Don Bosco India

Memories of Indian ``Summer Priest`` in Germany

LAMMERSPIEL IN MUHLHEIM AM MAIN, Germany - It is rare that an Indian priest celebrates 25 years as summer priest in a German parish. Not only, he has also published a book to mark the occasion. Salesian priest Prof. Scaria Thuruthiyil former dean of the Philosophy Faculty at the Salesian University (UPS) Rome is currently in Lammerspiel in Muhlheim near Frankfurt. He celebrates the silver jubilee of his arrival in St. Lucia parish, Lammerspiel, Saturday 17 July, with a solemn Eucharist at 6 P.M., followed by reception open to all the parishioners of both St. Lucia and St. Sebastian (Dietesheim) parishes.

The World Summit on Media for Children and Youth

Towards a New Global Vision for Children, Youth and Media Karlstad, Sweden, 14th - 18th June 2010

James Phangcho ordained Deacon in Rome

On 19 June 2010, Cleric James Pangcho was ordained a Deacon together with 9 other companions from the International Community of Gerini. The students attend B.Th Course at the Salesian University (UPS). Deacon James begins his Licentiate in the next academic year beginning in October 2010.

``Rāmānuja`s Viśișţādvaita`` defended in Salesian University, Rome

From Sociological point of view, Caste System and India can be spoken of as two sides of the same coin. It is deeply ingrained in the psyche of everything Indian, so much so it poses a formidable challenge even to the Constitution of India. Our political Independence has not been able to give us societal democracy which should be the true foundation of a nation. Neither the likes of Gandhi nor Ambedkar were able to `dismantle` the Brahminic superiority. Gandhi, perhaps, ``deified`` the underdogs by clubbing them under one godly term, Harijan (Hari-God, Jan-people: `people of God`). The Church in India too struggles against the evils of the system. The Gospel values have not been able to confront it effectively or even get round the `values` of casteism. In this context, the doctoral thesis on Rāmānuja`s Viśișţādvaita by Francis Vattukulathil defended at the Salesian University, Rome is another passionate argument in further `dismantling` the evils that the system perpetuates.

The Fifth Provincial Chapter of the Salesian Province of Eastern Africa Comes to an end

May 26th 2010 Nairobi, Kenya the fifth Provincial Chapter of the Province of Eastern Africa began with a hymn to the Holy Spirit followed by the welcome words from the provincial Fr. Joseph Pulikkal after which the Moderator Fr. Gianni Rolandi gave the introductory talk. After the introductory talk the regulations of the chapter were read and passed by the assembly. This was followed by the election of the secretary. From there, after a few remarks about the liturgy the whole group moved to the chapel from the chapter hall for a recollection preached by His Lordship Bishop Paul Kariuki in whose Diocese the salesians have a secondary and technical school. In his talk he insisted on the importance of grace built on nature for every priest. He said that, we as men of God must avoid wrong doing as well as the appearance of wrong doing. He spoke of the importance of reading and prayer in the lives of priests.

Vatican, 11 June: Priests from the five Continents rally round the Pope in Rome!

The festivity marking the Closing celebration of the ``Year of the Priest`` in St. Peter`s was, perhaps, a faith-experience without equal! Hundreds and thousands of priests from all the five Continents rallied around the Pope in a show of ``fidelity, of brotherhood, of closeness to the person of the Pope`` as an elderly priest put it. It was, indeed, a day to remember for many years to come. The Piazza of St. Peter was jam-packed in a sea of humanity. The celebration was a ``holy, Catholic and an apostolic`` fellowship! The Vigil had more than 15,000 priests! The concluding celebration had twice or thrice that number.

Rome, 8 June: Thousands of Priests for Rome Charismatic Retreat!

The International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) and the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships organised a one-day Charismatic Retreat for Bishops, Priests, Seminarians, etc., at the Lateran Basilica on June 8. The theme was The Gift of Priesthood presented by Mgr. Joseph Grech, the Bishop of Sandhurst, Australia. Connecting the theme to Genesis chapter 24, where Abraham sends his servant to his native place with a mission - to search, to find and to bring a wife for his son Isaac, likewise, asserted bishop Joe, we Priests are given a mission, a Command to bring back the people not to ourselves, but to the Bridegroom, Christ Himself! About a thousand priests took part in the retreat.

Fr. C.M Paul sdb awarded for Media at the Service of the Gospel

NIEPOKALANOW, Warsaw, Poland - An Indian priest was given the ``Multimedia in the Service of the Gospel Award 2010`` at the solemn Eucharistic celebration inaugurating the silver jubilee of the longest running International Catholic Film Festival at Niepokalanow, 27 May.

Justine Narzary ordained Deacon in Rome

Rome,December 29: Cleric Justine Narzary was ordained a Deacon in a glittering ceremony presided over by Bishop Mario Toso sdb, secretary of the Congregation for Justice and Peace and assisted by another Salesian bishop from Vietnam. The solemn ceremony took place at Sacro Cuore, the Basilica built by Don Bosco himself which stands tall at Termini, the city centre which has both the railway headquarter and the bus terminus. It was here that Don Bosco wrote his famous Letter from Rome 1884 outlining his educational pedagogy for the young! The ING confreres were around to share his joy and happiness.

Abp Jala Joins NE India Rome Fest

Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong joined Northeast India celebrations held at Salesian University, Rome (UPS), 16 May. Over 40 priests, sisters and brothers from northeast India studying or working in Rome participated. Besides keeping Easter, the fest also served to bid farewell to members returning to India after their studies. The Chief guest at the celebrations were Mr. S.L. Vaiphei IFS (and family) an official at the Indian Embassy, Rome. Bishop Joseph Aind of Dibrugarh, Fr. Joaquim D`Souza, the Superior of the UPS-Rome vice-province and Fr. Carlo Nanni, the Vice-Chancellor of UPS and Fr. Tone Presern and Fr. Cyril D`Souza also made brief visits at the fest.