Visit of Bp Prasad

On the 20th of February 2012 the Seminary was graced by the presence of Bp Gallela Prasad, the Bishop of Kadapa and the Deputy Delegate of the major Seminaries on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh Bishop's Conference (APBC). This was his second visit to the Seminary in his official capacity as the deputy delegate. He arrived in the morning and after a cup of tea addressed the Staff of the Seminary. At 11.30 he presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebration for the community and celebrated the Mass of the day itself.

Citing the fast approaching season of Lent and our need to model ourselves according to our Divine Master, he exhorted the Brothers to imbibe values presented in this formation stage. Towards the end of the Mass, on behalf of the APBC, he thanked the staff members and in particular, Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector for shouldering the delicate responsibility of forming future Priests for the Church of Andhra Pradesh. He concluded the official visit soon after lunch.

Staff picnic

On February 18, the domestic staff of the Seminary were treated to a one-day picnic to Annavaram. While for some of the members it was a picnic, for the others it was also a pilgrimage. Besides the famous temple of Lord Satyanarayana at Annavaram, the picnikers also visited the street childrens' rehabilitation home in Devipuram (Sabbavaram), the temple at Devipuram and the Talupulamma Temple on the outskirts of Tuni.

All in all the seven staff members had some relaxed time out. Here are a couple of photos of the day...

Feast of Kondadaba

Come the first week of February every year and the whole of Kondadaba is abuzz with the feast day preparations of the Parish. This year was no exception to this great excitement. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows which is celebrated on the first Sunday of February, witnessed lakhs of devotees from all over the state and even far off Rajasthan and neighbouring Orissa. The Seminary too had its key role to play in the preparation and organisation of the feast. The Brothers were chiefly involved in the preparation and distribution of food to the select few (total running into more or less a few hundreds). Besides this they also lend a helping hand in the security, decoration, arrangement of the stage and distribution of water to the pilgrims. The main choir of the feast and the eve of the great day too was from the Seminary (of course, as assistance to just the couple of Parishioners who were in the choir).

As usual the Seminary also hosted over a thousand people who flocked to the pilgrim centre on the eve and spent the night in preparation for the feast. Beating the cold wave, these fervent devotees, most of them making their annual walk of 35 to 70 kms, did show their strong faith in the powerful intercession of Mother Mary. The main celebrant for the feast day solemn Mass was retired Bp Mathew Cheriankunnel. On the whole, the feast was a real grand occasion for all to partake not just in gaining spiritual favours but also as a day of relaxation and outing. Thanks to the meticulous planning and organisation of Fr Joseph Anithottam, the Parish Priest along with the faithful band of Parishioners.

GK Quiz (Growth Groups)

The General Knowledge Quiz which had an earlier round held in the seminary, was held for another round this day on a different grouping... as per the growth groups. The quiz commenced at 9 pm and lasted nearly 90 mins. With a total of nearly 12 rounds covering as many aspects as possible, the students did put up some effort... succeeding in some and failing in other areas. At the final bell, Fr Chinnappa Thomas announced Chaitanya Deepika as the winners and Rainbow as the runners up. The whole programme, with the clear intent of helping the students become more and more aware of the world around, was well coordinated and organised by Fr Wilson Jose, the Principal with valuable support from Br Sateesh, the Regent and members of the Rainbow group.

(In the photo, left to right: Br G. Naresh, Br K. Tony, Br B. Sateesh and Fr Wilson Jose)

Feast of the Presentation

The community had a special procession prior to the Holy Mass this morning on the occasion of the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The Mass was presided over by Fr Michael Pampara sdb who happened to be present in the community as a visiting professor to conduct the course on Sexuality and Celibacy for the third year students. In his homily he stressed on the two points based on the Gospel of the day: the humility of Mother Mary (to follow the local customs in spite of her being the Mother of God) and the eagerness (and consequential grace) of Simeon and Anna to 'see' the Lord.

(Fr Micheal is presently at Nava Jeevan, Vijayawada as one of its directors. He is also a trained and qualified psychologist.)

Feast of Don Bosco

The feast of Don Bosco was solemnized this year on January 31, 2012 with a well-prepared Holy Eucharistic celebration and a solemn meal in the afternoon. Unlike previous years, the celebrations this year were held to make up for the absence of the Relic of Don Bosco to Vizag. The occasion was also used to congratulate and felicitate Fr V.M. George sdb, a former staff member at St John's Kondadaba who also celebrates his Silver Jubilee of Priestly ordination this year. Incidently, he also is the architect of the present Chapel of the Seminary. Furthermore, the present oval structure (the connecting links between the various blocks and the arches) was designed and executed by Fr V. M. George, an Engineer by qualification. A select few (about 25) of the neighbouring Priests and Religious, closely associated with the Seminary were invited for the Mass and lunch.

