Newsletter
MNL
of the Madurai Jesuits
JANUARY 2013
(For Private Circulation)
Message from the Provincial
The Society as the
“True Pathway to God”
Dear Brothers,
I greet you warmly at the
dawn of the New Year and pray
that this year be one of blessings
and joy to each one of us and to
all our people whom we serve
through our varied ministries,
particularly those who are at the
lowest level of social and economic
life. We are happy to do at least
something for their enlightenment,
empowerment and emancipation.
This is also the Jubilee Year
– 175 years of the New Madurai
Mission. While we thank God
for the wonderful things our
forefathers have done during this
period, we also imbibe their zeal,
enthusiasm and commitment, as
we march forward towards the
double century of this Jubilee.
Thirdly, along with the
entire Church, we are observing
the Year of Faith. As Fr. General
has already written to us, we are
called upon to respond to the
Year of Faith at different levels
-personal, community,
ministries, parishes and dioceses.
In the context of these three
important events, let us reflect on the
following thoughts as well: Cardinal
Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines,
has commented on the new trend in
the world today – a trend that does
not need God, an attitude that feels
that one can do without God. He says
that instead of rejecting such a trend,
the Church should recognize this
as something that could help in our
mission. More specifically, he says
that such a trend is a clear indication
that the Church should do “some
soul searching and engage in what we
can call a ‘corporate examination of
conscience’.” He further says, “May be
all our sinfulness, all our laxity, all our
lack of fervor, our lack of engaging,
especially the youth, and the joy of
being believers, the scandals -- all of
these have been painful for people,
leading them on a path to distance
themselves from the Church.”
Speaking about the state of the
Society, our Superior General, Fr.
Adolfo Nicolas, expresses his concern
about the spiritual health of the
provinces. Quoting from the Formula
of the Institute, Fr. General reminds
1
each Jesuit to “live and experience
the Society as a ‘pathway to God’.”
He further states: “I am convinced
that the key for determining the
spiritual health of the Society
depends on whether Jesuits
continue to have the ability to give
absolutely everything to the Lord,
as Ignatius did and so many after
him till the present day.”
Let us reflect on these
profound
thoughts
and
challenging invitations of Fr.
General and Cardinal Tagle and
imbibe the message for our life
and our mission in this New Year,
Jubilee Year and Year of Faith.
Let us discern dispassionately our
strategies for and approaches to
our missions and ministries, our
religious commitment and life and
the witnessing impact on those
whom we serve and those with
whom we work. Let us do this
exercise in all humility and docility,
but with courage and a strong
sense of hope and determination
to march ahead.
Fraternally,
Sebasti L. Raj, SJ
Provincial
Greetings!
Announcements
From Fr Provincial
regarding Transfers
Fr Provincial and the members of the Province Curia wish every reader
of the MNL a joy-filled and grace-filled New Year - the year 2013 being
a Jubilee Year (175 years of the New Madurai Mission)
and the Year of Faith. We wish you also a happy Pongal!
Provincial’s Programme:
JANUARY
02
Inauguration of Kalangarai Building, Nagapattinam
05-06 Session by Fr. Charles Lasrado (Rome),
Dhyana Ashram, Chennai
07-11 Visitation: St. Mary’s, Madurai
12-14 Visitation: De Britto, Devakottai
15-16 Visitation: Oriyur
In case you would like
to have a transfer or a change
of responsibilities, you are
requested to discern over this
matter prayerfully and write to the
Provincial stating your proposal
clearly and also giving the reasons
for your proposal. Even if you
have already spoken about this to
the Provincial, you are expected
to communicate this to him again
in writing. All such requests must
reach the Provincial, preferably
through email, by the end of
February, 2013.
While your request will be
considered, in consultation with
your Local Superior/Team Leader,
you are expected to be ready to
abide by the final decision of the
Provincial. Moreover, at this time
of transfers and new assignments,
I would like to remind everyone to
reflect prayerfully on the Ignatian
principles of total availability and
indifference and to be prepared to
receive any new mission that may
be assigned to you or go willingly
to a new community to which you
may be missioned.
