A Delightfully Impressive Experience! This is how I wish to recall our journey to our friaries in the Foundation of St. Francis of Assisi. The journey began in the early hours on 3 December 2021. Brs. Nathaniel and Shanborlang, the missionaries in the Karbi Anglong received us, Brs. Alphonse Moras, Tony D’ Souza, Praveen D’ Souza, Gopu Rajasekhar and I at the airport and drove us to St. Anthony’s Friary, Guwahati.
The house was already buzzing with excitement for the Blessing and Inauguration of the new Senior Secondary Block of St. Anthony’s School. The friars of the house were busy getting things ready. However, they left no stones unturned in welcoming and making us feel at home. A few friars had already arrived and a few more arrived during the day for the occasion. The young aspirants woke up the still-left-youthfulness in many friars and had an interesting game of football in the evening! Friars came together just before the evening prayer to bless the Solar Panels installed in the friary.
4 December dawned early for us at 4.30 AM. Friars drove in two vehicles to Salbari. As we entered the lush green campus of St. Clare’s Friary, the young aspirants were eagerly waiting to welcome us with a song and dance. The Christmas Celebration in St. Clare’s School was a visual treat as the students performed various cultural programmes. Kudos to the friars, principal, staff and the students for their wonderful programme! Br. Gopu Rajasekhar, the Project Secretary, blessed and inaugurated a Tailoring Centre for the parish women. Br. Phyrnai, the Team Leader in Salbari invited the guest friars to award the children with the scholarship amount.
In the evening, we proceeded to Sawpara, a village under St. Clare’s Parish. The faithful of the village gave us a warm traditional welcome. Later, the young and old burst into dance and made sure that no friar was left out of the dancing circle. All joined dancing to the melodious tunes! Br. Praveen then blessed and inaugurated the renovated Village Chapel after which we celebrated the Eucharist. We appreciate Br. Francis Arockiasamy, the Parish priest and the friars of the community for their missionary endeavours.
The busy day with a number of programmes came to an end with another cultural programme. Our own young aspirants entertained us with their solo and group performances, dances and songs, skit and speech leaving us with a great admiration for their talents! Thanks to Brs. Roshan Lobo and Anthony Archer for accompanying our young aspirants!
We had yet another earlier rising on 5 December to travel to behold the scenic beauty of Nongjri and also witness the blessing and inauguration of the Assisi Home, the Boys’ Hostel. Our four-wheeler’s balancing act as it crossed the wooden bridge was worth the watch! As we entered Nongjri, we already saw scores of people from surrounding villages thronging to Nongjri. We gave a few children ride in our vehicle, too. The inside and outside of Our Lady of Angels’ Friary on a small hill-top in Nongjri was pristine clean.
Br. Praveen blessed the hostel building and along with the boys of the hostel cut the ribbon open. The Solemn Eucharist was celebrated by all the friars present. What stood remarkable and inspiring during the Eucharist was the never-ending line of grateful people with their offerings from the harvest. The children of Nongjri added joy to the event with their fantastic colourful cultural programme. Brs. Stephen Lamin and John Lyngdoh deserve our praise for their committed ministry here. Our journey then continued as we voyaged to North Guwahati.
The dawn on 6 December was a bit late as we got sometime to sleep extra after a couple of days of continuous travels. The festive mood brightened the campus. St. Anthony with the Child Jesus along with the Children chiselled beautifully on the front wall of the new school wing was a beaming attraction. The construction was perfectly complete and all was set with no last-minute touch-ups. Br. Tony Marshall, the Principal in welcoming the gathering said, “The tall and elegant building that you see with your naked eyes today represents the belief of our Franciscan brotherhood in divine providence and the collective efforts of our entire brotherhood but in particular the present Provincial administration and the local community of North Guwahati.”
Most Rev. Dr. John Moolachira presided over the Blessing Ceremony. Br. Praveen D’ Souza cut the ribbon of the new Senior Secondary Block. It was a good gesture on the part of the friars to dedicate the Children’s Park to late Ms. Kayntiewlang, the first ever teacher to join St. Anthony’s School in Guwahati along with the pioneer friars. Br. Tony D’ Souza inaugurated the Canteen which was until a few months ago the Friary!
