My dear Fathers/Brothers/Sisters,

My last circular letter was dated 30th March 2011. Since there was no follow up, more and more people have been asking me why I am now so silent. It was a sign that people are interested to know what is happening in the diocese. I will summarize some of the happenings in the diocese from where I last left you.

Ad Limina visit of the Bishop: It means visiting the thresholds of the [tombs of the] Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, and of meeting the Pope to report on the state of their diocese. Residential bishops are asked to do it every five years. But since there are 5215 bishops in the world now (May 2011), it is not possible for the Pope to meet all the bishops within a period of five years. So this time the Indian bishops were having their ad limina visit after eight years. All the 36 bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church were present in Rome from the beginning of April. I had my personal audience with the Pope on the 7^th April.

Demise of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil: In the morning of 1^st April the bishops were saddened to hear that Cardinal Vithayathil has passed away. Curia Bishop Mar Bosco Puthur who immediately assumed office as the Administrator convened all the bishops and discussed with them steps to be taken immediately. It was decided to hold the funeral on the 10^th April so that all the bishops present in Rome could reach Ernakulam in time after completing their scheduled audiences with the Pope. The funeral of Cardinal Vithayathil was held in St. Mary’s Basilica Ernakulam on the 10^th April with the participation of all the SM bishops and many other church dignitaries. Thousands of people lined up along the streets to pay the last homage to this great Church man. He was laid to rest in the sanctuary of the Basilica near his predecessors. On 11^th May bishop participated in the 41^st day memorial services for the late Cardinal Vithayathil in St. Mary’s Basilica, Ernakulam.

Election of new Major Archbishop: During the second session of the Synod 2011 Bishop George Alenchery of Thuckla diocese was elected Major Archbishop of the SM Church. His election was announced on 26^th May. 44 out of 46 bishops were present during the election. He was officially installed in St. Mary’s Basilica on 29^th May. From 17^th to 27^th August the third session of the Synod 2011 was held at Mount St. Thomas Kakkanad. It was the first Synod of the newly elected Major Archbishop. On 17^th August bishop had a private meeting with the Major Archbishop, during which he invited His Beatitude to visit Sagar. The invitation was graciously accepted. Details of the visit will be worked out later. On 19^th August during the Synodal session Archbishop Andrews Thazhath declared that the Archdiocese of Trichur will sponsor Sagar diocese as a sister diocese. Modalities will be worked out later.

Dayasagar: On 28^th April bishop hoisted the flag in preparation for the three day convention. The annual feast of Divine Mercy was celebrated on 1^st May with a solemn Mass presided over by the bishop. During the liturgy bishop gave cassocks to Bros. Siljo Kidangan and Sinoj Thundathil and conferred Subdiaconate on Bros. Sijo Chungath, Kiran Olekengil, Josy Valiaveettil and Liby Puthenveettil. Every Sunday afternoon some parishioners from the Cathedral parish are making pilgrimages to the Divine Mercy Shrine at Khajooria. The annual clergy retreat was held at Dayasagar. It was preached by Fr. Subash Anand of Udaipur Diocese. 45 of 46 priests residing in the diocese attended the retreat. Soon after seven Sisters of O.L. of the Garden from Indore started their retreat at Dayasagar in preparation for their Final Profession.

News from around the Parishes: On 30^th April bishop gave First Holy Communion and conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to eight children in Khurai parish. On 5^th June bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 28 children of Holy Rosary Church Shampura. On 8^th September Jyotibhavan Parish celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the church together with the feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni. During the Mass bishop gave First Holy Communion and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to several children. On 11^th September Vimala Church Vidisha celebrated its patronal feast. On the occasion bishop gave First Holy Communion and conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to children. On 2^nd October bishop was in Bahmori mission to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on several children. In the afternoon bishop presided over the Solemn Mass for the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, patronal feast of the Cathedral Church. On 9^th October Raisen parish celebrated its patronal feast of St. Francis. During the Mass bishop conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on several children. On 16^th October bishop was in Silwani parish for the patronal feast during which he conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to several children.

News from Religious Congregations: On 14^th April Fr. Anto Karokaran was elected Provincial of CMI St. Paul’s Province, Bhopal. On 16^th April Sr. Sumita Pinto CJ, Provincial of CJ Sisters visited the bishop. On 5^th May bishop participated in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Sr. Attalia CMC in Kuriachira. On May 18^th bishop visited the Provincial Superior of the Adoration Sisters in Chettupuzha. On 11^th June bishop participated in the Jubilee celebrations of four Benedictine Sisters in Infant Jesus Church, Bhopal. On 15^th June Sr. Philippa Finnimore’s Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession was celebrated in St. Joseph’s Convent, Sagar. On 11^th August bishop celebrated Mass for Martha Sisters at Barodia mission on the occasion of the feast of St. Claire. On 30^th August bishop paid a visit to Fr. Paul Kottaram VC convalescing in Moonnoorppilly ahsram. On 31^st August bishop visited the Mother House of the Society of the Ladies of the Immaculate in Trichur. On 2^nd September bishop visited the Provincial Superior of St. Ann’s Bangalore Sisters in Kalady. On 8^th September at Jesubhavan Sagar Sisters Bincy and Alma made their First Profession and Sisters Alice, Therese, Jisa, Anila and Sarita celebrated Silver Jubilee of their religious profession. On 10^th September CMC Sisters celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Nirmal Jyoti Province at Bina. On the occasion a new chapel was blessed by the bishop. On 27^th September bishop said Mass in Dayasagar on the occasion of the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of the Vincentian Fathers. On 9^th October Sr. Breezia FCC (Vidisha) passed away suddenly. Her funeral held on 12^th was attended by large number of people. On 15^th October bishop celebrated Mass in St. Joseph Convent Sagar on the anniversary of their foundation day.

To be continued...

17/10/2011