Blessing of Implements & Cycles

On Sunday, 27 September, our Nation celebrated the feast of “Ayudha Pooja” i.e., the worship of weapons. The blessing of tools, implements and vehicles is a part and parcel of this celebration. We too had the blessing of our garden implements and cycles on this special occasion. The following day on the occasion of the ‘Vijayadashami’ festival, we had the blessing of implements in the farm. Fr William, our Rector, blessed the farm premises. The school children have begun their Dasara vacations. (Dasara is the Nadahabba (state-festival) of the state of Karnataka. It is also called as Navaratri (Nava-ratri = nine-nights) and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara.)

Superiors' Meeting at MSJ

The Superiors of the Karnataka Jesuit Province had a 2-day meeting at Mount St Joseph on the 26th and 27th of this month. Based on the Constitutions and the GC's coupled with personal experiences, the input sessions were given by Frs Frankie, Freddie, Dion & William. All of them returned refreshed with newer ideas to build stronger communities.

Psycho-Spiritual Integration Course (II Years)

Under the guidance of Fr Dion, the Psycho-Spiritual Integration course was conducted for the 2^nd year Novices at Alverna Bhavan from 21-24 September. This course has turned out to be a new flavour for our Prayer. The core of this course was that our thinking should comprehend our feeling and our feeling should comprehend our behaviour. Self-esteem was something that surfaced as one of the many surprising instincts for our behaviour. Finally, through the course we learnt the different dimensions of sexuality and the current problems and situations that Religious and Novices face. All these things climaxed in the ultimate goal of human existence - ‘To Live for Others’ i.e., in other words to be 'Self Transcendent.'

PLATINUM JUBILEE OF FR SIMON FURTADO

We feel glad to have gathered to “Sing Praises to God” for the beautiful gift of Fr Simon Furtado to the Society of Jesus, that of 70-graceful years lived with commitment and sacrifice. God has accomplished much in and through Fr Simon during his past 91 years of life and 70 of them as a Jesuit. He celebrated the Holy Sacrifice. Fr Freddie was the Provincial's delegate at the short felicitation programme. Fr Furtado was joined by his sisters-in-law and Jesuit friends, neighbouring Religious, relatives & near and dear ones. It was indeed a very memorable day for him. We thank God for all that he has done through Fr Simon and we wish that God may continue to keep Fr Simon in the palm of His hand and bless him with good health and with all the graces that he needs to carry on His service of love in the years to come.

QUIZ (Series III): MSJ Golden Jubilee

As we celebrate the MSJ Golden Jubilee, the Blog Coordinators invite all Jesuits of our Province & all those Jesuits from elsewhere who are MSJ Alumni to compose poems, write short stories and share with us memorable or humorous incidents when you were associated with this Mother House. We present to you the Third Series of the four online Quiz competition scheduled to be conducted until the Jubilee. Kindly send in your answers to these questions onto our Email address: msjnov@gmail.com Attractive prizes will be awarded when we all meet on 11 October 2009, the day set aside for the Jubilee celebration. Please encourage others also to take part and make this occasion more dynamic and full of life.

Here is Series III

1. Which Provincial converted the Mirza Farm (Old DA) into a Retreat house?

a. Fr S Monteiro b. Fr A P Menezes c. Fr J C Pereira d. Fr Julian Fernandes

2. How old is the cart that our driver Mr Lawrence Fernandes uses for his maintenance activity at MSJ?

a. 40 years b. 25 years c. 50 years d. 20 years

3. Who is presently appointed the head cook at the MSJ Kitchen?

a. Mrs Sharada b. Ms Esther c. Mrs Venkatamma d. Ms Rathna

4. When did Fr Arrupe visit MSJ?

a. 13 Jan '66 b. 13 Jan '67 c. 13 Jan '65 d. 13 Jan '68

5. When did Pope John XXIII die?

a. 4 Jun '65 b. 4 Oct '65 c. 4 Dec '65 d. 4 Sep '65

6. How many years did Fr Apoline D’Souza serve the Society as Novice Master?

a. 12 b. 10 c.11 d. 13

7. Which Provincial shifted the Provincialate from MSJ to Loyola Mandir?

a. Fr S Monteiro b. Fr A P Menezes c. Fr J C Pereira d. Fr Julian Fernandes

8. In which year was the Novitiate closed down?

a. 1965 b. 1966 c. 1967 d. 1968

9. When was the First Parents day celebration held at MSJ?

a. 31 Mar '65 b. 31 May '65 c. 31 Jan '65 d. 31 Dec '65

10. The shape of the Main building of MSJ resembles which letter of the alphabet?

a. E b. V c. M d. P

Well then... Please mail in your entries to our email msjnov@gmail.com with the subject QUIZ: Series III Answers. Looking forward to your replies... The entries must reach latest by 07 October after which the answers will be displayed. Good Luck.

HORIZON 2009 Draws to a Close!

Horizon: The in-house exercise for talent search culminated with the Culturals on Sunday, 13 Sep. Each of us has grown a lot. A few of us wish to share our journey with you...

