September 8, 2018, the Birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary, was yet another day of blessing, rejoicing and sincere gratitude to God for the Pauline Family in Nigeria! The community of Lagos was privileged to host the First Religious Profession and vestition of our two Novices, John Okoh and Sixtus Onuoha.

The Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr Jikson Mullasseril, Provincial Councillor, Novice Master and Delegate of the Community of Lagos. Pauline priests, representing Ibadan, Enugu and Port Harcourt and a few priests from the neighbouring communities and parishes concelebrated with him. Many religious sisters, relatives of the newly-professed, parishioners of St Paul’s Church, Iju, and members of the Pauline Family were present to participate in the historic event.

After the First Profession of John and Sixtus, four junior brothers – Desmond Shinshimia, James Edeh, Michael Muogbo and Valentine Obukaneme – renewed their religious profession.

During his homily, Fr Jikson reflected upon the importance of ‘call and consecration’. “God calls and consecrates those whom he chooses even from our mother’s wombs,” he said. This might seem absurd and foolish in the eyes of the world. But for those whom He calls, it is a matter of joyful surrender to God’s will just as Mary, our Blessed Mother surrendered her life to God. We too need to respond to our consecration totally and completely. He proposed to the newly professed four effective weapons to help remain steadfast in our consecrated life: Holy Eucharist, Holy Bible, Prayer and Devotion to Mary.  If we use these four weapons in our daily life, we can combat and win over any temptation and persevere in our vocation. Fr Jikson also urged the Christian community to support the newly professed with constant prayer and encouragement.

The events of the day came to an end with a short reception and dinner for all those present. We thank the community of Lagos under their leadership of Fr Jikson for meticulously planning and ably organizing the event to the satisfaction of all. As Brothers John and Sixtus have responded to the call of God to offer themselves to Him and for His service in the Pauline Family, we wish them boundless joy and fulfillment in their lives and assure them of our prayerful support and encouragement to persevere in their total YES to God for the rest of their lives. 

St Pauls Institute of Communication Education, Mumbai held Inauguration Day Celebrations on Monday, July 16, 2018, to celebrate the launch the new Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) and Inauguration of the new academic year 2018-19 &. The BMM undergraduate degree, affiliated to the University of Mumbai, is offered exclusively for ‘Women Students’. About 220 guests, students, faculty, parents and well-wishers of the institute and Society of St Paul, attended the ceremony.

During the ceremony attended by Rev. Fr Varghese Gnalian, Provincial Superior, Rev Fr. Dr. Dominic D’Silva, Director- St Pauls Institute of Communication Education, Chief Guest Ms. Faye D’Souza, Executive Editor, Mirror Now and  Dr. Sunder Rajdeep, Chairman Board of Studies, University of Mumbai, students, parents, faculty got to know about the new academic year in store at the institute.

The ceremony commenced with a prayer urging us to be the light which makes students to put  their talents for the betterment of society. This was then followed by the ceremonious lighting of the lamp by all the dignitaries.

After an introductory speech by Rev Fr. Dominic D’silva , Director, who spoke about his high hope towards communication media research, with impact on communication today & its ability to influence society , and the institute’s plan and processes in place to help students build successful media careers.

Speeches by distinguished guests continued. Rev. Fr. Gnalian spoke about the Pauline Communication Mission, the vision and mission and the tie in with media- studies today. He also blessed the institute, the chief guest and other dignitaries and audience members, while declaring the new academic year open.

Then Chief Guest, Mirror Now Executive Editor- Ms. Faye D’Souza took to the podium to deliver the keynote address. A well respected journalist, she spoke about contemporary India and the role of the media today. She spoke about the role of the (educational) institute in training future media professionals, and the power of ‘not hiding your voice’ but engaging in and questioning the discussions and decisions rolled out by the government and ‘powers that may be’.

Drawing further inference from the multi religious prayer, Ms. D’souza, expounded on being the ‘salt of the earth’, laying emphasis on ethics and conscience; the sense of right and wrong; developing a circle of influence, the attitude of hard work, -and even the ability to spell correctly, (drawing amused smiles from the faculty members in audience) - all the while ‘thinking of the job ahead of you’ as a media professional.

Dr. Sunder Rajdeep, with his warm and encouraging words about St Pauls Institute of Communication Education, spoke of the institute’s continued focus on media studies, to make media education accessible to all, especially- women. He officially launched the Bachelor of Mass Media program at this ceremony and presented Rev. Fr. Gnalian with approval letters to commence the new course.

Dean Carol Andrade, gave warm and encouraging words, speaking about impact of reporting, the influence media has over society, while focusing on the tremendous impact of the fragile press-media-society relationship. She wished all students ‘Good , telling them to  prepare well for the work they have to undertake during the academic year.

Fr. Francis Xavier, Asst. Director, delivered the vote of thanks and mementos were presented to the Chief Guest, the Guest of Honor and the Provincial Superior respectively.

The newly constructed Formation House of the Society of St Paul at Ibadan, Nigeria, was blessed and inaugurated on 30 June 2018 by His Grace Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, Archbishop of Ibadan. The occasion coincided with the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee celebration of Fr Blaise Kandathil, Superior of Ibadan Community, as well as the Feast of St Paul the Apostle. Present on the occasion were Rev. Fr Varghese Gnalian, our Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr Jikson Mullasseril, Provincial Councilor, priests, religious, members of the Pauline Family, distinguished guests and several friends of our communities in Nigeria.

The day’s celebrations began with the cutting of the ribbon and the Rite of Blessing of the new house presided over by Archbishop Abegunrin. Following the Rite of Blessing, the stone of commemorative inscription was unveiled jointly by the Archbishop and our Provincial, Fr Varghese. This was followed by a thanksgiving Eucharist presided over by the Archbishop within the multipurpose hall of the new Formation House. During his homily Archbishop Abegunrin profusely appreciated the presence of the Society of St Paul in Nigieria and particularly at Ibadan and praised them for their zeal, efficiency and professionalism in spreading the good news of Jesus through media apostolate. He recalled that Pauline Apostolate consists mainly in transmitting knowledge in its various aspects which is essential in today’s world. “People enrich their lives by reading books,” he said. He also congratulated the jubilarian Fr Blaise Kandathil for completing 25 years in priestly ministry and yet remains youthful and energetic always.

The Holy Eucharist was followed by a reception during which various speakers felicitated the members of the Society of St Paul for the magnificent edifice of our new Formation House and Fr Blaise on his Silver Jubilee. Many of those involved in the construction of the new house, from the Architect to the contractor, to the electricians, welders, plumbers and masons, were felicitated during the reception. Fr Blaise proposed the vote of thanks. A fellowship meal brought the curtains down to the celebrations and merriment of a memorable and historic day for the Society of St Paul, especially in Nigeria.

Earlier on the day His Grace Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job, Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan, surprised us with a friendly visit before going for another important engagement. It may be noted that it was Archbishop Felix Alaba Job who invited us and procured for us our first house and the first Book centre at Ibadan, Nigeria, 27 years ago. His gracious visit was a sign of his paternal care and affection towardsr us, Paulines, and for our apstolate. As our Baba Archbishop celebrated his 80^th birthday on June 24^th, we wish him good health and many more years of active service.

Asc Tidings Vol. VI, No. 3, July 2018