Dr. Jose Cletus Plackal CMI
Acharya Thomas Palackal was one of the three founders of the CMI religious congregation. Fr. Thomas Porookkara and St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara were the other two founders. All of them were quite learned and very spiritual priests in the Malabar church. Fr Palackal ran a gurukulam-like seminary in which St Kuriakose Chavara was a member, from his childhood. Malpan (Teacher) Palackal acted as mentor and teacher to St Elias Chavara. He imparted his vision and mission to young Kuriakose Chavara and he faithfully imbibed the spirit of his Guru, Fr. Thomas Palackal, and imparted this spirit to his confreres and contemporaries resulting in amazing changes in the socio-religious life of the Christians in Malabar and renewal of their life. Thus the Acharya — the revered master teacher — Thomas Palackal who initiated pioneering spiritual renewal work in the Malabar church became a source of inspiration for a new institution in his name in Aluva.
From its very inception, Acharya Palackal Jeevass Kendram has been paying attention to continue the works of this pioneer reformer of Kerala church. The founder Director Rev. Dr. Mathias Mundadan himself an eminent scholar in Church history, took pains to transform this centre to be an animation platform for socio-religious renewal. Upholding the pioneering works of the Acharya, Dr. Mathias paid attention to make this centre to be one of learning and leadership in matters that affected the Christian way of life. So many programs were conducted for this purpose and a well equipped library was set up.
At present, after undergoing some substantial structural and other changes, Jeevass is still committed to the pioneering ideals enshrined in the initial vision and mission. Over the years, based on the practical experience of running such an institution, we have brought in some course correction for the viable running of this institution. We will make use of the cyber space for more effective outreach and depth. The new website is ready and on (www.jeevasskendram.org) and new events will be posted on the website. This new platform will enable us to interact with more people, far and wide. We will keep up the monthly programs and the annual events, and their records will be uploaded on the website duly. More focus will be paid to selecting and grooming young talents both in academic and non academic realms. Gems of Jeevass is a move in this direction. This program has already been launched. The purpose of this program is to select talented students who are facing great challenges and support and motivate them by accompanying them (and their families) all along their educational journey. This program is supported and sustained by Jeevass Institute for Family and Sahrudaya Rajagiri.
The Advisory Board of Jeevass Kendram is very active and involved in the planning and execution of its events and programs. There is a group of participants who are fairly regular in attending the events of Jeevass. The next important event is a global essay competition on the role of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara in the Renaissance of Kerala. The details are given on the website.