Provincial CircularSalesian Province of Tiruchy – INT

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PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR 01 OCTOBER 2018DEAR CONFRERES,

Greetings and Prayerful Wishes!

Month of October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. The Holy Rosary is considered to be a perfect prayer because within it is the awesome story of our salvation. It is considered to be a traditional and powerful Christian prayer. In every apparition, the heavenly Mother has invited us to pray the Rosary as a powerful weapon against evil, to bring us to true peace. `Don Bosco looked upon the Rosary as a weapon which would bring victory not only to individuals but to the Church as well’ (BM VII, 143). May this devotion draw us closer to Jesus and be an explicit expression of our filial devotion to our Blessed Mother. I recommend all our communities to fondly recall our Salesian traditions of using different methods of praying the Holy Rosary and follow the same to make the recitation of the Holy Rosary a joyful and prayerful experience for our youngsters.

I am making the canonical visitation of our communities. I believe it to be a moment of grace for all of us as there is a frank, fraternal and spontaneous sharing of the life and mission of the community. I appreciate the Leaders for making it a point to arrange for a meeting with all our Salesian family members and our well-wishers. ELECTIONS OF THE DELEGATES OF THE PROVINCIAL COMMUNITY FOR PC 2019

I thank the Leaders and all of you for your cooperation in conducting the election of the local community delegates and their substitutes. The results of the election have reached me. Now we have the responsibility of the election prescribed by our Rules, namely, the election of the Delegates of the Provincial Community. Kindly note that delegates to be elected are from the list of the Perpetually Professed confreres of our Province sent along with the ballot paper (Cf. Art 173) and you can strictly elect from the list given to you, 9 members for our Provincial Chapter (Cf. Reg. 165). I will soon send to the communities the list of names and other details regarding the election. It is the duty of every confrere to respond promptly by sending the ballot papers, duly signed, in a sealed envelope to the provincial office either directly or through the community leader.

Those who are outside the province will receive through e-mail the ballot paper which you can directly send it to the Provincial E-mail ID. I exhort the leaders to see that everyone responds promptly.

Provincial Circular Salesian Province of Tiruchy – INT

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BATCH MEETINGS

Batch Meetings and live-in programme was organized for the perpetually professed confreres of the Province in the last month. In all these gatherings, time was allotted for animation, group sharing and a short outing. Fr. Veni Ilankumaran and Fr. Suseelan from Thoothukudi diocese animated our confreres on ‘the challenges of Religious life and Pastoral Ministry.’ We thank the fathers for their inspiring talks. There was a discussion and sharing of ideas on the Provincial Chapter documents. I appreciate all the confreres for their active participation with a strong sense

of belonging to the Province and its growth. I also thank Fr. Vice Provincial and the Economer for making arrangements for these gatherings. On behalf of the province I thank the Rectors and communities of Keela Eral and Vilathikulam for meticulously planning and taking care of the confreres. The last gathering will be for the senior group (before 2000) on 05 and 06 October 2018 at DB Manikandam.

FORTHCOMING LEADERS MEET

Meeting for the Rectors and Leaders of our province will be held on 11 and 12 of this month at Don Bosco Manikandam. This meeting is of great importance as we are going to discuss and evaluate the life and mission of the province in view of the Provincial Chapter (PC 2019). I recommend all the Leaders to make yourselves available for this meeting. The Leaders are recommended to reach the house on 10 October by supper time.

Forthcoming Events…

2 Tue Salesian Family Day, Salesian Family Consult 5, 6 Fri, Sat Priests and Salesian Brothers Meet (before 2000) 11, 12 Thu, Fri Leaders Meet 13 Sat Provincial CouncilZonal Meetings for those in Initial Formation will be held in this month

Upcoming Salesian Feasts…

13 Blessed Alberto Marvelli, 15 Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa,

Recalling Events…SAFC Delegate’s Formation ProgrammeThe South Asia Formation Commission (SAFC) Delegates’ formation programme was held from 26th to 30th August 2018 in Bangalore. Fr. Arokiaraj Mariasusai, our Formation Delegate attended this programme. Fr. Ivo Coelho, the Councillor for Formation, Fr. Silvio Roggia and Fr. Jose Kuttianimattathil from the central department were the animators and facilitators of the programme. During this meeting our province was entrusted with the preparation of quinquennium manual for the region, as it had already begun the preparatory works.

Provincial CircularSalesian Province of Tiruchy – INT

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Meeting for the Post-Novitiate Formators Meeting for the Post – Novitiate Formators (Rectors, Dean of Studies/Principals) of the Asia & Oceania Region was held in Thailand from 1st to 4th September 2018. Fr. Arokiaraj Mariasusai and Fr. Arnald Mahesh from Yercaud attended this programme. The prime focus of this meeting was “to help to make the shift – not only in name but in reality – from philosophate to post-novitiate,” and to aim at the arrival of an integrated model of post-novitiate formation plan that bases its formative experience in the novitiate, as a preparation for practical training, deepening of faith and deepening of the spirit of Don Bosco.

First Provincial Congress of the Salesian Cooperators was held at the Province on 23rd and 24th September 2018 at Don Bosco Thanjavur. This congress is a combined effort of the Salesian Co-operators of SDB and FMA Provinces of Tiruchy. ‘Autonomy in Communion for the Mission’ was the theme of the Congress. This congress was organized by the Salesian Cooperators of our Province assisted by Fr. Thomas Louis, the Provincial delegate for Salesian Family, Fr. Xavier Michael, the SDB Provincial delegate for Salesian Cooperators and Sr. Rosy, the FMA Provincial delegate for Salesian Cooperators. On behalf of the province we extend our greatest appreciation to all our cooperators for their participation and involvement. In a special way we thank and appreciate Mr. Xavier, the Provincial Coordinator and Mr. Manohar the Secretary for coordinating this congress with their meticulous planning and execution.

