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.

Parish Feast

Kumbakonam – It was indeed a great joy for our Parish to celebrate the Parish Feast of Our Lady of Divine Providence. The feast began on May 7th with a flag hoisting and solemn Mass celebrated by Fr. T. Deva Doss, VF. For each of the seven days of novena the Rosary was prayed followed by a Novena Mass celebrated by diocesan and other religious priests. During the homily, the priests shared their reflections on Mother Mary and the virtues that we must learn from her. Every day after Holy Mass, the parish people shared different sweets and snacks with one another. The culmination of the celebration was on the eve of May 12th. Msgr. A. Amirthasamay, Vicar General of Kumbakonam, presided over the solemn Mass and blessed the procession which followed. The car carrying the statue of Our Lady of Divine Providence was processed through the streets of our substations. On the following day, Fr. M. Phillip Santiagu, Procurator of Kumbakonam, celebrated the feast day Mass and lowered the flag ending the celebration. The guidance of the Parish Priests, Parish Council, and Pious groups made this celebration a successful and fruitful one, bringing us the intercession of Our Lady of Divine Providence and the grace of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

Parish Feast

Kumbakonam – Guanella Nagar Parish joyfully celebrated the parish feast of Our Lady of Divine Providence beginning on May 8th with new flag hoisting by Dr. Msgr. A. Amirthasamy, Vicar General, Kumbakonam, celebrated solemn Mass and blessed the new statue of Our Lady of Divine Providence from Paraguay. During six days of the novena, the Rosary was prayed, Confessions were heard and Holy Mass was celebrated by different religious priests from around the diocese of Kumbakonam.
The culmination of the celebration was on May 13th. Most Rev. F. Antonisamy, D. D., S.T.L., Bishop of Kumbakonam, presided over the High Mass and blessed the new car. The car, carrying the statue of Our Lady of Divine Providence processed through the streets of the substations, Perumpandi, Jebamalaipuram, Autonagar, St. Sebastin Church, Chinnamalkallari, and Santhanalpuram. Fr. A. John Bosco gave the final blessing and kept Our Lady of Divine Providence statue in the Church. On the following day, Fr. Soosai Rathinam, SdC, Provincial Superior celebrated the feast day Mass and lowered the flag to close the celebration.

‘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.

Home to Serve…

Chennai – Extending charity is the realization of the kingdom of God. Therefore in view of realizing the presence of the kingdom of God, Don Guanella Special School laid the foundation stone for the Residential Home for the Special Children on February 12th in the presence of Most Rev. Anthony Samy, Bishop of Kumbakonam; Fr. Gustavo DeBonis, General Secretary; and Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior. Fr. Soosai made a special request for the spiritual and material support of the project to all present. The celebration closed with Marian sentiments.