USA Provincial Visits India

Fr. Richard MacDonald, SCJ, the Provincial of the United States Province, visited the SCJ India District from September 17th to the 25th. Arriving in Kochi, Kerala, Fr. Mac visited the communities in Kumbalanghy, and Aluva. The SCJs and students were very interested in hearing about the Congregation in the United States; they had many questions during Fr. Mac’s conferences.

After a long 20 hour train trip, he was welcomed by the communities in Guntur, and Eluru. For such a short visit, Fr. Mac covered a lot of ground, as he saw the reality of the SCJ India District.

Fr. Mac is welcomed, Indian style, by the Dehon Vidya Sadhan community, Aluva, Kerala,

AND, by the Dehon Prema Nilayam community, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

While in the Guntur area, Fr. Mac visited Ponnekalu Village. Below he is with some members of the Catholic community, in front of the church.

Some members of the village, who recently received SCJ grants to help them rebuild their homes, are eager to show off their almost finished buildings, as Fr. Mac stands VERY CLOSE to the edge.

At the nearby SCJ novitiate, in Nambur, the 9 SCJ novices give a hearty welcome.

Along side of Fr. Sebastian (Novice Master), Fr. Mac gives the novices information about the Congregation in the United States.

The SCJ theology community is in Eluru, a 2 1/2 hour ride by jeep from Guntur. With Fr. Kusmaryadi (Superior of Theology Community), Fr. Mac gives a conference to the theologians.

(click photos to enlarge)