Veeraj: "Difficulties don’t crush a man but they make him perfect." These were our thoughts as we conducted Horizon-2009 in the Golden Year of MSJ. The groups were very creative. We grew in community spirit. We learnt to give and take. The message we derive: “Do not look behind, look always ahead at what you want to do and you are sure of progressing.”
Martin: “Examine everything and then hold on to what is best.” This was the motto of our group. Unity in our group strengthened as we went ahead. This journey of Horizon 2009 helped us overcome our petty struggles and shaped us into better, confident and creative persons.
Jason: 'Horizon' had a special impact on me. I discovered hidden talents within me. I gave myself fully to what was asked of me. Single-handed none could achieve victory after all. I really feel that this kind of event promotes group involvement. Horizon has fulfilled its purpose to “grow as a community and understand each other better.”
Pradeep: “The way you begin determines the way you will give interest to broaden your Horizon.” Horizon 2009 was an opportunity for us to break ourselves and bond in relationship, to enlarge our vision. It was a preparation for me towards greater challenging dreams awaited in the future.
Arvin: Horizon helped us promote a spirit of oneness. We got to know each other better. Our motto was “Do your best and God will take care of the rest.” One can move mighty mountains if we work as a group, be united, think creatively and never give up.

QUIZ (Series II): MSJ Golden Jubilee

As we celebrate the MSJ Golden Jubilee, the Blog Coordinators invite all Jesuits of our Province & all those Jesuits from elsewhere who are MSJ Alumni to compose poems, write short stories and share with us memorable or humorous incidents when you were associated with this Mother House. We present to you the Second Series of the four online Quiz competition scheduled to be conducted until the Jubilee. Kindly send in your answers to these questions onto our Email address: msjnov@gmail.com Attractive prizes will be awarded when we all meet on 11 October 2009, the day set aside for the Jubilee celebration. Please encourage others also to take part and make this occasion more dynamic and full of life.

A word of gratitude to Fr Hilario Fernandes who painstakingly prepared the first series of 20 questions. Here is Series II

1. When was Fr JC Pereira announced Rector of MSJ?

a. Jan 1959 b. Apr 1959 c. May 1959 d. July 1959

2. Who celebrated the very first Mass at MSJ with the Juniors on May 1 1959?

a. Fr Austin D’Souza b. Fr Denis D’Souza c. Fr Apoline D’Souza d. Fr Boniface D’Souza

3. Who was the very first Minister at MSJ?

a. Fr Denis D’Souza b. Fr Denis Alvares c. Fr Denis Pinto d. Fr Denis Pereira

4. When did Fr Boniface make his first canonical visit as a vice provincial to MSJ?

a. 10 Jan 1960 b. 15 Feb '60 c. 28 Nov '59 d. 29 Aug '59

5. When did Bp Thomas Pothacamury inaugurate the Altar of the Main Chapel?

a. 12 March 1960 b. 22 Aug '59 c. 3 Dec '60 d. 15 Aug '61

6. When did Fr Denis Alvares take over from Fr Austin D’Souza as Socius to Novice Master?

a. 12 Aug 1960 b. 26 Jan '60 c. 30 Nov '60 d. 25 July '60

7. Who was the first one to be buried in MSJ cemetery?

a. Fr George Pai b. Fr James Sampaoli c. Br Bignami d. Fr P Zanolin

8. Fr Denis Coelho was appointed the youngest Rector in which year?

a. 1959 b. 1967 c. 1963 d. 1966

9. Who took over as Socius from Fr Walter Albuquerque at MSJ?

a. Fr Denis Coelho a. Fr Robert Cutinha c. Fr Antony Coelho d. Fr Terence Colaco

Well then... Please mail in your entries to our email msjnov@gmail.com with the subject QUIZ: Series II Answers. Looking forward to your replies... The entries must reach latest by 07 October after which the answers will be displayed. Good Luck.

Birthday of our Dear Mother Mary

The Feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was celebrated with all grandeur today, at our Parish through a Konkani Mass celebrated by Fr Henry Saldanha. Flowers were offered at the Grotto in the Parish by the faithful. In preparation to the Feast, Novena was conducted in the community. We participated with ardent devotion to pay homage to Our Lady. We Novices made up the Choir with a few lay people. Blessed new-corn was distributed to every family at the end of the Mass. Fr Minister arranged a traditional meal for all of us in the afternoon. As a part of the Horizon activities, we had a Quiz conducted in the evening. Mary, Mother of God, is the mother of all generations. We can freely approach her for all that we need. She is not the end rather the beginning who leads us safe, just like a mother who leads her child by holding its little hands, to the eternal kingdom of God.

We wish you all a Blessed Feast of the Nativity of Our Heavenly Mother.

A Pilgrim's Way to the Basilica

We Novices had a day’s pilgrim journey to the Basilica on 4 September, as a means to prepare ourselves for the Nativity of our Blessed Mother. All of us came back with grace-filled experiences. Four of our First Year’s are eager to share their significant experiences with you all.

Avinash: My pilgrimage to the Basilica turned out to be a special experience, one that I never had before. Silence within me and outside of me was the reason for this. Every minute that I walked as a pilgrim, was a step towards transformation in me. I cherish the devotion of all peoples I saw there. The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was a means for me to reach Jesus through the kind favours and graces of our Lady.

