On a quiet hilltop in Kerala, St. Ephrem’s Sports Academy has been transforming young lives through sports and values for more than two decades. Guided by Carmelite priest Father Antony Kanjirathinkal, the academy has become a strong center for nurturing talent, especially in basketball.

Founded in 2003 under St. Ephrem’s Higher Secondary School in Mannanam, Kottayam, the academy has produced over 100 national-level players and at least five international players. Many students come from rural and coastal areas with limited opportunities. The academy offers them free coaching, education, accommodation, and meals.

Father Kanjirathinkal believes sports can change lives. Along with training, he focuses on discipline, confidence, teamwork, and spiritual growth. “Play well and study well,” he tells his students, stressing the importance of both education and sports.

The academy, set near the shrine of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, combines prayer and sports in daily life. What began as a small basketball program has grown into a multi-sport center offering football, cricket, and boxing.

Several former students have reached national and international levels, crediting the academy for their success. In the 2025–2026 academic year, the academy won nine championships and earned many state-level medals.

The academy has also gained international attention, with foreign coaches visiting to train students. Despite its growth, it remains focused on its mission of service.

Father Kanjirathinkal hopes to develop it into a world-class sports center, giving more young people the chance to build a better future through sports.

The Catholic Church in northeastern India is mourning the passing of Mother Mary Rose Thapa, the first native superior general of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians. She died on March 22 at 6:10 am in Guwahati, Assam, due to age-related illness. She was 91.

Mother Thapa had received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick a day before her death at the congregation’s provincial house, where she had been living a quiet retirement life. She spent much of her time in prayer before the Eucharist.

Her funeral Mass was held on March 24 at the congregation’s cemetery in Mawlai, near Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. The congregation described her passing as a peaceful surrender to the Lord and expressed deep gratitude for her long and dedicated service.

Church leaders remembered her as a woman of deep faith, humility, and missionary zeal. Her life was seen as a strong witness to prayer, service, and commitment to the Gospel. Many also recalled her simplicity, warmth, and gentle leadership.

Born on March 11, 1935, in Nepal as Lakshmi Thapa, she came from a Hindu family. She later embraced the Catholic faith and was baptized in 1953. She joined the congregation and made her religious profession in 1956.

She served as superior general for 18 years from 1970, guiding the congregation during a key period of growth. Under her leadership, the mission expanded widely, especially among rural and tribal communities.

Her life continues to inspire many across the Church.

Sister Jean Rose has become the first Catholic nun to serve as a medical officer in a government hospital in Kerala. A member of the Sisters of the Destitute, she works at the Community Health Centre in Marayoor, a remote tribal area in Idukki district.

Usually, Catholic nuns with medical degrees serve in Church-run hospitals. However, Sister Rose chose to work in the government sector to reach people in remote regions where doctors are few. She holds a master’s degree in medicine from St. John’s Medical College.

At 52, she attends to more than 200 outpatients daily and regularly visits tribal families living deep inside forests. Since there are no inpatient facilities, she travels to patients’ homes, often using a two-wheeler. Her work includes medical care, immunization drives, surveys, and palliative care.

Marayoor is known for its cold climate and lack of facilities, making it difficult for many doctors to stay. The centre is often understaffed, increasing her workload. Despite facing health issues and risks while traveling through forest areas, she continues her mission with dedication.

Sister Rose said her decision was inspired by a desire to serve the poor and live out her congregation’s mission of compassionate care. She believes working in a government hospital allows her to reach more people, regardless of religion or background.

Supported by her congregation, she balances her role as a religious sister and government doctor. For her, this work is not just a job, but a ministry of service and love to the poorest.

Catholic organizations in Kerala have raised strong objections to the scheduling of national-level entrance examinations on Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, urging authorities to reconsider the dates.

The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) on March 23 called on officials to withdraw the plan to conduct all-India engineering entrance exams on these important Christian feast days. The council said the decision affects the religious freedom of Christian students.