During the homily Fr George dwelt on the title of Don Bosco 'Father and Teacher of the young'. Describing it theological meaning the rationale behind this title given by the late Pope John Paul II, he highlighted the practical elements of this great Saint's spirituality.

After Mass a short felicitation programme was held in the dining hall itself wherein he was given a gift and a shawl. Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector, spoke a few words about the Jubilarian and thanked the guests for their continued support and encouragement to the Community of Kondadaba. After a solemn lunch, the Brothers enjoyed a challenging round of cricket, volleyball and basketball.

Visit of the OCD Provincial

The Provincial of the OCD Fathers and Brothers, of the Andhra Province, Fr Gorantla Johannes OCD paid the seminary a visit and joined the community for lunch. He had come on an official visit to the OCD community at Pendurthi (comprising of the Bl. John Paul II Seminary which hosts the students of Philosophy and the Parish dedicated to St Theresa of Avila). Yesterday was the Parish feast and after the celebrations, he visited the Philosophate where the 8 OCD Brothers are day scholars. He was accompanied by Fr Kishore OCD, the parish Priest of Ranasthalam (Srikakulam Diocese) and Fr Showry, the superior and Parish Priest of Pendurthi.

[In the photo (L to R): Fr Showry, Fr K.T. Jose (Rector of St John's),
Fr Kishore OCD and Fr Johannes OCD (Provincial]

Incidentally this is the decennial year of Fr Johannes' Priestly ordination. The Community congratulated him on his maiden visit to the Community as Provincial and on the occasion of his decennial year of ordination too. Prior to lunch, Fr Johannes encouraged the students to study well and make themselves worthy Priests for the Church in Andhra Pradesh. He also expressed his gratitude for the hospitality received and the formative support extended to the OCD Brothers studying their first year of Philosophy at Kondadaba.

It would be good to note that this year is the first time the OCDs have moved out of their established formative setting in Eluru, thus bifurcating their Philosophy centre from the theologate. Being the first year, things are still fluid but are smoothly getting set. They now have a 'Master' in the person of Fr Balaraju who is directly incharge of their formative curriculum. Their place of residence at Pendurthi, in the form of a monastery, is being set up steadily. Their role and mode of participation in the Seminary life and activity, besides the main purpose of study (Philosophy and BA), too is being worked out. Everyone involved looks forward to a lasting and enriching bond.

Visiting professors

The week of January 23-26, 2012 witnessed two visiting professors conducted courses for the students. Fr Biju MPH, from Machilipatnam, was busy with the third year students taking classes on the Philosophy of Religion. Fr Thumma Mariadas MSFS, the General Councillor presenting residing in Hyderabad, was sharing his insights with the first and second year students about the Bhagavad Gita. Both of them completed their respective courses today and departed for their own communities.

A lad from Becchi...

Born in Becchi was a lad,
who in stall a great future had;
would grown amidst trials and tribulations,
yet be a blessing for generations.

At a tender age answered God's call,
with twinkling eyes which dreamt for all;
Guided by a mother who taught lessons of love,
and a Mother divine leading him from above.

After years of training and toiling hard,
was he ordained a labourer in Christs' vineyard;
Branches he chose were bent but green,
pruned in a way yielding greater than ever seen.

Ruffians and vagabonds were dear to him,
useless of this world as jewels to him seem;
Rescued young all over bless his name,
homeless have a home and aimless have an aim.

Made he an army of young souls,
under patronage of Francis de Sales, his boat still floats;
Seeds of service sown with love and care,
turned into shelter for all with none to spare.

Departing us he left his words alive to ponder,
may we imitate him in selfless surrender;
Let our actions retain his pace,
intercede for us dear Bosco till the end of our days.

