Community Picnic to Indore (19th Feb)

It was a NEW day with lot of enthusiasm and excitement. Since the rising was at 5 a.m., Most of us slept before the usual time. We had Holy Eucharist at 5:30 and breakfast at 6 in the morning!!! It was wonderful experience, for many of us perhaps this was the first breakfast of life so early in the morning. After the breakfast and little preparations, we set out to Indore at about 7 o’clock. It was thrilling; we sang songs and hymns on the way. With one break on the way, we reached around 9:30. Our first halt was the Lal Baag Palace (or Nehru Palace), in fact the palace of the Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar. It was interesting to see the architect and designs inside the palace. It is a huge palace with beautiful designs of east and west (i.e. Indian style and Western, especially Paris).

After spending some time there, we had short refreshment and moved to Kaanch Mandir (glass temple) which is a Jain temple. From there some brothers went for shopping and rest returned where the bus was parked. It was a crowded place so bus could not take us to the temple. From there we moved to the SVD provincialate house, where delicious meal was waiting. The food was ordered and the caterers themselves were present to serve us. Fr. Provincial and other fathers gave us a cordial welcome. After the lunch we had little free time to go around and the visit the neighboring communities as it was the area where many of the institutions situated. We met Fr. Michael (our former residential professor) and his ‘under construction’ college. Some of us also went to see Bishop’s house and cathedral.

Around 3:30 we moved form there to Meghdoot Garden. It was a beautiful park with lots of greenery and beauty. There were lots of young people having few moments of ‘peace and love!’ we enjoyed going around. Before the actual scene, we had our left over refreshment and spend some more time there. Around 6:15 p.m. there put on the fountain and lights, it gave a beautiful appearance when the glittering lights reflected on the glass-like flowing water. After feasting our eyes with beauty, we left Indore around 6:30. On the way, Bro. Martin and others made it interesting journey with their creative singing which consisted of their own readymade songs. On the way we had tea on one of the restaurants. We reached back to the seminary around 9:30 p.m. Next day was free rising, but Mass at 7:30. Tired, we slept, thanking God for the whole enjoyment –filled day.

Renewal Of Affiliation to the Urbaniana University, Rome

It's our joy to inform you all that the affiliation of Khrist Premalaya Seminary has been renewed for next five years.

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Monthly Recollection (February 12, 2011)

This month’s recollection was preached by Rev. Fr. Thomas Philip, better known as Fr. Tommy of Bhopal Archdiocese. It will be appropriate to remind, it is the same Fr. Tommy who, when rector of the minor seminary, was accused and jailed when a brother committed suicide in the seminary. Father shared the experiences of his ordeal and also how he experienced God’s protection and love during those times of crisis.

The recollection began with an introductory talk on the previous evening. The topic was ‘Giving.’ In this, he said few things about what, how, when, whom etc. to give. Answering these questions he gave examples not only from history and Bible but also from the real life incidences. It is not necessary that we give money always, we can give anything, may be any help, or even it may be a simple smile. We must give till it hurts, and when we give, it should not be proclaimed. Ending his reflection, he suggested us to read the story of Joseph (Genesis 35-47), for the next day’s reflection. This talk was in the auditorium, and after the talk we moved to the chapel and had adoration till 11 p.m.

In the next day’s talk, he took the theme of crisis management. As priests and religious leaders, there will be several occasions where we may be faced with the times of crises. He gave some guidelines form crisis management theory and also from the Bible. Joseph, even as a child faced many difficulties in life – his mother died, his brothers hated him, gave him as a slave, Potipher’s wife accused him, he was put in jail. In all these situations he learnt the art of crisis management. Finally he reached to such a position that whole Egypt came to him for food, and even his own brothers.

During all these reflections, he gave examples from his own life, particularly the memorable experiences of his jail term. As a whole one could say that this recollection was quite fruitful and we were amply inspired and strengthened in our faith.

Life is a motion...

Birthday Celebration of Fr. Pius Lakra, SVD (February 04)

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Birthday is the day when we express the gratitude for the gift of the person, and for the person himself, it’s time to thank the Almighty for the very gift of life that the person receives. The preparations for the day had already begun, the previous day. Fr. Pius is one of the friendliest residential professors of our community; it was a matter of great joy for all of us to celebrate his birthday. Though it was a working day yet we started the day as if it was meant only for celebrations. After the morning thanksgiving, the Solemn Thanksgiving (Holy Eucharist) began with seven staff members including the ‘birthday baby.’ In the introduction to the Mass, Bro. Samuel Kujur expressed that Fr. Pius is a person who adds joy and happiness in our community and we are extremely grateful to God for giving us such a beautiful gift in the form of Fr. Pius. This day also was a great day for us Indians as it was the Feast day of St. John De Britto, the missionary saint to Tamilnadu and who was martyred, setting and example and inspiration for Christian faith. Fr. Pius preferred to celebrate the mass in his honor. After the devotion-filled mass accompanied by angelic singing, we proceeded to the refectory, where a sumptuous breakfast was awaiting us. There was cake cutting and wishing with lots of joy and pomp.
This day was specially made memorable by the visit of 17 brothers and one Father from Samanvaya Theologate, Bhopal. They not only visited us but also had a friendly basket ball match, in which Khrist Premalaya Team gave a ‘friendly defeat’ by 51-24. The match was very exciting and enthralling. They had come with Fr. Luis Maleckal, CMI. Fr. Luis is one of the founding fathers of out seminary and his deep rooted interest mad him to visit us with his students. We had a short felicitation program in the evening, for which our guests from Bhopal were there and also many fathers and sisters joined us from the neighboring communities. There was a short skit staged by the first year brothers under the leadership of Bro. Martin. The skit was very entertaining and all enjoyed it as it was actually a comedy skit. Fr. Johny D’souza spoke on behalf of the KPRT family. He said that Fr. Pius is a handsome young priest and he has lots of people who love him, both in the campus as well as in Ashta city. He is a person always available, a priest with pastoral and missionary sense, always smiles and remains happy. In his thanksgiving speech, Fr. Pius began saying that he likes to visit people because life is a moving journey, there is always a motion and on the way we should make more and friends. He also said that he is grateful to be the member of this family. Indeed KPRT is one of the most beautiful places he has been to. He takes some classes for the college students in the city; even they admire the beauty of our campus. He thanked everyone for the love shown, especially to Fr. Luis and brothers form Bhopal. They also thanked us and invited us to visit them and join them for the diaconate ordinations to be held on 20th of February. They requested us to keep them in our prayers. The day came to an end with a movie show (namely ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ of Rock).