18-25 Visitation: St. Joseph’s College, Trichy
22
Leadership Session for ICM Sisters, Dindigul
26
TNPCRI-Executive Committee Meeting – Citadel,
Chennai
28
Consult
29-31 Visitation: Xaveriana, Thoothukudi
FEBRUARY
01-06 Visitation: St. Xavier’s, Palayamkottai
08-10 Session for Sacred Heart Brothers, Dindigul
11-20 Visit to Myanmar
22-23 Consult
24-28 JCSA – Dhyana Ashram, Chennai
2
Colloquium
on Ignatian Heritage
JIGSA, Secretariat for Ignatian
Spirituality for South Asian
Assistancy, is organising a
colloquium ‘Roots and Wings
2013’ - Re-visioning the Ignatian
Heritage for Tomorrow - Capturing
the Spirit of the Founding
Documents. Roots and Wings
– 2013 aims at deepening the
knowledge of the Founding
Documents of the Society and
thus capturing its spirit.
Time: April 7 – May 10, 2013
Venue: DNC, Pune.
Email: [email protected]
Those interested may contact Fr
Socius.
Events
Women’s Forum Formed
Fr Provincial’s visitation on
14 -18 Nov helped us at AAC,
Karumathur realize where we are
and inspired us to move forward in
our mission. The presence of ‘Socius
Joe’ helped us know not just the
physical areas of the institution that
need to grow but also our emotional
quotient that needs our attention.
The college organized the
annual retreat for the staff and
students on 24 Nov and 01 Dec
respectively. Frs Irudayaraj, Inigo,
Anbarasan, James, Wilson and
Sch Varghees collaborated with Fr
Kingsley to animate them.
Women’s Forum has been
formed in the college under the
leadership of Prof. Jegatheshwari
as the Dean. The Arrupe Center for
Policy Research, in collaboration
with the UNICEF, animated a
workshop for the rural students
in DTP and other computer skills.
This occasion also helped us bring
together the alumni of the center
and gear them towards our ideals.
The NSS conducted a week-long
program from 11 Nov in the nearby
villages trying to make the villagers
realize that they too have a role to
play in getting rid of poverty and
illiteracy in our country.
Fr Rufus presented a paper
on 1 Dec on ‘Changing Global
Scenario and Current Challenges
in Understanding the Youth’ in the
Symposium on Pedagogy of Don
Bosco, conducted on the occasion
of the bicentennial year of St John
Bosco’s birth at Manikandam,
Trichy. - Justin
Novices go for
pastoral experiment
On 12 Oct, four second year
novices went from Beschi Illam
for their pastoral experiment to
Uthagamadalam Diocese and five to
Salem Diocese, where our Jesuits
have started working recently.
Twelve First year novices began
their one-month Spiritual Exercises
on 12 Oct and concluded them on
13 Nov. Retreats were given by Fr
Dhanaraj to Servite tertian Sisters in
Dindigul, by Fr Devadoss to the Holy
Cross Sisters in Yercaud and by Fr
Wilson to the Holy Cross Sisters in
Manikandam. On 24 Nov, novices gave
a one-day retreat to the 10th and 12th
std students of St. Mary’s Hr. Sec.
School. On 27 Nov, the Provincial of
West Africa visited Beschi and shared
his experiences and views with the
novices.
On 19 Dec, CIS celebrated its
20th Year when nine Sisters of
different
Congregations
finished
their 6-month formators programme.
Fr Joe Antony was the chief guest
and gave away the certificates. On 20
Dec Fr Pavulraj Michael
shared his
experiences of Gregorian University,
Rome with the novices. That evening
Beschi Community had the Christmas
celebration along with the co-workers.
Fr G. Innacy
gave the Christmas
message and the novices presented
an enjoyable cultural programme.
- Ilanko Xavier, A. David Francis
Christmas at Kodai Hills
The dismal silence that now
pervades the Sacred Heart College,
Shembaganur campus reminds us
that the six-month long tertianship is
over. Tertians left on 1 Dec and the
Instructors, Frs Michael Alosanai and
Arul Sivan, on 2 Dec.
