Video conference from Spain - Fr Valles 90 years celebration.

Video conference from Spain - Fr Valles 90 years celebration. At the Audiovisual room of St Xavier's college

 ,

Ahmedabad, on 6th November 2015. For details see the Gujarati text above.

devasia m sj

R.I.P Fr.Dias Chelston(Charlie) -(GUJ) 68/50, passed away on 27 Jan 2015 at 10.45p.m

We are sorry to inform you about the passing away of Fr. Chelston(Charlie Dias)at 10.45p.m on 27 January 2015 at Gomtipur, Nursing Home in Ahmedabad. The funeral will be held on 29 January 2015 in  Ahmedabad.

The funeral of Fr.Charlie Dias will be held on ( Thursday) 29 January 2015 at 3.00p.m in Loyola Hall, Ahmedabad.

The timing and the venue of the funeral on 29 January 2015 have not yet been decided. We will communicate to you as soon as we can.- Socius.

 Fr.Charlie Dias was admitted in the Sterling Hospital in the second week of November 2014 for the treatment of cancer in his right arm. The doctors were trying their level best to save his right arm. After a prolonged treatment at Sterling, on 16 January 2015 the doctors then in consultation with the superiors concerned decided to go for the amputation of the arm in order to save his life.

Fr.Charlie Dias accepted the decision of the doctors and  then he had sent his personal message to his near and dear ones:

“It is hard to believe i have finally after more than a month i have now been recommended to take the harsh step of consent of amputation of my Right hand, this is in consultation with the team of my Superiors, Socius and my family members having met with the Panel of doctors including Dr Somesh and Dr Mandeep to save my life. They did all the best to save my hand but at the end i lost the battle and had to surrender my right arm. 

Tomorrow 16th Jan 2015 morning 7.30 am my Right Arm will be amputated at Sterling Hospital.”

The right arm was amputated on 16 January 2015. For a week he was in the ICU and then he was transferred to a private room. He showed a lot of improvement. With the support of Bro.Pravin Falcao, he even tired to walk  in the room. Once again on 25 January, he had to be put in the ICU since his vital organs were not cooperating to the treatment that was given to him.

Finally his prolonged suffering came to an end on 27 January 2015  at 10.45 p.m and he departed for the eternal home. May his soul rest in peace!

Socius-Gujarat

Dias Chelston

Fr.Chelston was the ninth child in a family of twelve. He joined the Apostolic School at Loyola Hall and passed SSC from Loyola in 1964. Influenced by the Jesuit Community at Loyola, he joined the novitiate the same year and took his vows in 1966. As a student of St.Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, he presented the college in football, hockey and athletics. Though chosen to represent the Gujarat University in these various disciplines, he had to step out ‘in virtue of holy obedience’. In 1968, Fr.Charlie Dias was the fastest runner in Gujarat University standing first in the 100 m. race.

After an illustrious college performance, both in and off the field, he proceeded for the novitiate at Mt Abu and then for philosophy to Pune. After completing his regency and theology, he was ordained a priest in Bandra in 1979. After his B.Ed. Charlie had four assignment at Rosary, Baroda in 1984, landed at Loyola hall as Vice Principal, with additional charge of sports and scouts.

Charlie has a motto that reads: A true Xavierite is a better person for others. His great hobby is arranging leadership camps and ‘future leaders’ vie with each other to find a place on these camps. The leadership camps surely went beyond the ordinary and the mundane routine of the textbook learning and spewing what was learnt in examinations. These camps have been, a unique contribution of fr.Charlie to engage young people in understanding themselves, discovering their inner potential, sensitizing them to society’s challenges and egging them on to leadership. His faith formation camps for Catholics students have him personally involved and devoted every bit of his time and energy. As a Vocation promoter, he organized many camps and through these camps many have joined for priesthood and for religious life.

All through the years at St.Xavier’s Loyola Hall, Fr.Charlie has held many offices and important ones such as Principal of St.Xavier’s Loyola Hall Primary Section, Director of Leadership Training programmes, Director of Sports and games, Director of alter servers, Chairman of Cubs and scouts, Director of the Social service league and Minister of the Jesuit residence. Holding all these portfolios, Fr.Charlie’s main focus has been the children.  He instilled in his students the spirit of sportsmanship. ‘Play the game to enjoy it. Winning and losing don’t matter. Participation is the most important thing’.

Fr.Charlie’s generosity knows no bounds reaching out to the poor and the needy far and wide. He is very often addressed as Fr.Santaclaus.

