June 30, 2022:-The 2001 batch of students of Khrist Premalaya Regional Theologate visited the seminary in May 2022. It was a time for them to meet one another and to reminisce their memories about the Alma Mater. They also volunteered to buy a new Musical Keyboard for the use of the students in the Seminary. They generously gathered among themselves the amount required and purchased YAMAHA SX 700 with accessories and donated it to the Seminary. The Seminary Community is extremely grateful to these priests for their generosity and thoughtfulness. May the Lord bless all their endeavours.
June 26, 2022:-The Khrist Premalaya campus once again became colorful as the Seminarians came back from holidays on June 16, 2022. With the eighteen students admitted this year to First Year Theology, we have 58 students in all. On June 17th and 18th the First Year Students had their Orientation Programme during which the staff members and student leaders briefed them about history and vision of the seminary and familiarized them with the campus and the facilities. Meanwhile, the other students got the campus and buildings ready for the new academic year.
From 19th to 24th June the community attended a retreat preached by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Aikara (Indore Diocese) who filled them with new vigor and enthusiasm to launch into the new academic year. He insisted on the importance of the Word of God in the lives of priests and seminarians.
On June 24, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the Patron of the Institution, Bro. Abhishek Charpota (Indore), Bro. Albin Lukose (Khandwa), Bro. Amit Bhuriya (Jhabua), Bro. Amit Soren (Muzaffarpur), Bro. Anil Hembroom (Muzaffarpur), Bro. Kapil Dev (Gwalior), Bro. Manish Khadiya (Jhabua), Bro. Pakkiyam Anthony (IVD) and Bro. Parsingh Damor (Udaipur) received their cassock from Most Rev. Sebastin Durairaj SVD, Archbishop of Bhopal before the Eucharistic Celebration held in the evening.
Bro. Amalraj A. (Bhopal ), Bro. Arputha Vinish (Khandwa), Bro. Arul Baskar (HFF), Bro. Arumalla Thomas (IVD), Bro. Fristo Paulson (Indore), Bro. Gracious G. (MC), Bro. Jaiman Kerketta (Port Blair), Bro. Namit Tigga (Bhopal), Bro. Pradeep Simon (MC), Bro. Roshan Damor (Jhabua), Bro. Sahaya Reegan (Bhopal), Bro. Satish Mohe (Khandwa), Bro. Savarimuthu Antoniraj (MC), Bro. Stanislas Lakra (Ambikapur) and Bro. Xavier Khadiya (Jhabua) received the Ministry of Lector during the Holy Mass from Archbishop Sebastin Durairaj.
Bro. Ajit A. (Bhopal), Bro. Arockia Jothis M.(Jabalpur), Bro. Ashwin Damor (Jhabua), Bro. Joyal Peter (Udaipur), Bro. Manu Chacko (Khandwa), Bro. Michael D’Souza (IVD), Bro. Neelkamal Tirkey (Khandwa), Bro. Pankaj Kispotta (Bhopal), Bro. Ravichandra Koppula (CFIC), Bro. Rohit Minj (Raipur), Bro. Sabin Sahaya (Bhopal), Bro. Surendra Kumre (Jabalpur), Bro. Uchhaba Pradhan (CFIC) and Bro. Vikash Kujur (Raipur) received the Ministry of Acolyte from the Archbishop.
On June 25, 2022, Most Rev. Sebastin Durairaj SVD, Archbishop of Bhopal presided over the con-celebrated the Inaugural Holy Mass at 7 a.m. At 9 a.m. Lectio Brevis was delivered by Rev. Fr. Pius Lakra SVD on “Synodality in Action”. Regular classes began on June 27, 2022.
May 17, 2022:-Thirteen priests of Year 2001 Batch of Khrist Premalaya Regional Theologate had a re-union on 15th and 16th May. They visited Khrist Premalaya Seminary at Ashta on May 16, 2022, celebrated the Holy Mass at 11.30 a.m. remembering Late Bishop Thomas Thennat SAC, their Rector, reminisced the 21 year old memories of the campus and had lunch together before returning to their respective places of ministry. Some of their companions could not join the event due to their busy schedule or ill health.
May 12, 2022:-A Formation Seminar was arranged by His Grace Archbishop Sebastin Durairaj for the Staff members of Khrist Premalaya Regional Theologate from 9th to 11th May 2022. The Rector and Staff of St. Theresa Minor Seminary, Bhopal too benefited from the Seminar. The Seminar began with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Archbishop. Rev. Fr. Alex Joseph Clement, the Director of NVSC, Pune was the Resource Person. He highlighted the values to be promoted in the Formation of Priests and various aspects of Seminary Life. He insisted on self-giving and readiness to serve as key elements of priestly ministry.
May 17, 2022:-Rev. Fr. Antony Akkanath arrived from Italy on May 6, 2022. From the Airport he went to the Archbishop’s House, Bhopal and met Most Rev. Dr. Sebastin Durairaj SVD. After the meeting and lunch with the Archbishop, he came to Ashta and joined the Staff of Khrist Premalaya Theologate as Dean of Studies. He has already overcome the jet lag and is fully into his duties. We wish him all the best.
April 10, 2022:-The Administration of Khrist Premalaya Regional Theologate at Ashta was handed over by the Council of the Bishops of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh to the Diocesan Clergy on April 9, 2022 in the presence of Most Rev. Dr. Sebastin Durairaj SVD, Archbishop of Bhopal, Mar Sebastian Vadakkel, Bishop of Ujjain and Very Rev Fr. Joemon James Alackal, Provincial Superior of the SVD Central Indian Province as well as of the Staff and Students. After the Holy Mass presided over by the Archbishop, the Appointment letter of Rev. Fr. Francis Scaria as the new Rector was read out by the Archbishop. Then Fr. Francis Scaria made the Profession of Faith. Rev. Fr. Thomas Peringalloor handed over the key of the Seminary Chapel to the New Rector and wished him all the best. Fr. Antony Akkanath has been appointed as the Dean of Studies, Fr. Tobias Minj as the Procurator and Fr. George Stephen as the Spiritual Director. Fr. Jonedius Toppo, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa Church, Ashta will also offer his services as a Spiritual Director. Fr. Simon Mohta of Indore Diocese will continue to serve as a member of the Staff.
The Khrist Premalaya Regional Theologate was administered by the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) from its beginning until April 1994. The Members of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (SAC), popularly known as Pallottines then rendered their services until April 2008. From then onwards the Central Indian Province of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) was taking care of the administration of the Seminary. All the three Religious Congregations selflessly served the Church in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh through this institution to the best of their ability.
Most Rev. Sebastin Durairaj profusely thanked the SVD Fathers for their dedicated services and all who have contributed to the growth of the local church to be able to take over the administration of the Seminary at this point of time.
Fr. Joemon James was presented a Momento by Most Rev. Sebastin Vadakkel on behalf of the Council of Bishops of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. Bishop Vadakkel recollected the major milestones in the history of the Regional Seminary and thanked the Lord for his ineffable graces.
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