Picnic to Bhopal (18-02-2012)

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Every year we have a number of picnics such as class picnic, diocese or congregation picnic and annual picnic. Most interesting and most thrilling of them is the annual picnic. Last year we had gone to Indore and had great fun, but this year was more enjoyable and more fun-filled. This year we had chosen Bhopal as our picnic spot.

            It was the beautiful morning of 18^th February 2012 that brought the bright son of great thrill. The day began with Holy Eucharist at 6 in the morning. Soon after the Holy Eucharist we had breakfast and prepared to go. The bus that was hired for the purpose was already parked in the play ground. Since the archbishop of Nagpur was coming to visit the brothers from Nagpur, so they had to stay back to welcome their archbishop.  However rest of us started with singing and shouting at about 7:30 a.m. on the way there was lots of fun and frolic with singing and playing different music instruments. Scarcely had we felt the distance of almost 2 hours, and we were there.

            The first stoppage was the biggest mosque of India, the Tajul Masazid (the full name is Darul Uloom Tajul Masajid) which means the crown among all the mosques. There we were explained by a gentleman all about the mosque. He said this was built by certain Begam Shahajehan who started the work in 1887 and somehow passed away without completing it in 1901. Latter on this was completed by following ruler. At the time of its completion, this was the biggest mosque in whole of Islam world. But presently it has the prestigious credit of being the biggest in India. According to the brochure given to us at the place, the purpose of this mosque was to keep alive the culture and education of the Arabs (Muslims). It was for this purpose that the network of many madrsas was spread all over India. This was to be the biggest center of not only Muslim learning but also praying, and that’s the reason that this mosque has four hostels for the students of different ages numbering around 700. Another speciality of this mosque is that it has special place for women to pray. It was great visit.

            Our next stoppage was the Bidla Temple and Bidla museum. None of us was interested to see the museum, however we went to the temple and it was beautiful to see the city from the top. It is built on a high place.

            After seeing the temple we started straight to Ratanpur parish, where there was also our next destination. There were welcomed by the parish priest, and also a priest of Sagar diocese. There we had sumptuous lunch which we had carried with us. Little while later, after lunch we went to the Fun City. We had got the tickets on concession with the help of Fr. Biju Philip of Sagar. In the Fun City we had great fun on the swings, train, thrillarium and many more games and sites. After about one hour we entered in the water park inside the fun city itself. We had great fun, swimming, and enjoying in the cool water. We enjoyed in the water for almost one hour. From fun city we came back to the parish and some snacks and cold drinks.

            On the way while coming back we also visited the DB City (a shopping mall from Dainik Bhaskar). We enjoyed seeing such a beautiful place and very specially going up and coming down on the escalators. After that we started back and did not stop anywhere except for tea. Around 9 p.m. we reached back to the seminary and thanked God and everyone for making the day special and enjoyable. Now we look forward for the long tour next year which comes after three years.

Birthday of Fr. Pius (Feb 4)

 "Fr. Pius enjoys life..."
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February 4^th is special day not only for the Catholics of India, as it is the feast day of St. John De Britto, but it is a special day in a special way for Khrist Premalaya Family, very specially for Fr. Pius Lakra, SVD. This is the day on which he was born. We were glad to celebrate his birthday with great euphoria and glee. Unlike previous year, this day was a holiday, so we had the full day at our disposal.

            The day began at 6 in the morning with the rising bell. After some time we gathered in front of the main building and there was a short welcoming ceremony guided by Bro. Carol Antony. After washing of the hands and garlanding the main celebrant, we proceeded in a procession to the chapel. During the holy Eucharist, Bro. Rajesh Sarrel, in his introduction said, that Fr. Pius is very cheerful person and very much concerned about the brothers. He also gave some of his biographical information in short. The Liturgy and other programmes for the day were organized under the leadership of the first year theologians as Fr. Pius is the moderator for them.

            After the mass there was the sumptuous breakfast. In the afternoon there was a cricket match of fifteen overs each between the teams divided under the captainship of Fr. Johny and Fr. Pius. Fr. John’s team won the toss and chose to bat first. With their enthusiastic performance they set a score of 108 runs before the opponent team with 32 highest runs by Bro. Shijo John with 2 sixes and 4 fours. Fr. Pius team began the chase after 10 minutes’ tea break with relatively moderate pace. After sometime the wickets started falling rapidly and the whole team was flat at 68 runs, losing the match by 40 runs. Bro. Manoj Kujur hit highest 3 sixes.

