Monday, November 6, 2017

“My Son lend your heart to me, let my ways be delightful to you.
Youth Retreat
Kondadaba: St John’s Regional Seminary conducted youth retreat on 05.11.2017 at 10:00 am to 5:00 pm for the young people. This event is been pre-planned by the Suvartha Sunadam Group leader Br. Tarun along with their group members. Fr Mallavarapu Rayanna (the Rector) is group in charge of the Group was the man who is behind the curtain to pre-plan and implement.  Father Rector called the resource person for the day. He is Fr Mohan Prasad, in charge of Divyavani Channel from the Pastoral Centre of Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam. Number of the participant are 103 from different villages and Parishes. They are namely, Chodavaram, L.Kota, Mangalapalem and S.Kota. The theme for this youth retreat was; “My Son lend your heart to me, let my ways be delightful to you”. At the start of the retreat Fr Jose. K introduced the retreat preacher to the youth and wished all the best for the day with the Lord.
This day is been dedicated for the youth to turn back to God from their daily life and moreover from the sinful life. This day called them to become holy from the retched life. St John’s Regional Seminary provided a day and time to grow one’s relationship with God. A time for conversion from deep within is been the motto behind this plan of this day. Fr Mohan with his spiritual talks drilled (infused) the Word of God along with parables into their heart and minds.
Father Mohan shed the light on the bad habits that youth are addicted in the present world. Secondly, he invited them to turn away from vulnerable addictions which are unwanted like smoking, tobacco, drugs, consumption of alcohol, mistrust, unfaithfulness, going away from the Church’s Teachings, etc… They shall be mindful of chasing their goals using their talents, if only they say no to all other bad habits that one come across in life.  Fr Mohan invited the youth to share their spiritual journey with God and many participants spontaneously shared their spiritual journey.   Some of the other issues that are been touched upon are respecting parents and disciplining themselves and developing personality are been the social issues.
 Secondly, the retreat preacher compared Jesus and Alexander the Great to bring out the message. He said that both of this persons worked hard and struggled life. One sought for the eternal and the other sought for the earthly things. One for the perishable and the other for imperishable. Now, the choice is our to choose eternity or perishable? Posed the question for the youth to think about it.
                Youth retreat was concluded after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. During the homily time,  he preached on the thought provoking thing theme is that; “ Love”. Preacher mainly emphasized on love yourself that you are precious jewel in the hand of God. Be concerned towards your neighbour as Mary showed through her life.  Lastly, the remarkable statement he made it was, to be the change that we wanted to see the world. We called it a day by 5:00pm with tea.





Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Education for the Frontiers

Education should be an instrument that leads one from darkness to light. St John’s Regional Seminary hosts seminar on the theme education for the frontiers. It is been planned well by Fr Jose D. Maliekal the principal of the college.  The whole aim of this seminar is to removes ignorance from the minds of the people to enhance the life stands of students. It also emphasized to heighten one’s conscious. The resource persons for this seminar were Fr Pallithanam Joseph and Dr. Krishnajee, a socialist from Vizianagaram.  They explained in detail between Aksharasyatha  and neraksharasyatha.  He in his smartness provoked the minds of the students. It is not because of the evil people who suffer, but good people keep silence. It is the beginning point for the suffering of the people especially uneducated illiterate etc.

There are five objects of education: Knowledge, vocational air, moral aim, cultural aim, and religious aim. But, today’s education is not providing these five objects but only first three. On the other hand education should help one to bloom in life from all the areas of life, which means an all round development is an ultimate goal of education. But in today’s world the education is being used for earning instead of using education for learning. The education has become business, therefore we need to bring back to it’s origin,it’s aim it’s goal to enrich life from all sides. So that the individual, society and country be in peace.



Sunday, September 10, 2017

FOOTBALL MATCH
BETWEEN SJRS BROTHERS AND KONDADABA YOUTH
Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, ]hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.
-Vince Lombardi

The football match between brothers and youth is being well planned and organized on the Sunday evening. It is an immersive joy to play football match with the youth. It is being initiated by Fr Jose K. the dean of studies. The brothers were well prepared for the match. Brothers and the youth had showed their skills on the ground with the ball. At last brothers won the game. 4-1 was the score.


After the match everybody appreciated each other for their contribution to the match. We initiated them next time to play much better than that day’s performance.  It is been like friendly match. Finally everybody went home with happiness on their faces. Brothers congratulation and thanked Fr Jose K. for providing them an opportunity to play the outsiders. They asked him to conduct some more matches in the coming year.

Thursday, August 31, 2017

St John’s Regional Seminary, Kondadaba, Kothavalasa
Annual Philosophical Symposium – 2017-18
Monday, 28 August, 2017, from 9.15 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

“Revisiting Secularism in a changing India"

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It was a great day at St. John’s Regional Seminary, because it was the day which is long awaited one, has come to fulfill the dream of our own to know something about secularism. So, the days speciality is annual symposium on the topic “Revisiting Secularism in a changing India”. The days Moderator was Prof. Saileela from St. Joseph’s College of Mangalapalem. The time table as followed was, programme started at 9:15 am with a Holy Spirit Hymn along with Scripture Reading and followed by Fr. Jose.D. Maliekal the principal of the college introducted the moderater of the day. He welcomed her to felicitate and read out the Bio-data.Fr. Rector felicitated her with shawl and Br. Vamsi the college leader with a bouquet.

