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...

B'day celelbrations

It was a very auspicious day as we celebrated the birthdays of Fr Maliekal, Br Castilino and Fr Balaswamy. The day began with a Eucharist celebrated by Fr Maliekal. Fr T.V Jose gave an inspiring sermon enumerating the qualities of three heroes of the day. In the evening we had a cultural get-together organized in honour of them for which guests from the neighbouring communities were invited. Br Castilino, the man of the day gave the message, “God is with us always and let us ask the grace from the Lord that we may be always with Him” After that there was a solemn supper for everybody. The Salesian staff had a gathering to express love and concern towards the confreres.

B'day of Fr Wilson

The community celebrated the birthday of Fr. Wilson with lots of joy and happiness. There was solemn and special Eucharist in his honour to celebrate the reason of Fr. Wilson. It was well animated by the Rainbow group.

 It was followed by the get-together with religious and Priests of the neighbouring communities. The day concluded with solemn meal. Fr Wilson, the man of the day thanked the whole community for their love and promised to give his best for the good of the community.  
  

B'day of Br Castilino

We should not just pat our backs doing some acts of charity, rather we are called to empower people so that they can in turn bring about a change in the society. This was the core of the b'day message of the day as the community of St John's Kondadaba celebrated the birthday of Br Vincent Castilino, the Dean and Administrator, on March 4 and 5, 2012. Known for his strict discipline and uncompromising attitude when it comes to principles and values, the celebration marked his second year of Br Castilino, in the Seminary as a formator.

The celebrations started on the evening of March 4 (Sunday) with the get to

gether organised by the Speed n' speed and Mother Teresa growth groups under the direction of Br Sateesh, the Regent. Each of the three courses performed an item (a melodious song by the first years, a meaningful song composed for the occasion by the second course and a dance by the third year students). The two groups organising the evening too put up a lively dance. Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector felicitating the b'day baby, appreciated him for his simplicity and value-based life. Earlier, Fr Wilson welcomed all the participants, especially the religious and Priests of the neighbourhood for the evening celebrations.

The cultural programme was wrapped up by the

b'day baby through a message for all. He highlighted the great role played by his parents in his life, growth and formation of values. He also expressed his pride in being a Salesian of Don Bosco when he stated that if God were to give him another chance here on earth,

he would certainly choose, without hesitation to be a Castilino and a Salesian of Don Bosco. He thanked all the community members, the staff in particular, for their great support and cooperation. Keeping to the spirit of Lent, a simple meal was shared with all after the programme.

The following morning the community gathered in the Chapel for the b'day Mass presided over by Fr Rector.

Report by Br K. Tony (Adilabad Diocese)

Photos by Brs D. Rakesh and T. Kamalesh

B'day of Fr Wilson

The b'day of Fr Wilson Jose, our Vice-Rector and Principal, was celebrated in all solemnity on July 6, 2011. The Brothers in all their creativity and love for Fr Wilson animated the various parts of the day to make him feel happily, especially this day: the morning prayers were animated by Br Syam, and the Mass and cultural programme were organised and coordinated by the Rainbow and Pratyasa groups (Fr Wilson is the animator for both these groups).

"God has called me as one of His disciples to preach the Good News," were the joyful words of the b'day boy as he presided over the Eucharisitc celebration. The special square ball game organised by the Youth Alive group was a big attraction of the day. Though difficult to say which team won, the b'day boy's or the opposing one, the game itself was great.

Br Hruday, reading the introduction to the Holy Mass in the morning.

The offertory procession during which Fr Wilson and his dear ones were specially prayed for.

Br Wilson, from the third course and belonging to the Rainbow group, reading the address to the b'day boy on behalf of the Community.

The first course Brothers were at their best in their expression of love and appreciation for Fr Wilson through their dance.

The second course Brothers came out in full strength to sing this b'day song for their Professor and Principal.

The third years tickled the laughing senses of the community through their comedy skit.

In the evening the community get-together was extended with the presence of the neighbouring religious and Salesian confreres. In his b'day message, Fr Wilson exhorted the Brothers to consistently strive for their best. That's the secret of a happy and committed life, he added. Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector, appreciated the zeal and sincere hard-working nature of Fr Wilson, be that in his assigned responsibilities as Principal, or Infirmarian, or the Librarian. Besides these virtues, his dedication to the mission stations in the neighbouring Catholic villages too was greatly appreciated. The programme was compered by Br Chaitanya.

(Text: Br K. Tony; Photos: Br T. Kamalesh)

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.

B'days of Frs KT, Devadas and Rinoy

The postponed b'day of Fr Rinoy and the anticipated b'day celebrations of Frs Devadas (Oct. 29) and KT Jose (Nov. 2) were held on October 19, 2010. Though each of them refused to solemnize the day, the community made a humble effort at expressing its love and appreciation for their life and sincere dedication towards the formative process of the community, especially the seminarians. The day commenced with a solemn Mass presided over by Fr Devadas. In his homily he stated that each and everyone of us ought to be accountable to God for the gift of life and the abundance of graces He showers on us, through this initial gift of life. The Mass was animated by Chaitanya Deepika and Vidya Jyoti.

The felicitation and cultural programmes to honour and appreciate their efforts was held in the afternoon prior to lunch in the hall. Each of the courses put up a programme to convey their love for the staff celebrating their b'days. The first years put up a comedy skit directed by Lourdu Marreddy; while the second years danced their way in to the hearts of the community (tutored by Mariaraj) and the third years sang a b'day song in honour of the three b'day babies. The song was composed by Karunakar. The programme was organised by the Mother Teresa and Suvartha Sunadam group. Fr Rinoy, concluded the celebrations and on behalf of the three, thanked the community for their expression of love and joy. Being a working day, the classes and the rest of the schedule was as usual. The only exception was the absence of BA classes as the college was closed for the Dusshera holidays (till Oct 20).

The celebrations were anticipated since Fr Devadas was moving out for his retreat and would be absent on Oct. 29, his original birth date. Fr Rector, KT Jose's b'day falls on Nov. 2, during which the Brothers would be in the midst of the annual spiritual retreat.

B'day of Fr Rinoy (Oct. 14, 2010)

On October 14, 2010 the community celebrated the b'day of Fr Rinoy Joseph, the administrator. Though there were no grand external celebrations, the morning liturgical celebrations were solemenised under the able direction of Fr KT Jose, the Rector. Respecting the sentiments and the ernest request of the b'day baby, no community get together was organised, besides the cutting of the cake in the morning before b'fast. However, it was agreed that there would be a combined celebration of two more staff members later during the week.

All the same, we wish Fr Rinoy a very happy b'day and THANK him sincerely for the sincere and committed effort that he puts in day in and day out, to make this community a better community. Though his efforts at improving the ecological balance of the community, by beautifying the campus, cannot be overlooked, there are several other features that need to be acknowledged of one so involved in making this seminary a home. Some among those would be his attitude towards work, study and discipline of life - something tough to follow but he leads by example!