Fransalian Family Animation Center:
This piece of land in St. Thomas Mount was given to us by the then Archbishop of Madras, Most Rev. Dr. Aruldas James in 1996 when Fr.Joseph Britto Francis was the parish priest of Kelambakkam. Later Fr.A. Luckas was appointed to look after the land and build a house for the fathers to stay. The house was blessed by Bishop Aruldas James and was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Mani Panthalani, the Provincial on 14 November 2001.
A formal permission to conduct family animation was obtained from the Diocese on 11 May 2007. The families which participate in the animation, are well pleased with our ministries, because they receive spiritual benefits and guidance. We conduct counselingand inner-healing prayer servicesfor the families during the family animation days.
In order to give spiritual and psychological guidance to the people through print media, we publishedafew issues of Magazine called “Mount Speaks” from 28 June 2008. The initiative was taken by Fr. A. Christuraj the Director, and it was ably supported by Rev. Dr. A. Gabriel. Through the support of the congregation and of the Fransalian family friends, today we have a big open ground to have sessions for 400 people. NowFr. A. Jeyakumar is the director of Fransalian Family Animation Center.
KALAI ULAGAM
Kalai Ulagam is a Fransalian communication center for dance, music and culture. The main aim of Kalai Ulagam is to bring good news through fine arts to every nook and corner of the society. The blessing and inauguration of Kalai Ulagam was held on 10 August 2009 by Rev. Fr. A. Lawrence, the Provincial. Fr.A.Jeyaseelan is the director of Kalai Ulagam. The features of Kalai Ulagam are:
- Conducting classes on dance (Bharata Natyam), music, yoga, art and culture in the Mount as well as in the parishes especially in MSFS parishes.
- The troupe programmes are given based on biblical themes, social awareness, and common ethical themes. These programmes consist of Bharatha Natyam, musical concert, folk dance, mimetic dance and dance-drama, and light and sound show. They are performed in schools, institutions, colleges, parishes, orphanages, convents etc. The List of programmes: The Rising of Love (Infancy Narrative); The Passion Narrative; The Care of love (on Mother Mary)
Fransalian Youth Ministry
The Fransalian youth ministry was operated from this house. Fr.A. Christuraj was the director of Youth Animation. A lot of activities were undertaken in the form of Retreats and seminars for the youth inMSFS parishes, for students of different schools and colleges, for Teachers and for the parents.
Legal Cell Ministry
Law is the order of life. Today everyone in the world needs to know the laws and regulations of the society. Moreover as religious, we need to know more about the legal procedures. Reading the signs of the time, the province has appointed Fr. K. Ignaci Muthu to serve the Tamil Nadu legal cell. He is a practicing lawyer in the Hon’ble High Court of Madras. A lot of legal issues are handled. Our catholic institutions and parishes are benefiting immensely by the service of Fr. K. Ignaci Muthu. Besides his practice and handling case related activities, he gives seminars, lectures and counseling to theologians, priests, religious and the public.
Vision and Mission Statement
We, the Fransalians at St. Thomas Mount, resolve to give Christ to the families through innovative apostolate – a Movement touched by spirit of God, having the motto “evangelized to evangelize”. We help people to live a witnessing life through counseling, inner healing, prayer services and Holy Mass. We encourage people to face challenges in life with faith in God and belief in themselves. Our apostolates of family animation, dance, legal aid and guidance of youth are aimed at a healthy and united family life with nourishing ethical values.
| Rectors of the House | |
| Fr. A. Luckas | 2001-2004 |
| Fr. S. Amirtha Nathan | 2004-2008 |
| Fr. A. Christu Raj | 2008-2009 |
| Fr. C. Sebastian Raj | 2009-2010 |
| Fr. K. Ignaci Muthu | 2010 |
| Address | |
| MSFS House Hill Top, Butt Road 3rd Lane, St. Thomas Mount Chennai – 600 016 Tamil Nadu, S. India Tel: 044 – 22324639 (Superior) – 22324326 (Fr. A. Jeyakumar) – 22312418 (Fr. A. Jeyaseelan) |
PP. Ignacimuthu K, Superior Jeyakumar A Jeyaseelan A Sahaya Jerald Abin S, Studies S. John Victor A, Regent |