Rome
♦ December 14, the feast of Saint John of the Cross, a Mass to celebrate the centenary of Father’s Pedro Arrupe birth was concelebrated at the Gesù Church in Rome. In his homily Father General, who presided at the Mass, drew a parallel between Saint John of the Cross and Father Arrupe. Both of them, said Father Kolvenbach, served the Church in difficult times for the faithful in general and for the consecrated life in particular. With great patience and love, Saint John carried out the reform of the Carmelites. With enthusiasm and courage, Fr. Arrupe promoted what the Vatican Council intended for the renewal of the consecrated life including, naturally, the Society of Jesus. The whole life of Saint John was a Canticle of Canticles on love. The last discourse of Father Arrupe was a contemplation of love. In his love for the Church, expressed with an Ignatian heart, Father Arrupe was tested because his efforts to renew the Society of Jesus according to the wishes of the Vatican Council, met with misunderstandings and even painful interventions.
To remain faithfully creative to the Spirit, Father Arrupe had to abandon long acquired habits and customs which were important to him. As saint John of the Cross had to walk through a “dark night” of the soul in order to reform the Carmel, Father Arrupe laboriously searched, through spiritual discernment, what God wanted by the Mission of Christ in the world. Saint John of the Cross and Father Arrupe, concluded Father General, are a testimony for us of what a loving God can achieve through our human fragility in the dark night of the abandonment and the passionate love of the Cross.
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Fr. Baxla Suman : Kanke, Asst PP.
Fr. Dhanwar John : Muri, Asst PP.
Fr. Ekka Anselm : Manresa House, Treasurer.
Fr. Kiro Benedict : Ramnagar, Andamans, PP
Fr. Kullu Pradeep : Balipara, Headmaster.
Fr. Lakra Ranjit W. : Manresa House, Dir. CPR
Fr. Purty Zacharias : Kochang, PP
N.B. The transfers should take place by January 15, 2008 unless and otherwise.
Fr. Ranjit P. Toppo, S.J.
Provincial.
Announcements
o During the absence of Fr. Provincial for GC 35 he has appointed Fr. Linus Dungdung (Socius) the Acting Provincial. (Fr. Provincial requests the members of the Province to pray for the success of GC 35)
o Fr. Prem Xalxo has been approved by V.R. Fr. General for Final Vows.
o Schols Beck Suman, Horo Ranjit Kr., Minj Gyan Prakash and Saras Ajit are approved by Fr. Provincial for the ordination of Major Orders.
o Jesuit Novices will be available for the Lenten ministry. Those who need their service, contact Fr. Novice Master (Mob. 9934100410)
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Institutions
The 1st year novices finished the long retreat and the 2nd years have come back after the hospital experiment. They are back to their normal routine. Fr. Master took a break and went to Ara and Bokaro. Fr. Edward Mercieca, the secretary of V. R. Fr. General on the Ignatian Spirituality, Rome, visited and filled us with Ignatian spirit. The honourable Governor of Jharkhand, Syed Sibtey Razi, came to Bagaicha to inaugurate the workshop on witchcraft. On Dec. 16 our co-workers joined the recollection organised at SDC and the thanksgiving mass here at home before they left home for Christmas vacation. On Dec. 30 Br. Angelus celebrated his golden jubilee at home. Fr. Peter represented the community for the celebration. Fr. Sylvanus went to Simdega for the evaluation of the training programme and then to Salgapos for home visit. Before Christmas the novices went in two groups to neighbouring villages for carol singing and to give Christmas message. We concluded the year with the burning of the ‘Old Year’ and a thanksgiving service.
Fr. Kamal
On Dec. 1 Brs. Isidore and Samuel and Fr. Florence Guria went to Rumtukel for the blessing of the new convent building there. By the second week of the month Frs. Ranjit, Suman, Anselm and Pradeep came back to the province after finishing their tertianship in Shembaganur and Sitagarha. Frs. Ranjit and Anselm have joined the M.H. community once again. Fr. Provincial was here from Dec. 14-17 for the visitation of the community. Because of the university exams he could not see the scholastics. He was preceded by the Provincial of Delhi who was here on the 12th for the visitation of his scholastics.