Nearly 200 children of the three
PEAK hostels attended the ‘Bal mela’
well-organized by the Tertians on 10 Nov.
With sports and cultural programmes
the children enjoyed the day to the core.
The ‘Hill Jesuits’ of Kodai gathered in
Palamalai on 15 Nov for the community
outing and celebrated the birthdays of
Frs Irudayaraj and Pannur Joseph.
Fr James Suresh of PEAK,
along with Sr Sahayam, a Presentation
Sister of Valaigiri, took ten tribal people
to Eachome, Kerala for the National
Tribal Festival on 7- 9 Dec. More than
3
85 students from 16 tuition centers
attended a quiz competition on 8,
9 Dec. A three-day seminar was
arranged for the alumni of Grihini
on 30 Nov to 2 Dec. Fr Santhanam
and Mr Ram Babu, advocates,
addressed a gathering on Human
Rights Day on 16 Dec.
Mr Chandran, who helps
around 1,000 poor children in and
around Kodaikanal, organized a
Christmas gathering for about 100
priests and sisters of Kodai hills on
21 Dec. Fr James Suresh gave the
Christmas message.
- Arul William
Paintings displayed
Dhyana Ashram hosted 3
important meets for the Province
Superiors and Treasurers. Jerry of
Dhanam Trust organized a workshop
on organ–donation and addressed
different groups in Goa and
Mysore on this issue. Fr Thamburaj
addressed the National Catholic
Charismatic Convention in Goa,
attended by about 15,000 people,
on “Fruits from the Sacraments”
and conducted physical, emotional
and spiritual healing services. He
directed a retreat on Deliverance
and Healing for priests from different
dioceses of Andhra.
To encourage budding artists
of the city, about 100 paintings of
various artists were displayed in
Loyola Hall of Dhyana Ashram. Fr
Xavier Irudayaraj directed a vows
retreat and De Nobili Senior Forum,
guided by Fr V.M.Dhasan, organized
a health awareness programme.
The Forum held a Christmas gettogether and presented gifts to our
co-workers and the children of the
evening tuition center.
- Xavier Irudayaraj
Festival of Light
IDCR, in collaboration with the
School of Human Excellence, Loyola
College, organized a one-day training
programme for the staff who teach
religion for non-Christian students.
Fr Vincent Sekhar instructed them on
using the newly prepared common
syllabus that included appropriate
assignments and worksheets for
evaluation. IDCR has framed also a
new common syllabus for teaching
Catholic Doctrine. Peace Rangers
of IDCR, organized two sessions for
the students on HIV/AIDS.
IDCR celebrated the Festival
of Light, combining Deepavali,
Guru Nanak Jayanti and Christmas.
Competitions
were
held
on
devotional singing and drawing
on select themes for 8th and 9th
std students. And Yazhini, the
Airtel Super Singer, was the prime
attraction at the evening function at
which she gave away prizes to the
winners. The inter-religious prayer
service focused on the theme of
light.
Fr M. Amaladoss presented
papers at St Paul’s Seminary,
Tiruchirapalli, and Christian Studies
Department, University of Madras.
Fr Vincent Sekhar went to Sri
Sankaracharya Sanskrit University,
Kaladi as an external expert in a
doctoral committee on research on
Buddhist studies.
- Vincent Sekhar
Creative forms
of the social apostolate
Having been instrumental in
forming the Sister-Doctors Forum
in Tamil Nadu 25 years ago, Fr
Michael Jeyaraj, Superior, IDEAS,
facilitated a group of them from
different Congregations on 24 Nov.
Fr Philominraj spoke on "RTE and
its Implications" to 25 PBVM Sisters
in schools on 03 Nov at Kodaikanal.
On 24-25 Nov he animated 40 FIHM
Sisters to look for creative ways to
be involved in the social apostolate.
On 17 Nov Sch Ray helped
45 boys and girls of R. C. Middle
School, Ottanchathiram discover
and develop their leadership skills.
