Inauguration of another 'warfare'

"Today you commence another innings in your warfare against sin and ignorance here at St John's Kondadaba," were the words of Fr Karnam Joji Babu, the Vicar General of the archdiocese of Visakhapatnam, who officiated the Holy Mass and the programme at the Inauguration of the academic year 2011-2012 on June 15, 2011. Emphasing the need to own up formation and acquire the necessary tools to help in the warfare, Fr Joji Babu exhorted the students to grow in their Priestly vocation. Quoting often St Cyprian, he challenged the students to eliminate sin rather than get enslaved to it. To this end he recommended fasting, obedience and prayer as the most efficacious means.

Later speaking during the short inaugural session, Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector of the Seminary, welcomed the gathering and highlighted some of the special aspects of this year: the silent but generous presence of Br Behera Sateesh (of the diocese of Srikakulam) as the Regent of the Seminary, the new collaboration with the OCDs through the Seminary being the study house of their students for Philosophy and BA. Fr KT Jose specially welcomed the 9 students and the two Priests who would be part of the academic life of the Seminary while staying at Pendurthi and the other 23 first year students.

Fr Wilson Jose, the Principal presented the annual report and recalled to mind the significant events of the previous academic year using text and photos. Six students were awarded prizes for proficiency in their Philosophical studies last year. From the first year batch it was K. Thomas, K. Tony and T. Vijay while from the second years it was A. Syam, P. Chaitanya and M. Dileep who stood first, second and third respectively in their own classes. Besides this there was also the lighting of the lamp and a song lead by Br M. Naresh and his group. The vote of thanks was proposed by Br Kamalesh.

The total number of students this year is 84 (73 diocesans and 2 MSFS resident at SJRS, Kondadaba and 9 OCDs who would be day scholars for Philosophy and BA from Pedurthi). As of now, there are four on the staff: Fr KT Jose (Rector), Fr Wilson Jose (Vice-Rector and Principal), Br Vincent Castilino (Dean and Administrator) and Br Behera Sateesh (Regent).

Report filed by Br K. Tony (II Course)

Maiden Recollection of 2011-2012

The Community gathered in prayer on the first day of the new academic year 2011-2012 through a day of monthly recollection on June 13, 2011. To animate the community, Mr Claudius Rosario and his wife Mrs Maria, parishners of Buchirajpalem Parish were present with us for the day. Besides the community proper, the 9 OCDs who for part of the college this year onwards too were present in their habit. It was a sight to see the 9 habits, 2 cassock amidst the Diocesan Brothers.

Beginning with a long session of praise and worship, the two animators helped the community seek the Lord's presence and savour it prior to launching out into the various hectic activities of the year. They also animated the adoration in the evening. Frs Peter Sebastian, Fr Anithottam, Fr Prasad and Fr Ratnakar were gracious and generous enough to spare their time for facilitating the sacrament of reconciliation.

Fr Peter Sebastian, the Parish Priest of Buchirajpalem, presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebration. The recollection concluded with the celebration of the Holy Mass at 6.30 pm.

Departure for Summer vacations

The Brothers left for their summer holidays/BA preparation leave on February 25, 2011. The conclusion of the academic year was held the previous day and on February 25th morning after the Eucharistic celebration, the first and second year students, along with those who had completed their B.A. exams left for their respective dioceses'.

The 23 third year students writing their B.A. final year exams stayed back. They commence their exams on March 8, 2011... a day before Ash Wednesday. The first and second year students would return to the Seminary on March 26, 2011 and both commence their exams a day after their arrival. By April 26th, all the Brothers would have left the Seminary for their Summer holidays or ministry and the year finally wrapped up.

Thanks to you all who have been part of this Seminary, in spirit and in kind, journeying with us in the formation and growth of the future Priests of Andhra Pradesh!