After Dec. 15 the mood of Christmas set in. In the midst of that two talks had been arranged in M.H. conference hall. We were privileged to have Fr. Edward Mercieca, the Director of Ignatian Spirituality, Rome, who addressed the Jesuits of the neighbouring communities on Dec. 19. Then, Fr. Shailendra Bara gave a meditative reflection on Advent and Christmas on Dec. 21. The scholastics were busy in Christmas decoration and ministry in different parishes and institutions. Some staff members too went out for Christmas ministry.
On the 26th some programme was arranged in M.H. playground for Hindpiri children. About 230 children turned up. Bishope Vincent Barwa was the chief guest. We were surprised by Mr. Bandhu Tirkey, the Education Minister, who arrived on the occasion. Both of them addressed the children with some encouraging words.
After the hectic days before and after Christmas the scholastics began their Triduum guided by Fr. Anselm from Dec. 27 evening.
Frs. Lalit & Florence
The month of December set the mood of festivity in the campus. The second year I.A. students, however, had to stick to their desk as their final exams programme was announced. On the 16th all the boys participated in Christmas gathering with their CLC friends and won applause of appreciation for their fabulous dance. They had other gatherings in the Apostolic and college campus on the 21st. On the 22nd all of them left for their homes to celebrate Christmas at home. Fr. James went to St. Mary’s, Samtoli for the annual vocation promotion. On the way back, he visited his home to see his ailing mother.
The Language School started the month with a picnic to Gethelsooth Dam. This outing infused great zeal and vigour into their forthcoming activities. They had their semester exams beginning from the 11th. Thereafter they gave themselves to vigorous preparation for speech competitions and two one act plays – ‘Under Fire’ and ‘Who’s Who’. The final round of speech competition was held on the 17th. Groups A and B were awarded for their good performance. Fr. Swarn Tigga, S.J., was the chief guest and Fr. Ferdi, Fr. Kennedy, Sr. Anupa and Sch. Fuldeo were the Judges. For the performance on the 19th the Apostolic School boys and eight Tertians were present with Fr. Joe Montero, S.J., of Goa Province as the chief guest. The following day St. Anne’s, Ursulines, Medical Missions and Daughters of Mary came to see the same performance. Sr. Roshni, the provincial of Ursulines, Ranchi, and the chief guest congratulated the students for their beautiful performance on the stage. On the 22nd we had Christmas gathering during which we also celebrated the birthday of Fr. Ferdinand, the staff of the Language School. We also took the occasion to thank Sr. Matilda, D.S.A., for her service to us and wished her success in her next ministry as she left us for her new appointment.
Sch. Arun
o Fr. John Guria spent a few days in Ara Gate Hospital. He felt that the doctor had made mistake because he put him on a diet without meat or egg.
o The IAS officers’ wives were very kind and gave warm clothes to the boys who could not go for holidays.
o Frs. Pradeep Kullu and Jim Monterio dropped in to see if they could join the staff. However, things don’t go that fast. Pradeep went back to Assam and Jim to Goa.
o Thieves … they stole two valves of our irrigation mains. How can we still irrigate as the electric supply also plays hide and seek? And, then, our big cock got stolen. Our hens are still weeping.
o Fr. Isaac moves between KN and RIMS because a close relative is terminally ill. He had to forego all of the Christmas spirit.
o And also here 2007 just waved and quietly closed its door … for ever.