On 24 Nov he conducted a oneday retreat for 40 students of St
Mary’s H.S. School, Madurai. In
November Fr Aloy assisted the
organizers of the National DalitAdivasi Sammelan at New Delhi
on 23 Nov in preparing the programme
logistics and documentary materials for
the event. The Sammelan, a gathering
of 20,000 people from different states
demanding amendment to the 23-year
old SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities)
Act, 1989, was addressed by political
leaders cutting across party lines.
- Aloysius Irudayam
Swamy to celebrate
Deepavali
On 09 Nov Deepavali and
Children’s Day celebration here at St
Arulanandar Institutions, Oriyur was
chaired by Swami Gangatharananda,
the Secretary and Correspondent of
Vivekananda Higher Secondary School,
Thirupunavasal. The hostel students
who brought snacks from home after the
Deepavali holidays shared them with
other students after a short, meaningful
worship. - Stephen Robert
One more play-park at LAV
We had a wonderful Christmas
celebration at Loyola Academy,
Vadamelpakkam, with all our staff
and their families on 18 Dec. Fr Victor
gave the Christmas message. We
have created one more children’s play
park with some new and interesting
equipments. Ms Ganga Devi, our PTA
president, inaugurated this children’s
park on 18 Dec. Fr Mark Stephen, our
team leader, is back from his fundraising tour to Europe, but we are yet to
check his bags.
- John Kennedy
Walked all the way from
Kallanai to Poondi!
Justice P Murugesan (rtd) was
the chief guest at Josephites Reunion
- 2012 held here at St Joseph’s,
Trichy, on 15 Dec ‘12. Around 300
alumni attended and 34 achievers
among them, who have rendered
meritorious service in different fields,
were honoured. The next Josephites
Reunion will be on 14 Dec ‘13. JIM can
now boast of an air-conditioned board
room named ‘Xavier Boardroom’ to
meet the demands of corporate campus
recruiters. An attractive placement
brochure, with the profile and tag line
of every outgoing MBA student, was
released on 11 Dec. The brochure has
been sent to 120 companies with an
4
invitation to hold campus interviews
at JIM. Mock interviews are being
conducted with the assistance of
business professionals to prepare
the students for job interviews.
Professing their religious faith during
this Year of Faith, 85 men-students
walked the distance from Kallanai
to Poondi Matha Basilica, while
the women- students travelled in a
van, to pray to the Blessed Mother.
Our students celebrated Christmas
meaningfully by sharing gifts and a
meal with 40 mentally challenged
children on 22 Dec. Fr Maria
Packiam preached a retreat to the
Catholic PG students of Holy Cross
College, Trichy on 1 Dec and gave
a talk on ‘Faith and Health Mission’
to the Catholic doctors and nurses
of Trichy Diocese on 16 Dec.
- Maria Packiam
Gifts of their own choice
The 14th state level basketball
tournament, which is usually
organized by St Mary’s, Madurai
with the help of Indian Bank and
Canara Bank, was held in our
campus for three days. 16 teams
participated and our boys won the
third place. 35 hostellers, under the
guidance of Fr Felix Joseph, enacted
the birth of Christ at the Christmas
celebration, while the staff shared
gifts. St Mary’s community, along
with the students of Britto Hostel,
celebrated Christmas at Anbagam,
a centre for disabled. There were
dances, sweets, and gifts. On
20 Dec, St Mary’s Community
celebrated Christmas with the coworkers and gave them gifts of their
own choice. The Madurai CRI, with
Sisters from 20 congregations, led
by its secretary, Fr Albert Joseph,
celebrated Christmas with the
poor, aged and disabled children
of various centers in and around
Madurai city, including the Central
Prison.
Fr Madurai Anand gave a talk
on Faith in a seminar organized
by the Parish Council of St
Mary’s Cathedral. The Christmas
celebrations of the parish began
with hoisting of the Infant Jesus’
flag by Fr P. S. Arul and the parish
team on the first day of the novena
of birth of Child Jesus. The parish
is trying to coach 9th and 10th Std
students with the collaboration of
the teachers.
Fr Loyola preached two
retreats to the students of St.
