PC Lr. No. 17 JANUARY 2018 Contents Introduction Congregation Matters Province News School Day, Khammam Sports Day, Medipally Christmas Celebrations,Ballepalli Christmas Celebration by PMI STELLA MARIS, CHINNA WALTAIR-530017 VISAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA Provincial : 0891/ 2710259 Cell : 09985860195, Fax : 0891/ 2702589 Email: [email protected], [email protected][email protected]H A P P Y F E A S T St. Francis de Sales Pray for Us Regent’s Meeting Inauguration at Chinnagiripalli Priestly Ordinations Tentative Programme Let us Pray for the departed Salesian Thought
Regent’s MeetingInauguration at ChinnagiripalliPriestly OrdinationsTentative ProgrammeLet us Pray for the departedSalesian Thought
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Introduction:Dear Confreres,
We are at the dawn of a New Year in history, with lots of hopes andaspirations, plans and projects for ourselves, for the mission and forthe people we are called to serve. At this moment of history we doprepare ourselves for the forthcoming General Chapter XX, personallyand collectively. The call of the General Chapter “MSFS, Wake up tothe Basics” with its thrust on Community life, Mission, MSFSness, andthe Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, demands of us a re-orientationof our life as MSFS.
Our Superior General has declared the year 2018 as the ‘Year of LocalCommunities’. Let us therefore, focus on our living together. OurFounder Fr. Peter Mermier visualized for his companions a life in thecommunity, at the very inception of the Congregation. Let us not takepride in the office we hold in the community rather on what we are, thatalone would follow us in all circumstances. It is said that “one wholoves the ideal of a community destroys it, but the one who loves theactual community builds it up.” What brings us together is ourcommitment to the Lord Jesus following the example of St. Francis deSales and Fr. Peter Mermier. Let us be inclusive of persons, cultureand traditions to go beyond our narrow mindedness.
As we are commemorating the Feast of St. Francis de Sales on 24th
January, let us hold on to our past spiritual heritage and legacy andstrive to be human in our manner of life and ministry as our patron hassaid “ To be nothing if not human”.
I wish you all a Happy Feast of St. Francis de Sales.
Congregation Matters:1. The book-let on three reflection papers with dynamics and
procedures to study had been given to you already. I requestall the confreres to study personally, in communities and inapostolic communities the first reflection paper and send yourfindings and reflections to the provincial before the end ofFebruary 2018.
2. As it is the year of Local Communities, may I request all thelocal superiors to plan for the year, the various activities of thecommunity and send them to Fr. Provincial at the earliest.
3. Asst. Superior General will be visiting the Visakhapatnam Provincein the Month of February 2018. Cordial welcome to him.
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Province News :ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATIONS AT SFS HIGH SCHOOL, KHAMMAM
It was a time for celebrations at SFS School Khammam as itcommemorated its 23rd Anniversary. Some of the distinguished whoand who of the town have descended upon the campus on 14th
December, 2017. After a month long preparations the event commencedwith a bang at 5 P.M on the day. Mr.Iqubal IPS, Commissioner of Policeof Khammam city had graced the occasion as Chief Guest. While VeryRev Fr. Chinnappa Reddy, the Provincial Superior of VisakhapatnamProvince, presided over the function. The other dignitaries included Dr.G. Papalal, Mayor of Khammam, Rev. Fr. M. Jojaiah Admonitor &Councillor Incharge for Missions, Visakhapatnam and Smt. Dr. G. Sriteja,Alumna. The chief gusts and the other guests inspired the students andtheir parents alike with motivational speeches. After that the culturalevents added extravagance to the event. Students delivered scintillatingperformances through dances, skits, comedy shows, songs, Mono actso on and so forth. The stage arrangements were one of the biggestattractions of the day as it was beautifully decked and illuminated.Several sports, literary, artistic and academic competitions wereconducted among students as part of the celebrations. The winners ofthis event were awarded with certificates, medals and trophies on theday. The guests of the day were highly impressed and assured theschool of their continuous support.Parents played an active role in rendering their support to the schooland participated actively throughout the programme. The event was notjust another annual day but a joy of sharing and showcasing the hiddenpotentials of the students. It will indeed remain a red letter day in theannals of school history as many teachers and students and guestscomplimented us by saying “ We have never seen such an event ofschool annual day celebration so far in any school in the city ofKhammam”. This however does not let us rest on our laurels but spursus to march towards achieving grater excellence in the day to come.The event come to an end with vote of thanks and the National Anthem.
Fr. Bonthu Prasad MSFS
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SPORTS DAY IN SFS SCHOOL, MEDIPALLY.