Van Bortel
We thanked God and prayed for Schs. Sanjay Kerketta and Bruno Toppo on their birthday on December 11 and 18 respectively. Besides, regular classes and exams, the preparation of Silver Jubilee of Tarunoday kept us very busy. Finally, the day of Jubilee came on December 15. Sch. Sanjay Kerketta was MC. Fr. John Mundu, the Director delivered the welcome address. There were presentations on “Adivasi Culture and Modernity: Fusion of Horizons” by Frs. Dr. Prakash Louis, (PAT) and Stan Lourduswami, (JAM). The sessions were chaired by Frs. Henry Barla, and Vincent Ekka. There was a session for panel discussion too, chaired by Dr. Bp. Nirmal Minj (GEL), who also gave the valedictory address. Fr. Ignatius Tete, the Superior, proposed the vote of thanks. The whole programme went smoothly and successfully.
Finally, all joined the fellowship meal and seemed to be satisfied. There were good bits of movement this month. Fr. Amrit went to Bangalore for a conference on Moral theology. Fr. Ignatius went to RTC, Patna to give a course and came back on December 7. Fr. Michael went home for Christmas and came back on December 26. Fr. Ignatius went home to partake in the Jubilee celebrations of his uncle Br. Felix Prakash Tete, on 27th. The same day Sch. Sanjay Kerketta also went home. Sch. Bruno Toppo went to participate in the jubilee celebration of his parish on 28th December and came back on 1st of January.
Sch. Bruno
October was a busy month. We spent most of our times preparing for the first term exam, in which, by the way, we all secured good grades. During the Pooja holidays Rajesh trained our alter servers and they did marvellously at the South Bombay Deanery football tournament. In early November we had an interesting experience. For a week we were in Lonavala helping our Snehasadan Jesuit fathers by attending to the needs of some 80 street children. We were with them day in and day out. Coming back to Bombay Rajesh and I taught songs and hymns to hostel girls of Regina Pacis Convent which they sang during the First Profession Mass of Sr. Jiwanti Toppo. Every one appreciated sung Mass.
An important event of late November was the golden Jubilee of 17 Bombay Jesuits. Their vocation and life story left an indelible impression on all of us youngsters. Finally we wish the whole Province a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Kulwant Minj
The month of December was a month of several important events for Rajat. The most important of them all was the Inter-Departmental tournament for various events which took place from the 5th to 13th of December. Rajat had an opportunity to captain the football team of Social Work Department. He led his team up to semi final. He had also an opportunity to become the main celebrant on the occasion of Christmas gathering organized by Chotanagpur Cultural Association, Chennai, for all the tribals residing in and around Chennai. He had Christmas holiday from December 21 to January 2. He spent his holiday to do some pastoral ministry in the neighbouring parishes to hear confessions and saying mass. He also attended a workshop on Stepping Stone, a programme on HIV/AIDS patients from 26th to 29th December. The last but not the least was the arrival of a group of 87 men and women of Bandgaon parish Catholic Sabha and Mahila Sangh on 29th December for Chennai, Velankini, Banglore and Mysore trip. He took them to some important places of Chennai. He enjoyed their short visit. He resumed his classes on the 3rd of January 2007. He wishes you all a very prosperous New Year 2008.
Rajat
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parishes
Although we intended to celebrate special Advent Masses in all the "tolas", we could manage to do so in three places only - Bhitha, Boreya and Sunder Nagar. On 20 Dec. I went to Dibadih, Doranda, for a half-day recollection for Parish Priests of the Ranchi Vicariate. The new and quiet campus of the Pillar Fathers added to the prayerful atmosphere. On 16 December the parish hosted the "All- Churches-Christmas Gathering" from 2 to 5 p.m. A good number of people from different local churches had gathered and the participation was encouraging. Parents, youth and children eagerly came up with their favourite Christmas carols and dances. The Catholic Mahila Sangh smoothly and effectively conducted the whole programme.
Christmas was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The parish campus was beautifully decorated, thanks to the efforts and generosity of the parishioners. Fr. Ignatius Minj, S.J., from Manresa House presided over the midnight Mass and shared his insights on the mystery of Christmas. It was a cold Christmas night; this may be the reason why most of the children preferred to come for the morning Mass.
