Annual Report of the English Academy (Theology Section)

    The English Academy had a wonderful and memorable journey during the last academic year 2013-2014. The Academy encountered a rich experience of knowledge and learning. It also witnessed a variety of intellectual and eminent resource persons to enlighten the students.Some research students presented their meticulously and well planned person different topics which helped us students to enrich our knowledge and grow intellectually. The seminars presented before us some new outlook of life.

      The first English Academy was held on 23^rd August 2013 in the Allan Audio Visual Hall with Rev. Fr. J.A. Santhanam, as the chair person. The paper was presented by the 3^rd year theologians on the topic “Sri BrahmabandhabUpadhyaya and his significance for theologizing in India today”. The paper stressed on his inspiration for Intra-Religious Dialogue and inculturation, significances of Christ in a multi-religious context and his three loves that is India, God and Christ. The papers were well prepared and contained minute information about him. Rev. Fr. Santhanam concluded saying Upadhyaya is today a forgotten prophet, but he is the father of the Indian Christian theologians and the founder of Ecumenism.

      The 2^ndEnglish Academy took place on 13^th September 2013 in the Allan Audio Visual Hall with Rev. Fr. SusaiManickam as the Chair Person. The paper was presented by the 2^nd year Theologians on the topic “Lumen Fidei” – ‘The Light of Faith’ the first encyclical of Pope Francis. The encyclical was very well presented extracting the main idea and reason behind writing the encyclical. The paper in a nutshell explained the essentials of Faith, Truth and Love. It also dealt on the relationship of human being with God the Father. After some clarification and sharingRev. Fr. Susaiconcluded saying that Pope Francis’ life has been inspiring and his humility is exemplary for all.

    The 3^rdEnglish Academyat which first year theologians were supposed to present a paper on the topic “Human Trafficking” could not be materialized due to the tight academic schedule and unavoidable circumstances. We deeply regret for the inconvenience and non-availability.

    I take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your active participation and co-operation in the last academic year.We place on record our heartfelt gratitude forthe former Moderator of the Academy Rev. Fr. Alphonso Francis who immensely contributed in the smooth functioning of the academy. I also take this opportunity to welcome our new Moderator Rev. Fr. Sylvester Toppo and the 1^st year Theologians. We warmly welcome you to this journey on untraded path of knowledge. Thanking you all once again. 

Bro. Joseph Roy OCD

Secretary

11/07/2014

The Second Meeting of the English Academy 2013-14 was held on 13^th September 2013 in the Allen Audio Visual Hall at 10.40 am. Rev. Dr. Susai Manickam was Chair Person of the day, on the theme “Encyclical of Pope Francis, ‘Lumen Fidei’ – The Light of Faith. Rev. Patrick Walsh SJ (Rector), Mrs. (Dr.) Ruma Roy (Prof. Pauline Letters), Rev. Fr. Alphonso Francis (Moderator), Rev. Fr. Sebastian Rodrigues along with the Theology students were present.

Abraham, (President, English Academy) began the session with a short prayer and welcomed all present, very specially The Chair Person and the II years Theology Students presenting the Paper. N. Tileswar read the report of the last English Academy held on 23^rd August 2013 and it was passed unanimously. Rev. Alphonso Francis thanked the secretary for the heartfelt service and announced Joseph Roy OCD as the new Secretary for the English Academy. Rev. Dr. Susai Manickam expressed his happiness and congratulated the students for the effort in taking the Encyclical for the discussion in a short period. He also welcomed the group to present the Encyclical.

M. Sebastian VC gave an introduction about our New Pope Francis and the Encyclical, The Light of Faith. Alphonse Sesuraj and E. Anseldius in a systematic and clear manner spoke on the first chapter- Abraham our Father of Faith. He said that faith is our response to the Word which engages us personally and gave the different aspects of faith in the based on the life of Mosses and Israel. Salvation by faith and the Ecclesial form of Faith.

Arockiya Prabakar and Britto Rudalf explained the next section “Unless You Believe You will not understand”. They tried to give the essentials of Faith, Truth and Love and that our Faith is based on truth. Faith understands and knows the reality. They also spoke about Faith and Reason as well as Faith and Theology. Theology is a participation of the God’s Knowledge.

M. Susil and D. Sushil presented the third chapter - I Believed and so I Spoke. In this chapter they focused on the Communion with the Person of Jesus that is I and Thou and We and Thou. Faith is open to the “We” of the Church. They also explained the Sacrament and the transmission of Faith.

               Speaking on the fourth chapter Michael GS CMF and Lepcha Jonash gave a brief explanation about the human Relationship and that men and women cannot have a true brotherhood without a common father. That Faith is not only presented as a journey, but also as a process of building, the preparing of a place in which human beings can dwell together with one another.

               Karu S. Kumar said that in Mary is fulfilled the long history of faith and in her own life; Mary completed the pilgrimage of faith. All the speeches were synthesized and made available to the audience in the form of power point.

