Second Gathering of Working Doctors

The working Doctors gathered for the second time in Thrissur, Kerala on the 25th of Jan.it was attended by Dr.George leons, Dr.Tony [Ortho], Dr.Dona, Dr.Aloshy, Dr.Arnold, Don and Dr.Vimal. Fr.Francis Pallikkunnel, the finance director of Jubilee Mission Medical College, shared some of the practical problems faced by Catholic Hospitals giving super speciality care. They also had time for Praise, Worship and Bible sharing.

JESUS YOUTH GIVING HOPE TO THE CHURCH

A thanksgiving gathering to celebrate the formal approval of the Jesus Youth Movement by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) was organisedon 27th January 2009. Jesus Youth - a Catholic Youth movement that sparkedoff in Kerala, India in the mid 80's and then spread across the country andlater to nearly 25 countries around the world over the years, was accorded this recognition by the CBCI in October 2008. His Grace Abraham Viruthakulangara, Archbishop of Nagpur has been appointed the National Ecclesiastical Advisor for the movement.

The thanksgiving event was most appropriately held at the Major Archbishop'sHouse in Ernakulam - the residence of His Eminence Cardinal VarkeyVithayathil, President of the CBCI – who was one of the key guiding forcesfor the movement in this whole process. His Eminence addressed a roomful of priests, religious and other members of the Jesus Youth movement and congratulated them for their endeavours. Expressing optimism at the work and growth of the movement, His Eminence said that it "gives hope to the Church"and urged the movement to continue its growth by "uniting themselves to the Cross of Christ" and by "remaining close to the Mother Church". Several key animators and leaders of the movement also addressed the gathering and reminded everyone of the 'responsibility' that accompanies this sign of encouragement extended by the Pastors of the Church.

The occasion was a time of thanksgiving and joy, as everyone rejoiced at the realization of such a long cherished dream. And all this has been possible solely because of our good Lord's Mercy and Grace. The culmination was aptly a joyful celebration of the Holy Eucharist with everyone singing and praising the Lord for His Goodness. Towards the end of the evening, our joy was made complete by the presence of His Excellency Thomas Chakiath,Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly. His Excellency, who has been a pillar of strength and support for the movement at all times, spoke of his joy at this approval and his hopes for the movement. All left the evening,enthused by this joyful celebration, and yet somberly aware of the high expectations of the Church and the challenges on the road ahead.

Blog Launched

Today is a great day indeed, when this blog was blessed and launched by His Grace Most Rev. Bishop Aloysius Paul D'souza (Bishop of Mangalore) at Bishop house Mangalore. Mammen P Cherian, Shwetha and Dr.Nishan were present. Dr.Nishan then explained the bishop the motive of this blogspot. The bishop encouraged them and ended by blessing each of them.

Reaching out to the Doctors of Tamil Nadu

It indeed is a great joy to begin the year by being out in the Lord's vineyard. Salma Varghese went out for a week long mission to meet the medical students and doctors in Tamil Nadu. She took a journey from 1st to 7th of January 2009 and travelled through Tamil Nadu meeting doctors and active campus team members.

As she met many people she learnt a lot and has these words to say after the trip "As i look back at the past few days, all i can say is that the Lord led me beautifully. At times when i didnt know what to speak, He would put the words into my mouth, and other times ,when I seriously felt that I was walkin into the chambers of Goliaths, He gave me the grace to jump into the shoes of David..."

Working Doctors Gathering

5 working doctors from Kerala namely Dr.Vimal, Dr.Tony, Dr.George, Dr.Anumodh and Dr.Aloshi met together in Thrissur on the 20^th of December. It was a blessed time of praying and sharing as Fr.Lawrence Thaikattil guided them in exploring the possibilities of living out their role as a Christian missionary doctors to the fullest.

Proficuus

‘Proficuus” an initiative of the Kerala Jesus Youth Professional team , which was held for the fifth time in a row from 2004 onward.This year two such programmes were conducted from 1st to 5th of october and from the 2st to the 8th of December at Emmaus, Ernakulam, Kerala. It was attended by around 124 medical students who had completed their first year. The programme had two parts, a retreat and a training programme.Dr.Remya and Don Jose were the Gen.Coordinators and Dr.Arun Thomas and Aneesh were the Programme Coordinators of the programmes.

Reaching out to other doctors

It was indeed a journey with a difference. Mammen P Cherian(incharge of the core team) went on a mission trip from 21 october to 2 november to Delhi, Haryana , Bombay and Bangalore visiting a number of doctors and medicos and interacting with the members of various campus ministries across the country. It was more than challenging to meet people like Dr Balwinder Singh and Shashi Minz(Additional Secretary National Academy of Drugs and Narcotics,Faridabad, India) and to have a first hand experience of their zeal for evangelization . The trip was also fruitful in helping to fulfil the dream of building a strong network of medicos nationwide.