Lewis Jerome Immanuel (I year)

New Priests' at Kondadaba

The Seminary was graced by the presence and gracious celebration of the Holy Eucharist on two successive days by newly ordained Priests. On January 18, 2012 Fr Chintada Rajesh celebrated the Holy Eucharist for the community. He studied at the Seminary from 2001 to 2003 and later joined the Diocese of Miao in Arunachal Pradesh. During the Holy Mass and the short felicitation thereafter he profoundly expressed his gratitude for the support and encouragement he received from the Seminary, especially Fr K.T.Jose, during the years of turmoil and anxiety. He exhorted the Brothers to persevere and pray sincerely for one's own vocation.
The following day, January 19, 2012 was graced by the presence of Fr Kalinga John Paul, a newly ordained Capuchin Priest and the brother of Br Kalinga Joy Mariadas, currently doing his third year Philosophy and studying for the archdiocese of Visakhapatnam. He was ordained on Dec. 29, 2011 at his hometown of Hamsavaram. He was felicitated with a shawl on behalf of the community by Fr Chinnappa Thomas, the spiritual director. He too expressed his joy for being present with the community and requested our continued prayers and support.
(In the above photo, Fr John Paul is seen distributing communion to his own brother Br Joy)

Seminar on Social Action (Fr Santiagu Thomas sdb)

Fr Santiagu Thomas sdb was the chief animator of the seminar on Social Action for the two days of January 16 and 17, 2012.
This was the first seminar of the new calendar year, after the Brothers returned to the Seminary from their Christmas holidays on Jan. 8, 2012. Fr Santiagu is the Development Office director of the Salesian Province of Hyderabad.
The two day seminar was very active and alive with plenty of songs, actions and analysis based on practical experiments conducted by the animator.

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.

Christmas holidays

This morning after the b'day Mass of Fr C. Thomas and breakfast, the Brothers left for their Christmas vacations. They went happily and hope they return too happily. They conclude their holidays on January 8, 2011 - that's full three weeks.

Christmas crib

Here's the Christmas crib prepared by the first year students. It looks good and has been made with much care and without much fuss. Economical by way of time as way as money. Well done, Brothers!

COMMUNAL HARMONY

COMMUNAL HARMONY

By L. Jerome Immanuel

“All human that liveth have features same

But their future depends on their cast and name

All even though share same flesh and blood

Some are kept under the feet, some over the head.”

The lurking dangers to world peace and the scare of humanity is the narrow communal feelings like caste, creed, languages and communities which once come up to make life better but now the same is making life bitter.

India is a country of heterogeneous people where there are different categories of communities such as racial communities generally including Aryans, Dravidians, Anglo-Indians and aborigines, lingual communities such as Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarat, Marathi, Oria; religious communities such as Hindu, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. In the midst of all such diversities there is a underlying unity among people.

This unity is many a times disturbed by some anti social elements and political self seeks who are fanning narrow communal feeling in order to meet their own self interest. They arouse communal emotions leading to communal riots, communal discord and communal disharmony.

Children who are born innocent of any malice, hatred or communal feelings are injected by the venemonous poison of communal hatred, religious patriotism, dislike towards the other customs and most harmful is the prejudices and stereotypes depicting the other casts and religions in ill light. The parents and surrounding and some times even the education system injects this feelings into the innocent minds of children.

We cannot expect our today’s children and tomorrows citizens to live in communal harmony if we teach them self gratification nationalism, religious patriotism etc… Instead children can definitely be used as the torches to light the light of communal harmony and religious tolerance. For this we need to build logical and analytical thinking in them a mentality to challenge the wrong beliefs and everything that is inhuman.

 the education is not only about leaning subjects but helping the child to think and se for themselves to accept or not to accept which is being given true education helps the individual to think of their impact on society as a whole . The current system is only making future employs by making children working hard and secure high grades.

Most communal discord stems from the fact that people grow up with wrong information about other groups that they are lazy, or promiscuous or violent or whatever this generalization are called stereotypes. The down of such stereotypes in the minds of people indicate that loophole in their education.

If we peep into the lives of famous communal agitators then we see their childhood was spent in wrong surroundings and anti religious environmental. Teachers should make their teaching as the tool to make today’s children as tomorrow’s better citizens. Communal broad mindedness, love for other religions, cast and creed should be developed. Making human life full virtues as the goal of each child. Relenting from using any violence on children for wrong reasons mainly such as for their colour caste or creed.

“Our present writes our future

Make communal disharmony never a part o f nature

See every human as gods own creature

Then we can repair this world’s communal puncture.”

MY MOMENTS IN THE LEARNING LAND

MY MOMENTS IN THE LEARNING LAND
by L. Jerome Immanuel

Dressed in an attire common to a troop 
Little legs landed among a large group
whole room filled with the rhythm of moanings
none would heed to teachers pleadings and warnings


Tears dry and cheers grow among peers
in the flood of childish pranks is washed all fears
repeating the teacher with a smile, becomes fun
bunking the homework and playing in the sun.


Cannes of teacher and mending of parents causes hurt 
lies are said for the bashes to avert
unable to bear the pressure and pain.
the little heart undergoes much strain.


