Recollection preached by a new priest

The second monthly recollection of the academic year was animated by Fr Neelam Ratna sdb, a confrere who recently joined the apostolate at Don Bosco Nava Jeevan, Vizag.  The recollection was on July 16, 2013 and the theme chosen by Fr Ratna was the sacrament of Reconciliation.

The following day, Fr Ratna, being a newly ordained priest (date of ordination: June 25, 2013) presided over the community Holy Eucharistic celebration. He expressed his joy at being present here in the community, especially amidst his former formators and exhorted the Brothers to make the most of this formative period.

Recollection before Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lent. The community gathered yet once again before the lent for a spiritual renewal through monthly recollection on the day prior to Ash Wednesday. It was beautifully animated by Fr T.V. Thomas sdb. 

In his talk, he invited everybody to become mystics in the spirit, prophets of fraternity and servants of people of God. Fr P.C Thomas and Br Arullappa, from Navajeevan, Sabbavaram joined the community for the recollection. Before supper, we had an informal gathering to celebrate 25 years (Silver Jubilee) of priesthood of Fr T.V. Thomas.  A shawl and a book were given him as a gift. 

On Wednesday, the Holy Eucharist was beautifully animated by Fr Wilson. In his sermon, he summarized the message of the Holy Father for the Lent. The day was observed as a day of fasting and abstinence by all the members of the community.

Monthly Recollection

We had our first  monthly recollection of the calendar year 2013 this evening and it was preached by Fr Joseph Kondala, the assistant director of the Ross Hill, Vizag. In his typical, charismatic style he animated the community with a brief talk in the Seminary Chapel. Time for confessions, facilitated by our regular  and generous confessors and adoration followed. The recollection concluded with the benediction just before supper.  

Return from holidays

The Brothers returned to the Seminary after their Christmas holidays today by tea time. During the holidays Fr Rector (K.T.Jose) and Fr Wilson stayed put in the Seminary while the other staff members did take turns to visit their respective homes and spend some quality time with their dear ones, just as the students. For the students this was the first time that they were granted three full weeks of holidays (in comparison to the two weeks given earlier). This extension of holidays was to stretch the academic year since the Brothers would not be going home after their philosophy exams in preparation for their B.A. exams, as before.

On their arrival back at the Seminary, the first recollection of the year was preached by the newly ordained priest Fr Manoj on Jan. 9, 2012.

First Mass and Recollection

The second monthly recollection of the academic year which was scheduled today was also an occasion for the solemn thanksgiving first Mass of a newly ordained Salesian Priest, Fr Yandava Kalyan. The animator of the recollection was Fr Balaraj OCD from Pendurthy. Besides the reflections shared by Frs Balaraj and Kalyan (during the Mass), the one that touched most of the listeners was the few words spoken by the mother of Fr Kalyan after supper. She informed the community that Fr Kalyan, as a boy was very mischievous but now he, as a Priest he is very refined. She, in all her simplicity and ernestness, asked the Brothers to be mischievous but sincerely strive to be good Priests. It was also a very touching moment to remember the deceased father of Fr Kalyan, Mr Y. Prasad who was once the MRO of the Kothavalasa - a man much loved and admired by many.

Fr Balaraj, in his animation talk, spoke of the inevitability of suffering and trials in the life of a Christian. He attributed them all to God and stated that this is His way of making us stronger and grow deeper in His attachment. He listed six types of tests that every Christian has to undergo in order to deepen in one's faith: Test of wilderness, Patience, Motivation, Failure, Discouragement and Misunderstanding. Using relevant Biblical passages to prove his point and as references for further reading and reflection, Fr Balaraju kept the community attentive also through his informal sharing of amusing anecdotes and examples.

In his sermon, Fr Kalyan citing his own life as an example, stressed the need to place our trust in God, the spiritual director and the Rector. He exhorted the Brothers to become Priests 'worth their salt'. He assured that Priestly journey is not a bed of roses, but if we are faithful to God, He will lead and guide us. The Holy Mass, concelebrated by Fr KT and Fr Wilson, was animated by the Suvartha Sunadam and Vidya Jyothi groups.

Fr Kalyan, the only Salesian from the whole northeastern region of Andhra Pradesh (comprising of the districts of Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Vizag, E. Godavari), hails from Vijayanagaram district and is presently posted in the novitiate at Manoharabad. Fr Kalyan was ordained on May 28, 2011 in Italy where he did his two years of regency and later completed his theology.

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.

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.

Monthly Recollection (October 2010)

The monthly recollection for the month of October 2010, the first month of the Second semester was organised on October 12, 2010. Fr Mathew, the Parish Priest of Kailasapuram was the animator of the recollection. During hi stalk he shared with the community his personal experiences about the constant presence and support of the Eucharistic Lord, in spite and through his moments of doubt and difficulty. He also celebrated the Mass for the community in the evening. He was assisted for hearing the confessions by Frs Anithottam (Kondadaba), Prasad (Mangalapalem), and Jose Maliekal (Rector of Don Bosco Philosophate, Karunapuram and a guest of the community for a couple of days).

Recollecton - August 2010

The recollection for this month of August 2010 was preached by Fr Prathap, the Parish Priest of St Anthony's Church, Vizianagaram. Riding on the rich experience of his pastoral ministry and proud of his Salesian formation at Poonamalle, Tamil Nadu, the points he stated were very practical and integral aspects of formation and growth process of a candidate to Priestly life. His whole talk and sermon was centred on the formation of moral consciousness. Listing various obstacles that hinder one from getting our moral principles right, he elaborated the ways of overcoming the same using basic and non-negotiable elements of our vocation. His ready references to the Scripture, persons of the Biblical age, example from his pastoral experience and instances in the present Seminary life made his presentation of ideas very grounded and understandable. The two points he stressed above all: the necessity to live our life by the dictum Do good and avoid evil. Secondly, one ought to take responsibility for one's own life and formation.

He also presided over the concluding Eucharistic celebration at 7.15. In the meanwhile the community had an opporutunity to make its individual confession to any of the five priests available.