George Rosario was born of Mr. Kanakaraju Siddaiah and Mrs. Susheela on 09.08.1979 at Doddaagajanur.  After SSLC  he joined our Seminary at Sudhirvana in 1997 and after a year moved to SFS Seminary, Ettumanoor.  He made his first religious profession on 11.06.2000 at Sannidhi, Mysore .  He completed his philosophical studies (B.Ph.) in Suvidya College Bangalore.  After a year of regency at Mermier Bhavan Community, Hebbagodi he pursued his theological studies in St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore and was ordained a priest on 29. 12. 2007 at St. John the Baptist Church , Doddagajanur by Rt. Rev. Amalraj  bishop of  Ootty Diocese.

FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION

SALESIAN YEAR 2008

Theme : Through Salesian Little Virtues at the Service of God’s Word

My Dear Confreres,

I greet you with joy and wish you  a blessing filled New Year. 

PRESENTATION OF THE SALESIAN   YEAR 2008

Hearkening to the directive of our 18^th General Chapter,   let us celebrate 2008 as Salesian Year. This year marks the completion of 400 years of the publication of the great spiritual classic, The Introduction to the Devout Life (ITDL) written by our Patron, St. Francis de Sales. It has perennial appeal that takes the human heart to God  and makes God the heart of all our relationships and  endeavours.

The Church also dedicates this year to the “Word of God”.  In the month of October the Church will gather in a synod of Bishops to reflect on the theme “The Word of God”.

God’s Word is alive and active. When seized by God’s Word, gathered by it and sent forth, we are transformed and become instruments of regeneration of a new society according to the mind and heart of God.

God’s Word is power.  God’s Word is Truth. God’s Word is strength. God’s Word is healing and comfort. God’s Word is our Light. God’s Word is a revelation who God is and who we are and what we have to do.

In the life of St. Francis de Sales,  the Word of God was supreme and his book ITDL was a humble attempt to  guide honest seekers of God how to live by His Word  and to respond to the call of  holiness and integrity of life that God’s Word addresses to every human being. ITDL rightly takes Philothea from being a listener of God’s Word to a doer of God’s Word.  The fertile ground of the human heart for God’s Word to take root is a heart that is steeped in the virtues which St. Francis de Sales  calls the Little Virtues. They are humility, gentleness, patience and simplicity. Their littleness is their greatness of urgent need of these virtues at every moment of our lives. Without them, so called big virtues, like courage, valour,  martyrdom, almsgiving can be tainted  and sullied, unworthy to give perfect praise to God.

I am glad, therefore, to declare 2008 as the Salesian Year with the theme “THROUGH SALESIAN LITTLE VIRTUES AT THE SERVICE OF GOD’S WORD”.

REASONS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CELEBRATIONS

1.  Personal renewal of our identity

The celebrations are a simple and yet poignant reminder to every MSFS to be proud of his Salesian identity and heritage and which alone gives him a unique and recognizable place and space in the galaxy of missionaries,  priests and religious working in the vineyard of the Lord.

We will therefore commit ourselves to constant reading, and reflecting on, Salesian literature, especially ITDL, Love of God (LOG),  Conferences by St. Francis de Sales  and Letters of St. Francis de Sales.  We will have personal programme of interiorisation and personalization of the Salesian virtues especially the lowly virtues of humility, patience, gentleness and simplicity. We will read everyday personally and collectively  a short passage from ITDL during this Jubilee Year and complete two readings of the Book.

2.  Sharing Salesian Spirituality with others

We cannot keep to ourselves the good that we have.  Salesian spirituality is too good to be kept to ourselves. We share it with others  by the witness of our life and by our efforts to disseminate it in various possible ways and forms.