Then six speakers of the day were invited to take their chairs. First Br Rajesh Pothuraju presented his topic on “Towards a Genealogy and Archaeology of Secularism”, that is the presenting the meaning and the evolution of the concept of secularism. It is clearly known to us the term secularism means, separation of state from Religion and its faith experiences. Along with many others insights were presented to the pupils presented there. Then it was left for the forum for clarifications and to raise the questions.  Secondly, Manohar Akhil Difference of Approach to Secularism in the West and in India”. This topic dealt about people thinking about secularism in all the aspects and the way and approach towards secularism in the West and the East.  Thirdly, Kurapati David Raju  presented on “Specificity of Secularism in the Pluralistic and Democratic Constitutional Framework of India”.  Forthly Bonela Vinaykumar “Shifting Discourse of Secularism in the Changing Socio-Cultural and Politico-Economic Scenario of India”. Fifthly, Kowju Bala Raju “New Awakening of Religion in the Public Sphere in the world and in India: Challenges for Secularism and Democracy”.  Sixthly, Komarapu Pratap presented on “The Way forward: In Search of Alternative Narratives and Praxis”.





            Over all the brothers were contented for conducted on the relevant topic. Through which they learnt that, “Sarvadharma Sambhavana, Dharma Neerbhekshitha and Bhanda Neerbhekshitha”, are important elements in implementing and practicing secularism. So that the meaning of Secularism need not to face the deficit or implementing the real meaning of secularism to enhance the standards of life of Indian People.  The concept of Secularism (religion) should be implemented in India along with state affairs as like the coin which has two sides. We called it a day by 1:00 pm to this annual symposium.


Saturday, August 19, 2017

New Priest’s Day
St John’s Regional Seminary

 Kondadaba: We had our new priest’s day dated on 18 August, 2017.It’s really our bounden duty to thank almighty God for making the day possible in a grand-scale. New Priest’s from all over the diocese of Andhra and Telangana who pursued their philosophy is invited and expected to offer thanks-givng mass and have a family gathering as the token of their love towards our alma mates St. John’s Regional Seminary, Kondadaba.


At 9:30 am accompanied soul-solicitation music and as the whole it was solimanized by all the 14 new priests. Their past ages work really enriching and thought-provoking. Some of the thinking points like “ all the expansion in life, all the contration in death; emphases on studies and utilizing opportunities, trying to be more of ourselves, to aspire to be inspired by other before we expire are really heart-touching. Fr. Santhose Alamanda proposed vote of thanks highlighting the formation of Salesian of Don Bosco connecting ot the these “You are called to the Mission of Mercy and Compassion”. At; 4:00 pm, we had a friendly volley ball match between new priests and seminarians. Its really hilarious and added gaiety to the day. They departed at 6:00 pm, to their respective place. We called it a day with gratitude in our hearts to the Almighty.





Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Independence Day
St John’s Regional Seminary
 Kondadaba, Kothavalasa

“Into Heaven…. Into Freedom…”

August 15, one of the most important day for all Indians. We remember the way we achieved our freedom from the clutches of the oppressors British who ruled India. It was a moment of pride and glory to remember the great leaders who fought selflessly for the freedom of our country, sacrificed their lives to free our motherland.


By remembering their struggles, this day, we celebrated 71 Independence Day in our community. It was an awesome celebration organized by mother Teresa Group. First and foremost, there was a speech on this glorious occasion delivered by Br Pranay Thathireddy. He emphasized on the richness of our country in literature, history, culture, creed, code and the uppermost and unique quality of India is to live “Unity in Diversity”. After which patriotic song gave life to celebration. Fr M.Rayanna the Rector of the community hoisted the flag and gave his inspiring speech. It was thought provoking speech, demands all of us to ‘dream big’, to see the colours of Independence Day spreading happiness and great joy all around. 
General Knowledge-2017-18
St John’s Regional Seminary

 ‘Knowledge is power’-Francis Becon
Kondadaba-2017-18: The Annual General Knowledge Quiz is being conducted on 14 August, 2017 at 6:00pm-8:00 pm at the Auditorium. It is been conducted by Br Ravi Kotte (the assistant), P. Israel and P. Balaswamy. It was a wonderful event, to bring out the hidden knowledge.  It was for the first time in the seminary history to have quiz with power point projected on the screen. In this quiz competition, there are 20 rounds altogether. From the same rounds there were passing rounds at the same time non-passing rounds with bonus points. There are four groups which actively participated in this quiz completion, they are Rainbow, Mother Teresa group, Youth Alive and Suvertha Sunadham.

