Treasurers Meeting

Chennai – The Divine Providence Province organized a meeting for all the treasurers led by Fr. Ronald, Provincial Superior; Fr. Dennis Weber, Provincial Treasurer; and Fr. Francis, Treasurer In-charge of India. Nineteen members participated. The first day began with a prayer service animated by Fr. Bernandes and Fr. Arulraj. Fr. Francis welcomed the gathering with his introductory message. Fr. Ronald made his presentation on the aspect of economy in the XXth General Chapter. After this session, Fr. Francis invited Mr. Charles (Province Accountant) to share the details of the audit and of the government dealings. Fr. Francis welcomed Fr. Dennis Weber for the third session in which he invited all the confreres to recite the prayer to St. Louis Guanella. His talk was on the topic, “The spirituality of Don Guanella and the office of the Treasurer”.Fr. Xavier Packiam, Sdb, the Provincial Treasurer of Salesian Province, Chennai; presented the topic, “Governance and Financial Management”. He also gave a quick glance at: TDS (Tax Deducted at source), EPF(Employees Provident Fund organization), ESI (Employees state Insurance) and GST(Goods and Services Tax). The final session was the submission of budgets from each community. Each community’s treasurer discussed their annual budget for the 2019-2020 academic year with the Provincial and the councilors. Fr. Ronald thanked the DGMS community for their delicious food, fellowship, kind hospitality and their generous treatment for the treasurers meeting. The meeting ended with a short prayer.

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New Provincial Council Announced

It is with gratitude in our hearts for the many years of service from our outgoing Provincial Council that we wish them all a fond farewell as they transition into their new positions within the Congregation. With hopefulness we welcome our incoming Council and pray that they transition well into their new leadership roles.

Fr. Jesiah Ronald – Provincial Superior

Fr. Antonysamy Kulandaisamy – Vicar and First Council

Fr. John Samson Rajasegaran – Second Council

Fr. Alphonse Satheesh Caniton – Third Council

Fr. Selvaraj Francis – Fourth Council

Portraits of Councilors

 

Canonical Visit

Manila – This year the provincial superior traveled to the Philippines for his canonical visit with the secretary general. The visit included meetings and dialogues with some of the priests and significant persons in the community. The canonical visit includes as well the meeting with the pastoral ministries of the Servants of Charity of the Manila community, which will fall on the last day of the provincial visit, July 8th.

Inter-Religious Christmas

Chennai – On December 20 the Don Guanella Major Seminary community, including fathers brothers and staff, went to Santhome School to participate in the Christmas celebration. Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior, was also invited as a guest of honor. It was an opportunity to learn more about Christianity in depth by hearing speeches from many Christian speakers. Everyone was happy that the good children received prizes from Mr. Stalin, D.M.K Party Treasurer. Many felt happy to see the state politicians and hear their speeches in person.

Special Visitor to Guanella Preethi Nivas

Bangalore – On the pleasant morning of September 18th, Fr. Gnanaraj, Community Superior, and the confreres, residents and workers of GPN welcomed Rev. Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior, for a Canonical visit. The most significant event of the visit was the lighting of the lamp by Fr. Soosai and other community representatives. He followed with a spontaneous prayer, invoking the Holy Spirit to shower heavenly blessings upon us. Then he explained the core purpose of the “Canonical Visit,” speaking of the qualities of a healthy community life which strives to become like the family of Nazareth, which is the foundation of our Christian faith. Fr. Soosai met individually with the first and second year philosophy brothers, the community confreres and GLM members; giving them words of comfort and consolation. On his last day, Fr. Soosai presented his evaluation of the community. He said that GPN resembles the community of Como where the Founder experienced the community of fullness in his life. Though he appreciated the witness to life of our charism in Bangalore, he also gave constructive feedback to strengthen the community and its members. Then Fr. Gnanaraj conveyed a heartfelt thanks to Fr. Soosai for his fatherly presence during the visit which came to a close with his final blessing.

Canonical Visit to Special School

Chennai – Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior, paid a canonical visit to Don Guanella Special School September 12th. The good children welcomed him with a sandal garland and honored him with Poonadai and a bouquet. He looked around the classrooms and spent some time with the good children. Later, he went through the school documents and minutes. There was a meeting with Fr. Soosai in which he expressed appreciation for all the undertakings and service contributed to the children. He also insisted upon vigilant presence with the good children.

Parish Welcomes Superior

Cuddalore – On February 16th, the Superior General, Secretary General and Provincial Superior visited Sahaya Matha Church. The parishioners were happy to welcome them and participate in the holy mass offered for the people of God. After the mass, the newly elected parish council organized a short program for them including the presentation of a traditional shawl and small gift to each major superiors. The people were pleased with the well-organized event.

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An Evening School Christmas

“Christmas is not about candy canes or lights all aglow…….It’s the hearts that we touch and the care that we show.”

Chennai – December 21^st was a remarkable day for the Don Guanella Evening School children as they celebrated Suppose Christmas. In spite of their unfamiliarity with Christianity, they enjoyed the celebration by the touching events organized by the leaders. Rev. Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior, was the Chief Guest for the celebration and gave an inspirational talk that touched the hearts of the children. He started the celebration by blessing the statue of Jesus in the crib. The children performed colorful dances, songs, skits and shared gifts with each other. Fr. Soosai delighted all 72 children by giving each of them a Christmas Gift, a lunch bag. Toward the end, the children were refreshed by snacks sponsored by the family of Rev. Fr. Pravin Vinodh Raj who came to celebrate Christmas with our children. They also entertained our children by dancing and singing.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING

Manila – November 18-22, 2013, the Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Provincial Council of the Divine Providence Province was presided over by Fr. Rathinam, Provincial Superior. The meeting was a good opportunity for the council to gather again, to share and experience fraternity, review its life as a Province, and envision itself in the future as consecrated men, compassionate and merciful brothers to one another, and joyful and tireless missionaries of the poor. Topics that were discussed included: updates from the Provincial Superior, updates from each nation- India, US, Philippines and Vietnam, financial administration, Commissions of the Province, possible ways of preparing the new confreres of India for the horizons of a wider mission, youth ministry, vocation promotion, and Formation centers and concerns.

The councilors celebrated daily Mass with the seminary community, the neighboring religious sisters and lay people. An evening with lay cooperators and another evening with Guanellian Sisters were enjoyed by all.

Fr. Dennis Weber, secretary and councilor from the United States was not able to attend due to some health problems.

REGENCY GATHERING

“A Fraternal Gathering of Individuals Make Family”

Chennai – The regents of Divine Providence Province attended a two day program organized by Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior, held at DGMS September 24^–25th. They started the day with Morning Laud, Meditation and Holy Mass. Then, Fr. Soosai spoke about Education and New Evangelization from PEG; he presented evangelization in daily life. He also mentioned the history of the Congregation. In the second session, he emphasized the Human, Spiritual and Charismatic Dimensions in its Lines of Action. The regents shared their three months experience to end the class. Fr. Kulandai Samy spoke on Educational and Pastoral Charity of the Guanellians and Relationship with the Laity and Staff. He explained the relationship of a Guanellian in developing the mission of our Congregation. Fr. Rajesh ended the first evening by showing a movie based on Guanellian Mission; and spoke about the ‘Guanellian Preventive Educational Approach.’ Fr. S. A. Lourduraj organized Mission Exposure for Regents at DGSS. The Regents shared a meal and advice for dealing with the Good Children.