My Dear Confreres,
We have celebrated two important festivities on 15.08.2018 – the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary our Mother and the 72 nd Independence Day of our country.
The fest of the Assumption of our Mother Mary is a significant event and has a unique message for us. Mary our Mother accepted God’s call and lived a life worthy of her calling. The feast of the Assumption is an assurance that all those who believe will be rewarded with eternal life. It is also a sign that if we live a life worthy of our calling, we are also assured of same elevated status
and glorified life. The feast calls us to live an exemplary life.
We have also celebrated the 72 nd Independence Day of our country. Independence means liberty, freedom from foreign rule. This day is very important for us citizens, as it is an occasion to salute all those freedom fighters. Freedom did not come by chance. It is the result of a long period of struggles. It is the result of sacrifice of so many freedom fighters. We should not juststop with only celebrating the day. We must work for the progress of the country and preserve the multi-dimensional nature of our country.
As MSFS confreres, we are preparing for the great event of 20 th General Chapter, 2019. As South-east India province, we have also elected our Delegates to the Chapter. Let us continually reflect on the theme of the Chapter “MSFS, Wake up to the Basics” and with firm belief in and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, live by those principles, values and charism of our venerable founder, under the guidance our heavenly Patron St. Francis De Sales and Patroness, Mother of Compassion.
Congregation Matters
The 20th General Chapter 2019
All of us know that the 20 th General Chapter 2019 is to be held from the 1 st of February, 2019 to the 13 th of February, 2019 at Msfs Provincial house, Guwahati, Assam, India. All the preparations are underway. Let us continue to pray for the success of the 20 th General Chapter 2019.
Superior General’s Circular
In his circular dated 01.08.2018 in SG-AB-22, Fr. Abraham Vettuvelil, MSFS, our Superior General brings out the significance of General Chapter in our congregation. Citing our Constitutions and the message of Pope Paul VI, he says “General Chapter of a Religious Congregation is one of the principal means of RENEWAL”. He emphasizes that this renewal “depends on our fidelity to the spiritual heritage of our Congregation, fidelity to our Founder and his vision, and fidelity to our CHARISM”. This charism according to him is “the SOUL OF THE CONGREGATION” and “is the source of its vitality, inspiration, and motivation”.
Citing the call of the Vatican Council II document ‘Perfectae Caritatis’ for the renewal of each religious institute, he states that our upcoming 20 th General Chapter has the theme “MSFS, Wake up to the Basics”,
In his circular, he also observes that there is “an imbalance between our primordial apostolate and our present apostolates …There is an imbalance between the number of confreres engaged in Parish Mission Preaching, Pioneering Overseas Evangelization, and the number of confreres engaged in Education and other apostolates”. He further states that “We cannot hold on to institutionalized apostolates, without a serious regard for fidelity to the charism of the Founder, while all the time declaring that we want something new to happen in our consecrated life or renewal to take place”
In conclusion, he states that our General Chapter is a time of discerning and various factors “compel us to discern how to renew our apostolates and our life in fidelity to our charism”.
(Superior General’s Circular dated 01.08.2018 in SG-AB-22 is already circulated to all of you. Kindly read and reflect)
Province Matters
Delegates to the 20th General Chapter 2019 – Election Results