            In the evening, the guests were invited from the nearing communities. There was a short felicitation programme by the first years. They showed a short skit and sang songs. Bro. Carol Antony spoke of the first years’ experience with Fr. Pius, he said that Fr. Pius always keeps smiling and he is so friendly with the brothers that we don’t hesitate to approach him anytime. Fr. Rector spoke on behalf of the staff and said that Fr. Pius makes the community life lively and enjoys life. We are very glad to have him amidst us. At the end Fr. thanked everyone for making the day a special one, and after the blessing for the meal we began the banquet. The day ended with a movie.

Classes Begin in the New Academic Block...

After waiting almost for two weeks after the inauguration of the New Academic Block, the classes began in the same. It was inaugurated on 15^th of January, 2012 by two bishops, namely Archbishop Leo Cornelio, SVD and Bishop Chacko T, SVD. Today (30^th January, 2012) was not an ordinary day. For past two years we had been seeing the construction work of the New Block under process and it finally came to its complete this year in the beginning of January. Before starting the classes in the New Block we were having classes in the auditorium and reference hall of the library. It is great joy for us to have a new Academic block. It is furnished with modern facilities, airy rooms with sufficient natural light. First year theologians have their class room on the ground floor whereas the second and third year students are given a class room on the first floor. The first classes taken in the New Academic Block were by Rev. Fr. Savari Rayan, SVD of the subject “letter to the Hebrews and other epistles” whereas the first class for the first years was taken by the Dean himself (Dr. Jesuraj Rayappan, SVD) on the subject of Church History: ancient and medieval.

            Just before starting the classes we had class wise picnics in the around places of Ashta. Before that the last was filled with sports and cultural activities as it was the week of KHRISPO 2012-2013.

Christian Unity Week

 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Begins

         

The Christian Unity Week begins in Khrist Premalaya Seminary with a creative evening worship, under the theme "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ". The Week is promoted by the World Council of Churches (WCC), a worldwide fellowship of 349 Churches seeking unity, common witness and Christian service. The Catholic Church participates in this ecumenical initiative, despite not being a member of the WCC.

   What is Christian Unity Week? The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally celebrated from 18 to 15 January in the northern hemisphere, and around the time of Pentecost in the southern hemisphere. It brings together Christian parishes and congregations from different confessional families all over the world, who meet and pray together in special ecumenical celebrations.

   Each year ecumenical partners in a particular region are asked to prepare a basic text on a biblical theme. Then an international group with WCC-sponsored (Protestant and Orthodox) and Roman Catholic participants edits this text to ensure it is linked with the search for Christian unity. The text is jointly published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and by the WCC's Commission on Faith and Order which also accompanies the entire production process of the text. The final material is sent to member Churches and Roman Catholic dioceses, which are invited to translate the text and contextualise it for their own use.

   This year's theme comes from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians which promises the transformation of human life - with all its apparent dimensions of 'triumph' and 'defeat' - through the victory of Christ's resurrection.

January 15, 2012

 Inauguration of the New Academic Block, Birthday of Fr. Johny D'Souza and Bro. Shijo...

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January 15, 2012 will be recorded in golden letters in annuls of Khrist Premalaya Regional Theologate. This day marks three important events namely ‘the inauguration of the new academic block, Feast Day of the Founder of Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the birthday of Rev. Fr. Johny D’Souza and Bro. Shijo John.

            There were lots of preparations going on for the coming event, but for last few days it had become more intense specially getting the new block finished and furnished. Finally the day dawned with the rising bell at 6:00 a.m. The prayer was conducted by Bros of the SVD with special video presentation about the congregation and their founder and very especially about their presence in India. (for more information about SVD in India please click here). It was a beautiful Morning Prayer service by Bro. Naveen, SVD and his companions. Since it was also the B’day of Fr. Johny D’Souza and Bro. Shijo John, special prayers were offered for the b’day babies. Prayers were also offered for all the benefactors and well wishers who have contributed directly or indirectly in the completion of the New Academic Block. (For last year’s report of Fr. Johny’s birthday celebration, please click here)

            The celebration continued in the refectory with cacke cutting and wishing songs and words of thanks and appreciation by the brothers Ajay Andre (III year), Vijay Ekka (II year) and Manoj Kujur (I year). Fr. Antony Thhattil spoke on behalf of the staff. We also wished bro. Shijo John on the day. This was followed by a sumptuous breakfast.