We strive under the guidance of our superiors where possible to translate ITDL in local languages and to preserve a stock of them in our communities and offer them to lay-people on occasions of their weddings, anniversaries, jubilees. In each of our parishes or institutions we form a study cell or prayer-cell of interested Salesian group and guide them,  meeting them at least once in 15 days. Where possible and feasible in our homilies  and talks we make reference to Salesian teaching or enlightenment. We display Biblical and Salesian inspirational quote on our public and community notice-boards for the inspiration of those who read it. There is a wealth of catch-phrases and sentences of delightful inspiration in ITDL.

3.  Making Salesian spirituality our way of life

The purpose of writing ITDL was to help ordinary lay people how to contemplate and experience love of God in the humdrum of daily chores of one’s life St. Francis de Sales

underlines that contemplation of God and  its highest type is possible  while one is busy in the affairs  of the world.

As sons of St. Francis de Sales,  we are called to be artisans of this beautiful and integrated and harmonious way of living action through contemplation and contemplation in action. We will undertake exercises that restore the balance by daily fidelity to our meditation, patient and gentle ways of dealing with ourselves, others and things; and living in God’s presence all the time  and thus observing the simplicity of life and checking on unbecoming  motivations.

GLIMPSES INTO THE INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE

1. Why did St Francis de Sales write the  book ?

a. To ‘Live Jesus’

ITDL  were notes of spiritual advice St. Francis de Sales  gave to his counselees  or directees  and in particular to Madamme Louise de Charmoisy. Organised and systematised to guide a person in his spiritual quest, this immortal spiritual classic  has stood the test of time. When an honest seeker is given this book,  his oft remark is :“Why did you not give this book earlier to me?”

The purpose of the book is well summed in the phrase, Live Jesus.  The devotee is to live by God’s Word in such a way that Jesus reigns in his/her heart and he/she becomes like Jesus. The basic Salesian principle: Love transforms; You become what you love is operative on every page of ITDL till one can say with zeal and passion like St. Paul : “Now I live, not I, but Christ lives in me.“ Live Jesus.

b. To Teach the Art of “Live Jesus” through the Salesian Pedagogy of Transformation

Throughout the book one can sense the Salesian pedagogy of transformation at work, so subtle, so powerful, yet so unobtrusive  and unostentatious.

Transformation into the person of Jesus is a process of integration and harmony “He chose us in Jesus Christ before the creation of the world and destined us in love to be His sons through Jesus Christ.” (Eph 1: 4-6)

i. Harmony and integration has to take place at the level of contemplation and action.

ITDL guides gently a soul  to know what contemplation is and what holy action is and slowly teaches the art and skill of being contemplatives in action and activists in contemplation. The gift of prayer  from God transforms into an art of praying under the guidance of St. Francis de Sales. The breadth and depth of understanding of what prayer is, unravels the contemplative depths of prayer in Salesian spirituality.

Ø      Prayer is opening and exposing : opening and exposing our understanding to God’s light and our will to the warmth of His love;

Ø      Prayer is purification: purification of our understanding of ignorance and our wills of sinful attachments;

Ø      Prayer is satisfaction: satisfaction of the emotions of the heart and of good desires in  bearing fruits;

Ø      Prayer is looking at God, being filled with Him, till we resemble Him

Ø      Prayer is listening and speaking to God;

Ø      Prayer is sitting close to God : absorbing His goodness and love as through osmosis action;

Ø      Prayer is union with God;

Ø      Prayer is loving : total  and utter selfless surrender to God’s Will.

The virtue of humility disposes us to remain open to God’s action in us and through us in concrete acts of love. Simplicity enables us to have no motive to do good but of pleasing God alone and in doing things the way it will please Him. Gentleness,  the art of grace-filled and graciousness of presentation and acceptance of others and self, hastens good actions and their quality. Patience refuses to despair with temporary failures and goads us on to keep trying and hoping till the end.

Living in the Presence of God facilitates the process of integration and harmony from moment to moment. Living in God, Recalling God to mind, and Returning  to God is  the perfect blend and picture of integration of prayer and action.

ii. Harmony and Integration takes place at Interiority and Exteriority Level of a Person.

