Fr. Tijo's Birthday

We the Union of India wish Fr.Tijo John MSC a wonderful birthday.

Let us hear what the Council Members have to say about Fr.Tijo John:

Question: If you put all of Fr.Tijo in one word, what word comes to your mind first?

Answers:

Magnanimous (Fr. Baskar)

Wonderful (Fr. Jayakumar)

Efficient (Fr. Dennis)

Smart (Fr. Christy)

Let us also listen to some other members in the Union:

Question: What quality do you like the most in Fr. Tijo John?

Answers:

His ability to give freedom to the local communities to function (Fr. John Peter)

His nature to respect to all in the Union (Br. K. Alexander)

Despite many hurdles, his ability to lead the Union steadily (Fr. Mariadoss)

We wish Fr. Tijo the very best for the time ahead and pray for him. Happy birthday to Fr. Tijo once again.

I am sure you all want to add your own comments. you can do this right in the post itself if you find the word "comment" at the bottom of the post.

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Common Vision for Formation in MSC

This is the letter Fr.Arci wrote regarding a common vision for formation in the Chevalier Family. It is so fitting for all those who are in our Union since most of us are in the formation. Chevalier Bhavan, Hridhaya Bhavan, Chevalier Novitiate and Hridhayalaya are formation houses in India. Apart from that we have a very few ministries outside such as two remote village parishes (Gangapuram and Kombayanpatti in Tamil Nadu) and a city parish (OLSH, Bangalore) and a school in Dindigul which is still blooming. Formation is still our first priority. We pray for the Formators: Fr. John Peter (Superior of Chevalier Bhavan), Fr. Joseph Christy (Superior of Hridhaya Bhavan), Fr. Tony Bolt (Superior and Novice Master of Chevalier Novitiate) and Fr. Sagayraj (Superior of Hridhayalaya and also their assistances.

Rome, January 7th, 2008
Dear Father/Brother,

As you know we as members of the Chevalier Family enjoy a common vision and charism which is lived out in a Spirituality of the Heart. In order to live and promote a Spirituality of the Heart which is shared by the religious and lay members of the Chevalier Family, we need an effective formative process. Because we consider updating formation in the light of the Spirituality of the Heart as central to the realization of our mission as members of Fr. Chevalier’s Family, we have decided, at our Tri-Generalate Meeting, to ask the Cor Novum Team at Issoudun to assist Provinces to work in the formation and development of local and regional teams around the world in the Chevalier Family. These teams will attempt to do locally and regionally what Cor Novum is doing at Issoudun.

Because of the above development, the purpose of this letter is to inform you that at the level of the Tri-Generalate a process is being started whereby it is hoped that some consensus might be able to develop around a common vision of formation in the Chevalier Family. If you have any ideas or suggestions regarding what you consider to be essential elements towards the formulation of a common vision of formation in the Chevalier Family, please send them to Cor Novum by 1st April 2008. At a later stage there will be a broader discussion involving all those who have responsibility in the area of formation. We would like to emphasize that formation in this context embraces the whole life span from initial formation to the later stage of on-going formation in the wisdom years. We also invite you, whenever possible, to enter into dialogue with other congregations of the Chevalier Family concerning formation in the light of the Spirituality of the Heart.

In the Heart of Jesus,


Narciso V. Abellana, MSC


For Mark McDonald, MSC, Superior-General
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COR NOVUM down through the years...

This contains some useful information about Our International Spirituality Centre, COR NOVUM at Issoudun:

Ten years ago, on September 4, 1995, Fr. Michael Curran MSC officially opened the International Centre “Cor Novum” in Issoudun. That day he acted not only on behalf of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart but also of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. In his opening address, Fr. Curran described the origin of the idea to start this Intercongregational and International Centre. After Vatican II, the three religious societies that stem from Fr. Chevalier, began to take a fresh look at their Founder’s charism. Fr. Jim Cuskelly as Superior General spearheaded this work. All over the world, individual members and communities of the Chevalier Family keenly followed the rediscovery of our charism. They began to understand more fully the breadth of the founder’s vision and to search for a deeper understanding of our common spirituality and mission in today’s world.

