Our Lady of the Rosary Feast

Kumbakonam – Guanella Nagar Parish joyfully celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Jebamalaipuram substation. This substation has more than 30 Catholic families. This is the only Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary in the Kumbakonam Diocese. The feast began on the October 12th with Our Lady of the Rosary flag hoisted by Fr. M. Andrew, CMF, Youth and Vocation promoter, Kumbakonam. Then he celebrated Holy Mass and gave an inspiring Homily on Mother Mary and the importance of praying the Rosary. The culmination of the celebration was on October 13th. Fr. V. Soosai, Sacred Heart Hospital, Kumbakonam, celebrated Holy Mass and preached the homily. After Mass he blessed the car and the faithful prayed the Holy Rosary through the streets of Jebamalaipuram. On the following day, Fr. A. Sundar, OFM, Sivapuram, celebrated the feast day Mass with many faithful attending. In his reflection, he spoke of the current world problems and gave two solutions: the Word of God and praying the Rosary. The flag was lowered bringing the celebration to an end.

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Give the Lord

Kumbakonam – It was a great joy for Guanella Nagar Parish when ten parish children received First Holy Communion. Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. A. John Bosco. In his homily he said, First Holy Communion is a Catholic ceremony which marks a child’s first reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist refers to Christ’s body and blood present in the consecrated host on the altar, and Catholics believe that the consecrated bread and wine are actually the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ. It was highly spiritual and emotional for them. Fr. Vincent and Srs. Juli and Siron prepared the children spiritually for the past twenty-seven days. Hence, their parents, God-parents, relatives and friends were very happy. The saints in heaven were delighted to intercede for us.

Feast of Our Lady Good Health

Kumbakonam – Guanella Nagar Parish celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Good Health in Chinammal Kallarai. The feast began on November 11th with a flag hoisting and solemn Mass celebrated by Msgr. T. Gnanaprakasm, Vicar General of Thanjavur. In his homily he said that the protection of Mother Mary in our day-to-day life is necessary and he shared the miracle that he experienced from Mary at the Velankanni Basilica. The Second day of the Novena was celebrated with the Holy Rosary and Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. M. Thomas, CMF, Parish Priest of Villiavarambal, he preached that Mother Mary is the model of our faith and he blessed the statues of Our Lady of Good Health, St. Antony and St. Michael after Mass. The statue of Our Lady of Good Health was processed through the streets of College Road. On the following day, Fr. C. Alphonse Maria Ligori, Sdc, Superior of Thalavadi, celebrated Mass and preached the homily in which he mentioned how we have to be obedient, care for our family members with sacrificial love and that Mother Mary is one of the best ways for salvation. After Holy Mass he lowered the flag and the celebration came to an end. The guidance of the parish priest, Fr. A. John Bosco SdC, and Fr. M. Vincent SdC, Assistant, Srs. Lourth and Juli and Bro. John Bosco helped the people to animate the liturgy well. Let the intercession of Our Lady of Good Health and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ give us inner peace and joy.

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Kumbakonam – Guanella Nagar Parish joyfully celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary at Jebamalaipuram. This substation has more than 30 Catholic families and is the only church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary in the Kumbakonam Diocese. The feast began on October 5th with a flag hoisting by Rev. Fr. K. Arockia Samy, Chancellor & Minister. Then he celebrated Holy Mass during which he gave an inspiring homily on Mother Mary and the importance of reciting the Rosary. The celebration continued on October 6th when Fr. Rex Alex Silvester, Vice Rector of Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Kumbakonam, blessed the car and the faithful prayed the Rosary while processing through the streets of Jebamalaipuram. He also celebrated Mass and preached the homily. On October 7th Fr. Ansel Antony CMF, Superior of Claret Illam, Kumbakonam, celebrated the feast day Mass and addressed current problems of the world in his homily. He also gave two solutions; first it is possible by the Word of God and second by the recitation of the Holy Rosary. Many faithful attended the Holy Mass and the flag was lowered which brought the celebration to an end.

Feast of St. Anne

Kumbakonam – Guanella Nagar Parish celebrated the feast of St. Anne in the substation Santhanalpuram with great joy. The feast began on July 18th with a flag hoisting and solemn Mass celebrated by Fr. A. Antoine, parish priest of Mathur. The homily was preached by Deacon Martin, SJ, in which he said that the parents of our Mother Mary were simple people of great hope. Each day of the novena, the Rosary was prayed, Sacrament of Reconciliation was offered and then the Holy Mass was celebrated by different priests from the Diocese of Kumbakonam. Day seven was a special devotion to St. Paul the Hermit. Fr. S. Felix Samuel, Trust Director of Kumbakonam, gave a reflection on reconciliation, peace and unity that God alone can give. After Holy Mass there was a music program and a fellowship meal was provided for more than two thousand people. Devotees came from many different places.
The culmination of the celebration was on July 25th. Msgr. A. Amirthasamy, Vicar General of Kumbakonam, presided over the High Mass and blessed the car procession which followed. The statue of St. Anne was taken around the streets of all the substations. On the following day, Fr. Philip Santiagu, Procurator of Kumbakonam, celebrated the feast day Mass and in his reflection said, “We thank our grandparents for their prayer and good example.” The flag was lowered officially ending the celebration.

First Holy Communion

Kumbakonam – It was a great joy for Guanella Nagar Parish. Nineteen of the parish children received their First Holy Communion. Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. A. John Bosco. In his homily he taught that the first Holy Communion is a Catholic ceremony in which a child is given the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. The Holy Eucharist is Christ’s body and blood present in the consecrated host on the Altar, and we believe that the consecrated bread and wine are actually the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ. Fr. Vincent and Sr. Christy prepared the children spiritually for the past twenty-seven days for this great event. The first Holy Communion is without question a time of great joy. Hence, their parents, god-parents, relatives and friends were very happy. The children smiled exuberantly upon reception of the Eucharist.