Fr. Emmanuel Horo
The month of December began with the blessing of a new dispensary and residence of Sisters by His Lordship, Bishop Stephen Tiru, D.D. Fr. Provincial and Srs. General and Provincial of the Sacred Heart Sisters were the distinguished guests among many others. The whole programme started with the solemn Eucharist and ended with a variety entertainment programme by the school children.
Fr. Raju began the advent tour of nine different units. Fr. Aurel Brys came here to share Christmas joy and message with the L.N.N. group of Rumtukel. On the 15th Fathers and Sisters of Sarwada vicariate gathered for a Christmas gathering. Then, on Dec. 23 Frs. Camil Kerketta, Florence Purty and Isayas Xess came to celebrate Christmas with us. During the vigil Florence was our preacher. The following morning we dispersed to different units to celebrate Christmas mass. Sch. Suman left the place on the 27th to make his triduum with other regents. His absence was substituted by an unexpected guest from Darjeeling province – Fr. Alex Beck.
Fr. Raju
On Nov. 8 Fr. Bob Albertijn of the PBS mission procure paid us a short visit, went to see the church and wondered at the relatively low cost of the building. At the end at the invitation of the haeadmaster he visited our high school. On the 20th Br. Basil Tirkey of Noadih brought us a second hand van donated by a kind person. But another kind person during his maiden ride on the school ground managed to break the front glass. On Dec. 3 the Bishop of Gumla gave the mission to ten catechist trainee families, four of whom hail from Assam. It is a great pity that none of their parish-priests attended the ceremony. About fifty devout faithful participated in the closing ceremony of the Bible Year at Gumla on Dec. 9.
Fr. W. Pillen
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Missions & Diaspora
The Advent tour gave an opportunity to meet our people of different sub-stations and villages. In this tour a good number of faithful received the sacrament of reconciliation. On December 11 Fr. John participated in the ANYMA Executive Committee meeting at the Pastoral Centre, Port-Blair to plan for the Andaman & Nicobar Youth Day on February 8-10 2008. The theme chosen for the ANYD-08 is “Live the word, Liberate the world”.
There was a procession of Light (Prakash Yatra) in the evening of 22nd December. A great number of the faithful from different Churches participated in it. It started from the Catholic Church and ended in the Fr. Cornelius Mini Auditorium for short cultural programme. On this occasion Fr. Edward, P.P, delivered the Christmas message. The night Mass on December 24 started at 11.30 p.m. Fr. Edward was the main celebrant, while Fr. John was with the choir. After the Eucharistic celebration we expressed our joys and happiness through Adivasi dance.
Fr. John
Prothrapur
As the month of Dec. arrived every one seemed to be
in festive mood. There were decorations, lights and stars hanging on houses.
Frs. David and Alphonse were busy in imparting spiritual nourishment to their
faithful in the form of Advent tour, Recollection, carol singing and crib
blessings. On Dec. 2 we had seminar for Panch and Prachars (Catechists). On
11-13 Fr. David was out in Ramnagar. Fr. Alphonse gave recollection to youth
of the parish on 16th. From the 17th Fr. David preached Triduum to
St. Anne’s Sisters. On the 20th he gave recollection to women of
the parish. On the 22nd we came out in procession for "Prakash
Yatra" in proclaiming Jesus the light of the world.
We celebrated Christmas very solemnly. The decoration and peoples' participation was outstanding so as to capture the attention of the local media. Just after the morning mass each unit of the parish performed a colourful item based on the mystery of incarnation. On the 31st we bade farewell to year 2007 with a meaningful adoration and vigil mass
Alphonse Aind
ASSAM MISSION
Balipara
All the missionaries working in the Assam mission had their third meeting at Balipara on 12 December. We had a very free and frank sharing about various apostolates in pastoral, educational and social areas. It was very encouraging to hear one another’s experiences.