The name “Cor Novum” (New Heart) summarizes very well the purpose of the Centre; that is, to study and to promote the charism of Fr. Chevalier and the Spirituality of the Heart in today’s world. Members of the Cor Novum team are engaged in research and writing in relation to our Charism and Mission and offer programs designed for the spiritual and ministerial formation of all members of the Chevalier Family. These programs have been presented both in Issoudun and, on invitation, in different areas throughout the world.

Since its erection in September 1995, 635 FDNSC and MSC men and women have come to Issoudun to attend programs offered by Cor Novum. A great number of sisters, brothers and fathers have also participated in programs abroad, given by members of the Cor Novum team. Over the 10 Years the program called “Spirituality of the Heart: Yesterday, Today and towards the Future” has been given 13 times in Issoudun. Various other programs have been presented in response to different needs. For example programs for “Formation for Formators”, “Peace and Justice”, Leadership skills” and “Dialogue”. Occasionally, there have been specific programs for Bishops, for the Tri-Generalate Administration, for those preparing to live in international missionary communities or for final vows. All these programs have been rooted in the Founder’s charism and Spirituality of the heart. Worthy of mentioning is also the “Symposium in Memory of E.J. Cuskelly MSC” (September 2003), attended by not less than 80 participants including 190 lay participants. More than 30 members have also followed personalized programs including individually designed Sabbaticals and 30-day retreats.

A common characteristic of all the programs in Issoudun and abroad has been a “holistic approach”. We have been looking at the past, discovering more and more the wide scope of Fr. Chevalier’s vision and the inspiring message of his life experience. We contemplated the depth and breadth pf God’s love revealed in the Heart of Jesus. We followed the journey into our own hearts discovering our deeper desires and fixation; and we reflected upon the future of the world where our international mission leads us. However, what programs abroad were unable to offer was, what is called, “the Issoudun experience”: following the footsteps of Fr. Chevalier in Issoudun, where he lived for 53 years, in Richelieu where he was born and grew up and in Bourges where he prepared himself for the priesthood. Participants of the programs in Issoudun have witnessed how they could feel and touch his presence in the Basilica, Our Lady’s Chapel, the Crypt and the impressive monastery with the beautiful park that he left behind.
In Issoudun, the founders, directors and team members, the staff of the secretariat, the translators of the sessions, staff and personnel of the Jules Chevalier Centre where Cor Novum finds accommodation, and the MSC and OLSH communities of Issoudun, - all have contributed to the growth of Cor Novum and its ministry during these 10 years. But above all we should mention the many sisters, brothers and fathers form all over the world who have followed the programs of Cor Novum in Issoudun or abroad and who have been renewed in their practical way of living a Spirituality of the Heart. They are really a beautiful present for us who celebrate this jubilee.

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59th Republic Day greetings to all

I always had high standard for Dr.Abdul Kalam. Somehow, the present president of India does not make any impression to me for bigger stages. I always felt Kalam had a vision for himself as well as for India. It would be good to revise some of his ideas on our 59th Republic Day. Here is what he said on Jan 25th 2004 in his Presdiential Address:

Profile of Competitive India

A Nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, peaceful and happy.
A Nation where the rural and urban divide has reduced to a thin line.
A Nation where there is an equitable distribution of energy and quality water.
A Nation where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony, absorbing technology thereby resulting in sustained wealth generation leading to higher employment potential.
A Nation where education is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination.
A Nation which is the best destination for the most talented scholars and scientists all over the world.
A Nation where the best of health care is available to all the billion population and the diseases like AIDS/TB, water borne diseases, Cardiac diseases and Cancer are extinct.
A Nation where the governance uses the best of the technologies to be responsive, transparent, easily accessible and simple in rules, thereby corruption free.
A Nation where poverty has been totally alleviated, illiteracy and crime against women are eradicated and the society is unalienated.
A Nation that is one of the best places to live in, on the earth and brings smiles on a billion faces.
These are the ten dimensional transformations needed for a competitive India and we have to work for.

Please find the present President's Republic Day's Speech which she delivered yesterday in the following link:

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=420478&sid=NAT

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தைப்பொங்கல்: Pongal Greetings to you all!

Thai Pongal (தைப்பொங்கல்) is a harvest festival equivalent to a thanksgiving event celebrated by Tamilians across the world. Pongal in Tamil means "boiling over or spill over." The act of boiling over of milk in the clay pot is considered to denote future prosperity for the family.

