A Brief Report of the National Elective chapter -2007

Assisi Shanti Kendra Karukutty near Angamali in Kerala was the venue of the chapter. Although the chapter was starting only on 11^th May 2007, Fr. Irudaya Samy Capuchin, the Gen. Asst from Rome arrived at the Shanti Kendra on the 9^th itself. I too arrived the same day from Quilon. Fr. Mathew Purayidam OFM Conventual Provincial welcomed both of us. On 10^th morning Encarnacion Del Pozo, the SFO minister General arrived from Madrid at 8.00 A.M. at Kochi airport which is close to Angamali.

The National Council met at 10.00 A.M. as scheduled. Among other things the Council approved the agenda of the Chapter, decided to present the draft deed of the Trust and cleared the name of Br. Thomas Tholath as delegate for the Barcelona YouFra congress to be held in June end.

Towards the end of the Council meeting Fr. Irudaya Samy and Sr. Encarnacion especially asked us to be peaceful, prayerful and serene at the chapter.

11^th May 2007
On 11^th May about 17 Spiritual Assistants arrived for a meeting with the Gen.Sp . Asst and Gen. Minister. Fr. Rocky Fr. Samy, Sr. Encarnacion and myself briefly addressed the gathering. The spiritual assistants freely exchanged their views.

As the delegates to the Chapter started arriving from early morning, Bro. Walter Mascarenhas, Bro. Herald D'Souza and Br. Augustine Joseph began the registration. At 4.00 P.M. the Chapter opened with prayer service conducted by Fr. Marion Pulichamakil TOR, Nat Spt. Asst. The National Councilors and area representatives joined the procession bringing the San Damiano Cross, the portrait of St. Elizabeth, Holy Bible, the Rule, the Constitution, the Ritual and lighted candles.

As the prayer service ended Franciscan youth from Karukutty presented a prayer dance. The inaugural session started at 4.30 pm. The National Minister offered a hearty welcome to every one.

Sr. Encarnacion declared the chapter open. She said “I am your sister, your own sister. I am happy to be present here and chair the National Elective Chapter of India. I am sure my experience with the SFO will be enriched through this visit. I wish to thank the National Minister, the National Assistants and the Major Superiors who are appointing the Spiritual Assistants. Together with the Spiritual Assistants we are serving the Lord. Through sharing and fellowship we become stronger. We should fulfill our own duties in freedom. Let us love and serve each other in the spirit of joy. We should invoke the patronage of St. Elizabeth, our patroness.”

Fr. Irudaya Samy in his message stated that it gave him immense joy to be present at the Elective Chapter of India. He said that we should concentrate on the spiritual growth of the SFO, the local fraternities should be living and vibrant and the other higher levels are only administrative. He thanked the spiritual assistants for their service to the SFO. He was happy to see that the SFO has grown further and systematized. There is a better image of SFO now with the International Fraternity. He said that ours is a service like washing the feet of others. Let the Order be above personal considerations. SFO in India should encourage the formation of Franciscan youth at all levels. A National Councilor should be in charge of YouFra. YouFra is the beginning of the Franciscan vocation especially to SFO. We should recognize the speciality in our vocation. We need to specialize in SFO. Through formation programme we should build up individual lives. Learn the history of the Franciscan Order. Grow in love, be sympathetic to every one and be patient. SFO is an integral part of the Franciscan family. The Franciscan family needs you"

The General Minister was privileged to inaugurate the website of SFO - www.sfoindia.org

The National Secretary Br. M. A. Babu thanked all those who had played a special role in the inaugural session.

The preliminary business session opened at 6:00 P.M. with the introduction of the delegates. Fr. Gerry Lobo OFM moderated this session. After the introduction of the delegates the agenda was discussed and finalized. At 7.30 P.M., Fr. Rocky D'Cunha conducted a holy hour spiritually animating the delegates. At 9.00 PM the delegates along with their spiritual assistants area wise met to work out consensus candidates for the office of area councilors.

12^th May 2007   
The second day began with morning prayers followed by Holy Mass in Syro Malabar rite in Malayalam. The chief celebrant was Fr. Saviour Karamvelil of the Conventuals. Fr. Bobby Vadakkal OFM could not be present at the Chapter due to illness to deliver the main talk of the Chapter on Franciscan ventures in the fields of Justice, Peace and care of Creation.

