HAPPY FOUNDATION DAY, HGN 

The Society of Heralds of Good News today, with the single-minded devotion of every member is the solid expression of the vision and values of Very Rev. Dr. Jose Kaimlett. He knew he was not meant for the minimum. He knew he did not have all the eternity at his disposal. So he did… “You do not have all eternity at your disposal”. A beautiful expression of what it means to be a Herald in true sense. This statement has profound meaning and implications for our evaluation and life application. This could be the greatest message that each one of us can give to oneself primarily and to the world at large, in whatever country we reside at present, whatever position we hold and in whatever ministry we are engaged in. Our Founder was always on the move to reach and conquer new horizons and undiscovered areas of ministry. There was always a vibe around where he resided and visited

Jubilee year is a special occasion; a year of grace, year of initiatives, years of mercy, year of looking back, year of discovering new horizons, etc. We celebrate the Ruby Jubilee of the Foundation of Heralds of Good News. We can assess this year of jubilee as either long forty years or short span of our existence, depending upon the progress and achievements we have reached, the percentage of contribution we have made towards the Society, the limitations we have faced in our priestly life and ministry, the challenges we have encountered in our life, etc. However, let us be reminded of this meaningful statement of our Founder, “Life is too short to worry about petty things”.

Let us be torch bearers in our circumstances first and foremost, let us pass on the torch to the coming generation with a great sense of pride, satisfaction and enthusiasm that we pass on the torch or hand it over after doing not just the minimum but the maximum, let us wholeheartedly model our younger generation with the spirit and charism of Heralds of Good News and  let us watch over that the torch that we have handed over does not get put off on the way. Let us be real pastors and leaders in the true sense of the terms and not let us not be weeds in our ministries and communities that are collected and burned in the fire. Recently, someone made a statement that ‘it is my money that I send to the province’. Today I am what I am merely because of the goodness and greatness of Heralds of Good News. I have nothing to glorify about myself. I would have been struggling hard day and night to maintain my family if I were not a member of this Society as many of our companions who dropped themselves on the way do.

Let us not lose the spirit of our Society, let us be proud of our vocation in this Society that formed us and made us what we are and not of our personal/individual fame and family. Sometimes, the help that some people give, with all the good intentions in the world, is anything but helpful. It is in working through a process that any worthwhile growth takes place. There is a great danger in being a “fixer” and looking for instant solutions. (Insights vol. 2, Fr. Jose) Again, I wish to express best wishes and prayers of a Happy Foundation Day. Let God be with us all in our priestly journey. Let us remember our Society, all the members and seminarians during the Holy Eucharist and wish one another with open hearted devotion and commitment to the Lord and to the Society, Heralds of Good News. 

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Fr Selvan Lazar HGN

Provincial Superior