            The main event was the day was yet to come. The inaugural function of the New Block began at 10:30 in the morning with the welcoming words by Bro. Lagin Babu Chacko. There were over one and a half dozen of priests and two bishops, namely Archbishop Leo Cornelio, SVD and Bishop Chacko T of Indore. There were also some parishioners from the Ashta parish. I his introduction, Fr. Rector said that this building was the fruit of the contribution of many people and we are very much grateful to all people who have contributed in the mission of the Lord. Archbishop Leo said that this block was in the original plan but due to lack of funds it could not be materialized. But now by the grace of God and help of the people, under the guidance of Fr. Rector this dream has come true. The blessing was done by both the bishop with sprinkling of the Holy Water and incensing.

            Soon after the blessing there was Holy Eucharistic celebration in the chapel. In the introduction to the mass Frt. Roshan, SVD introduced about the humble beginnings of the Society of the Divine Word. The celebration of the Holy Mass was led by His Grace Dr. Leo Cornelio, SVD. In his homily, the archbishop said that Christianity is a religion that demands. It is not that we simply become christians but we have to follow Christ and he had a simple life and calls us for self denial. Today the real challenge is to live the life of obedience to the divine call of God. In the mass we also prayed for Bishop Durairaj, SVD, who had a massive heart-attack recently. After the mass we proceeded to the refectory for lunch. There was a short programme for the birthday wishing and also for felicitating some of the important people who contributed in a special way in the erecting of the New Block. The Archbishop honoured, the engineer, contractor, the electrician, the supervisor, painter, carpenter etc. with a small gift and words of thanks.

The lunch was served to all who had come and Fr. Rector once again thanked everyone for their precious contribution in the project.

December 05, 2011

Birthday of Fr. Rector 
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5^th December has been a great day in the KPRT family for past few years and a special day for almost 70 years for our beloved Fr. Clarence Scrambical, SVD. It is not only a great day for Khrist Premalaya to thank God for very precious gift in the form of Rev. Fr. Rector, but also an occasion to express our love and gratitude to father for what he has been doing for us and for what he has been to us.

          The day began with a special liturgical thanksgiving. We took father rector in procession to the chapel along with Frs. Jesuraj, Johny, Rayan, Davis, Theodore, Pius and Henry Angel. The introduction to the Mass was given by Bro. Edward Francis, which explained about the family and past life of Fr. Rector. The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Rector himself. In his sermon he said that it is the Holy spirit that has been playing a vital role in his life. He had never been sick from the very childhood, and for which he was thankful to God. Somehow last year when he went for executive check up, he discovered that he needed to undergo some treatment for a certain sickness which was in its initial stage. Fr. said that it was the Holy Spirit that inspired him and the doctor to advise him that particular test. God wanted to heal him before he  becomes really sick. God has done lots of wonders in his life for which he is very much grateful. He also thanked the members of the staff for their love and support and encouragement to do the will of God.

After the Holy Eucharist we had sumptuous breakfast, which was followed by daily classes. The spirit of the celebration was also seen in the delicious lunch. Another special of the day was the intra-community basket ball match. It was enthusiastic and very encouraging to see the match. The day was marked with a short felicitation programme in the evening. The programme was arranged in the refectory. Brothers presented various items such as group songs, solo songs, speeches, dance, comedy skit etc. At the end of the programme, Fr. Rector thanked everyone for making the day a very special one. We had sumptuous dinner and thanked God for the day.

December 2011

 Events of the Month

December 5          Rector's Birthday Celebration
December 10        Monthly Recollection
December 16        Cultural Program for the Villagers and Hostelers
December 17        Seminary Day Celebrations
December 23        Workers' Day for the working staff
December 25        Khrist Jayanti Celebrations
December 31        Closing of the year 2011

                                        - the G.P. Bro. T. Jayababu, HGN