At 9.00 A.M. a few amendments to the National statutes were proposed by the Minister and they were unanimously accepted.

At 10.30 A.M. Dr. B.S. Talwady SFO gave an impressive talk on Secular Franciscans for Justice, Peace and care of Creation.

At 11.15 A.M. the president of the conference of National Spiritual Assistants, Fr. Rocky submitted a detailed report of the function of the conference and the many goals achieved in the field of spiritual assistance to SFO.

This was followed by the financial Report presented by the Nat. Treasurer Bro. Walter Mascarenhas, which was, up to date with fine accounting. The International Councilor, Bro. P.P. Joseph was the next to present his report. In his report he included some very useful information about the SFO in India.

Fr. Mathew Purayidam, the Conventual Provincial, spared some time before lunch to address the Chapter calling for a thorough spiritual renewal of the SFO.

After lunch reports were received from the SFO areas. Bro. F.M.A. Joseph, the Nat. Vice Minister, moderated this session.

Bro. M.A. Babu from Syro Malabar, Bro. Augustine Joseph from Kerala Latin, Bro. F.M.A. Joseph from Tamil Nadu, Bro. Herald D'Souza from Karnataka, Bro. Servo Fernandes from Goa, Bro. Vincent D'Mello from Maharashtra and Bro. Manuel Marandi from Bihar - Jharkhand were the presenters. No one could be present from the emerging regions of Assam and North East.

At 4.30 P.M. Sr. Encarnacion, the Minister General took the Chair presiding over the elective session with Fr. Irudaya Samy OFM Cap., as the official witness. The General Minister explained the election procedures .She called for nominations from the floor for each office followed by secret ballots.

Earlier she had appointed the following team to help her to conduct the election:- They were Irene Lasrado - Secretary, Carmel De Souza, A. T. Chacko, A. Chandrasekhar, Francis Albert and Vincent D'Mello.

At 7.30 P.M. a break was given for evening prayers and supper. With the consent of the Capitulars election went up to 11.30 P.M. The list of the office bearers is on page 11.

On Sunday morning after morning prayers, photo session and breakfast, the Chapter met again. The newly re-elected Minister addressed the Capitulars thanking them for the trust they had put in him and the new team. Stressing for a spiritual renewal he spelt out the priorities before him and the council for the next three years.

They are: -

1. Empowering the local fraternities.

2. Deepening formation programmes at all levels

3. A textbook on formation to be published in English

4. SFO missionaries are needed to go along with Spiritual Assistants to North India to establish new SFO fraternities and consequently, new regions.

5. Make SFO financially self reliant

6. SFO should be motivated to work for the human rights of the most marginalized in society.

7. A special drive in selected areas to attract younger generation into the Order.

8. To start once again the formation of Franciscan youth all over India.

The Minister then proceeded with the presentation of the draft deed for the formation of a Charitable Trust for SFO India. After several members spoke in favour and against, the General Minister who was present, suggested that the matter be taken up at a later date for want of time. The members accepted her opinion and opted to defer the matter to the next assembly in 2008.

At 11.30 A.M. a solemn High Mass was offered in Latin rite with Fr. Irudaya Samy as the chief celebrant. During the Mass the newly elected office bearers were sworn in after the new Minister renewed the profession on behalf of all present.

After the Mass Fr. Rocky conducted a brief felicitation cum thanksgiving ceremony in which the General Minister, the General Assistant, the Minister, Fr. Saviour Karamvelil for the Conventual Friars, C.I. Kuriachen, the Minister of Assisi Karukutty Region and K.V. Benny the Minister of Kolbe Region were felicitated. The last three were specially honoured as the Conventual Friars and the two regions were the sponsors of the chapter. The new Minister paid tribute to every one who had contributed to the organization of the Chapter especially remembering Fr. Arok Sundar, the OFM Provincial, who had made a generous contribution of Rs. 20,000 towards the expenses of the Chapter through the good offices of our dear Fr. Gerry Lobo, our National Spiritual Assistant. Thereafter the General Minister declared the chapter closed.