The construction of the boundary wall at Degree College land at Solabasti is in full swing, under the supervision of Fr. Theodore Ba’a. Construction of two new School buildings, St. Ignatius School at Bokola and St. Xavier’s School at Tarabari, are also reaching their completion. We are very grateful to the Swiss and German Jesuit Provinces for their generous financial support. We plan to start the new academic session in these two new schools. St. John’s new wing at Balipara is also ready for the new academic session. We thank the German doctors for their generous support.
There are 26 Outreach Study Centres run by Fr. James Lakra and his coordinator Mr. Sebastius Tirkey. The students of these centres displayed their talents and potentialities to the audience during the Christmas gatherings. It was very encouraging to see the young and old, literate and illiterate or less literate people coming up to the stage and expressing what they have learnt so far in the Study centres. I attended the programme at Tarabari and I was very much impressed by the people’s desire to learn and grow in knowledge.
We had Christmas night celebration in 4 different centres - Balipara, Phulbari T.E., Bhaitabhanga and Amaribari T.E. - and on Christmas Day again in 5 different centres namely - Balipara, Bokola, Sotai, Tarabari and New Addabari T.E. In all these places the youth prepared the Liturgy very well and there was a good participation of the faithful.
Xavier Lakra
There was a marriage preparation for 14 couples, from 12 to 22 December. Then, 120 children and 15 adults attended Catechism classes, from 15-23 December, which were conducted in two places - Jacobpur and Kathalguri. Scholastic Pradeep Tirkey helped these children to prepare for the sacraments of Confession and first Communion. The marriage blessing, sacrament of the reconciliation and the first communion of all these children and adults took place on the 1st of January. S.H.Gs are doing well in this area. They have purchased two vehicles, one for the carrying passengers and the other to carry goods. Seeing the economic growth of these different groups many people are inspired to join and form new SHGs at Kathalguri.
Christmas celebration in 4 different centres was very good. The youth took very active part to prepare the liturgy of the Christmas. The New Year was the Parish feast for all the faithful. They had gathered in big number to attend the Eucharist and to participate in the marriage blessings and first communion of their children.
George Burh S.J.
People were very badly affected by the devastating flood in Beki and Manas rivers in this area. In a way for many people life has been paralyzed. Their means of living has been carried away by the currents of the flood water. Fr. Ajay has got some flood relief fund. He, together with the committee members, is trying to reach out the affected people without making any distinction of caste, creed and religion. He is helping all the people to stand on their own feet. Fr. Hector D’ Souza, S. J. the POSA, also extended his helping hand to bring some relief to these people. Manas Bansbari Community is very grateful to Fr. Hector for his timely help. Slowly life of these affected people is becoming normal. We had very good Christmas celebration in our parish centres. People have come to the parish in big number.
Fr. Ajay Tirkey
Musalpur: A red letter day in the history of Musalpur and in the Assam Mission.
On the 8th of December 2007 Rt. Rev. Thomas Pulloppallil, D.D., the Bishop of Bongaigaon Diocese, blessed and laid the foundation stone of St. Xavier’s School, Musalpur, at 12.00 noon. In his address he said that it was a very important day for the integral development of the people of the area. He told the people that education is power and his wish is to empower them with good and quality education. The Jesuits Fathers have the long history and tradition of imparting the quality education all over the world and especially in India which can be seen and read in the national magazine in INDIA TODAY every year in the month of June. He assured the people that the Jesuits Fathers at Musalpur would do the same for the people of the diocese.
The Mission Superior, Fr. Xavier Lakra, S.J., expressed hope that with the cooperation of the parents, students and staff Jesuits will impart the quality education. He exhorted the people to cooperate with them whole heartedly and requested the guardians and Committee members to protect the lives of the Fathers and Sisters working for them.
Mr. Anando, the President of the School Managing Committee, also spoke and shared with the audience the long history of the place and the need of a good English medium school. He thanked Frs. Thomas D’ Silva and Fr. Charles D’ Souza for bringing the school to this place. He told the people that with the good quality English education the lives of the students are wide open to go and serve anywhere in the country. He wished that people make the best use of the school and send many more students next year 2008.
