BCCA is the name of our cultur al

academy at St. Eugene Niwas,

Welcome to the inauguration of the Ambikapur. It is christened after an
1st BCCA – Blessed Joseph Cebula young Oblate martyr
Cultural Academy 2019-2020 Blessed Joseph Cebula, OMI
Theme: Teachers’ Day He was killed at Mauthausen
Thursday, 5th September 2019, 2pm Bl. Cebula concentration camp, Austria
BCCA is a platform where the
Ambikapur Oblate Candidates
Minutes of the meetings and various exhibit their talents in creative ways
activities of BC Cultural Academy
conducted during the
academic year 2018-2019
Major Speech:
Respected Fathers of St. Eugene Niwas, Fathers of Teachers Day
St. Cebula District of North India, Teaching Staff, Respected Father John
the President of BCCA and all my dear Brothers, Selvaraj, OMI, our
Good Evening to all. This is the first BCCA for this Administrator, the
academic year 2019-2020. birthday celebrant and the
Chief Guest of the day,
I am very glad to present to you in brief, the Father S.D. Arokiaraj,
activities of the Blessed Cebula Cultural Academy OMI, the Rector of St.
for the year 2018-2019. By going through the Eugene Niwas, Fathers of
available information and resources, BC Cultural St. Cebula District of
Academy was conducted for 6 times last year; North India, Teaching
namely, on 25th August, 29th September, 27th Staff, the President and
October, 24th November, 26th January, and 23rd Secretary of BCCA and
February. As part of the BCCA, various all my dear Brothers,
competitions where conducted to facilitate the wish you all a pleasant
growth of the candidates, namely, singing afternoon. On this special
competition, elocution, drama, speech competition, day of multi-celebrations,
fancy dress competition, quiz, essay, story telling, I am very happy and feel
indoor games, outdoor games and exhibition of blessed to be selected as
one’s call and mission. There were other events the first speaker of the
like party games, BOSOM and Annual Tour. first BCCA Academy of
Thank you very much for listening to the minutes the year 2019-2020.
of the previous meetings.
As I proceed to talk about the theme of the day of
Secretary : May I now invite the Pr esident of our Teachers’ Day Celebration, I deem it a
BC Cultural Academy to facilitate the proposal and privilege to wish Fr. Selvaraj “Many More Happy
adoption of these minutes. Returns of the Day” and also wish “HAPPY
President : Dear Br other s you ar e welcome to TEACHERS DAY” to all our Fathers who are our
give your observations and voice your opinions or teachers and Mr. Arun our teaching staff.
make your comments and appreciations regarding
the minutes of the previous meetings as presented My dear audience and participants, I wish to share
by the Secretary….. with you some of my thoughts about our Teachers
President: If ther e ar e no cor r ections or and dedicate this day to honour our teachers who
difference of opinion, may I request the floor to have taught us all throughout our life. Teacher's
propose the adoption of the minutes…..and Day is the day to thank the teachers who mold a
someone to second it….Thank you for your student's raw talent and nourish him to become the
participation. best. A teacher is the one who inspires you, guides
- Bros. Utkal & Somnath you, enlightens you and most important motivates
President & Secretary, BCCA you to get the best out of you. Only a teacher can
help you to become better. Our Teacher would be
the one who will be always happy to see you
succeed other than our parents.

SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020 38 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur

