The Mission Forum meeting was held at our Provincialate on 19th January and most of the members made themselves available to attend it. It began with a prayer led by Fr. P. Felix and words of welcome expressed by Fr. A. Edward, the PCIC of Mission. It was decided that the Fransalian Associates is to be started in all our parishes by the month of April. The Fransalian Sunday is to be celebrated with all earnestness and enthusiasm. It was suggested that the quiz programme in the name of our patron, founder and congregation has to be arranged, which is already done by Fr. D. Sheen and it was appreciated by all. Another suggestion was that the Mermier Mission has to be preached during Lent in all our parishes.
In order to conclude the Year of Mission in a meaningful way, it was decided that a day be set apart. Mission Sangamam was decided to be celebrated on 22nd April by gathering representatives from all our MSFS parishes in order to evaluate the pastoral activities of our confreres and march forward with more vigour and enthusiasm. A core team, comprising Frs. A. Edward, S. Alexander, P. Johnson Jeyabal, S. Soosai Raj, S. Sahaya Wilson and S. Prem, was appointed to organize it.
Frs. A. Edward and M. Maria Francis Britto accepted to translate the Prayer of Glorification of Fr. Mermier into Tamil. Fr. M. Nicholas, the Bursar, gave a few important notes and explained the financial accountability in the parishes. The great contributions rendered by most of our parishes to our flood affected parishes in Chennai was well recognized and warmly congratulated by the Forum. The Vocation Promotion in our parishes was decided to start from 31st January onwards.
There were some proposals that came up for the Year of Mercy. They are: 1. A Prayer Book is to be prepared for the Divine Mercy. 2. Special prayers on Fridays and Confessions could be arranged. 3. Once a month, a confessor could be arranged to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 4. First Fridays and Saturdays could be dedicated for recollection and confessions. 5. Seminars for the BCC leaders and other animators could be arranged during the Year of Mercy.
Before the conclusion of the meeting, Fr. S. Soosai Raj was elected the new convener of the Mission Forum. Rev. Fr. Provincial and the members congratulated him. The meeting ended with a prayer said by our dear Provincial.
Fr. S. Soosai Raj