In accordance with the Constitutions and the General Directory of our Congregation, we are entitled to send three Delegates to the General Chapter, 2019. Accordingly we had two rounds of election. In the first round, no one secured absolute majority as required. Therefore we had the second round of voting. The following is result:
| 1 | Fr. A. Arul Francis | 50 |
| 2 | Fr. J. Stephen | 47 |
| 3 | Fr. D. Kanikkai Nathan | 47 |
| 4 | Fr. S. Joseph Henry | 45 |
| 5 | Fr. A. Luckas | 37 |
| 6 | Fr. M. Rayappan | 35 |
| 7 | Fr. A. Santhiyagu | 16 |
| 8 | Fr. A. Patrick | 06 |
The elected Delegates
| 1 | Fr. A. Arul Francis |
| 2 | Fr. J. Stephen |
| 3 | Fr. D. Kanikkai Nathan |
The Substitute Delegates
| 1 | Fr. S. Joseph Henry |
| 2 | Fr. A. Luckas |
| 3 | Fr. M. Rayappan |
Congratulations for the elected Delegates
Congregational Retreat – 2018
Congregational Retreat is going to be held from 19th evening to 24 th afternoon of August, 2018 at Vidivelli Retreat Centre, Sundampatty Krishnagiri. It is animated by Rev. Fr. Edathumparambil Binu, Msfs: & Fr. Austin Joy, Msfs. The following are the participants:
| 1 | Fr. S. Alexander | 31 | Fr. S. Britto |
| 2 | Fr. A. Lawrence | 32 | Fr. D. Amirtha Rajan |
| 3 | Fr. C. Sebastin Raj | 33 | Fr. A. Christopher |
| 4 | Fr. D. Robert | 34 | Fr. S. Stephen Xavier |
| 5 | Fr. S. Antony (Tony) | 35 | Fr. S. Antony Raj |
| 6 | Fr. A. Arockiam | 36 | Fr. A. Charles |
| 7 | Fr. A. Santhiyagu | 37 | Fr. D. Sheen |
| 8 | Fr. K. Ignaci Muthu | 38 | Fr. M. Benjamin |
| 9 | Fr. P. Johnson Jeyabal | 39 | Fr. S. Prem Kumar |
| 10 | Fr. X. Vincent | 40 | Fr. V. Yesuraja |
| 11 | Fr. Jerry Louis | 41 | Fr. P. Anantha Raj |
| 12 | Fr. A. Michael | 42 | Fr. A. Edmand |
| 13 | Fr. J. Stephen | 43 | Fr. M. Simon Prabhu |
| 14 | Fr. S. Amirthanathan | 44 | Fr. X. George Navin |
| 15 | Fr. A. Christu Raj | 45 | Fr. I. Jone Gragori |
| 16 | Fr. S. Antony (Jr) | 46 | Fr. A. Nayaga Seelan |
| 17 | Fr. A. Jeya Kumar | 47 | Fr. S. Santhanam |
| 18 | Fr. I. S. Jesu Raj | 48 | Fr. A. William Joe Xavier |
| 19 | Fr. S. A. Christu Raj | 49 | Fr. M. Joseph Anish Kumar |
| 20 | Fr. A. Jeyaseelan | 50 | Fr. A. Jerome |
| 21 | Fr. P. Felix | 51 | Fr. D. Jaya Kumar |
| 22 | Fr. S. Sahaya Wilson | 52 | Fr. L. John Peter |
| 23 | Fr. A. Selvaraj | 53 | Fr. S. Ashir Johnson |
| 24 | Fr. K. Joseph Xavier | 54 | Fr. M. John Fernandez |
| 25 | Fr. D. Tharcius | 55 | Fr. J. Packia Sathish Kumar |
| 26 | Fr. A. Innaci Muthu | 56 | Fr. C. Berin |
| 27 | Fr. A. Maria Selvan | 57 | Fr. D. Nelson |
| 28 | Fr. D. Johnson | 58 | Fr. S. Arockia Doss |
| 29 | Fr. H. Ebin Christopher | 59 | Fr. D. Francis |
| 30 | Fr. J. Savarimuthu |
The Forums for 2018 – 2019
Since there were transfers & appointments, there was a need to re-constitute the Forums. As such, the re-constituted Forums for 2018 – 2019 are as follows:
Mission Forum
| Fr. D. Kanikkai Nathan (Councillor in charge) | Fr. A. Christopher |
| Fr. S. Tony | Fr. A. Innacimuthu |
| Fr. D. Robert | Fr. S. Stephen Xavier |
| Fr. C. John Britto | Fr. M. Francis Britto |
| Fr. A. Michael | Fr. Antony Raj (Sr) |
| Fr. A. Arockiam | Fr. V. Yesu Raja |
| Fr. P. Johnson Jeyabal | Fr. C. Martin Kumar |
| Fr. J. Stephen | Fr. A. William |
| Fr. M. Sahaya Raj | Fr. S. Arockiam |
| Fr. M. John De Britto | Fr. S. Ashir Johnson |
| Fr. X. Vincent | Fr. L. John Peter |
| Fr. I. S. Jesu Raj | Fr. A. Jerome |
| Fr. P. Felix | Fr. M. Anish Kumar |
| Fr. S. Sahaya Wilson | Fr. M. John Fernandez |
| Fr. D. Tharcius |
Education Forum
| Fr. J.B. John Thadews (Councillor in charge) | Fr. P. Johnson Jeyabal |
| Fr. George Kootinal | Fr. D. Johnson |
| Fr. A. Lawrence | Fr. D. Amirtharajan |
| Fr. S. Jerry Louis | Fr. C. John Britto |
| Fr. A. Michael | Fr. S. Britto |
| Fr. J. Stephen | Fr. S. Jerald Sahaya Abin |
| Fr. A. Arul Francis | Fr. M. Simon Prabhu |
| Fr. M. Nicholas | Fr. X. George Navin |
| Fr. J. Savarimuthu |
Formation Forum
| Fr. A. Santhiyagu (Councillor in charge) | Fr. Prem Kumar |
| Fr. D. Kanikkai | Fr. A. Nayaga Seelan |
| Fr. Maria Selvam | Fr. A. Yesu Raj |
