My Dear Confreres,
Greetings from Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, the New Provincial. As you know, I have taken charge as Provincial on 24th January, 2017. Through this first circular, I am coming to you with a sense of gratefulness for your trust and confidence in me. I assure you of my accompaniment and animation in our journey together as Fransalians for the realization of Kingdom of God in the footsteps of our Patron St. Francis de Sales and our venerable founder Fr. Peter Mary Mermier.
INSTALLATION OF THE NEW PROVINCIAL
At the solemn Eucharistic Celebration on January 24, 2017 on the Feast day of our heavenly patron St. Francis de Sales, I was installed as the Third Provincial of the South East India Province of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. It was a mega event and a meaningful celebration. A large number of Fransalian family members both confreres from our own Province and some from outside the Province, Rev. Sisters & Brothers from various congregation, benefactors, well wishers and my own family members, attended the well organized spiritual event.
As I write this first news letter, I sincerely THANK first and foremost our beloved Father Superior General, Abraham Vettuvelil and the General Curia for having entrusted me the leadership of the province. I assure them that I will do my best for the growth and betterment of the Province. May I make use of this opportunity to thank all of you especially those working outside the province, who have sent me felicitation, good wishes and assurance of prayers. Thank you.
I would also like to express my thanks to Rev. Fr. Rebello Noel, General Councillor for formation and Rev. Fr. P. Selvaraj Jayaseelan, General Councillor for social apostolate and innovative ministries, who were present for my installation and Rev. Fr. Vincent Lourdusamy the Provincial of Pune Province, for his presence. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Dr. Kalariparambil Thomas for preaching an inspiring and thought provoking homily. The presence of so many of you, including my own Confreres was an expression of your love, concern and support for me and it gave me a lot of courage and strength. I know I can count on you. My initial reluctance to assume such a great responsibility gave way to more confidence and trust. Thank you dear Confreres of South East India Province.
GRATITUDE TO FR. ANTHONY DHARMARAJ
Fr. Anthony Dharmaraj has been serving this province as Provincial for the last six years. As the new provincial, I would like to place on record his contribution to this province and thank him. His period as provincial was marked by continuity, stability and growth. He continued the process that was already begun, stabilized the growing institutions and led them to the path of growth. He meticulously planned and executed the only CBSC School in the province. It tells of his command over the plan, design and execution.
After he took over, he muted to some extent the rigidity and brought certain mobility in the confreres to move beyond boundaries and barriers. He had and still has certain charismatic appeal, which charms people, both young and old, men and women, far and wide. He did remarkably well in maintaining a healthy and matured relationship with one and all and that is his strength.
It was his conviction that land is an integral part of our ministry. As such, he has taken bold steps and purchased lands at various places. For him, every unit was very important for the province and as such, he personally involved himself in the welfare of every unit. It was his desire that all the parishes become self-sufficient and he tried his best for it.
Straightforwardness was a marked quality of his and he dealt with confreres directly and at the personal level in a matured and healthy manner. It was not that he did not face challenges and concerns, but he addressed them in a calm and effective manner. The alter design in our chapel in the Provincialate will stand for years to tell the story of his artistic and aesthetic craftsmanship.
Dear Fr. Anthony Dharmaraj, I thank God for having given you to our province. I thank your parents too for giving you to our province. I thank you for your conviction and commitment. You have been an asset to our province, congregation and the Church at large. You have done so many good things for this province. As St. Paul says, you have run your race and run successfully too. We pray for your good health. We wish you all the best for your future ministry.
At this juncture, I also place on record my appreciation and thanks to the entire administration of Fr. Anthony Dharmaraj, the councilors, Bursar and the Secretaries. Your contribution for the province was great and immense. I am very grateful to one and all. God bless you all abundantly.
CONVOCATION OF THE FOURTH ORDINARY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS – 2017
The Fourth Ordinary Provincial Congress 2017 was officially convoked on 24th January 2017 and as such, it will be held from 27th to 30th March 2017 at the MSFS Provincial House in Trichy. The Congress will begin on 27th March 2017 at 9 a.m. with the arrival and registration and will end on 30th march 2017 with the dinner.
Hereby, I request every member of the South East India Province to attend this important event for all four days of the congress. If you have any inconvenience, please feel free to write or call me. Thanks!
