During the Annual Retreat, in November 2014, the Oblates honored Fr. Andrew Cierpka OMI (1905-1982) and Fr Josef Mathuni OMI (1921-2010). Both of them had been main players in establishing Gnanodhayam. Fr. Cierpka with much foresight had purchased 34 acres of land at Keeri, Mannar, in the name of the Oblates. Subsequently Fr. Mathuni had organized most of the funding for the construction of Gnanodhayam. Today Gnanodhayam serves not only Oblate activities (Pre-novitiate, retreats, meetings, etc.) but is also used by the laity and non Oblates to conduct educational and religious programs.
It was pointed out that Fr. Emmanual Jesuthasam OMI, who is very much associated with Gnanodhayam, both in setting up the infrastructure as well as in conducting religious classes, was baptized by Fr. Cierpka in Point Pedro. Fr. Jusuthasan will be celebrating Fifty years of his priesthood in December 2014.
l Retreat, in November 2014, the Oblates honored Fr. Andrew Cierpka OMI (1905-1982) and Fr Josef Mathuni OMI (1921-2010). Both of them had been main players in establishing Gnanodhayam. Fr. Cierpka with much foresight had purchased 34 acres of land at Keeri, Mannar, in the name of the Oblates. Subsequently Fr. Mathuni had organized most of the funding for the construction of Gnanodhayam. Today Gnanodhayam serves not only Oblate activities (Pre-novitiate, retreats, meetings, etc.) but is also used by the laity and non Oblates to conduct educational and religious programs.