Council president Varghese Chakkalakal stated that holding exams on such sacred days forces students to choose between their faith and their academic future. The council stressed that these days are central to Christian worship and spiritual life.

The KCBC also said it would take up the issue with the Government of India and the National Testing Agency, requesting that the exams be rescheduled to more suitable dates.

The Catholic Congress also expressed concern, calling the decision insensitive to the Christian minority. Its leaders said such scheduling creates unnecessary hardship and ignores the importance of religious observances.

Youth representatives added that the exam dates affect students emotionally, as they are unable to fully take part in important church celebrations during Holy Week. Catholic groups have urged authorities to take immediate corrective steps and ensure that future exam schedules respect religious diversity. They emphasized that sensitivity to all faiths is important to protect constitutional values and maintain harmony in society.

The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), the largest men’s religious congregation of the Syro-Malabar Church, has appointed Father Benny Nalkara as its new Vicar General. The appointment was made during the 39th General Chapter held at Chavara Hills in Kochi.

This important decision comes at a significant time as the congregation prepares for its bicentenary celebrations in 2031. As Vicar General, Father Nalkara will serve as the main assistant to the Prior General, helping in the administration and overall governance of the congregation. His duties include coordinating ministries, supporting different provinces across countries, and implementing decisions taken by the General Council.

Along with this, the congregation has also elected a team of General Councillors to assist in leadership and decision-making.

Father Biju John Vellakada will support formation and pastoral activities, while also helping coordinate among different provinces. Father Augustine Kochuvely will focus on education ministries and the development of institutions. Father Johnson Palappilly will take care of communication, media, and public relations. Father Tomy Kapiarukudy will work to strengthen spiritual life and missionary outreach.

This new leadership team will guide the CMI congregation as it continues its global mission in education, healthcare, and social service. Their focus will be on strengthening spiritual formation, expanding outreach, and ensuring unity and effective governance across its worldwide presence.

The leadership is expected to lead with commitment, simplicity, and dedication to the mission of the Church.

The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), the largest male religious congregation of the Syro-Malabar Church, has elected Father Paul Achandy as its Prior General for the second time. The election took place on March 19 during the 39th General Chapter held at Chavara Hills in Kochi.

Father Achandy, 62, had earlier served as Prior General for six years starting in 2014, the same year Pope Francis canonized the congregation’s founder, Kuriakose Elias Chavara. His re-election comes as the congregation prepares to celebrate its bicentenary in 2031.

After completing his previous term, he served as chancellor of Christ University and rector of Dharmaram College in Bengaluru. He also spent the past three years serving in Kenya.

Church members say his return to leadership is uncommon, as religious congregations usually follow fixed leadership terms. His re-election is seen as a sign of trust and a need for continuity during changing times.

Born in 1963 and ordained in 1992, Father Achandy is known for both academic excellence and administrative experience. He holds an MBA from North Maharashtra University and a doctorate from IIT Madras, specializing in strategic human resource management.

The CMI congregation, founded in 1831, now has nearly 3,000 members working in education, healthcare, and social service in more than 30 countries.

Church leaders describe Father Achandy as a simple and humble person who leads by example. His earlier leadership was known for strengthening internal systems and guiding the congregation with stability and vision.

His re-election is seen as a hopeful step as the congregation moves toward its 200th anniversary.

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, has called for calm and peace after unrest in parts of the state during protests. He urged people to avoid violence and solve issues through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Tensions increased when a protester reportedly threatened to burn the Chief Minister’s house during the demonstrations. Responding to the threat, Sangma said he places his trust in God and remains calm despite the situation. He said that faith gives him strength and confidence during difficult times.

Violence was reported in the West Garo Hills district during protests against the elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Demonstrators opposed the participation of non-Garo candidates in the nomination process. During the clashes in the Chibinang area on March 10, two people were killed and several others were injured when police opened fire on a mob.

The unrest also led to damage to government properties, religious places, and some homes. The Chief Minister said such acts of destruction do not reflect the values of the people of Meghalaya and appealed to citizens to respect democratic systems.