‘Begin with the interior and the exterior will take care of itself’ was the frequent advice St. Francis de Sales gave to his counselees. The exterior has the power to reveal authenticity when it reflects the truth from within.

iii. Harmony and Integrity through Service of God and Service of the Neighbour.

Beginning from instructions on teaching how to praise and worship God in prayer, and sacraments  St. Francis de Sales teaches his counselee how  to engage in compassionate and just actions. He  teaches the art of praising and worshiping God in service of neighbour and to draw forth  from such service new energy,  enthusiasm and motivation to praise and worship God perfectly.

2. What is ITDL about ?

It is about Holy Life (Devotion)

Holiness or devotion, according to St. Francis de Sales, is the love of God; but not love as such but special way of understanding and living the love of God. When love enriches us it is called grace. When love strengthens us to do acts of love,  it is called  charity; when love grows to such an extent that it makes us do good more carefully, more frequently, and promptly it is called devotion. It is the spiritual agility and liveliness to do good.

What ensures that love makes us do good promptly, frequently and carefully is the humus of humility, patience, gentleness and simplicity.

3. For whom is Devout Life ?

It is for All

All are called to holiness. All are called to the highest degree of holiness. All are called to the highest degree of holiness in the given circumstances of their life and vocation. There is no need to run away from the world. Be in it and transform it where it needs to be transformed, or be inspired by it and come closer to God. Love God in everything and everything in God. See God in your heart and you will see every heart in God: these are some of the inspiring messages one gets as one reads and reflects the spiritual classic.

HOW SHALL WE CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE ?

 1. At Inter-province, international level

a. Presence and Participation at the International Seminar on ITDL at Indian Institute of Spirituality, Bangalore

The Indian Institute of Spirituality (IIS),  on the occasion of the Jubilee, is organizing  a special seminar on ITDL in the month of May with the purpose of drawing on the wealth of Salesian reflection existing in the different Salesian families. The resource persons will be renowned scholars of international Salesian repute. The Seminar will be thrown open to all especially to the members of Salesian families.  I urge each Province to depute  a few of their confreres to attend this world gathering. Their presence and participation will be an ongoing Salesian impact on the life and growth of the Province.

b. Forming a Core Group of Salesian Spirituality Animators in each Province

Each Province will make use of this occasion to ensure well-trained and Salesian human resource group of at least 5 persons within the next 5 years ensuring that they undergo learning experience of Salesian spirituality through MTh or doctoral studies at the IIS or elsewhere. This priority will have to be given a place in the yearly personnel planning of each of the Provinces.

2. Province-level

a. Detailed Programme by each Province

Detailed Programme of celebrations of the Salesian Year will be undertaken by each Province/Region. As agreed in our meeting of regional Provincial Forum ( India ) each Provincial will appoint a committee to work out the modalities of the celebrations in each Province.  I request the Provincials to submit a copy of the same to the Superior General  to enable me to share the same with the entire Congregation.

b. Steps to be Taken towards Formation of Fransalian Associates.

The General Council endorsed the proposal of Indian Provincials:

Ø      to identify groups of Friends of Fransalians in each of our centres/institutions  and to assign to them an Animator or Salesian Guide or Director and inform the General Secretary of Innovative Ministries and Resource Mobilisation  within one month after the declaration of the Salesian Year;

Ø      to name these groups as “Fransalian Associates”;

Ø      to prepare a draft of the constitutions for these Fransalian Associates through the General Secretariat of Innovative Ministries and Resource Mobilisation  and approve the same at the Joint Meeting of Regional Forum of Indian Provincials and General Curia and other Provincials, in November 2008.

c. Conclusion of the Salesian Year at the Apostolic Community Level

Each Province is to plan the conclusion of the Salesian year on or around 24^th January 2009 . It is recommended that the conclusion takes place at Apostolic Community level.

