Yazha Thoni: OMI Newsletter Sep-Dec 2009 - oblate province of ...

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It successfully conducted the election process withyour our support and cooperation. I take thisopportunity to express my sincere thanks andappreciation on behalf of the election committee forthe cooperation you gave for the election of theChapter Delegate and the Alternate. I am also happyto inform you that Rev. Fr. Chandraboss Croos OMIand Rev. Fr. Edmund Reginald OMI are elected asthe Chapter Delegate and the Alternate respectively.Jubilariansof the YearFr. S. Anthonimuthu Croos OMI(Chairman – Election Committee)Annual RetreatThe Oblates of the Province of Jaffna were verypleased and happy to participate in the annualretreat this time for a significant reason that theannual retreat for this year was preached by MostRev. Fr. Wilhelm Steckling omi, the Superior Generalof the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Theretreat was a very enriching experience and callingus for a renewal of our self with the inspiration ofthe Spirit. This was the first time, after so manyyears, many of the Oblates were able to cometogether. More than forty five Oblates participatedin this annual retreat. This retreat was held from the14 th to 18 th of December, 2009 at Pandaterrupu,Jaffna. It was a time of grace and a blessing of Godand we could experience the Spirit moving in ourmidst during the retreat. We shall share with yousome of the Reflections of Fr.General on anotheroccasion.The annual retreat which was preached by Most Rev.Fr. Superior General culminated with the celebrationof the Jubilee of our Oblates Fr. S.J Francis Omi,50years in priesthood, Frs. S.M. Selvaratnam Omi,Stanislaus Philips Omi, Celestine Soosaithasan CroosOmi, 50 years in religious life, Fr. Stany Antony andFr. Victor Jeyasingham, 25 years in priesthood andFr. Edmund Reginald omi, 25 years in religious life.The Jubilee Eucharist was presided over by Fr.Superior General with Fr. Provincial and theJubilarians concelebrated with him. After theEucharist, a felicitation ceremony took place. Fr.Jerome Lambert Omi gave the felicitation speechabout the Jubilarians.Gifts of the Province were given away to theJubilarians by Fr. Superior General as a token of loveand appreciation of their services as Oblates andpriests of God. Frs. S.M. Selvaratnam omi and StanyAntany omi due to their sickness and Fr. VictorJeyasingham omi who is out of the country, couldnot be present at the jubilee celebration.We the Oblates of the Province of Jaffna wish all theJubilarians all the best and much more fruitfulservice in the vineyard of God. Congratulations dearJubilarians and we are proud of you.18 Yazha Thoni
THE DEMISE OF A FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GODThe Province of Jaffna has lost the third Oblate this year. Rev. Fr.Patrick Gnanapragasam OMI, who was at the retired Fathers’ homeAmala Utpavam, has gone for his eternal rest on the 21 st of December,2009 in Jaffna. Fr. Patrick was born on the 16 th of October 1945 atDelft in Jaffna. He made his first religious profession on 31 st May,1966 at Mont Eden, Kalutara, and made his final profession in thecongregation in 1966. He was ordained a priest of God on 26 th of April,1972.He was a talented preacher, writer and pastor. He served as parishpriest in the parishes of Urumpirai, Navanthurai, Puthukudiuruppu,Chavakachecheri, Valaipadu and Negombo. For the last few years, hewas residing at the retired father’s home, Amalautpavam. Fr. Patrickbreathed his last on the 21 st of December, 2009 at the General HospitalJaffna. His funeral took place on the 23 rd of December, 2009 at StMary’s Cathedral Jaffna and his mortal remains were interned at St.Mary’s burial ground Jaffna.“WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT”.Visit to VanniMAY HE REST IN PEACEThe Suffering and the plight of the people living in the northern part of Sri Lanka still remains unresolved.People have been displaced several times losing their loved ones, properties, and all their belongings. Thepeople who were kept at the welfare centers are being resettled in their own places with minimum facilities.As many of our houses and institutions were also situated in Vanni, we also have to restart our work andministry in Vanni. As a preparation for resettlement of our institutions and restarting our ministry in Vanni,Fr. Provincial together with Frs. Beshman, Edwin and Basti took a risky journey to Vanni with the priorpermission from the security forces. With much difficulties and risks, we were able to visit our houses andInstitutions in Vanni.It was a shock to see all our houses and Institutions, some fully and some partly destroyed. They arecovered with trees and bushes and the whole area looks like a jungle. We have to start our ministry inVanni from zero. the Amala Annai Anpaham in Mulankavil, Obtec in Kilinochchi, Annai Ilam in Kilinochchi,Amathipuram Parish and Amathi Thendral in Mullaitivu are completely destroyed. Fr. Provincial is workinghard to get some financial support from his Oblate friends and other donors to renovate these Institutions.We trust in divine providence.Yazha ThoniPresent view of ‘Anpaham’, Mulankavil19
Page 1 and 2: Yazha Thoni1
Page 3 and 4: natural freedoms indispensable for
Page 5 and 6: Highlights of Father General’s Vi
Page 7 and 8: At the Rosarian ConventFr. General
Page 9 and 10: Fr. General visited our Juniorate o
Page 11 and 12: the first term of Fr. General’s t
Page 13 and 14: In MannarFather General arrived in
Page 15 and 16: Father General was moved very much
Page 17: News and ViewsAmala Annai AnpahamAs
Page 21 and 22: Formation“Come and See” program
Page 23 and 24: Oblate Social ServiceNorth KopayA h
Page 25 and 26: They were given assistance to start
Page 27: MONTH OF APRIL03 rd April Fr. H. Ve

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