Seminar on Ignatian Spirituality (23-26 February)

Thirty-eight Jesuits from South Asia, representatives from all provinces (except Gujarat, Patna & Nepal) - all veterans in Jesuit formation and spirituality - gathered at Mount St Joseph, Bangalore, for the South Asia Assistancy level seminar on Ignatian Spirituality, from 23^rd to 26^th February, 2009.  Fr Hector D’Souza, the Provincial of South Asia (POSA), who had planned & promoted the seminar, led the whole process.  In his keynote address, he invited and challenged the delegates to explore and devise a method and process of integrating the Indian spiritual traditions with the Ignatian Spirituality.  After the 35^th General Congregation (GC), there has been a renewed vigour in spiritual conversation and an enthusiasm in sharing of our charism and heritage through retreats.  It was enriching to learn how some Jesuits used Ignatian contemplative method in inter-religious contexts and helped people of other religions to pray; and this was a new and deep prayer experience for them. Fr T K John of Vidya Jyoti, as a resource person, opened vistas of the Ignatian contemplation in the creation and cosmos around us.  He felt that there is ample possibility to relate and promote the Ignatian Spirituality in the rich Indian traditions.  He also proposed a 5-year project to achieve this. 

Fr Edward Mercieca, Secretary for Promotion of Ignatian Spirituality, Rome, (Director of Centre for Ignatian Spirituality - CIS) was a rich resource person and a keen participant all through the program. His simplicity and brotherly warmth touched us all.  His presence and participation as a resource person enthused us. Fr Edward Mudavassery, the POSA-designate, was present for the Seminar.  His warm presence, keen interest and positive participation made the Seminar more meaningful and forward-looking. Our whole-hearted thanks to Fr Francis Menezes (PCF, KAR) who organized this seminar.  His warm welcome, exuding confidence, detailed planning and efficient implementation are admirable and enviable.

(Contributed by Fr Tom Quadros SJ) 

Karnataka Jesuit Province gets a new Provincial

Fr Francis Serrao, the Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, has been appointed as the next Provincial of the Karnataka Jesuit Province. Congratulations Fr Frankie and we wish you all the very best as you take on the challenge of steering the Province.

Community Picnic to 'Sunny Holiday Village'

The whole community of  MSJ took a short break from the normal routine and enjoyed a day’s outing at Sunny Holiday Village, a resort near Gottigere. The picnic spot  was lovely and splendid. The lush green lawns, the tall palm trees, rural-type cottages,  a swimming pool and a volleyball court gave ample scope to relax and refresh. The novices plunged into the waters and had a great time in the pool. Swimming and water polo were the major attractions of the day. The fellowship meal in the afternoon made us feel that we all belong to one family. Fr Arock provided a delicious and sumptuous meal. Soon after lunch, various recreational games were conducted. Fr Denis bagged a number of prizes and surprised many. The youthfulness of the Senior Fathers made us more energetic, active and lively. The day's outing was indeed a time to share our love and joy with one another. At the end of the day, we went back home rejuvenated - renewed and refreshed.

Vocation Camp at Loyola School, MSJ

On the 15th of February, the labourers were invited to the harvest. The High School students from different Parishes (Anekal, Basavanapura, Begur, Chikka Kammanahalli, Kalena Agrahara, Mylasandra and Jaraganahalli-J.P.Nagar) gathered in the School hall of Loyola Institutions for a vocation cum leadership camp. 21 candidates from the neighbouring parishes accepted our invitation and responded generously to be the labourers in the harvest field. The camp was jointly organized by Navasadhana:Pre-Novitiate and the MSJ community. We thank Fr Balaraj and Sch Ronald for their meticulous planning and team work in collaboration with us. Sch Ronald made the students feel at home by conducting a few group activities. Sch Alphonse gave a short talk on study skills followed by another talk by Sch Rony on the call of God and goal in our life. Novice Joyson taught some songs. The novices & the pre-novices made the candidates to relax and feel at home. The community of MSJ took care of all the needs of the day. The camp concluded with the Eucharist celebrated by Fr Sunil. Indeed, the vocation camp was successful bearing abundant fruit.

BalaMela 2009

“The Kingdom of God belongs to little Children.” Every weekend, the novices go for Saturday Ministry to different places (Home for the Elderly, Bosco Mane - for street children, Loyola Primary School, Loyola High School, Loyola ITI, visit the schools and the people in Mylasandra, Hulla Halli, Laxmipura, Hakki Pikki Colony, Hulimavu and Silendranadoddi) to render their service to the school children, street children, tribal children and the elderly. As part of the ministry they conduct the Balamela for the children in their respective places. Through the creative initiative of the novices, Balamela-2009 was conducted smoothly on the 14^th of February. This activity aroused a lot of fun and frolic. The enthusiasm of the children knew no bounds when they actively participated with eagerness and true team spirit in all the games and the other activities that were a part of the show. The staff members of the schools assisted the novices in the overall organization. This event has indeed made us to touch the lives of many children and helped us strike a chord of happiness in their poverty-stricken and misery-soaked lives. The tiny tots were bubbling with joy to receive the gifts at the end of the day. It was an experience that has made everyone happy. Truly a memorable day dedicated to the children.

Inter-Novitiate Seminar on Discernment

“Discernment of Spirits” is a process by which we make our choices and decisions in daily life from our own personal convictions and value-system listening to the interior movements of the heart. Discernment and its process is a gift of St Ignatius of Loyola to the Church and to all of us. Our 14 first year Novices were indeed privileged to be a part of the 4-day course on Discernment. The classes were conducted efficiently and creatively by Fr Freddie D’Silva SJ at the Holy Spirit Convent. There were 58 novices from six different religious Congregations (Holy Mary Convent, Holy Spirit Convent, FSI Novitiate, Alverna Novitiate, La Salle Arpana Nivas & Mount St Joseph)  who actively participated in this program and have exceedingly benefited from it. This course has made them grow towards becoming better human beings, better Christians and better Religious. It has surely brought Christ into the daily activities of life and made us  ‘discerning persons’ and to choose the greater good in life. Once again, It was time for our novices to interact with the novices of the other religious congregations. Some are already looking forward to many more inter-novitiate seminars/courses of this kind! Above all, the seminar was really fruitful and full of deepening insights. Thanks to Fr Fred for helping us to know the importance of 'Discernemnt' in our day-to-day lives!

                                                                              

 

Candidates from 'Xavier Nilaya' visit MSJ Campus

“Atithi Devo Bhava” - is a famous Sanskrit saying. This Sunday saw the arrival of the Xavier Nilaya community (candidates from the Patna Jesuit Province) and their neighbourhood here at Mount St Joseph for a day's outing. The spacious campus and its facilities helped the guests to feel at home even though it was a first time visit for many. The friendly football match in the evening was the centre of attraction of the picnic and it indeed stole the show. The novices of MSJ played against the candidates of Xavier Nilaya. It was a closely contested match. Kudos to the novices who won the game 2-1. Cheers to the candidates who displayed sheer talent, boldness and true sportsmanship. The presence of the neighbours and well-wishers around Xavier Nilaya community gave us a fine example of  how efficiently collaboration can be achieved in the Society of Jesus. They enriched our hearts with their melodious singing and splendid cheering.