Please note : Provinces/Regions/Missions  which are small in number, especially in the West,  will work out a programme of celebrations of the Salesian Year  keeping in mind their local situation and exigencies.

CONCLUSION

I wish to conclude in the introductory words of St. Francis de Sales to the Introduction to Devout Life,  as they aptly reflect my own personal sentiments :

“My Dear Reader, inspite of all that I have said, it is true that I am writing about devout life without being devout myself. But I certainly want to be devout and it is this very desire that encourages me to give you instruction. In fact to quote a great and learned man, ‘A good way to learn is to study; a better way is to listen, and the best way is to teach.’ St.  Augustine writing to Florentina, one of his disciples, says, ‘It often happens that giving to others prepares us to receive.’ The work of teaching is the foundation of learning… .  If God hears my prayer, you will benefit greatly from this book (letter) and receive many blessings.“

Yours devotedly,

Fr.  Agnelo Fernandes , MSFS

Superior General

LETTER FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION

My Dear Confreres,

On 24^th January we will celebrate the Feast of our Patron St. Francis de Sales. It is an annual event that we look forward to with great joy. It holds aloft the invitation of our Founder, Fr. Mermier, to be another St. Francis de Sales.  Our identity is rooted in Salesian spirituality. Following the guidance of our Patron we will never rest in the quest of God’s love  till we  become Love, utterly selfless, prioritizing His Will in every moment of our life. We will gently and yet powerfully be His instruments of grace and peace to others. I wish you,  dear confreres, a Happy feast of St. Francis de Sales. Let us thank God for the joy of being  Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. 

INAUGURATION OF CHENNAI PROVINCE

On 24^th January 2008 ,  the new Province of Chennai comes into existence. For the entire Congregation this day is day of great joy and hope. Chennai Province has 86 priests, 4 deacons, 5 perpetually professed scholastics, 17 students of theology, 6 regents, 19 students of philosophy and 8 novices. Most of the members are committed to pastoral ministry mostly in rural areas and a few  in towns and cities of Tamilnadu and Pondicherry and a few abroad. The Province is also engaged in educational apostolate through 4 schools of the Congregation besides others which are attached to the parishes. Non formal trade school for drop-outs and poor is one of the growing centre in Pudukkottai and a tribal welfare centre at Koli Hills, in the diocese of Salem is a pioneering venture in the service of the poorest of the poor.  A few confreres are engaged in full-time youth ministry and social apostolate. Some are being trained in civil law and others in canon law. Many are gifted and trained in computer science, arts, music and dance. The Province is blessed with the presence of  a few learned and experienced confreres in theology and a few more are in the process of attending to their doctoral studies in different disciplines of studies. The Province is blessed with young confreres with many abilities and talents that need to be harnessed effectively in the mission of the Lord. It has a minor seminary of its own at Pudukkottai  and land has been purchased for a provincial house at Trichy. Through the careful guidance of the Provincial and Provincial Administration of Visakh the erstwhile region of Tamilnadu-Pondicherry is now poised confidently to assume responsibility for the animation of the life of the members and of self-governance. Blessed as the new Province is with talent, youth and enthusiasm it is a Province family that will have great responsibilities to shoulder in the communion of Provinces of the Congregation. In their self-governance and new birth, the Congregation looks forward for new dynamism of religious life in the entire Congregation  and new availability for the mission of the Lord.

I thank all the Provincials of Visakhapatnam and its members for nurturing this unit of the Congregation and bringing it to the stage of self-dependence. I thank the present Provincial, Fr. Thomas Perumalil , who has indeed given all the care,  attention and fraternal understanding that the situation demanded in the moments of transition.

I join the entire Congregation in heartily congratulating  the new Province members and assure them of our prayerful,  fraternal support.  Our Founder, Fr. Mermier rejoices and in his name and  with sentiments of his  paternal affection I bless all of them.

