My Dear Confreres,

During the Lent, we have been deeply reflecting the suffering, passion and death of our Lord by our prayers, penance, fasting and good works. Easter is the culmination and it represents God’s victory. By his resurrection, God has defeated all the evil forces – Satan, sin, death, darkness etc. God has destroyed old heaven and earth.

On the other hand, by his resurrection, God has liberated us from all forms of evils. He has given us new life, new heaven and new earth. He has given us victory over sin and Satan. God has made available his mercy, his redemption, his love to his people and to all those who believe in him.

As far as we are concerned, the grace of Easter must percolate in us and it must permeate all our life, apostolate and ministries. We must be able to share the Easter blessing to all those whom we serve. We should spread the Good News of Easter not so much by our words, but by our exemplary life.

I wish you all A HAPPY EASTER

CONGREGATION MATTERS

General Chapter XX: MSFS, WAKE UP TO THE BASICS

Procedure to study the papers and submit your findings

  1. Study the reflection paper personally
  2. Study the reflection paper in the local community under the guidance of the local superior
  3. Based on what is approved in the local community, discuss in the apostolic community meeting

    Proposed time table for studying reflection papers:
    Reflection paper 1: January – February, 2018
    Reflection paper 2: march – April, 2018
    Reflection paper 3: June – July, 2018

  4. The convener and the secretary of the apostolic community submits the report to the provincial
  5. The Provincial submits al the collated findings from the apostolic communities to the secretary of the Superior General by the stipulated date (August 31, 2018)
  6. The Pre-Capitular commission will work on the collated documents of all the provinces for presentation at the 20th general chapter.

Note: Dear fathers you are requested to send the Reflection Paper’s report for the 20th General Chapter on time.

PROVINCE MATTERS

TRIBUTE TO REV. FR. S. PILAVENDRAN, MSFS (1975 – 2018)

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15

REV. FR. S. Pilavendran, MSFS, son of S. Sengol and S. Nachathiram, was born on 07.08.1975 at Thirimalairayapuram, Pudukkottai, in the diocese of Trichy, Tamil Nadu. He had his primary education and middle schooling at Govt. Middle School, Thirimalairayapuram from 1980 to 1988. He did his high school education at Govt. High School, Uppiliakudi from 1988 to 1990. He joined S.F.S. Minor Seminary, Pudukkottai in 1990. He did his Novitiate at Salesianum, Visakhapatnam in 1993 and professed his first vows on 10th June, 1993. He pursued his philosophical studies at Suvidya College, Bengaluru from 1994 to 1997.

He did his Regency at Msfs Community, Sini – Seraikela in the Diocese of Jamshedpur from 1997 to 1998. He pursued his theological studies at Vijnananilayam, Janampet, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh from June 1998 to December 2002. He made his Perpetual Profession at Msfs Study House, Janampet, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh on 16th June, 2000. He was ordained a deacon by his Lordship, Most. Rev. Dr. John Mulagada, Bishop of Eluru at Msfs Study House, Eluru. He did his Diaconate Ministry at Fransalian Centre, Othaiyal in the Archdiocese of Madurai. He was ordained a Priest on 12th April 2002.

After his ordination, he was appointed Assistant Parish Priest at Sini – Seraikela in the diocese of Jamshedpur in the year 2002. After doing a commendable parish ministry at Sini for one year, he was appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Meejur, in the Archdiocese of Chennai-Mylapore. He did an excellent parish ministry as Assistant Parish Priest at Meejur from 2003 to 2004. He pursued his M.Th Studies in youth ministry at Christu Jyothi College, Bangalore from 2004 to 2006. Subsequently he was appointed as the Parish priest of Sacred Heart Church, Sengattur in the diocese of Chenglepet. He exercised his youth Apostolate ministry for one year at Ammapatti in 2007. He pursued his Doctoral studies at Manila University, Philippines from 2008 to 2012. He was appointed as Parish priest of St. Mary’s Church, Mariapuram in the diocese of Coimbatore in the year 2013.