After the Rite of Blessing, the new building welcomed the students, teachers, friars and guests who gathered in the Auditorium for the cultural and felicitation programme. It was a colourful day but the colour “brown” exceptionally dominated a good number of friars were present! We appreciate deeply the efforts of Brs. Wilson Paul, President, Tony Marshall, Principal and Ignatius Baa in organizing the entire day meticulously well. The Aspirants in North Guwahati added wonderful memories with their talent show through songs, dances and skits. Thanks to Brs. Brayan Carneiro and Ankit for training the Aspirants.
The day dawned yet early on 7 December as we travelled to Karbi Anglong to see the Bishop of Diphu as well as the mission stations where our Brs. Nathaniel Tirkey and Shanborlang ministered. Rev. “Dr. Paul Mattekkatt gave us a warm welcome. While interacting with the bishop, he came across to us as a simple Bishop with his both feet on the ground sharing realistically the need of the mission in the region of Karbi Anglong. We then moved to see the land the diocese is offering us. We had almost a 35-Minute walk around the entire diocesan land. The slushy ground made our walk a little difficult. Since we did not want to miss the parish in which our two brothers minister, we braved the dark and cold weather to drive. Our brothers stay along with the diocesan parish priest and minister in the same parish. They are well appreciated for their missionary fervor and enthusiasm. We thank Brs. Nathaniel and Shanborlang for their daring venture here in this diocese and we are specially indebted to them for their tireless driving in all these days reaching us to different places.
Another early rising on 8 December saw us driving to Ri Boi District headquarters for the registration of the Land in the village called Umling. Having successfully carried out the formal legal procedures, we had a sumptuous lunch. On the way back to St. Anthony’s Friary, Guwahati, we spent some time in our land in Umling, another piece of scenic beauty and visited our Capuchin Brothers and the Bishop’s house.
With the required rest on 9 December, we had a relaxed morning. With the delicious lunch at Mr. Shohidur’s house, the Civil Contractor for the new school wing in Guwahati, the planned programmes were brought to a good and memorable finish! Reminiscing the delightfully impressive experience all along, we reached back in Bangalore in the evening hours on 9 December.
Br John Sekar OFM
St Thomas Fraternity Bengaluru
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
02 |
Arulsamy A. Mesia Elias Moses M. Arvind Kerketta Benedict Gomes |
Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1991 1999 2005 2008 |
03 |
Charles Arulanandam Alwyn D’ Souza |
Birth Ordination |
1978 2006 |
04 |
Davis Kallookaran Tommy T.J. Arockiasamy P. Thomas Manakuzhiyil Saji P. Mathew Arun Devasia Nattalil Roshan Lobo Francis Michael Velcy Barreto |
Birth Birth Ordination Ordination Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Birth |
1950 1959 2002 2004 2004 2017 2017 1992 |
05 |
Mathew Koottumkal Jesu Maharajah G. Peter Saleth Nathan J. Andrew Thomas |
Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Birth |
1999 2010 2010 1997 |
06 |
Jayaseelan P.R. Fulgence Ekka Thaddeus Baxla + Leopold Vaz Xavier Durairaj Manoj Xalxo Baikim Chadra Minj |
Birth Ordination Ordination Home Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1970 1997 1997 2000 2009 2012 2012 |
07 |
Vincent Soosai Salim Baxla Augustine Tirkey A.J.Mathew Joseph Bipin Kishore Kandulna Ushar Kachhua |
Ordination Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1999 2011 2017 2017 2017 2017 |
08 |
Julius Arul Rayan Robin Lakra Ajith Kerketta Shanborlang Wartde |
Ordination Ordination Ordination Solemn Vows |