APPOINTMENTS OF PROVINCIALS

Provincial of North-East India

In its General Council Meeting held in Bangalore in December 2007, the  General Council    appointed  Fr. Francis Thadathil as the Provincial of North-East India Province with effect from 24^th January 2008 . Fr. Francis is 54 years old, 31 years  a religious,  and 27 years a priest. He has served as a missionary in many centres of our Congregation in the North-East India ,  making inroads into the study of culture and traditions of some of the tribes of the North-East.  He has served as a Rector of the scholasticate of major seminarians at Shillong and  Rector of the minor seminary at Thamarassery. He was  a Provincial Councillor. He was elected as a delegate to the 18^th  General Chapter 2007. At present he is an associate pastor in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.A and is  pursuing doctoral studies in theology. With a breadth of knowledge, understanding and experience and varied qualities that  he is blessed with, the Province can look forward to his guidance, animation, governance and direction and keep the members faithful to our MSFS way of life.

As Fr. Francis Thadathil   cannot be released from his present responsibilities immediately, with the consent of the General Council I have extended the term of Fr. Abraham Mullenkuzhy   till 29^th February 2008 or till an earlier  date when Fr. Francis assumes responsibility. While thanking Fr. Francis for accepting the responsibility, I assure him on behalf of the General Council, the members of the North-East Province and the entire Congregation of our support, guidance and encouragement.

I thank Fr. Abraham Mullenkuzhy very sincerely for his total commitment to the missionary and religious growth of the Province during the last 6 years. His vast experience as the Regional Superior of the same Province when it was a Region, as a General Councillor as a wise  and discreet administrator, compassionate and understanding confrere, Fr. Abraham along with his councillor team responded generously and with determination to the urgent call of the missions in the context of the North-East India and opened centres,  missions and institutions especially in the responsive terrain of Arunachal Pradesh.  The Province of the North-East along with their outgoing Provincial have immense reasons to join in thanking God for His presence and  guidance in their lives.

Provincial of  Chennai Province

In the same General Council Meeting held in Bangalore in December 2007, the General Council appointed Fr. Amalraj Lawrence as the first Provincial of the newly established Province of Chennai with effect from 24^th January 2008 . Fr. Amalraj Lawrence   is  43 years old, 23 years a religious,  and 15 years a priest.  Being the Regional Superior of Tamilnadu-Pondicherry Region Fr. Lawrence knows well the pastoral and social situation of the new Province with challenges of new and relevant ministries.  He has served as a pastor and as an educationist both in Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu. He was a Provincial Councillor of Visakhapatnam Province . At a time when the new Province needs to evolve its new missionary thrust, long term vision and plan, to live with greater joy the blessings of a province family, the Province has in Fr. Lawrence a leader who will use his varied talents of head and heart for the growth of the Congregation and its mission. I thank Fr. Lawrence for accepting the responsibility and assure him of our assistance and guidance in the discharge of his responsibilities in the service of the confreres.

WELCOME TO OUR ASSISTANT SUPERIOR GENERAL

Fr. Thomas Cherukat , our Assistant Superior General, will be relieved of his responsibility as the Rector of the scholasticate in Cameroon by the Provincial of South-West Province   and will arrive in Rome by the first week of March 2008. The MSFS community in Rome and I warmly welcome Fr. Thomas to the Generalate. In his office as Assistant General,  first time constituted in our Congregation, the Congregation looks forward to more effective governance of the Congregation and a sharing of responsibility in order to reach out to confreres and mission concerns in a more concerted manner. Fr. Thomas with his vast experience as a committed religious, excellent organiser and administrator,  a clear and insightful thinker  and  friendly confrere will bring new life to the Generalate and its functioning. I look forward to his presence amidst us and to delegate responsibilities to  him as asked for by the Constitutions, and inform you accordingly.

APPOINTMENTS AND DESIGNATIONS

Fr. Augustine Mangatt ,  the General  Bursar, will continue to be the Co-ordinator of the work of extension of the Mission work in Africa ,  till further notice. He will also continue to be the Superior Delegate of the Superior General for the Congregational project of Lumen Christi Institute, Arusha. In these capacities he will also be ex-officio member of MSAF.

