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NO. 9 December 2019

Dear Friends,

Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) in the

Philippines celebrated 25 years of our presence in this

Island Country in the month of August 2019. This

marks a historic moment of our missionary presence in

this part of the world. When we look back, we have

numerous reasons to thank God for his abundant graces

and blessings. Today the Philippines Delegation

consists of 13 priests, 19 seminarians in formation with

four formation houses and a full-fledged parish. Just

like this island country experiences turbulent weather

every now and then, the past history of MSFS in the

Philippines also was not without turbulences. In God’s

plan everything happens with a clear purpose and there are no accidents. Christmas brings us the

message of undying hope and ever renewing love of God for us, humans. It is our deep faith that God

has his wonderful plan for this mission and he will steer it through troubled moments to safe harbour.

It is with gratitude and joy that I reach out to you during this Christmas season, with the news and

updates from the Philippines Delegation. I take this opportunity to express the sincere gratitude of all

from the Delegation to each of you for your love, support and prayers for the Philippines Delegation.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fr. Jose Kumblolickal MSFS

Delegation Superior

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DELEGATION MINOR SEMINARY COMMUNITY BARILI, CEBU

The first community of the Delegation, outside Luzon, is in Barili, Cebu. Fr. Praful Tigga MSFS is the Rector and Superior of the community and from the beginning of this academic year, Fr. Anishmon Joseph has joined the community as the Procurator and full-time Vocation Promotor of the Delegation. Fr. Nathaniel Masendo completed his one-year of service in the new foundation as Procurator and he is assigned at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, Molino as the Assistant Parish Priest, with special responsibility of the Pastoral Area of George Town.

MSFS Minor Seminary, in Barili in the Barangay of Patupat, is under construction. The structural works are in progress. The construction was slowed down due to the lack of funds. After the last visitation of the Provincial, with the Bursar and Councilor in charge of Education, financial support for continuing the construction was given. Now the roofing works of the building is going on. Our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Provincial Administration for the keen interest and care shown in the development of the Delegation!

Visitation of the Provincial and Councilors to Barili Community

On the 23rd August 2019 the Provincial, Rev. Fr. Benny Koottanal, together with the Councilor in Charge of Education, Rev. Fr. Jabamalai and Provincial Bursar, Rev. Fr. Vinod Kanat made the visitation of the Minor Seminary Community in Barili. The Delegation Superior, Rev. Fr. Jose Kumblolickal, also accompanied the team. The Provincial met the community members personality and he held common meeting of all the members together with the Delegation Superior and the Provincial Administration to plan for the future. The visitation of the Provincial was an encouraging and uplifting experience for the community and a moment for clarifying the future of the project.

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MSFS FORMATION HOUSE SILANG

Graduation of Scholastics in the Final Year of Philosophy

The MSFS Formation House, Silang witnessed yet another year of its success. Twelve of our Brothers were graduated from St. Paul’s Seminary in Bachelor of Philosophy on June 1, 2019 making our institution and the Congregation proud. The students were promoted for their further education and formation as well as marking the end of the academic year 2018-19. Two of our brothers got special recognition for the best thesis and outstanding performance – Bro. Ricardo Ribera for his thesis and Bro. Robert Sotomil for his exceptional performance in the studies. We congratulate all the graduates and wish them God’s abundant blessings for their next stage of study and formation.

On August 5, 2019 Brothers Antony Varghese and Jibin Joseph arrived in the Philippines and the Provincial of the South West India Province assigned them for their Regency at Silang Seminary and for further formation in the Delegation. The brothers are now learning Tagalog and doing English Accent Reduction Program along with their Regency duties.

The Delegation does not have new candidates for Philosophy this year. The inauguration of the new academic year was held on August 12 with two aspirants. Fr. Jiji Manjackal is the Superior & Rector and two regents assist him in the task of formation. One more aspirant from the Minor seminary of Barli, Cebu joined the community of Silang in October 2019.

Delegation Welcomes the New Regents

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Annual Visitation of the Provincial and Delegation Silver Jubilee Celebrations

The community was blessed with presence of Rev. Fr Benny Koottanal, the Provincial Superior, together with the two members of the Administration during his annual visitation to the Delegation on August 24. The Provincial met all the community members in person as well as together in community. The community hosted the Silver Jubilee celebration of the delegation on August 26, 2019 being the “Mother House” of the Delegation. All the other communities and delegation members rendered their active collaboration for the success of the Jubilee celebrations.

In his homily, the Bishop appreciated very much the work and presence of the MSFS in his Diocese and wished God’s blessings upon the Congregation. There were more than 300 participants for the Jubilee. In the concluding words, the Provincial thanked the Bishop and also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Congregation to all the friends and benefactors who support our mission. The Delegation Superior, in his vote of thanks, gratefully remembered all the MSFS pioneers and confreres who worked in the Delegation during the past years. A video on the 25 years of the history of the MSFS in the Philippines also was screened for the invitees.

