Young Priests' Meeting at Sevalaya in Dharwad

All young priests of the Karnataka Jesuit Province came together for sharing, reflection and companionship at Sevalaya (Diocesan Pastoral Centre) in Dharwad on 5 February. It was a wonderful occasion for sharing of faith, fellowship and fraternal love. We benefited from the personal testimony of Fr Maxim Rasquinha who shared with us his initial struggles and successes as a priest. Reflection and sharing of the young priests in their respective batches helped us to get into the minds and hearts of each other. Fr Francis Serrao, the Provincial, gave an inspiring and insightful message to us. His talk highlighted the multi-dimensional identity of a Jesuit priest i.e., to be fully human, Christian and religious. We then partook in the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Vidya Niketan, which was an icing on the cake. Thanks a ton to Fr Freddie D'Silva, our beloved PCF, for charting out the programme and executing it to a perfect finish. We are also grateful to Fr Sunil Cletus Fernandes for coordinating the programme efficiently. Our gratitude is also due to Fr Anthony Joseph, the superior of Vidya Niketan and his team for the meticulous planning and arrangements at Sevalaya. Indeed, this meeting has refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated us.
"Pray much for priests because we need holy priests. The holier the priests are the more holy we religious will be. Then too, the more holy will be the families who are longing for God. If we have holy families we will have many holy vocations." Blessed Teresa of Kolkata