The Role of the Exco  
in the Community
 
Students  
EXCO 1997 

Albet Arokiasamy  

Mark Michael  
Michael Dass  
Henry Rajoo  
Wilfred Victor

 
 
 
 
 
"...I CAME NOT TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE..."  
 

call to live in a community is not only vital to family life but also for any religious community journeying together in one faith. It is even more important for those who are called to form and lead a community of believers. As for us, the experience of living in a community begins here in the College grounds. As students coming from different backgrounds, race and different range of age and education, it becomes rather interesting and challenging to live in a community. To enable us to live as an organized community, a group of students (EXCO) are elected to lead the community through various lifes such as; Liturgical life, Intellectual and Cultural life, Material life and Sports life. The chairperson of this body is known as "Caput" which means the "Head". As members of the students' body,  we are  indeed privileged and glad to have been given the co-responsibility to lead the community of students, of course with the help of the College Fathers, towards a holistic formation, fostering growth in all related areas of our lives, intellectual, spiritual, communal and pastoral. Even though, there are moments of "ups" and "downs" in the Seminary, we generally appreciate each other's company, strengthen by the stories of our faith and experience. We are indeed proud to express to one another that it is Jesus who walks with us daily. 

Liturgical life is an area where the students are introduced to various spiritual exercises. Spiritual life  is the source of our growth and life here in the seminary. It is for this reason that the seminary is often called a spiritual house or 'power house'. Spirituality is basically the action of God continuously reaching out to us in our daily life and inviting us to respond to Him. As we walk closer to the altar of the Lord, we are indeed enriched with various spiritual exercises, such as monthly community prayer and reflection, daily prayer, meditation, Eucharistic celebration, quarterly recollections, annual retreat and our special devotion to our Blessed Virgin Mary. As for us who aspire to be priests, prayer is the foundation, strength and the root of our life. As we walk with Jesus everyday, we are indeed challenged to open our eyes to His  presence in the word, sacrament and persons. 

Intellectual life is an integral part of our formation and it is necessary for human and spiritual formation. Its purpose is not solely to equip our selves with various forms of knowledge but to enable us to acquire a wisdom which in turn opens up our selves totally to God. To supplement the intellectual formation, the intellectual and cultural life organizes various activities such as communication courses i.e speech dynamic and public speaking to help students to enhance our presentation skills of the knowledge that we have acquired. Besides this, we too help each other as we journey and mature in faith and understanding of our God.  

Work can be a joyful and happy experience. One segment of our community living involves working together; not merely looking into the upkeep of College premises, but, also serving to unite us. As to the theme of this year,  "Walking with Jesus", it also requires the aspect of "Working together with Jesus." All work ranging from daily task of washing plates and cups, sweeping to grass cutting are all done with a common goal, to serve the good of all in the community. We as a community also work together besides the allocated

 
 
 
Message from the Rector
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
hours to further enhance the environment of the College. In spite of this there is always unfinished work that at times require more attention and others' help. Ultimately it is the concern for cleanliness, communal property, responsibility and self-involvement which motivates us to work together as a team. 

A healthy body makes a healthy mind. Sports or physical activities is also a part of our life here in College. Games such as soccer, volleyball and badminton are among the favourite games enjoyed both by the Fathers and the students. Here we have the chance to bring out our skills in games and at the same time the opportunity to work out our body for a healthy living. Games time is also a time for us to get to know each other in playing as a community. As the great Greek philosopher, Plato once said, "In one hour of a game, you can know a person more than you have known him for years". Yes!, our true selves come out in games and this helps us correct and improve ourselves for the better. Sports are part of God's work in our lives as we journey towards the priesthood.  

The bonding of the community is further strengthened with the many communal activities animated by the EXCO through the various lifes. The purpose of this activities is to make the theme of the year come alive and always echo in our hearts. For this year, the community has unanimously agreed to do charity work together in the welfare homes such as the Old Folks Home, Spastic Home and other homes. This is not only to make us realize that we walk with the lesser fortunate but also to let others 'see' the radiating presence of Christ in the community. By our very presence, we hope to show to others that Jesus is truly walking with us. This, in one way, proclaims the work of Christ in our daily life and makes God known to others. 

As people journeying together, it is important for each one of us to play his role in building a Christ Centered Community in the College General. This is indeed the struggle of each person to bear witness to the person of Christ in the community and also later in the pastoral ministry. Yet, keeping in mind the vision of the universal Church, we are indeed motivated and inspired to move on, for the love of Jesus Christ. We believe that it is Christ who leads and guides the direction of this community. Jesus walks with us, as "The Way, The Truth and Life".

 
 
 
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CREATED ON 3 /12/97  FEAST OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER