Independence day

The community commemorated the Independence day of our motherland India in a grand and meaningful style on August 15, 2013.  Soon after the special Mass, there was the flag hoisting ceremony well prepared and conducted by the Mother Teresa group members.  Besides the flag hoisting by Fr Wilson Jose, the Principal, the group put up a song and a dance in honour of our country.  Br P. Kiran delivered the message for the day and Br Jerome recited a self-composed poem.  Br K. Balaraj was the MC for the programme.

Conclusion of the Marian Month 2013

Here's the concluding ceremony, Rosary Service of the Marian month, animated by the Mariadalam members...

General Knowledge Quiz Competition

On August 14, 2013 the college participated in the annual quiz competition.  The students were divided into five groups as per the four growth groups and the OCD Brs forming the fifth group.  The quiz was prepared and conducted by Fr Wilson Jose, the Principal with assistance from the Rainbow group members.

The quiz that lasted nearly 2 hrs covered the most important aspects of politics, religions, history, Bible, and of course, current affairs. It was made alive by audio and video clippings and presentations.  Suvartha Sunadam beat the other teams to win the prize and Mother Teresa group secured the second place.

Marian Nite

On August 9, 2013 we celebrated the Marian Nite, the traditional night of fun and learning dedicated specially to Mother Mary, as part of the ongoing Marian month.  It was fun with the four growth groups competing with one another for the top spot in the various activities that were conducted in honour of Mother Mary.  There were jumbles, songs, actions hymns, skits, spot the Lady, decoding messages, dances, salutes, races and antakshrees!

We started at 9 pm and took complete 2 hrs to wrap it all up.  All in all it was good and enjoyable. The Mother Teresa group came out first, closely followed by Youth Alive. Fr Maliekal, the Rector was present with the Brothers all the while, encouraging them with his presence and sharp observations. 

Marian talks

Here's the photo of those Brothers who volunteered to deliver a Marian talk during this Marian month... and indeed did a very good job.  They not only scripted the talk but even delivered it with elan and devotion.  The talks were a good mix of study, reflection, personal life and of course, devotion. Congratulations to these young men...
John Rakesh, Jerome, Ch. Jagan, K. Balaraju, Y. Alphonse, Y. Sudhir, K. Sunil and K.M. Joseph (missing in the pic: V. Solomon)

Course activity

Students, the first years, engrossed in a group discussion as part of their Philosophy class.  The first years are 27 in all, of whom 2 are OCDs coming for classes daily from their monastery at Pendurthi. The rest 25 are resident in the Seminary itself and hail from the different dioceses of Andhra Pradesh itself.

Feast of St Vianney

On August 3, 2013, the community celebrated the feast of John Mary Vianney, the patron of priests, especially diocesan Priests.  The Holy Mass was animated and officiated by Fr Dara Balaswamy, the spiritual director.

It was more of a three day celebration with the community going out for a cycle picnic cum mountain climbing on the previous day and the solemn self-cooked meal (prepared by the Brothers themselves, while the cooks took a day off) the following day.

 The Offertory procession...

 Fr Maliekal, the Rector, venerating the decorated statue of St Vianney.

This relaxed celebration was made possible by the postponement of the new Priests day, which is normally coupled with the Vianney feast day celebrations. 

Picnic-Mountain climbing!

On August 2, 2013 the community took a day off for a cycle picnic to a nearby hill.  Not only did everyone cycle till the hill at Chintalapalem (nearly 9 kms one way) but also climbed to the top of it!  The best part of the picnic was the climb and the descent too! There was absolutely no trodden path leading up or down the hill, each one was to make his own way through the bushes and brambles!  Everyone spent the next two days 'excavating' embedded thorns and twigs in our legs and hands!

Once down the hill, we took time to cycle up to the nearby icecream factory, named Sheetal icecream.  Mr Raju, the owner treated us all to a special icecream, free of cost. His only fee: sincerely pray for peace!

On your belly!

Fr Maliekal, leading by example, teaching the Brothers some exercises to reduce their pot-bellies!  Even at 53, he cycles to the substations for Masses and ministry. Fun to see him do the exercises with ease while young fellows, less than half his age struggle!