Items filtered by date: April 2025

Our meeting this year took place in the Eternal City. Now it becomes annual, this time of sharing is a privileged time, a moment where we enriched each other in our different experiences of collaboration: for formation, for the service of our shrines, for the mission, in a common prayer, especially for our deceased and the monthly La Salette Novena. Our charism is enriched with the contribution of different sensitive concerns and together- we realized and became aware - we already really live something beautiful that only needs to be deepened.

To give thanks this path and process and continue to entrust to the Lord, we participated together in the audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday, 18. We took with us his invitation to "keep our doors open to bear witness to Christ, the only true and real Door that opens to the Father".

It is also a chance for us, MS and SNDS to share together moments not only in formal and business meetings but of fraternal and informal sharing of presence – where we can relax in the presence of one another, the complimentarily of the Melanie and Maximin as La Salette.

We experienced also the generosity of one another to be available to experience the history of Rome. We were able to share our common friend through the presence and visit of Cardinal Luis “Chito”Tagle who had a close connection also with both the SNDS and MS.

Our meeting, “Rendez-vous” for next year is already set!

S. Elisabeth Guiboux, snds

From Nov. 9-13, we the LaSalette International Formation Commission met in Rome to share insights, stories and support in our work of evaluating, planning and enriching, the exciting ministry of formation around the LaSalette world. We discussed evaluating students and programs, we explored the results and implications of the Congregational formation survey, and shared insights and concerns on the formation of our formators. We also began to plan for a revision of the Basic Program for La Salette Formation to be presented to the 2018 General Chapter. In the midst of all this work , we shared a wonderful visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel and received with gratitude, the hospitality of the Casa Generaliza! All in all, this was truly a joyful time of fraternity, hope, fun and care for the vital ministry of Congregational formation.

Ray Cadran, MS (Mary, Mother of the Americas Province)

Frs. Mathew Manjaly, Jolly C. Ayyamkolil, Joy Porathur and Sunny Poovathumkudy were the first La Salettes who came to the Diocese of Parramatta. The Parramatta Diocese is one of the fastest-growing in the western Sydney area. We started ministering in different parishes and returned home to a community house provided by the diocese in 2012. We were given a parish (St. Nicola of Myra, Pernith). Fr. Mathew M. Antony is parish priest and Fr. Jose Manjaly is assistant. Fr. Jolly C. Ayyamkolil is the administrator in Glenbrook parish which is not far from the Pernith parish.
When Frs. Jolly and Sunny went back to India, three others arrived, Jose Manjaly, Joy Chukkananikal and Joby Kadampatt. Later Fr. Jolly came back to Australia and Fr. Joy C. went back to India.
At present we are considering the parish in Pernith our community center for gatherings, both formal and informal. We have two La Salettes ministering in the Archdiocese of Canberra, Frs. Sijo Thekkekunnel and Jiss Kunnumpurath.
Fr. Joseph Punnakunnel was in Canberra for three years before returning to India. Fr. Jiss will arrive in November 2015. At present we are 7 members from the Indian province ministering in Australia.
Every Thursday we come together as a community and spend time sharing prayer and meals, engaging in meetings and recreation.
We are trying our best to bring the charism of reconciliation to our ministries in the parish, the school, and other areas of mission and ministry. We celebrate the La Salette Feast by involving many parishioners and stressing the multicultural aspect of our parish communities. We do ministry in the parish schools. We make it a point to help out in the sacrament of reconciliation in all parishes of the Deanery whenever called upon. We do have two hours of confession every week in the parishes where we minister. We are trying to live a simple life, saving as much as we can to support the Province.
As of now we are all doing well and are happy in our ministry and mission. The Australia mission is a mission worth continuing. There is also the possibility of expanding our presence in the future. May God bless our Congregation in all our missions and ministries.
Rev. Mathew Manjaly Antony, MS

We are pleased to announce the election of the new provincial Council of the Province of Mary, Mother of Americas:

From left on the attached photo:

1- Fr. Raymond G. Cadran, MS – Provincial Assistant.

2- Fr. René J. Butler, MS - Provincial Superior.

3- Fr. John R. Nuelle, MS – Provincial Vicar.

We pray for their good ministry !

Look at the world today; we see a decline of Justice and Peace. We also see a decline in working for Justice and Peace. Why? May be the thought of individualism is taking over and the globalization is influencing the society very much. What is Justice? And what is peace? How can we experience it in our lives? Pope Paul VI says, ‘development is the new word for peace’. Yes, if the societies, communities or even countries are focusing on the development of its members or citizens we will surely experience peace. Justice is a gift, a call and a commitment. Justice is nothing but sharing what is our due. If the politicians, other leaders and everyone in the society is ready to be just; we will experience justice. To work for justice means is to take hold of the depth of the situation of the poor and understand the reality. Everyone in the world has a right to live in dignity and we have the responsibility to become liberator of the poor and oppressed of the society. How do we respond? Sometimes we think we have nothing to do. Some other times we pass by or remain on the mountain saying I am helpless and I will pray for you. We have to remember that it is our responsibility to walk to Jordan and Calvary experiencing the struggles by being with the people.