               The Chair Person Rev. Dr. Susai Manickem appreciated the presentation and commended that the brothers prepared very well he encouraged the students to read the document in its entirety and add reflections to it.

               The Chairperson said that the encyclical holds a unique place in a sense that Pope Francis is the first Pope to publish the encyclical with one year of his Pontificate and also that two living popes had done the work for the encyclical. Comments and questions were invited from the floor during the time allotted for discussion of the topic. The moderator synthesized the entire proceedings by stating that we need to be inspired by the life the Pope, he said we need ‘Humility of his action and the ministry of continuity’ in our day to day life.

               Rev. Fr. Alphonso gave a vote of thanks to the Chair Person, Rector and those who present.  The programme ended at 12.35 p.m. with the Prayer to the Mother of our Faith.

 Joseph Roy OCD

 Secretary

SEMINAR ON ' LUMEN FIDEI'- Light of Faith

The Second Meeting of the English Academy 2013-14 was held on 13^th September 2013 in the Allen Audio Visual Hall at 10.40 am. Rev. Dr. Susai Manickam was Chair Person of the day, on the theme “Encyclical of Pope Francis, ‘Lumen Fidei’ – The Light of Faith. Rev. Patrick Walsh SJ (Rector), Mrs. (Dr.) Ruma Roy (Prof. Pauline Letters), Rev. Fr. Alphonso Francis (Moderator), Rev. Fr. Sebastian Rodrigues along with the Theology students were present.

Abraham, (President, English Academy) began the session with a short prayer and welcomed all present, very specially The Chair Person and the II years Theology Students presenting the Paper. N. Tileswar read the report of the last English Academy held on 23^rd August 2013 and it was passed unanimously. Rev. Alphonso Francis thanked the secretary for the heartfelt service and announced Joseph Roy OCD as the new Secretary for the English Academy. Rev. Dr. Susai Manickam expressed his happiness and congratulated the students for the effort in taking the Encyclical for the discussion in a short period. He also welcomed the group to present the Encyclical.

M. Sebastian VC gave an introduction about our New Pope Francis and the Encyclical, The Light of Faith. Alphonse Sesuraj and E. Anseldius in a systematic and clear manner spoke on the first chapter- Abraham our Father of Faith. He said that faith is our response to the Word which engages us personally and gave the different aspects of faith in the based on the life of Mosses and Israel. Salvation by faith and the Ecclesial form of Faith.

Arockiya Prabakar and Britto Rudalf explained the next section “Unless You Believe You will not understand”. They tried to give the essentials of Faith, Truth and Love and that our Faith is based on truth. Faith understands and knows the reality. They also spoke about Faith and Reason as well as Faith and Theology. Theology is a participation of the God’s Knowledge.

M. Susil and D. Sushil presented the third chapter - I Believed and so I Spoke. In this chapter they focused on the Communion with the Person of Jesus that is I and Thou and We and Thou. Faith is open to the “We” of the Church. They also explained the Sacrament and the transmission of Faith.

               Speaking on the fourth chapter Michael GS CMF and Lepcha Jonash gave a brief explanation about the human Relationship and that men and women cannot have a true brotherhood without a common father. That Faith is not only presented as a journey, but also as a process of building, the preparing of a place in which human beings can dwell together with one another.

               Karu S. Kumar said that in Mary is fulfilled the long history of faith and in her own life; Mary completed the pilgrimage of faith. All the speeches were synthesized and made available to the audience in the form of power point.

               The Chair Person Rev. Dr. Susai Manickem appreciated the presentation and commended that the brothers prepared very well he encouraged the students to read the document in its entirety and add reflections to it.

               The Chairperson said that the encyclical holds a unique place in a sense that Pope Francis is the first Pope to publish the encyclical with one year of his Pontificate and also that two living popes had done the work for the encyclical. Comments and questions were invited from the floor during the time allotted for discussion of the topic. The moderator synthesized the entire proceedings by stating that we need to be inspired by the life the Pope, he said we need ‘Humility of his action and the ministry of continuity’ in our day to day life.

               Rev. Fr. Alphonso gave a vote of thanks to the Chair Person, Rector and those who present.  The programme ended at 12.35 p.m. with the Prayer to the Mother of our Faith.

                                                                                                                               Joseph Roy OCD,Secretary

PURPOSEFULNESS OF PRIESTS

Post-modernism is a concept originated among artists and critics of New York in the 1960s. It is a typical western thought and has deeply influenced popular cultures of India today. Today it is employed in disciplines as such art, architecture, drama, film, fiction, cultural studies, philosophy and Theology. Our discussion is from the perspective of Christian Theology. Theologians today find in the post modern some hope to bring back god and religion. Modernity expected the death of God. Theology was expected to be the first to die. Therefore Pope Benedict sixteen reminds us that one cannot sit on the throne of luxury while reflecting on priesthood and religious life today...

