Dear Confreres,
Greetings of peace and love! The month of August is very festive period for all of us, as we will be celebrating the feast of Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary on 15th of August, 2020 . It is all the more important period for us Indians, as we will be celebrating our Independence Day on 15th of August, 2020. In the Indian context, both celebrations signify a passage from lesser state to higher state. By her Assumption, Mary passed from the lesser human life to blissful heavenly life by living a life worthy of her calling.
In the same way, on 15th of August, 1947, the Indians both as individuals and as a country passed from bondage to freedom by the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. As such, both imply a passage from something lesser to higher state of life and existence. Both of them also imply that before passing to higher state of life, we needed to go through struggles in life.
However these festivities seem to be very sober and subdued this year. The world today is undergoing an unexpected and unforeseen event, threatening its very existence, due to Covid-19. All our might, power, knowledge, wisdom, discoveries, development, technology, nuclear arsenal etc seem nothing before Covid – 19. Even after several months, the world is struggling to contain it, leave alone eradicating it. An unseen tiniest virus is able to infiltrate every country, language, culture, religion, environment, political systems, social norms, family values, personal freedom etc without any discrimination, wrecking havoc everywhere, as it spreads. The so called cure system is nowhere in sight till today.
At this time of crisis, the feast of Assumption of Mary and the Independence day give us hope and optimism that as Mary our Mother passed through from human life to heavenly bliss and as India passed through from bondage to freedom, the world and the humanity also will pass through this Covid-19 successfully and come out victories, with life full of vitality, happiness and growth. Let us pray to God through the intercession of Mother of Compassion, our Patroness, St.Francis De Sales our Patron and Fr.Peter Mermier, our venerable Founder that God will heal and protect the world and the humanity from this deadly virus.
1. Intention of the Superior General for the Month of August, 2020
The intention of Superior General is “That following the spirituality of the heart, after the example of St. Francis de Sales, every MSFS confrere be a compassionate missionary with a genuine and sincere love for the people, we pray to the Lord! Lord graciously hear us.”
Let us every day during our prayer, remember and pray for the intention of the Superior General.
2. Preparation for the Extra Ordinary General Chapter 2021
As part of the preparation for the forthcoming Extraordinary General Chapter 2021, all the communities have reflected and discussed issues relating to JURIDICAL CONCERNS as directed in the draft document by the Expert Committee. After reports were collected from the communities, they were entrusted to a committee for collation. A group of three of our fathers namely, Fr. C. Sebastian Robert, Fr. S. Soosai Raj and Fr. D. Jayakumar (Jr) collated all the reports. After collation, the report was sent to the Expert Committee. I thank our fathers for their dedication and commitment for meticulously collating the reports. I also thank all our communities for your valuable suggestion for the General chapter, 2021.
3. DeSIFMA: De Sales International Film and Media Academy
DeSIFMA is a unique international institution for media studies, established by our Congregation, under the General’s Administration. It is situated in our province at the heart of South India’s most dynamic film city of Madras. It is founded on a path breaking education scheme, designed by the renowned media experts and distinguished film personalities. The DeSIFMA research team offers systematically structured courses that enable the students to excel in various fundamentals of media and film production within a short time. It is a specialized place, where one can pick a career in Script Writing, Direction, Cinematography, Editing and Post Production. It gives you not only the necessary theoretical knowledge, but also imparts very grass root level practical training.
DESIFMA is committed to its mission and offers –ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND – opportunity to its students. It means DeSIFMA will produce a full pledged FEATURE FILM For every batch, offering immense prospects to every individual student. At DeSIFMA, the facilities include the industry-standard technology and equipments. The state of the art facilities ensure that the students have the best possible environment for practice-based learning.