Joseph’s Matriculation and Higher
Secondary Schools. On 3 Dec, St.
Xavier’s Apostolic Home celebrated
its 94th Annual Day.
- Felix Joseph
from other communities participated in
the beatification ceremony.
A batch of teaching and nonteaching staff had a day of retreat
directed by Fr Joseph Xavier on 7, 8
Dec. Ten teachers and Jesuits, led by
Sch Bhasker, formed a group to go
caroling around the neighbourhood.
For the first time, all the staff in the
new and bigger gate to replace the
existing one on the western side of
the school campus. - Rajan
First Management
Development Programme
In order to meet the growing
academic
and
administrative
The huge crowd at the beatification ceremony
Wonder and awe
When we at Vidyaniketan,
Trivandrum, celebrated the feast
of our patron, St John Berchmans,
the presence of South Indian
Provincials added to our festive joy.
Our Fr Provincial inspired us through
his sharing and by his exuberant
personality. A course on ‘Current
Science’ by Fr Jerome Manyahi
helped us know more about the
facts of science and evoked in us
wonder and awe at God’s creation.
Fr Robin’s short visit made us
reflect on different issues related to
formation. - Alex
Itself a miracle!
The visitation of Fr Provincial
to Carmel, Nagercoil, at the end of
November, despite a campus abuzz
with hectic preparations for the
beatification of Devasahayam Pillai,
was surprisingly easy-paced and
punctuated with enabling moments.
On 2 Dec Carmel Jesuit community
hosted the beatification ceremony
of Devasahayam Pillai at Carmel
School grounds. The unprecedented
size of the crowd took everyone by
various units of Carmel - the school, the
hostel, Study Centre, JMAADD - came
together with their families on 20 Dec
evening for the Christmas celebration.
Each one brought a gift to exchange
with another. The highlight was the wellinformed presentation of the Christian
message by our only Hindu teacher,
Mr Shenbagaperumal. 62nd JMAADD
camp for alcoholics and their families
concluded on 22 Dec. On 25 Dec, in
the company of Jesuits, 300 members
of AA, Al-Anon and Alateen gathered in
the school quadrangle for celebrating
Christmas together. Games, fun, carols
concluded with a Christmas dinner.
- F. Jayapathy
A new and bigger gate
surprise. That the arrangements
were sufficient to accommodate
such large numbers and the event
passed off without any major hitch
was itself a miracle that could be
attributed to Bl Devasahayam.
The staff and students were
very generous, giving their time
and energy to make this event a
memorable one. Nearly 70 Jesuits
The
Prison
Ministry
was
highlighted at Christmas celebration
at the Xaveriana, Thoothukudi on
18 Dec. A week-long carol service by
some staff members, led by Frs Yagoo,
Joe Xavier and Paul Benedict, was a
pleasant surprise. The carollers visited
a number of houses of staff members
and a few parishes and offered them
not only carols but some insightful
Christmas messages too. The staff
had a separate evening of celebration
with carols, messages and dinner.
Construction work has started for a
5
demands of the 21st century and
with a view to sharpen and enhance
the managerial skills and develop
more additional competencies
of Jesuits and the staff in all our
institutions, Fr Provincial constituted
a Professional Training Committee
(PTC). PTC, in consultation with
the Directors of works in the
institutions, decided to conduct
a Managerial Skill Development
Training Programme during the
first week of the second semester.
The officials of our institutions were
asked to select 5 candidates each,
including one or two women staff.
Meticulously planned by Frs
G. Pushparaj and V. Joseph Xavier,
the programme was held for 7 days
from 22 Nov and covered Personal
Awareness, Communication, Emotional
Intelligence, Competence Mapping,
Leadership, Conflict Resolution and
Servant Leadership. The resource
persons included Frs V. Joseph
Xavier and Joe Arun. There were
9 Jesuits, 5 women staff, 15 men
staff. The participants expressed the
need for personalizing the content
and methodology for becoming
effective administrators, managers
and leaders. They will be helped to
personalize the content by coming
together periodically and sharing
their views through e-mail. They have
promised to attend the second phase
of this programme on 20-27 April ’13.
