Ruhalaya bids farewell to the 4th Year Students!

On 7th March 2010, Mother Ruhalaya bid farewell to 9 of her senior students:

Reverend Deacons Anil Francis, Charuplackil Peter, Chirayath Joseph

Reverend Deacons Kandathinkara George, Mudimadugula Prabhudas, Panackavayalil Thomas

Reverend Deacons Thonakkara Joseph, Vazhakattu Thomas, and Reverrend Sister Smitha Cherupurath DBS

On this occasion the staff and students of Ruhalaya College of Philosphy and Ruhalaya College of Theology were present.

The parting messages were conveyed by the Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Venattumattam


and the Vice-Rector of RCT, Rev. Fr. Joseph Thekkekarott.

This festive gathering was also graced by the presence and message of Very Rev. Fr. Paul Parekattil, the Regional Director of St Paul's Region of MST. He also released the Manuscript Magazine, prepared by the "Creativity Forum of Ruhalaya" (CFR).

The Rector, in turn, released the Memento for the parting students.

Each of the deacons were gifted with a copy of the Memento.

Deacon Thomas Vazhakattu addressed the community on behalf of the IV Year students.

International Women’s Day Celebrations at Ruhalaya!

International Women’s Day, celebrated world-wide on 8th March every year, was celebrated in RCT Auditorium on 6th March 2010 at 1.30 pm. It was organised by the Social Services Department of Ruhalaya Major Seminary.



A large crowd of women members of the Self-Help Groups from neighbouring villages participated in this festive gathering. There are 100 SHGs run by the Seminary with the help of DST and CMC sisters. More than 800 women and around 200 children participated in the gathering.





The guests were welcomed by Dr. Joseph Thekkekarott (Vice-Rector, RCT)



The meeting was presided over by Bishop Mar Sebastian Vadakel, bishop of Ujjain



Mrs Himani Khanna, ASP of Ujjain, adorned the seat of the Chief Guest and she spoke beautifully on women empowerment.



Other Distinguished Guests who addressed the gathering were:

1) Dr. Joseph Venattumattam, Rector (Ruhalaya Major Seminary)



2) Mr P.D. Upadhyaya, the Zonal manager of the Bank of India



3) Fr Sunil (Director, Kripa Social Welfare Society)



The report was presented by Sr Deepti DST



Mr Devendra Kumar Joshi, the Branch Manager of Bank of India, gave loans to five SHG groups.







On this occasion, a beautiful dance was staged by the mentally retarded students of Prem Sagar Special School, Khilchipur, Ujjain.



The Gathering was also marked by many colourful and excellent cultural programme performed by the women from the SHGs.















The celebration of Mahila Diwas, attended by a large crowd of empowered rural women, once again proves the fruitfulness of the social commitment of Ruhalaya Major Seminary. Following the path of Jesus, the Seminary gives special emphasis to the preferential love for the poor and the marginalized in its formation programme. The orientation towards people belongs to the very essence of the Christian and missionary vocation. Celebrations like these are occasions to share the compassionate love of Jesus with the people and thus to share the Gospel of Jesus through word and deed.