Healing 1

From the Provincial’s Desk

My Dear Brothers, Sisters,

Co-workers & Friends in

Risen Christ,

In today’s context Religious life is facing a crisis; we

face the problem of vocational fragility. Only radical

commitment to our mission of hospitality can give

meaning and stability to religious life. When we say

mission it does not imply just doing good to others. It

implies a change of heart. It means enjoying and

communicating God’s love. We are committed to Jesus

who is present among his people who are sick, needy

and marginalized. Jesus becomes visible in his people.

We need transformation to consummate the vision of

Jesus. How do we bring about this transformation?

Politicians speak about this transformation but for

their own interest. We work for this transformation

implied by Gospel values that Jesus left to us. We say

with Samuel, “speak Lord, your servant listens”. We

listen to those near us, the members of the community

surrounding us; we adapt a prophetic style of

responding to the needs of our neighbours. See how

Jesus starts His ministry among people around him in

Palestine. Every day as we aptly begin our work by

participating in Eucharist, let us commit ourselves

anew to the mission entrust to us that of transforming

the world with a prophetic spirit.

HHHHHHHH EEEEEEEE AAAAAAAA LLLLLLLL IIIIIIII NNNNNNNN GGGGGGGG

Newsletter of the

Saint Thomas Province, India HOSPITALLER ORDER OF SAINT JOHN OF GOD

Volume IV, Issue 12 April 2010

Yours fraternally,

Bro. Antony Palamattom OH

Provincial

Second Provincial Chapter of the Hospitaller

Order of St. John of God, St. Thomas

Province India

The Indian Province celebrated its second Provincial

Chapter from 15th

to 20th

February 2010. Provincial

leadership had appointed a Preparatory Commission

and they worked hard for various preparations. An

evaluation on the life of the Province was carried

out before the Provincial Chapter and its scientific

report was done by the commission. As a

preparation for the Chapter, all the members of the

Province gathered in two batches at Kattappana and

Velloor and discussed the life of the Province.

The Provincial Chapter officially began on 15

February 2010 at Poonamallee with the Holy Mass.

The Inaugural Holy Mass was presided by Rev. Fr.

Bellarmine SDB, Rector, BECCHI House, Mangadu.

Healing 2

He delivered a speech on ‘Leadership in Religious

Life’ and ‘Religious Life in the Modern World’ in the

Chapter. The theme of the Chapter was ‘Fidelity to

the Mission Means Fidelity to the Charism of

Hospitality’. Prior General Bro. Donatus Forkan

presided over the Provincial Chapter and he was

accompanied by his Councillor, Bro. Vincent

Kochamkunnel who is responsible for Mission and

Asia Pacific Region. Fr. Mathew Vallipalam OFM Cap.

was the facilitator of the Chapter. Bro. Francis

Mannaparampil was elected as Secretary. Bro. Savio

Padinjarekutte and Bro. Binish Mulakcal were

elected as scrutineers of the Chapter. All the Solemn

Professed Brothers with the exception of Bro.

Prakash Madappally and Bro. Joseph Kattackal. Bro.

Salim Lakra participated in the whole chapter as

representative of Scholastics.

In addition to him eight co-workers, (two St. John of

God Sisters and other six co-workers) participated in

the Chapter on 16 February 2010. They are Dr. Sr.

Jyothis James and Sr. Elzit Tom (Sisters of Charity of

St. John of God), Dr. Jolly Varghese (St. John’s

Hospital, Kattappana), Mr. Jacob Kora (St. John’s

Hospital, Kattappana), Dr. M. Wilfred (Santhi

Nilayam, Trichy), Mr. Tanson (St. John of God,

Special School, Velloor), Mr. Thomas George (St.

Thomas Home for the Aged, Poonamallee) and Mr.

M. Raja (Poonamallee). Bro. Baiju Valuparampil

(commission for formation of co-workers) thanked

the co-workers.

New Leadership of the Province

On 19 February

2010, on the day

of discernment,

the chapter

elected Rev. Bro.