A teacher is a friend, philosopher, and guide who
holds our hand, opens our mind, and touches our
heart. The contribution of a teacher cannot be
ignored at all. In many countries across the world,
teacher's day is a special day where teachers of
schools, colleges, and universities are honoured
specially. Teacher's Day is celebrated on 5th
September every year throughout India in memory
of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan on his birthday.
This incredible child of India was an extraordinary
researcher and Teacher. Later on, he turned into the
Vice President of the Indian republic when Dr.
Rajendra Prasad was the President of India.
When he kicked the bucket, Radhakrishnan turned
into the President.
Teachers’ day is seen to pay admiration to the
Teachers of our nation. We additionally offer our
appreciation to our own particular Teachers. Teachers
are viewed as the foundation of our general public.
Teachers rouse us to continue forward, to construct our
morals and set us up to withstand impediments of our
life. The instructor additionally gives huge learning and
knowledge in our lives. On this day, Teachers are
regarded through different capacities and these
capacities are praised at each spot all through the
nation. The legislature and the Indian Government
additionally pays appreciation to them by giving
distinctive honors. On this day, we give them thanks
and respect them by saying, – we are appreciative to
you dear Teachers for everything you accomplish for
us. Dear participants, I wish to conclude my short
speech with the words of a great teacher of our times
namely A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, our former President of
India. That is “Teaching is a very noble profession
that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an
individual. If the people remember me as a good
teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me”.
Therefore my dear friends, We must never forget
our teachers, our lecturers and our mentors. In their
individual capacities have contributed to our
academic, professional and personal development.
Teacher’s day is a very important day for every
student as they get to thank their teachers for all the
hard work they do year round to educate their
students. Teachers play important role in our life to
become successful in our life. Teachers mold us
to encounter challenges in life. Dear Teachers, We
Salute You, for your great sacrifice and
commitment!
Friends, someone rightly gave an expansion for the
word “T-E-A-C-H-E-R”, that is,
“T – for Talented, E – for Elegant, A – Awesome,
C – Charming, H – Helpful, E – Efficient and R –
Receptive.
Thank you! and Jai Hind.
- Speech delivered by Bro. Sonu Tirkey
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Minor Speech:
Teachers Day
- a day to salute our
incredible teachers
Respected Fathers, President
and Secretary of BCCA St.
Eugene Niwas, Oblate Fathers
of St. Cebula North Indian
District, Teaching staff and
my dear brothers Good Even-
ing to all.
First and foremost I thank you
for giving me this opportunity to deliver a short
speech on Teachers’ Day. Our first speaker ended
his speech-note by expanding the word TEACHER,
as, Talented, Elegant, Awesome, Charming, Helpful,
Efficient and Receptive. I would like to start with the
same word TEACHER as T-for -Teachers are like can-
dles, E – for- Every inch they consume, A – for- Are
stars, for students, C –for- Cheerful and kind, H –for-
Helpful and fine, E –for- Extra-ordinarily, R – for-Ready
to, and S –for- Shine. With these introductory words, I
wish all of you Happy Teachers’ Day and Happy Birth
Day to Fr. John Selvaraj, OMI, our Administrator.
Dear Friends, Ever y teacher plays a significant
role in the development of the nation. We have to
respect them. It is because of their consistent ef-
forts, that we became the topper of the class. It is
because of their guidance that we have been able to
realise our dreams. Each one of us have a favourite
teacher. Their valuable teachings have shaped our
life and made us a much better person. Teachers are
the spark, the inspiration, the guide, the candle to
our life. Let us be deeply thankful that they are
our teachers. Teaching is one such profession which
teaches all the other professions….There are many
teachers we come across but there are very few who
touch our souls…. So to such incredible teachers let
us SALUTE!.
So, My dear audience and participants, I wish to
share some good quotations and sayings of great
people about Teachers on this Teachers’ Day.
1. “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher
explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The
great teacher inspires." - by William Arthur Ward
2. "He that teaches us anything which we knew
not before is undoubtedly to be reverenced as a
master." - by Samuel Johnson
3. "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell
where his influence stops."– by Henry Adams
4. "Only one person in a million becomes enlight-
ened without a teacher’s help."– by Bodhidharma
5. "A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the im-
agination, and instill a love of learning."– by
Brad Henry
39 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
6. “The dream begins with a teacher who believes
in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to
the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a
sharp stick called 'truth'”.– by Dan Rather
7. "I am indebted to my father for living, but to
my teacher for living well."– by Alexander the
Great.
8. "The test of a good teacher is not how many
questions he can ask his pupils that they will
answer readily, but how many questions he in-
spires them to ask him which he finds it hard to
answer."–by Alice Wellington Rollins
“The best teachers always teach from the heart
and not from only the books.” Author unknown.
“Great teacher is someone who can learn from
their student, who can learn with them and
learns from them.” Author unknown.
Once again wish you Happy Teachers’ Day.
Thank you!, I remain.
Speech delivered by Bro. Paulus Hansda
2nd BCCA - 7th October 2019
Minutes of the meeting and various
activities of The BC Cultural Academy
conducted on 5th September 2019
Respected Fathers of St. Eugene Niwas, Fathers of
St. Cebula District of North India, Teaching Staff,
the President of BCCA and all my dear Brothers,
Good Afternoon to all. This is the Second BCCA
for this academic year 2019-2020 on the Theme: St.
Eugene de Mazenod, Bishop and Founder of
OMI & Blessed Joseph Cebula. I am ver y glad
to present to you in brief, the last minutes of the
Blessed Cebula Cultural Academy of St. Eugene
Niwas, Ambikapur, held on 5th September 2019 at
BC CA Auditorium, at 2’O clock.
The Last BC CA meeting, commenced with
welcome dance by Bro. Ashish and Co and it was
followed by cutting the inaugural cake as well as
wishing Fr. Selvaraj on his birthday and as well as
wishing the Teachers as it was the Teachers’ Day of
our country. Then, Bro. Utkal, the BC CA
President, Eugene Niwas, extended a warm
welcome to all the audience and as well as to the
stage performers. Bro. Somnath, the Secretary of
BC CA, presented a brief report and minutes of the
last year’s BC CA activities which included a brief
history of St. Eugene Niwas, the Oblate Minor
Seminary for North and North East India. At the
request of Bro. Utkal, the president of BCCA, for
the adoption of the minutes, Bro. Alex came
forward to propose the adoption of the minutes and
the same was seconded by Bro. Ashish.
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
Thereafter, Bro. Adam and Co, presented a
meaningful and lovely cultural dance with their
respective styles and attire. Bro. Sonu Tirky, was
welcomed to give the major speech on the theme “
Teachers’ Day”, in which he said that we need to
follow good role models who would inspire us and
motivate us towards a constructive society for a
peaceful co-existence.
Then, Bro. Paulus gave his minor speech on the
same theme of the Teachers’ Day and inspired the
audience with good quotations about the teachers’
day. Fr. John Selvaraj, the chief guest of the day,
addressed the gathering by thanking and
appreciating the whole event of the day. Thereafter,
the BC CA floor was open to all for their general
evaluation and suggestions for constructive growth
of BCCA. Then Frs. Arputharaj, OMI, and Jesus
Dias, OMI, our visiting professors suggested their
valuable ways and means to improve the BCCA
activities.
Following the evaluation, the president announced
the Agenda for the next BC cultural academy and
he requested the community members to follow the
events and programs as allotted in the agenda.
Then, after the vote of thanks by Bro. Somnath, the
BC Cultural Academy came to an end with the
Oblate Anthem. Thank you.
- Bros. UTKAL & SOMNATH
President & Secretary, BCCA
Major Speech:
St. Eugene de Mazenod,
Founder of the Oblates and
Bishop of Marseilles
Respected Fathers of St. Eugene Niwas, Fathers of St.
Cebula District of North India, Teaching Staff, the
President and Secretary of BCCA and all my dear
Brothers, Good afternoon to all. I am going to deliver
the major speech of the day on the theme, St. Eugene de
Mazenod, Founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate,
OMI, and the Bishop of Marseilles, France.
Eugene de Mazenod, founder of the Missionary Oblates
40 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.), was born on 1st August
1782 in southern France. He was the only child of an
aristocratic family. During his childhood, the French
Revolution broke out. The French government
persecuted, tortured and even put to death many
members of the aristocracy as well as the church. When
Eugene was 8, the de Mazenod family fled to Italy to
find shelter against the disaster.
For 11 years, young Eugene was forced to remain in
exile in Italy, experiencing all sorts of suffering and
sorrow. His education was persistently interrupted and
sometimes he had to undergo the agony of separation
with his parents. Only those who personally experienced
his suffering could understand the pain that he felt.
In 1801, when Eugene was 19, he returned to France
with his family. He saw a different France. The Church
had suffered most gravely and sustained tremendous
loss. Many churches were damaged, church properties
confiscated, and many missionaries had lost their life.
The believers were like sheep without a shepherd.
Moreover, as a result of the continuous war, many fell
into extreme poverty. These misfortunes left a deep
imprint in the young heart of Eugene. Thereupon, he
made the decision to join the priesthood - to devote his
entire life to serving the church, the poor and people in
need. However, his wealthy mother adamantly opposed
this decision and employed many ways to stop Eugene
from taking his holy call.
Eugene’s Ordination
Despite his mother’s strong opposition to his desire to
become a missionary, Eugene was undeterred. 7 years of
persistent prayers, waiting, pleading followed. His
perseverance and patience, coupled with his strong
desire to serve the church and to help the poor finally
converted her stubborn heart. In 1808, she permitted him
to enter a seminary in Paris to study philosophy and
theology. He was ordained after 3 years, when he was
only 29.
Work
Following his ordination, Fr de Mazenod began
organising retreats at different parishes. He spent 2-4
weeks at each parish, teaching people the true Christian
spirit of loving God and people. He sent missionaries to
poverty stricken areas to help the people and to give
catechism instructions to their children. Many young
priests, who had the same call as Fr de Mazenod, joined
him and his work was admired and greatly appreciated
by his Superiors.
Establishment of a Religious Congregation
In 1815, de Mazenod was called to the diocese of
Marseilles to undertake the same work. He was first
appointed as the Auxilliary Bishop of the area and later
as Bishop of Marseilles. When the success of their work
led to a greater demand for their services and the
number of participating priests expanding, de Mazenod
took steps to form a religious congregation, devoting
wholeheartedly to areas that asked for their help. Owing
to strong oppositions from some people in the church,
his work was constantly thwarted but he was never
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discouraged. On the contrary, he continued to work even
harder and prayed more fervently. Finally, on 29th
January 1816, the Missionary Oblates of Mary
Immaculate was established. After 10 years, on 17th
February 1826, formal approval was received from Pope
Leo XII for the new congregation. They became known
as the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, in short
O.M.I. or Oblate Fathers.
Beatification and Canonization
De Mazenod died on 21st May 1861 at the age of 79.
Owing to his unsurpassed work and holiness, he was
beatified by the then Pope Paul VI as Blessed de
Mazenod on Mission Sunday on 19th October 1975. On
3rd December 1995, Pope John Paul II formally
proclaimed him a saint of the Church in the Cathedral of
St Peter in Rome.
Present Status
When the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate was
first established, their main area of responsibility was to
assist the Bishop of France. Later, at the Pope’s request,
the congregation began expanding their missionary work
to other parts of the world. At present, there are 6,000
Oblates working in 68 nations, mostly in very poor
places. Their work includes parish, education, retreats,
seminaries, social works and the mass media. However,
to serve those in need, especially the poor, the neglected
and the abandoned are still their main area of
responsibility.
Aim
The aim of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
is to preach the Gospel and provide services to people in
need, especially the poor, the neglected and the
abandoned. This is why de Mazenod’s missionaries
were first despatched to the Arctic and the Native
Americans. Later, they were sent to South Africa and
other poor and neglected areas. Nowadays, a great
number of the Oblates are still preaching and serving in
those places.
Special Devotions
1. Blessed Sacrament : Every Oblate has to adore the
Blessed Sacrament either alone or with the
community for an hour each day, half hour in the
morning and half hour in the evening. They have
also to spend time with the community to say the
morning and evening prayer in the presence of the
Blessed Sacrament.
2. Our Lady : The name of our religious community,
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, is derived
from Mary, our patron saint. Every Oblate must pay
special devotion to Mary, and to follow all her good
examples.
Therefore, my dear Brothers, I feel very happy to
become a priest in the OMI Congregation founded by
such a great personality, our beloved Founder Saint
Eugene de Mazenod. Let us always remember to pray
for the Missionary Oblates who are in the difficult
missions of the world.
Thank you!
- Speech delivered By Bro. Adam
41 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
 Minor Speech:
Blessed Józef Cebula, OMI,
the Martyr, Poland
March 23, 1902 - May 9, 1941
Patron of OMI North India
and the BCCA - St. Eugene Niwas
Ambikapur