At 2.00 P.M. there was a meeting of the old and new National Councilors. Charges were handed over and taken over. The retiring office bearers Bro. P.P. Joseph, the International Councilor, Bro. Herald D'Souza, councilor for Karnataka, Sr. Mini Thomas for Kerala Syro- Malabar, Sr. Joyce Mary councilor for Tamil Nadu and Bro. Augustine Joseph, Councilor for Kerala Latin were given an affectionate farewell after they were thanked for their very valuable service for the past 3 years.

Then the new council met. The new members Bro. Francis Albert, Bro. Francis Joseph, Bro. C.I. Kuriachen, Sr. Rajamma Gomes, Sr. Irene Lasrado and Bro. Manuel Marandi were heartily welcomed into the Council.

The next meeting of the National council was fixed for the 28^th & 29^th of July 2007 to be held at Coimbatore under the sponsorship of the Coimbatore Region.

The General Minister then gave her parting message to the Council reminding them of the vow of secrecy of the decisions taken, as well as to cultivate a sense of listening to all. National Council is a fraternity and so should work to bear a great testimony in India. Heal the wounds if any, and build up a new relationship with all.

On the 14^th of May, in the morning, a warm farewell was accorded to the General Minister at Kochi airport.

John Pacelli Fernandez
National Minister SFO India.

SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER NATIONAL FRATERNITY OF INDIA
OFFICE BEARERS ELECTED TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON 12.05.07

Assisi Shanti Kendra, Karukutty, Ernakulam Dt. Kerala.
Presided by : Sr. Encarnacion Del Pozo, SFO General Minister
Witnessed by Very: Rev. Fr. Irudaya Samy OFM Cap., Gen. Sp. Asst.

John P. Fernandez
Minister &     Pace line, Puthanvayal.
International Councilor Tillery, Kollam - 691 001
Kera1a, India.
Te1:0474-2742630,2762205, (M) 9895121117
e-mail: fistindialacim@yahoo.in

Dr. M.A. Babu
Vice Minister & "Providence"
International Councilor Substitute Bharathi Vihar Complex
P.O. Chittilappilly, Trissur - 680551
Kera1a, India.
Tel; 0487-2306481, (M): 9495423880
e-mail: drmababu@yahoo.co.in

F.M.A. Joseph
Secretary No.9, IInd Street
K.R.G Nagar No.2
Ganapathy, Coimbatore - 641 006
Tamil Nadu, India.
Tel: 0422-6560731, (M): 9842517037

Francis Albert
Formator Febin Cottage, T C 45/986 (2)
Cheriyathura, Vallakkadavu P.O
Trivandrum - 695 008
Kera1a, India.
Tel: 0471-6451803, (M): 9387837144
e-mail: assisigroup@yahoo.co.in

Walter Mascarenhas
Treasurer Divya Deepa, Dadda1kad
Derebail, Mangalore
Dakshina Kannada - 575006
Karnataka, India.
Tel: 0824-2215367, (M): 9845646962
e-mail: mascarenhaswalter@yahoo.com

Irene Lasrado
Councilor - Karnataka Navajyothi Kuthyar Road
Shirva Post, Udupi Dist. - 574 116
Karnataka, India.
Tel: 0820-2554228

S. Singarayar
Councilor - Tamil Nadu 164 A Sanganoor Main Road
Rathinapuri, Coimbatore - 641 027
Tamil Nadu, India.
(M): 09443652573

Rajamma Gomes
Councilor - Goa    H.No 226/1 Igorjebhat
Chandor,
Salcette,
Goa 403714, India.
Tel: 0832-2784167

Vincent D'Mello
Councilor - Maharashtra   1-A, Sea Breeze C.H.S. Ltd
St. John Baptist Road
Bandra West,  Mumbai - 400050
Maharashtra, India.
Tel: 022-26451695, (M): 9821657197
e-mail: vsdmello@hotmail.com

C.I. Kuriachan
Councilor - Syro - Malabar Chakkiath House
Elavoor P.O., Angamaly
Ernakulam Dist. 683572,
Kerala, India.
Tel: 0484-2471829, (M): 9961228855
e-mail: kurianci@hotmail.com

Francis Joseph
Councilor - Kerala Latin Jose Villa,
Poovar P.O
Trivandrum Dist. 695525
Kerala, India.
Tel: 0471-2211340

Manuel Marandi
Vill Khutana P.O
Mirja Chowki,
Bhagaiya Via
Sahibganj Dist. 813208
Jharkhand, India.
Tel: 06436-274337

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