Dear Confreres,
Fraternal greetings to each one of you in the name of the Lord!
If you do not ask yourself what it is you know, you will go on listening to others and change will not come because you will not hear your own truth – Saint Bartholomew
St. Bartholomew, a doctor in the Jewish law, was a dear friend of St. Philip the Apostle. Because Bartholomew was a man “in whom there was no guile,” his mind was open to the truth. He went willingly with Philip to see Christ, and recognized the Saviour immediately as the Son of God. After having received the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost, Bartholomew evangelized Asia Minor, north western India, and Greater Armenia. In the latter country, while preaching to idolaters, he was arrested and condemned to death.
A SHORT DESCRIPTION ABOUT ST. BARTHOLOMEW
In St. John’s Gospel, Bartholomew is known by the name Nathaniel (the liturgy does not always seem aware of this identity). He hailed from Cana in Galilee, was one of the first disciples called by the Lord. On that initial meeting Jesus uttered the glorious compliment: “Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile!” After the Resurrection he was favored by becoming one of the few apostles who witnessed the appearance of the risen Savior on the sea of Galilee (John 21:2). Following the Ascension he is said to have preached in Greater Armenia and to have been martyred there. While still alive, his skin was torn from his body. The Armenians honor him as the apostle of their nation. Concerning the fate of his relics, the Martyrology says: “His holy body was first taken to the island of Lipari (north of Sicily), then to Benevento, and finally to Rome on an island in the Tiber where it is honored by the faithful with pious devotion.”
The Church of Armenia has a national tradition that St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew visited the Armenians early in the first century and introduced Christianity among the worshippers of the god Ahura Mazda. The new faith spread throughout the land, and in 302 A.D., St. Gregory the Illuminator baptized the king of Armenia, Dertad the Great, along with many of his followers. Since Dertad was probably the first ruler to embrace Christianity for his nation, the Armenians proudly claim they were the first Christian State.
Patron: bookbinders; butchers; cobblers; Forentine cheese merchants; Forentine salt merchants; leather workers; nervous diseases; neurological diseases; plasterers; shoemakers; tanners; trappers; twitching; whiteners; Gambatesa, Italy; Armenia.
Symbols: Flaying or tanner’s knife and book; three vertical flaying or tanner’s knives; human skin; human skin on a cross; devil under his feet; St. Matthew’s Gospel; scimitar; cross;
Often Portrayed As: elderly man holding a tanner’s knife and a human skin; skinless man holding his own skin.
Let us imbibe the spirit of the Apostle St. Bartholomew.
Wishing you all Happy Feast
May God bless you!
FROM THE ADMONITOR, REV. FR. C. SEBASTIN RAJ:
SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF REV. FR. ANTHONY DHARMARAJ, MSFS
THE PROVINCIAL OF SOUTH-EAST INDIA PROVINCE
As our dearest and most loving Provincial, Rev. Fr. A. Dharmaraj, celebrates the Silver Jubilee of his Ordination to Priesthood, we offer him our prayerful wishes and invoke God’s manifold blessings and graces upon him. May the good Lord who has generously called him to His service continue to guide him all throughout his life and may he continue to inspire many more with his exemplary life!
In the name of our province I cordially invite each and every one of you to join the celebration and pray for our dear father.
Dear Fr. A. Dharmaraj, It is with boundless joy and pride that we, the South-East Family of MSFS, wish you Hearty Congratulations on your Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination!
ANNUAL RETREAT – 2016
- Those Attending the Province-Arranged-Retreat: at Poondi Retreat Centre, Trichy, from 18th evening to 24thmorning, September, 2016, animated by Rev. Fr. Joseph, Redeemtorist:
| Fr. Kootinal George | Fr. D. Francis (EA) |
| Fr. A. Dharmaraj | Fr. D. Tharcius |
| Fr. S. Alexander | Fr. P. Felix |
| Fr. A. Lawrence | Fr. A. InnaciMuthu |
| Fr. C. Sebastin Raj | Fr. D. Johnson |
| Fr. K. IgnaciMuthu | Fr. J. Savari Muthu |
| Fr. A. Santhiyagu | Fr. D. Amirtha Raj |
| Fr. J. B. John Thadews | Fr. L. Arul Sundaram |
| Fr. P. Johnson Jeyabal | Fr. A. Christopher |
| Fr. A. Michael | Fr. C. Rajasekar |
| Fr. J. Stephen | Fr. S. Stephen Xavier |
| Fr. M. Sahaya Raj | Fr. A. Charles |
| Fr. S. Amirthanathan | Fr. D. Sheen |
| Fr. N. Arockia Selvan | Fr. L. Sahaya Basker |
| Fr. A. Edward | Fr. M. Benjamin |
| Fr. A. Arul Francis | Fr. S. David Vincent |
| Fr. M. Nicholas | Fr. P. AnanthaRaj |
| Fr. S. Pilavendran | Fr. M. Simon Prabhu |
| Fr. A. Jeya Kumar | Fr. A. Nayaga Seelan |
| Fr. A. Jayaseelan | Fr. S. Santhanam |
| Fr. S. SoosaiRaj | Fr. A. William |
| Fr. S. Sahaya Wilson | Fr. C. Martin Kumar |
| Fr. K. Joseph Xavier | Fr. K. Dominic Savio |
