COMMUNITIES IN ANDHRA PRADESH






Report on Founder’s Day, 2005
-Michael Augustine, SCJ

The communities of Eluru theologate and notivitiate celebrated Founder’s Day together with the Dehon Prema Nilayam community here in Gorantla on Sunday, August 14th. The novices were not present here as they had a special program at the novitiate. The Dehon Prema Nilayam (DPN) community made all the necessary arrangements for the special occasion. The celebration began with the arrival of the Eluru community at 9:00am. DPN students gave them all a warm and hearty welcome. After having a short time for refreshments we began our outdoor activities at the sports field. In order to highlight the “community” dimension on this day of our founding father, we arranged a cricket match and volleyball match between Eluru and DPN communities; the former won both matches. However the latter’s efforts can’t be underestimated, for they put up a good show without merely surrendering to the seniors.

In the evening we had a solemn con-celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Kus. Fr. Sebastian delivered a meaningful homily. He was trying to explain in brief the life of our founder and invited all of us to walk in his footsteps in order to make some of his dreams a reality. After the homily all the SCJs renewed their vows of Poverty, Obedience, and Chastity. At 7:00pm we had a short informal get-together. At the very outset of this gathering Br. Darmaraj gave a beautiful message in the person of our late founder, and thus reminded each of us of the significance of this day. On this auspicious occasion the young DPN students put on many programs, and entertained everyone. The brothers from Eluru also gave some programs and made their presence felt. Then we all shared in the fellowship meal, which concretely reminded us of our “togetherness” and a sense of belonging. After the delicious Dehonian meal we bid farewell to the Eluru theology community and that brought our Founder’s Day celebration to an end.





New SCJ Candidates receive crosses as they begin their Year of Orientation.