| Fr. Ebin | Fr. D. Jaya Kumar |
| Fr. D. Sheen | Fr. S. Antony Raj(Jr) |
Innovative M. Forum
| Fr. D. Amirtharajan (Councillor in charge) | Fr. S. David Vincent |
| Fr. C. Sebastin Raj | Fr. X. George Navin |
| Fr. S. Alexander | Fr. S. Santhanam |
| Fr. A. Christu Raj | Fr. K. Dominic Savio |
| Fr. A. Santhiyagu | Fr. K. Joseph Xavier |
| Fr. A. Jeyaseelan | Fr. A. Doss |
| Fr. A. Jeya Kumar | Fr. A. Jeganathan |
| Fr. S. A. Christu Raj | Fr. P. Rex |
| Fr. A. Selvaraj | Fr. I. Jone Gragori |
| Fr. M. Benjamin |
Stewardship Forum
| Fr. M. Nicholas (Convener) | Fr. X. George Navin |
| Fr. S. Amirthanathan | Fr. K. Martin Anand |
| Fr. A. Jeyaseelan | Fr. A. Franklin |
| Fr. P. Johnson Jeyabal | Fr. A. Nayaga Seelan |
| Fr. S. Antony (Jr) | Fr. S. Santhanam |
| Fr. A. Maria Selvan | Fr. L. Jaya Raj |
| Fr. A. Charles M Raj | Fr. K. Dominic Savio |
| Fr. M. Benjamin |
Superiors Forum
| Fr. C. Sebastin Raj (Convener) | Fr. A. Arul Francis |
| Fr. A. Lawrence | Fr. J.B. John Thadews |
| Fr. S. Jerry Louis | Fr. D. John De Britto |
| Fr. S. Tony | Fr. D. Amirtha Rajan |
| Fr. D. Robert | Fr. A. Jeya Kumar |
| Fr. J. Stephen | Fr. A. Selvaraj |
| Fr. M. Nicholas | Fr. K. Dominic Savio |
Justice & Peace Forum
| Fr. C. Sebastin Raj (Convener) |
| Fr. K. George |
| Fr. A. Arul Francis |
| Fr. A. Jeyakumar |
| Fr. J.B. John Thadews |
| Fr. S. Abin |
Superiors’ Forum Meeting
The meeting of superior’s forum began with invoking of God’s blessings by Fr. A. Arockiam at 9:15 am in MSFS Provincialate at Kunnathur, Trichy. At the outset, Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu the provincial requested the forum to elect a convener and a secretary. Fr. C. Sebastin Raj was elected as convener and Fr. K. Dominic Savio was elected as secretary. The main theme of the discussion was about community life. It was decided that 24 th October 2018 is to be celebrated as Community day. It is to be celebrated in all the local communities of our province. All the fathers who attended the meeting shared about the situations of their own communities and put forward many Suggestions to revitalize and to re-energize the local communities.
The Superiors’ forum unanimously resolved to do the following with utmost sincerity and dedication:
- To set a time table for the community and to follow it strictly without fail
- To being faithful to all the spiritual activities of the community
- To pray every day for all the conferrers
- To have monthly recollection without fail
- To visit the family members of every conferrer in the community
- To read from the life of our Patron and Founder before the meals
- To pray for the conferrers, who celebrate birthday, ordination day and feast day
- To read the obituary everyday and pray for the departed confreres without fail
- To maintain visitors book
- To maintain Chronicles
- To have monthly community meeting without fail and send a copy of the minutes to the
provincial
Since some confreres are living alone in parishes, it is decided to group them with nearby communities to meaningfully celebrate the community day. The following are the groups:
- Kadayal, Nalattinputhur and Othaiyal
- Virudhunagar community and Fr. S. Arockiam, Fr. M. Anish and Fr. A. Jerome
- Ammapatty and Sendurai communities.
- SFS Minor seminary and Thirukogarnam Parish
- SFS School Pudukkottai, Kanakanpatty and Ravoosapatty parishes
- SFS ITI, Nachiarkoil and Mayoraz children’s Home
- Provincialate and Fr. M. Fernandez
- SFS School, Alangayam, Friendly Home, Vaniyambadi SFS School and Vaniyambadi Parish
- Kolli Hills, Dharmapuri, Mariapuram and Fr. C. Martin Kumar
- Perumbakkam, Kodungal, Adanur, and Kanankadu
- Kelambakkam, Perungozhi and R.S. Nagar
- St.Thomas Mount and Fr. A. William
The forum has decided to set apart a full day to celebrate the community day either on 24th October, 2018 or any other day that is convenient. The meeting was very fruitful and encouraging. The meeting came to an end with a prayer.
