CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATION ON 16 NOV 2019 AT ST. JOSEPH'S REGIONAL SEMINARY ALLAHABAD.

REGIONAL BISHOP’S COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE SEMINARY STAFF ON 12 NOV 2019.

DIWALI CELEBRATION IN ST. JOSEPH'S REGIONAL SEMINARY ALLAHABAD. 

GANDHI JAYANTI was conducted by Hartmann Academy on 2 OCT 2019. It was specially conducted for the Inter-religious Youth. Brahmh Kumaries also participated in this propramme. 

ONAM CELEBRATION was done in view of celebrating the different cultures of India on 11 September 2019. Brothers from Kerela prepared special south Indian dishes for the fellowship meal. 

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary / Monti fest was celebrated on 8 September 2019 at St. Joseph's Regional Seminary Allahabad. Brothers from Mangalore prepared special south Indian dishes for the fellowship meal. It was to celebrate the diversity of different cultures of India.

RECTOR’S DAY was celebrated on  28 August  2019. It was on the occasion of Rev. Fr. Ronald Tellis' (Rector) Birth Day. It was rather a community day. We all came togather and had a small cultural programme followed by a fellowship meal. 

Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary and Independence Day was celebrated on 15 August 2019 in St. Joseph's Regional Allahabad. 

Diaconate Day was held on 11th August 2019 in the St. Joseph's Cathedral Allahabad. 

It's a tremendous when a guest comes to home. Likewise, it was indeed the joy of the Josem community to have an added number of 25 members more; as 'I Year Theologians' to the growing spiritual community. The New Comers' Day and the Cassock Day were held on 21 July, 2019, the of enthusiasm, excitement, joy, anxiety and a lot more. The Cassock distribution ceremony was held during the Holy Mass, a spiritual boost for the new comers. The New Comers' function was held at Bp. Hartmann Auditorium, at 06:00 pm. The day was memorable for everyone as the friendly football match between 'New Comers' and the 'existing Josem family' was held. Thanks be to God for sending the labourers into the vineyard. Thanks to the entire community for making the day memorable with all support and care.

Emanuel James Rohn professionally known as Jim Rohn, an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker says: "Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins". As the saying goes so was the beginning of the Official Academic Year Inauguration; so called 'Schola Brevis' at St. Joseph's Regional Seminary, Allahabad. It was held on 6 July 2019 soon after the completion of the Annual Retreat 2019. On the same, the Holy Mass of the Holy Spirit was offered and celebrated by Most. Rev. Bp. Raphi Manjali, the Bishop of Allahabad along with Seminary Professors.  Alongside, the Rite of the Admission to the Diaonate was conferred on the same during the Holy Mass.

As Ibn Battuta would rightly say, “Travelling leaves you speechless, and then turns you into a storyteller,” yes! After such an excursion which we undertook, we just cannot but narrate its every single wonderful moment. From 28^th of February to 4^th of March, we the Josem family had the joy and a great chance to set out for a visit to Jaipur and Udaipur, Rajasthan.

After 12 hours of train journey we arrived at Jaipur on 1^st of March at 2pm. We were cordially welcomed by His Excellency Most Rev. Oswald Lewis, the Bishop of the Diocese of Jaipur, and a few Fathers at the newly erected magnificent Diocesan Pastoral Center where we were accommodated. After the lunch, as we set out for sightseeing. The first place we visited was, Albert Hall, a historical museum, portraying the splendor of the Rajputhana kingdoms. Later in the evening, we also visited the Birla Temple, a holy monument of fine marble and art. Our next visits were to the Cathedral of Annunciation of Jaipur and St. Anselm’s School where we had sumptuous meal.   On 2^nd of March, day-2 of our picnic, soon after the Holy Mass and breakfast we set out again for Jaipur-Darshan visiting Amber Fort, Jal-Mmahal, Hawa-Mahal and the City Palace. On the same day at 10pm we left for the lake-city, Udaipur.