On this auspicious occasion Frs. Paul and Hilarius and two Sisters of Domini Parish, Fr. Thayil, Fr. Mukul of Barpeta Road and Fr. Ajay Tirkey of Manas Bansbari together with the 100 guardians, all the staff, students and School managing committee members were present. Fr. Anthres, the Principal of the School, was the M.C. At the end of the function Fr. Vital thanked everyone for their presence, encouragement and support. The programme was short but quite effective.
Now the construction work of the school is in full swing. Scholastic Rosario from Jakhama came to Musalpur to help us for the Christmas celebration. We had very good Christmas celebration at Shantipur village community where the majority of Catholics are Boros.
Fr. Vital Ekka
Pengree:
St. Stanislaus School construction at Konapathar has resumed after it was stopped for three weeks due to lack of building material especially the chips and bricks, which were not available. There was catechism programme from 10 to 24 December, in preparation of Christmas for 57 children under the leadership of Sr. Anna Topno, MHMSC, the Diocese coordinator of women, and one of her helpers. They prepared the children for the sacraments of reconciliation and first communion on 25 December at Pengree. Christmas celebration in the parish was good. We had Christmas Eucharist celebration in Pengree and Konapathar.
Telesphore
Scholastics Pradeep Tirkey and Rosario helped in Kathalguri and Musalpur respectively during their Christmas holidays from 13 to 26 December. Soon after Christmas we rushed to Shillong Novitiate for our Triduum. Though Nagaland is cold but exam fever is taking hold of Scholastic Pradeep who is preparing for his B.A. final exams.
Sch. Rosario
Different from Upper Egypt, in Alexandria Coptic Catholics celebrate their Christmas together with the Latin rite on Dec 25. I replaced a priest in Hurgada to celebrate Christmas Mass in English on the 24th night and on the 25th morning. This is one of the famous tourist places in the Red Seas. It has many posh beach resorts and thousands of tourists flock to these places. But I had to travel eleven hours journey by bus to reach the place and journey back the next day.
Under the Red Sea area there is only one Coptic Catholic Church which belongs to a local Congregation of Egyptian Sisters. In the Church Holy Mass is celebrated in Coptic rite and the diocesan priest of the place knows only Arabic. On special occasions, depending on the availability of priests Holy Mass is also celebrated in Latin rite be it French, Italian, English etc. For the Vigil Mass people were from more than 12 nationalities and many of them followed little English. It was a moving experience for me to see these people praying. For many it was a first chance after a pretty long gap. No doubt, I had a unique experience.
Fr Bimal Kerketta, sj
The month of December was noted for the spiritual as well as material preparations for the Christmas. During the Advent, the Gregorian University vibrated with Christmas carols by different groups in different languages. It culminated in the carol singing by the Jesuit teaching staff of the University just before the start of the Christmas holidays. From 21 December onwards the students and staff began dispersing for holidays and Christmas ministries. The classes will recommence only after the feast of Epiphany.
On December 11 P. Sudhir Kujur was accorded a hearty welcome on his arrival from Ranchi at the Rome airport. He stayed only one night in Rome before moving to Sicily, but those few hours were enough to share news from Ranchi with Santosh, Justin and Prem. He met many of his old friends and companions in the Gregorian and the Curia. He seems to be fully immersed in his ministry among the Sicilians. His help in the parish was great during the festive season, a place which is known for the active participation of the faithful in all activities.
December 16 was special for the adivasis living in Rome. A good number of adivasi priests, brothers, nuns and laypersons came together for the Christmas gathering. The wholehearted participation was evident in the joyful singing of the Christmas hymns during the Holy Mass. The memorable Christmas gathering was aptly concluded with the community naach-gaan.
For Christmas celebrations, Santosh stayed at home to make sure that the tables have enough and good stuffs for the festive season. As usual, he used his skills to decorate the recreation hall where R.P. General had hosted a tea party on 29 December for all the Jesuits working in Rome. As part of the tradition, R.P. General greeted each Jesuit at the entrance of the hall. The tea party was a good opportunity to meet and greet many new faces.