Fr G. Pushparaj, helped by Fr
Albert William and Mr Michaelraj,
Loyola office, obtained a special
permission from the Director of
Collegiate Education to grant ‘On
Duty’ to the participants of this
programme. Loyola College offered
the infrastructure and services of
its staff and Loyola Hostel delicious
food. - G. Pushparaj
(VJTR) on 15 Dec here at Vidya Jyoti,
Delhi. On this rare occasion two new
books were released: Life for All Ethics in Context edited by Fr Michael
Amaladoss from the unpublished
writings of late Fr S.Arockiasamy; the
second one, Indian Faces of Jesus
authored by Fr P.R.John. The exams
for the second term ended on 20 Dec
and on 21 we had the Christmas
celebration.
- Leo Anand
Christmas with
Nearly 150 industries took active
part in the Institute-Industry Network
Meet held at LICET, Loyola on 3
Nov. They interacted with the LICET
officials to share their expectations
from the engineering students
before placement. IIT-B (Mumbai)
has given 60 AKAASH tablets to the
faculty members to become trainers
to train other engineering faculty
members. IBM conducted a training
programme for the faculty of LICET.
A two-week teleconference workshop
was conducted on ‘Engineering
Thermodynamics’. LICET, along with
LIFE, signed a MoU with Nichi-In
Centre for Regenerative Medicine,
Japan for technical collaboration.
Fr Peter Xavier went to New
Delhi to explain what is being done
regarding the deficiencies in the
LIBA’s infrastructure. Efforts are said
to be afoot to address this basic need.
Two thirds of the second year Fulltime students at LIBA have already
been placed with desirable profiles.
Christmas celebration at LIBA was as
usual celebrated very meaningfully
on 15 Dec by having with us 100
orphan children from two NGOs in
Chennai. The students and the staff
contributed their mite for the welfare
of these deserving children. Fr Emma
was invited to give a lecture on the
Psychology of Safety to the workers at
poor students
On 28 Nov Fr Joe Arun, Campus
Minister, St Xavier’s, initiated an
innovative gesture to pay homage to
the departed souls. A big pot was kept
near the college library and the staff
and the students placed in it small
bits of paper with names of their dear
departed. Later these were burnt, as
we gratefully recalled and prayed for
all those who have gone before us.
We celebrated the feast of our patron,
St Francis Xavier, with a meaningful
novena, special prayer services and
the feast day Eucharist.
Carol
singing
and
crib
competitions were organized on 17
Dec to spread the joy of Christmas.
XIBA had its first international speaker,
when Dr Kenneth D’Silva, Director,
Faculty of Business, South Bank
University, U.K., spoke on ‘Corporate
Governance’ on 17 Dec. This year
the students of SXCE celebrated
Christmas in a different way - with the
poor students of Arockinathapuram.
- Sahayaraj Vijayan
75 Years of VJTR
Archbishop Vincent Concessao
of Delhi presided over the Platinum
Jubilee celebration of The Vidyajyoti
Journal of Theological Reflection
To Delhi to explain
Abide with the Lord
Fr Ordonez Ignacio (GUJ) 84/68, on 08 Dec.
Fr Mangal Das (CCU) 80/59, on 11 Dec.
Fr M.C. Joseph Maliekal (KER) 94/74, on 17 Dec.
Fr Aloysius Bulchand (BOM) 83/61, on 22 Dec.
6
FR MARIA SANTIAGO
15.10.1935 - 05.12.2012
Fr Maria
Santiago,
the
author of “Vivilia
Kalanjiyam’(Bible
encylopaedia in
Tamil), passed
away suddenly
but peacefully
on 5 Dec ‘12
at St Joseph’s College, Trichy, at
the age of 77. Though he was ailing
and depended on mashed food,
his sudden demise came as rude
shock. In his last months he was
rather silent, speaking in whispers
to his Jesuit neighbours and his
relatives who visited him. He offered
his daily Mass at 11.00 am., taking
the lift to the first floor. He said his
rosary walking in the ground floor. He
attended the Community meetings
without fail. In the last week of his life
I concelebrated Mass with him in his
room. I live in the next room, and on 5
Dec I heard him talk aloud from 3.00
am. to 5.00 am. I went to check and
found he was talking in his sleep. Fr
Rector visited him at 8.00 a.m., when
he said his legs were paining. His
lips were moving but no words were
heard. By 10 a.m. while some Jesuits
and Rector were in his room, he
gently stopped breathing. Fr Rector
administered the last sacrament. The
Jesuit Community soon assembled
in the room where his body was kept
and a stream of visitors - students,
Sisters, and Jesuits from other
communities – came to pay their
respects.
