The Second Mission Forum Meeting of South East India Province was held on 13th September 2017 in the MSFS Provincialate, Nagamangalam, in the presence of Fr. Agnelo Fernandes, the General Councilor for Mission. The meeting was attended by 25 members. The meeting commenced at 9 a.m. with half an hour Eucharistic Adoration led by Frs. Arockiam and D. Jaya Kumar. Then at 9.45 a.m. we gathered together at the conference hall and the meeting began with an opening prayer led by Fr. Edmund. Fr. Kanikkai Nathan, the Convener of the Mission Forum extended a cordial welcome to Fr. Agnelo, the General Councilor of Mission, to Fr. Ignacimuthu, the Provincial and to all the members with a special mention of Fr. C. John Britto, who recently returned from USA and was attending his first meeting with us. After the welcome, the minutes of the previous meeting were read out by Fr. Stephen Xavier, the secretary and they were passed without any correction.
Fr. Agnelo Fernandes, the General Councilor of Mission with his vast knowledge, deep spirituality and varied mission experience, oriented the members with his insightful thoughts on the theme, “The Theology of Religious Leadership.” He began his address stating that ‘people at the grass root level are the yardstick of our mission progresses. He appreciated the Fransalian contribution and the Fransalian mission dynamism in the Dioceses. Fr. Agnelo beautifully presented the theology of a religious – missionary leader in depth.
After the Tea-break, Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, the Provincial Superior briefed the members about a few pressing challenges in the area of mission in our province and sought the ways to combat them. The members expressed their opinions and suggestions on the prevailing challenges of the mission. After the sharing session, the actions plans of the previous congresses (2011, 2014, and 2017) were read out and evaluated, as to how far we have achieved and what steps were necessary for further improvement.
In the Afternoon session, certain areas of concern such as; Friends of Fransalians and Fransalian Associates, Introducing the Parish Management Software, Coordination of the Youth Ministry, Parish Mission Preaching Team and the Parish Renewal, Fransalian Sunday and Transmitting Salesian Spirituality, Mission Sangamam and its Follow– Up, were discussed. Fr. Nicholas, the bursar instructed the members on the account keeping and the new rules that were to be adhered to, after the introduction of GST. Fr. Kanikkai Nathan, the convener of the mission forum thanked Fr. Agnelo Fernandes, the General Councilor of Mission for his presence and message and he also thanked Fr. Provincial and all the members of the forum. And with a final prayer led by Fr. Jerome, the meeting came to an end at 5.00. p.m.
Fr. Stephen Xavier