                  The programme started with the Hymn to the Holy Spirit, after which the new administrator of our house Fr P. Anthaiah gave his inaugural speech. After that, we had wonderful and mesmerizing rounds named Bible, Magazines, Home Rounds, News Papers, General Rounds and Corrent Affairs etc.  At the end we had rapid round which changed the fate of all group’s position in their marks.

                At the end of this event, the concluding words were given by Fr Jose D.Maliekal ( The Principal). He enlighted us the importance of General Knowledge. He proposed the new thought that to have creative ways of General Knowledge quiz for the next time. At last he appreciated conductors and each of them present there. They have called it a day at 8:30 pm. 





Marian Olympics-2017-18

St John’s Regional Seminary

Sports do not build character. 

They reveal it.

-Heywood Broun

Kondadaba-2017-18: We the brothers of St. John’s Regional Seminary had our Grand Marian Olympics-2017-18 on 11, August. It is really a memorable event that each of us could unleash our potentialities and harness our talents. It is really enriching experience because; through this event we had learnt little more about Mother Mary. It also helped us to know the role of Mary in our formation to become future priests. So much so that each of us distinguished ourselves from routine rhythm of participating in all the programmes. It is the time where everyone elicits their hidden potentialities and enhances their team spirit. It was well organized and conducted by the coordinating team Br. Ravi SDB, (Regent). Fr Jose K. B. Vinay and K. Prathap as referees for Square Ball, Foot Ball and Volley ball games conducting at 8:45 pm.






In this Marian Olympics four groups participated. They are: Mother Teresa, Rainbow, Suvartha Sunadham and Youth Alive. We individually and collectively participated in this Marian Olympics. Each and everyone contributed their hard work for this memorable event. The atmosphere was filled with a healthy competitive spirit and it was very colourful in the night. Each group put forth a lot of sportive spirit and creative skills to score highest goals and points in other games.

                All these acitivites brought out the feats of team work. There were also other activities which helped the brothers to bring their talents and to discover new paths to honour our Lady, thus making ourselves more close to her. For us it was an indelible event and a rejuvenating experience enabling us to actualize our potentials. At the end Mother Teresa Groups scored 115, in first place, there other groups 105- SS, 105-Y.A, stands in the second place. Thirdly, Rainbow with 95 points.



Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Aaduthu…Paaduthu…

(Ooo..Balaa! Neeve Bhavishath Jvala….)


 Kondadaba: On 6 August, 2017, “Aaduthu Paaduthu” Programme was successfully celebrated for the Children in St John’s Regional Seminary at Kondadaba.  Fr Jose K. ( Vice-Rector), Community members and near by communities attended the programme and shared their joy and happiness with the children.  It was the tradition of the seminary to dedicate a day to bring all the children together for cultural fest. Altogether  seven hundred eighty (780 from different ministries place) children attended in the programme.  Brothers prepared the children nearly two weeks.

The programme was begun around 8.30 a.m. and concluded at 4.30 p.m.  The campus resembled and given Valdocco experience where good number of boys and girls engaged with lots of activities, games and spiritual animations.  Children came up with beautiful programmes which drew attention and left a note “we too can challenge…” above all the children enjoy the programme “The backdraft was good with proportionate theme, “Ooo..Balaa! Neeve Bhavishath Jvala...”  Don Bosco” says, ´It is enough that you are young to love you’ keeping in mind Salesians played a big role guiding the children and encouraging them, and they shared their happiness and joy with the children.


Special thanks to Fr M. Rayanna and his staff who was behind the curtain to encourage and supported the brothers.  A Special thanks to all the judges, Mother Theresa Group members and Fr  Putti Anthaiah, animator for sacrificing their energy and time.  Special thanks to Fr K. Joseph, who prepared brothers for ministry places.  Thanks to Fr P. Anthaiah (Administrator) by providing sumptuous meals. Finally the programme ended by distributing the prizes for the award winners.  Above all the programme was well planned and meticulously executed and inspired many children.  This event left us happy with Jesus words…. “Let these Children come to me, for their’s is the kingdom of heaven…”

















Feast of St. John Maria Vianney
04.08.2017
Kondadaba: St John’s Regional Seminary celebrated Feast of St. John Maria Vianney on 4 Aug, 2017.  This day,



the Holy Eucharist is celebrated by Fr. Jakkaiah Balaswori ( Procurator of Archdiocese of Vishakapatam), as co-celebrants  Fr. Mariar Ratnam, Fr.  Bandanadam Joseph and Fr. Jeevan Babu (Pp),  along with community fathers Rector, Dean and Principal.

The Holy Eucharist began at 9:30 am in the morning in St John’s Chapel. During the homily main celebrant emphasized on the Holiness of the Priest and his commitment towards his flock. Preaching about Maria Vianney, he said that , even though not qualified well in his educational areas, he became the Patron saint for the priest. This shows his greatness a simple priest who grew in spirituality.
After the mass, we had small cultural programme put up by 65 brothers with lot of practices prior to the performance. All the confessors those who come from outside on monthly recollection and parish priest are being felicitated for their availability for the confession of brothers. After the programme, we called it a day with great and grand lunch.