THEME OF THE CONGRESS:
THE STEERING COMMITTEE
Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, the Provincial
Rev. Fr. D. Kanikkai Nathan, the chair person of the Committee
Rev. Fr. George Kootinal,
Rev. Fr. N. Arokiaselvam,
Rev. Fr. Amirtharajan,
Rev. Fr. L. Sahaya Basker, Secretary of the Committee
Rev. Fr. S. Santhanam.
PRAYER FOR THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS – 2017
God our Loving Father,/ creator and author of our lives,/ we thank you for the countless blessings/ that you continue to shower in our lives./ Above all,/ we thank you for calling us/ to be your disciples,/ imitating the virtues of our Patron, St. Francis de sales/ and following the footsteps of our Founder, Fr. Mermier,/ in realizing their vision of being missionaries/ in today’s world.
Jesus, our brother and Lord!/ You have commissioned us/ to be messengers of mercy,/ to be the bearers of your message/ and collaborators/ in establishing the Kingdom of God./ Empower us/ to be true to our mission./
God, the Holy Spirit,/ the source of wisdom and Knowledge,/ the bond of unity and fidelity,/ as we come together/ as a province family/ in the provincial congress,/ we beseech your vibrating/ and renewing presence amidst us/ so that we may always seek your counsel/ in all our undertakings./
O Blessed Trinity!/ Bless all the members of the provincial Congress,/ direct all the discussions and deliberations,/ so that we may be enabled/ to build up/ fraternal Fransalian communities./ Help us/ to be authentic missionaries,/ who reflect Christ/ in our attitude/ and in our apostolates./ Amen.
QUESTIONNAIRE
IN PREPARATION FOR THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
General Guidelines
- We, the members of the steering committee, have come out with the following questionnaire, which consists of random thoughts on various aspects of our life, mission and apostolate. For the sake of convenience, we have clubbed the related points together. They are intended to initiate our thinking process.
- Kindly study them, assess them and evaluate them on the touchstone of your own experience. Please feel free to add, delete or include your own points at your initiative as you deem it necessary.
- In your discussion at the level of Apostolic Community, you are expected to come up with a report, showing the strength, the weaknesses, the challenges and your concrete proposals for the future on all these aspects of our life as MSFS.
- The report should reach the provincial office latest by 15th
- Please send a soft copy of the reports to the following e-mail addresses: provincialsoutheastmsfs@gmail.com; kanikkai@yahoo.com; baskermsfs@gmail.com
Note:
- The questionnaire is already entrusted with the convener of the respective Apostolic Community. Attendance of the Apostolic Community meeting is mandatory. If one is not able to attend the meeting of the particular Apostolic Community that he belongs to, with the prior information to the Provincial and the Convener for his inability to attend, he must attend any other Apostolic Community meetings held in our province.
LET US PRAY FOR THE DEPARTED
- Simon Rodrigues MSFS of Pune Province, aged 62, expired on 17th January, 2017.
- Camille MEYNET MSFS of Franco-Swiss Province, aged 82, expired on 23rd January, 2017.
- George Nellikunnel MSFS of Vizag Province, aged 97, expired on 26th January, 2017.
- Zacharias Mannukuzhumpil MSFS of Vizag Province, aged 93, expired on 26th January, 2017.
- Velamparambil Ephrem MSFS of Vizag Province, aged 79, expired on 29th January, 2017.
- Francis the Father of Fr. Justin (Brazil) aged 72, Expired on 3rd February 2017.
May their souls rest in peace!
MY PROGRAMME
February 2017
6th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Chennai
8th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Villupuram
9th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Vaniyambadi
11th – SFS School Annual Day, Virudhunagar
12th – Mass at St. Xavier’s Church, Virudhunagar
13th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Virudhunagar
14th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Pudukkottai
18th – Education and Stewardship Forum Meeting
20th – Innovative and Mission Forum Meeting
21st – Steering Committee Meeting
22nd – Steering Committee Meeting
26th – Council Meeting
27th – Formation and Peace & Justice Forum Meeting
March 2017
9th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Chennai
11th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Villupuram
13th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Virudhunagar
15th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Vaniyambadi
18th – Apostolic Community Meeting, Pudukkottai
Yours Fraternally in Christ,
Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, Msfs
Provincial Superior
SALESIAN THOUGHT
“Hasten while life is left in your Saviour’s footsteps. But run ardently and swiftly. Following Him is of little use, unless you succeed in accompanying Him.”
(TLG, Book – III, Ch – 1)