From riddles to ratios, rhymes to reigns
loads of knowledge, our growing brain gains
sometimes utterly fail, sometimes cleverly pass
at times applauded on dias, at times out of the class.


We learn the world by turning the pages
from the sceptres, physcicians, scientists and sages
Here we learn to love and hate, to destroy and cteate
these moments in learning land wrote our fate.


Teachers make us feel loved and wanted
appreciate the good and negotiate the unwanted 
if they be a model and not a cruel critic
little love given will make learning quick


"Pink and fresh" with innocence in them
when moulded with care have joyous tale to tell 
bind in love not in chains of labour
let their sparkling eyes invent and crate future.

A RAY OF HOPE

A RAY OF HOPE
by L. Jerome Immanuel

They were problems which seemed to see my end
They were times when whole world seemed my enemy
In all these times within me was a glowing friend 
Which never burned out till I was set free


Tears made me weak and helpless
Comments made things worse
low always was my head in the mess
life I just felt was on me a curse


When I became an enemy of my self
this useless body I wanted to kill
all ears to my voice went deaf
by dying i thought could I pay life's bill


God I knew was at a distance
from my life full of sin and shame
it seemed so from my depressive lens
for return of me was God's aim


I used all my strength to crawl up
but all my trials ended in vain
climbed till the brim fell back in the clump
no medicine I found could soothe my pain


There shone a light by the end of the tunnel 
which filled the darkness with a ray of hope.
There within me was a man so subtle
like to a falling climber a saving rope


Out of the ditch am I standing on ground 
with the help of the world in my life that shone 
never will I leave the salvation found
showing others the love which on me was shown.

Annual Debate 2011

We had the annual Debate this morning and the theme of discussion was 'Lokpal bill is the solution to Corruption in India'. Somehow, as in the last four years, the team 'against the motion' won the debate with just 10 points more than their worthy opponents (the total being 277). The debate was moderated by Fr Joseph Anithottam the Parish Priest of Kondadaba. Srs Prasanna and Abilasha, our immediate neighbours, were among the judges for the debate. Fr C. Thomas, the present spiritual director and Fr Devadas, our former spiritual director too were present as judges for the occasion.

The eight speakers did their best in presenting their arguments which were well supported and interspersed by the informative videos and presentations prepared by Fr Wilson, the Principal. Thanks to his zealous efforts, the debate had a particular quality of its own. The floor discussion which followed the talks was vibrant with each group trying to get the better of the other. Of course, given the nature of the theme, Anna Hazare was the focus of the whole discussion. Finally not going by the numerical result of the debate, the fact that corruption needs to be uprooted was the unanimous voice.

The speakers for the motion highlighted the following issues: Lokpal being an effective and transparent tool in modern administration, an additional help for the wearied middle class man, the advantages of speedy justice and accountability that Lokpal promises and so on. Those arguing against the motion pushed forward their arguments to prove that through Lokpal bill, Anna Hazare and his team, are trying to form a parallel government or an unconstitutional body, that the hidden agenda behind this so-called 'second freedom struggle' is to topple the government, that what is needed is not a new body but a reformation within existing structures...
Thanks to Fr Wilson and the Rainbow group which organised and prepared for this annual feature of the Seminary.

Feast, prizes and graces!

On the solemn occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the prizes for the first semester 2011-2012 were distributed to the Brothers. Though the second semester commenced in the third week of October, the prizes were delayed for some reason or other. The prizes were handed over by Fr C. Thomas, the spiritual director, Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector and Br Sateesh, the regent. Practically each of the Brother received a prize or another, either as an individual or as a member of a growth groups. The prizes awarded were for the several activities and competitions organised during the first semester of the academic year: Marian month activities (games, skits, singing, essay writing, drawing and Marian nite), Sports day events (track and filed events and indoor games), vocabulary tests and the Biblical nite competitions.

Earlier in the day, most of the Brothers undertook a pilgrimage to the Ross Hill, to obtain graces from Our Lady on this her feast day.

... say it with hay

This Advent season, the community has adopted a unique and practical way of reminding and preparing itself for the coming of the Lord. With the title, "Your good deed for the day; say it with hay," the idea is this: For every good deed you consciously and joyfully do, you drop in a straw (just one) at the altar, anytime. At the end of the Advent season, the straw thus collected (a representation of the good deeds done in the Lord's honour) will be used in the crib, in the exact spot where baby Jesus will be placed.
Just another way of reminding ourselves of the need to prepare - and that too worthily - for the Lord's b'day!