Fr. Thomas Olickal , the Provincial of East Africa Province will be the Convenor and Chairman  of the Mission Superiors of Africa Forum (MSAF), with immediate effect.

Fr. Thomas Kochuparampil will continue to be the Director of the Institute and is designated as   an ex-offico member of MSAF

Fr. Noel Rebello , the General Secretary of Formation is designated as ex-officio member of the Governing body of Suvidya College , Bangalore

Fr. Jolly Chakkalakkal , the Rector of Suvidya College is designated as ex-officio member of the   Regional Formators Forum, India .

Fr. Thomas Fernandes is re-appointed as part-time Mission Procure of the Congregation for 5 years beginning from March 2008.

Editorial Team of Fransalian International: The General Council re-appointed the present Editorial Team of  Fransalian International for three years till  31^st December 2011 .

Fr. George Panthanmackel (Chief Editor), Fr. Jolly Chakkalakkal (Associate Editor), Fr. Henry Kodikuthiyil (associate Editor), Fr. Antony Mookenthottam (Sub-Editor), Fr. Benny Koottanal   (Managing Editor), Fr. Vinod Kanat (Art Editor), Fr. Louis Parappuram (Circulation Manager).

The following appointments will be done after due consultation with all concerned and their parameters of functioning assigned and notified to you:

MSFS Constitutions  Commentary Committee

Juridical Service Commission

Theological Service Commission.

GENERAL COUNCILLORS

As the New Constitutions and the General Directory is not explicitly clear on the matter of the voting rights of the General Councillors and General Bursar who are set apart for the works of the General Administration, the General Council wishes me to communicate to you this directive concerning the matter. The directive is an interim understanding in the light of the spirit of the Constitutions till the next General Chapter:

The Directive : Till the next 19^th  General Chapter,  this directive is issued by the Superior General  with the consent of the General Council,  that the General Councillor enjoys passive vote in the consultative elections of  the  Provincial of a Province  but he has no active vote.  In all the elections of the Provincial Congress/Chapter, he has neither active nor passive vote. The General Councillor does not take part in the Provincial Congress/Chapter of his Province unless invited by the Provincial.

GENERAL DIRECTORY UNDER PRINT

The General Council approved the proposal that the whole of the Revised General Directory would not be printed, so as to avoid a very unwieldy and bulky size of about 400 pages.

Ø      The General Directory Proper will contain two parts, containing all matters up to Epilogue of the Constitutions and some important documents.  This Book containing the two parts will be given to all the confreres of the Congregation.

Ø      There will be a Supplementary Book to the General Directory containing various formats of applications, Fransalian para-liturgical assistance on certain occasions, and useful historical  notes. This Book will be printed and kept for reference and use in each of the local communities.

While approving the General Directory, the 18^th General Chapter made a number of corrections to the draft and entrusted the work of fine-tuning it to the same committee that had prepared the first  working draft of the Directory.  The Committee consisting of Fr. Joe Pottemmel (Convenor), Fr. Antony Mookenthottam, Fr. George Puraidam and Fr. Armind Nazareth in close consultation with each other completed their task  with greatest sensitivity to the corrections and amendments made by the General Chapter and formally submitted to the Superior General  their work in November 2007. I deeply appreciate their team work, their joyful and dedicated  application to their task. On behalf of the entire Congregation, I  sincerely thank them.

The work of Printing the General Directory has been entrusted to Fr. Thomas Kalary and a team of confreres. The work of printing a book like General Directory demands attention to minute  details, presentation and proof-reading several times. The printed General Directory will be in your hands very soon. I take this opportunity to express in anticipation our collective gratitude to Fr. Thomas Kalary for his generous offer of services  and for the work  of organising the despatch of   the printed copies to you.