On 22nd March 2018 early morning around 3 am, Fr. S. Pilavendran was coming from Mariapuram parish, Thirupur to Pudukkottai by car. And on his way to his home, he met with an accident near the Bharathidasan University, which is near to the Airport, Trichy and died on the spot. As it was an accident, we had to be clear all the formalities. The provincial community took immediate steps to get the things done with the help of few local people. All the formalities were cleared including the postmortem.

Many of our confreres and family members of Fr. S. Pilavendran were gathered at SFS Minor seminary and were waiting for the body of Fr. S. Pilavendran. Around 2 pm, the body reached the seminary accompanied by few fathers. Amid loud cries and unstoppable tears, the body was shifted from the ambulance to the seminary auditorium. The body was kept there for paying respect and prayers after it was blessed by our Provincial, Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu. A lot of people turned up to pay their homage to Fr. S. Pilavendran.

The following day on 23.03.2018 at about 9:30 am, the funeral service started with the Holy Mass, which was arranged in the basket ball ground. Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Aquinas, the Bishop of Coimbatore presided over the Holy Eucharist. Nearly hundred priests, fifty sisters and five hundred lay people participated in the Holy Mass and prayed for the Soul of Fr. S. Pilavendran. Bishop Thomas Aquinas gave a touching introduction, in which he told that God loved Fr. S. Pilavendran so much that He called him to be with Him at an early age itself. He added that God’s ways are different and at times mysterious, and we need to accept in faith and total surrender to Him what He has designed for Fr. S. Pilavendran. Fr. Selvaraj Raj, the Director of SFS ITI, preached an emotive homily, in which he said that the short life of Fr. S. Pilavendran was one of holiness and loyalty to God.

Rev. Fr. A. Santhiyagu thanked everyone who attended the funeral service and everyone who contributed their best for the arrangement of the funeral ceremony, especially by the Seminary community, School community, Parish Community, ITI community and Farm community in Pudukkottai.

After the Mass, our Provincial paid his last homage to Fr. S. Pilavendran by placing a wreath of flowers over his body and thereafter, the body was respectfully carried by our SE confreres in procession and with the final prayers said by our Provincial Superior, it was laid to rest in the Seminary Cemetery at about 12.30 p.m.

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord! & Let perpetual light shine upon him!

MAY HE REST IN PEACE!

PROMOTION OF THE SCHOLASTICS – 2018

The following Scholastics have been promoted to the next stage of their Formation:

To the Order of Diaconate &Fourth Year Theology

  1. S. Anantha Prabu
  2. A. Motcha Richard

To Renewal of Vows & Third Year Theology

  1. J. Arul Justin
  2.  J. Jeni Vimal Naveen
  3.  J. Michael Arulananda Raja
  4.  S. Desas

To Renewal of Vows & Second Year Theology

  1.  K. Nirmal Kumar
  2.  A. Infant Jesus

To Renewal of Vows & First Year Theology

  1.  A. Mahimai Arockia Raj
  2. A. Michael Raja
  3. R. Anbu Stalin
  4. S. Jerald
  5. S. Maria Arockiam
  6. S. Pradeep Jerald
  7. C. Britto Clindon
  8. T. Anto Prabin
  9. F. Eugine
  10. D. Emmanuvel Sathish

Promoted for the Renewal of Vows

  1. M. Level Winner Raj

To Renewal of Vows & Regency

  1. A. David Amalanathan
  2. C. Arun Raj
  3. M. Adaikala Arul Raj
  4. P. Aspel Kishok
  5. S. Vimal Raj
  6. P. Arockia Marshal

To Renewal of Vows & Third Year Philosophy

  1. Arockia Renold Anand
  2. A. John Britto
  3. A. Sesu Prabhakaran
  4. D. Carmel Raj
  5. D. Mathew Jutto
  6. M. Selvam Augustine
  7. R. Renold Regen
  8. V. Ajin

To Renewal of Vows & Second Year Philosophy

  1.  Arockia Charles Benny
  2. Peter Clement
  3. Joseph Manicka Raj
  4. Dhony Diamond Raj
  5. Mathew Devoda
  6. Edwin Scharl