Dear Fathers, President and Secretary of BC
Cultural Academy, good evening to all. I am going
to deliver a minor speech on the theme Blessed
Joseph Cebula, OMI, the Martyr and the patron
saint of BC Cultural Academy of St. Eugene Niwas
as well as OMI India, North Province.
Father Józef Cebula was born into a modest family
of Polish origin on March 23, 1902, at Malnia in
southern Poland. He was the eldest of three children
(two brothers and one sister). He suffered
tuberculosis as a youth. After an unexpected
recovery, he visited an Oblate shrine where he
shared his story with an Oblate priest. The priest
advised Józef to study with the Oblates at the newly
-established Oblate minor seminary.
At the age of 19 he entered the Congregation of the
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at the
Oblate seminary at Krotoszyn in 1920, where he
finished his secondary studies. A year later, on
August 14, 1921 he began his novitiate at
Markowice. He was then sent to Liege (Belgium)
for philosophy, but was called back to Poland a year
later and finished his philosophical and theological
studies at Lubliniec.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1927.
Fr. Cebula spent much of his ministry teaching.
From 1931 on, he was the director of the minor
seminary in Lubliniec. On August 1, 1937 he was
appointed Superior and novice master in
Markowice and served till 1941. During this time he
was also active in the preaching ministry and was
much sought after as a confessor.
arrested on April 2, 1941 and sent to the camp at
Inowroclaw. He was deported to the concentration
camp at Mauthausen in Austria, and was killed
on May 9, 1941 about 9 o'clock in the morning.
Known for his humility, Fr. Cebula was a man of
quiet prayer with a deep spiritual life. He radiated
peace in the very middle of the death camp, even
when tormented by the Nazis. In Mauthausen he
was harassed and forced to work hard, to break
rocks in the quarry, simply because he was a
Roman Catholic priest. Father Cebula was forced
to carry 60-pound rocks from the quarry to a camp
two miles away. He had to climb a 144-step
staircase called the Death Stairs, while being
beaten and insulted by his tormentors. The guards
humiliated and mocked him by ordering him to
sing the texts of the Mass while he worked.
Three weeks later, Fr. Cebula suddenly summoned
up his strength and said, “It is not you who are in
charge. God will judge you.” The Nazis ordered
him to run, with a rock on his back, towards the
camp’s barbed wire fence, where a guard shot him
with a submachine gun and declared that Fr.
Cebula “was shot while trying to escape”. He died
a martyr on May 9, 1941, in this volley of bullets.
His body was taken to a crematorium and burned.
So dear brothers, as I conclude my minor speech,
let us remember the good qualities of Blessed
Cebula and imitate those qualities in our daily life.
Thank you! - by Bro. Alexius Munda

When the Nazis occupied Poland during the Second

World War, they declared loyalty to the Church
illegal. All Church associations were forbidden, and
many priests were arrested. On May 4, 1940, the
Oblate novices at Markowice were arrested by the
Nazis and sent to the concentration camp at Dachau,
Germany. Fr. Cebula was forbidden to exercise his
priestly ministry and obliged to work in the fields.
But at night, the zealous priest celebrated the
Eucharist and administered the sacraments to the
sick in the surrounding villages, until he was

SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020 42 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur

3rd BCCA - 7th November 2019
Minutes of the meeting and various
activities of The BC Cultural Academy
1. Respected Fathers of St. Eugene Niwas, Fathers
of St. Cebula District of North India, Teaching
Staff, the President of BCCA and all my dear
Brothers, Good evening to all.
2. Today we are going to have the THIRD BCCA
for this academic year 2019-2020
3. Today’s theme of the major speech is :
4. And today’s theme of the minor speech is : For
“To love Church is to love Jesus
Christ”.
5. Now, I am going to present to you in brief, the
last minutes of the Blessed Cebula Cultural
Academy of St. Eugene Niwas, Ambikapur,
held on 7th October 2019 at BC CA Auditorium,
at 6.30 pm.
6. The Last BC CA meeting, commenced with
welcome dance by Bro. Paulus and Co and it
was followed by Welcome address given by
Bro. Ashish and lighting of the cultural lamp by
the Chief Guest and other invitees.
7. Then, Bro. Somnath Soren, the Secretary of BC
CA read out the minutes of the previous
academy. At the request of Bro. Utkal, the
president of BCCA, for the adoption of the
minutes, Bro. Sonu Tirky proposed the adoption
of the minutes and the same was seconded by
Bro. Paulus Hansda.
8. Rev Fr. K. Gnanapragasam, OMI, the Parish
Priest of Mendrakala and the Principal of St.
Eugene English Medium School was the chief
guest of the day.
9. Bro. Sonu & Co, presented a meaningful
cultural dance.
10. Thereafter, Bro. Adam Nayak, was welcomed
to give the major speech of the day on the
theme, “ St. Eugene, Bishop of Marseilles and
Founder of OMI. In his speech, Bro. Adam
explained about the beginning stages of the
foundation of our OMI Congregation as well as
Eugene becoming the Bishop of Marseilles, in
France.
11. Later, a short skit was enacted by Bro. Utkal
Nayak and Co with the title “To cure a
Headache”, taken from the English Brighter
Grammar book.
12. Then, a Minor Speech was delivered by Bro.
Alexiush Munda, on the theme: Blessed Joseph
Cebula, OMI, Patron of BCCA. He inspired the
audience with his emotional speech about
Blessed Joseph Cebula, the Martyr of OMI
Congregation.
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
13. Then Fr. Gnanapragasam, OMI, the chief guest
of the day addressed the audience with his
mission experience and emphasized the need
for English in today’s Indian context as well as
its importance for missionary oblates. He
appreciated both the speakers and all other
performers for their sincere commitment.
14. At the request of our Rector Fr. S.D. Arokiaraj,
OMI, the chief guest of the day inaugurated the
PHOTO ALBUM OF THE BCCA
ACTIVITIES 2019-2020.
15. During the general evaluation of the day’s
events of BCCA, Fr. Arputharaj, OMI
appreciated the participants as well as the
performers for their creative efforts towards the
BCCA. He wished that there could be more
creativity and variety in the performance. Then
Bro. James Kujur, an Oblate Regent from the
nearby Oblate mission of Mendrakala shared
about his past experience of his first batch of
Juniorate at St. Eugene Niwas, Ambikapur. He
was very proud of our brothers and regarding
various opportunities being availed to them by
the local Oblates.
16. Following the evaluation, the president
announced the Agenda for the next BC cultural
academy and he requested the community
members to follow the events and programs as
allotted in the agenda.
17. Then, after the vote of thanks by Bro. Paulus,
the BC Cultural Academy came to an end at
8pm with the Oblate Anthem. Thank you.
- Bros. UTKAL & SOMNATH
President & Secretary, BCCA
Major Speech:
Thursday, 7th November 2019 ; Time:6.30 pm
Respected Chief Guest of the day, Father S.D.
Arokiaraj, OMI, the Rector of St. Eugene Niwas, Fr.
John Selvaraj, OMI, Administrator, Fathers of St.
Cebula District of North India, Teaching Staff, the
President and Secretary of Blessed Cebula Cultural
Academy and all my dear Brothers, wish you all a
pleasant evening. I am happy to stand before you to
deliver the major speech of the day on the theme “
Mary Immaculate, The Queen of Oblates in the life
of St. Eugene, the Bishop of Marseilles and Founder
of OMI.
Dear Fathers and Brothers, We are Missionary
Oblates of MARY IMMACULATE. Mary
Immaculate is our Model, our Patroness and our
43 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
Mother. In her we see Christ, we see God. In
her “fiat”, she shows us how to cooperate with the
Will of God, and to live the death of Jesus, so that
we share in His resurrection. We Oblates live our
mission with her. As stated by Pope Leo XI, our
mission as Oblates is to “bring to the womb of the
Mother of Mercy those children whom Christ from
the cross wanted to give her.” That is why when
Eugene contemplates Mary, he calls her “Mother of
the Mission”.
Therefore,
Father Fernand Jetté said on March 23, 1979: «For
us who are Oblates, two persons should habitually
be present within us: Jesus Christ and the Blessed
Virgin. And it is in their company and with their
sentiments that we should be attentive to people’s
misery and want to respond thereto.
In the Founder’s life we find several Marian
spiritual experiences which have left a deep mark on
the life of the Congregation. In the Congregation the
August 15, 1822 experience is referred to as «our
Mother’s smile.» This «smile» filled Eugene’s heart
with new strength and prompted him to resume a
serene and realistic struggle «to surmount any
obstacles.»
“It seemed to me, said Eugene, that what I saw, what
I could put my finger on, was that within her lies
hidden the germ of very great virtues, and that she
can achieve infinite good; I found her worthy,
everything pleased me about her, I cherished her
rules, her statutes; her ministry seemed sublime to
me, as it is indeed. I found in her bosom sure means
of salvation, even infallible, such is how they looked
to me.»
«Let us renew ourselves especially in devotion to
the most holy Virgin and render ourselves worthy to
be Oblates of the Immaculate Mary. But this is a
passport to heaven! Avow that it will be as glorious
as it will be consoling for us to be consecrated to her
in a special manner and to bear her name. The
Oblates of Mary! This name satisfies the heart and
the ear.»
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020 44
Once Eugene wrote to Fr. Tempier , «May we
understand well what we are! I hope that the Lord
will give us this grace, with the assistance and by
the protection of our holy Mother, the Immaculate
Mary, for whom we must have a great devotion in
our Congregation. Does it not seem to you that it
is a sign of predestination to bear the name of
Oblates of Mary, that is, consecrated to God under
the patronage of Mary, a name the Congregation
bears as a family name held in common with the
most holy and immaculate Mother of God?»
The Constitutions offer us a simple and traditional
way of daily living such a relationship with Mary:
«With Mary Immaculate, the faithful handmaid of
the Lord, and under the guidance of the Spirit, we
enter into closer union with Jesus Christ. We will
contemplate with her the mysteries of the
Incarnate Word, especially in praying the
rosary» (Constitution. 36).
In concluding, I want to tell you that I share the
Founder’s conviction which he expressed in
writing to the Congregation:
«Under the patronage of our good and most holy
Immaculate Virgin Mary, our Mother, the
Congregation of the Oblates will continue to be a
tree planted beside a stream of living waters. It has
certainly produced an abundance of fruit already;
it will produce yet more and will continue to
prosper if it remains faithful, if it does not falter,
and above all if it burns with a most ardent love
for Christ, in the unity of the Spirit who «is the
bond of perfection.»
Nourished by this hope that springs from faith, I
thank you with all my heart, in Christ and Mary
Immaculate.
Thank you!
Speech delivered - By Bro. Utkal Nayak
OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur

Minor Speech:
“To love Church
is to love Jesus Christ”.
Respected Chief Guest of the day, dear Fathers and
my dear Brothers, good evening to all. I am going
to deliver the Minor speech of today’s BC Cultural
Academy, on the theme : St. Eugene : “To love
Church is to love Jesus Christ”.
On December 3, 1995, Pope John Paul II,
canonized our Founder St. Eugene with the
following appreciations to our Founder St. Eugene.
Pope John Paul II, said, “We are living in the
second Advent of the world’s history. Eugene de
Mazenod was a man of Advent, a man of the
Coming. He not only looked forward to that
Coming, he dedicated his whole life to preparing
for it, one of those apostles who prepared the
modern age, our age.
Eugene de Mazenod knew that Christ wanted to
unite the whole human race to himself. This is why
throughout his life he devoted particular attention
to the evangelization of the poor, wherever they
were found. By patiently working on himself, he
learned to discipline a difficult character and to
govern with enlightened wisdom and steadfast
goodness.. His every action was inspired by a
conviction he expressed in these words: “To love
Church is to love Jesus Christ, and vice versa”. His
influence is not limited to the age in which he lived.
But continues its effect on our time.
His apostolate consisted in the transformation of
the world by the power of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. What Saint Eugene wanted to achieve was
that, in Christ, each individual could become a fully
complete person, an authentic Christian, a credible
saint. The Church gives us this great Bishop and
Founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as an
example of heroic faith, hope and charity.”
Our charism originates from a story; it is the story
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
of a young man, Eugene de Mazenod. Throughout
his life, he experienced in himself the merciful love
of God, manifested in Jesus Christ, the Crucified
Savior. We too, inspired by our Founder, recognize
the power of CHRIST in us, and we
want EVANGELIZE, that is to say, to make Him
known and to show by our lives the joy of the Good
News.
From Eugene’s meeting with Jesus on the cross, he
felt moved by the deplorable situation of
the CHURCH of his time, and called to rekindle the
flame of faith that was dying in the hearts of so
many of her children, especially the poor.
Therefore, it is to the POOR above all that we take
this message of liberating joy: to the most
abandoned humans, those whose situation cries out
for justice before God.
For that reason, we live in COMMUNITY, a human
group where we strengthen each other in faith, in
charity, enriching each other from our discovery of
God and of Christ who lives and works in us and in
the world.
We are MISSIONARIES. Once Pope Pius XI
referred to us as “Specialists in the difficult
missions of the Church”. We want to dedicate our
lives to all those who either do not know Jesus
Christ or have forgotten Him in their lives,
wherever they are in the world and therefore many
Oblates serve in lands outside their own. In
mission, we search for our way to holiness.
We are “OBLATES”. That means, missionaries
totally given, unconditionally and without return, to
the God to whom we already belong and to the
brothers and sisters to whom we are
sent. CONSECRATED LIFE is the “frame” within
which we live our oblation. Oblation means that
radical dedication, without reservation, to the work
of Christ, the fulfillment of His mission. Together
in community we dedicate our lives to build up the
family of God’s children — and thus they help
realize the prayer of Jesus: “That all may be one.”
Thank You!
- By Ashish Abhishek Kujur
45 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
 th st
6 BCCA - 21 May 2020
Theme:
1. Honorable Chief Guest Most. Reverend Bishop
Patras Minj, S.J., Bishop of Ambikapur
Diocese, Respected Fathers of St. Eugene
Niwas, Fathers of St. Cebula District of North
India, other Fathers and Sisters, Teaching Staff,
the President of BCCA and all my dear
Brothers, Good Morning to all.
2. I am very happy to welcome you for the 6th BC
Cultural Academy for the year 2019 – 2020 and
the 13th Year of the foundation of OMI Minor
Seminary for North and North East India 2007
– 2020, started in Bilha, Bilaspur, later moved
to Lambar, and shifted to the present venue St.
Eugene Niwas, Ambikapur on 20th January
2016.
3. Now, I am going to present to you in brief, the
last 3 meetings and their respective events and
minutes of the Blessed Cebula Cultural
Academy of St. Eugene Niwas, Ambikapur,
one held on 7th November 2019 at BC CA
Auditorium, at 6.30 pm and on 12th February
2020, the second meeting was organized in the
form of Essay Writing Competition and the 3rd
event was conducted as the Elocution contest
on St. Eugene’s Preface to OMI CCRR, in view
of the Oblate Day - 17th February on 16th
February 2020.
4. The Last BC CA meeting, held on 7th
November 2019, commenced with welcome
dance by Bro. Paulus and Co and it was
followed by Welcome address given by Bro.
Sonu Tirkey and lighting of the cultural lamp
by the Chief Guest and other invitees.
5. Then, Bro. Somnath Soren, the Secretary of BC
CA read out the minutes of the previous
academy. At the request of Bro. Utkal, the
president of BCCA, for the adoption of the
minutes, Bro. Adam Nayak proposed the
adoption of the minutes and the same was
seconded by Bro. Alexiush Munda.
6. Mr. Rajesh from Musunuru OMI Parish of
Andhra Pradesh was the chief guest of the day.
7. Thereafter, Bro. Utkal Nayak, was welcomed to
give the major speech of the day on the theme,
“ Mary Immaculate, the Queen of Oblates in
the life of St. Eugene, Bishop of Marseilles and
Founder of OMI. In his speech, Bro. Utkal
explained about the beginning stages of the
foundation of our OMI Congregation as well as
spiritual guidance of Mary Immaculate, the
queen of the Oblates.
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
13th Annual Day Celebrations (2007-2020)
of St. Eugene Niwas, Ambikapur
159th Heavenly Birth Anniversary
of St. Eugene (1782-1861)
8. Later, a short skit was enacted by Bro. Paulus
Hansda and Co with the title “A poor
woodcutter and a fairy lady”, taken from the
English Brighter Grammar book.
9. Then, a Minor Speech was delivered by Bro.
Ashish Abhishek Kujur, on the theme: St.
Eugene – to love church is to love Jesus Christ.
10. Then Mr. Rajesh, the chief guest of the day
addressed the audience with his experience with
the Oblates and emphasized the need for
English in today’s Indian context as well as its
importance for priesthood. He appreciated both
the speakers and all other performers for their
sincere commitment.
11. Following the evaluation, the president
announced the Agenda for the forthcoming BC
cultural academy and he requested the
community members to follow the events and
programs as allotted in the agenda.
12. Then, after the vote of thanks by Bro. Alexiush
Munda, the 3rd BC Cultural Academy came to
an end at 8pm with the Oblate Anthem.
13. The 4th BCCA was organized in the form of
Essay Writing Competition and it commenced
at 2pm on 12th February 2020. The theme of the
essay writing competition was “St. Eugene’s
preface to OMI CCRR”.
14. The 5th BCCA was conducted as an Elocution
Contest in view of the Oblate day 17th February.
It was conducted on 16th February 2020 at 6.30
pm. There were four judges from the
neighborhood convents of Ambikapur. The
winners where given prizes and the participants
were honored with consolation gifts on 17th
February 2020, on the occasion of the Oblate
day as well as the community day of the house.
15. Today, 21st May 2020, we are going to have the
SIXTH BCCA for this academic year 2019-
2020 and it is to be organized as the concluding
academy for the year and as well as coupled
with 13th Annual Day celebr ations of the
community and the 159th Heavenly Birth
Anniversary of our Founder St. Eugene.
16. Today’s themes are as follows : The Novel
Corona Virus
17. Introduction – call for social distancing,
isolation, quarantine - by Paulus Hansda
18. Origin / history of Corona Virus - by Somnath
Soren
19. CORONA VIRUS in general and INDIA in
particular - by Sonu Tirkey
46 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
20. Statistics of COVID -19 – Effects and the
Struggles of the people – by Adam Nayak
21. Safety measures against COVID-19 – and
Conclusion – Indian Oblate Response – Fr. S.D.
Arokiaraj, OMI.
22. Dear participants, it is our duty to honour the
former BCCA team, namely, Bro. Utkal Nayak,
the former BCCA President and Somnath
Soren, the formar BCCA Secretary for their
hard work and creative efforts towards the past
5 events of the house. May I invite Bro.
Alexiush Munda, the new president of BCCA to
extend our sense of gratitude by giving them
these gifts as a token of our love.
23. Secretary : May I now invite the Pr esident of
BC Cultural Academy to facilitate the proposal
and adoption of these minutes.
NOVAL CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19
Safety measures and advice by WHO and Indian Government,
Conclusion and Indian Oblate Response against COVID-19
Dear friends, people of all ages CAN be infected by
the coronavirus. Older people, and people with pre-
existing medical conditions (such as asthma,
diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more
vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
We should avoid false information and learn the
real facts about the Coronavirus.
Basic protective measures against the new
coronavirus
At the outset, we are called to be aware of the latest
information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available
on the WHO website and through the national and
local public health authority. Most people who
become infected experience mild illness and
recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take
care of your health and protect others by doing the
following:
1. Wash your hands frequently : Regular ly and
thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-
based hand rub or wash them with soap and
water. Why? Washing your hands with soap
and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills
viruses that may be on your hands.
2. Maintain social distancing : Maintain at least
1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and
anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why?
When someone coughs or sneezes they spray
small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth
which may contain virus. If you are too close,
you can breathe in the droplets, including the
COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the
disease.
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth :
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
24. President : Dear Br other s you ar e welcome
to give your observations and voice your
opinions or make your comments and
appreciations regarding the minutes of the
previous meetings as presented by the
Secretary…..(wait for any response / reaction /
intervention from the audience) President: If
there are no corrections or difference of
opinion, may I request the floor to propose the
adoption of the minutes…..and someone to
second it….I, Utkal Nayak, would like to
propose the adaption of the minutes….I,
Somnath Soren, would like to second it. )
Thank you for your participation.
- by Alexiush Munda & Paulus Hansda
President & Secretary, BCCA
up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can
transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth.
From there, the virus can enter your body and
can make you sick.
4. Practice respiratory hygiene : Make sur e
you, and the people around you, follow good
respiratory hygiene. This means covering your
mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue
when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the
used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread
virus. By following good respiratory hygiene
you protect the people around you from viruses
such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
5. If you have fever, cough and difficulty
breathing, seek medical care early : Stay
home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever,
cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical
attention and call in advance. Follow the
directions of your local health authority. Why?
National and local authorities will have the
most up to date information on the situation in
your area. Calling in advance will allow your
health care provider to quickly direct you to the