The first ever SPORTS DAY was conducted in S.F.S. School, Medipally,Hyderabad, T.S, on 16-12-2017. Rev Fr. P.Chinnappa Reddy, M.S.F.S,the Provincial Superior and General Manager of S.F.S Institutions inA.P and T.S was the president of the function. Sri. G.R. Kiran Reddy,(Principal, Transport academy, zonal staff training college, TSRTC andthe former National Volleyball player) was the chief guest. Rev. Fr. GeorgeParampukattil, M.S.F.S, (General secretary of Education, M.S.F.SCongregation), Rev. Fr. Sandeep Reddy, M.S.F.S (Counselor in chargeof education, Vishakapatnam Province), and Mrs. M.K. Asia (Indianvolleyball player and senior clerk in Indian Railways) graced the occasionas guests of honor. Program started at 03:15p.m. and concluded at07:15 p.m. May Pole dance by K.G Children, Colours of India (drill withsarees by 60 Senior girls), Calisthenics exercises, Taekwondoperformance, Single stick drill, ribbon drill, dumb bells exercises, hoopdrill, pole drill (performed by 50 senior boys). Flash mob (Santa clausedance) flag drill, fan drill, cap drill and aerobic exercises were some ofthe noteworthy items performed by enthusiastic students. ‘Straw in theBun’ was a fun game for the parents and “Crossing the Jordan” was afun and skill game for the alumni. 20 selected children were awardedwith ‘champion of champions’ trophies and certificates. Rank holders ofS.S.C 2017 were given cash awards, certificates and mementos. Manysports events and fun games were sandwiched among drill displays.
TORCH DRILL (Flame drill), a military drill, with lighted flames (torch)performed by 65 senior boys of the school kept the audience in spellbound for 20 minutes. This dance cum drill was the highlight of the day.Children got an opportunity to express themselves, while the parentsand general public were highly impressed by the spectacular show.
Fr. George Alappatt, M.S.F.S
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ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS ATBALLEPALLI PARISHIntense preparations for the celebrations of the Lord’s Birth went in fullswing this year too, right from the start of the Advent Season, with aspecial focus of reflections on the Word of God for the Lord’s comingand our preparedness and the need to be vigilant to receive the Lord.These were further intensified from 15th to 23rd December, whendeeparadhana was conducted in the early hours of morning, throughoutthe parish.
Deeparadhana is a religious practice conducted in the parish wherepeople bearing lighted candles proceed, in procession upto the churchthrough the streets of the villages which are a part of the substations ofthe Parish. The procession halts at each house of the Catholic families,as a waking up call to join the prayer and singing. On arriving at thechurch, confessions were heard, culminating with the celebration of theHoly Mass. During these days, after the mass, people at each village,in a family spirit of the church, shared a small meal or breakfast. In theevening, we had carol singing. As tokens of joy, and celebration, theliturgical calendars for the year 2018, were distributed to the families. Itwas a good and an enjoyable experience for the people. People of allthe age groups were seen to be active in all these events. On the 24th
evening Christmas vigil was conducted which was attended by peoplein large numbers. Four substations of the Ballepalli Parish, had Nightvigil masses whereas the other four substations had mass in the morning.All these services were conducted with devotion and piety.
There were competitions for the crib making. Churches were welldecorated. There were bible quiz competitions. Towards 24th December,some old people were given bed sheets and women received sarees.On the 25th evening, there were competitions of singing, dancing andenactment of the cultural items based on topics from the Bible. Thepresence of His Grace Rt. Rev. Paul Maipan, Bishop of Khammam, forthe New Year night vigil mass heightened the joy of the celebrations.All the people, including those from the substations of the parish,gathered in the main Parish church and were extremely happy. Afterthe mass, tokens of promise cards were distributed to take home thePromises of the Lord and experience it in their lives. The whole MSFScommunity was actively involved in all the liturgical celebrations. Wealso had the presence of our scholastics from Janampet to help us inthe parish. The parish priest thanked all the parishnors for their activeparticipation. May God be praised!
Fr. Joseph Kondala, MSFS
Regents’ Meeting at Secunderabad All the regents of Visakhapatnam Province gathered on 3rd - 5th
January 2018, at Lourdunivas, Secunderabd. Fr. Sandeep Reddy, theCouncilor in charge of Education welcomed all of us. Rev. Fr. WilsonMSFS, the resource person was felicitated by Rev. Fr. Provincial.