Fr. K. Dominic Savio
The Core Committees’ Meeting
The core committees’ members of the respective forum were gathered at 11:30 am on 28th July 2018 for the meeting at MSFS Provincialate at Kunnathur, Trichy. The meeting began with the prayer of invocation of God’s blessings and graces. At the beginning of the meeting, Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, the Provincial addressed the gathering, initiated the discussion and highlighted the purpose of the gathering. The main purpose of the gathering was to discuss the bifurcation of the existing society.
The following were the points that were discussed:
- Why is the division?
- Is there a possibility for the division?
- What are the pros and cons of the division?
- If at all we decide for the division of the society, how many more societies are we going to create?
- What are the modes of the operating system?
After having spent sufficient time for the discussion and reflection, the gathering recommended for the division of the existing society. The meeting came to an end with the prayer of thanksgiving.
Canonical Visitation – SFS School and the Community, Nalattinputhur
On 9th August, 2018, Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu the provincial made his canonical visitation in Nalattinputhur community. He arrived here about 8 ‘O’ clock in the morning. After spending some time with the community, he came to S.F.S school, and there he was given a warm welcome by the fathers, school staff and students. Fr. Provincial addressed the students and staff with his valuable message. He also gave a few tips to have and grow in the quality of life as students and as teachers. He spent some time in the school visiting and interacting with conferrers. Later Fr. Provincial met the fathers and had a community meeting at the presbytery. In the meeting, all shared their experiences, thoughts, views and suggestions. The provincial emphasized the importance of having a time table, regular common spiritual activities, common meals and community living. We had lunch together. After spending some time, we had tea at 4 pm. Fr. D. Amirtharajan the superior of the house thanked Fr. Provincial for his visit.
Fr. A. Maria John Franklin
Canonical Visitation of Community at Virudhunagar
On 09.08.2018 evening Fr. Provincial came to Virudhunagar for the canonical visit. We welcomed him with immense joy. As one Fransalian family, we sat together for the community meeting and talked about growth and development of our ministry over here. On the following day for about an hour, we had adoration in the church. Around 9.30 am, our SFS School welcomed Fr. Provincial with a parade and traditional dance. During the assembly, Fr. Provincial encouraged the children and insisted upon four valuable things: 1. Prayer. 2. Discipline 3. Respect for the elders and 4. Study. And thereafter, he also met teaching faculty and in the
meeting teachers shared their experiences and in return Fr. Provincial encouraged the teachers. It was a great experience.
Fr. L. Jaya Raj
Flood in Kerala
All of us are well aware of the devastating flood in Kerala. It has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. It has also destroyed livestock and inundated properties. Houses are destroyed. Roads are washed way. Landslide is adding to the misery. Lakhs of people are affected. The situation is a catastrophic and continues to remain worsened.
We cannot remain as a mute spectator. Along with our prayers, we need to come to aid of the flood victims – brothers and sisters. I appeal to all our institutions and centres to help the floodvictims in Kerala. Kindly contact South-West India province and our fathers working in Kerala for details.
New Addresses
- Fr. Anthony Dharmaraj
St John the Baptist Catholic Church
P.O. Box 7, 1024 Hwy 1207
Deville, LA 71328-0007
Phone: 318.466.5587
Mobile: 318.319.7321 - Fr. N. Arokiaselvam,
198 James Blvd
Signal Mountain
Tennessee 37377. USA
Cell no: 001-423-244-5275 - Fr. G. Sebastin
Rangeerstraat 1
7331 AH Apeldoorn
Nederland.