Conclusion of the academic year 2010-2011

On February 24, 2011 the community gathered together in the hall for the last monthly recollection of the academic year 2010-2011. The animator of the recollection was Fr Francis Stephen MSFS from Nidudabrolu. The theme of his talk was 'gratitude'. He stressed on the need to be grateful to God and several others, including oneself for all that we grow and gain throughout the year. Abbreviating the word, he highlighted gratitude as not only a great virtue but as the parent of all virtues.
The Farewell Mass for the 29 final year students was presided over by Fr K. T. Jose, the Rector. After lunch the Brothers had time to change their dormitories in order to organise their belongings during their absence till their return for their B.A. exams. The evening cultural programme in honour of the 29 final year students and Br Castilino (whose b'day celebrations were anticipated) began at 7 pm. The second year students organised and coordinated the programme with ample support from the first years.

The first year Brothers put up a comedy skit while the Speed 'n Speed growth group sang a b'day song for their animator, Br Castilino. The farewell address to the third years was prepared by the second year students. Each of the third year Brother was given a patron Saint according to their most liked characteristic... it was interesting to see them stand around in sashes like that of a beauty pageant... only this was a spiritual virtue pageant! The third year students in turn thanked each of the staff members, both past and present for their valuable contribution towards their formation at St John's, Kondadaba. As a small sign of their gratitude they presented to the community a statue of the Risen Lord. The statue was blessed by Fr Rector during the gathering itself.

In his goodnight, Br Castilino thanked the Community for the support and affection showered on him, especially during his illness in the beginning of the year. He also took the opportunity to thank the head of the Community, Fr K.T. Jose for his role of animation and guidance. He finally exhorted each one to give their best for each and every act and thought of theirs.

After the programme, the community had their final solemn supper for the year together in the refectory.

Community photo 2010-2011

Here are a couple of photos of the whole community (83 students and 4 formators)...

These are the Benjamins of the Community (the first course, 25 of them)...
These are the second course students, 29 of them...
Here are the 29 third course Brothers...

Semester Exams

Today the Brothers begin their second semester exams for the year 2010-2011. The one and half week long exam schedule will conclude with the Comprehensive Oral exam of the third year students on February 23, 2011. The other two courses conclude the previous day. The final day is left free for them to attend the defence of their seniors.

The following day we have the final monthly recollection of this academic year, followed by farewell for the third course Brothers, in the evening. The concluding Mass for the year will be celebrated on February 25, 2011 morning by Fr Rector.

As for now, the exam fever is on... so are the midnight lamps and fervent prayers!

Laxmi's wedding

This evening was the marriage of Laxmi, one of our kitchen staff, at Vizag. All the other staff members, except Appa Rao were present for the occasion. From the Teaching staff, Fr Rector, Fr Devadas and Br Castilino too were present for the occasion.

The wedding began sometime in the evening after 6 and went on upto 9.30. The muhurtham was at 7.30 for which all of the staff were present. That was followed by a simple meal at the same venue, a community hall near the bridegroom's place.

Laxmi joined the kitchen staff nearly 7 years ago as a helper and was chiefly responsible for the main table and the serving of the bowls in the refectory. Of course, she also lent a helping hand in the kitchen everyday.

God bless her and her new life!

Our Lady of Lourdes

The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was celebrated in the community on February 11, 2011. The main celebrant for the occasion was Fr Devadas. The Mariadalam (legion of Mary) members had prepared the animation for the day. They had also decorated the Chapel for the feast. Fr Devadas being the animator of this spontaneous group was requested to preside over the celebration in Telugu. Fr Devadas during the introduction requested special prayers for the clergy and faithful of the Kurnool and Kadapa dioceses which have special Shrines dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. He also offered special prayers for all those in the community having Our Lady of Lourdes as their patron.

In the evening the same Mariadalam members, under the leadership of Br Dileep organised the community Rosary in the chapel itself.