| Fr. L. Jaya Raj | |
- Those Attending the Special Retreat for Priests: at Velankanni Basilica Retreat Centre, Velankanni, from 14th evening 3pm to 18thevening 3pm, November, 2016, animated by Fiat Mission, Kerala:
| Fr. D. Robert | Fr. P. Aloysius |
| Fr. S. Antony (Tony) | Fr. M. Maria F. Britto |
| Fr. X. Vincent | Fr. A. Doss |
| Fr. A. Christu Raj | Fr. G. David |
| Fr. D. Kanikkai | Fr. P. Rex |
| Fr. S.Deivasakayaraj | Fr. S. Prem Kumar |
| Fr. M. John De Britto | Fr. V. Yesuraja |
| Fr. S. A. Christu Raj | Fr. X. George Navin |
| Fr. V. Ferdinand | Fr. A. Edmand |
| Fr. V. Vedharaj | Fr. I. Jone Gragori |
| Fr. S. Britto | Fr. K. Martin Anand |
| Fr. A. Maria Selvan | Fr. I. S. JesuRaj |
| Fr. S. Antony Raj | Fr. A. Yesuraj |
| The Addresses of the Retreat Centres are as follows | |
| Poondi Madha Basilica, Poondi, Thirukattupalli Via, Thanjavur Pin: 613105 Tel: 04362 – 287782, 280422 Email: office@poondimadhabasilica.org |
Velankanni Basilica Retreat Centre Velankanni, Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu 611111 Phone: 04365 263 423 |
CONVENERS & SECRETARIES OF THE APOSTOLIC COMMUNITIES: 2016-2017
- St. John De Britto Apostolic Community, Pudukkottai
Convener : Fr. P. Johnson Jeyabal
Secretary : Fr. P. Anantha Raj
- S.F.S. Apostolic Community, Vaniyambadi
Convener : Fr. S. Pilavendran
Secretary : —–
- St. Mary Apostolic Community, Villupuram
Convener : Fr. D. Robert
Secretary : Fr. A. William Joe Xavier
- Fr. John Bosco Apostolic Community, Virudhunagar
Convener : Fr. N. Arokiaselvam
Secretary : Fr. L. Jaya Raj
- St. Thomas Apostolic Community, Chennai
Convener : Fr. P. Felix
Secretary : Fr. M. Simon Prabhu
I thank the former Conveners and Secretaries of all our Apostolic Communities for their service and co-operation and wish the newly elected Conveners and Secretaries all the best.
CONGRATULATIONS
- Fr. Yves Carron, MSFS is reappointed as the Provincial of Franco-Suisse Province.
- Fr. Tomy Joseph Puliyanampattayil, MSFS is appointed as the Vice Provincial of USA vice Province.
In the name of South-East India Province I congratulate them and wish them best of luck in their ministry as provincial superior and Vice Provincial Superior respectively.
- Fr. S. Amirthanathan, Msfs is elected as one of the councillors of CRI in the diocese of Vellore.
- Fr. V. Yesu Raja, Msfs is elected as CRI Secretary of Trichy Diocese.
In the name of Our Province I congratulate them and wish them best of luck.
NEW CONTACT
Fr. Nicholas, the Provincial Bursar – +91 73395 37903
| NEW ADDRESS | |
| Fr. Vanathaiyan Savarimuthu, Msfs St. Monica’s Catholic Church 545 W. Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Cell No: (269) 277 2670 |
Fr. Patrick Antony, Msfs Ermlandweg 11 D.48159 Münster Telephone Nr. 0251 480809 313 |
ON HOME HOLIDAYS FROM ABROAD
Fr. S. Arul Selvamani (Germany) -From 24thAugust to 15thSeptember, 2016.
Fr. Jayaseela Rajan (Italy) – From 11th August to 12thSeptember, 2016.
Fr. Arockiam (Germany) – From 17th August to 16thSeptember, 2016.
We wish them a good time with their dear and near ones.
LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK
- V. Yesu Raja is admitted for acute back pain in Kerala Ayurveda Hospital, Trichy.
Please pray for his speedy recovery.
LET US PRAY FOR THE DEPARTED
- Fr. Jose Thenganakunnel of North- East Province aged 66, expired on 16th July, 2016.
- Fr. Melchiades Dalgado of Nagpur Province aged 87, expired on 24th July 2016.
- Fr. Alexander Kottam of Vizag Province aged 85, expired on 7th August 2016.
- Packiaraj, uncle of Fr. Jegan (WI) at the age 50, expired on 7th August 2016.
- David, uncle of Fr. A Dharmaraj at the age of 71, expired on 10th August 2016.
May I request those who have not fulfilled the suffrages to do the same at the earliest. (Const. No.118; General Directory No.98)
May their souls rest in peace!
| August | |
| 24th | Apostolic Community Meeting, Pudukkottai |
| 26th | Provincial council meeting, Nagamangalam |
| September | |
| 2nd | Education Forum Meeting, Provincial House |
| 4th | Inauguration of Chapel at Mariapuram. |
| 7th | Visit to Chennai. |
| 9th | Formation Forum Meeting, Provincial House |
| 10th | Silver Jubilee Celebration at Provincialate. |
| 11th- 17th | General Secretary for Mission visits, South-East India Province. |
| 18th-24th | Founder’s day at Provincialate. |
| October | |
| 4th | Friendly Home Inauguration, Vaniyambadi. |
| 6th-8th | Joint Meeting of PIF and General Curia at Vizag. |
| 9th | Visit to Eluru. |
| 10th | Grand Opening of the Generalate (Annex) at Hyderabad. |
| 14th_16th | Fransalian Seminary, Pune |
| 24th | Institute Day: Suvidya College, Bengaluru |
| 26th&27th | Velankanni |
| 29th&30th | Community Hall Inauguration and Feast at RS Nagar, Chennai |
Yours Fraternally in Christ,
Rev. Fr. Anthony Dharmaraj, Msfs
Provincial Superior
SALESIAN QUOTE
“The highest degree of meekness consists in seeing, serving, honoring, and treating amiably, on occasion, those who are not to our taste, and who show themselves unfriendly, ungrateful, and troublesome to us.”