Marian Games or Marian war?

The traditional Marian month was inaugurated on July 16 with a small prayer immediately after Holy Mass in the morning.  The eagerly awaited Marian tournament was kick-started in the evening immediately after tea by Fr Neelam Ratna sdb in the presence of the whole community.  With a simple pledge, lighting of the torch and a couple of hymns to Our Lady, the month long intense games were inaugurated.  The special and action-packed month ends on the feast of the Assumption of Mother Mary, August 15.

The evening was a special square ball game conducted by the Youth Alive group.

Recollection preached by a new priest

The second monthly recollection of the academic year was animated by Fr Neelam Ratna sdb, a confrere who recently joined the apostolate at Don Bosco Nava Jeevan, Vizag.  The recollection was on July 16, 2013 and the theme chosen by Fr Ratna was the sacrament of Reconciliation.

The following day, Fr Ratna, being a newly ordained priest (date of ordination: June 25, 2013) presided over the community Holy Eucharistic celebration. He expressed his joy at being present here in the community, especially amidst his former formators and exhorted the Brothers to make the most of this formative period.

Deacon Andreas and family

On July 11, 2013 the family of Rev. Andreas, a permanent deacon from Austria, paid the community a visit. He was accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth, his daughter, Magdelene (a former volunteer at Nava Jeevan, Vizag) and her friend Sabina.  They were accompanied by the former administrator of the house, Fr E. J. Mathew.

The Brothers had some time to interact with Deacon Andreas on Friday night and get to know this 'new' vocation, in person!

Learning

Manifold are the ways to taste the reality,
To discover new things and imbibe its vitality;
Myriad are the ways to equip self with fact,
Learning is the best among all to gather facts.

Learning is the art of understanding and reaching enlightenment,
This art is not limited to any school or college;
Learning is making the outer world, part of inner self,
And making us smart at wondering and being humble before the greatness.

Learning is a friend which rescues us from the fetters of pride,
Helps us speak out and not restrict us to being dumb;
Learning keeps us witty and wise,
Keeping us from rusting, retaining our price.

Learning is key to loyalty, gentleness and faith,
To a better world it is the only gate;
Learning makes us unlike brutes or robots,
Rather turns beasts to men and men to sages.

Our seminary stands as a temple of the same learning,
Here opportunities are given for earning learning,
sheeps turn into shepherds of flocks,
and fishermen into fishers of men
Re-establishing Christ, removing blocks to growth.

Let us rise, dust the mats of our brains,
Leave route of failure, walk in vistas of excellence;
The more we toil now, the more will we gain,
Today's learning will never go in vain.

Br Allam Manoj (II course)

B'day celebrations of Fr Wilson

On July 6, 2013 Saturday, the community celebrated the b'day of Fr Wilson. Morning Mass and an hour of felicitation prior to lunch.  The neighbouring communities too participated in the get together, and the lunch thereafter.  The b'day Mass was celebrated in the morning itself and was animated by the Rainbow group.

Fr Wilson was thankful to God and the Community for all the blessings bestowed on him, now and every day.  He asked the Brothers to continue making the best of what comes our way.  Among the programmes put up by the Brothers, the skit of the second course, conceived and directed by P. Kiran was worth its time and effort.  Vincent, of the first course, read the b'day address, with some live still and the OCD Brothers too put up a rather good dance to begin the get-together.  The others too chipped in with their performances.

Here are some of the photos...