On 10 December 2009, Fr. Francesco Todisco, General Consultor and Rector of the Church of San Salvatore in Onda celebrated his 70th birthday. Fr. Franco has been rendering his valuable service in the Generalate community for more than ten years. During the community Mass he thanked God for the Pallottine vocation and the testimony of two important saints in his life, namely, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Vincent Pallotti. Continuing the feast, the community along with family members of Fr. Franco gathered together in the refectory for the festive meal and to express the gratitude. On behalf of all present, the Rector General underlined Fr. Franco’s extraordinary dedicated service to the Society, to the Italian Province and currently to the Generalate community. Fr. Franco, in the opinion of Fr. General, is one of the best experts on the life and writings of our Founder, St. Vincent. We wish him all the blessings of the Lord for a joyful and fruitful life also in the future.
27th General Assembly of the Union of the Superior Generals
The 27th General Assembly of the Union of the Superior Generals (USG) took place in Rome from 25-27 November 2009. Our Society was represented by Rector General, Fr. F. Kretz and General Consultor, Fr. G. Orsolin. The central theme of the meeting was “Justice and Culture, Way to the Future and for Consecrated Life”, considered particularly in the context of the African Continent. The speakers - the majority of them had participated in the last Synod of Bishops dedicated to Africa - spoke about the African reality and the challenges of the missions in this young and demanding Continent. A collection of the best conferences, given their relevance for the theme of our next General Assembly on Africa and for the growth of our missions in this Continent, will be sent to all the Major Superiors.
Handing-over of the Canadian Delegature
The official ceremony of the handing-over of the Canadian Delegature, belonging to the Sacred Heart Province (CJ) of the German/Austrian Pallottines, to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province, Bangalore-India, took place on 3rd December 2009 in Edmonton. Further, the Provincial Rector of the Province of Bangalore Fr. Suasayan Sathyanesan, Fr. Norbert Possman, representing the Austrian / German Province, numerous guests, many representatives of the Pallottine family like, Mrs. Maria Domke, the President of the National Coordination Council of the UAC in Canada, Fr. Aleksander Mazur, the Delegate from the Province of Christ the King (WA) in Eastern Canada, and Fr. Bruce Schute, the representative of the Province “Mother of God” (MD) were also present for the occasion. The presence of the Archbishop Emeritus of Edmonton Msgr. Joseph MacNeil, was a great sign of appreciation of the Pallottines and their works. The new Delegature of the Indian Bangalore Province, having twelve members - seven Indians and five Germans - will continue and develop the Pallottine presence in Western Canada. Fr. Christudhas Gnanaprakasam was nominated as the new Delegate Superior of the Delegature.
25 Years of the Presence of the Pallottine Sisters in India
The 25 Years of the Presence of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate in India was solemnly celebrated on 19 November 2009, at Cochin, in the presence of the Bishop of Cochin, Rt. Rev.Dr. Joseph Kariyil, the Superior General of the same Congregation, Sr. Serena Cambiaghi and the entire General Council, Sr. Stella Holisz, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate, numerous Provincial Superiors of the Pallottine Entities, priests, religious and friends. The Rector General of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate was represented by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, General Consultor. The Indian Community of the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate has grown remarkably during this past 25 years with about 130 sisters and numerous candidates in formation.
Sanctuary of St. Vincent Pallotti, Ribeirão Claro, Brazil
On 6 December 2009, the Bishop of the diocese of Jacarezinho (Brazil), Msgr. Fernando Penteado, elevated the chapel of the parish community of Ribeirão Claro into a sanctuary of St. Vincent Pallotti. For the whole month of November, the parish organised an intense programme of spiritual and catechetical preparation. This preparation was concluded with the popular mission organised and realised by a group of Pallottines in Curitiba. The solemn Mass was preceded by a procession. Numerous faithful from the city of Ribeirão Claro and from the neighbouring cities, Pallottines and diocesan priests participated in it. Besides the importance of this sanctuary for the city itself, it has become a place of pilgrimage, very much known in the northern part of Paraná. At the moment it is also included into the “Spiritual Journey with the Rosary" (www.rotadorosario.com.br), which is a project of spiritual pilgrimage and tourism conducted by the diocese, approved by the National Episcopal Conference of Brazil and the civil government. As the Pallottine charism is characterised by the ministry of all the baptised, we hope that the sanctuary of St. Vincent Pallotti in Ribeirão Claro may become a centre for spreading the joy of being missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us hope that the motto “to revive faith and re-enkindle charity” will contribute to the formation of a mature and co-responsible laity in the work of evangelisation in service of God’s Kingdom.
Perpetual Consecrations
Tanzanian Delegature of the Irish Province of «Mother of Divine Love» (IR.TZ) - John Makabe will make his perpetual consecration in the Society on 22 January 2010.
Province of “San Paolo” (SP) - Edvan Viera Serra Sena and José Fernando Moreira Santos will make their perpetual consecration in the Society on 30 January 2010 at Curitiba, Brazil.