Praveen: I had a first-hand experience of being a Pilgrim: a man in search of the Will of God. Fr Tom D’Souza helped us prepare for this encounter through the points he proposed the previous night. While on my journey I felt the company of Mother Mary. I never felt tired all through the day. The deep Faith, Hope and Love that I saw in an old man who was on a wheel-chair, really touched me.

Mark: I undertook this pilgrimage with a lot of zeal, enthusiasm and with great devotion to our Lady. As I walked reciting the Rosary, the picture of St Ignatius came to my mind. This image enkindled in me a desire to have the similar experience that Ignatius had at Montserrat. I approached our Lady with a humble heart and begged for her blessings. I experienced her presence there. This pilgrimage has strengthened my call to be a soldier of Christ.

HORIZON 2009

HORIZON: The in-house exercise for talent search began on 4 September with the Inauguration at 8:45 PM. Fr Hilario Fernandes had kindly consented to be the Chief Guest. His message highlighted the need for healthy competition and all round growth of the participants through this event. The week long programme which comprises of many activities targeting spiritual, emotional, psychological and intellectual growth of every Novice will reach its climax on the 13^th with the Culturals. The 28 of us have been divided into 4 different groups. This event is also aimed at strengthening community bonding amongst us. We are not so much concerned towards winning as such but such an occasion is a golden opportunity for us to progress towards all round growth.

New Presbytery at Mylasandra Parish

On 30 August, Rev Dr Bernard Moras, the Archbishop of Bangalore was the guest of honour at Holy Trinity Church, Mylasandra in order to inaugurate the Presbytery. He also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 89 children in the Parish. Over a thousand people assembled to take part in the Eucharist and the short inaugural thereafter. Prior to this grace-filled day, Fr Mohan Joseph, the Parish Priest had meticulously arranged for confessions for these children and their parents. Fathers from the MSJ community accompanied by the 2^nd year Novices were also present at this programme.

QUIZ (Series I): MSJ Golden Jubilee

As we celebrate the MSJ Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Blog Coordinators invite all Jesuits of our Province & all those Jesuits from elsewhere who are MSJ Alumni to compose poems, write short stories and share with us all memorable or humorous incidents when you were associated with this Mother House.

As promised earlier, here is the First Series of the four online Quiz competition scheduled to be conducted over the next 40 days. Kindly send in your answers to these questions onto our Email address: msjnov@gmail.com Attractive prizes will be awarded when we all meet on 11 October 2009, the day set aside for the Jubilee celebration. Please encourage others also to take part and make this occasion more dynamic and full of life.
To begin with, we have two sections in the First Series. The first section is multiple choice just to get things a little easy - first up.....
GENERAL SECTION

01. Mangalore Seminary was taken over by the Jesuits: What year?

a. 1879 b. 1880 c. 1878 d. 1881

02. The foundation stone of St Aloysius was laid: In which year?

a. 1879 b. 1882 c. 1884 d. 1880

03. Date of inauguration of St Aloysius?

a. 12 January 1883 b. 12 Jan 1884 c. 12 Jan 1882 d. 12 Jan 1885

04. The first Novitiate began in Jeppu: What date?
a. 12 January 1883 b. 12 Jan 1884 c. 12 Jan 1882 d. 12 Jan 1885

05. The Mangalore Mission became Calicut Mission: In which year?

a. 1925 b. 1929 c. 1928 d. 1927

06. Mangalore Mission became Mangalore Vice-Province: in which year?

a. 1956 b. 1954 c. 1955 d. 1957

07. Mangalore Vice-Province became Karnataka Vice-Province: in which year?

a. 1956 b. 1954 c. 1955 d. 1957

08. Karnataka Vice-Province was consecrated to Our Lady of Karnataka: Date?

a. 22 August 1960 b. 22 Aug 1961 c. 22 Aug 1962 d. 22 Aug 1959

09. Fatima Retreat House began: Date?

a. 27 January 1947 b. 27 Jan 1946 c. 27 Jan 1948 d. 27 Jan 1945

10. Ashirvad began: In which year?

a. 1974 b. 1973 c. 1972 d. 1975

MOUNT ST JOSEPH SECTION

01. The Christ Hall Novitiate in Calicut began: Date? First Novice Master?

02. The foundation-stone of Mount St Joseph Laid: In which year?

03. Christ Hall Novitiate/Juniorate transferred to MSJ Bangalore: Date?

04. MSJ was blessed and opened: Date? Officiating Archbishop?

05. That Day was the feast of Our Lady: Under what title?

06. Name of the person who designed MSJ? [Nationality? Congregation?]

07. Name any two persons (Jesuits) connected with the beginnings of MSJ.

08. Name of the contractor who built MSJ?

09. In the year 1959: Who was the Pope? Jesuit General? Vice-Provincial? Rector? Novice Master?

10. Karnataka Vice-Province now called a Province: In which year?

Well then... Please mail in your entries to our email msjnov@gmail.com with the subject QUIZ: Series I Answers. Looking forward to your replies... The entries must reach latest by 07 October after which the answers will be displayed. Good Luck.