New Priest: Fr N. Sagar sdb

This morning Fr Narisetti Sagar sdb celebrated the Community Mass. This was his first Mass as a newly ordained Priest in a Formation house since his ordination exactly two months ago at Don Bosco Technical School, Guntur. Fr Sagar, though never a member of the St John's, Kondadaba community was a student of Fr Wilson and Br Castilino at Don Bosco Philosophate, Karunapuram, a fact he gratefully acknowledged during his post communion thanksgiving. He also thanked and appreciated Fr KT Jose and Fr Devadas for their hospitality and warm welcome to the community.

In his message for the Brothers he exhorted them to continue to persevere in their vocation even when things seem rough and unsure. Quoting his own example he stated that he always trusted and surrendered himself into the Lord's hands. This enabled him to be what he is today... a Salesian Priest. He recommended everyone to do the same and one day share the altar with him, just as he is today sharing the altar with his formators.

Farewell to Lakshmi (Feb. 8, 2011)

This afternoon we had a short felicitation gathering for Lakshmi, one of our cooks, as today was her last working day. She is getting married this weekend on February 12, 2011. The Brothers had collected some money which was handed to her by the course leaders and on behalf of them all, Naveen spoke a few words. Fr Devadas too appreciated her six year long service to the community and wished her well on our behalf. Asked to speak, we thought Lakshmi wouldn't, but she did stand up. After a couple of moments of silence, she blurted, "All are looking at me!!" Everyone burst out laughing. She then spoke just two sentences, and we were all in tears.

I do not have parents. All I know is Fr (pointing at Fr KT Jose, the Rector) as my father and Annapoornamma (another senior cook) as my mother. These two friends of mine (pointing at Kasi and Yedulamma) looked after me as their own younger sister. You all (referring to the Brothers) are my brothers. I am eternally indebted to you all!

She could not continue any more. Neither did we want to embarrass her further. We concluded with a prayer. For an orphan, uneducated and typically rural girl to stand up before a group of 90 young men and speak with such meaning and depth, there has to be a driving force. It was surely her sincere commitment to her job and her confidence that this was her family.

God bless her!

Feast of Kondadaba

The annual feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the patron of the Shrine/Parish of Kondadaba was celebrated in a grand manner on Feb. 5 and 6, 2011. Thousands of pilgrims and faithful (even non-Christians) visited, participated and prayed during the feast of Our Lady. The Seminary Brothers, as always, were present the full two days manning different responsibilities in ensuring that the pilgrims have a pleasant and devotional trip. The Brothers were directly incharge of the decoration of the Shrine, grotto and stage. They were also involved in greatly helping out the Parish Council members for the law and order (along with the police personnel), the regulation of the traffic, food arrangement and distribution, water supply and guiding the pilgrims along the hill and around. Brothers too spent quite a time in praying and blessing the people who made it a point to stop at each statue, grotto, and religious monument.

The seminary too was opened up for the pilgrims to rest and wash during the two days. Nearly 1,500 people slept for the night on February 5, 2011 (saturday). The women were accommodated in the hall while the men folk slept along the verandas. The following day groups of people came in and spent some time admiring the campus and having a family meal in the cool shade of the trees and the verandas.

Bp Paul Maipan of Khammam was the main celebrant of the Solemn Mass on the feast day. The Archbishop of Vishakapatnam could not make it due to health reasons. The English Mass of the day was presided over by Msgr Karnam Joji Babu, the Vicar of the Archdiocese of Vizag. The choir for both the high Masses of the day was by the Brothers from the Seminary, with the active collaboration of the Parish youngsters.

Presentation of the Lord

The feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple was solemnised in the liturgical celebration of the day, especially by the candle-lit procession from the A-block to the Chapel through the main outdoor. Fr Biju, Missionaries of Compassion, was the main celebrant for the occasion. He was here for taking classes for the third year students in Philosophy of Religion. Interestingly he belongs to the first batch of students to pass out of Kondadadaba in 1995.

The liturgy for the day was animated by Suvartha Sunadam under the guidance of Fr KT Jose, the Rector. Owing to the practical exam of the second and third year student for BA, the shopping for that day was postponed to the following day. For the rest, the Brothers had the regular schedule for the day.

