News Update
1. Wish you all the blessings of the feast of the Assumption of our Lady and the greetings of Indian Independence Day!
2. Get together of members directly under Generalate in India, except Formation houses, was held on 3rd and 4th of August, 2016 in Chavara Hills, Kakkanad. 26 members from Delhi, Niravilpuzha, Kakkadampoil, Pariyaram, Karikkamury, Kainakary, Chavara Hills and Deepika attended the program. It was an occasion to enhance the spirit of community and renew the commitment to our call and mission. Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, concelebrated Holy Mass, common meal and dialogue were held as part of the schedule. Every member shared his life and mission and the present ministry and challenges. Discussion was held on the decisions of the General Plenary Assembly. All appreciated the two day gathering and decided to have an annual gathering every year.
3. Rev. Fr. Saju Chackalackal, newly elected General Councillor for Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry was given reception during the gathering of the members from different houses under the Generalate. General Council had elected Rev. Fr. Saju the secretary of the General Council on July 25, 2016. Congratulations and best wishes to Rev. Fr. Saju Chackalackal.
4. Rev. Fr. Jose Nandhikkara was elected and appointed the Dean of Faculty of Philosophy, DVK. Congratulations and best wishes to Rev. Fr. Jose Nandhikkara.
5. Rev. Fr. Prior General completed the canonical visitation in Dharmaram College, Bangalore, on 8th August, 2016. He met with each and every member of Dharmaram College and representatives and staff of all the subunits of Dharmaram and student representatives and campus superiors of DVK. Rev. Fr. Vicar General and members of the General Council joined Rev. Fr. Prior General to discuss the study report on Dharmaram with the staff community of Dharmaram on 6th August, 2016. During the 150 minutes gathering, many positive breakthroughs were evolved.
6. Rev. Fr. Vicar General left for Ecuador on 6th August, 2016 to meet with our missionaries and to explore avenues for social apostolate over there in the aftermath of earthquake.
7. Rev. Fr. Prior General conducted the canonical visitation in Darsana Wardha from 9th to 11th August, 2016. He met with the staff and students of Darsana and the staff and students of Christ School, Wardha.
8. Fr. Canisius CMI - 7th Endowment Lectures 2016-17 were held on 6th August, 2016. Rev. Fr. Anto Karokaran gave the lectures on Mission: An Alternative Model. He delivered three talks: (1) Mission, Conversion and baptism: the Colonial Understanding; (2) Christianity and Cultural Nationalism in India and (3) Mission: An Alternative Model. Rev. Fr. Prior General inaugurated the session, Rev. Fr. President, DVK, presided over the function and Rev. Fr. Rector, Dharmaram College shared the reminiscences of Servant of God Rev Fr. Canisius CMI. The program was organized by Vinayasadhana, DVK under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Francis Thonnippara, the director.
9. CMI Education Department organized a seminar on The Draft National Education Policy 2016: Constitutional and Minority Implications on 13th August, 2016 at Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi. Rev. Fr. Xavier Arulraj, Senior Advocate, High Court of Madras led the session. Let us make our voices heard before it is too late through letters and emails. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu, General Councillor for the timely intervention and initiative.
10. A conference on "Feminine Genius: Women Leadership for a Just and Compassionate Society" on 29-30 July 2016 was held in DVK on 29th and 30th July, 2016. Rev. Fr. Prior General inaugurated the session and Rev. Fr. President presided over it. Congratulations to Rev. Fr. Jose Nandhikkara for organising it.
11. The pioneering 10 CMI Brazil missionaries, after sufficient exposure to the language and culture, reached the respective 5 parishes in batches of two. Let us pray for them for being effective missionaries in the distant land.
12. CMI Educational Summit will be held from 15th to 17th September, 2016 at Christ University Campus, Kengery, 200 CMIs in educational apostolate will assemble to discuss and discern CMI Educational vision and policy in the changing phase of educational mission. Let us pray for the success of the Summit so that our educational apostolate will be acceptable before God and people in the legacy of CMI life.
13. Rev. Fr Tomy Chirpaurath was awarded PhD from Nagapur University. He made the studies comparing the trusteeship of Gandhiji and availability of Gabriel Marcel. The thesis work was highly appreciated. Congratulations to Rev. Fr Tomy for his remarkable achievement.