Antony

Palamattom as

the new

Provincial of the

Indian Province for the next Four years. (The Order,

through an amendment made in its General Statutes

at the Extraordinary General Chapter held in Mexico

in November 2009, revised the term for the

Provincial Leadership from three years to four years

with effect from the 2010 Provincial Chapters). Then

on the following day 20th

February, the Chapter

elected Bro. George Kizhakkenath, Bro. Pius

Manithottiyil, Bro. Piuskutty Kochuparampil and

Bro. Raphael Swamydoss as Councillors. The Chapter

concluded on 20th

February.

Visit of Bishops

Most Rev. Dr. Abraham Viruthikulangara,

Archbishop of Nagpur and Rt. Rev. Dr. Sebastian

Durairaj, Bishop of Khandwa Diocese visited the

Brothers during their Provincial Chapter on 18th

February 2010. Archbishop Abraham

Viruthijulangara who is aggregated to the Order. He

addressed the Assembly, assuring his prayers and

blessings for a fruitful Chapter and invited the

Brothers to start a community in his Diocese.

Golden Jubilee Celebration of Prior General

Prior General of the Hospitaller Order, Brother

Donatus Forkan is in the Golden Jubilee year of his

Religious Profession. The Indian Province celebrated

his Golden Jubilee on 16th

February 2010 at

Poonamallee.

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Appointment and Transfers

The Second Provincial Council Meeting of the new

Provincial Leadership Team was held on 24th

February 2010 at Kattappana. The main agenda of

the meeting was the appointment of various office

bearers and assigning duties of the newly elected

Provincial Councillors. The Council nominated the

following Brothers as office bearers and requested

the Prior General to appoint them.

Provincial : Bro. Antony Palamattom OH

Provincial Councillors:

1st : Bro. George Kizhakkenath OH

Commission for Religious and Spiritual life

2nd : Bro. Pius Manithottiyil OH

Commission for Bio- Ethics and Pastoral Care

3rd : Bro. Pius Augustine Kochuparampil OH

Commission for Vocation Promotion and Formation

4th : Bro. Raphael Swamydoss OH

Commission for Formation of Co-workers

Provincial Secretary:

Bro. Chinnapparaj OH

Provincial Bursar:

Bro. Aloysius Mattathil OH

Novice Master:

Bro. Raphael Swamydoss OH

Scholastic Master:

Bro. Benedict Nadayil OH

Prior, Kattappana Community:

Bro. Pius Manithottiyil OH

Director, St. John’s Hospital:

Bro. Baiju Chacko Valuparampil OH

Asst. Director, St. John’s Hospital:

Bro. Thomas Kanjiramoottil OH

Director, Pratheeksha Bhavan:

Bro. Jose Mathew Thottathil OH

Prior, Poonamallee Community:

Bro. George Kizhakkenath OH

Prior, Deshgaon Community:

Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte OH

Prior, Velloor Community:

Bro. Benedict Nadayil OH

Director, Velloor Centre:

Bro. Augustine Polaprayil OH

Prior and Director, Trichy:

Bro. Francis Mannaparampil (Sac) OH

In-charge Vellervally:

Bro. George Kizhakkekara (Sac) OH

Postulants and Aspirants Master:

Bro. Chinnapparaj OH

Vocation Promoters Coordinator:

Bro. Piuskutty Augustine Kochuparampil OH

Vocation Promoter in Kerala:

Bro. Pius George Vattothukunnel OH

Vocation Promoter in Tamil Nadu:

Bro. Chinnapparaj OH

Vocation Promoter in N. India:

Bro. Yanka Sharma OH

Assisted by Bro. Salim Lakara OH

Director, Mauritius Project:

Bro. Johny George Pullanthithundathil OH

Commission for Professional Studies and long term

Courses:

Bro. Piuskutty Augustine Kochuparampil OH (Head)

Bro. Pius Manithottiyil OH (Member)

Bro. George Kizhakkenath OH (Member)

Handing over ceremony at different centers

Kattappana

On 15.03.2010, it was a joyful occasion of family of

St. John of God who gathered in St. John’s

auditorium. The program began at 3.20 p.m. Dr.

Mathew Jacob (Medical Superintendent) expressed

the warm welcome to the participants. Rev. Bro.