right health facility. This will also protect you
and help prevent spread of viruses and other
infections.
6. Stay informed and follow advice given by
your healthcare provider : Stay infor med on
the latest developments about COVID-19.
Follow advice given by your healthcare
provider, your national and local public health
authority or your employer on how to protect
yourself and others from COVID-19. Why?
National and local authorities will have the
most up to date information on whether
47 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
 COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are
best placed to advise on what people in your
area should be doing to protect themselves.
Advice to the public against
false information and myths
1. 5G mobile networks DO NOT spread
COVID-19 : Vir uses cannot tr avel on r adio
waves/mobile networks.COVID-19 is
spreading in many countries that do not have
5G mobile networks. COVID-19 is spread
through respiratory droplets when an infected
person coughs, sneezes or speaks. People can
also be infected by touching a contaminated
surface and then their eyes, mouth or nose.
2. Exposing yourself to the sun or to
temperatures higher than 25C degrees
DOES NOT prevent the coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) : You can catch COVID-19, no
matter how sunny or hot the weather is.
Countries with hot weather have reported cases
of COVID-19. To protect yourself, make sure
you clean your hands frequently and
thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes,
mouth, and nose.
3. You can recover from the coronavirus
disease (COVID-19). : Catching the new
coronavirus DOES NOT mean you will have it
for life. Most of the people who catch COVID-
19 can recover and eliminate the virus from
their bodies. If you catch the disease, make
sure you treat your symptoms. If you have
cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, seek
medical care early – but call your health
facility by telephone first. Most patients
recover thanks to supportive care.
4. Being able to hold your breath for 10
seconds or more without coughing or feeling
discomfort DOES NOT mean you are free
from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or
any other lung disease: The most common
symptoms of COVID-19 are dry cough,
tiredness and fever. Some people may develop
more severe forms of the disease, such as
pneumonia. The best way to confirm if you
have the virus producing COVID-19 disease is
with a laboratory test. You cannot confirm it
with this breathing exercise, which can even be
dangerous.
5. Drinking alcohol does not protect you
against COVID-19 and can be dangerous :
Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can
increase your risk of health problems.
6. COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas
with hot and humid climates : Fr om the
evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be
transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
with hot and humid weather. Regardless of
climate, adopt protective measures if you live
in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19.
The best way to protect yourself against
COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your
hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that
may be on your hands and avoid infection that
could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth,
and nose.
7. Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the
new coronavirus : Ther e is no r eason to
believe that cold weather can kill the new
coronavirus or other diseases. The normal
human body temperature remains around 36.5°
C to 37°C, regardless of the external
temperature or weather. The most effective way
to protect yourself against the new coronavirus
is by frequently cleaning your hands with
alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with
soap and water.
8. Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new
coronavirus disease : Taking a hot bath will
not prevent you from catching COVID-19.
Your normal body temperature remains around
36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of
your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath
with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it
can burn you. The best way to protect yourself
against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning
your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses
that may be on your hands and avoid infection
that could occur by then touching your eyes,
mouth, and nose.
9. The new coronavirus CANNOT be
transmitted through mosquito bites. : To
date there has been no information nor evidence
to suggest that the new coronavirus could be
transmitted by mosquitoes. The new
coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads
primarily through droplets generated when an
infected person coughs or sneezes, or through
droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently
with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them
with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact
with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
10. Are hand dryers effective in killing the new
coronavirus? No. Hand dr yer s ar e not
effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. To protect
yourself against the new coronavirus, you
should frequently clean your hands with an
alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap
and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you
should dry them thoroughly by using paper
towels or a warm air dryer.
11. Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the
new coronavirus? : UV lamps should not be
used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as
UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
48 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
12. How effective are thermal scanners in
detecting people infected with the new
coronavirus? : Ther mal scanner s ar e
effective in detecting people who have
developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than
normal body temperature) because of infection
with the new coronavirus. However, they
cannot detect people who are infected but are
not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes
between 2 and 10 days before people who are
infected become sick and develop a fever.
13. Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over
your body kill the new coronavirus? : No.
Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body
will not kill viruses that have already entered
your body. Spraying such substances can be
harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e.
eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and
chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but
they need to be used under appropriate
recommendations.
14. Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you
against the new coronavirus? No. Vaccines
against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal
vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B
(Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against
the new coronavirus. The virus is so new and
different that it needs its own vaccine.
Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine
against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting
their efforts. Although these vaccines are not
effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination
against respiratory illnesses is highly
recommended to protect your health.
15. Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline
help prevent infection with the new
coronavirus? : No. Ther e is no evidence that
regularly rinsing the nose with saline has
protected people from infection with the new
coronavirus. There is some limited evidence
that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help
people recover more quickly from the common
13th Annual Day - 21st May 2020
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has
not been shown to prevent respiratory
infections.
16. Can eating garlic help prevent infection with
the new coronavirus? : Gar lic is a healthy
food that may have some antimicrobial
properties. However, there is no evidence from
the current outbreak that eating garlic has
protected people from the new coronavirus.
17. Does the new coronavirus affect older
people, or are younger people also
susceptible? : People of all ages can be
infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Older people, and people with pre-existing
medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes,
heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to
becoming severely ill with the virus. WHO
advises people of all ages to take steps to
protect themselves from the virus, for example
by following good hand hygiene and good
respiratory hygiene.
18. Are antibiotics effective in preventing and
treating the new coronavirus? : No,
antibiotics do not work against viruses, only
bacteria. The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is
a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be
used as a means of prevention or treatment.
However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-
nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because
bacterial co-infection is possible.
19. Are there any specific medicines to prevent
or treat the new coronavirus? : To date,
there is no specific medicine recommended to
prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-
nCoV). However, those infected with the virus
should receive appropriate care to relieve and
treat symptoms, and those with severe illness
should receive optimized supportive care. Some
specific treatments are under investigation, and
will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is
helping to accelerate research and development
efforts with a range or partners.
49 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
 Indian Oblate Response against COVID-19
Corona Virus Relief activities of the Indian Oblates
Respected Chief guest, Fathers, Sisters, and my
dear brothers, wish you all the best complements of
the season of Easter. I am going to present to you
the highly contagious virus originated in China’s
Wuhan city in December 2019. This virus known
as the Noval Coronavirus COVID-19, has spread
exponentially around the world. The coronavirus
COVID-19 has spread across multiple countries
and infected thousands of people.
The virus has caused numerous deaths worldwide.
Globally, over 1,95,915 people have died due to the
virus, says the WHO as on 25th April 2020.
Thousands are infected by the virus, millions are
without money for necessities, millions now live in
anxiety, fear and loneliness. Economies have been
badly hit, millions have lost their jobs and people
have been staying home and maintaining social
distancing to stop the spread of the virus. For us
Oblates, at OMI Seminary, Ambikapur, it is a time
for more learning, prayer, personal reflection and
work. The lockdown did disturb our regular and
scheduled life.
At this outbreak of Coronavirus in India, Sri
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of our country
announced a nationwide lockdown on 24th March
2020. The deadly virus has claimed so many lives
across the country.
Lockdown as an opportunity
to learn, develop and grow as sons of de Mazenod
21st May 2020
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
We, the Indian Oblates have launched Coronavirus
relief activities, especially in places of Oblate
presence and ministries around the country. The
first call to the Indian Oblates by Rev Fr. S.
Chinnappan, OMI, the Provincial, OMI INDIA,
was first to protect oneself and to reach out to the
people in need with proper permissions and safety
measures, was very much welcomed by the
members themselves.
We, the Oblates in India, work in different parts of
the vast country in different capacities. We are
present with the people, who are living in the rural
areas with great risk of contracting the coronavirus
because of lack of awareness and their poor living
conditions. In this difficult situations of COVID-19
pandemic, OMI India launched Relief Works for
the victims of CORONAVIRUS and people who
are affected in different ways by the pandemic.
Through our community at Ambikapur, we shared
the financial contributions extended by the
Provincial and his team. During the 13th Annual
Day celebrations, we handed over the donation to
our Bishop of Ambikapur on 21st May 2020. We
thank the OMI India for supporting us in times of
need. God Bless You.
50 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
 Visit of the Dignitaries and Guests