Not Promoted for the Renewal of Vows and asked to Discontinue

  1. D. Santhosh Kumar (1st year Philosophy)
  2.  A. Edward Francis (2nd year Philosophy)
  3. Joseph Jayaraj (2nd year Philosophy)
  4. P. Suntharasekar (2nd year Philosophy)

To First Profession & First Year Philosophy

  1.  Thomas Ambrose
  2. Justin Richard
  3. Antony Yesu Raj
  4. Michael
  5. Selva Prakash
  6. Antony Arockia Vinodh

To Novitiate

  1. Leo Charles
  2. Augustus
  3. Bachan
  4. James Raja
  5. Ashok Kumar
  6. Mahimai Nathan
  7. Anthony Nayak
  8. Lincoln Bag Singh

Appointment to Regency

1. M. Adaikala Arul Raj Designated for Regency in East Africa
2. P. Arockia Marshal Designated for Regency in East Africa
3. A. David Amalanathan Msfs Provincialate, Trichy
4. C. Arun Raj Betty Home, Kolli Hills
5. P. Aspel Kishok Mayoraz Children’s Home, Vayalogam
6. S. Vimal Raj SFS Seminary, Pudukkottai

Promotion to Theological Studies

Morogoro, Tanzania

  1.  S. Jerald

Fransalian Seminary, Pune

  1. S. Pradeep Jerald – For M.Ph Studies
  2. D. Emmanuvel Sathish – Theology

SFS Study House, Eluru

  1. S. Maria Arockiam
  2. C. Britto Clindon

Tejas, Bangaluru

  1. A. Mahimai Arockia Raj
  2. R. Anbu Stalin
  3. F. Eugine Earnest Raj

Msfs Study House, Shillong

  1. A. Michael Raja
  2. T. Anto Prabin

HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS

We extend our hearty congratulations to Fr. S. Prem Kumar and Bro. D. Emmanuel Sathish for successfully completing their M. Ph Studies in philosophy in Pune.

NEW BOOK IN FRENCH: VENEZ À LA MAISON DU PÈRE (COMING HOME TO THE FATHER)

My brothers, I am glad to inform you that my book “Gospel Meditation for Lent – Coming Home to the Father” is translated into French by Fr. Claude Morrel, Msfs and the Franco-Swiss province took up the responsibility to publish the book in honor of 450th birth anniversary of our patron St. Francis de Sales. It was published in the first week of Lent and the book was sold with great success. Everybody loved the book and appreciated it as Lenten treasure. Fr. Morrel told me that one of his friends told him that the book is a real gift and it consists of relevant stories, deep theological meaning and inspiring biblical explanation. Fr. Morrel himself was very happy about the book and its success. At this moment, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Most Rev. Yves BOIVINEAU, the bishop of Annecy who gave an inspiring promotional message for the book. I also would like to thank Fr. Yves Carron, Msfs the provincial of Franco-Swiss province for his love, support and encouragement. As provincial, he was very much supportive, kind and helpful from the beginning. So I express my sincere thanks to him for everything that he did to make the release of the book possible.

I truly express my gratitude to Fr. Morrel, Msfs for his hard work and dedication in translating the book. Despite his physical ill health, he had spent many hours and worked tirelessly to translate the book from English to French. The book in French is the fruit of the hard work of Fr, Morrel. I sincerely thank him and may God bless him with many more years of good health. I thank in a special way Fr. Martin Richard, Msfs who was very generous and kind enough to distribute the books to various parishes for promotion. I sincerely thank all our MSFS fathers belonging to Franco-Swiss province for their loving generosity to promote the books in their parishes. From what I heard, the book was a great success and the people loved to use it as a helpful resource for their Lenten journey.

