Major Archbishop Mar George Cardinal Alencherry is making a week-long pastoral visit to the Eparchy of Mananthavady from May 2-7, 2012. He is scheduled to visit several parishes, institutions, personalities and participate in several meetings and celebrations. Mar Jose Porunnedom, Bishop of Mananthavady as well as the Vicar General, Chancellor and other Diocesan Officials facilitate the whole program. The Major Archbishop is accompanied by Fr Antony Kollannur, the Chancellor of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and Secretary Fr Pottolil. The visit ends on May 7th, 2012.
The visit of the Major Archbishop to the Eparchy of Mananthavady
The first day of the visit began with the visit to the Regional Pastoral Centre of the Eparchy in Manimooly. The Major Archbishop was escorted by Bishop Jose Porunnedom from Nilambur to the Regional Pastoral Centre, where the priests of the region had gathered to welcome the Major Archbishop. The first programme in the schedule was the address to the priests of the Manimooly Region. Later the Major Archbishop exhorted the faithful gathered in the Christ King Forane Church, Manimooly where the Major Archbishop was welcomed by the Syncellus, V. Rev. Fr. Jose Thekkanady.
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The Major Archbishop then blessed the newly constructed two-storey L.P. School building. Later he met some prominent personalities from the civic society – Local MLA Sri Basheer, Panchayath, Grama Panchayath and Block Panchayath Presidents and members, Circle Inspector of Police, etc. and had lunch with the dignitaries and the priests and religious of the region.
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The solemn start of the visit was with the Holy Qurbana at Little Flower Forane Church Hall, Nilambur. The Major Archbishop was welcomed with the accompaniment of the school band by Fr. Chandy Punakattu. Bishop Jose Porunnedom, Fr. Mathew Madapallikunnel, the Proto Syncellus, Fr. Jose Thekkanady, the Suncellus for the Manimooly Region, Fr. Antony Kollannur, the Major Archiepiscopal Chancellor, Fr. Chandy Punakattu, the Vicar and a dozen priests concelebrated with the Major Archbishop. There was a big congregation of faithful well over 3000 to whom the Major Archbishop spoke during his homily about the faithfulness required of every Christian to God and to fellow brethren.
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It was a blessing for the 32 children who could receive their First Holy Communion during this Qurbana from the Major Archbishop. After the Holy Qurbana there was a meeting of the representatives of people from all the ministries in the region. The Major Archbishop addressed the meeting and answered many questions during the time for interaction.
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Having had the supper in the Pastoral Centre at Manimooly, after a long drive through the Nadukani Hill Way, the Major Archbishop and the team accompanying him reached the Bishop’s House for night rest at about 11.00 p.m.
Day 2: Diocesan Day celebrations
The second day of the visit centred around the 40th Diocesan Day celebration in the Pastoral Centre of the Eparchy at Dwaraka. This day was also dedicated specially for meetings with Women Religious Superiors, Eparchial Pastoral Council and Priests Conference. The diocesan day celebration began with the Major Archbishop hoisting the flag of the Eparchy at the Pastoral Centre, Dwaraka at 9.00 a.m.
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This was followed by his meeting with the Women Religious Superiors of the Eparchy. Quoting Cardinal Suenens, the Major Archbishop reminded them their role as “ecclesial women” which is to be exercised in close communion with the Church. The high point of the day was the solemn celebration of the Holy Qurbana in which majority of the 213 eparchial priests and 27 religious priests joined.
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This was followed by a public meeting in which Mrs. Rosakutty Teacher, the Chair Person of Kerala Womens Commission, Mr. K.L. Paulose, Block Panchayath President and representatives of all sections of the people of God of the eparchy were present. At the end of the meeting, priests and religious celebrating their golden jubilee and catechism teachers who have been teaching catechism for 35 years were honoured by the Major Archbishop by presenting them with a shawl. Eight persons of extraordinary talents in various fields were also given special awards. The rangapooja presented by the children of Goreti Balabhavan, Nadavayal won the applause of everyone.
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After lunch, the Major Archbishop met the pastoral council in which there was a very fruitful interaction on various topics. The meeting with the presbyterium that took place after tea was very fruitful as there was a real exchange of ideas regarding many issues in the Church and society. There were a great number of priests present for the meeting although many of them had to travel back quite a distance.
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