India and Alumni

Cuddalore – On the great celebration of Republic Day in India, Don Guanella Boys Home also celebrated Alumni day, with 29 former students participating. This is a day in which the history of DGBH was reviewed and refreshed. It is a meeting of the past and present for the future. The program was organized by Fr. Peter Sebastian, the superior and director, with the community and it was presided over by Mr. Durairaj, the HOD. The testimony by the Alumni was mind-blowing and inspiring. The key points were: renewal of the relationship among the alumni; being grateful to the institute and memories imprinted on the minds of the Alumni. The younger brothers (the present students) honored their elder bothers with their performances. The Alumni inspired the younger ones with their eye-opening speeches. Finally the Alumni proved that they are not only made of words but also of actions by their generous hands.

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Honoring the Republic

Chennai – Being citizens of India, every Indian takes pride in recalling the struggle that India endured to become a free and democratic nation. On January 26th, Fr. Samson, the superior, hoisted the national flag and gave a message recalling the soldiers who worked for the nation. There was a parade organized by Br. Rajesh, Third-Year Theology student. The event also included patriotic songs and messages.

Traditions of India Honored

Cuddalore – St. Joseph’s Evening School celebrated the Pongal feast and Republic day on January 26th. Children from four different branches gathered for the fruitful and memorable event. All the children had very joyful moments throughout the day. There were around 120 together with the children, teachers and parents. The national flag was hoisted by Fr. Mathias, SdC, chief guest of the day. Afterwards he encouraged the children to always be happy, kind hearted and talented persons in their accomplishments and to aim for a bright future. Then the Pongal Celebration started. Games and sports were organized for the students, teachers and parents like pot breaking, rongoli for parents, musical chairs and many other competitions for the children. Then children from each branch presented their programs. Fr. Mathias, Fr. Anandhan and Fr. Amalraj distributed gifts for all the ninety students. Then they also distributed prizes for the winners of different competitions. Finally, Fr. Arockia Raj, the evening school director, thanked the gathering and encouraged the new branch students and teachers to make use of the opportunity for a better future. At the end, everyone enjoyed the sweet Pongal, sugarcane, tea and puffs. Thus the day went on happily and successfully.

Republic Day Celebration

Bangalore – The Guanella Preethi Nivas community joyfully celebrated the 68th Republic day of India on January 26th. The day began with solemn Holy Mass. We remembered and prayed for the martyrs who suffered for India’s freedom from the colonial power of England. After Mass was the flag hoisting ceremony to show patriotic respect to our nation. Mr. Melvin, our elderly resident, and Fr. Adaikalam were invited as the chief guests. Bro. Babu gave a brief introduction to the ceremony, then Nov. Melvin led the parade from the chapel to the arena. He led the chief guest to hoist the flag while the assembly honored the flag with a salute and recited the pledge. Nov. Justin briefly explained the history of Republic Day and the suffering of the freedom fighters; making us all proud to be Indians. The ceremony ended by singing our national anthem. In view of celebrating this day we had volleyball and basketball tournament between fathers and brothers.

68th Republic Day

Cuddalore – On the eve of the sixty-eighth Republic Day of India, the Cuddalore community animated a hilarious program. The students and seminarians were shuffled in groups and organized many competitive programs. Officials from the Cuddalore Judiciary Court came and headed the event which included cultural programs, adventurous events and a presentation of Indian brave arts. Brothers chosen from the group made speeches on the historic nature of Republic Day and merits and demerits of India. During his central oration, the chief guest said, “Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950. A salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National Flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on that day. Thereafter the 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and was recognized as the Republic Day of India. The importance of this democracy is to secure for all its citizens, justice, liberty, equality, and gender and economic equity; and to promote fraternity, dignity of the individual, and unity and integrity of the nation.” He invited the young students and brothers to be brimming with hope and aspirations; to pursue life goals for fame, success and happiness with single-minded devotion; to consider happiness as their existential objective, which of course is understandable; to search for happiness in the highs and lows of day-to-day emotions, and in the fulfillment of the objectives they have set for themselves. Prizes and sweets were distributed to end the function.

Honor for Hard Work

Chennai – A sports meet called, “Special Olympics Bharat” for differently-abled children was held on January 21st with the motto “let me win but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”. Don Guanella Special School students participated, winning the Gold medal in Throw Ball and 50M Running. The well-known actor, Mr. Santhanam, celebrated his birthday with the special children and during the program encouraged everyone to have patience with children and spent the day meeting each school.
Another celebration was in honor of Republic Day of India. LC Project Nagapatinam distributed candle making certificates for DGSS students who were trained in candle making. Two of our school staff gave the training, producing various models of candles for students to get ideas of the concept of candle making. The work of staff and students are praiseworthy.

Republic Day Celebrations

Republic Day honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into force in 1950; replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India. It is one of three national holidays in India. The new constitution, as drafted and approved by the Constituent Assembly of India, was mandated to take effect on January 26, 1950–and India became a Republic.

Cuddalore – St. Joseph Seminary and Don Guanella Boys Home celebrated Indian Republic Day beginning in the morning with Mass to thank and remember all those who worked for the Freedom of India and formulated the constitution. After mass the Indian National Flag was hoisted by the President of local Lions Club. Then there was a Parade, Karate, Yoga and   Human Pyramids exhibited by the seminarians and DGBH. As the crown of all the events, football match was conducted between the Higher Secondary Students of both the Seminary and Boys Home; the Seminary Students were the winners. 

Bangalore – To remember the work of our ancestors, Republic day was celebrated at Guanella Preethi Nivas. Fr. Cyriac Malayil S.D.B, Dean of Philosophy at KJC presided over the Mass offered for our nation. After Mass he hoisted the National Flag and inspired the youngsters to be daring; take risks for good cause. Novices performed a patriotic song, Bro. Arun SdC, gave a thundering speech about the present situation in India. Bro. Sachin, the organizer, ended the celebration with a basketball match.

Chennai – The Republic Day celebration at Don Guanella Rehabilitation Center began with Morning Prayer reflecting the richness and limitations of India. The Holy Mass was celebrated by the superior, Fr. Ligory, in which he emphasized the importance of unity in diversity and human dignity. Followed by Mass, fathers, students of theology and DSMP sisters paid homage to the nation by hoisting the flag. There was a short presentation commemorating the importance of the Republic of India. Bro. Sunil in his message urged everyone to uphold Indian dignity which is rich in culture and spirituality. We shall be always positive, proud and grateful for our God given national identity as Indians.  The celebration came to an end by singing the National Anthem.

January in Andhra Pradesh

Koppakka – The Month of January is a month of special blessings for all the residents of Guanella Bhavan because of the many important events. The arrival of the aspiring Deacons also brought new life and blessings to our house.  They remained from January 4th to 16^th as part of their preparation for their Final vows.  Their presence created many memories for the house, especially the initiation brothers; the brothers were edified by the way of life of the Deacons.  They attended classes on Emotional Maturity by Sr. Jayasheela, JMJ. They all participated in a week-long  session on Spiritual orientation by Sr. Sagaya, SSCC.

The 64^th Independence Day of India was celebrated on January 26th.  The National flag was hoisted and honoring followed by athletic games to celebrate the day in a grand manner.