Traditionally it is a feast of the prosperity associated with the harvest by thanking the rain, sun and the farm animals that have helped in the harvest. The festival is at least 1000 years old although some believe that the festival is more than 2000 years old. As per epigraphic evidence, it used to be celebrated as Puthiyeedu during Medieval Chola empire days. It is thought that Puthiyeedu meant the first harvest of the year. People of all religions celebrate the pongal festival. Sweet pongal rice. Tamils refer to Pongal as "Tamizhar Thirunal" (meaning "the festival of Tamils"). This festival originated in Tamil Nadu. The saying "Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum" (தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்) meaning "the birth of the month of Thai will pave the way for new opportunities" is often quoted regarding the Pongal festival Usually, the festival takes place January 12 — 15. The festival is celebrated four days from the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi (December — January) to the third day of Thai (January — February).

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Homily on the Baptism of Jesus at Jordan

Baptism of Jesus often reminds us of the person of John the Bapist. Though Da Vinci Code speaks extensively of the Messianic Image of John the Baptist, we, christians have a highly venerated place for John the Baptist. His Image calls for a deeper reflection on the person of Jesus himself. Though many thought John might be the Messiah, he humbly witnessed the advent of the Messiah in the prologue of the Gospel according to John the Evangelist. Now, the reflection here is that John resembled Jesus Christ in his approach as the Messiah material. Many might have thought he was the Christ because he was greatly praised for his holiness and humble living, choosing a hard ascetic life forgoing the pleasures of the flesh. While these could have been the characteristics of John, we could draw our attention on the thinking of the Jews on their idea of the Messiah. John the Baptist gave an idea of the Messiah to the people around him.

The symbol of immersing in the water grabs me at times. It also reminds me of the priest or deacon adding a little water into the chalice along with the wine and says
By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity
I see the symbol of the divine plunging deeply in the roots of humanity, whereas the Eucharistic rememberance invites us to plunge deeply in the roots of divinity. Thus, baptism is an invitation to holiness or Divinity.

Baptism necessarily brings us to confirmation, thus leading us to the spirit of the Eucharist.

Heavens open when i surrender to the will of the Father
Word of God is audible when i plunge deeply in the roots of the Divine
Our vocation is to do His will, thus He is well pleased with us
Dove descends when we ascend in our human nature - Fully Human, Fully Divine

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Flag Hoisting: Feast of Infant Jesus

Yesterday I was invited to hoist the flag of the Infant Jesus and celebrate mass. I tried to find a decent source for my homily in the internet: to my surprise i found none. I guess the feast does not have a widespread devotion universally except Prague, India and the like. Anyhow, i have decided to write something on my own meditating on the Childhood of Jesus.

Homily on Infant Jesus:

Holy Family has relevance only in the presence of Holiness: God. Child Jesus is the total essence of God's holiness. Child always represented inexperience, dependency, lacking in strength, clarity and maturity. This child is the total picture of God Himself, as the Heart represents the totality of persons.

I should be busy with the business of my Father:

Every stage in life has its own business of the Father. As we reflect on the Holy Childhood, the first business of the Father here is that He teaches us how to be a child. He became man in all things (St.Paul). He takes the form of a child to teach us to be children in our heart and mind. To be a child at heart is the business of the Father. Whenever we become child at heart, we partake in the Holy Childhood of Jesus.

This Holy Childhood would be shaped and formed by the following elements:

Mary
The envoloping motherhood of Mary in all forms.
The prayerful presence of an admirer and a disciple in the person of Mary
A simple and a humble housewife proclaiming the Word of God in simple and humble ways.
A woman who is full of the Holy Spirit, stands for justice and peace.
A woman who would share the suffering of people: compassionate lover.

Joseph
The exemplary fatherhood of Joseph in all forms.
A great supporter of the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
A person who is just and honest in all that he does.
A person who is known for his hard work.
A person who has taken roots in the will of God: A man of great faith.

