Test Drive Santhome Mission Jun. 2014 | Página 19

Silver Echoes from SANGLI T he year 1990 was indeed a milestone for the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle (MST) as it marked the beginning of its missionary work in Maharashtra. The MST’s entry into Maharashtra was initially for pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar migrants in Mumbai and Pune, even prior to the erection of the present Eparchy of Kalyan. Since then we grew along with the diocese and the diocese grew along with us. On the request of the Director General of MST, in the beginning of 1990 Rev. Frs. Mathew Moothasseril and John Kudiyiruppil came to Miraj, Sangli and surveyed the feasibility of MST mission in the Western Maharashtra and Konkan area. After the initial study Rev. Fr. Sebastian Thuruthel, the then Director General of MST had discussion with Bp Mar Paul Chittilapilly for a missionary collaboration. Sangli Mission, as an independent mission region was entrusted to MST on 1 May 1990 and Fr. George Kavukatt was appointed as the first Regional Director. Under the able guidance of Fr Kavukatt, treading along steadily with the mission and vision MST, it established its various FR. JOSE CHERIAMPANATT (Regional Director of Sangli Mission) THIS IS THE TEXT OF THE SPEECH GIVEN BY FR JOSE CHERIAMPANATT ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF THE SANGLI MISSION, AT KOLHAPUR, MAHARASHTRA ON MAY 01, 2014. IT IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE MISSIONARY ENGAGEMENTS IN SANGLI FOR THE PAST 24 YEARS. SANTHOME MISSION 19