18-06-2019: Visit of 23-2-2020 : Visit of

Fr. Victor Jeyasingham, OMI, Jaffna and Rev Fr. S. Justin Raj, CR
Fr. Varam, OMI, Provincial Treasurer, OMI India Prior General, Rosarians, Bangalore

Most Rev Bishop Patras Minj, S.J,

8th December 2019 - Feast of the Diocese of Ambikapur, visited us on 5th
Immaculate Conception December and animated us in the Novena
Prayer service
Holy Family Sisters collaborate with the
Oblate School at Boda, Surguja District

Srs. Latha, HFB, Pushpa, HFB,

Delegation Superior, India,
Welcome to Sr. Jaya, HFB,

Vimala, HFB

Visit of Holy Family Sisters

of Bordeaux -Chennai (5-2-2020)

SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020 51 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur

 Welcome and Thanksgiving Mass - New Rector Fr. S.D.
Arokiaraj, OMI succeeds Fr. V. Arokiasamy, OMI

Distribution of Oxford Dictionaries 237th Birth Anniversary of our Founder St.

and Bibles to the Oblate Candidates Eugene Plantation of Mango & Neem trees

Integral Oblate Formation - we grow with the nature

SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020 52 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur

 Community Guidelines – June 2019 – April 2020

WEEK DAYS SATURDAY TIME TABLE

Time Activities / Events Time - Activities / Events / Particulars
05.30 am Rising
06.00 - 06.20 am Yoga / Morning Exercise 06.00 am Rising
06.30 - 06.55 am Morning Prayer / Meditation 06.30 - 06.50 am Yoga / Morning Exercise
07.00 - 07.40 am Eucharistic Celebration 07.00 - 07.30 am Morning Prayer / Meditation
07.40 - 07.55 am Morning Job / House Cleaning 07.35 - 08.00 am Breakfast
08.00 - 08.30 am Breakfast 08.05 - 09.55 am Garden Work
08.30 - 08.55 am Study 10.00 - 10.15 am Tea Break
09.00 - 09.45 am 1st Period 10.20 - 11.10 am House Cleaning
09.50 - 10.35 am 2nd Period 11.15 - 11.55 pm Bath / washing
10.35 - 10.55 am Tea Break (20 mts) 12.00 - 12.55 pm Holy Mass (Creative)
11.00 - 11.45 am 3rd Period 01.00 - 01.30 pm Lunch
11.50 - 12.35 pm 4th Period 01.35 - 01.55 pm Recreation / Entertainment
12.40 - 12.55 pm Midday Prayer 02.00 - 02.45 pm Music Class / learning musical instruments
02.50 - 03.30 pm Tongue Twisters / General Knowledge /
01.00 - 01.30 pm Lunch preparation for periodical competitions & speeches / Rehearsal
01.35 - 01.55 pm Recreation / Learning Instruments 03.35 - 04.00 pm Choir practice / learning new hymns
02.00 - 02.45 pm 5th Period 04.00 - 04.30 pm Reading the Oblate Literature - Oblatology
02.50 - 03.35 pm 6th Period 04.35 - 04.50 pm Tea Break
03.40 - 03.50 pm Voice Culture / Tongue Twisters 04.55 - 05.55 pm Games
04.00 - 04.55 pm Garden work / Manuel Labour 06.00 - 06.30 pm Bath
05.00 - 05.15 pm Tea Break (15 mts) 06.35 - 07.25 pm Study & Cursive Writing
05.20 - 06.00 pm Games 07.30 - 08.00 pm Special Marian Devotion
06.05 - 06.35 pm Bath 08.05 - 08.30 pm Supper
06.40 - 06.55 pm Holy Rosary 08.35 - 10.40 pm Educational Movie in English
07.00 - 07.35 pm Spoken English Class – by Mr. Arun 10.45 Good Night
07.40 - 08.10 pm Evening Prayer
08.15 - 08.30 pm TV – English News
08.35 - 08.55 pm Supper SUNDAY TIME TABLE
09.00 - 09.30 pm Recreation / learning instruments
09.30 - 09.45 pm Choir Practice for the following day Mass Time - Activities / Events
09.50 - 10.05 pm Reading Practice for Mass / Night Prayer
10.10 – 10.40 pm Study 06.15 am Rising
10.45 Good Night 06.45 - 07.15 am Personal Prayer / Meditation
07.20 - 07.30 am Going to the Parish at Namnakala
Anniversaries of Birthdays / 07.30 - 09.00 am Parish Mass
09.15 - 09.45 am Breakfast
Feast days / Ordinations 09.50 - 10.50 am Games
of the Community Members 10.55 - 11.45 am Bath / washing
11.50 - 12.30 pm Personal Study: Library / Magazine / News Paper Reading
February - 08th – Sonu Tirkey - Birthday 12.35 - 12.55 pm Midday Prayer
14th – Sidhant Nayak - Birthday 01.00 - 01.30 pm Lunch
17th - Oblate Day 01.35 - 02.05 pm Recreation / Learning Instruments
March - 10th – Alexius Munda - Birthday 02.10 - 05.40 pm Outing
May - 03th – Ashish Abhishek Kujur - B’day 05.45 - 05.55 pm Wash / preparations
29th - Fr. D. John Selvaraj, OMI -Ordination Day 06.00 - 06.30 pm Study
June - 24th - Fr. D. John Selvaraj, OMI - Feast day 06.35 - 07.25 pm Spiritual Conference /
July - 07th – S.D. Arokiaraj, OMI - Ordination day Common Instructions / reminders
September – 5th—Fr. D. John Selvaraj, OMI - B’day 07.30 - 07.55 pm Evening Group Prayer
8th - Fr. S.D. Arokiaraj, OMI - Feast day 08.00 - 08.30 pm Dinner
October – 12th - Utkal Nayak - B’day 08.35 - 09.10 pm Recreation / Learning Musical Instru-
ments / Bible Reading Practice
20th - Fr. S.D. Arokiaraj, OMI - B’day
09.15 - 09.30 pm Choir Class
November - 19th – Somnath Soren - B’day
09.35 - 09.55 pm Night Prayer
December - 16th – Paulus Hansda - B’day
10.00 - 10.40 pm Study
10.45 Good Night
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020 53 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
 Responsibilities / Duties Weekly / Monthly / Annual Programs
For every three months (2019 - 2020)

