Rogate Ashram-April 21, 2022
We the Rogationist St Thomas Quasi Province remembered the past 35 years of mission in India with gratitude and have gathered to honour and thank the personalities who helped in the inception of Rogate in India, in this CORAL JUBILEE YEAR, especially Fr James Alukkal who celebrates his Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination. The coral jubilee of the presence of the Rogationists in India is celebrated with much vigour and much more gratitude on 21 April 2022. The celebration began at 5.45 pm at Rogate Ashram, Aluva. Fr Devassy Painadath, Vicar Provincial welcomed the honourable guests. There were ten specially invited guests namely: Bp. Thomas Chakiath, Fr. Thomas Vithayathil, Fr. James Alukkal, Fr. Herbert Kalathil, Fr. George Karakunnel, Mr. Antony Thomas (Contractor), Mr. Sony Mathai (Architect), Mr. Jose (Driver), Mr. Biju CP (Ex-Alumni), MR Varghese (Teacher).
After the welcome speech, Fr Shajan Pazhayil, Major Superior of STQP India, made his Felicitation speech and he thanked each one for their determined and tireless efforts for the progress of Rogate in India. He stressed that for the last 35 years and still these people are very much interested in helping the congregation without any foot-dragging. On this special occasion, the Rogate Family particularly honoured Fr James Alukkal, who celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priestly ordination very recently. Fr Shajan congratulated him on behalf of the Rogationists in India and Bishop Thomas Chakiath presented the Golden Jubilee Memento. Then Fr James Plathottathil honoured him with a shawl in a traditional way. After honouring the Jubilarian there was an interesting time for sharing the evergreen memories of the guests and then they were given indoor growing plants as an expression of love and concern. Rogate Ashram’s brothers sang a beautiful felicitation song and that increased the beauty of the celebration. A video that comprised the whole 35 years of the sprout of Rogate was played during the gathering to show the beginning challenges of Mission in India. Fr Bruno Rampazzo and Fr Vito Lipari expressed their joy and wishes through a video. Then Fr Varghese Panickassery invited Mr. Biju CP to give the vote of thanks and Fr Thomas Vithayathil to say prayer over the meal. With a sumptuous dinner and the gift offered by Fr James Alukkal, the celebration ended with much gratification.
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