 By Fr.Lancy D’Cruz

Responsibility Held In Society

Responsibility                                                                  Place of Responsibility_                    Year

Vice principal primary Loyola Hall                      Ahmedabad                               1984-1998

Minister of Jesuit Community Loyola                  Ahmedabad                              1996-2006

Principal primary section St.Xaviers Loyola Hall   Amedabad                               1998-2005

Primary in charge St. Xaviers                               Surat                                      2006-2007

Director of sports St.Xaviers Loyola Hall               Ahmedabad                            1990-2005

Director Leadership Program St.Xaviers Loyola Hall Ahmedabad                          1986-2006

Director Social Service St.Xaviers Loyola Hall         Ahmedabad                           1986-2006

Director of Sports St. Xaviers                                                 Surat                                                2006-2012

Asst PP & School Animator                                                   Ankleshwar                                      2013-2015

Hakal - English Version News

Fr Arza - last farewell at the Shrine Vadodara, India. c/o BBN

Rev.Fr. Herbert A. de Souza, S.J -15th death Anniversary

A painting of Herbert D'Souza sj

Rev.Fr. Herbert A. de Souza, S.J. 

peacefully went to his Heavenly Father on Monday December 15, 1997, at 7.30 a.m., in Los Angeles. Fr. De Souza was born in Karachi (now in Pakistan) on August 14, 1918. His parents were from Goa. Fr. De Souza was a loving son and brother to his family, and a faithful Jesuit who spent his life in the service of others, especially the poor and downtrodden of India. After completing his doctoral studies in English Literature at Columbia University, Fr. De Souza became the founding president of St. Xavier’s University College in Ahmedabad, India. In a few years he made St. Xavier’s the top university college in the whole state of Gujarat. After fifteen years as president of St. Xavier’s he moved to Rome, and was made the counselor for education to the General of the Society of Jesus, Fr Pedro Arrupe, S.J. From Rome he came to Los Angeles and earned a Masters in Communication Arts at Loyola Marymount University. Later, he taught creative writing at the same university. Simultaneously, he was involved in the production of a number of nationally acclaimed religious television programs in Los Angeles. Fr. De Souza was a superb orator, whose skills were honed at Speakers’ Corner at Hyde Park, London early in his life. He was invited to give the commencement address at his own graduation at Loyola Marymount University. His talk is remembered even today. He was a much sought after speaker in lecture circuits across the continent. His range of knowledge of classical and modern literature, his mastery of the English language and outstanding wit kept his audiences enthralled. As a priest, his homilies touched many lives, and his popularity and immense. Fr. De Souza’s experiences with the mass media in the United States made him realize the tremendous potential of the media for education and human development in India. He made it his Mission to use media to empower the powerless. Gurjarvani, Xavier Centre for Culture and Communication, run by the Jesuits in Gujarat, enabled him to carry out this mission. With his extensive network of friends he guided and supported the outstanding work of Gurjarvani in the field of media for education and human development. His sole concern throughout the latter part of his life was the continuation of his Mission. Herbert de Souza was a very large-hearted man, whose sensitivity and compassion reached numerous people in India, the United States, and through out the world. He touched many lives profoundly. He created a family of friends who support his Mission for the poor in India.
 Rappai P sj

Fr .Ordonez Ignacio (GUJ) 84/68 expired

Fr .Ordonez Ignacio

R.I.P.

Fr .Ordonez Ignacio (GUJ) 84/68 expired this morning due to heart  attack (08- 12-2012 ) at Unteshwari.

The funeral will be held at 5.00 p.m ( today) in  Unteshwari  Shrine, Kadi  on  08-12-2012.

Please remember him in your prayers.

Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj SJ

Socius

GUJ

Personal Information

Birth: 23 -10-1928 9 (Spain, Navarra)

Entered SJ: 26-08-1944 ( Loyola Spain)

Priesthood: 24-03-1958 ( Anand- Gujarat)

Final vows: 02-02-1977 9 Nanakantharia)

Responsibilities held

Asst PP: Retreat house, Baroda—1960

PP at Gothada—1961

Asst PP at Bhilodas—1971-1973

PP at Nanakantharia -- !973-1983

Socius to the Provincial –1984-1989

PP at Meghrej –1989-1993

Asst PP at Meghrej—1993-1994

Asst.PP at Bhiloda—1994-2004

Asst.PP at Unteshwari—2004-2012

Congratulations to Fr.Cedric Prakash and the Prashant team!

 Congratulations to Fr.Cedric Prakash and the Prashant team!

November 19, 2012

Mayor Eric J Kellogg’s speech honoring renowned human rights activist and Jesuit priest, Fr. Cedric Prakash, s.j.

Dear Council Members and my fellow citizens,

It is my privilege to welcome you all today to this event, which symbolizes the values of our nation and the spirit of the City of Harvey. We are gathered here today to appreciate and honor a man who lives thousands of miles away, but whose heart beats for peace, justice and the well being of all humanity. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming renowned human rights activist and Jesuit priest from India Fr. Cedric Prakash!