After around 7 hours of train journey we arrived at the Clergy Home, Udaipur, where the Priests and Brothers were waiting for us with a warm welcome. Our Udaipur visit began with the Lord’s banquet as we attended the Sunday mass at the cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima. Our visit in the Lake City began with a boat ride in City-Palace Lake, enjoying the view of around five palaces around, after which we visited the Sajjangarh Biological Park were we walked through the thrilling glimpses of wild animals. The best of our Udaipipur visit was, the cultural show. The Rajasthan folklore in the forms of a puppet show and dances left us speechless. A walk through busy shore of Fatesagar lake enjoying the dusk view brought our entire excursion to its culmination. We started our return journey to our nest on the same night.

As it is said “To travel is to evolve”, this picnic proved to be one of the most rewarding forms of introspection and certainly more than the sightseeing. It was a change went through, deep and permanent about the culture of Rajasthan which we personally witnessed. Our hearts overwhelm with gratitude as we cannot forget the people who have facilitated this excursion. Thanks a million to Most Rev. Oswald Lewis, the Bishop of the Diocese of Jaipur, Most Rev. Devprasad Ganawa, the Bishop of the Diocese of Udaipur, and Reverend Fathers of both Jaipur and Udaipur dioceses, who made our tour memorable one.

The concluding episode of the celebration of the Centenary Year of its foundation of St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Prayagraj was on 24^th February. The day began with the ceremony of blessing of the newly designed, Good Shepherd Garden at 11am, by his Excellency Most. Rev. Ignatius Menezes, Bishop Emeritus of Dioceses of Ajmer. The Thanksgiving solemn Holy Mass was presided over by His Grace Most. Rev. Albert D’Souza, Archbishop of Agra. Most Rev. Oswald Lewis, Bishop of Jaipur in his homily exhorted us all, quoting Pope Francis, ‘to be merciful ministers - shepherds after God’s own heart’.  12 bishops, 150 priests including the alumni, former staff members and jubilarians, His Excellency Justice Kurian Joseph, the former Judge of Supreme Court of India, Sisters, Brothers and faithful from the city participated in the Holy Eucharist.

The Centenary Great-Grand Finale stage-event began at 5pm in the presence the honored guests, bishops, fathers, sisters and friends. His Excellency Justice Kurian Joseph, the former Judge of Supreme Court of India, presided over the programme. Most. Rev. Albert D’souza, and Most. Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas SFX, Secretary General of CBCI chaired the mega-event as Chief Guest and Guest of Honor respectively. Fr. Ronald Telis, the Rector, welcomed all and also felicitated the President, the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour along with all the bishops present. The Chief-Guest of the day, Most. Rev. Albert D’Souza, the Archbishop of Agra in his address, sharing his heartfelt sentiments about his ‘Alma Mater’, appreciated and applauded all the members of the Josem family for making the event a memorable one. His Excellency Justice Kurian Joseph, in his presidential address unfolded the challenging situation of the present for a priest and also exhorted us all to revitalize our orientation towards our call. Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas SFX, appreciating the missionary message of the drama, exhorted us all to follow the footsteps of The Eternal Good Shepherd, hearing His voice and imitating His deeds. The event was also blessed with the presence of the former rectors, former staff, visiting professors and jubilarians. Rev. Fr. Ronald Tellis felicitated this galaxy of luminaries with shawls and bouquets of flowers and articulated the gratitude on behalf of the Josem family to all the guests present and all the helping hands that facilitated the event. The programme ended with the seminary anthem. All shared the historic sumptuous Centenary- Agape after the programme.

St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Prayagraj had the joy of celebrating the culmination of the Centenary Year of its foundation for three consecutive days beginning on the 19^th of February.. The festivity and euphoria continued on 20^th, the day-2 of the grand finale of our centenary celebration. The day commenced with the blessing cum inaugural ceremony of newly designed St. Joseph’s-Garden by His Grace Most. Rev. Anil Thomas Couto, Archbishop of New Delhi at 11am. This was followed by the solemn thanksgiving Holy Mass presided over by His Grace Most. Rev. William D’Souza, Archbishop of Patna. Most. Rev. Albert D’Souza, Archbishop of Agra and Most. Rev. Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly too joined in offering the thanksgiving Holy Sacrifice. The Archbishop William D’Souza in his homily exhorted us all to have the same commitment and dedication of the Good Shepherd in our ministry. Around 80 priests including the newly ordained priests and few alumni, sisters, brothers and faithful from the city too took part in the Holy Eucharistic celebration.  The stage programme began at 5pm. His Grace Most. Rev. Anil Thomas Couto, presided over the programme along with Archbishop William D’Souza, as the chief guest and Most. Rev. Albert D’Souza, Archbishop of Agra as the Guest of Honour. On this day, we had the joy of releasing ‘Naya Hriday’- the Centenary Music Album through the hands of Most. Rev. William D’Souza. The day’s celebration culminated with the agape shared by all.

