the

evening of Dec.28 with prayer, formal

opening and social. Work will continue on

Dec. 29, 30, and 31. The new Council will

be installed on January 1 and the perpetual

vow ceremony will take place on January

2, 2015.

Welcome Back Home: Bro. Arokia Doss Ambrose will

be back in the District in early July after receiving a

Master’s degree in Catholic School Leadership. Warm

Congratulations and wholehearted welcome!

Contemplation is nothing else than a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which if

admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.

---St. John of the Cross

The group of

Brothers who

attended retreat

at Nirmal Deep,

Ranchi.

The group of Brothers

who attended retreat at

Deepahalli, Bangalore.

Annual Retreats 2014

Some 35 of the District Brothers came together for annual retreat at Nirmal Deep on May 26, beginning

with prayer and a social; the formal retreat began on the morning of May 27. Fr. Jim Tobin, SM, visitor

in 1997 and preacher in 2006, came again to preach, on the theme of “Missionary Disciples: Called and

Sent”. He called often on the words of Scripture, the thoughts of Pope Francis and the teachings of Fr.

Chaminade, and all under the guidance of Mary. Perhaps the Brothers’ fervor was as hot as the

weather’s temperature. The retreat concluded on June 3 with renewal of temporary vows for Bros. Julius

Tete and George Hans, and the reaffirmation of their perpetual vows by all the other Brothers. Very

good attention was given to the retreatants by the novices, Bro. Basant (President of the retreat), Fr.

Chinnaiah, Bro. John Paul, and Bro. Del, our hosts. May the graces of the retreat bear fruit in the life of

the District!

The annual retreat in Bangalore began on the Feast of the Ascension and concluded on Pentecost – with

many gifts given by the Spirit during this time. More than 30 brothers gathered at Deepahalli from 31st

May through 9th

June. Fr. Jim Schimelpfening was the retreat preacher and he was delighted to be back

with us after 14 years. It was a special reunion for Frs. Joseph Barla, Xavier Raj, Bhaskar, as Fr. Jim had

been their Assistant Novice master. At the end of the retreat 23 members renewed their temporary vows.

Special prayers and thanks were given as Fr. Jack celebrates 60 years of religious profession and Bro.

Mark celebrates 50 years. Thanks be to God and Mary for the many blessings received on this retreat. Fr.

Varghese carried out the duties of Presidents and the needs of the brothers were generously taken care of

by Fr. Chitti, the scholastics and Fr. Ignase Arulappen.

Congratulation

To

Our Beloved Brothers

Institution of Lector

and Acolyte

On May 19, Fr. Manuel

Cortes, instituted eight

seminarians in the minor

orders, five of them as

acolytes and three as

lectors. Among them were

members of the District of

India, Bro. Joseph Raj as

acolyte and Bro. Mariandu

Belevendiran as lector. In

his homily Fr. Cortes

emphasized how these

ministries, while being

services to the Church, are

aimed at transforming us,

the ministers, into

Christ. We join our

congratulations and

affection to all who took

part!

First Vows

May 1st, the Feast of St. Joseph, the Worker was a day of

blessings for the Mariansits in India. On that day, two

brothers, namely Bro. Arul Ambeth(Anbu) and Bro.

J.Antony Casimeer professed their first vows at Nirmal

Deep, the Novitate Community, Ranchi. Fr. David Fleming,

the Novice Master was the main celebrant along with Fr.

Jack McGrath, the Assistant District Superior, and Fr. Ignase

Arulappan, the homilist on that day. Bro. Augustus Surin,

the District Superior received their vows and welcomed

them into the Mariansit Family with great joy. Surrounded

by many Marianists Brothers, Sisters, laity, and family

members from Bro. Anbu, the two brothers with joyful

hearts pronounced their first vows. Bro. Anbu is appointed

to REDS Bangalore, Infant Nilaya Community and Bro.

Casimeer is appointed in REDS Deepahalli, St. Joseph

Community. A two-day orientation program on Marianists

ministry and Community life was organized for both the

newly professed brothers at Deepahalli, before they started

their own pastoral service in the Society of Mary. We wish

both young men happy community & ministry life! Let us

also assure them our fraternal support and prayers.

Bro. Anbu, Fr. David Fleming, the Novice Master and

Bro. Casimeer

Those received as Lectors: Sean Downing (US), Bernard Ombima Lugutu (Kenya)

& Mariandu Belevendiran Antonysamy (India) Those received as Acolytes:

Javier Sanz (Spain), Gautier Some (Ivory Coast), Robert Jones (US), Daniel Odero

(Kenya), and Josephraj Rymond (India), along with Fr. Manuel Cortés, the

Superior General.

UD Students Visit India

Eight students with the guidance of Ms. Maureen O’Rourke made

their visit to our ministries and communities in India. From April

14th

to 28th

, they were in Ranchi visiting our communities and

ministries. Though the temperature was too high for them to bear in

Ranchi, our hospitality and ministries especially for the street

children cooled their minds and hearts. They also visited our

ministries in Bangalore from May 29th

to June 7th

. Under the

guidance of Bro. Antony Xavier, the Executive Director of REDS

Program, along with his team, the UD Students visited some places

around and in Bangalore, like Mysore, Bannerghatta National Park,

Museums and Iskon Temple. They were all impressed by our

ministries in India. In fact, it was the time of our Annual Retreat

that they were in Deepahalli, Bangalore. Some of the UD students

also joined with us in our prayer services and Eucharists. Thanks to

all those brothers who were at their service.