Fr. A. Santhiyagu

ORDINATION TO PRIESTHOOD

1. DN. C. BERIN

Dn. C. Berin, Msfs hails from Puthoor, Kanyakumari (DT), Tamil Nadu. His parents are Mr. S. Charles and Mrs. Rosemary. He has one elder sister and one younger brother. He had his primary school at St. Lucy School Puthoor and high schooling at Dewasam Higher Secondary School Mondaikadu. He began his Minor Seminary Formation at S.F.S. Minor Seminary, Pudukkottai in 2005 and had his Novitiate at Salesianum, Visakhapatnam. He made his First Profession on 10th June, 2009. He pursued his Philosophical and B.A. studies at Suvidya College, Bangalore.

 

He did his Regency at Don Bosco School at Silapathar and Christ the king form at Vayalogam. He did his theology at Vijnananilayam, Eluru. He was ordained a deacon by his Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Jayarao Polimera, the Bishop of Eluru, on 24th January 2017. He will be ordained a priest by his Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Nazerine Soosai, DD., the Bishop of Kottar at St. Lucial Church, Puthoor, on 10th April, 2018.

2. DN. B. PHILOMINRAJ

Dn. B. Philominraj, Msfs hails from Managiri, Sivagangai (DT), and Tamil Nadu. His parents are Mr. A. Britto and Mrs. Jayarani. He has one younger brother. He had his primary school at Thalakkavoor and high schooling at Somasundharam Chettiyar Higher Secondary School at Okkur. He began his Minor Seminary Formation at S.F.S. Minor Seminary, Pudukkottai in 2007 and had his Novitiate at Salesianum, Visakhapatnam. He made his First Profession on 10th June, 2010. He pursued his Philosophical and B.A. studies at Suvidya College, Bangalore.

He did his Regency at SFS ITI, Pudukkottai, and theology at Oriens Theological College, Shillong. He was ordained a deacon by his Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Dominic Jala, the Archbishop of Shillong at St. Dominic Savio Church, on 17th June, 2017. He will be ordained a priest by his Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. J. Susaimanickam, D.D., S.T.D. Bishop of Sivagangai at Managiri at Arockia Annai Church, on 14th April, 2018.

3. DN. D. NELSON AROCKIASAMY

Dn. D. Nelson Arockiasamy Msfs hails from Kazhuguppulikkadu, Thanjavur (DT), Tamil Nadu. His parents are Mr. S. Duraisingam and Mrs. Sahaya Mary. He has two younger brothers. He had his primary and high school at Kazhuguppulikkadu government school. He began his Minor Seminary Formation at S.F.S. Minor Seminary, Pudukkottai in 2006 and had his Novitiate at Salesianum, Visakhapatnam. He made his First Profession on 10th June, 2010. He pursued his Philosophical studies at Suvidya College, and B.A. studies at S.F.S. College, Bangalore.

He did his Regency at Msfs provincial house Kunnathur and theology at Oriens Theological College, Shillong. He was ordained a deacon by his Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Dominic Jala, the Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese, on 17th June, 2017. He will be ordained a priest by his Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Susaimanickam the Bishop of Sivagangai, at Holy Redeemer church (Pattukkottai Parish) on 19th April, 2018.

4. DN. S. AROCKIA DOSS

Dn. S. Arockia Doss, MSFS hails from Irudayampattu, Villupuram (DT), Tamil Nadu. His parents are Mr. S. Sadhanandham and Mrs. Rackel Mary. He has three elder sisters. He had his primary school at R.C. Middle School and high schooling at St. Vinarasi High School at Irudayampattu. He began his Minor Seminary Formation at S.F.S. Minor Seminary, Pudukkottai in 2004 and had his Novitiate at Salesianum, Visakhapatnam. He made his First Profession on 10th June, 2008. He pursued his Philosophical and B.A. studies at Suvidya College, Bangalore.

He did his Regency at S.F.S. Minor Seminary, Pudukkottai, and completed M.A. in Philosophy at Suvidya College, Bangalore, and theological studies at JDV, Pune. He was conferred the Sacred Order of Diaconate by His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dr. Ambrose Rebello, the Bishop of Aurangabad at Fransalian Seminary, Pune, on 28th January, 2017. He will be ordained a priest by his Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. S. Singaroyan, D.D., the Bishop of Salem at Our Lady the Queen of Heaven Church, Irudayampattu on 24th May, 2018.

