Greetings from India

Dear Friends of Fransalians,

With a heart filled with joy and gratitude I wish to greet each one of you a very happy Christmas and a grace-filled New Year 2025. May this Christmas be an intense experience of “God with us”, bringing much joy and peace into our hearts and into our families. May the New Year 2025 be an year of blessings for all of us.

An Year of Many Jubilees

The year 2025 is a jubilee year also known as holy year, a special year of grace, initiated by Pope Francis the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. In a time of political, social and economic instability, global conflict, climate crisis and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our world needs hope now more than ever. Pope Francis has given special emphasis therefore that the Jubilee should have a particular focus on how our faith requires us to care for our communities, reflecting the importance of social justice as a theme running throughout the whole of Scripture. “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and a far-sighted vision”, said Pope Francis while declaring the jubilee year. The Jubilee begins on 24 December 2024 with the official opening of the holy door at St. Peter’s Basilica and runs through to January 6, 2026 the Feast of Epiphany with the closing of the Holy Door.

The year 2024-2025 is also a jubilee year for our Chad-Cameroon Mission. The Mission is completing 25 years of its existence. The Lord has showered his blessings on all our efforts during the past 25 years. The Mission has grown beyond all our expectations. We thank God for his providential care. We thank all our friends and benefactors for their steady support and encouragement in building up a difficult Mission like Chad and Cameroon.

The year 2024-2025 is also an year of grace and blessings for me personally. I thank God for the gift of life given to me as I could celebrate my 75th birthday on 30 July 2024. I thank God for the gift of priesthood bestowed on me 50 years ago. I was ordained priest on 28 April 1975. In this golden jubilee year of my priesthood I thank God for all those who have helped me in serving God’s people in so many different ways. Certainly the memories of the 7 years of my missionary life in Chad-Cameroon Mission (2000-2008) will always remain with me as the most fulfilling and rewarding experience of my 50 years of priesthood. On this occasion I give praise to God remembering all of you, my dear friends and benefactors for your prayers and support. I hope to continue the work of helping our missions in Chad-Cameroon and in India with your continued support and encouragement. I do have some serious health issues. I request you all to keep me in your prayers. Thank you very much.

Wishing you the joy and peace of Christmas and New Year,

Yours cordially,
P. Thomas Cherukat, MSFS

Greetings From Chad-Cameroon

Dear Friends of Fransalians,

May I first of all wish each one of you a Very Happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year 2025. I am happy to share with you some of the highlights of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of our Chad-Cameroon Mission.

The Chad-Cameroon Mission of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) celebrated its 25th anniversary on 23rd November 2024. The event commemorated the significant contributions of the MSFS Congregation to the region's spiritual and social development over the past quarter-century. The celebrations were attended by three Provincials and Mission Superiors of Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and South Africa and Namibia. To mark the occasion, a number of events were held.

Inauguration of the Novitiate

The inauguration of the Novitiate is a pivotal moment for the congregation and Chad-Cameroon delegation. This spiritual power house will serve as a dedicated space for young men to discern their vocation and embark on their journey towards priesthood. There are 11 Novices in the first batch. A spacious and well-constructed novitiate was inaugurated on 20th November 2024. Novitiate house is situated at Mawi in Ngaoundere diocese, Cameroon. This Novitiate offers a serene environment conducive to prayer, study, and spiritual growth.

Inauguration of the SFS College

The new College at Ngaoundere represents a significant investment in education. It provides quality education to a diverse student body, emphasizing academic excellence and moral values. The College is yet to be equipped with modern facilities. We are confident that this college will provide an ideal learning environment for students.

Inauguration of the Boys' Home

The new Boys' Home built in the same college campus is a testament to the congregation's commitment to care for vulnerable children. This facility provides a safe and nurturing home for orphaned and disadvantaged boys. The Boys' Home offers comprehensive care, including education, healthcare, and emotional support.

Perpetual Profession

On 22nd November 2024 a solemn Eucharistic celebration was held in the MSFS community at Gaki, Doba. During the Holy Mass eight of our brothers made their perpetual profession. The perpetually professed members are a sure sign of the growth and vitality of the Mission as there is a steady growth of local vocations.

A Tailoring Centre at Gaki in Doba

Foundation Stone was laid for the proposed Tailoring Centre at Gaki in SFS College Campus by Fr. Thomas Kalariparampil, the Provincial. The project is expected to be operational in the course of the jubilee year.

Thanksgiving Mass and Ordination of Deacons

A solemn Thanksgiving Mass was held on 23rd November 2024 to mark the 25 years of MSFS presence in Chad. The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Mgr. Martin Bani, Bishop of Doba. During the eucharistic celebration three of our brothers were ordained deacons. The function was attended by many members of the congregation, diocesan priests and many religious, local parishioners, and dignitaries.

The Silver Jubilee celebration was a momentous occasion that recognized the dedication and hard work of the MSFS congregation in Chad and Cameroon. It also served as a platform to reaffirm the congregation's commitment to continue serving the people of the region for many years to come.
Thank you dear friends and benefactors for your support and prayers. May the joy and peace of this Christmas be always with you.

Yours cordially
P. Manoj Arackal, MSFS