Fr. Shaibu M Ezhanikatt MSFS , Administrator of DeSIFMA
4. Blessing – Parish Church and Priest’s Residence, St. Augustine of Hippo Parish, Kameme, Malawi.
The 14th June, 2020, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ was a memorable day for the MSFS Malawi Mission and the faithful of St. Augustine of Hippo Parish, Kameme, because a new church and a temporary priests’ house were blessed. St.Augustine of Hippo Parish, Kameme was bifurcated from St. Michael’s Parish, Chitipa. St. ugustine of Hippo Parish is entrusted to the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales with effect from 1st of May, 2020. The people of Kameme started the construction of the present church with their own initiative and efforts in the year 2010. But the construction was halted due to financial difficulties. Fr.C. Berin, the parish priest after taking charge, organized the people and got some local sponsors to complete the church construction. On 14th June, 2020, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka, the Bishop of Karonga Diocese consecrated the new church and blessed the temporary Priests’ house.
He also officially announced to the people that Fr.C. Berin Msfs will be their parish priest and it is no more a sub-parish, but rather a full-fledged parish. He also announced that Fr. D.Nelon Arockia Samy Msfs will be joining this parish very soon. Thereafter the Holy Mass was celebrated, presided over by the Bishop. At the end of the mass, the Bishop conducted benediction and blessed the people. The Bishop was very happy to entrust this parish to our Congregation and recognized our MSFS confreres. The function came to an end with the fellowship meal with the Bishop and the Village Chiefs.
We also thank all the confreres in Malawi for supporting us in all the way possible and all the people, who contributed for the completion of the parish church. We appreciate and thank Fr. C. Berin, the First Parish Priest for his dedication, Committment and Service, that he is rendering to the New Parish. We also thank our Provincial Administration for their constant support.
Fr. D. Nelon Arockia Samy MSFS
5. Ordination
It was indeed a remarkable event that is registered in the record of South-East India Province and Nagpur Province, as five of our deacons, namely Dns. Arul Justin, Jeni Vimal Naveen, Michael Raja, Desas (our Province) and Santhosh Kumar (Nagpur Province), were ordained as priests on 30.06.2020 by the Bishop of Sivagangai, Rt. Rev. Susai Manickam.
It was the first group ordination to be held at our Provincial house in Nagamangalam. “Here I am: I delight to do your will, O my God” (Ps 40: 7 -8) was the motto, chosen by the deacons, towards which, the entire ceremony was animated systematically in a meaningful manner. Though we are in the pandemic situation, the provincial and his administration have taken a daring step to make it possible the long awaited dream of the deacons’ ordination. Considering the lock down all around and the seriousness of the pandemic situation, the event was organized with minimum invitees both from our MSFS family and also from the deacons’ families.
Soon after the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration, the newly ordained priests were felicitated, and on behalf of the new priests, Fr. Arul Justin thanked the Bishop, the Provincial, all the fathers, family members, especially the Provincial house community for the meticulous planning in organizing the whole event. Rev. Fr. K. Ignaci Muthu, the Provincial congratulated the newly ordained priests for their whole hearted willingness to be priests forever, especially in the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. At the end, there was a delicious fellowship meal.
Fr. J. Michael Raja MSFS
6. Perpetual Profession, Tejas, Bangalore
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Rom 8: 35). It was again another display of God’s love to MSFS family. It was a blissful and gracious occasion for Tejas community as eight of the brothers professed their final vows to God with the theme “To Live Jesus as Fransalian Forever” on 28th of April, 2020, in the presence of limited faithful due to covid-19.
Rev. Fr. Benny koottanal, the Provincial Superior of the South-West Province presided over the Holy Eucharist and received their vows in the presence of Fr. Riju and Fr. Jacob Parapally as official witnesses.
We, the family of South-East India Province, have more joy as three of our brothers namely, Bro. Anbu Stalin, Bro. Eugene Earnest Raj and Bro. Mahimai Arokia Raj made their final commitment through profession of Evangelical Councils, boldly trusting in the providence of the God. Along with them, some of our brothers also renewed their vows on the same day. We congratulate all of them for their bold step to be a witness to God’s love and pray for God’s choicest blessings.