Fr Santiago, who was a
professor of mathematics, switched
to the Bible apostolate and became
a full time researcher and writer, who
devoted his time and energies to
bringing the fruits of Bible research to
Tamil Catholic readers.
Along with a large number
of Jesuits, Fr Sebasti L. Raj, the
Provincial, celebrated the Requiem
Mass at 11 am on 6 Dec in the
College Church. He recalled Fr
Santiago’s significant contribution to
the Biblical apostolate through his
scholarly books in Tamil. During the
funeral service, Fr Rector, a priestrelative and a nephew spoke on the
life and work of Fr Santiago.
May his soul rest in peace!
- Joe Srinivasan, SJ
the Titan Industries. Fr Ignacimuthu
inaugurated a national conference
on bioinformatics and served as a
committee member to assess the
Science departments of Madras
Christian College.
- Emmanuel
In the New Year...
Looked at our 2G
On 28 Nov, we had half yearly
evaluation of Arulkadal’s mission
and life. On 3 Dec, Fr Edward, the
POSA and Fr Gratian, the ADF
met us to open up our vision for
the universal needs of the Society.
On 10-12 Dec, Fr Sebasti L.Raj,
the Provincial was with us for his
annual visitation along with Fr Joe
Antony, the Socius. Indeed, it was
a grace–filled moment when we
looked at our 2G - Genuineness
and Gratefulness. We had a joyful
Christmas celebration along with
our collaborators like MCDS. Fr
Alangaram Arockiam spoke on
‘Progressing or Regressing: The
Journey of the Church in India and
Asia in the 50 years of II Vatican
Council’ at St Paul’s Seminary,
Trichy and Sacred Heart College,
Poonamalee. Fr R.J.Raja has
written three articles in the New
Leader within a short time and he
continues to write an article in every
issue of Viviliya Virundhu.
- Alex Yagoo
With our
Canonical Superior
We evaluated our field-work
activities through the evening study
centres of Paathai, Vallam in five
districts on 21 Dec with all the
animators of the respective districts.
Fr J.Arockia Dass motivated them
and urged them to organize special
coaching camps for 10th and
12th std students as frequently as
possible. Sch. Alton meticulously
planned the program. On 22 Dec
we had a joy-filled Christmas
celebration with our students, staff
and co-workers. Fr Joe Mike, our
canonical superior, presided over
the Eucharist, and delivered the
Christmas message Fr Yesumarian
gave a Christmas message to the
members of Lions Club International
in Chennai and Fr J.Arockia Dass to
the parishioners of Reddipalayam.
- S.Alton, SJ
M
ay you be blessed with a heart that understands
abundance and always have plenty to share with others.
May you be kind to others and experience kindness in return.
May you know that you are good enough just the way you
are.
May you share compassion, knowing that everyone else is
also doing the best they can.
May you trust in the infinite wisdom that is there for all of us,
and realize that you are a part of something so much greater
than yourself.
When challenges appear, may you remember that you are a
human being who can only see a part of the puzzle, and keep
the faith that everything will work out in the end. If it hasn't
worked out yet, it's not the end yet.
May you know deep inside that you are never alone, nor
can you ever be alone, for you are an integral thread in this
amazing tapestry of life.
May you remember that you are an infinite being with
unlimited potential. Find your gift and share it with the world.
Focus on what you can do and let go of what you can't.
Celebrate the best part of who you are.
May your heart be warmed by the love of friends and family.
May you remember to tell others how much they mean to you.