Prayer Intentions of the Pope

June

General: That the unemployed may

obtain the sustenance and the job they

need to live in dignity.

Missionary: The Europe may regain its

Christian roots through the testimony of

the faith of believers.

July

General: That the Practice of sports may

always be an occasion of human

fellowship and growth.

Missionary: That the Holy Spirit may

support the work of the lay persons who

proclaim the Gospel in the poorest of

countries.

We cannot become holy on our

own. ~someone

Hospitality is

one form of

worship

- A Jewish proverb

UD students welcomed at Nirmal Deep with dancing.

Farewell at REDS-STC Deepahalli

Prince

Bro. Prince Arokiam has not renewed his temporary vows.

His discernment has taken him in another direction. We are

happy with the years we have spent together, we wish him

great success and the continuation of a Marianist spirit of

faith and justice in whatever endeavors he pursues. Prince

helped with the audit and orientation of new community

members before his vows expired on June 3, 2014.

Alex Kujur

Bro. Alex Kujur has been working steadily over the past

year for good health with the help of doctors. He wishes to

continue treatment of the homeopathic variety in his home

village. Since he would be full time at home the District

Council and scholasticate think it best not to renew

temporary vows. We wish Alex the best of health and pray

for good progress.

The Rising of two School

Ministries

With a great spirit of enthusiasm and

hope the two schools, Bl. Chaminade

School, in Austin Town, Bangalore, and

St. Joseph-Chaminade Adademy, in

Deepahalli started their academic year

this month, June 2014. The opening

ceremony at Bl. Chaminade School at

Austin Town was held on 13th

June,

2014. Fr. Varaprasad, the Principal of the

school was the master of the ceremony.

The invited guests were Fr. Jack

McGrath (preside), Bro. Augustus Surin

(District Superior), Fr. Kip, Fr. Ignase

Arulappen, Dr. Rani, the Dean at UD

Deepahalli Program and the directors of

all the surrounding Marianists

Communities. The parents of all the 25

students were also present. We expect

about 30 students by the end of June

2014 in Austin Town. Thanks to all the

brothers those worked hard to launch the

two schools!

REDS Ranchi

We have just passed the times of admission and

readmission. From the 11 centers of REDS Ranchi, 56 new

students were enrolled, 365 students were promoted and

91 children dropped out. On the Matric level, 31 students

passed and 26 failed (they will remain in 10th

standard).

This performance was actually good, and we plan for

even better in the future.

Family Apostolate. During April Counselors visited 487

household in all 11 centers. The purpose is to assess needs

and plan assistance in the areas of pre and post-natal care,

job training, and personal and family counseling. Basic

medicine and special nutrition were also provided in several

centers.

Six workshops were developed and offered during April.

Dr. Dewashih, Prof. Sant Prasad and Sr. Stella spoke about

and discussed issues of AIDS/HIV, parents/children

relation, and happy family development.

On three occasions, April 5,7 and 11, Parents’ Meetings

were held at 7 centers. About 130 parents participated in

talking about Self-Help Groups, Student Re-admissions,

care of infants, off-site workshop, and AIDS/HIV

“I am a slow walker,

but I never walk back.”

~ Abraham Lincoln

PA Consultation about the New Council

From July 9 to July 18, three members of the

Provincial Council will be in the District to consult

personally all the members about the new District

Council.

Fr. Marty will be in Patna & Barh (July 9-

11), Budakata (July 13-14), and Khammam

(July 16-18).

Bro. Joe Kamis will visit all five

communities in the Bangalore area.

Fr. Paul Marshall will consult with

everyone in Ranchi, Singhpur, Fidel Nilaya,

Binda/Roro, and Nirmal Deep.

Since six members of the District will be at the

Rome meeting of formators during much of that

time, PA members Fr. Bill Meyer and Bro. Ed

Brink will speak with them. Three of the

seminarians will be in the District during July.

The two brothers in language school and one at a

workshop will be consulted by mail or phone.

Three days of workshop was conducted

from May 16th

to 18th

, for the CRDP staff and

RCM School staff at Binda by Bro. Augustus

Surin on the topic of “Socio-Educational

Development”

?

Parents Meeting – REDS

Ranchi

Birthdays

June

14 P. Antony Xavier

16 Larry McBride

17 Paulus Lakra

26 Sukrit Tirkey

July

06 Chittibabu Gunja

10 Libin Tete

11 Ignase Arulappen

18 Shashi Tirkey

19 Antony Nesam

28 Jyoti Prakash Minj

August till 10th

04 Anuranjan Lakra

05 Augustin Kandulna

07 Libin Minj

08 Xavier Raj. S

10 Anand Prakash Kujur

Santosh Tudu

Oscar Kerketta

God gave us the

gift of life; it is up

to us to give

ourselves the gift

of living well.

~Free SMS from

Voltaire