You may recall that in March of this year, our City Council passed a resolution condemning the horrific massacres in Gujarat in 2002, and expressing solidarity with the victims and survivors of that pogrom. The Gujarat pogrom is known for the killing of over 2,000 people and the displacement of over 150,000, and indeed represents one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. On the other hand, the struggle for justice in the aftermath of the Gujarat carnage is a story of selfless service, of a relentless quest for peace and of undying love for humanity. Fr. Cedric Prakash is one of those rare individuals who symbolize these great qualities.

Fr. Cedric Prakash is the director of an organization called Prashant in the city of Ahmedabad, which was the epicenter of the horrendous crimes against humanity that were perpetrated in Gujarat in 2002. The organization is in the forefront of monitoring and documenting human rights violations and advocating for religious harmony. Fr. Prakash himself, as the founding director of this organization has worked tirelessly to build bridges among various groups, and to secure justice and rehabilitation for the survivors. He has also been vocal in highlighting the ongoing plight of minorities in Gujarat and other parts of India.

Fr. Prakash’s work in the field of humanitarian advocacy predates the tragic events in Gujarat.  He has worked ceaselessly to bring about religious harmony in the diverse religious landscape of India. This cause, for which he has worked selflessly for several decades, has been recognized in India and abroad. In 1995, the President of India conferred him with the Kabir Puraskar, for his work in the promotion of religious harmony. In 2003, the Indian American Muslim Council presented him with the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award for Humanitarian Work. In 2006, he was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, one of the highest French civilian awards, in recognition of his commitment to the defense and the promotion of Human Rights in India. The same year, the National Minorities Commission of India also honored him with the Minorities Rights Award.

Today, we in the City of Harvey have the honor of having Fr. Cedric Prakash in our midst. As Mayor of this wonderful city, it is my privilege to pay tribute to Fr. Prakash, and the cause of justice and interfaith harmony that he and his organization symbolize.

Fr. Prakash’s work shows us that in the midst of appalling cruelty and terrible crimes against humanity, there exists compassion, selflessness and an inspiring conviction in the brotherhood of humanity.  Fr. Prakash’s persistent struggle for justice is a reminder of the proverb, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

Cedric Prakash S.J.

Fr . Anil Lucas Macwan

Fr Anil Lucas in Khambhat.

 

R.I.P.

Fr . Anil Lucas Macwan (GUJ) 54/34 expired this evening around 9.30p.m ( 22- 07-2012 ) in Nadiad Heart Hospital. He had a severe heart attack  and he died in the Hospital.

The funeral will be held at 4.00p.m in Anand Catholic Church  on Monday (23-07-2012).

Please remember him in your prayers.

Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj SJ

Socius

Personal Information:

Name :

Date of Birth: 05- 01 1958

Entrance in the Society: 30 -07- 1978

Final Vows:  31- 01-1999

Priesthood: 29-04-1989

Died : 22-07-2012

Responsibilities Held:

Pastoral Year: Dediapada& Bharuch -1986

Teacher: Gandhinagar- 1990-1991

Teacher, &Principal: Zankhvav- 1991-1997

Principal: St.Joseph, Baroda: 1997-2000

Principal : Dhandhuka   2000- 2002

Principal: St.Xavier’s Khambhat- 2002-2009

Principal: Sagbara- 2009- 2012

Man of Hard work, Sincerity, sensitivity and Love:

Fr.Anil Lucas Macwan had been a person committed to God in a very personal way. In fact from very early days, as early as his school days, he had an ardent desire to commit himself to God totally. Motivated by this desire, he joined the apostolic school at Loyola Hall, Ahmedabad. His commitment to God found expression in his love for the person of Jesus. His readiness to work for the downtrodden was something remarkable. When he was at Zankhvav, he devoted himself to the cause of the tribal upliftment in terms of providing them with the best formal education possible.

He had been able to interact with people of all kinds at various places such as Baroda, Khambhat, Dhandhuka and Sagbara. With firmness of mind and love in his heart he had been able to deal with them positively. And he had been able to stand up to the values of hard work, sincerity, sensitivity and love.

મૂળ વલાસણના ફા.અનિલ લુકાસ મેકવાન હમણાં કલાક પહેલા જ પ્રભુને પ્યારા થઇ ગયા છે. ગઈ કાલે સવારે તેમને હ્રદયરોગનો ભારે હુમલો થયો હતો. આજે નડીયાદ કાર્ડિઆક હોસ્પિટલ માં તેઓએ અંતિમ શ્વાસ લીધા. ફાધરે ગુજરાતભરમાં વડોદરા, ખંભાત, ધંધુકા, સાગબારા જેવી અલગ અલગ સ્કૂલોમાં શિક્ષક અને આચાર્ય તરીકે સેવા આપી છે. પ્રભુ તેમના આત્માને પરમ શાંતિ બક્ષે.

