PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR 01 DECEMBER 2020 DEAR CONFRERES, Cordial Greetings…
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PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR 01 DECEMBER 2020 DEAR CONFRERES, Cordial Greetings… Let me begin my circular, by wishing each one of you, a faithful and meaningful observance of Advent, a time of preparation to welcome the Lord of joy and peace. The feast of the incarnation of the Lord, reminds us that Christ entered into our history to raise us, to a higher level of life, humanity, godliness and to grant us joy of peace. The Angel, at the birth of our Lord, said to the simple shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid but behold I bring you good news of great joy.’ And this is the message of Christmas, to bring joy to others especially to the simple and downtrodden. To give this Joy to others, we need to be first of all, joy-filled people. Often times we are not ready to adjust ourselves to the given situation, not ready to share our love and joy with others and we carry on, living as unfulfilled, unsatisfied and grief-stricken people. I believe that we can find joy in our lives when we start sincerely loving and truly appreciating people around us. Mary, the mother of God was the finest example of a prepared person, who humbly admitted to the Divine plan and was instrumental in bringing joy to the world. She is given as a model in this season, especially as we remember her Immaculate Conception on December 08, to lean from her to welcome the Lord, adapting ourselves to a life of sincere love. Wish you all a Joyful Christmas, a grace and hope-filled New Year 2021. REST IN PEACE, FR. LOUIS KULANGARA SDB It was sad and sudden that Fr. Louis Kulangara (fondly known as Fr. K.O.) departed from us to rest in his Father’s Abode on 04 November 2020, due to a massive cardiac arrest during his post-COVID period. His funeral was held on the same day 04 November at 04.30 pm at Amsam Trichy, with the Salesians from the neighbouring communities and close relatives of PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR (December/2020) – (4p.cir13/Dec) SALESIAN PROVINCE of TIRUCHY Page | 1 Fr. K.O. Fr. Gerard Britto who was a good friend of Fr. K.O., preached the homily, sharing the vivid memories of the character and the pastoral zeal of Fr. Louis. Fr. Amaladoss, the Economer blessed the grave and said the final prayers. Though many people from different parishes where Fr. K.O. Louis had worked, wanted to be present for the funeral, the funeral has to be conducted, following the guidelines of the government with minimum people. A solemn requiem mass was celebrated on the next day, 05 November at 10.30 am at Amsam with the confreres of the province, confreres from INM province, Salesian family members, well-wishers and friends. Fr. K M Jose, Salesian provincial of Chennai, Fr. Vincent Durairaj, the formal provincial who had spent more than 10 years with Fr. K.O. Louis and a few others were also present. About 50 priests and 200 people paid their last respects to the departed soul. Fr. Arokia Raj, the Rector of the Retreat, Yercaud preached the homily. I shall share with you a few of the outstanding characters of Fr. K.O as a reflection. 30TH DAY MEMORIAL MASS FOR FR.K.O. LOUIS 30th Day Memorial Mass for Fr. Louis Kulangara will be held on 04 December 2020, Friday at AMSAM, Trichy. There will be a special blessing at the cemetery at 05.30 pm followed by a solemn Eucharist offered for the repose of the soul of Fr. K.O. LEADERS MEET On 05 December 2020, Saturday, the Leaders Meeting will be held at the Provincial House for animation and sharing of information. I request all the Leaders of communities to attend this meeting without fail, to take stock of the current situation of our communities. The meeting will begin at 09.30 am. SALESIAN BROTHERS DAY We celebrate the Salesian Brothers Day on 05th December during the feast of Bl. Philip Rinaldi. The GC 24 affirms that “The Salesian community is enriched by the significant and complementary presence of the Salesian Priest and the Salesian Brother. Together they provide an unusual complementarity of energy to the mission of the congregation.” PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR (December/2020) – (4p.cir13/Dec) SALESIAN PROVINCE of TIRUCHY Page | 2 I wish and pray God’s blessings upon all our Salesian Brothers of our Province, Br. George Joseph, Br. Arockiadoss, Br. Sagayaraj, Br. Chinnapparaj, Br. Philip Xavier, Br. Edwin Arockiadoss, Cl. Amuthan and Cl. Arul William as they celebrate their feast day. On behalf of the province, I thank them for their dedicated service and hard work. I request the leaders of the communities to celebrate this day appropriately, celebrating our Brothers and praying for vocation to Salesian Brotherhood. I