TEJAS vARTHA - Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales

TEJAS
April, 2015
vARTHA
Let truth Shine!
Bangalore
From Rector’s Desk:
Dear Friends,
We are in the Holy Week. Very soon we will be celebrating the feast of Easter, it reminds
us of the new life brought to us by Jesus. Does it mean anything to us? Our Holy Father Pope Francis tells us: “Let
us not be closed to the newness that God wants to bring into our lives! Are we often weary, disheartened and sad?
Do we feel weighed down by our sins? Do we think that we won’t be able to cope? Let us not close our hearts,
let us not lose our confidence, let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change, there is no
sin which He cannot forgive if only we open ourselves to Him.” Let the risen Jesus enter into our lives. Happy
Easter to one and all!!!
Called
to
Love & Serve
17th February 2015 was a day of blessing for
Tejas Vidya Peetha and the Church at large
as five of our brothers received the order of
diaconate for the service of the church. Dns.
Josemon John Kochuputhanpurayil, Joseph
Ouseparambil, Nirmal Jose Pulikkalath, S.
Innacimuthu and Jose Thottukadavil feel
indebted to God Almighty and the
congregation for this beautiful day in their
lives. Most Rev. Dr Lawrance Pius, the
Bishop of Dharmapuri, presided over the Eucharistic celebration which began at 6.00 P.M, and ordained the Deacons
for the mission of the church. The brothers took the theme, “Called to Love and Serve” for the Eucharistic celebration
and for further reflection. The day was blessed with the presence of Rev.Fr. Jose Kumblolickal, the Provincial of S-WI
Province and our confreres from different communities.
The presence of fathers and sisters from various religious
congregations and parishes made the day more colourful.
The campus decoration reflected the joyful mood. The
celebration ended with felicitating the newly ordained
deacons and with a sumptuous meal thereafter. We
sincerely thank all those who participated in the
celebration and supported us through their prayers.
Indeed, it was a day of blessings!
Lector
and
Acolyte
January 27th, 2015 was a remarkable day for the Tejas family.
Along with the Canonical Visitation of the Provincial Fr. Jose
Kumblolickal, six of the second year theologians, received the
Ministry of Acolyte and eleven of the first year theologains, received
the Ministry of Lector during the Eucharistic celebration presided
over by the Provincial. Together with fathers from Tejas, we were
blessed with
the presence
of fathers from
N E S T.
Fr
Provincial stressed on the importance of the ministry that we received,
the need to have belief in oneself and the courage to take initiatives.
As part of the Canonical visit, father spent time with us personally,
encouraging, supporting and guiding us stressing always on the
importance and call to grow spiritually.
Domestic Staff Day
Neethi Tejas department had organized Domestic Staff Day at Tejas on 28th February, 2015. Staff from various MSFS
communities were invited for the programme. The programme began at 10am with an inaugural address by Fr Jose
Pulloppallil msfs, addressing them as one family. Staff from Suvidya, Mermier Bhavan, Vinayalaya, Boys Home
and NEST made the day eventful with their active participation. They were made aware of their participation in our
mission and how we are grateful to them for their service. The family spirit was further enhanced by the active and
funfilled games conducted by the brothers. After a hearty meal, being made comfortable, there was a sharing session.
Each of the staff members were asked to share both the positive and negative aspects of their life as as they serve in
our Fransalian communities as the domestic staff. The programme concluded with distribution of gifts by Fr Mathew
Kalathungal, Rector at 3.30pm. All the participants went back to our communities with joyful hearts and smiling faces.
Hearty Congratulations
Tejas family celebrated the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of Fr. Henry Jose with
bustling joy and excitement, on 24th March 2015. The celebration was in a simple
manner with the Thanksgiving Mass at 7.00pm; followed by cutting of the cake
and the warm wishing. Fathers, brother and sister from the NEST community
joined us in extending our loving wishes.
The Joy of Consecrated Life
Fr Henry Jose conducted a seminar on “The Joy of Consecrated Life according to St
Francis de Sales,” for the Sister Handmaids of Charity of St Vincent De Paul on 27th
December 2014 in Tagaytay City, Philippines. He also participated in a Seminar on
Salesian Spirituality and presented a paper on “The Concept of Faith in the Teachings
of St Francis de Sales,” on 3rd January 2015 at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish,
Molino, Philippines. Fr Henry was accompanying Provincial, Fr Jose Kumblolickal, on
an official visit to the Philippine Delegations.
Departmental Activities
Tejas Departments have conducted many innovative activities in the beginning of 2015. Vidya Tejas have conducted
a quiz competition for the community on March 3rd. It was a very competitive, informative and funfilled programme.
Marga Tejas gave a prayerful presentation on Christian persecution in India and the call for a loving yet just Christian
response. On March 8th there was a special prayer session conducted in view of the World Women’s Day, reflecting upon
the dignity and honour of women and the present situation worldwide. We reflected upon many contemporary incidents
and united in prayer with many those who are are oppressed and de-valued in the present globalized world.
Successfully Completed Ministries
Tejasians have successfully completed tuition ministries for the whole year in four government schools of Anjapalaya,
Chikkelur, Gopala Nagara and Vinayaka Nagara. Added to this there was music ministry in SFS School, Mailakkalu and
St Claire School. The Third year and Second year theologians also completed Sunday Pastoral Ministries in different
parishes across Bangalore. First years had taken catechism and tuition for children in NEST. Congratulations dear brothers
for your comittment and dedication in the successful completion of your ministries.
Summer Vacation Programme
During the months April and May all the deacons will be having Diaconate Ministry in the dioceses of Ernakulam
(Kerala) and Shimoga (Karnataka). The other theologians will have the Parish ministry in Kolar Mission, Social work
in Navajeevan Trust, Kottayam, Destitute Home, Mysore and with Don Bosco Fathers , Bangalore. In the month of May
there will be Salesian Retreat for the second years and Counselling course for the first years. Wish you all the best in
your ministries and activities!!!
Tejas Varta wishes all its Readers
Happy Easter!!!