MONTH OF APRIL
BIRTHDAYS OF OUR CONFRERES

Fr. M. Sahaya Raj 03
Fr. S. Pilavendran 10
Fr. S. Jerry Louis 14
Fr. D. Robert 18
Fr. A. Jayaseela Rajan 20
Fr. K. Joseph Xavier 20
Fr. S. Alphonse 23
Fr. F. Justin 24
Fr. S. Johnson 27
Fr. D. Johnson 28
Fr. V. Vedha Raj 28
Fr. M. John De Britto 29

We wish them Happy Birthday and God’s Abundant Blessings upon them

ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY OF OUR CONFRERES

1. Arockia Charles S 06
2. Jaya Raj A 07
3. Johnson S 07
4. Justin F 07
5. Sahaya Wilson S 08
6. Vanathaiyan S 09
7. Clement Prem Kumar S 11
8. Pilavendran S 12
9. Maria Francis Britto M 13
10. Maria Pushpam P 14
11. Amirthanathan S 14
12. Stephen J 14
13. Soosai Raj S 14
14. Simon Raja S 14
15. Antony Sagaya Tharcius D 16
16. Innaci Muthu A 16
17. Johnson Sahaya Raj D 16
18. Savarimuthu J 16
19. Antony Raj S (Sr) 16
20. Yesuraja V 16
21. Arul Sundaram L 17
22. Antony S (Jr) 18
23. Edward A 18
24. Santhiyagu A 19
25. Michael A 19
26. Francis Xavier B 19
27. Arul Francis A 19
28. Britto S 19
29. Ebin Christopher H 19
30. Maria Selvan A 19
31. Michael Selvans M 19
32. Dominic Savio K 19
33. Joseph S 20
34. Anantha Raj P 20
35. Jayaraj L 20
36. Viswasam G 22
37. Nicholas M 22
38. Ferdinand Selvan V 22
39. Arockia Samy G 22
40. Antony Rajesh S 22
41. Joseph Xavier S 23
42. Victor M 23
43. Jesuraj I S 23
44. William A 23
45. Stephen Dass J 24
46. Joseph Henry S 25
47. Arockiaraj D 25
48. Vincent Sahaya Raj A 25
49. Daniel Raj F 25
50. Martin Kumar C 25
51. Robert D 26
52. Sahaya Raj M 26
53. Deivasakayaraj S 26
54. George Navin X 26
55. Yesuraj A 26
56. Rajasekar C 27
57. David G 27
58. John Peter L 27
59. Antony S (Sr) 28
60. Arockiam A 28
61. Mathias R 28
62. Edward Xavier S 28
63. Benedict A J R 28
64. Eldin Bernard S 28
65. John Milton S 28
66. Joseph Xavier K 28
67. Rajkumar M 28
68. Selvaraj A 28
69. Vedha Raj V 28
70. Martin Anand K 28
71. Jerome A 28
72. John Peter A (Jr) 29
73. David Vincent S 29
74. Edmand A 29
75. Nayaga Seelan A 29
76. John Britto C 30
77. Jone Gragori I 30
78. Maria John Franklin 30

We congratulate and pray for them

LET US REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR THE DEAD
MSFS OBITUARY – APRIL