Rev. Fr. Gnanapragasam, Vicar General of Thanjavur Diocese, was the chief guest of the function and celebrated the Inaugural Holy Eucharist. Fr. Albert Johnson, South Asian Delegate of Salesian Family animated the Cooperators on ‘Autonomy,’ Fr. James Theophilus, Rector of DBRC Bangalore animated on ‘Communion,’ and Mr. Anthuvan, world councilor of Salesian Co-operators animated on ‘Mission.’ Sr. Pushpam of FMA Tiruchy Province and Fr. Rajadevan presented the history of the cooperators in Tiruchy Province. Mr. Amalanathan, the regional coordinator for Salesian cooperators was also present and made his contribution. We thank all of them for their valuable presence and animations. We also appreciate and welcome the 14 new members who made their promise during this occasion. In a special way we thank the Rector and the community of Don Bosco Thanjavur, the Superior and the FMA communities of Thanjavur and Regunathapuram for making all the arrangements and making this event a great success.

Camp Site at Keeranur Susaipudyanpatti was blessed on 20 September 2018. Don Bosco District Association organized the first training programme at Keeranur for the Scouts, Guides and Cubs from 20 to 26 September 2018. It is a joint venture of SDB and FMA of Tiruchy Provinces. This was conducted as a preparation in view of the forthcoming 13th National Boscoree to be held at Nashik. There were 65 participants for this programme. We appreciate Fr. Barnabass, in charge of Scouts and guides in the province, for coordinating this training programme.

Training for the Rectors and staff of Aspirantate and Prenovitiate: Seminar cum workshop on ‘Spiritual Direction’ was organized from 24th to 29th September 2018 in Kolkatta. From our province Fr. Thomas Louis, Fr. Amos Herbert and Fr. Raja Prince participated in this meeting.

Provincial Circular Salesian Province of Tiruchy – INT

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Meeting for those due for Perpetuals was held at the Provincial house on 30 September 2018. There were 7 brothers for this meeting. Fr. Agilan, the Vice Provincial accompanied the Clerics and animated the meeting.

5th National Educational Conference of Don Bosco Schools is being held at SRM University Chennai from 28 September to 01 October 2018. The theme of the conference is ‘Committed to accompanying the Young.’ Our headmasters are attending this conference.

CONDOLENCES…

I extend my sincere condolences on behalf of the province

− To the Provincial and Confreres of New Delhi at the sad demise of Fr. Brain Diamond (85) on 16 September 2018.

− To the Provincial and Confreres of Shillong province at the death of Fr. Thekkekandam Thomas on 17 September 2018. May their souls rest in peace.

COMMUNITY REFLECTION…

Shared Mission between Salesians and Laity

I invite you to reflect together on ‘Shared Mission between Salesians and Laity’, the third nucleus of the main theme, “What Kind of Salesians for the youth of today?”

The theme is familiar and it only takes us back to the theme and deliberations of General Chapter 24, ‘Salesians and Lay People: Communion and Sharing in the spirit and Mission of Don Bosco.’

We are aware of Voldocco days of Don Bosco where he engaged people from all walks of life to collaborate with him in the work of the Oratory. These collaborators emerged from secular priests like Fr. Borel, lay people of high social status like Count Cays and Marquis Fassati, poor people like Gaglliardi, mothers of families, adults and young people. They gave meaning to what we call today, the “Salesian lay Movement”. Today, apart from the Salesian family, it could be the volunteers, Friends of Don Bosco, and all those who would like to associate with our works. The young people too form part of this movement.

The Church clarifies through Vita Consacrata that the charism of each Founder not as the exclusive property of a group of religious but as a gift to the lay members of the Church as well.

We need to establish and ensure the spirit of Don Bosco by:

¾ Fostering the educative and Pastoral Community: It is one tool that could nurture the lay people to become apostles of the young. Analogously, our schools or parishes, Anbu Illams or oratories are not the exclusive responsibility of the Salesians. It is practically not possible. The Salesians cannot do it alone. Hence, there is a need for EPC to function well. A change in our part must be accompanied by a good formation of the laity.

Provincial CircularSalesian Province of Tiruchy – INT

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¾ Joint formation of Salesians and lay people: GC 24 dealt more not about Salesians forming lay people or vice versa, it is both the groups engaging in their formation together, without separating those who form from those who are formed. It affirms that Salesians and lay people are formed together.

It is true, that EPC and formation alone are not enough. We need to take a step-by-step process to nurture their sense of belonging by giving clarity about mission and its goals, and shared values. What is in question is the lack of willingness to innovate models of working together as ‘partners’ than merely holding as ‘staff’ and ‘workers’? We do not any more call them staff and workers but rather consider them as ‘Lay-partners’ in our mission and treat them accordingly.

At Puebla, the Bishops of Latin America coined a very appropriate formula to express the identity of the lay person: “A man of the Church in the heart of the world, a man of the world in the heart of the Church.”

I wonder if we ever stopped for a while to consider that Salesians are far lower in number than the lay people in our missions. Imagine, if a quarter or even a tenth of them were to share our responsibilities and become apostles of the young, what a difference it would make to the Salesian mission. The lay people in our presences literally are a ‘sleeping giants’.

WISH YOU ALL A PRAYERFUL MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARYAND THE BLESSINGS OF OUR LADY OF ROSARY!

Yours Affectionately in DB

Fr. Antony Joseph SDB Provincial – Salesian Province of Annai Velankanni, Tiruchy – INT