1. We wish every CMI the blessings of the New Year - 2020, the Chavara Jubilee Year!

2. Congratulations and prayers to Rev. Fr. Jose Parathanal CMI who was appointed to the Tribunal of the Diocese of Providence, RI.

3.The solemn feast of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara was celebrated on January 3, 2020 with the participation of a large gathering of priests, religious and the faithful. Mar Sebastian Vaniapurackal, Curia Bishop of the Syro Malabar Church presided over the Eucharistic celebration at 10.30 a.m. and gave the homily. Mar Gratian Mundadan, Mar Joseph Kunnath, Mar John Vadakkel, Mar Jose Chittooparambil were there as concelebrants. Rev. Fr. Prior General, General Council members, Provincials and around 200 CMI priests were concelebrants for the festal holy Qurbana. Congratulations and Thanks to Rev. Fr. Scaria Ethiret, the prior and the Director of Chavara Pilgrim Centre and CMI Mannanam community.

4. Holy Father has granted special indulgence to all who visit and pray at St. Kuriakose Elias Pilgrim Centre, Mannanam where his mortal remains are laid to rest. During the feast celebration, Rev. Fr. Cherian Thunduparambil, Procurator General, Rome, explained the preparation needed for receiving the special indulgence during the Chavara Jubilee Year.

5. Inauguration of Chavara Jubilee Year was held at 1.45 p.m. in K.E. School, Mannanam. Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, inaugurated Chavara Jubilee Year and the Housing project for the Dalit. Shri Babu Chazhikadan MP, Shri Suresh Kurup MLA, Mar Joseph Perunthottam, Mar Sebastian Vainapurackal, Prior General and CMC Superior General spoke on the occasion. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chamathara, the Provincial, Rev. Fr. Scaria Ethiret, the Prior and Rev. Fr. James Mullassery, the Principal of K. E. School, Mannanam.

6. The newly ordained priests celebrated Holy Qurbana at St. Kuriakose Elias Pilgrim Centre, Mannanam at 4.30 p.m. on January 3, 2020 and prayed at the tomb of St. Kuriakose Elais Chavara. They were also present for Chavara Jubilee Year inaugural mass and public meeting.

7. Chavara Hills community gave a warm reception to the newly ordained priests on January 3 and 4, 2020. The newly ordained celebrated the Holy Mass at Chavara Hills along with the General Council and Chavara Hills community at 6.15 am on January 4. The newly ordained priests shared with the community their aspirations and dream ministry. They were felicitated during Chavara Jubilee Year inaugural celebration at 10 am.

8. Chavara Jubilee Year Celebrations at Chavara Hills was inaugurated by His Grace Archbishop Mar Antony Kariyil on January 4, 2020. The program started with novena to St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and veneration of Relic in Chavara Hills Chapel. Mar Antony Kariyil was felicitated during the occasion for being appointed as the Metropolitan Vicar of the Archdiocese of Eranakulam Angamaly. Rev. Fr. Francis Thonippara and Rev. Fr. Benny Thettayil presented papers on the theme, St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the Father of the Syro Malabar Church. 17 CMIs were honoured for their exemplary life and contributions by Rev. Fr. Prior General. The newly ordained young priests were congratulated during the meeting. During the celebrations, six books from the Chavara Central Secretariat were released by His Grace Mar Antony Kariyil CMI. They are (1) A Pillar and Guiding Light: Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a Theologian of the Church by Sophy Rose CMC (2) Kuriakose Elias Chavara: The Wise Liturgical Reformer of Thomas Christians of Malabar by Francis Kanichikattil CMI, (3) Dar?anav??: A Theology of Inclusive Home in Saint Kuriakose ?lias Ch?vara by Jojo Parecattil CMI, (4) Visudha Chavara Kuriakose Elias (Malayalam) by Fr. Valerian C.D. (Fifth Edition), (5) Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara by A. Mathias Mundadan CMI (Second Edition), and (6) Chavara Sruthikal: Prabodhanagalum Darsanangalum (Malayalam) by Sophy Rose CMC. The first three in this collection come from the Saint Chavara Theological Studies Series. In addition, Deepika Dhinapathram: CMI Kalaghattam (1887-1989) by Fr. Alexander Paikada CMI and In Sinu Jesu (Malayalam Translation by Fr. Alexander Paikada and T. Devaprasad), facilitated by Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil CMI, were also released during the celebrations. Fr. Saju Chackalackal, General Councillor for Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, coordinated thematic presentations and the book release. The programme was concluded with the vote of thanks by Fr. Antony Elamthottam, General Councillor for Finance and Agriculture, and the Saint Chavara Sesquicentennial Jubilee song.

9. The Major Superiors Meeting was held on January 4–5, 2020. All the provincials and Vicar Provincials/one Provincial Councillor attended the meeting.



10. Fr. Jerin Kolanmanny CMI, who is working with Rongmei Tribe in Manipur organized a pilgrimage through Kerala and had one of their stops at CMI Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, during 9-10 January 2020. A group of 35 members, including Fr. Jerin and Sr. Ann Maria MSMHC stayed at the Generalate on 9th evening and celebrated Holy Eucharist on 10th morning. This visit was made unique by the release of a Rongmei translation of the Chavarul (Testament of a Loving Father), which was organized by Fr. Jerin CMI. The text was printed by the Chavara Central Secretariat and it was released by Fr. Paul Achandy CMI, Prior General, by giving its first copy to Fr. Jerin soon after the Eucharistic celebration.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CMI Constitution Retreats

Ø Nirmal Province, Jagdalpur: from January 13-17, 2020.

Ø CSR Pariyaram: January 19-25 and February 02-08, 2020. (Interested members from abroad and India may register with Fr. Rijo Pulichamackal, secretary to Fr. General Email: secretary@cmi.in, Mob: 9400057006)

Ø Retreats in New York and Florida will be held from February 10-20.

Ø Get together of our members who celebrate Silver Jubilee of Religious Profession: from January 10-12, 2020 at Chavara Hills.

Ø Get together of our members who celebrate Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination: from January 13-15, 2020 at Chavara Hills.

Ø Get together of our members who celebrate Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination: from January 17-19, 2020.

Ø Feast of St. Kuriakose Elias and Get Together of Religious communities on February 10, 2020 at Chavara Hills.

Ø Get together of the batch ordained in 2018 December – January 2019, at Chavara Hills from February 12-15, 2020.

† Let’s Remember the Departed Souls

v Sr. Mary John FMM (90) Beloved Elder Sister of Rev. Fr. Ignatius Plathanam CMI (St. Joseph Province, Kottayam) was called to eternal reward on Thursday, 02 January 2020. The funeral took place at Holy Apostles convent cemetery, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai at 11. 00 am on Friday, 03 January 2020.

v Mr. K.C. Ipe Kalapurackal, (95), beloved father of Rev. Fr. Paulose Kalapurackal CMI ( Carmel Province, Muvattupuzha) was called to eternal reward today, 08 January 2020. The funeral will be on Monday, 13 January 2020 at 10.00 am at St. Thomas Forane Church, Thommankuth.