The Bishop of Imus, Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista presided over the Eucharistic celebration of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Delegation. During the occasion, the Provincial released the Jubilee Souvenir bulletin and the first copy of it was presented to the Bishop.

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Bon Voyage

Bro. Ricardo Ribera and Bro. Robert Sotomil were designated to the Franco-Swiss Province for their community experience, French Language study and theological formation. The arrangement was made between the South West Provincial and the Franco-Swiss Provincial for these two brothers from the Philippines Delegation to do the final stage of formation in Bonlieu, Fribourg. On October 13, 2019 the members of the Delegation bid them fare-well and they are now in Annecy, pursuing their French lessons and community experience. We thank sincerely Rev. Fr. Yves Carron, the former Provincial and the present Asst. Superior General and Rev. Fr. Yves Le Tué the present Franco Swiss Provincial for this generous arrangement and for the welcome given to the two brothers.

On October 13 Brothers Ricardo and Robert after their philosophical studies appointed in the Franco-Swiss Province for their further formation. They have been offered a course on French in the ENLI language institute, Dasmarinas prior to their departure.

NOVITIATE COMMUNITY After a break of one year, the Delegation Novitiate restarted this year with four novices. The four postulants were initiated into the Pre-Novitiate program on July 04, 2019 with Fr. Anishmon Joseph as the Pre Novitiate Master. The Pre Novitiate program ended with a 5-day retreat, which was followed by the formal acceptance of the candidates to the Novitiate on July 31, 2019 by the Delegation Superior Fr. Jose Kumblolickal.

On the same day Rev. Fr. Binoy Kuzhuppil was installed as the new Novice Master. Under his guidance the novices are completing the canonical year of the Novitiate. The fathers in the Delegation collaborate with the Novice Master in giving classes on different topics that are part of the curriculum of the Novitiate.

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Visitation of the Provincial to the Novitiate Community

Rev. Fr. Benny Koottanal, MSFS, the Provincial Superior, made his visitation to the Novitiate community on August 25, 2019. The novices welcomed him with a song they had composed for the occasion. Fr. Benny met the novices individually after the breakfast. He also held a common meeting of all the community members, together with the Delegation Superior.

As part of the Novitiate program, here in the Philippines, the novices go every month for a 2-day modular class. It is to enhance their knowledge on certain topics, which are common on the Religious Life and on Church matters. It also provides them as an opportunity to relate well with the other novices of different Congregations of both men and women.

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MSFS SCHOLASTICATE - AMADEO

The Scholasticate community

consists of 11 brothers. They

reached the scholasticate on

3rd August, after the annual

vacation. Fr. Philip

Valakodiyil animated the five

day retreat for them from the

5th to 9th of August.

On 9th August 2019 Fr. Philip

Valakodiyil MSFS was installed as the

new Rector of the MSFS Scholasticate.

The mass was presided over by Rev. Fr.

Jose Kumblolickal, the Delegation

Superior. During the installation, the

newly appointed Rector, took the oath

on the Bible and assumed his

responsibility.

On August 24, 2019 Rev. Fr. Benny Koottanal MSFS, the Provincial made his official visitation to the

community and he personally met all the scholastics. He also met the staff individually and finally he held

the community meeting along with Fr. Jose Kumblolickal, the Delegation Superior. Fr. Jabamalai, Councilor

in charge of Education and Fr. Vinod Kanat, the Provincial bursar also participated in the common meeting.

The visitation of the Provincial was in deed very encouraging and it gave a new energy to the community.

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The Scholasticate community participated very actively in the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Delegation

on 26th August 2019.

All our scholastics who are students at SVD Seminary

were commissioned to different pastoral areas of the

IMUS diocese for their week-end pastoral ministry.

There ceremony was conducted during a simple

Eucharist celebration in one of the rural parishes, on

September 4, 2019.

On September 30, 2019, during the solemn Eucharistic celebrations of the Founders day, we had the

conferring of the Minor Orders of Acolyte and Lector on our brothers by Rev. Fr. Jose Kumblolickal MSFS.

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The first year theology students, Brothers Aldrin, Stil, Alex, Michael and

Edmond received the Order of Lector.

During the solemn Eucharistic celebration in which all the delegation members participated, seven of our

brothers received the Minor Orders.

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The second year Theology students brothers Orlan and Jeson received the

Order of Acolyte.

Our scholastics were actively

involved in the cleaning of our

compound at San Miguel II on

17 August, 2019. This plot of

land belongs to the Delegation

and we are planning to start a

Social Work center in this area

in the near future. Our brothers

periodically does the cleaning

and maintenance of the land.