Commitment for justice and peace can never escape criticism. But Jesus tells us not to lose heart when we begin to work for something good. Our hunger for justice should have deep spirituality. Our work is nothing but to participate and collaborate with the work of God. We have to restore the covenant with God. We have to build up peace. The Church always had this concept of peace building. We have to look at the world in the eyes of the poor and fulfill the responsibility as faithful Christians.

The message of our Blessed Mother at La Salette was nothing but an invitation for conversion, and to work for Justice and Peace in the world. Justice and peace in the society always demands our conversion and reconciliation with God, with oneself and with one another. In the Gospel of Mathew chapter 5; Jesus reminds us about this justice and mercy that we should maintain in our hearts…. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”. Dear friends, we are called to become the children of God and work for justice and peace. As servants of God and members of the Church, let us hear the cry of the poor and invitation of Christ and our blessed mother to build Peace in the World by committing ourselves for Justice…..

Fr. Roy Parayil MS
La Salette Matha Province, India

ANNOUNCEMENT 
of the La Salette Organizing Committee for XXXI World Youth Day

We would like to pass to you any needed information dealing XXXI World Youth Day which are going to take place in Cracow in 2016.
In July this year the registration of participants started offering some options to be chosen. It is the obligatory condition on which you may take part in WYD. We as La Salette Organizing Committee can serve you passing to you any additional information connected with WYD. In case of required clarifications or any doubts please send us your e-mail on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Your questions with our answers will be attached in a special bookmark on this website: www.lasalette.info.

Depending on the option you have chosen while proceeding the application form of the registration, we will put our efforts to accommodate you in the area of our parish at Cegielniana St. or nearby. If you have chosen the option that you want to take part in the preparations for WYD in any of the Polish diocese, it is necessary for you to contact the right coordinator assigned for this diocese. This info you can find on www.krakow2016.com. Please make sure you have completed all the registration requirements. We want to make you aware that we as La Salette fathers have no possibility to accommodate any participants in groups or individuals, without passing through the registration system.

We are warmly inviting you to visit Poland and to participate in XXXI World Youth Day.

In the name of the La Salette Organizing Committee
Fr.. Piotr Szweda MS
president

Fr. Biju Abraham Chempottickal M.S will be soon publishing a book under the title “La Salette: Call of a Merciful Mother” in French. It is a theological and spiritual interpretation of the message and symbols in the light of the year of mercy. The book contains three parts. In the first part there are articles on the theme of Mercy and the message of Mary at La Salette. In the second part of the book are 18 meditations on the symbols we find at the La Salette apparition. The third part of the book contains articles and prayers on the theme of our response to the invitation of Mary. The book contains beautiful photos of the shrine and the mountains by Daniel Andres. The book will be published on the first week of December 2015 by the Bayard publishers. The official ceremony of the presentation of the book will be on December 8, 2015 with the opening of the Jubilee year of Mercy at the Church of Resurrection in Grenoble. This book comes in the occasion of 170th anniversary of the apparition and the extraordinary Jubilee year of Mercy in 2016.

Fr. Biju

Day Nine: Friday, September 18, 2015

Theme: Mary proclaims the good news of Jesus

Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Lectionary: 447

Reading 1: 1 Timothy 6:2C-12

Beloved:Teach and urge these things.Whoever teaches something differentand does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christand the religious teachingis conceited, understanding nothing,and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds,who are deprived of the truth,supposing religion to be a means of gain.Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.For we brought nothing into the world,just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trapand into many foolish and harmful desires,which plunge them into ruin and destruction.For the love of money is the root of all evils,and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faithand have pierced themselves with many pains.

But you, man of God, avoid all this.Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion,faith, love, patience, and gentleness.Compete well for the faith.Lay hold of eternal life,to which you were called when you made the noble confessionin the presence of many witnesses.

Alleluia: See Matthew 11:25 R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 8:1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.Accompanying him were the Twelveand some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,Susanna, and many otherswho provided for them out of their resources.

La Salette Scripture Reflection: Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week Of The Year    

Luke 8:1-3: “He traveled through the towns, preaching and evangelizing the Kingdom of God.”

Brother Juniper once asked St. Francis, “Teach me to preach as eloquently as you. I am not good with words.” Francis replied, "I will teach you to preach more eloquently than I. Meet me tomorrow morning."

Brother Juniper dutifully met Francis early the next morning. To Juniper's surprise, they began walking. They walked through the marketplace, smiling at the laborers, the merchants, the children. They helped an old woman carry her wash up a set of stairs. They walked and walked. Finally, an exasperated Brother Juniper asked, "Francis, when will you teach me to preach?" Replied the Saint, “Why, we are preaching.”

In today's Gospel, Jesus invites us to practice what we preach – and to preach what we practice. What did

Mary preach at La Salette? Prayer, reconciliation, penance; come back regularly to the Lord's table; don't abuse Jesus's name. Mary's homily at La Salette was a true “parable in action” – a mother weeping over the sins of her children. Action parables are positive gestures without words. Often our actions shine forth better than our spoken words.

A Reflection Question: What do I “preach" by the way I live my daily life?