Dn. K. Nirmal Kumar MSFS
7. Perpetual Profession, Eluru
The 6th of June, 2020 was a very memorable day for MSFS study house, Janampet, as 13 of our brothers made their Final Commitment. It was indeed joyful occasion for our Province, as two of our brothers namely, Bro. Britto Clinton Msfs & Bro. S. Maria Arockiam Msfs, made their Final Commitment. Holy Eucharistic Celebration began at 9:30 AM, presided over by Rev.Fr. Chinnappa Reddy, the Provincial Superior of Visakhapatnam, who received the vows and welcomed them into the Congregation as permanent members, in the presence of Rev. Fr. Sesetti Mariadas Msfs, the Provincial Councilor, Visakhapatnam Province and the Rector and the staff.
We thank God Almighty for the blessings and graces upon each one of us. We take this opportunity to thank Rev. Fr. Ignacimuthu, our Provincial Superior and the Councilors for their prayerful support.
Bro. P. Aspel Kishok MSFS
8. Renewal of Vows
This year Thirty one (31) of our brothers renewed their vows. Due to Covid-19, they could not come together for their renewal. The renewal of Vows took place in diffrent places in Seminaries, Parishes, Centers and Mission stations. Even during this time of crisis, all the brothers took lot of efforts to reach the nearby places for their renewal of Vows.
Congratulations to the brothers for their renewal of vows and to all the fathers in different centers for their cooperation and support.
9. Initiation to Novitiate
It was a joyful day for the community at Thedal Institute of Spirituality, as fourteen of our brothers were initiated into the Novitiate program. The Postulants reached Thedal on June 19th , 2020, and began their retreat for five days, animated by Fr.S. Soosai Raj. The initiation ceremony took place on June 25th, 2020 at 6:30 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Our provincial Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, Msfs officiated the ceremony and a few of our fathers joined, namely, Fr. K. Joseph Xavier, Fr. Sagaya Wilson, Fr. A. Michael, Fr. M. John Fernandez and Fr. A. Santhiyagu. The sisters of St. Aloysius from Ammapatti parish also joined us. During his homily, Fr. Provincial highlighted the importance of the Novitiate program and the need for spiritual discernment and he officially initiated them into the Novitiate. After the program, Fr. Provincial entrusted the Novices to Fr. A. Santhiyagu, the Director of Novices. It was a beautiful day of spiritual blessings and the Novices were very happy to begin their Novitiate program at Thedal.
Fr. A. Santhiyagu MSFS, Director of Novices, Thedal
10. Fr.A.Edward – Welcome back to the Province
It is to inform all the confreres, that Fr. A. Edward, who was affiliated to the English Province, has completed his assignment in English Province. He has come back to the Province. Fr. Superior General has approved. As he has come back to the Province, he has both active and passive voice in the Province with effect from 14th of May, 2020. We welcome him back and wish him all the best.