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Thanksgiving Mass and Farewell Program for Fr. Jinu Pathiyakam, MSFS

The history of the Parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is interwoven with the person of Rev. Fr. Jinu Pathiyakam MSFS. He started his ministry as the Pastoral Administrator and Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in January 30, 2005 and served the community until June 16, 2019. During the long fourteen years he accompanied the community and brought them together in one faith and unity and built up the members into an active and serving community centred in evangelization. Through his dedication and passion for the mission, he founded other Pastoral areas and established St. Joseph the Worker Pastoral Substation.

As a sign of gratitude to Fr. Jinu, the lay leaders and parishioners hosted a special program after the solemn thanksgiving Mass, which was presided by him and concelebrated by the MSFS priests. Various groups of ministries, organizations and communities of the parish expressed their gratitude through a video recorded program. One of the highlights of the program was the video message by the Bishop of Imus, Most Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista, DD, thanking Fr. Jinu for the heroic pastoral leadership he gave in the parish and for his services as the member of the Presbyterian Council of the Diocese.

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART PARISH

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The Solemn Installation of Fr. Roni Fernandis, MSFS as the Second Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish

The Parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart will always be thankful to Fr. Jinu and will remember him because he journeyed with them during the struggle filled years of the growth of this parish community and was instrumental in reaching out to the urban-poor in the community. We wish him God’s abundant blessings on his future mission and assure him of our prayerful support.

He also encouraged Fr. Roni, that God’s grace will be upon him to discharge the difficult duties of a parish priest. After the homily, the Letter of Appointment was read followed by the installation proper as the parish priest. With the kiss of peace and the applause by the faithful the installation rite came to a conclusion. The ceremony ended with a group photo and wishes from the parishioners and friends.

The parishioners look forward to continue their faith journey together with their new Pastor, not only fostering what has been established but also discovering new ways of evangelization and doing mission. As the 500th Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines is fast approaching, the priority set up by the new Parish Priest and the Pastoral Team is greater animation of ministries in the parish and empowerment of all.

On July 6, 2019 during the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Very Rev. Msgr. George Morales, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Imus, Rev. Fr. Roni Fernandis MSFS was installed as the second parish priest of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish. The Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Jose Kumblolickal, MSFS the Delegation Superior and the other fathers of the Delegation. In his homily, Msgr. Morales emphasized on the apostolic tradition of appointing and sending of the disciples and their corresponding mission.

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Culmination of the Year of the Youth 2019

On October 26, 2019, around 200 youths of the Parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart gathered for its first Parish Youth Conference in celebration of the Year of the Youth. This year’s theme, Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved, Gifted, Empowered was related with PYC’s theme, Fearless (verse taken from Isaiah 43:1). True to life testimonies were given by 3 youths from different youth organizations surrounding the Parish (one of which was a delegate of World Youth Day 2019 at Panama). It was focused on how a youth of today can be fearless in doing and accepting their mission in life, knowing that they have the grace of being beloved, gifted and empowered by God. Bro. Romnick Civico MSFS shared his insights about “Youth in Mission”. The talk was followed by the Mass, presided by Rev. Fr. Roni Fernandis, the Parish Priest and concelebrated by Fr. Jose Kumblolickal the Delegation Superior, and Fr. Nathaniel Masendo, Parochial Vicar. During the convention there was praise and worship as Adam Navea, worship leader from Ahavah Ministry, and the YFL band played spiritually uplifting songs that added a spiritual note to the event. This event was just a start and the theme song of this year opens with the line: “We are the true stewards of His creation, serving humanity with joy and compassion, creating change amidst our horizon, building a brighter future with youthful passion”. More elaborate programs of the youth are envisaged in the course of the coming year.

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CONFRERES WHO ARE PURSING STUDIES

Fr. Jikson Cheravelil and Fr. Nelson Manuel are pursuing their Masters in Guidance Psychology. They are in their final semester and after the semester exams in December, they will be focusing on the thesis. We wish both of them good luck and success in their studies.

Fr. Jundie Sumagaysay is also completing his Masters Studies in Theology in the Indian Institute of Spirituality in Bangalore. He will complete his classes by February and then concentrate on the completion of final thesis and its defense. He expected to be back in the Philippines, after the completion of his Masters in Theology, by the beginning of next academic year. We wish Fr. Jundie God’s blessings and success in his studies.

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Delegation Carolling and Christmas Celebration 2019

It is the long standing tradition in the Delegation that during the Advent and Christmas season brothers and fathers visit the families of Friends of Fransalians and our benefactors and wish them Christmas with Carols. This year too we began the tradition in the last week of November and the beginning of December, as from 15th December we begin the other tradition of Simbang Gabi (9 days novena masses) in preparation for Christmas. The Delegation also had the anticipated Christmas Celebration on 2nd December 2019 as the seminarians would be busy later with the exams, travel for vocation promotion and Simbang Gabi. From all the members of the Philippines Delegation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! God bless you in the New Year with Peace and Prosperity!!!

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