Lesson from the Infant

• 'Taking the form of a slave' - shows God's compassionate love and humililty. The Holy Childhood of Childhood of Jesus is the further deepening of God's ultimate humility. Thus, the feast of Infant Jesus is the feast of his incarnation also, Jesus grasping the meaning of His humanity, the meaning of flesh.
• This child Jesus is young in his innovative love for humanity, tender in his abiding presence, dependent in the parenthood of Mary and Joseph, maturing in his wisdom and knowledge filled with the questions of humanness. That is why we are called for a deeper faith, hope and love to approach the Infant.He makes us realise our responsiblity to do more as a christian.
  It is also a feast to celebrate our own childhood, the childhood of our parents, grandparents, popes, priest, leaders of the people for God's greater care in us during our childhood. We are here praying because we had a great childhood through the love of God.
• It is also an invitation to be childlike with our words, deeds and attitudes (not childish).
• It is also a call to respect the childhood of our own children.
  Children need our time. Church pays more attention on children. Children need priests, nuns to guide them also. Children need good parents. Children masses should be celebrated where the children could come with their parents and god-parents.
  Children need a more powerful friend (not just TV)
  A more interesting place to go to (not just park or beach or resort)
  A more powerful examples (not just movie stars, pokeman, Jetix stars)
  A more interesting book (not just comics, sportstar)
  A more interesting way of life (not just softwear engeneers, doctors, lawyers)
  A more permanant love in (not just money)
• Future popes, priest, nuns and leaders are our children and they are the hope for the next generation church. We should take care in shaping them to see a new world emerging, a civilisation of Love. Amen.
  
  

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Feast of Epiphany

Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,
manifested by the star to the sages from afar;
Branch of royal David's stem in thy birth at Bethlehem;
anthems be to thee addrest, God in man made manifest.

Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
and at Cana, wedding guest, in thy Godhead manifest;
manifest in power divine, changing water into wine;
anthems be to thee addrest, God in man made manifest.

Manifest in making whole palsied limbs and fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight, quelling all the devil's might;
manifest in gracious will, ever bringing good from ill;
anthems be to thee addrest, God in man made manifest.

Manifest on mountain height, shining in resplendent light,
where disciples filled with awe thy transfigured glory saw.
When from thence thou leddest them steadfast to Jerusalem,
cross and Easter day attest God in man made manifest.

Grant us grace to see thee, Lord, mirrored in thy holy word;
may we imitate thee now, and be pure, as pure art thou;
that we like to thee may be at thy great epiphany;
and may praise thee, ever blest, God in man made manifest.
Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885) Stanza Four by F. Bland Tucker (1895-1984)

This is the link to an interesting article on the feast of Epiphany.
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8383.asp

Please don't forget to download the Liturgical Calendar of MSC 2008.
http://misacor.org/en/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,26/Itemid,45/

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Vocations to Priesthood

As you know i have been staying at the Diocesan Minor seminary, Chengleput, to practise my teaching skills here at a local college. The minor seminarians were on their Christmas vacations. I had a chance of visiting a few of their houses. There are seventeen minor seminarians. The ones that i visited, i witnesses a sad situation: poverty. They come from a very poor background. I am sure this is the situation in most of the dioceses.

Fr. John Kurian is the rector of the minor seminary. This seminary is situated in a remote village in the vicinity of Chengleput, a place called Melrosapuram. He took up the charge last June and brought about a drastic change in building up the place. We congratulate him and appreciate him in all that he puts in the minor seminary. I am sure the Diocese appreciates him as well.

Deacon Anthony is a recent temporary addition to the community, waiting to be ordained soon (March probably)

Bro.Thomas is the regent taking care of the mannuel core of the community.

Paul, Dyson, Rafael, Vinod, Praveen, Praveen Sathish, Sathish, Gabriel, Raj, Rex, John Victor, Antony, Malar, Anandan, Anandaraj, Franklin, John Peter are the names of the minor seminarians.

I request you to pray for them and for their call to holiness.



Please find the link to:


Full text of Bertone interview looking back at '07 and forward to '08


http://ncrcafe.org/node/1519
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Happy New Year to all of you!

"A Morning Wish". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W.R. Hunt
"The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me?
Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:

• A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.
• A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.
• A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.
• A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.
• An understanding heart.
• A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.
• A sense of humor and the power to laugh.
• A little leisure with nothing to do.
• A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.
• And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come."
  Guide words: An Anthology of Inspiration and Humor, p. 13
  

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