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"Be what you are, Be at its best!"      - St. Francis de Sales

Editorial  Introducing the MSFS St. Francis de Sales  Fr. Peter Memier MSFS in St. Lucia  Fr. Louis Favre General Assembly 1997  Wellspring Fransalian Media Centre  Suvidya College     VISAKHAPATNAM PROVINCE Congress of the FRANCE-SWISS PROVINCE NAGPUR PROVINCE PUNE PROVINCE SOUTH-WEST PROVINCE NORTH-EAST INDIA TANZANIA Vol. 1  January 1999

Fransalian International

In 1991, a new province of the MSFS was established separating Karnataka and Kerala from Visakhapatnam Province.  Karnataka-Kerala became fully autonomous on 3rd July 1991 and Christened itself as South-west province.

'Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice', was the chorus that echoed in the air on the luminous day of inauguration and blessing of the new church at Hebbagodi on 16.08.98. The festive atmosphere and the smiling faces of the jubilant crowd added solemnity to the occasion.  The Catholic community of Hebbagodi was brimming over with joy because at last they had a church, spacious and artistically constructed. For the MSFS confreres of the South West Province, it is a matter of great joy, as it is the first parish church in the province, dedicated to our dear Patron, St. Francis de Sales.

The church was blessed by Most Rev. Alphonsus Mathias, former Archbishop of Bangalore, and was inaugurated by Fr. Thomas Cherukat, the Provincial.  The impressive ceremony began with a colourful procession by about 2,500 faithful, including a large number of priests and religious.   The MSFS presence in Karnataka which began in Hebbagodi serving a single Chris­tian family has now developed into a vibrant Christian community. Though the Fathers were catering to the spiritual needs of the faithful in and around Hebbagodi, since 1968, it became a full fledged parish only in 1993.  Since then lot of efforts are made to build up the community and a place of worship.

Sannidhi the newly constructed MSFS novitiate of the South West province is situated 10 km away from the city of Mysore, by the side of the Gaddige road, at K. Hemmanna Halli. The beautiful panorama of the land surrounded by coconut trees and full of greeneries in the background of a healthy village atmosphere is a lovely view to behold. The artistic and meaningful construction of the building 'Sannidhi' symbolizing the missionary vision of Fr. Mermier and the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales is an icon of godliness, wisdom and spiritual insight.

The word 'Sannidhi' means 'In His Presence'. The institute is instructed in an Indian style under the model of an ashram. The whole building has three different sections. The first one specifically is Sannidhi' itself which primarily consists of the chapel, the study hall, the library and the refectory. The other two sections of the building which mainly consist of the dormitories, guest rooms and the rooms of the novice master and socius, are named 'Preethi' and Bhakthi'.  These two names have their root in Sanskrit which means love and devotion respectively.

For us Fransalians these two names are also epitomic expression of the spirituality of our heavenly patron St. Francis de Sales and his world famous spiritual classics 'The Love of God' and 'The Introduction to the Devout Life'.

Fr. Benny Kootanal msfs

In keeping with the spirit of its Annual Assembly Statements and Resolutions and in response to the call of Evangelization 2000 the Karnataka Regional Conference of Religious (KRCR) has constituted a "Proclamation Cell" in order to intensify and coordinate the ministry of proclamation in Karnataka and more particularly in North Karnataka.

The South-West Province of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales was asked to head the newly created Proclamation Cell with Fr. Thomas Cherukat, the provincial, as its Convenor. The Proclamation Cell endeavours to strengthen the spirit of proclamation among the numerous religious congregations already present in Karnataka but chiefly concentrated in the three major cities of Bangalore, Mangalore and Mysore in the South.  It strives to build and promote inter-congregational collaboration and co-operation and establish religious communities in North Karnataka where Christian presence is the bare minimum.  During the past three years a good number of religious congregations including the MSFS have moved to North Karnataka.

Koppal Mission

The South-West Province extended its missionary apostolate to North Karnataka when it opened its first mission at Koppal in the Diocese of Bellary in the year 1994. The Province accepted the responsibility of evangelizing the two taluks of Koppal and Yelburga under a written agreement with the Bishop of Bellary for a long period of 40 years. Koppal Mission has registered remarkable progress during the past four years under the dynamic leadership of Fr. C. Sebastian, the pioneer missionary.

Mundargi Mission

Mundargi, a small town in the district of Gadag in the diocese of Belgaum is the latest MSFS Mission in North Karnataka The new mission was inaugurated on 8th August, 1998.  Most Rev. Bernard Moras, Bishop of Belgaum presided over the inaugural Mass held in a rented house at Mundargi. A community of the Deena Seva Sisters has joined this new mission to collaborate with the MSFS in the socio-pastoral ministry in the area. The province proposes to extend its apostolate to the neighbouring taluk of Shirahatti within the next two years.  Fr. Sebastian Kulangarathottiyil, the pioneer missionary in the area and the Sisters, have already established friendly contacts with the predominantly Hindu population of the locality.

The province is fully geared to equip itself well with the suitable personnel and resources to continue the "northward thrust" in Karnataka. The proclamation cell is now working on an important project of 'training lay-evangelizers' for the vast regions of North Karnataka.  A school of evangelization is propose: to be established at the MSFS Mission at Malur in the district of Kolar to give the initial training for the Lay Evangelizers.