Today there is lot of restlessness in the life of priest, religious and seminarians. And this is the real challenge we need to face, otherwise we may fall into a group what Pope Benedict XVI calls it, the “sin of habituation”, i.e. the light- minded about the gift of priesthood by getting used to it. We must start appreciating our restlessness, because it is not at all a negative religious dimension. As St. Augustine put it rightly, “O Lord my heart is restless until it rest in you”. Our way forward would be to face these challenges courageously and be ready to be disturbed by them. An armchair priest and religious are in danger of drifting away from his actual identity and ministry. So restlessness often brings us close to God and his plan of salvation... 

Click Here to View the Paper Presented

MESSAGE TO MRS+C (Eng. Academy) from M. Amaladoss SJ.

This is an audio message from the Indian Christian thinker Michael Amaladoss SJ to the English Academy when the Third Yr. Students of Theology presented a paper on  the theology and thought M. Amaladoss. 

The article which will be posted soon in the coming few days deals with the theology of M. Amaladoss and attempts to bring into interplay the theological perspective of M. Amaladoss with the struggling Indian masses which is characteristic of Amaladoss’ thinking and theological outlook. Touching on the areas of liturgy, inter- religious dialogue, inculturation and evangelization the article  exhibits an extraordinary breadth of understanding and scholarship of what Amaladoss thinks and stands for. References and citations from around 12 books and 11 journals makes it an interesting matter for anyone seriously engaged in understanding the theological perspective of  M. Amaladoss SJ. 

Click Here to view the entire Scientific Paper Presented

 

Jigmy Thomas

MRS+C News Desk

REPORT OF THE PLANNING SESSION: ON 13TH JULY, 2012

It’s my pleasure to present you the report of the planning session for the year 2012-13. The meeting was held on 13^th July, 2012 in the third year theologian lecture hall. It was a joyous occasion for the English academy which had Dr John Romus as the guest of honor and the new English academy moderator Rev. fr. Alphonso francis and the out going moderator Rev. Dr George Assariparambil.  The meeting commenced at 10.45 am, with the prayer song led by bro. Ranjith rossario subsequently secretary bro selvamani CMF presented the minitus of the previous meeting after few additions and correction the report was passed. Then Umakant malik the out going president of the English academy welcomed the dignitaries and the house with gamcha and flowers also with the words of love and warmth.

Then the new venture of the English academy was in the form releasing of the magazine which contains all the issues of last year English academy and few inspiring articles authored by the students of theology. Rev. Dr. John Romus the dean of the morning star college released the magazine with the words “publish or perish” and congratulated the team work and efforts to bring out magazine many more in the years to come. Then the out going  Moderator rev. Dr. George Assariparambil thanked all for the huge contribution for the success of the magazine especially bro. Jigmy Thomas and bro. Umaknat Malik for their constant efforts in materializing the magazine and warmly welcomed the new moderator Rev. fr. Alphonso Francis and officially handed over the files pertaining to the academy. Now the new moderator presided the planning session. Before planning the session the house went for electing the new president and the secretary, the house proposed bro. Robert Johnson and bro. Teleswer ss.cc president and secretary respectively. The moderator had accepted them as president and secretary elect but they will exercise their duty only after having consulted with the staffs of the college.

Then we went for planning the session for the forth coming month 17^th August. This meeting will be organized by the third year theologian they have decided to deal on the Indian Christian theologian Rev. Dr.  Michael Amaladoss. Then the second meeting on September 14^th would be organized by the second year theologians on one of the current or burning issues. The following themes were suggested Higgs boson particle, problem of inflation, child abuse by clergy female infanticide, human trafficking, and the choice is left the3 group to choice the theme and present it. The third meeting would be organized on November 12^th by the first year theologians. The house had spent some time for explaining to the first years about how to go about the meeting. After having tried to convince them, the moderator suggested they will plan together to organize the meeting; since they have so much time is left.

Finally, we discussed about the 25^th January meeting whether to have debate or panel discussion the house has decided to have the panel discussion. The moderator has decided the topic to be kept open and the whole house would be prepared on time to venture it. After that moderator Rev. Fr Alphonso Francis gave us a message that “our aims are to draw the hearts of he people to Jesus for whom we must put up all our efforts to the maximum with in the available means. This effect would be seen how people respond to us when we preach about Jesus or speak about Jesus, thus it is two way traffic when we communicate it we do it to the full that, “others are drawn upon”, and we shall utilize the academy to the full to learn how to draw people to Jesus.

The out going president had gave few information and suggestion for the academy they are 1, allot some funds for English academy 2, there is a space for the English academy in the morning star college the address is www.morningstarcollege.in so kindly post your articles before that check the grammatical errors of your articles, give right and correct references, avoid negative comments about the persons with names, last but not so lately bro peter proposed the vote of thanks to the gathering and moderator prayed the final prayer with that the meeting came to an end at 12.15 pm.

                                                                                           
                                                                                                Yours sincerely,

                                                                                       Selvamani David. CMF.

                                                                                                (The secretary)