ફાધર અનિલની દફનવિધિ આવતીકાલે સોમવાર, જુલાઈ ૨૩ તારીખે બપોરે ૪ વાગે કેથોલિક ચર્ચ આણંદ ખાતે રાખવામાં આવી છે.

[ c/o Jagdish Christian ]

સમાચાર – સુનિતા પરમાર, કરમસદ અને શ્વેતા વાઘેલા, ગાંધીનગર

A Movie: Two young men dedicate their lives to serve: Gujarat Jesuits

Two new Jesuits for Gujarat Province [ S.J.]

Dalvi Raman and Parmar Brijesh - new Jesuits

Jose Changa, Provincial Superior and con-celebrants at the vows celebration at Sughad.

Parmar Brijesh Pronouncing the vows of dedicating his whole life to the service of the People in Gujarat.

Dalvi Raman receiving the crucifix and the constitution of the Society of Jesus.

 Brothers Dalvi Raman and Parmar Brijesh are the two new Jesuits for Gujarat, India, this year. On 21st June 2012 at 7.00 am they completed a two year training period called the Novitiate at Sadhana Sadan and dedicated their lives to serve the people of Gujarat.

Isudas Cueli S.J. the oldest member of Sughad community greeting the new Jesuits.

As we, the Gurjarvani team, were coming from the novitiate we watched this dance of joy.

50 years in the Society of Jesus in Gujarat

Those who celebrated at Rosary Vododara

 Bishop Godfrey Rozario and Provincial Jose Changa gave the mementos to each of the Golden Jubilarians at Rosary school Vadodara, Gujarat,India, on 6th April evening.

Ornellas Coutinho [ right ]

Castiella [ right]

Paul Macwan [ left]

Thannipara Thomas [ left]

Paul Valapila [ left]

Devasia Muthuplackal [ left]

Thomas Chamakala [ right]

Rappai Poothokaren [ left]

Gujarat Jesuits Sammelan [ Province days]

The meeting was in Hall of Rosary School, Vadodara.

The Gujarat Jesuit's Sammelan or Province days 2012 was at Rosary School Vadodara from 5th April evening to 7the noon. About 200 Jesuits attended the sessions which were with lively presentations of videos about the history of Gujarat Jesuits, and power point sharing of the vision of different groups [ Novitiate groups] for the coming 20 years [ Vision 20 ]

Those who have completed 50 years in the Society of Jesus were given a lively reception with songs gifts and a festive dinner at Rosary school hall on 6th evening. Bishop Godfrey Rozario of Vadodara Diocese and  Bishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad Diocese were present for the celebration.

The Province days ended with a thanksgiving Eucharistic service presided by the provincial, Jose Changa.

Group Photo of all those who were present on 6th morning.

Mass with the Jubilarians in Rosary cathedral

Bro Paul Macwan is being greeted at the reception.

A book " Samooh Yatra" [ journey together ] , history of each of the Jesuit houses in Gujarat was released by the Provincial Jose Changa.

We regret to announce the sudden demise of  Fr.Mathew Kochupura sj (Guj) 57/35,  on 11 December 2011 in Mandali, at 1.30 P.M. The funeral will be held on 12 December in the College Church, Ahmadabad  at 4.00p.m.

Yours truly,

Socius – Gujarat.

Mathew was director of the Jesuit Technical schools in Nadiad [ Loyola technical] and Vadodara [ Xavier technical Institute, Sevasi ] before he was appointed to Mandali, near Mehsana, [Gujarat,India] to start a new Technical Institute.

Fr.Jose Luis Lopetegui sj passed away

 Fr.Jose Luis Lopetegui sj (GUJ, 84/64) passed away to heavenly Father, at Jeevan Darsan  Baroda at 2.10 a.m on Sunday 04 December 2011.

The funeral will be held at 4.00 p.m on the same day at Anklav.

 

Br.Rodrigues Harold passed away to his Father's House (84/64)

Brother Harry Rodrigues S.J

Dear Fathers and Brothers,

Br.Rodrigues Harold of Gujarat Jesuit province, India died (84/64) in the morning in Jeevan Darshan Vadodara, Gujarat, India on 08-06-2011. The funeral is on the same day in the evening at 5.30P.M in Jeevan Darshan, Shrine Mother of the forsaken.

Yours in the Lord,

Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj s.j

Gujarat-Socius