2004 2007 2011 2017 |
09 |
Joy K.D. Fabianus Toppo Deen Dayal |
Birth Ordination Birth |
1970 2008 1983 |
10 |
+ Clement Griffith Alwyn D’ Souza Lourdu Augustine Hemant Xess |
Home Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination |
1950 2001 2001 2006 |
11 |
Gabriel Mathias Joseph Raj M. Baptist D’ Souza Praveen Henry D’ Souza Salim Baxla Ajit Kerketta Anil Xalxo Anil Xalxo |
Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination |
1974 2003 2003 2003 2008 2008 2008 2011 |
12 |
Ignatius Baa Fulgence Ekka Jose Palimattom + Baptist van de Sande Vilas Baptist Correia Salvador D’Souza |
Birth Solemn Vows Ordination Home Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1970 1994 1999 2001 2007 2007 |
13 |
Shaju Paliyathil Jesu Maharajah G. |
Birth Ordination |
1967 2012 |
14 |
Kulandaisamy M. Felix Vijay M. Nijil Chiramel Leos Ekka Malom-Noatoli – Church Simon A. |
Birth Birth Birth Ordination Blessing Ordination |
1958 1983 1986 1994 2006 2011 |
15 |
Alwyn D’ Souza Mukti Prakash Ekka Fabianus Toppo Baptist D’Souza Santosh Ekka |
Birth Ordination Solemn Vows Ordination Ordination |
1975 2004 2005 2007 2010 |
16 |
Simon Pinto + Paul Ryan + Egbert Barnes Jerome Kispotta Prasad Papabathuni Joy K.D. Naveen George + Bala Sundar Raj Peter Shashikanth Reddy G. |
Birth Home Home Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination Home Birth |
1952 1958 1985 1994 1995 1995 2011 2011 1996 |
17 |
Balthazar Pinto Anthony Pushparaj Arokiam John Charles Arulanandam |
Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1990 2007 2007 2007 |
18 |
Bryan Carneiro Arvind Kerketta |
Birth Solemn Vows |
1969 2003 |
19 |
Shaji Nicholas Vadachery Jugal Kishore Lakra |
Ordination Solemn Vows |
1999 2002 |
20 |
+ Thomas Province - INDIA Bernardine of Siena Matthew Koottumkal Jayaseelan P.R. Jamesmon P.C. Thomas A. Joy Valooran Sushil Beck Joy (George) Sebastian Xavier Durairaj Santosh Ekka John Sekar Alangara Boniface |
Foundation Feast Birth Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Birth |
1948
1977 1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 2001 2007 2007 2007 2007 1989 |
21
|
Thaddeus Baxla Ajit Kumar Dung Dung Lalith Kujur |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination |
1995 2006 2012 |
22 |
Guwahati Mission Sandesh Manuel Balaswamy Gundiga Benedict Gomes Vijay kAmirtharaj A. |
Foundation Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1996 2004 2005 2005 2005 |
23 |
Anthony Alex Martis |
Solemn Vows |
2004 |
24 |
Dedication of the Basilica of St. Francis Pradeep Kalliath |
Feast
Solemn Vows |
2004 |
25 |
Jose Palimattom Sleeva Reddy Vincent Soosai Matthew Koottumkal Johnson M.V. Shaji Nicholas Vadachery Joy Valooran Tojy Mandapathil Mesia Elias Moses M. Anthony Roobandass A. Arokiam John Charles Arulanandam |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1990 1990 1990 1990 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 2004 2004 2004 |
27 |
Basil Lobo Varghese Lakra |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
2001 2007 |
28 |
Jerome Kispotta Fulgence Ekka Cajetan Lourenco Francis Agnelo Rozario Sagaya Soosairaj Singarayar A. Prasad Papabathuni Thaddeus Baxla Joy K.D. Assisi Bhavan, Chippilithode Phyrnai Lyngdoh Madhu Sudhan Reddy Deen Dayal Nathaniel vTirkey Jesu Raja A. Johnvinzen Lyngdoh Teiborlang Wartde Rajasekhar Reddy Gopu |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Blessing Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1989 1989 2006 2014 2014 2014 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 |
29 |
Varghese Sebastian Scaria Varanath Thomas M.M. Dayanand Bala Marneni Paul Kallan John Chrysostom Regi Matthew |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1970 1970 1970 1970 1990 1993 1993 2003 |
30 |
