Celebrating the Birth of a Saint

Cuddalore – On December 19th, our Founder’s 175th birthday, and to honor his holy birth, life and his charitable patrimony St. Joseph’s Seminary, Don Guanella Boys Home, Sahaya Matha Parish, Divine Providence Convent, Guanellian Lay Movement and all the beneficiaries joined as one family to celebrate. The celebration included solemn Mass, during which three GLM members made their promise and became Guanellian Cooperators, cultural performances, gift sharing and an Agape meal. It was a time of revitalizing the spirit, mission and vision of St. Louis Guanella.

Advertisement

Youth as Missionaries of Mercy

Cuddalore – Youth can provide us with an opportunity to grow as a person. It is a season of hope, enterprise and energy toward society as well as to an individual. The thirteen young Guanellians of Sahaya Matha parish, Samupillai Nagar, along with senior members visited the Global Institute for Mentally Challenged Children for a Lenten program on March 12th. It was a wonderful experience for our group, and provided them with a wake-up call. Various games warmed up the atmosphere; tea and snacks sweetened up the discounted; dance cheered up the discouraged, and storytelling caused the distressed to look-up. At the end, the team provided the teaching aids for the institute. The legion of Mary also visited the deaf and dumb school as their Lenten program for March 20th.

Parishioners Receive Indulgence

Kumbakonam – In the month Our Lady of the Rosary and the Holy Founder, the Guanellian Family from Divine Providence Parish went on pilgrimage to Cuddalore to receive the Plenary Indulgence. On October 17th the 100 pilgrims set out, stopping at Laity Retreat Center, Pappakudi, for coffee and biscuits, arriving at St. Joseph’s Seminary for breakfast. The pilgrims then went to Sagaya Matha Parish, Samupillai Nagar, for confession and Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Visuwasam. Fr. Maria Paul preached the homily, speaking about the Founder’s activities and the meaning of Indulgence. After Mass, the Cuddalore GLM served tea and cake to the pilgrims before they left for Our Lady of Saleth Shrine, Varadarajanpet. They arrived at the shrine to pray for the intercession of Mother Mary before heading back to Guanella Nagar Parish. Everyone enjoyed the experience and truly felt the guiding hands of Our Lady of Saleth and St. Louis Guanella.

Bible Sunday

Cuddalore – Bible Sunday was grandly celebrated at Sagaya Matha Parish on September 27th. Mass began with a procession of all the parishioners carrying Bibles or cards with Bible verses written on them. The leader of the procession read important biblical verses; proclaiming the Word of God. Then all reached the church for Sunday mass celebrated by Fr. A. Periayanayagasamy and Fr. A. Paul Francis highlighting the importance of the Word of God.
The following week, various competitions were conducted in the parish according to the age of the people. Schoolchildren were asked to memorize their favorite chapter in the bible. The higher secondary students were asked to memorize Psalm 55; and the youth group members were given a topic to perform a drama. The rest of people were given the gospels of Matthew and Mark. The competitions were conducted at the parish with many parishioners participating. Bible Sunday in Sagaya Matha parish was a big success.

Celebration of Ordination Anniversary

Cuddalore – On June 24^th, the director and students of Don Guanella Boys Home organized a program to celebrate the ordination anniversary of Fr. A. P. Samy, Parish Priest of Sagaya Matha Parish. The confreres from the Seminary also attended this function. The boys performed joyful songs and dances to congratulate Fr. A. P. Samy. He happily accepted their wishes and thanked everyone. A special cake was cut for all who were present. It was a simple but meaningful celebration.

New Pastor Installed

Cuddalore – A new parish priest was installed at the first Guanellian parish in India on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi June 6th. Representing the Bishop Vicar Forene, Rev. Fr. Antoni Raj, presided over the installation ceremony; renewing the baptismal promises of and appointing Fr. A. Periyanayaga Samy as pastor of Sagaya Matha parish. Rev. Fr. A. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. Visuwasam, Provincial Councilor, were also present. Many Guanellian priests and the Christian faithful of the parish took part in the installation ceremony. After Mass, farewells were offered to Rev. Fr. S. Periyanayaga Samy, previous pastor, and parishioners welcomed the new pastor. During the program Fr. Soosai formally welcomed the new pastor and thanked Fr. S. Periyanayaga Samy for his selfless service to the parish.

GYM Mass

Cuddalore -Guanellian youth at Sagaya Matha Parish joined hands and animated Sunday Mass in a creative way with the guidance of Fr. Paul Francis. On Sunday, July 13th, the Guanellian Youth Movement of the parish led the faithful in active participation during the Sunday liturgy. From now on, every second Sunday of the month the youth will animate the liturgy with Fr. Paul Francis, the Assistant parish priest. After mass, we had group animation program for the youth. At the direction of the Local Diocese, August 10th will be celebrated as Youth Sunday. There will be a special seminar for the youth to renew their spiritual and relational life

Eucharistic Procession

Cuddalore -Sagaya Matha Parish, Samupillai Nagar conducted a Eucharistic procession on July 6th.  The car procession formed at the Parish Church and had its first station at Don Guanella Boys Home, the second station at St. Joseph’s Seminary. Three priests were invited and they led meditations based on Eucharistic Spirituality, namely Eucharist as the symbol of love, conversion and sacrifice. Many people from the parish actively participated in the procession and went away with spiritual and divine blessings. With the guidance of the priest, the parish council successfully organized the event.

St. Joseph’s Feast

Cuddalore – The patronal Feast of St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary was celebrated on March 19th with a car procession and Holy Mass. The confreres and seminarians prepared themselves spiritually with TRIDUUM; meditating on the many virtues of St. Joseph. Many religious near our Seminary, parishioners of Sagaya Matha Parish and students from the Boys Home attended. Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Visuwasam, and a fellowship meal was shared by all.

Bible Sunday

Cuddalore – November 10th was a Bible Day celebration at Sagaya Matha Parish. All the parishioners were instructed to bring their Bible with them for Sunday Mass. During the time for the homily, homage was paid to the Bible, a lot of instructions were given and many questions were asked in order to create interest in reading the bible. Everyone enthusiastically participated and prizes were given to those who answered questions. It was a wonderful celebration.