14. Based on the joint request of CMI and CMC congregations as evolved in our GS 37, Syro Malabar Synod appointed a committee to make the study on evolving the norms to declare one as the Father of the Church of Syro Malabar Church. Rev. Frs. George Thanchan, Rev. Fr. Francis Thonippara, Rev. Fr. Benny Thettayil and Rev. Sr. Sophy CMC were the committee members from CMI and CMC congregations. Following the death of Rev. Fr. George Thanchan, Rev. Fr. Thomas Kollamparambil joined the committee to work on the topic. All of them worked hard and made a presentation in the joint meeting of CMI and CMC theologians held in Chavara Hills. The report was submitted to Archbishop Bharanikulangara on 3rd August, 2016. The committee has proposed the norms for Father of Church in Syro Malabar Church and presented St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara as the one who fulfils all the criteria to be declared as the Father of Syro Malabar Church. Congratulations to the efforts of our members.
15. The second quinquennial program for the junior priests in 2016 commenced in Chavara Hills on 12th August, 2016. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thekkedathu, General Councillor, inaugurated the session. Rev. Fr. Dr. Xavier Arulraj, Rev. Fr. Paul Pottackal and Mr. Francis P addressed the junior priests on minority issues, sexuality and healthy relationship and CMI Religious Priesthood: Laity Perspective. With adoration, prayer and personal sharing the program will conclude on 15th August, 2016. 50 junior priests are attending the session. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Paulson Thaliyath and Rev. Fr. James Mekkara for organizing the event.
16. Rev. Fr. Prior General will commence his canonical visitation in Rajkot on 16th August, 2016, followed by Bhavnagar province and Pune.
17. General Formation Council and Major Superiors Meet will be held from 1st to 4th September, 2016 in Poornodaya - Samanvaya Bhopal.

18. Let us Remember our departed souls:

. Rev. Fr. James Pattarkalam CMI (69), of St Joseph's Province, TVM, slept in the Lord on 18.07.2016.
. Rev. Fr. Thomas Maliekal CMI (62), of St. Joseph's Province, Kottayam, slept in the Lord on 20.07.2016.
. Rev. Bro. Francis Tharakan CMI (88), (Devamatha Province, Thrissur), slept in the Lord on Tuesday, 09.08.2016.
. Mr. Mathai (91), Beloved father of Fr. Philip Chammattakuzhy CMI (MYS), was called for eternal reward on 16.07.2016.
. Mr. Pappachan (Joseph) Augustine Vithayathil (63), (Vienna, Austria) beloved brother of Fr. Paul Vithayathil CMI (St. Xavier's Province, Rajkot) slept in the Lord on 18.07.2016.
. Mrs. Mariyam Kutty (92), beloved elder sister of Fr. Pious Valooran CMI (Sacred Heart Province, Kochi), slept in the Lord on 23.07.2016.
. Mr. Thoman (92), beloved father of Rev. Fr. Joy Peenikaparambil CMI (Devamatha Province, Thrissur), slept in the Lord on 23.07.2016.
. Mr. V. I. Varghese (85), beloved elder brother of Fr. Ferrer Vadakumchery CMI (Sacred Heart Province, Kochi), slept in the Lord on 25.07.2016.
. Mrs. Aelikutty Joseph Palakkuzha (92), beloved sister of Fr Joseph Manjananickal CMI (St. Joseph's Province, Kottayam), slept in the Lord on 28.07.2016.
. Mrs. Rosily (66), elder sister of Rev Fr Joseph Alappat CMI (Devamatha Province, Thrissur), slept in the Lord on 29.07.2016.
. Mr. Iype Ulehannan Pandiyappallil (Kochettan, 87), beloved father of Fr. Tom Jose Pandiyappallil CMI, (St. Joseph's Province, Kottayam) slept in the Lord on 04.08.2016.
. Mr. Shaji Varkey (42), Younger brother of Rev. Fr Kurian Chalangady CMI (St. Joseph's Province, TVM), slept in the Lord on 10.08.2016.
. Mrs. Rosamma Thomas (61) Beloved Mother of Rev. Fr. Binoy Palakuzha CMI (Carmel province, MUV), slept in the Lord on 10.08.2016.