NEW MSFS GOVERNANCE

The General Council in its meeting of December 2007 studied very carefully the feedback it received from the General Chapter  and the  Provincials concerning the new way of governance in our Congregation based on the new Constitutions. I am happy to inform you that  we have approved the modalities of the new system the details of which you will get within a month.

The new MSFS governance will be presented to you in the form of a chart called: MSFS GOVERNANCE CHART.  It is a brief summary of the governance and interconnectivity between various forums of apostolate and commissions  at the service of the mission of the Lord and well-being of the members.

There is also  a detailed document that explains the Chart called: MSFS GOVERNANCE EXPLANATION.

There is a third document called  GUIDELINES FOR THE GENERAL  SECRETARIATS  AND GENERAL BURSAR. This document is a help to the General Secretaries to function and network with the Provincials and the Superior General. This document will be with the Provincials for their reference. In case you wish to have a copy you may request the Provincial to give you one.

Each of you  will get a copy of MSFS GOVERNANCE CHART and MSFS GOVERNANCE EXPLANATION. Please acquaint yourself with the new set-up to know why things happen the way they will happen in the future. The Provincials will organise the study of the MSFS GOVERNANCE EXPLANATION through the apostolic communities of their Provinces. They will also make the necessary organisation of the members and apostolates in the province corresponding to the Chart by the end of June 2008.

VISITATIONS  BY THE SUPERIOR GENERAL AND MEETINGS

Two Visitations in Six Years

Although only one visitation of a Province by the Superior General in six years  is mandatory,  the General Council decided that the practice of having two visitations in six years is advantageous for strengthening the religious and missionary animation in the Congregation. However one visitation will be undertaken by the Superior General,  while the other will be undertaken by the Assistant Superior General.

Joint Meeting of Provincial Curia and General Curia

At the end of each visitation there will be sessions of joint meeting of Provincial Curia and General Curia to assess together the situation in each Province,  based on the ground realities,  initiatives taken, challenges to be faced, and responses to be given, the good to be gathered,  recognized and made known,  and new and practical orientations to be identified. Such an exercise is once again a response to the call of the General Chapter to make our life and governance a community based concern and awareness.

Regional Provincials/Mission Superiors Forum and General Curia

The General Council also endorsed the proposal that the General Curia will sit in sessions with the Provincials/Mission Superiors of every region to ensure effective taking of collective decisions and their implementation.

For the time being the following Regional Provincials/Mission Superiors Forums will be operative:

Ø      Regional Provincials Forum , India : It will consist of the six provinces in India .

Ø      Regional Provincials/Mission Superiors Forum, Africa : It will consist of the Province of East Africa, Regional Superior of Southern Africa region, Mission Superior of Chad Cameroon, Mission Superior of Mozambique and others who are ex-officio members of  MSAF.

Ø      Regional Provincials/Missions Superior/Regional Superior  Forum, Western world: It will consist of the Provincial of Franco-Swiss Province, English Province, Brazil Province, Regional Superior of USA, Mission Superior/Superior delegate  Chile Mission.

There will be one meeting every year of the Regional Provincials Forum , India and the General Curia.

There will be two meetings in six years of the Regional Forum of Provincials/Mission Superiors, Africa and the General Curia.

There will be one meeting in six years of the Regional Forum of Provincials, Western world with the General Curia.

FINALLY

I  am delighted to write this letter to you and  I hope you too enjoyed reading it and sharing our  common concerns and hopes for the Congregation. Our Congregation is our family, our home.  To be rooted in this home,  and to continue to make it a home will demand a lot  of sacrifices and constant gathering of every member closer to the heart of Jesus.  In anticipation I appreciate and value all that you will do in the new year to let your light shine as MSFS ,  be rooted in the family  and reach out to people in simplicity,  joy of service  and compassion that builds people, their humanity and their dignity. Daily let us be lit by God’s Word and let there be His Light.

With fraternal regards,

Yours devotedly,

Fr. Agnelo Fernandes , MSFS

Superior General

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