Jubilarians

Jubilarians

Frs Joe Pottayil & Devassy Athalathil

It is said that History is written not to revere the dead but to inspire the living. So also, We introduce our jubilarians, not so much as to give a good feeling about them but rather to affirm and confirm that they are two great pillars of our Province, like Peter and Paul in the early Church.

Rev. Fr. Jose Pottayil

Rev Fr Joe Pottayil

General Councillor

Fr Joe Pottayil was born at Kathalikkad, Kothamangalam diocese, Kerala, on the 7^th March, 1952, as the second son of Mr Joseph and Mrs Elizabeth Pottayil. He has three brothers of whom one is a religious priest of Vincentian Congregation and one sister. His dear dad and elder brother have changed their residence and thus today they are at the residence of our heavenly Father.

Fr Joe Pottayil, after having done successfully his High School studies joined the Society of St Paul at Allahabad in 1968. After having done three years of Latin studies, in 1971 he was admitted to the novitiate in Bangalore. In 1972 he made his First Religious Profession in Bangalore and returned to Allahabad for the studies of Philosophy and Theology at St Josephs Regional Seminary. Togetherwith Philosophy he did also his Intermediate and during the Theology he did privately his B.A. In 1978 he completed his theological studies, and on the 3^rd December of the same year he was ordained a priest by His Excellency Rt Rev Dr Baptist Mudartha, the bishop of Allahabad.

Fr Joe is noted for his leadership qualities. Immediately after the ordination he was transferred to Mumbai where he was the Master of Aspirants and Juniors for three years, and then he was appointed the Chief and full-time vocation promoter of the province which he so successfully carried out for three years. It was followed by a two-year founding and pioneering work of a community in Eluru, Andhara Pradesh. During this period he preached more than fifty retreats! In 1986 he was appointed the Superior of Bangalore Community, a post he held till he was appointed the Provincial Superior in 1990. It was during his Provincialship that the apostolic activities and the economy of the province were co-ordinated and centralized. He was Provincial till he was elected as one of the General Councillors of the Congregation in the General Chapter of 1998. The entire Congregation of Society of St Paul in General, and the Indian Province in particular, is indebted to Fr Joe for his yeoman services which helped the Congregation and the Province to get into a very high stride.

Rev. Fr Devassy Athalathil

Rev Fr Devassy Athalathil,

Provincial Superior

Fr Devassy was born at Ratnagiri parish of Palai diocese, Kerala, on the 23^rd of January, 1950 as the second son of Mr Mathai and Mrs Mary Athalathil. He has two brothers, of whom one is a priest of Carmelite Order and only sister who is a religious nun.

Fr Devassy, after having completed his High School studies joined the Society of St Paul, at Allahabad in 1968. After having done three years of Latin studies, in 1971 he was admitted to the novitiate in Bangalore. In 1972 he made his First Religious profession and returned to Allahabad for the studies of Philosophy and Theology at St Josephs Regional Seminary. He excelled always in his studies and on the 3^rd December 1978 he was ordained a priest by his Excellency Rt Rev Dr Mudartha, bishop of Allahabad.

All through his formation time Fr Devassy showed great admiration for and commitment to the Pauline apostolate that immediately after the ordination he was transferred to Mumbai where he played different roles in the apostolic sector. One year he rendered his services to the Examiner Book centre and then he was appointed the diffusion in-charge of St Pauls and Better Yourself Books. Whatever was given to him he did so efficiently well that the Superiors made him the First General Manager of the Provinces entire apostolic activities. It was the dream of Fr Devassy to centralize the various apostolic activities of the Province in Mumbai and worked hard for its realization. Today because of his vision and hard work the province can be proud that certain efficiency has come in to the apostolic sector. As the province found in him an excellent leader and an unparalleled administrator, in 1998 he was appointed the Provincial Bursar who is also the administrator of the entire Province. Commitment to anything that is given to him is the distinguishing quality of Fr Devassy. As he was found an excellent administrator and a firebrand in the Pauline apostolate, in September 2002 he was appointed the Provincial Superior of India-Nigeria Province. The entire Province is very happy that at the time of his jubilee he is our Provincial, leader, guide and inspirer.

Today we lift our hats in cheering and admiring Frs Joe and Devassy for their dedication, loyalty and achievements. Now with the sentiments of love, joy, and gratitude let us turn to the altar of the Lord togetherwith the jubilarians, and sing to God for His bountiful blessings that they have enjoyed last twenty-five years in the service of the Church.