Go hug someone near you and then do it again with someone
else. Treasure the love and pass it on.
May you create memories of this festive season not on how
much you spend, but rather on how much you give of yourself
to one another.
May you look at the world with childlike innocence and expect
the best of others and from yourself.
May you be happy with a heart that overflows with joy and
laughter.
Above all, may you remember that love is all that matters.
Regardless of your religion, your race, creed, gender, color or
political affiliation, nothing else is as important as the love we
share with one another. We are all connected, we are all one.
So, be nice. Be kind. Love one another.
Capture the energy of this incredible season, tuck it into your
heart and take it with you into the upcoming year.
May your life overflow with blessing! - Anon
7
Experience
Memories
Madurai Jesuit
born in a stable?
Believe it or not, there is a Madurai Jesuit who was
born in a stable. You surely know him, but to find out
who he is, read this carefully. He says, “I was born in a
manger on 15 Aug 1938.” Why a manger? “My parents
were teachers in a Government Elementary School.
They were transferred to another school in a small
village called Kurumbapatty, near Hanumanthampatty in
Madurai District. When my parents reached the village,
it was already getting dark and night was setting in. My
mother was pregnant with me. My parents were totally
new to the village and had not yet rented out any house.
But apparently I seemed to have been in a hurry to see
the light of day. Therefore in a hurry the helpless but
kind villagers quickly found some space in a cowshed,
and, low and behold, your humble servant was born
there in the stable! That is why my parents christened
me as ‘Yesuvin Maria Jeyaraj’ (combining the names of
Jesus, Mary and the feast of the Assumption celebrated
on 15 Aug). But we don’t have anyone in the Province
named ‘Yesuvin Maria Jeyaraj’, do we? “Well, the name
was changed to ‘Michael Jeyaraj’ in ‘my second baptism’
in the novitiate.”
My Secrets for Well-being and Peace
The French Fathers, who were my superiors and
spiritual guides, deeply impressed me, creating in me an
urge to do something great for God’s glory. Fr Santiago
recognized my strengths and kept encouraging me. This
is what helped me get the second prize at an Asian level
film review competition. The others who encouraged me
are Frs Kalathil, Adhisayam, Tagore and A. Joseph. So
whenever I come across something excellent I make it a
point to express heartily my appreciation to the person
concerned. I try to see what is good in everyone.
I don’t nurse any grudge against those who
criticize me. When I hear some criticism or hear about
it, I keep saying to myself, ‘Well, let them say whatever
they want to. They have a right to their opinion.’ I greet
everyone warmly. I try to relate to all. When someone
comes to see me - whoever it may be - I ask them to
be seated, in order to show them that I truly respect
them. If we want to be respected, we need to respect
others. When people commit mistakes, I don’t react
immediately. I give them time to correct themselves. I
always pray to the Spirit for guidance.
- A. Felix Joseph, SJ
Congratulations
To Fr Pavulraj Michael, who defended his
Doctorate in Spiritual Theology on 23 Nov at
Gregorian University, Rome and obtained ‘Summa
cum Laude’ with 10/10 for his Defence and 9.9/10
for his Thesis.
New Releases
Skills and Qualities for Effective Life by S.
Ignacimuthu, Better Yourself Books, p.220,
Rs.170; Lead, Kindly Light by M.A. Joe Antony,
New Leader Publications, Rs.100; Evolve Emerge
Empower ed. by Xavier Alphonse; ICRDCE
Publications, Chennai, The Year of Faith by Xavier
Irudayaraj; ntF[d fj;Njhypf;fj;jpy; fy;yiwfs;>
V. ,Ujauh[;> tre;jk; tUk;> nrgkyH> NrtpaH
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rhit Kj;jkpLk; rthy;fs;> xa;.v];. ahF> itfiw
gjpg;gfk;> gf;fk;:112> &.50.
Just for....
New Year resolutions:
2010: I will go to church every Sunday.
2011: I will go to church as often as possible.
2012: I will try to set aside some time each day for
prayer and meditation.
2013: I will try to catch the late night sermon on TV.
8