Gregory Fernandes Fidelis D’ Lima Augustine Pinto Sidney J.M. Nicholas D’ Souza James Kallarackan Charles Mathew Kolanchery Joy Prakash Gabriel Mathias Amaladass Manickam Jayaseelan P.R. Jamesmon P.C. Thomas A. Tom John Arockiasamy P. Cajetan Lourenco Francis Agnelo Rozario Sagaya Soosairaj Singarayar A. Irudayaraj Fernando Austin Francis Mukti Prakash Ekka Francis Xavier Wilson Paul Nattalil Basil S. Lobo Thomas M.J. Julius Arul Rayan Alwyn D’Souza Sushil Beck Saji P. Mathew Lourdu Augustine Shaju Paliyathil Bryan Carneiro Ignatius Baa Regi Matthew Bhaskar Reddy Tomy Palackal Benjamin Jojo Joseph Raj M. Baptist D’ Souza Anthony Alex Martis Jugal Kishore Lakra Anthony Pushparaj Praveen Henry D’ Souza Michael Anand Kulandaisamy M. Arvind Kerketta Hemant Xess Pradeep Kalliath Anthony Roobandass Arun Junes A. Balaswamy Gundiga Robin Lakra Arokiam John Charles Arulanandam Sandesh Manuel Benedict Gomes Vijay Amirtharaj A. Salim Baxla Ajit Kumar Dung Dung Francis Xavier Thomas M.J. Saji P. Mathew Joy (George) Sebastian Xavier Durairaj Varghese Lakra Santosh Ekka Salvador D’Souza John Sekar Ajit Kerketta Anil Xalxo Simon A. Naveen George Lalith Kujur Tony Marshall Vijay Minj Manoj Xalxo Baikim Chandra Minj Prashanth Wilson Fernandes Jesu Maharaja G. Peter Saleth Nathan J. Prem Kumar D’ Souza Stephen Lamin Gashnga Jayapal Dwarakonda Joseph Stephen Vinoth Robin Sahaya Dhas J. Praveen Roshan Toppo Felix Vijay Eugene A. Jeddu Praveen Chinna Reddy Nijil Chiramel Joseph Prasanna Kumar Pasala Showri Raju Christopher Phyrnai Lyngdoh Basil Tirkey Vinod Kujur Madhu Sudan Reddy Francis Arokiasamy M. Thumma Ranjith Kumar Reddy Deen Dayal Prashanth Wilson Fernandes Nathaniel Tirkey + Valerian Quadros Jesu Raja A. Johnvinzen Lyngdoh Teiborlang Wartde Shanborlang Wartde Rajasekhar Reddy Gopu Augustine Tirkey A.J.Mathew Joseph Bipin Kishore Kandulna Arun Devasia Nattalil Roshan Lobo Ushar Kachhua Salvador Drego Anand Suresh Minj Emmanuel Christopher N. Anto Leo Martin Sangma Clinton J. Nideesh M. John Albinus Ekka Prasad Rao Kasu Eliyas Reddy Stephen Arun Thomas Kiren Vineet Kerketta Silash Panna Nicolas Marak Adarsh Y. Deepak Kumar Rajesh Praveen Kumar Avinash Kujur Alphone Velankanni Abhishek M. Anmol Bara Akshay Showry Raj Ejekial Lakra Francis Michael Velcy Barretto Henry Jose Ibrahim G Momin Joseph Raj Kalyan Kurmar Manish Ekka Marius Dahanga Nichol John Ravi Bara Salun Kispotta Sujit Ganji Alangara Boniface Anthony Joseph archer Pradeep Anthony L. Jacob Tani Gali Bal Reddy T.S Leo Max Joseph Kishan Niranjan Toppo Peter Shashikanth Reddy G. Ankit Kumar Baghel Niraj Kumar Tirkey Nelson Toppo Avinash Toppo Andrew Thomas Justin Savio A. Felix A. |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Solemn Vows Entry Home Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry |
1956 1958 1961 1961 1966 1968 1968 1968 1968 1978 1992 1992 1992 1993 1993 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 |
31 |
Gregory Fernandes Fidelis D’Lima Agnel D’Mello Augustine Pinto Sidney J.M Salim Joseph Nicholas D’Souza James Kallarackan Charles Mathew Kolanchery Joy Prakash Gabriel Mathias Varghese Sebastian Scaria Varanath Thomas M.M. Dayanand Alphonse Moras Gerald Lobo Simon Pinto Paul K.L. Davis Kallookaran Lawrence Simon Arok Sundar Sebastian Dharma L. Bernard Johnson M.V. Shaji Nicholas Vadachery Joy Valooran Mesia Elias Moses M. Irudayaraj Fernando Austin Francis Anthony Pushparaj Simon A. Naveen George Tony Marshall Lalith Kujur Manoj Xalxo Baikim Chandra Minj Vijay Minj |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Birth Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1960 1962 1965 1965 1965 1965 1970 1972 1972 1972 1972 1974 1974 1974 1975 1976 1976 1976 1976 1977 1977 1977 1978 1997 1997 1997 1997 2000 2000 2003 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 |