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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS OF PMI withMost Rev. Dr. Mallavarapu Prakash,
the Archbishop of Visakhapatnam
On 22nd December 2017 the Prison Ministry India (PMI) VizagUnit gathered at the Pastoral Centre, Archbishop's house for its ChristmasCelebrations. The meeting began with the scripture reading by thePastoral Centre Director Rev. Fr. Ch. Mariadas, Most Rev. Dr. PrakashM, the Archbishop of Vizag presided over the meeting and delivered a
beautiful Christmasmessage. In hismessage first of all heappreciated theservices of PMI VizagUnit and then gave us arelevant messagedepicting the currentsituation of the country
and the challenges that we are facing and therefore our adaquateresponse to it.... because Jesus was not only a sign of peace but also asign of "Contradiction" as said in the scirptures by the sage Simeon.Then he released the New Litiurgical Calander and distributed it to allthe members of the PMI. He cut the Christimas Cake while carol singingwas going on and shared it with all present. As a token of love andgratitude the PMI Co-ordinator and members felicitated our belovedArchbishop with a shawl and bouquet.
Archbishop has honoured the former PMI Co-ordinator Rev. Fr. Balaraju,MSFS for his services towards Prison Ministry. Fr. Francis Stephenproposed the VOTE OF THANKS and also appeciated the Asst. Co-ordinator Rev. Sr. Mary James and Mr. Sehubabu, the Secretary for theservices and thanked all the members present. The meeting has trulyfostered a greater sense of responsibility and commitment towards PrisonMinistry India (PMI).
Fr. Francis Stephen, MSFSCo-ordinator, Vizag Unit
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During the first session of the meeting Fr. Wilson highlighted on religiouslife, focusing on commitment of a religious, Life of Prayer, Belongingnessto the community and a religious should be joyful by serving God. In
the second session hespoke on ‘how to shinein the community andat large in the world’.He presented ten waysto shine. Such as, Fallin love with God, Be aman of Strength andnot strong, welcometroubles, empoweroneself through purity,
need not be intellectual but depend on God, strong faith, prioritize yourpriorities, bloom where you are planted, remain faithful to the faithexpressions, have spiritual guide and avoid bad relations. During thethird session he spoke about three tables to be set, namely Divine table,Dining table, Dialogue table ( pray together, eat together, share together).
On 4th we met the provincial in group and shared our experiences bothpositive and negative. Fr. Provincial appreciated all the regents fordoing our responsibilities in all the communities. Fr. Provincial sharedhis views and feelings, stressing the importance of being a model toothers. We had an outing to Wonderland. Our sincere thanks to Fr.Provincial, Fr. Sandeep Reddy, Fr. Sundar Rao and to the members ofthe Shantinar community for their cordiality.
Bro. Manoj, MSFSInauguration at Chinnagiripalli
On 5th January 2018, the newly constructed OurLady of Good Health Mandapam atChinnagiripalli, Agripalli was blessed andinaugurated by Rev. Fr. Chinnappa Reddy MSFS,the Provincial of Visakhapatnam. The people ofthe village extended a warm floral and ceremonialwelcome to Fr. Provincial. The whole atmospherewas filled with a fabulous dance performance bySFS School Students, Agripalli. Around 1500devotees participated in the inaugural ceremonyand have taken part in the Arogyamatha meal.
There was a mind blowing performance of ‘Yesepu Charitra’ Burra Kathaby the artists.
January 20183 – 4 Regents’ Meeting at Secunderabad08 – 13 Retreat at MSFS Dhyanashram14th Mass at Seethammadhara17th Ordination of Dn. Kandi Vijaya Kiran, Koduru20th Diaconate Ordination, SFS Study House, Eluru
Priestly Ordination of Dn. Talakala Ratna Raju22nd Ordination of Dn. Chatragadda Rajesh, Nagayalanka24th -27th Batchmates gathering25th Silver Jubilee Celebration, Stella Maris26th Mass at Kondadaba31st Ordination of Dn. Boilla Vijay Kumar and Dn. Boilla Ravi, Ponugadu
February 2018
2nd School Day, Seethammadhara4th Apostolic Community Meeting, Shanthinagar5th Apostolic Community Meeting, Anantapur7th Apostolic Community Meeting, Parchur
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Yours fraternally in Christ,
Fr. P. Chinnappa Reddy msfs Provincial Superior
SALESIAN THOUGHTI wanted to love not knowing what to love.
I have found he who my soul searched for. - St. Francis de Sales
8th Apostolic Community Meeting, Nunna9th Apostolic Community Meeting, Tanuku10th Apostolic Community Meeting, Seethammadhara11th Provincial Curia Meeting with Assistant Superior General12th Ordination of Dn. Swarna Anil Kumar, Ongole
Note Please :Pointers for reflection, could be discussed in an apostolic communitymeeting, local community meeting and bring their discussionresponses to the meeting with the Asst. Superior General. Each onethoroughly go through the Draft of the pointers, and come to theofficial meeting well-prepared and focused, so that we will not wastetime unnecessarily.
Pray for the Departed:Rev. Fr. O.V. Zacharias, aged 92, belonging to South West India Provincepassed away on 6th January, 2018.Mr. Sebastinaiah, aged 92, father of Fr. M. Anand Prasad passed awayon 25th December 2017.