also extend my wishes to the two Volunteers of Don Bosco of our province Miss. Sheela and Miss. Agnes as they celebrate the feast of their founder. PROVINCIAL VISITATION I have finished the provincial visitation in three formation communities. I thank the communities for all the arrangements made towards making this visitation a memorable one. I spent time with the confreres especially the formees, listening to them and their process of formation. The Vice Provincial, Economer and the Secretary accompanied me during the visit to look into the details of finance, house documents, records and general administration of the house. I will be visiting a few communities this month. Though our regular activities are interrupted due to the pandemic, I make this visit to spend time listening to the confreres and to be part of the usual activities of the house. IN SOLIDARITY WITH PEOPLE AFFECTED BY RAIN AND FLOOD The continuous rain and floods in Tamil Nadu have caused severe damage, especially in the northern-coast and the river-banks of the Cauvery delta districts. We stand with the poor and simple people affected by this natural disaster and offer our sympathy to them. I recommend the communities to make it a point to identify the suffering families, reach out to them with necessary assistance and support then in whatever ways possible, in these moments of struggle and despair. ORDINATION OF DEACON JULIAN OF INN PROVINCE Deacon Julian Pradeep SDB of INN province is getting ordained on 29 December 2020 at 06.30 am at Bishop’s house, Nagercoil. Most. Rev. Nazarene Soosai DD, Bishop of Kottar will confer the ministry of ordination. The newly ordained will celebrate his first thanksgiving mass on 30 December 2020, at 10.30 am at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Kadiapattinam, in Kanyakumari District. PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR (December/2020) – (4p.cir13/Dec) SALESIAN PROVINCE of TIRUCHY Page | 3 On behalf of the province, I wish Dn. Julian, God’s blessings and graces, as he prepares himself for the ordination. May God accompany him in his priestly journey. BON VOYAGE On behalf of the province, I extend my prayerful wishes to Cl. Nepolian Antonysamy who is assigned to the Belgium province (BEN) to undergo his formation as well to serve the province on contract. He is travelling on 07 December. I wish him Bon Voyage and a pleasant experience in his new place of assignment. Recalling Events: • Meeting for those due for perpetuals was held on 07 November at the Provincial House. Fr. Arul Maran, the Vice Provincial coordinated this meeting. • The executive committee meeting of DBPP Association was held on 29 November at DBPH in view of preparation for the 150th Anniversary of their association. Forthcoming Events… 04 Fri 30th Day Memorial Mass for Fr. K.O. Louis / Project committee Meet 05 Sat Salesian Brothers Day / Leaders Meet @ DBPH 11 Fri Administrators & Accountants Meet @ DBPH 21 Mon Provincial Council @ DBPH Upcoming Salesian Feasts… 05 Blessed Philip Rinaldi, Founder of the secular Institute of Don Bosco Volunteers CONDOLENCES • On behalf of the province I offer my sincerest condolences to Fr. Simonraj Savarimuthu at the demise of his beloved mother Savariyammal on 12 November 2020. I offer our prayerful support to the bereaved family. I thank the UPS Salesian community who made immediate arrangements for Fr. Simon to travel from Rome. • To the provincial and confreres of INC province, at the sad demise of two Salesians, Fr. Sebastian Alencheril SDB (90), on 25 November and Fr. Varghese Kalluvachel SDB (66) on 26 November. May the souls of the departed rest in peace! COMMUNITY REFLECTION: IN LOVINIG MEMORY OF FR. LOUIS KULANGARA SDB Death for the Salesian is made bright by the hope of entering into the joy of his Lord, and when it happens that a Salesian dies working for souls, the Congregation has won a great triumph. The memory of departed confreres unites, “in a love that will not pass away”, those who are still pilgrims with those who are already resting in Christ (Const.Art.54). PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR (December/2020) – (4p.cir13/Dec) SALESIAN PROVINCE of TIRUCHY Page | 4 This pandemic time has made us to be more aware, that death could happen at any time to anybody. The death of Fr. K.O.Louis was sad and sudden. Yet I firmly believed that the province and the congregation has won a great triumph, as he died working for the souls and for the greater glory of God. I would like to share with you some of the salient characters of Fr. K.O. which has personally inspired me and taught me great lessons for life. 1. An exuberant and joyful Salesian: Father KO Louis was a happy person, bubbling with joy all the time. His voice can always be heard whenever he was around and particularly in the presence of Salesians.