‘Way of the Cross’

Kumbakonam – “Lent is a time to experience God’s Mercy and a time to extend God’s Mercy to others,” said Pope Francis. During the Lenten season, the Stations of the Cross were animated in substations of Guanella Nagar Parish: Thirupurampiam, Swamimalai, Asoor, Jabamalipuram Chinnamalkallari and Perumpandi. The Precious Blood Fathers were invited to participate in this Holy event. Holy Mass was celebrated after Stations. The people were taken up by the inspiring thoughts, “This is a season of grace all over the world and Lent is a time to renew our relationship with God and neighbor”. Fr. A. John Bosco, the parish priest, thanked him and urged the people to make a good confession during Lent. The liturgy was animated by Fr. Vincent, Bro. Kalaikovan, Srs. Christy and Julie. Parish groups such as Legion of Mary, Guanellian Lay Movement, Parish Council Members, and the parishioners also attended. Tea and snacks were served.

To Celebrate a Saint

Kumbakonam – “It is God who does” states St. Louis Guanella. We celebrated his Feast Day with our evening school children on October 23rd and a special Mass for 86 children. They were from our parish substations, and actively participated. Following Mass, they had tea and biscuits for morning refreshments and then prepared the cultural program. They participated  in drama, dancing and singing. Rev. Fr. A. John Bosco, the parish priest thanked and acknowledged the service of the teachers towards guiding and nourishing the children with care and attention, and he also congratulated the parents for the efforts. Then he gave gifts to the children and thanked Fr. Vincent, the assistant parish priest, Srs. Christy and Kumari and Bro. Kalai for making the arrangements for the children. After the program, they all shared a lunch provided for them. Mr. Vincent and Mr. Chinnadurai, our GLM members, helped to organize the lunch.
The Servants of Charity and the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence of the Kumbakonam Community celebrated the Feast of St. Louis Guanella at Our Lady of Divine Providence Church, Guanella Nagar. Msgr. Dr. Amirthasamy, Vicar General of the Kumbakonam Diocese celebrated the Holy Mass. In his homily he said that the Guanellians are doing wonderful missionary work in India. He had experienced the Guanellian mission life style, and is teaching it in the Poonamallai Seminary. Then, he thanked our Guanellian Fathers and Sisters. Many Religious and Diocesan priests were present to con-celebrate. Parish Council members, Legion of Mary, GLM and other faithful actively participated in Mass. After the Holy Mass, many people shared the feast day snacks and a festive dinner.

Parish Celebrates the Rosary

Kumbakonam – Guanella Nagar Parish joyfully celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary at one of the substations, Jebamalaipuram, the only church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary in Kumbakonam Diocese. The feast began on October 5th with a flag hoisting by Fr. M. A. Soosaimanikam, Rector of Sacred Heart Seminary of Kumbakonam. He then celebrated Holy Mass; giving an inspiring Homily on Mother Mary and the importance of praying the Rosary.
The culmination of the celebration was on October 6th. Rev. Fr. B. Robert, the Secretary for the KMSSS of Kumbakonam Diocese solemnized the Holy Mass with his powerful and heart-touching Homily. Many faithful got inspired by his preaching and blessed the Car procession soon after the Mass. The Car carrying the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary was taken around the streets of our substation. On the following day, Rev. Fr. John Bosco, the Secretary for the Bible Commission, Kumbakonam celebrated the Feast day Mass and said in his reflection, the current problems of the world. He also gave two solutions. Firstly, it is possible by the Word of God and secondly by the Recitation of Holy Rosary. Many faithful attended the Holy Mass and lowered the flag by which the celebration came to an end.

Two Great Feasts

Kumbakonam – Guanella Nagar Parish celebrated the feast of St. Francis Xavier in Thirupurampiam and Our Lady of Good Health in Chinammal Kallarai. The First feast at Thirupurampiam began on August 26th with flag hoisting and solemn Mass, celebrated by Fr. Amaithi Arasu, Chancellor of the Kumbakonam Diocese. The following two days events included solemn Holy Mass followed by the Car Procession Blessed by Rev. Fr. B. John Bosco. On the final day, the flag was lowered after Mass. This event brought Ecumenism among the Hindus and the Christians. It was well organized by the Hindu faithful who assisted with the grand celebration.
To mark the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Second Feast at Chinammal Kalarai began on August 29th with the flag hoisting, a penitential service and solemn Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Felix Samuel, Secretary for the Family Commission. Fr. A. John Bosco, Parish Priest, arranged for the Sacrament of Penance. Fr. Felix prepared the people spiritually for many who desired Confession. Fr. Kirubagaran, Liturgy Commission, preached the Homily. He said in his homily that the parents of our Mother Mary were simple people of great hope.
The culmination of the celebration was High Mass on August 30th. Rev. Fr. T. Devadoss, parish priest and V. F, of St. Mary’s Cathedral, was the main celebrant and Fr. B. John Bosco, Secretary for the Bible Commission, preached the Homily and blessed the Car procession which followed Mass. The statue of Our Lady of Good Health was carried through the streets. On the following day, \Fr. G. Christhu Raj, \ Director for St. Mary’s ITI, celebrated the feast day Mass and lowered the flag. Mr. Socrates and Mr. Thavidhu honored the priests, sisters and brothers with shawls. The faithful shared cake and tea to bring the celebration to a close.