Pastoral Visit

Kumbakonam – It was a time of grace when the bishop paid a pastoral visit to Our Lady of Providence Church August 21st-23rd, starting with visits to the substations: Santhanalpuram, Our Lady of Good Health, and St. Sebastian Church. In each Church, he went inside and prayed. He gave a short message on “Having faith in God and increasing our faith always.” Then he came to the parish Church and blessed the new statues, some beautiful holy pictures and celebrated Holy Mass.
The second day started at 9 A.M with visits to Autonagar, Jebamalaipuram, Sisters House, Perumpandi, Velakudi, Melacauvery, Asoor, Kadichampadi, Devanancherry, Thirupurampium, Swamimalai and Guanella Nagar, where he was honored in each by village heads and their people with garland, ponnadai, welcome dances, bouquets and crackers. He gave reflection on “Trust in Mother Mary and her intercession for us to Her Son.”
The third day our parish priest welcomed the Bishop with garland; a procession from the parish house to the front of the Church portico led by the Legion of Mary and four children spreading flowers, ringing of the church bell. In his reflection, he raised questions to the children: How many Spirits are there in this world? Do I receive the Spirit of God daily from the Father through Jesus? He also explained the works of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation, which more than 150 children received. After Holy Mass, Fr. John Bosco welcomed him with ponnadai, followed by children’s dances. All the village heads, Legion of Mary, Parish Council and the GLM welcomed the Bishop with more ponnadai and contributed to his education fund. On behalf of all the parishioners, Mrs. Mary Raj spoke about our parish activities. As a remembrance of the first pastoral visit, Fr. A. John Bosco gave a memento to the Bishop. This remarkable event was even more significant with the presence of Fr. Umberto Brugnoni, Vicar General, and Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior. With the final blessing of the Bishop the pastoral visit came to an end.

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Partakers in Divine Mercy

Saigon – The center we visit every Sunday to celebrate Mass gives shelter to various types of people. Among them are young boys who are there recovering from drug addiction. A 17 year old boy named Binh has lived there for almost a year and finally he decided to be baptized. During the Feast of Divine Mercy he received the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation from Fr. Felicks. Let us thank God for his conversion and pray that he continues to experience Divine Mercy in his life.