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.

Marian Tourney commences

The community of SJRS, Kondadaba gathered in the lawn this evening immediately after tea for a short inaugural programme of the Marian Month Games. Fr Dusi Devaraj, the director of Jyothirmai society (APBC, Hyderabad) was the chief guest of the occasion. He expressed his great pleasure and surprise at this novel way of celebrating Marian devotion - through a month-long celebration in various aspects. He reminded the community of one of the basic motive of such celebrations: unity.

Fr Rector in his introductory words, recommended that the participants of the various sporting events, all along the month, make good use of this opportunity to know Mother Mary a little more, to love her a little more and grow a little more in our personal devotion to her.

Fr Wilson was requested to be the torch-bearer on the occasion. The inaugural ceremony was planned, prepared and organised by the Youth Alive team. The sports include a range of outdoor games (football, basketball and volleyball) with a set of indoor games later in the month. The intra-community competition is brought to life by the eight growth groups which vie with each other for the highest score by the feast of the Assumption (Aug. 15).

The intensity of the games was evident on the first day itself, as one Brother had to be rushed to the town clinic for a displaced toe.

Volleyball match with Cheedivalasa

The Cheedivalasa volleyball team, comprising of youngsters who just completed their intermediate or degree studies gladly made a visit to the Seminary and played a match with our Brothers. The Brothers in-charge of Cheedivalasa, Peter, Anthaiah and M. Naresh did a commendable job in getting to know the youngsters and furthermore getting them over here to play a game, within three weeks of their weekend ministry. They were nearly 10 of them and they played a couple of sets. During the official game, they beat the Brothers in the first two sets straight. Fr Wilson, the Principal of the Seminary, inaugurated the game after the youngsters won the toss and choose the side first. The youngsters left the campus happy and joyful, after a drink and a bite. From the Seminary side the following Brothers played: B. Lourdhu, D. Rakesh, Y. Anil, Maria Joseph, P. James, K. Ravikanth and M. Peter. The game was refereed by G. Devaraj and K. Lourdhu.

Trust this is only the beginning of a greater and closer rapport with the youngsters of the various villages that Brothers visit on weekends.

Sports Day (Oct. 1, 2010)

This day, on the feast day of St Theresa of Child Jesus, we had the Sports day for the year 2010-2011. It was truly fun filled with plenty of action out in the playground and indoors too. The morning session was occupied with track and field events while the afternoon saw the Brothers fight it out in the indoor games round. The whole day was well planned and prepared for by the Youth Alive group, under the leadership of Br B. Sateesh. The planning at the community level began a couple of weeks ago with each growth group giving their contestant names and the names being shortlisted according to the requisites of time available and the number of games.

For the track and field events, there were the normal 100 mts, 200 mts, 400 mts (relay), long jump, high jump, triple jump, discus throw, shot put and to add spice we also added slow cycling race too. Each group had given their list of competitors for each of these events and from the Youth Alive team there were appointed organisers for each event. Given all this organisational responsibility, it was good to also see that the Youth Alive team members participated in the various events, like every other group.

After lunch the indoor games (badminton, carroms, chess and table-tennis) commenced. To wrap up the events within the stipulated time (before tea) each of these games were restricted to a certain time limit with points for each step or victory. Thus the competitors were forced to go for the win, from the beginning itself, rather than stake everything towards the end. This also brought in good life for the games. Those not involved in the games made it a point to be around to offer a piece of advice to those playing or simply to cheer their group mates!

Fr Rinoy, the administrator, inaugurated the event with a short message and by lighting the torch. A round of cricket matches were held the previous day itself... and for a change, the teams were freshly divided, instead of the usual Growth Group teams or Course teams.

Inauguration of the Marian tournaments

On the evening of July 16, 2010 we had the inauguration of the Marian tournaments. The inaugural session was organised by the Youth Alive members under the leadership of Br B. Sateesh and K. Lourdu. Here are some snaps of the same event which was held at 3.45 pm in front of the dining hall, in the lawn. Fr Sagili Devadas, the Spiritual Director was the chief guest on the occasion. Here he is seen delivering the message for the day: Keep up the zeal, never let the initial enthusiasm slacken along the way!
Ginger, the house dog, too was actively present during the whole inauguration programme. Here it is seen busy chasing its ball on the stage.
That's Fr Wilson, the Principal, handing over the lit torch to the first runner.

That's the oath-taking ceremony (in the background one can see the lovely Chapel we have for the Community)