In response to the violence, Sangma announced that the GHADC elections, which were scheduled for April 10, would be postponed.

Earlier this year, Sangma was honoured with the CBCI National Award by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India for his contributions to society, including promoting human dignity, education, and social development.

The Chief Minister urged all communities to work together to restore peace and harmony in the state.

A young woman from Naruvamoodu village near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala has inspired many after securing the 57th rank in India’s prestigious Civil Services Examination. Sreeja G.S. achieved this success through determination, disciplined study, and strong faith.

Sreeja prepared for the examination in a small unfinished room in her home. The room had poor lighting, which made studying difficult. Using her savings of ₹2,500, she bought white cement and paint and, with the help of her father, painted the walls to make the room brighter for studying.

She studied at Little Flower School in Vellayani, New Higher Secondary School in Nellimoodu, and St. Mary’s School in Pattom. Encouraged by her teachers, she decided to aim for the civil services. Later, she completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Madras Christian College in Chennai.

During her preparation, Sreeja followed a strict routine. She reviewed lessons daily and made detailed notes from newspapers, which helped her during the interview stage. She had also made a strong decision to attempt the Civil Services Examination only once.

Her father, Jayakumar, who studied only up to Class 9 and works as a daily wage labourer, played a key role in supporting her education despite financial struggles. Sreeja also credits her faith for helping her stay strong during difficult moments. She regularly prayed the Rosary, read the Bible, attended Holy Mass, and spent time in Eucharistic Adoration.

On the day the results were announced, she held a Rosary gifted by her parish priest and entrusted everything to God. Sreeja says faith, hard work, and perseverance helped turn her dream into reality.

The ceremony was held at the Augustinian Institute in the Vatican. Monsignor Renzo Pegararo, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life presented a copy of “Leo XIV” to Cardinal Michael Cherny, the prefect of the Vatican’s Department for Integral Human Development, or the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The launch took place at the February 16-17 international seminar organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life. About a hundred delegates, including cardinals, bishops, priests, and laity from different parts of the world, attended the seminar.

Father Puthuva said that he was very happy to release the book at a grand ceremony.

He presented a copy of the book to the Pope, who expressed surprise. After going through the book, the Pope told Father Puthuva, “Congratulations.”

With this, Father Puthuva has written 16 books, including Pope John Paul II, Carlo Acutis, Chiara Luce, and Blessed Rani Maria. Father Puthuva is a native of Chulli in Ernakulum Angamaly Arch diocese. He serves as the vicar of St. Alphonsa Church in Darwin, Australia. The 59-year-old priest came to Australia on February 13, 2022.

A Catholic seminarian from Kerala has received the state government’s prestigious student talent award for his outstanding academic achievement. Brother Alex Velamkunnel, a minor seminarian of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry, was honored with the Vidyarthi Prathibha Puraskaram on March 10.

The award was presented by Kerala Education Minister R. Bindu at a ceremony held at Government College Thiruvananthapuram. The award includes a certificate and a cash prize of 100,000 rupees. Brother Alex was among 1,000 college students selected from across the state for this recognition.

Currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics at the Central University of Tamil Nadu. Earlier, he achieved first rank in mathematics at Kannur University with an impressive score of 96 percent in his Bachelor of Science degree.

Brother Alex comes from Thomapuram village in Kasaragod district and is the youngest son of Tom and Shiji Velamkunnel. After completing his schooling at St. Mary’s High School Chittarikkal and higher secondary studies at St. Thomas Higher Secondary School Thomapuram, he joined the minor seminary of the archdiocese.

Recognizing his academic talent, Archbishop Joseph Pamplany encouraged him to pursue higher education. He studied at Government Brennen College Thalassery while continuing his seminary formation.

Brother Alex said his success comes from faith and dedication. He believes that seminary life, with its discipline and prayer, has given him the strength to achieve excellence in his studies while continuing his journey toward priesthood.