Feast of Don Bosco

For the feast of Don Bosco, Fr Thottiyil Thomas presided over the Solemn Mass in the morning. He reminded the community that Don Bosco was first a Diocesan Priest and that he was instrumental in giving the Church during his time more Priests than for his own Salesian congregation. The animation for the Mass of the day was prepared by the two groups Suvartha Sunadam and Vidya Jyothi in collaboration with Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector.

After breakfast, the Brothers had a round of lightning tournament organised by the Youth Alive group. All three games, Football, basketball and volleyball were played by the eight growth groups. Lunch was solemnised with a few chosen and special invitees... just those closest to the community and very much part of the immediate neighbourhood. Fr Prasad, the Parish Priest of Mangalapalem, Fr Ratna Kumar from Vepada, the MSA Sisters, Deacon Savio and Br Peter from Kondadaba made their joyful presence felt during the lunch. Later in the night, the Brothers watched The Lord of Rings (part 1).

Republic Day (Jan. 26, 2011)

On the occasion of the 62nd Republic Day (January 26, 2011) of India, the Seminary had a special Mass in the morning presided over by Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector. Fr Francis Stephen preached on the occasion. After the Mass, the national flag was hoisted by Fr Francis Stephen. The programme was arranged for and organised by the Pratyasa group under the guidance of Fr Wilson. The simple flag hoisting ceremony took nearly 15 minutes not counting the little hiccups that came along the way.

Fr Francis Stephen in his homily spoke of the need to be conscious citizens of the nation as a part of being worthy citizens of the heavenly Kingdom. Being a day between the pre-final exams of the BA subjects, the morning time was spent in study and in the afternoon, the Brothers had a game of Cricket, with each course challenging the other. Of course, being Wednesday, the shopping was not left out!

Guests at Kondabada

On January 17, 2011 one of the past pupils of the Seminary, one belonging to the very first batch of students at St John's Regional Seminary, Kondadaba, Fr Maria Joseph a Priest of Nellore Diocese along with another Priest, Fr Showry (from the same diocese) paid a visit to Kondadaba. They were accompanied by two friends from Texas, USA... Ms Vernie and Johannah. Both the latter were introduced as friends of Fr Maria Joseph and active collaborators in their own Parish Church back in Texas. It was good to have them with us for the evening and for the Mass the next day.

Speaking during the goodnight on January 17 (Monday) both the ladies expressed their joy at being in the Seminary for the evening and at the sight of 'so many' seminarians... would-be Priests. Ms Vernie (standing to the left of Fr Showry, in the photo) exhorted the Seminarians to understand the value of Priesthood and go on to become good Priests... a rare but essential figure in the Catholic Church today. Ms Johannah told the Brothers to seek and do what is right always, as Seminarians, or as lay persons or as Priests.

Fr Showry during the homily the following morning enumerated the qualities of a Priest... basically as one who is another Christ to the world of today. He was his normal witty self as he spoke from his heart on this occasion.

Recollection: January 2011

Fr Thumma Mariadas MSFS preached the recollection for the month of January today evening (Jan. 5, 2011). After the talk in the hall at 5 pm, there was ample time for prayer and reflection. Frs Prasad and Anthony, Parish Priests of Mangalapalem and Pendurthi respectively were available for confessions as always. The Holy Mass for the day concluded the recollection. Fr Mariadas was the main celebrant. His sermon during the Mass was quite a piece of literature with rich insights for the new year and all the resolutions that follow every new year. He continually exhorted the students to plan the year ahead and make the most of the brand new year at hand.

Distribution of Clothes

Today the elderly people of the neighbourbhood were given some clothes - an annual feature around christmas time.

In the evening at 4.00 pm. there was a short post, Christmas Celebration led by the Suvartha Sunadam and Vidya Jyothi Groups. Fr. Thumma Mariadas the General Counsellor of the MSFS

[who is present for taking classes on the Bhagavad Gita] gave a message and distributed the clothes.

