26 participants representing 126 members of the India-Great Britain-Ireland Province arrived at Carmel Haven, Pune, about 6 pm to participate in the XIX Provincial Chapter. The Chapter members then welcomed Father Domenico Soliman, Superior General, Father Johnson Vattakunnel, General Councillor and Father Joby Mathew, Provincial Designate, as they arrived from Bombay by road at the venue. For More details about the XIX Provincial Chapter, See the Menu "Chapter News"
The evenings program began with a solemn mass celebrated by Fr Domenico Soliman. The participants processed to the altar holding a flag representing all the communities and various apostolic or formative activities of the Province. Fr Joby Mathew, the Provincial Designate welcomed Father General and Fr Johnson Vattakunnel and thanked them for their presence during the days of the Chapter.
Father Soliman, in his homily, reminded the participants that “these will be intense days of confrontation, discernment and a time of choices” and that “listening to each other” is very essential for personal transformation and renewal of mission. Explaining the healing miracle of the paralytic (Gospel of the day) who was brought to Jesus by lowering him through the roof, Father General drew a comparison between the four friends who wanted to do some good for their friend and our Founder who wanted to do some good for the people of his time. He challenged the participants to do something for those who do not know Christ by renewing the “apostolic thrust, not each one alone but together, as a body, as a community, as a collection of different generations”. He concluded his homily saying, “The effectiveness of the mission depends on faith, and the mission expresses the quality of our relationship with Jesus Master”.
The homily, already translated into English, was delivered by Fr Johnson Vattakunnel. Father General made a very successful attempt to celebrate the mass in English.
Earlier in the afternoon, all chapter participants gathered in the community of Pune. Fr Sunil Varghese, Superior of the community of Pune, and all the members of the community extended generous hospitality to the participants. Thank you Fr Sunil and community in Pune for going out of your way to make all the necessary arrangements for the Chapter and for its participants. God bless you!