Justin had gone to Padova for the Christmas ministry. Sitting hours for confessions and celebrating Holy Masses made him confident in Italian. Prem went to one of his old friends to assist him in confessions and festive Eucharistic celebrations. He was heartily appreciated and applauded for his Advent and Christmas messages in the form of sermons. On the last day of the year, the adivasi Jesuits Santosh, Justin, Christdhari (MAP), Henry (MAP) and Prem went to bless the house of an adivasi girl from Rajawal.
The New Year was welcomed with pomp and gaiety. At midnight the sky of Rome was filled with colourful fireworks. On the New Year the renovated chapel of Casa Pietro Canisio was blessed by R.P. General. This particular event also indicated that the Jesuit houses of Rome are ready to welcome and accommodate the Provincials and Delegates from all over the world for the General Congregation. Prem is happy to have P. Ranjit Pascal Toppo and P. Hector D’Souza as his immediate neighbours during the GC. He hopes to be a good neighbour to them. A very Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Prem Xalxo
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♦ On December 20 the following Press Release was sent to the journalists in Rome.
Press Release
o The General Curia of the Society of Jesus announces the opening of a General Congregation on Monday, January 7, 2008. This is the 35th General Congregation since the foundation of the Society in 1540.
o More than 220 Jesuits from around the world will convene at Borgo S. Spirito to elect a new Superior General and to discuss (“discern” in the language of Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Society) the apostolic challenges confronting the Society in the years ahead.
o The present Superior General, Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the 28th successor of Saint Ignatius, is close to 80 years of age, and has been at the helm of the Society for more than 24 years. After hearing the opinion of his Counsellors and with the assent of the Holy Father, Father Kolvenbach will present his resignation to the General Congregation.
o Following the election of a new Superior General, the Congregation will move to the discussion of issues suggested by the Preparatory Commission. Beginning in January, the new website of the Curia Press Office will offer updates at regular intervals.
Dec. 20, 2007, Press and Information Office
♦ Word from the Holy See has reached Father General informing him that on February 21st His Holiness Benedict XVI will receive in audience the members of the General Congregation.
♦ The numbers published regarding the participants to General Congregation 35 could lead to a certain confusion:
The 225 figure members, did not include Father General who has convoked the Congregation and will preside at it, but he is also a member of the Congregation with voting rights. Therefore the correct number is 226 members of the Congregation. The number of electors does not include three ex officio members and five appointed by Father General. Consequently the number of electors of the new Superior General is 218.
♦ Father Kolvenbach remains member of the Congregation even after the election of his successor.
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o Fr. Vincent D'Silva, SJ (Bom) expired at Jesuit Nursing Home, Vinayalaya on Dec. 18, 2008.
o Fr. Mathew Lewis, (Kar 90/65) went to his eternal reward today - the first day of the year 2008, at 10.00 pm. at St Philomena's Hospital, Bangalore.
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Birthdays in November & December
JANUARY
19: Kullu Rajesh K.
20: Tete Ignatius
21: De Bock Joseph
De Brouwer C.
22: Kujur John
24: Lakra Chonhas
25: Baxla Jyoti Paul
26: Kerketta Raymond
Tigga Tej Kr.
27: Lakra Bimal E.
Xalxo Anuj K.
28: Ekka Blasius
Lakra Nabor
Toppo Sujit
Vande Walle Rene
29: Van Bortel Victor
Horo Telesphore
30: Ekka Manoj Kr.
02: Kerketta Rakesh
03: Tigga Blasius
05: Beck John Anu.
06: Ekka Anup Arvind
09: Kujur Ranjit
Purty Joseph B.
10: Kujur Pradeep R.
11: Minj Anuj Kumar
Van Nuffel Peter P.
12: Kujur Ignatius
14: Kujur Ravi Hemant