01 Bro. Pierre Carton
Fr. Francios Tornier
02 Fr. Alphonse Berthet
Fr. Leon Fol
Fr. Kuriakose Vadacherry
03 Fr. Joseph Buttay
Fr. Cyrille Ailloud
04 Fr. Gerson Rowland
05 Fr. Maria Pissard
Fr. Hyppolite Moenne Loccoz
Fr. Joseph Baker
07 Bro. George Kuzhupil
Fr. Jean Rey
Fr. Paul Thayil
Fr. Ivo Careiro
08 Fr. Leon Fillon
Fr. Paul Lornz
09 Fr. Perre Bozon-Bontemps
Fr. Marius Montuvagnard
10 Fr. Louis Bonnevie
Fr. Pierre Grorod
11 Fr. Claude Montagnoux
Bro. Konrad Hartberger
12 Fr. Philippe Richard-Cugnet
15 Fr. Michel Forel
Fr. Gaston Poncelle
16 Mgr. Francois Philippe
Fr. Jeremie Servage
17 Fr. Hyppolite Diacquenod
18 Fr. Raymond Bosson
Fr. Henri Brelat
21 Fr. Mathew Kudakacherry
Fr. Francis Xavier Fonseca
23 Fr. Jean Prunier
Fr. Alexander Daley
24 Fr. Jean Marie Descombes
Bro. Jean Duret
25 Fr. Celestin Anthonioz
Fr. Joseph Anthonioz
Fr. Assisi Vaz
26 Fr. Peter Joachim Mendes
Fr. Britto Francis Joseph
27 Fr. Joseph Marie Cheminal
Fr. Joseph Messelod
28 Fr. Joan Marie Rassat
Fr. Jean Meynet
29 Fr. Joseph Chaumontet
Bro. Jules Melquiot
30 Bro. Philip Peters
Bro. Joseph Chrvalho

Let Us Continue to Pray for the Deceased Members of Our Congregation

LET US PRAY FOR THE DEPARTED

    • Most Rev. Dr. K. Mariadas MSFS, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam, aged 82, expired on 26th February, 2018.
    • Rev. Fr. Pilavendran MSFS, aged 44 expired on 22nd March, 2018.
    • Fr. Thomas Illikattil, aged 73, belonging to South West Province expired on 24th March, 2018.
    • Mr. A. Irudhayaraj, the father of Fr. I. Jone Gragori, aged 58, expired on 11th February, 2018.
    • Mr. Francis, the father of Fr. F. Emmanuel, aged 89, expired on 08th March, 2018.
    • Mrs. Achamma Cherian, the mother of Fr. George Kootinal, aged 98, expired on 13th March, 2018.

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 soul rest in peace!

MY PROGRAMME

 April 2018
2nd -4th Scholastic’s meeting at Msfs Provincialate, Trichy
10th Priestly Ordination of Dn. C. Berin at Puthoor, Kanyakumari.
14th Priestly Ordination of Dn. B. Philomin Raj at Managiri, Sivagangai
19th Priestly Ordination of Dn. D. Nelson at Kazhuguppulikkadu, Thanjavur
 May 2018
24th Priestly Ordination of Dn. S. Arockia Doss at Irudayampattu, Villupuram

Yours Fraternally in Christ,
Rev. Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, Msfs
Provincial Superior

THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION AND MEDITATION

1. BIBLE QUOTE

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near.  Repent and believe the good news!”

– Mark 1:12-15

2. SALESIAN THOUGHT

“Through devotion, your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife becomes more sincere, the service we owe to the prince more faithful, and our work, no matter what it is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable”.

– Saint Francis de Sales

3. STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART OF FR. PETER MARIE MERMIER

“What counts more than exact obedience to the Rule, by the way, is the spirit of the Rule. Selfrenunciation, foregoing one’s creature comforts, making oneself all things to all men everywhere, always, in the slightest things, is to be like a grain of wheat sown in the earth. Charity and gentleness towards our neighbour are the offspring of our love for God.”

– Fr. Peter Mermier to Fr. Petitjean, 5th December 1844

4. A THOUGHT FROM GREAT POET THIRUVALLUVAR

Thirukkural:

வாரியார்க்கொன் றீவதே ஈகைமற் றெல்லாங்
குறியெதிர்ப்பை நீர துடைத்து

விளக்கம்:

இல்லாதவர்க்கு வழங்குவதே ஈகைப் பண்பாகும் மற்றவர்களுக்கு வழங்குவது என்பது ஏதோ ஓர் ஆதாயத்தை எதிர்பார்த்து வழங்கப்படுவதாகும்

Couplet:

Call that a gift to needy men thou dost dispense,
All else is void of good, seeking for recompense

Explanation:

To give to the destitute is true charity. All other gifts have the nature of (what is done for) a measured return

Transliteration:

Variyaarkkondru Eevadhe Eekaimar Rellaam
Kuriyedhirppai Neera Thutaiththu