San Damiano Ashram, Chenkal, Vazhoor (2021 – Diocese of Kanjirapally):

The land was donated by Mr Thomas Mulakeel and his wife Gracykutty Thomas, who were the friends of Br. Joseph Puthenpurackal, the then Minister Provincial.  The land was registered on October 17, 2016. Three years later the work for an Ashram started with the intention to live a life among the people. The foundation stone was laid on December 1, 2019 by Br. Joseph Puthenpurackal, the Minister Provincial. The construction of the house was supervised by Br. Jijo Kurian Moolayil. Later, on February 7, 2021, His Excellency Mar. Jose Pulickal, the Bishop of Kanjirapally Diocese, blessed the house and Br. George Antony Assaricheril, the Minister Provincial, inaugurated the house. Br. Francis Ponnumpurayidom and Br. Jose Velachery were appointed as the pioneer members of the community.

 

 

 

Assisi Hand 2020

An initiative from St. Joseph Capuchin Kerala Province

During Covid – 19 period, around 160 families  are being helped, every month, in their dire need for medicine, education and livelihood.

Assisi Ashram: is the first house to be established under the jurisdiction of the Syro-Malabar sui juris Church. The initiative to start the house came from the people. But the house owes its origin to the efforts of Br. Ignatius Pettakkat. His Excellency Mar Sebastian Vayalil, Bishop of Palai, gave his kind permis- sion to start the foundation. The present site of the Ashram was part of what is known as ‘Meenkuzhy’ property, belonging to Kuruvinakunnel (Kolapath) family. This property had been donated to the Clarist sisters of Bharananganam and was in their possession. Rev. Fr. Francis Thudippara (popularly known as Fr.

Vadakel) was managing it for them. Hence, when the site was donated to us, it was done with the joint consent of these three parties, namely, Mr. Thomas Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel, Rev. Mother Mary Ursula, the Superior of the Clarist convent and Fr. Francis Thudippara, and thus we are equally indebted to all of them. Besides the land, it may be noted, Mr.Thomas Joseph Kuruvinakunnel also contributed a substantial sum towards the building of the friary. Br. Berchmans, who was put in charge of building, arrived at Bharananganam in October 1952. The foundation stone was laid on 01 November 1952. After few months Br. Samuel came to his help. Shortly afterwards, Br.Alphonse too joined the fraternity and all of them worked hard to complete the main portion of the friary by June 1954. Although the foundation stone of the Chapel was laid by Mar Sebastian Vayalil on 01 March, 1953, it was completed and blessed only on 21 June 1963. Br. Alphonse, who remained for 17 years at Bharananganam, worked hard for the development of the Assisi Ashram and the Seraphic Seminary.