Antony Palamattom the newly elected Provincial

addressed the gathering and introduced the

incoming office bearers of Kattappana Center and

Councillors. Bro. Pius Manithottiyil, the outgoing

Director of St. John’s Hospital addressed. The

representatives of staff and students felicitated. Bro.

Baiju the new Director of St. John’s Hospital

addressed. Finally Mr. Binoy K. Philip expressed his

gratitude. The program ended with refreshment.

Healing 4

Velloor

The Provincial leadership reached Velloor and the

function started at 11.00 am on 16th

March with the

presence of the PTA executive, students and staff of

the centre. Mr. Dipu John, the Principal welcomed

all the guests and stressed the importance of John

of God Sisters’ service in the centre. Provincial, Bro.

Antony Palamattom, presided over the meeting and

in his presidential address and introduced his

council members, the new Prior of the community -

Bro. Benedict Nadayil and the Director of the Centre

- Bro. Augustine Polaprayil. Mr. Shaji, PTA

president facilitated and requested the Provincial

for the service of John of God Sisters. The Provincial

Rev. Bro. Antony Palamattom announced that four

Sisters from the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of

St. John of God will join soon in the centre after

preparing an agreement between Sister General and

the Provincial.

On the same day Bro. Benedict and Bro. Augustine

took the responsibility as prior and director

respectively.

Novices with Velloor community members

New Chaplain for St. John of God Centre

As requested by Bro. Benedict Nadayil - Prior and

Bro. Augustine Polaprayil - Director, Archbishop Mar

Joseph Perumthottam arranged a priest from the

Changanasserry Archdiocese to meet the spiritual

needs of the centre. Rev. Fr. Dominic Palathunkal

joined the centre on 25th

March 2010 as chaplain.

He was accompanied by 20 priests from the Priest

home at Ithithanam. John of God Sisters who are

working in the Priest home and two Medical Mission

Sisters from Ithithanam also accompanied them.

The centre gave them a warm welcome.

Farewell to Sisters at St. John of God Centre

History of St. John of God in Tamil

St. Thomas Province published the life history of St.

John of God for first time in Tamil. The book was

written by Bro. Chinnapparaj OH. Prior General Bro.

Donatus Forkan released the book during the

function held on 16th

February 2010 at Poonamallee.

Bro. Augustine Polaprayil received the first copy of

the book.

Preparatory Course

In accordance with the guidance given by the

General Curia, the Indian Province organized a

preparatory course for all the new office bearers

Healing 5

from 9th

to 11th

March 2010. The course was guided

by Fr. Felix Koikara SDB and Fr. Jayaraj SDB at

Salesian Youth Animation Centre, Ennore.

On these three days residential programme, classes

were mainly focused on Community Building,

Emotional Awareness, Personal Growth, Conflict

Management, Time Management, Emotional

Maturity and Jesus Leadership Style etc. The course

was very much appreciated by the participants.

Mission in Sri Lanka

As decided by the previous leadership team, Bro.

Albert Thekkumkaduthadathil and Bro. Bino

Parakkanassery left for Badulla, Sri Lanka on 5th

April

2010 as the first step of starting a Mission of the

Hospitaller Order. Bro. Antony Palamattom, the

Provincial, Bro. George Kizhakkenath, the Provincial

Councillor and Bro. Aloysius Mattathil, Province

Bursar accompanied them. Rt. Rev. Dr. J. Winston S.

Fernando, S.S.S., Bishop of Badulla Diocese

extended them a warm welcome to his Diocese. The

initial expenses of the Project are financed by the

English Province. The Brothers have rented a house

near Badulla. They work together with the Diocese

of Badulla and make a feasible study that would

help the Provincial Leadership to decide a suitable

Apostolate for the future.

Mauritius Project

The French Province of the Hospitaller Order of St.

John of God expressed its desire to hand over the

community and centre for the elderly people at

Pamplemosses where Bro. Albert

Thekkumkaduthadathil was Director from 2004 to

September 2008. The Indian Province considered

the request favourably. As a process of takeover,

there was a meeting with French Provincial Alain-

Samuel Jeanceler and Bro. Antony Palamattom on

14th

March 2010 in Mauritius. Bro. Mathieu Sisahaye

from French Province and Bro. Johny George

Pullanthithundathil also participated in the meeting.

It was a successful meeting and decided to go ahead

with process. As part of the meeting the participants

met the Bishop Maurice E. Piat c.s.sp. (Bishop of

Mauritius) at the Bishop’s House. He has expressed

happiness and extended his support to get visa for

the Brothers.

Bro. Johny George Bro. Shiju Nanthikattu

(Designated Brothers for Mauritius Project)

Visit

Bro. Francis de Sales Chmiel, Prior of the Holy Family

Hospital, Nazareth, Israel visited our Province from

27th February to 3rd March 2010. He was

accompanied by Sr. James who is a member of the

Sisters of Charity and working in the Holy Family

Hospital. They visited Poonamallee, Trichy,

Kattappana and Velloor Communities.

Ms. Malika Derschang, President of the Khandwa

Mission e.V. Püttlingen, Germany visited our

Province in March 2010. She visited Khandwa,

Poonamallee, Velloor and Kattappana

Communities from 14th

to 21st March 2010.

Healing 6

Bro. Salim Lakra

Bro. Salim Lakra has

successfully completed one

year Intensive Diploma Course

in Formative Spirituality from

Siddhi Vihara, Mysore. At

present he belongs to the

Deshgaon Community and

assisting Vocation Promotion in North India.

Formators’ Meeting

Formation and Vocation Promoters meeting was

held on 10.04.2010 at Poonamallee at 10 a.m.

arranged by Bro. Pius Augustine Kochuyparampil

(Commission for Vocation Promotion and

Formation). The meeting began invoking the

guidance of the Holy Spirit. Bro. Piuskutty Augustine

Kochuparampil presided over the meeting and

welcomed the participants. The following Brothers

participated:

Bro. Antony Palamattom, Bro. Georg Kizhakkekara,

Bro. Benedict Nadayil, Bro. Piuskutty Augustine

Kochuparampil, Bro. Chinnapparaj, Bro. Raphael

Swamydoss, Bro. Pius V. George and Bro. Salim

Lakra.

Various level of Formation was discussed; many

shared their opinions and suggestion for the

Formation and Vocation Promotion.

Feastdays

May

01 St. Richard Pampuri

Shibu Joseph Sagayaraj (Novice)

03 Bro. Morly Ambalathumkal

06 Bro. Savio Padinjarekutte

17 Bro. Pascual Piles (Ex-General)

23 Bro. Prakash Madappally

June

03 St. John Grande

13

Bro. Antony Palamattom

Bro. Sathyan Mathai

Chennakkattukunnel

21 Bro. Aloysius Mattathil

24 Bro. John Suresh

29

Bro. Chinnapparaj

Bro. Shailendra Ohariya

Bro. Paul Varghese Kizhakkeveettil

July

03

Bro. Thomas Kanjiramoottil

Bro. Roy Mani Chelakkunnel

Bro. Saji John Mullankuzhiyil

Bro. Dhan Singh Jamra

11 Bro. Benedict Nadayil

13 Bro. Sudhir Chandar Tirkey

25 Bro. James Edayadil

31 Bro. Ignace Topno

From the

Editor’s Desk

Gratitude is the best of attitudes. It is

the key for opening doors of hearts.

With deep sentiments of gratitude

and love I bow my heads before each

and everyone who did co-operate in

the make-ready of this first issue of

Healing (Newsletter of St. Thomas

Province). In the following months

you may see the addition of some

new features and even a whole new

look. In the mean time, I hope you

are enjoying our newsletter. I am

really excited about how far we have

come, but even more, I am excited

about what’s ahead.

I would like to hear from you! So you

are welcome to leave your feedback.

Kind Regards,

Bro. Chinnapparaj OH

Provincial Secretary

Hospitaller Order of St. John of God 53/54, Queen Victoria Road

Poonamallee, Chennai - 600 056, India.

℡ +91-44-26272348, 26492124

Mobile: +91-9940547192

Fax: +91-44-26273973

E-mail: pauljpoh@yahoo.co.in

hrorder@md4.vsnl.net.in

hrorder@dataone.in

Web: www.johnofgodindia.org