In February this year, St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Prayagraj had the joy of celebrating the culmination of the Centenary Year of its foundation. On 19^th being the Premier Day, many fathers, sisters, members from different institutions in the city and many lay faithful from various parishes were invited. The day began with the Memorial Holy Mass offered for the departed souls of the members of the institution, benefactors and all those were associated with the institution. His Excellency Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly, Bishop of the diocese of Allahabad, presided over the Mass and preached a homily exhorting us all to remember and be thankful for all the hard work and the efforts put by the pioneers to make this institution a ‘nursery of budding fervent missionaries’.

The grand finale stage event of the centenary celebration on 19^th began in the evening at 5 O’clock. Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly, the Bishop of Allahabad was the Chief Guest and many honored guests including Bishop Peter Baldev, CNI Bishop of Lucknow, Bishop J. Masih, Former Bishop of the Evangelical Church of India, many fathers, Pastors, sisters, guests from inter-religious fraternity and parishioners from the city parishes were also present. The stage programme began with a Prayer Dance. Rev. Fr. Premus Ekka, the Director of the Cultural Academy, welcomed all and felicitated the Chief Guest. On the same day the Seminary also had the joy launching its renewed website by Bishop Raphy Manjaly. It was followed by a short documentary presenting the historical journey of St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, opening up the museum of memories of the institution. A drama titled ‘Bhala Charwaha’(Good Shepherd), based on the theme of the Centenary Year ‘Shepherds after God’s Heart, to Witness and to Proclaim’, performed by the brothers stole the hearts of the people. The Chief Guest, in his address, appreciated and applauded all the members of the Josem family for making the event a memorable one and exhorted us to follow the footsteps of the Eternal Good Shepherd. It was followed by a special UV- light dance with jubilee gaiety depicting the germination of the institution and all its admirable growth. Deacon Suthesh articulated the gratitude on behalf of the Josem family to all the guests present and thereafter all shared the centenary-agape.

 Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu was celebrated in the seminary led by brothers of Tamil origin. Br. Nithin shared the message of Pongal and a video presentation on it was also presented. All shared the Pongal meal, prepared by the community.

In view of Christmas, our auxiliary staff, along with their family members was felicitated. Various games and competitions were conducted in order to appreciate their dedicated service. A fellowship meal was served to them at the end of the celebration. Gifts and cakes were also given to them.

281^th session of the Bishop Hartmann Missionary Academy was organized with an Inter Seminary Faculty Symposium on the theme: “Shepherds after God’s heart, to Witness and to Proclaim”. The members of the faculty from various seminaries in North India presented their research papers on the theme. The symposium was chaired by Rev. Dr. Dheerendra Saahu, the Bishop, CNI. The audience comprised of priests, sisters, brothers and students from various institutes including students from Allahabad Bible Seminary. The Chairperson, in his addresses stressed on ‘being a shepherd after the heart of God today’, as the relevant means to bring unity among the religions for peace and harmony. Each participant was honoured with a memento.

The fourth year theologians in preparation for their ordination to diaconate, had a Triduum guided by Rev. Fr. Mathew CST at Shanti Sadan, Allahabad. 12 Brothers were ordained Deacons by Rt. Rev. Dr. Raphy Manjaly, on 12^th of August, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Allahabad. He emphasized on the special role for the services and duties by deacons in the Church, and invited them to be faithful to their call. Thereafter, lunch was served to the guests in the seminary during which the new Deacons were felicitated. In the evening a friendly football match was conducted between Josem Clergy and Josem Brothers.