11. Appointments
| 1 | Fr. D. Britto, Assistant Parish Priest | Sacred Heart Church, Kadayal |
| 2 | Fr. S. Anantha Prabu, Assistant Parish Priest | Christ the Redeemer Church, Kelambakkam |
| 3 | Fr. S. Desas, On the staff | ITI & Press, Pudukkottai |
| 4 | Fr. A. Motcha Richard, Assistant Parish Priest | Designated to the Diocese of Sivagangai |
| 5 | Fr. J. Arul Justin, Assistant Parish Priest | Designated to the Archdiocese of Madurai |
| 6 | Fr. J. Michael Raj, Assistant Parish Priest | Designated to the Archdiocese of Madurai |
| 7 | Fr. J. Jeni Vimal Naveen, Assistant Parish Priest | Designated to the Diocese of Dharmapuri |
| 8 | Fr. S. Packia Sathish Kumar, Assistant Parish Priest | St. Antony’s Church, Ammapatti |
| 9 | Fr. K. Joseph Xavier | Director, MDO |
12. SFS Schools – 12th STD Result for Academic Year 2019-2020
| S.N | Name of the School | Students Appeared | Students Passed | Pass Percentage | First Mark |
| 1 | SFS School, Pudukottai | 161 | 161 | 100% | 573 |
| 2 | SFS,School, Vaniyambadi | 78 | 78 | 100% | 556 |
| 3 | SFS School, Viruthunagar | 78 | 78 | 100% | 551 |
| 4 | SFS School Alangayam | 70 | 70 | 100% | 498 |
On behalf of the province family, I congratulate all the Principals, Correspondents, Procurators and other fathers for their commitment and hard work for the excellent result. I also congratulate and thank the staff for their hard work in preparing the students well for the exams and their hard work has borne fruit. I also congratulate the students for their performance and the parents for their cooperation.
13. SFS Public School Affiliated
‘What is earned with hardest labour is eaten with the sweetest taste and pleasure’
It had been a long standing and a fondly cherished dream of the Province to have a CBSE school. As a small step for a big leap, it was started at the Provincialate in 2015 with two teachers and an effective principal. In August 2018, the certificate of No Objection and Recognition, a sine quo non for affiliation to the CBSE, was obtained from the government of Tamilnadu. In March 2019, the application for affiliation was sent to the CBSE board. After the careful perusal of the application, an Inspection Committee was constituted in August 2019 and the inspection took place in October 2019. After fulfilling a few ineludible queries, the affiliation was obtained in June 2020 and the affiliation number is 1931132 with the school code 56036. Being grateful to God for the humongous Providence, a raison d’être for the process, I do thank all the fathers, who beat the brain for the genesis of a CBSE school, greased the elbows for the building structure, ran through rain and shine in getting the files ready for the recognition and NOC, rubbed shoulders with me for the past two years in the school and who helped, accompanied and advised in the tedious process of getting the affiliation for the school. With dei gratia a big thanks to all because not able to come to you in propria persona.
Fr. S. Sahaya Jerald Abin MSFS
14. Fr.A.Patrick Jayaraj – Completion of the Doctoral studies
Fr.A.Patrick Jayaraj has completed his Doctoral studies on the theme “A Synchronic and Diachronic Analysis of 2 Kings 11” in the Old Testament, along with two days of Rigorosum (viva) in three different disciplines of Theology on 08th and 09th of July, 2020. We thank him for his dedication and commitment to complete the Doctoral Programme successfully. On behalf of the province family, I place on record my congratulations and appreciation to him.
15. Corona Rehabilitation Works done by the South-East India Province
The world is facing a very unprecedented problem due to COVID-19. The unfortunate spread of the pandemic Covid-19 has left the entire humanity in fear and helplessness. Millions of people all over the world are affected andlakhs of people died. India is very seriously affected. It has left all to self-isolation. Apart from the virus affected people and their relatives, entire nation is in distress. Economic recession is in the highest,unemployment increased due to lock down, manufacturing activity is in standstill. Even we cannot go to churches for worship. The respective state governments have imposed lockdown ensuring physical and social distance. The medical authorities are working overtime to save precious human lives. It is a huge challenge containing the spread of virus further.
Response of the South-East India Province during Covid -19
The response of South-East India Province to this Pandemic disease is threefold – relief works, animation &
Counseling and Social Awareness programme.