Duty - Name of the Brother Spiritual Activities

1. Dean + Time Keeper 1. Devotion to St. Eugene de Mazenod : Thursday
2. BCCA - President 2. Eucharistic Adoration / Holy Hour: Friday
3. BCCA – Secretary 3. Cultural Mass & Marian Devotion : Saturday
4. Class Leader 4. Spiritual Direction / Confession: 1st Sunday
5. M.C + Sacristian 5. Monthly Recollection : 1st Friday – from
6. Kitchen Master Evening to following day
7. Refectorian Dates: 7th June 2019 / 5th July / 2nd August / 6th
8. Work Master (Morning Job, Common Garden, September / 4th October/1st November / 6th
Front Garden, side Garden, Pots, dustbins) December / 3rd January 2020 / 7th February/ 6th
9. Games Master March / 3rd April/
10. Entertainment
11. Choir Master
12. Receptionist Academic - Social & Extra
13. Infirmarian -curricular Activities
14. Vehicles (bikes, bicycle)
15. Electrician & Plumbing
16. Yoga BCCA - Blessed Cebula Cultural
Academy: 1st Monday-2 pm
Dates : 3rd June, 2019/ 1st July / 5thAugust / 2nd
Monthly Competitions September/7th October / 4th November / 2nd
Every 3rd Tuesday of the Month – at 2 pm December / 6th January, 2020/3rd February / 2nd
March / 6th April. / (for Topics & Agenda
Ref.BCCA)
1. 18th June 2019 -Singing Competition Monthly Competitions :
2. 16th July -Story Telling 3rd Tuesday - 2 pm
3. 20th August -Fancy Dress Competition Dates : 18th June 2019 / 16th July / 20th August /
4. 17th September -Speech Competition 17th September / 15th October /19th November / 17th
5. 15th October -Essay Writing Competition December / 21st January 2020 / 18th February /17th
6. 19th November -Quiz Competition March / 21st April/ (for Topics – Ref. the Schedule)
7. 17th December -Dance Competition
8. 21st January 2020 -Extempore Speech
9. 16th February - Elocution Contest Other Events of the Community
10. 17th March -Exhibition on one’s Call 1. Monthly Supper out & Party
11. 21st April -Indoor Games (Chess+Cross Games : 2nd Monday - 7 pm
Words+Caroms) 2. Weekly Outing : Sunday 2.10 - 5.40 pm
3. One Day Outing (twice in a
Year) : 20th October + 19th April
4. Feast of our Patroness – Immaculate VM
: 8th December
5. Annual Tour + BOSOM : 26-29 December (TN)
6. Annual Retreat : January 2020
7. Community Day – Feast of OMI : 17th February
8. Family Day – dedicated to the Parents
: 17th March
9. Outdoor games + Sports : 21st April
10. 13th Annual Day & St. Eugene’s Feast, Oblate
Vocations : 21st May

SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020 54 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur

 Becoming Fruit
Transformative Process
- Dr. A. Gregory, OMI, Rector, Pune
In this modern and scientific world, our
perception and worldview about reality of
everything is more inclined to view that things are
not static, permanent, fixed; instead is in constant
flux. In this scenario, either for good or bad,
rigidity/certainty is happily replaced by flexibility/
uncertainty. Our analytical and synthetical knowledge
agree that everything is in the process of becoming
although the momentum of this process may vary for
each reality depending on various factors from with-in
and with-out.
While coming to human beings, since we are
uniquely self-conscious and free beings, we have the
capacity to supervise, master and direct the process that
is happening in the realm of religious beliefs, virtues and
character formation. Since we are capable of love,
understanding and choice, we could transform
ourselves into persons we wish to be.
Thereby one need not helplessly submit oneself to
the ideologies of (genetic and social) determinism
and (religious) predestination. Instead through
motivation, education, strong-determination, and
hard-work we could become gradually “new”
“liberated” “enlightened” “magnanimous”
“altruistic” and “godly” persons. We shall briefly
see the attitude and approach of formators
(gardeners) and formees (seeds) towards making
our oblate formation meaningful.
Oblate formation aims at the integral formation
of the candidates (C. 47) so that imbibed by the oblate
charism, they volunteer to live as genuine “religious”
and zealous “missionaries”. As a religious we are called
to follow Jesus radically through the threefold
evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience;
and as missionary we called to be like First Apostles.
One cannot become genuine religious and zealous
missionaries automatically or overnight.
The candidates ought to deem themselves as
“seeds” that are ready to “fall and die”. Jesus tells
his disciples, “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain
of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just
a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (Jn.
12:24). We know well that it is not easy for one to
“fall and die” because it involves giving up our
comforts and desires to which we are generously
habituated. So “unlearning the old mind-set” or
“denial of old self” has to be a painful process yet
voluntarily embraced by the oblate students to
become good oblates in the future.
SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020
Arnold
Schwarzenegger
avers: “Pain
makes me grow.
Growing is what I
want.
Therefore, for me
pain is pleasure.”. If someone imagines of getting
transformation of self without painful process, such a
one is not really transformed. Wm. Paul Young asserts,
“Transformation without work and pain, without
suffering, without a sense of loss is just an illusion of
true change.”The formation houses ought to give
conducive atmosphere and help for the students to
inculcate oblate charism. Here formators play a very vital
role. Today’s generation believes in the witnesses not mere
teachings (Evangelii Nuntiandi, # 41).
I personally believe that in the formation house,
the formators have to inspire the brothers towards
missionary life than giving more instructions. They
need to be more understanding with candidates as they
come from a different world than formators
themselves. As the formators set example of
missionary religious life, they need to be patient with
the brothers a lot as the “gardener” in the parable of the
barren fig tree (Lk. 13:6-9) and caring for the brothers
like the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10: 14-15).
The formators have to be realistic to expect
growth proportionate to the stages of the brothers, i.e.,
from juniors we should not expect and command the
growth of the novices. It is said “the earth produces of
itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in
the head” (Mk. 4:28). As a good gardener has to dig
around (transform rocky and thorny fields into good
soil), weed out, and put manure on the plant and wait
patiently for the fruits, so also good formators need to
do all in their capacity to help brothers to become
good oblates. It is really challenging, hard and
demanding!
The success of oblate formation lies when
both the oblates and our candidates bear the fruit of
the spirit freely like love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. (Gal 5:22-23). Thus, finally we
cherish having the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5) in us
diffusing the “joy of the Gospel”.
55 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur
 NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US
FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST
Administrator’s Desk
Indeed my heart is filled with immense joy to
inconveniences, but yet, our normal life was on
express my gratitude to God the Almighty who has
move. We had disputes with neighboring people
showered innumerable blessings upon St. Eugene
with regard to our boundary fencing but it could not
Niwas community, Ambikapur, during this
stop our humanitarian services, like educational
academic year 2019-2020. St. Eugene said, “I do
service to the local poor children who were in need
not want smoldering wicks but I want you to burn
of our evening tuitions. Amidst financial
and give light”. And that comes through resistance
constraints, we experienced God’s providence in
to opposition, surmounting the difficulties, or
the form of boundary fencing, mud-wall,
overcoming the day today`s problems in one`s life.
washbasins for brothers, filter for drinking water,
St. Eugene Niwas is place to acquire this inner-
blankets etc. I appreciate the creative works
power and inner strength. This year 2019-2020 I
organized by the community and especially, the
really enjoyed God`s providential care through
SEED magazine of our community. I am sure this
various experiences.
magazine will help us bring out the talents of the
candidates in the coming years. I thank all my
It made me to realize that NOTHING CAN
community members for their sacrifice, support and
SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF
cooperation.
CHRIST. J ust I wish to mention a few things
which will make you also to believe in God`s
providential care. Throughout the year it was - Fr. JOHN SELVARAJ, OMI
raining but it could not hinder our growth in God`s Administrator, St. Eugene Niwas
love. Though, due to rain we had to face a lot of Ambikapur

Community 2019 - 2020

OMI Seminary - St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur, C.G

SEED - 01 - 21st May 2020 56 OMI St. Eugene Niwas - Ambikapur