Month of August
Birthdays of Our Confreres
| Fr. Kootinal George | 02 |
| Fr. D. Nelson Arockia Samy | 02 |
| Fr. M. Simon Prabhu | 06 |
| Fr. K. Dominic Savio | 07 |
| Fr. A. Jeyakumar | 14 |
| Fr. B. Francis Xavier | 14 |
| Fr. G. Sebastin | 17 |
| Fr. G. Arockia Samy | 18 |
| Fr. A. Antony Christopher | 20 |
| Fr. S. Sahaya Wilson | 23 |
| Fr. A. Chinnasamy Yesuraj | 24 |
| Fr. L. Jaya Raj | 24 |
| Fr. S. Joseph Xavier | 27 |
We wish them Happy Birthday and God’s Abundant Blessings upon them
Ordination Anniversary of Our Confreres
| Fr. A. Lawrence | 12 |
| Fr. C. Sebastin Raj | 25 |
We congratulate and pray for them
Let Us Remember and Pray For the Dead
Msfs Obituary – August
| 01 | Fr. Cecil Cutlack |
| Fr. Alphonse Bosson | |
| Fr. Adrien Duval | |
| Fr. Patrick Waldron | |
| 02 | Bro. Louis Evraz |
| Fr. Joseph Tissot | |
| Mgr. Ignatius Gopu | |
| 04 | Fr. Henri Mudry |
| Fr. Bernard Carron | |
| Fr. Marius Vagnat | |
| Fr. James Gamble | |
| Fr. Joseph Vulliz | |
| 07 | Fr. Santana Pereira |
| 09 | Fr. Thomas Marian |
| 10 | Fr. Carlo C. Fernandes |
| 11 | Fr. Basil Harrison |
| 12 | Fr. Chacko Varapadavil |
| 13 | Fr. Maurice Monnard |
| 15 | Bro. Corbinian Neumaier |
| 16 | Bro. Jean Marie Raphoz |
| Fr. Laurent Mugnier | |
| Bro. Bernard Vaz | |
| 17 | Fr. Oliver Moix |
| 18 | Fr. Ambroise Allard |
| Fr. Paul Kizhakeparambil | |
| 20 | Fr. Alphonse Menthon |
| 21 | Fr. John Charles Lord |
| Fr. George Vayalil | |
| 22 | Fr. Aime Trosset |
| Fr. Petrus Descombes | |
| 23 | Bro. Joseph Depollier |
| 25 | Fr. Joseph Bansode |
| Fr. Henri Rime | |
| Fr. Joseph Oravanamthadam | |
| 26 | Mgr. Louis Francis Gayet |
| 27 | Bro. Joseph Leduc |
| 28 | Fr. Pierre Mollier |
| 29 | Bro. Hubert Guebey |
| 30 | Fr. Michel Ticon |
| Fr. Henri Bourquin | |
| 31 | Bro. Francois Ruffier |
Let Us Continue to Pray for the Deceased Members of Our Congregation
My Programme
August 2018
| 19 th – 24 th | Congregational Retreat, Vidivelli, Krishnagiri. |
| 25 th – 28 th | Peace & Justice Training Seminar, Msfs Provincialate, Trichy. |
| 27th | Farewell Mass to all those who are going to Malawi mission. |
September 2018
| 2 nd | Canonical visitation, Mary Help of Christians Church, Vaniyambadi |
| 3 rd | Canonical visitation, SFS School, Vaniyambadi |
| 4th | Canonical visitation, SFS School, Alangayam |
| 9 th – 14 th | PIF, Provincial of East Africa, USA Vice Province & General Curia -Meeting, Hyderabad |
| 15 th | Canonical visitation, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai |
| 16 th | Canonical visitation, St. Joseph’s church, Perungozhi |
| 23 rd | Canonical visitation, Our Lady of Fathima Church, Kodungal. |
| 30 th | Canonical visitation, Christ the Redeemer Church, Kelambakkam |
Yours Fraternally in Christ,
Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, Msfs
Provincial Superior
THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
1.Bible Quote
“ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me
with all your heart”.
– Jeremiah 29:11-13
2. Salesian Thought
“Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections”.
-Saint Francis de Sales
3. Straight from the heart of fr. Peter Marie Mermier
“Instead of being awaited and longed for, the newcomers are to be received with a kind of embarrassment and, as we say, for what they are worth.”
-Letter from Monsieur Mermier to Bishop Rendu, 15 th August 1854, Notebooks. AMM.
4. A Thought From Great Poet Thiruvalluvar
Thirukkural :
தானம் தவமிரண்டும் தங்கா வியனுலகம்
வானம் வழங்கா தெனின்
விளக்கம் : இப்பேருலகில் மழை பொய்த்து விடுமானால் அது, பிறர் பொருட்டுச் செய்யும் தானத்திற்கும், தன்பொருட்டு மேற்கொள்ளும் நோன்புக்கும் தடங்கலாகும்.
Couplet : If heaven its watery treasures ceases to dispense,Through the wide world cease gifts, and deeds of ‘penitence’
Explanation : If rain fall not, penance and alms-deeds will not dwell within this spacious world
Transliteration :
Thaanam Thavamirantum Thangaa Viyanulakam
Vaanam Vazhangaa Thenin