Relief works
The prolonged lockdown has left the poor and vulnerable people of the society really struggling for daily food and needs. The province through our Tamilnadu &Pondicherry Fransalian Society has taken up initiatives towards providing basic necessities to the poor during this period. After having obtained due permission from the government authorities, we have taken up the following places for providing the basic sustenance and medical necessities – (Bharthi Nagar, Indhira Nagar, Kuravar Colony, KulathurTaluk, (Differentlyable, Transgender,slums) Adappakaran Chatiram, Annamaalpuram, Mailapatty, Sellukudi, KanakkanPattty, Sendurai, Ammapatty, Viruthunagar, Othaya, NallatinPuthur, Kadayal, NachiyarKovil, Athanur, R.SNagar, Kelampakkam,Perungoli, Kodungal, Mariyapuram, Vaniyampadi, Kollihills,Rausapatty,Kanagadu, Kodungal, families including our domestic co-workers, migrants,Sri Lankan refugee camp at LeenaVilaku, Kunnathur, Nagamangalam, Yagapaudaiyanpatty, Alampatty,and also good number of families received multiple times of help. Around 7250 families have been helped with the following items: Rice, Bread, Sanitizers, soaps, Groceries, Vegetables, and face protective masks. As the situation escalates, it will be further monitored and supported by the society if the situation demands. Our Province had done this through the efforts and contribution of confreres, dioceses and agencies.
Animation & Counseling during Covid-19
The COVID-19 virus is not only attacking our physical health; it is also increasing psychological suffering. (Grief at the loss of loved ones…Shock at the loss of jobs…Isolation and restrictions on movement…Difficult family dynamics…Uncertainty and fear for the future…) Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, are some of the greatest causes of misery in our world. From our province a counseling team was constituted to avail their expertise knowledge to provide counseling during this crisis period.Frs. H. Ebin Christopher and A. Yesu Raj have made available themselves to impart their counseling techniques through online to anyone, who is in dire need. Our confreres have contributed their expertise counseling knowledge to people from various parts of our country.
Social Awareness programme
We have conducted social awareness programs on the impact of the corona pandemic and the need to safeguard
themselves. Awareness was given by oral instructions and leaflets about social distancing, frequent hand washing and the method of using the face masks. Need for self-isolation was stressed strongly. The youth of these villages were motivated towards safety, public hygiene and social welfare of the common people. We are happy to note that the youth of these villages volunteered in organizing these events and promised further to keep up the above said measures. The herbal medicine called ‘kabasara Kashayam’ was provided for all the people.
Covid-19 Relief Works Account – April 2020 to July 2020
| S.N | Particulars | Amount |
| 1 | Contribution by Province | 16,00,000 |
| 2 | Contribution from the Diocese of Fulda, Germany | 13,75,000 |
| 3 | Fr. A. Motcha Richard, Assistant Parish Priest | 4,11,814 |
| 4 | Contribution through Fr. Kanikainathan | 1,30,446 |
| 5 | Contribution through Fr. S. Joseph | 1,10,154 |
| 6 | Contribution by Fr. A. John Peter (US) | 1,00,000 |
| 7 | Contribution by Fransalian Centre for Education and Development Society, Chattiram | 1,00,000 |
| TOTAL | 38,27,414 |
Apart from our Province’ initiatives, the Holy Cross Sisters from Trichy collaborated with our community at Nagamangalam, during this challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fr.Sahaya Jerald Abin contacted Holy Cross Sisters to help the needy and the deserving in and around Nagamangalam surroundings. The Holy Cross Sisters from Trichy have supported 720 families with food kits worth of Rs.7.5 lakhs. The sisters also visited the places and distributed the relief materials. On behalf of the province family, I place on record our appreciation and thanks to the Holy Cross sisters for their generous help and contribution during this crisis period.
I sincerely thank and appreciate the efforts taken by Fr.G.David. He put in a lot of hard work. He contacted our parishes and also the dioceses, prepared projects and sent it to his known people and agencies. It was a very great help for the affected parishes and the families. Big thanks to him. I am very grateful Fr.Kanikkainathan, Fr. S. Joseph and Fr. A. John Peter for motivating people and their friends and for the help they have rendered to us at this time of crisis. I sincerely thank them for their contributions for the affected families. I also appreciate and thank Fr.Sahaya Jerald Abin for his efforts of getting the Holy Cross sisters’ help and organizing the distribution of relief materials.
