ETTUMANOOR APOSTOLIC COMMUNITY
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ETTUMANOOR |
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S.F.S. SEMINARY |
SFS PUBLIC SCHOOL |
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SFS Seminary, the only minor seminary that
the Province has in the two states of Kerala and Karnataka is located at
Ettumanoor, Kerala. It was founded by Fr. George Vayalil and it
started to function in 1967 with the founder himself as the first Rector.
The recruited students are given here the initial training for their reli Minor Seminary is an important stage of formation where the candidates are carefully guided to be sensitive to their intense desire to be a Missionary of St. Francis de Sales. The candidates are introduced into a deep spiritual life through regular participation in the liturgical and para-liturgical services, spiritual conferences, sacrament of reconciliation, spiritual direction, spiritual reading, daily meditation, rosary, way of the cross and visit to the Blessed Sacrament. They learn to be Christ-centered through personal and community prayer. The academic and non-academic programme enable the candidates to achieve personal and personality growth and thereby to evolve a right scale of values. The young candidates are animated in the management of their personal complexes, emotional problems, doubts and questions. The candidates make personal effort in developing their gifts and talents in music, public speaking, acting, sports, games etc. for the service of others. Minor seminary is also a place for serious academic and religious studies. The candidates are helped to develop a personal and systematic methodology of study, reading habits, general knowledge, taste for intellectual pursuit, sufficient knowledge in English and library language and in the vernacular languages required in the mission. Besides the university studies, the minor seminary curriculum includes classes in English literature, Latin, a basic course in Kannada and other regional languages of the province, Bible, catechism, liturgy, Church history, history of the Congregation, Salesian spirituality, St. Francis de Sales, Fr. Peter Mermier, basics in psychology and personality development. The candidates are introduced into farming, gardening, manual work, house-cleaning and dignity of labour. They are instructed in personal culture, self discipline, honesty, punctuality, personal hygiene, good manners, etiquette, respectful behaviour before authority, habits of seeking permission, interpersonal relation, interaction and community life. |
A school at Ettumanoor has been the desire
of the many confreres of our province and other provinces. As we set out
to study the viability of another school
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ATHIRAMPUZHA |
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CHARIS BHAVAN (Retreat Centre) |
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Charis Bhavan is a
well-known MSFS retreat centre in Kerala, making God-experience a reality
for thousands of people who seek God’s presence and grace. It was founded
in 1989 by Fr. James Manjackal who was also its first
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CHARIS NIKETAN (Home for senior citizens and retired missionaries) |
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Charis Niketan is a Home for the Senior Citizens and
Retired Missionaries, religious and diocesans, from all over the world and
it is an offshoot of the life and activities of Charis Bhavan. It is
situated in the campus of Charis Bhavan. This |
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ALUVA |
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SFS VIDYASHRAM (Theology Study House) |
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SFS Vidhyashram is the Theology study house of the Province in Kerala. The scholastics attend classes in St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Aluva. The scholastics who are trained here have the added advantage of studying and knowing deeper about the Oriental Church and liturgy and the spiritual needs of Syro-Malabar Christians. Besides the classes in the Pontifical Institute the scholastics follow in the house the formation programme common to all scholasticates in the province. On Sundays the scholastics render their services in the nearby parishes. Since the province has already begun a new theology programme to suit its missionary challenges this study house is in the process of being converted into a centre of various other apostolates. |
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KAPRASSERY |
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ST. LITTLE FLOWER PARISH (Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly) |
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This parish is taken up by MSFS on a short term contract with the Archdiocese of Ernakulam- Angamaly. Ever since we started our study house in Aluva, fathers and brothers have been rendering pastoral service to this parish. It is in view of getting some pastoral experience for our scholastics. In view of extending the scope for ministries other than what already exist in the parish the province is in the process of getting the parish on a long term contract with the archdiocese. |
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CHEMBUTHARA |
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MSFS HOUSE |
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In Chembuthara, Trichur we have a farm and since the chances of development in the farm were very remote due to lack of water for irrigation and poor soil, a small piece of land near the main road was bought and a house is being built to establish a community. The centre is being developed into a Family Counselling Centre. Other ministries like youth ministry, home for the aged etc. are also envisaged. A priest is already appointed to look after the farm and take care of the construction. |
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MANJAKUNNU (Archdiocese of Thrissur) |
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The community in Chembuthara, besides its responsibility in the house, is also entrusted with a prish, Manjakunnu, belonging to the Archdiocese of Thrissur. This parish is entrusted to the MSFS for a period of three years. |
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MANNARKUNNU |
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The Province has made available the services of another priest in one of the parishes of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. |
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in Ettumanoor we have been
surprised by the positive response of the public. They were waiting for a
school run by Fathers and the existence of SFS Seminary for the past 38
years at Ettumanoor did generate a lot of confidence for the people. The
new school at SFS Seminary Campus was blessed and inaugurated on 2 June
2003. It was dedicated to God and to the People under the patronage of our
patron Saint Francis De Sales. It is under CBSE Scheme. SFS School at
Ettumnoor can be regarded as the premier institution in our ministry of
education in Kerala. For more information on the school you may log on to
its website: 
Director. His
vision and zeal for the spiritual renewal and empowerment of the people
have borne rich results over the years. It is the only retreat centre of
such quality that MSFS have all over the world. Ever since its inception,
it has been a living response to the needs of the people. It is helping
thousands of people to solve or face their social, economic, domestic,
psychological and spiritual problems. The centre has been doing
commendable work for the past one decade and more bringing people closer
to God and a blissful relationship with Him. The centre has been a
channel of peace, joy and love for all irrespective of caste, colour,
religion or nationality. 
Home has been envisaged and
now realized as a Souvenir of the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of Fr. Devasia
Kuzhuppil. It was blessed and opened on 25th July 2004 on the
anniversary of Charis Bhavan. This day coincides with the 80th Birthday of
Fr. Kuzhuppil. It has been a long cherished dream of Fr. Kuzhuppil to
initiate such ministry to the poor and the aged. This has been borne out
of his many years of service in Charis Bhavan where he spends long hours
listening to the struggles and woes of poor people. It has also been his
vision to start a Home for the retired missionaries. He has his long
mission experience in different places, knows many missionaries who are
aged now and also knows their difficulties as they are away from home.
Hence he longed to have a home for such missionaries who would find a Home
back to home-country. He finds that Charis Bhavan could offer them the
ambience and atmosphere of a home so that they can spend their remaining
years relaxed, in prayer, in spiritual service to the many people who come
to Charis Bhavan for consolation, counseling and spiritual guidance. As a
missionary congregation we could be at the service of the missionaries at
a time when they need most help and assistance. Hence the administration
approved the projects as well as decided to establish this Home as a
Souvenir of the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of Fr. Devasia Kuzhuppil. It is
in gratitude to the untiring missionary life of Fr. Kuzhuppil that this
home is dedicated and established. The new Home and the Chapel were
blessed and consecrated by His Lordship Peter Thuruthikonam on 21 March
2005.
