Dear Brother Oblates,
Cordial Greetings and Many Blessings to you.
This communication is to provide you with some information.
1. Let me thank you all sincerely for your presence at the common Gathering at Thodarpaham on the 25th of February. There were 59 members present and three excused themselves. It was a spirit-filled forum where we were able to openly share about our lives and ministries. I personally believe that the inspiration for such a community sharing came from the reflections of our Superior General’s letter that he wrote for 17th Feast. There were matters of personal and communal nature. What is important is that we learn from such sharing to better our lives and commitment as consecrated people. It is also an invitation to deepen our relationship with one another, accepting our own limitations, forgiving and seeking forgives from others. The season of lent and our preparation to celebrate the paschal Mysteries of Christ will certainly purify us from our sinfulness and heal our wounds.
2. I paid visit to Mullikulam in Mannar together with Fathers Alban and Edwin and saw the pathetic situation of the people. Their stories are very sorrowful and they feel that they are being abandoned. But they were hopeful that one day their village will be freed from the occupants. We took with us milk powder worth of one hundred thousand rupees and distributed to all the families. Ha d a meeting with them to put up two sheds for the education of their children. After discussing this matter with the parish Priest also, we have passed five hundred thousand rupees for this purpose. Fr. Alban will coordinate the work together with the pastors. The Bishop of Mannar is informed of this.
3. Fr. Marc Desaureualt OMI, the treasure General is visiting the province from 3rd to the 10th of April 2013. Every province of Asia Oceania region is visited by a member of the General administration prior to the inter chapter to be held in Bangkok in April. Fathers Jeysanthan and Beshman will organize his visits to the Province. Please cooperate with them
4. The Annual Retreat for 2013 will be held in three places, Kandy (August 11-17), Madhu (August 25-31) and Sangamam /Kopay(November 17-25). You are getting a post Card regarding your choice and send the post card back to me in order to facilitate accommodation and other logistics. This is a vital since member of both provinces might follow either of the two retreats.
5. The Priestly Ordination of our three Deacons will be held on Thursday the 6th of June in Jaffna at St. Mary’s Cathedral and the other of the two will be on Saturday the 15th of June Mannar at St. Sebastian’s Cathedral. Kindly mark these dates in your diaries. The deacons will go through their pastoral experience till 21th of May and follow the retreat in preparation. Please keep them in your prayers.
6. The Asia Oceania regional conference (AORC) joint session with the General Administration and the inter-Chapter of the congregation will be held in Bangkok from the 12th April to 4th May 2013. I shall be attending them. In my absence Fr. Stanislaus Philips OMI will act for me
Fraternally Yours
M. Paul Nadchethiram OMI
Provincial Superior