I also thank all the confreres, who are involved in the relief works, especially all the parish priests and also the fathers from our schools. They have taken a lot of efforts to identify the needy families and distributed the relief materials. In a special way, I thank Fr.K.Joseph Xavier, the Councilor in charge of SAIM and Fr.A.Selvaraj, Director, MDO for their generous services during this period, including visiting the families, distribution of materials, involving in awareness programme etc. I also place on record my thanks to Fr. H.Ebin Christopher and Fr.A. Yesu Raj, who with their expertise and experience, animated and counseled people during this period.
Let us pray to God that He can do wonders, heal the world and the humanity and protect it from this virus. Once again, I thank everybody for the help rendered for the affected families during this period.
16. Month Of August
i. BIRTHDAYS OF OUR CONFRERES
| Fr. Kootinal George | 2 |
| Fr. D. Nelson Arockia Samy | 2 |
| Fr. M. Simon Prabhu | 6 |
| Fr. K. Dominic Savio | 7 |
| Fr. A. Jeyakumar | 14 |
| Fr. B. Francis Xavier | 14 |
| Fr. A. Motcha Richard | 15 |
| 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
ii. ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY OF OUR CONFRERES
| Fr. A. Lawrence | 12 |
| Fr. C. Sebastin Raj | 25 |
We congratulate and pray for them
iii. LET US REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR THE DEAD : MSFS OBITUARY
| Fr. Cecil Cutlack | 1 |
| Fr. Alphonse Bosson | |
| Fr. Adrien Duval | |
| Fr. Patrick Waldron | |
| Bro. Louis Evraz | 2 |
| Fr. Joseph Tissot | |
| Mgr. Ignatius Gopu | |
| Fr. Henri Mudry | 4 |
| Fr. Bernard Carron | 5 |
| Fr. Marius Vagnat | |
| Fr. James Gamble | |
| Fr. Joseph Vulliz | |
| Fr. Santana Pereira | 7 |
| Fr. Thomas Marian | 9 |
| Fr. Carlo C. Fernandes | 10 |
| Fr. Basil Harrison | 11 |
| Fr. Chacko Varapadavil | 12 |
| Fr. Maurice Monnard | 13 |
| Bro. CorbinianNeumaier | 15 |
| Bro. Jean Marie Raphoz | 16 |
| Fr. Laurent Mugnier | |
| Fr. Laurent Mugnier | |
| Fr. Oliver Moix | 17 |
| Fr. Ambroise Allard | 18 |
| Fr. Paul Kizhakeparambil | |
| Fr. Alphonse Menthon | 20 |
| Fr. John Charles Lord | 21 |
| Fr. George Vayalil | |
| Fr. AimeTrosset | |
| Fr. PetrusDescombes | |
| Bro. Joseph Depollier | 23 |
| Fr. Joseph Bansode | 25 |
| Fr. Henri Rime | |
| Fr. Joseph Oravanamthadam | |
| Mgr. Louis Francis Gayet | 26 |
| Bro. Joseph Leduc | 27 |
| Fr. Pierre Mollier | 28 |
| Bro. Hubert Guebey | 29 |
| Fr. Michel Ticon | 30 |
| Fr. Henri Bourquin | |
| Bro. Francois Ruffier | 31 |
Let Us Continue to Pray for the Deceased Members of Our Congregation
iv. LET US PRAY FOR THE DEPARTED
1. Mr. Sebastian, aged 89, the paternal uncle of Fr. F. Immanuel, expired on 10th July, 2020.
2. Fr. Kurian Cheriankalayil, aged 82, belonging to Vizag Province, expired on 15th July,
2020.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
May I request those who have not fulfilled the suffrages to do the same at the earliest. (Const. No.118;
General Directory No.98)
