Collaboration with Alexian Brothers

South West Province has entered into a ministry collaboration with the Congregation of Alexian Brothers. Alexian Brothers is a religious Congregation of Brothers rendering yeomen service in the area of Health Care facilities.  They have a network of hospitals and other healing ministry centres.  As their need for priests who would serve in their hospitals and ministries for the elderly is increasing day by day we have agreed to collaborate with them in becoming part of Christ’s healing mission.  Our collaboration is with the Immaculate Conception Province of Alexian Brothers in the United States of America.  To start with, Fr. Joseph Kuzhuppil has already taken up his assignment as Priest chaplain at the Alexian Village in Tennessee.  Two more confreres, Fr. Tom Pannalakunnel and Fr. Mathew Elayadathamadam are already designated for the same ministry.  We are also in the process of sending a few more confreres for this ministry collaboration.

Pastoral Ministry in the Dioceses

We have three of our fathers working in the Diocese of Birmingham.  Fr. Jose Maliekal is the Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Pellcity.  The parish church and especially the presbytery are located on the bank of a lake. It is one of the most coveted centres in the diocese of Birmingham.  In fact assigning this parish to Fr. Jose is a sign of the appreciation of his ministry and life in the diocese.  Fr. Jose Maliekal endears himself to the community in the true spirit of a religious and pastor.  Fr. Thomas Anchanickal is Associate Pastor in St. Peter the Apostle parish and Fr. George Vattappara has joined him recently to take up parish ministry in the diocese.

In the Archdiocese of Atlanta we have two fathers rendering their service, Fr. Joseph Mullakkara as Associate Pastor in the Cathedral of Christ the King and Fr. Cyriac Ummikuzhiyil as Associate Pastor in St. Mark’s Church in Clarksville.  Similarly in the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston we have Fr. Mathew Thottiyil as the Associate Pastor in St. Teresa’s Church, Sugarland.   In appreciation of the service and dedication of Fr. Mathew the Archbishop has requested the services of more priests from the Province and another confrere, Fr. Francis Kizhakkethazhe is already designated for the same.

Ministry to Syro Malabar and Knanaya Community in Atlanta

There are about 250 families belonging to Syro Malabar and Knanaya Community in Atlanta. This community has been formed into the present form and dimension by the untiring efforts of Fr. Joseph Mullakkara for the past many years.  Mar Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of the St. Thomas Syro Malabar Diocese of Chicago has entrusted to us the pastoral care of this community.  Pastoral care for the migrant Syro-Malabar Catholics can be an authentic expression of the spirit of pioneering mission of the Congregation as they are in dire need of faith formation, faith-integration and renewal. Fr. Joseph Kuzhuppil served this community for a while and now Fr. Kurian Karickal has taken over the responsibility from him and is fully involved in the service of this ministry. It is a hard work, needing patient waiting, careful planning, animation and coordination of individuals, families, and groupings.

Wellspring

Wellspring is the centre for Spiritual Direction, Contemplation and God-experience. It is founded by Fr. Augustine Tharappel MSFS on the solid rocks of Sacred Scripture and Salesian Spirituality. Fr. Augustine moved into a small one-room house some years back and then gradually extended the basic facilities as he evolved this new ministry by the Leading of the Sprit of God.  His vision is to help people grow in contemplation based on Salesian spirituality in the midst of a busy life.  As a Fransalian, he has truly explored into the treasures of Salesian spirituality, he has been able to make a response to the demands and struggles of contemporary life helping people of different walks of life experience integration and wholeness that is human and divine. He is doing it in an innovative way through a synthesis of the Biblico—Salesian approach and vision of man, world and God. It is really inspiring, transforming. To get a glimpse of his life and activities kindly log on to his website: www.wellspring-tyler.org

Besides these confreres working in USA the province has also made available the services of Fr. George Puraidam for the Generalate.  The simplicity of life amidst affluence and the total commitment to the work of all the confreres are exemplary and inspiring.  The people, the parish priests as well as the bishops, where the confreres of south west province are rendering service, are very much impressed by the hard work, availability, religious spirit and commitment of the confreres of the province.  Our confreres in USA do really hold high and live the missionary charism and religious spirit of the congregation to the appreciation of people and priests alike. They tell us that even in the midst of material affluence one can be simple in one’s life style and totally available for people.