To streamline and make sure that only the deserving ones get the clothes [Pancha for men and a saree for women] Fr. K.T. Jose whas forced to invent a criteria for the later batches that kept coming for "their" share: only those without teeth!

Nearly 120 senior citizens had a new pair of clothes within an hour - thanks to the generosity of the benefactors through Fr. K.T. Jose.

Return after Christmas holidays

The Brothers returned after their Christmas vacations this day (Jan 3, 2011) ... of course, the entry was not very enthusiastic (as the exit for holidays, naturally) the sight of meeting their companions brought back life into their faces and they were their natural self soon. This year, perhaps for the first time, very many reached the Seminary in the morning itself... without loitering around the town, and waiting for the clock to strike four to jump into the compound. Welcome back to continue the academic year 2010-2011.

Annual Debate: TECHNOLOGY AND RELLIGION

Technology and Religion, both are needed and a greater complementarity is to be ensured for a better living. This was perhaps the winning argument (or proposal) of the Annual Debate held at St. John's Regional Seminary, Kondadaba on December 14, 2010. The College witnessed a lively volley of arguments to and from peppered by few torggers by Fr. Anthony Puthussery,

The Moderator, on the theme 'Technology and Religion are Complementary'.

The eight speakers of the day, representing a growth group each were well prepared with their talks and set in motion the arguments during the 50 minutes floor discussion. The Presence of Fr. Anthony as the Moderator proved to be a great help in directing the flow of the debate. He rightly clarified terms, rephrased questions, tickled deeper reflection, and offered valuable insights all along. Though the focus of the discussion stayed mostly on the technological front the validity of the arguments could not be denied.

The strongest argument of the team against the motion was that God was being replaced by modern adrared technology and that technology is a greater distraction than aid in evangelization. Those for the motion strongly argued that Technology and Religion have a common origin, goal and their difference in the method of reaching the goal, only endorses the complementarity.

Fr. Rinoy Joseph, in his concluding remarks pointed out that in and through the whole procedure there were more proposals them opponents. He complimented the students for taking an active part and encouraged them to continue reading, reflecting and challenging one another in line with the theme of the debate.

Prof. Ratnasekhar and Br. Vincent Castilino were the judges - The team which argned against the motion were eventually declared winners. Fr. Wilson Jose, the Principal was the main brain, hands and legs behind the whole programme, with a little help from the Rainbow Group.

Report by M.H. Wilson

Annual Spiritual Youth Retreat

The Mother Teresa Group Members Celebrated organized the Annual Youth Retreat on December 15, Sunday, 2010, with the help of their animator Fr. Rinoy Joseph. There were totally 75 youngster from the various places to which Brothers go for their week-end ministry.

This Retreat was animated by Fr. Yugul Kumar from Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam. He gave an inspiring and wonderful talk to the youth to renew their lives. he led the youth towards the Lord Jesus by animating the adoration in the evening and by the celebration of the Holy at noon Mass. The youth felt very happy for coming here and taking part in this retreat. Their joy and happiness was evident in their faces and in their words. They also complimented Fr. Yugul for his piety and great zeal for in his Ministry.

The One-day retreat started at 11.00 am. followed by the words of welcome given by Br. B. Balaraju, the leader of the groups At 11.30 am. Fr. Yugul Kumar started his talk and concluded it at 1.00 pm. After the talk the group moved for lunch and some free time.

Fr. Yugul conducted the adoration at 2.15 pm. and at 3.00 pm. we started the Mass. The Mass singing was looked after by Bros. Velangani and B. Sunil. Prayer of the faithful was led by B. Lourdu and Offertory was seen to by G. Mariadas. The concluding vote of thanks was given by K. Raphael. M. Rajendra and S. Sudhakar prepared the stage backdrop and water arrangements were overseen by P. Chaitanya and K. Rajendra.

Report by Br. B. Balaraju