Provincial CircularSalesian Province of Tiruchy – INT

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PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR 01 DECEMBER 2018DEAR CONFRERES,

Greetings and Prayerful Wishes!

With the season of Advent, dawns the celebration of Christmas. This great season speaks of the history of the beginning of our Salvation that had its manifestation in a simple manger.Christmas is a season of joy and blessing. It is also, as it is well understood, a season of sharing. This joyous celebration, in some way, always includes giving and receiving of gifts among loved ones, preparation of crib, pomp decorations, candle lights, jingle bells, stars etc. But there is much more to the celebration of Christmas than these usual external icons. In the poor, we find the presence of Jesus, who became poor. Christmas is an invitation to share our love with those who are less fortunate. We have been so wrapped up in celebrating Christmas in a commercialized tradition and fashion. With so many people suffering at Christmas, it just doesn’t feel right to celebrate this Christmas in an exaggerated manner which only leads us more and more to a culture of indifference to the poor and needy.

There are families and children in our presences for whom Christmas Day becomes yet another ordinary day, a day when they just watch in grief, the rich and the well to do celebrating it in a pompous way. We are called to celebrate this Christmas with these people, with the less fortunate. This sharing with the poor should not stop with this Christmas, but it should lead us to a life-long culture of sharing and solidarity with the poor. In the life of Don Bosco, we could witness his closeness to the poor and sharing all what he had with those young people who were in need that led him to discover the Divine Providence working through the people of good will of his time, not only in his personal life but also in the life of the congregation. We the sons of Don Bosco, should live and experience the same in our life and ministry. The birth of our Saviour, in fact, is challenging our complacent way of living and calls for a spiritual renewal of seeking Him in the poor. Let this preparation and celebration of Christmas bring us closer to the poor, to our family members, to our confreres and to the young entrusted to our care. I recommend all our communities to ensure a meaningful celebration, avoiding all kinds of external exaggerations and unnecessary expenses. I also urge all of you to make this Christmas ‘paper-free’ and to use digital means of sending wishes through E-cards, E-mails and SMS. Wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year. PROVINCE ORDINATION

We congratulate the five Deacons who have been admitted to the ministry of Ordination. They will be ordained as priests on 29 December 2018, in AMSAM Tiruchy, at 5.30 pm by Most. Rev.

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Devadoss Ambrose, Bishop of Thanjavur. We wish God’s Blessings on our deacons as they prepare for Ordination.

We thank the ordaining Bishop for his availability and acceptance. We remember with gratitude, Fr. K.M.Jose, the Provincial of Chennai, the Rector and staff of DBTC, Chennai and Fr. Joyce, the Provincial of Bangalore, the Rector and staff of KJC, Bangalore who have accompanied them and prepared them for this event. After the Ordination, the new priests will continue their pastoral ministry till May 2019, in the places already assigned to them.

PROVINCIAL CHAPTER PARTICIPANTS LIST

I would like to once again appreciate all our confreres for the active involvement in the discussions of the chapter documents. I appreciate the Rectors and confreres for sending on time, the results of the community elections and the ballot papers for the provincial delegates. The following is the list of names of observers, secretary and scrutineers of the Seventh provincial chapter.

Fr. Gnanapragasam Benjamin - Observer Fr. Robert Simon - ObserverMr. ArockiasamyJesuraj - Observer (Salesian Family Representative)Mr. Leo Vimalraj - Observer (Youth Representative)Ms. Sharmila - Observer (Youth Representative)Cl. Stephen Ashly - SecretaryCl. William Robert - ScrutineerCl. Peter Joan Marshal - Scrutineer

There will be altogether 65 members taking part in the Seventh Provincial Chapter. Together with this circular, is attached the participants list of the Provincial Chapter 2019.

YOUTH CHAPTER

Province level Youth Chapter was organized on 25th November 2018. This youth chapter was organized as part of the preparation for the Provincial Chapter. Seventy youngsters from various

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Salesian presences and institutions along with 10 Salesians gathered at Don Bosco Manikandam, Trichy for this Youth Chapter. There were sessions along the path of listening to the young people on the priority of our mission for the young people, what kind of Salesians they wish the Salesians to be and the ways the young people could share in the Salesian Mission.

The responses of the young, ‘We dream of a Salesian who walks along like Jesus walking with his disciples, We dream of a Salesian who gives preferential option for the young, We dream of a joyful and optimistic Salesian, We dream of a Salesian who is a spiritual guide, We dream of a visionary Salesian etc.,’ were indeed a great source of inspiration for all of us and a call for a change.

‘Youth Chapter’ was a unique initiative of the Province, as preparation of the Provincial Chapter and to facilitate the young to express their dream of Salesians for today and tomorrow. I appreciate the organising team, Fr. Amos Gandhi, Fr. Barnabass, Fr. Gabriel and Fr. Dominic Savio for their painstaking efforts towards this event. I thank Fr. Agilan the Vice provincial, for his presence and for the celebration of the Eucharist. I appreciate Fr. Raj, the Moderator of the Provincial Chapter who concluded the Youth Chapter and announced the two names of the youth who will be attending the Provincial Chapter in January 2019. I thank and appreciate all our Youth service coordinators for their cooperation and all the participants for their presence and active involvement.

STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE VICTIMS OF ‘GAJA’ CYCLONE

Severe cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’ had made a great devastation in the southern part of Tamilnadu.Four districts of Tamilnadu are severely struck and two districts are partially affected by this cyclone. Most of the poor people have lost their homes, farms, cattle, trees etc. People, in the past weeks and even now, experience dark-nights without electricity. Loss of electricity has led people experience harder times that resulted loss of their basic fundamental needs. Salesian institutions in the district of Pudukottai, Don Bosco Youth resource centre Keeranur and in the district of Thanjavur, Don Bosco Aspirantate were affected. In the district of Pudukottai institutions belonging to Salesian Family, FMA Arts and Science College at Regunathapuram and SMA skill training centre at Keeranur were also badly affected by this storm.

In this pressing hard times, the entire Province is with the victims, trying to reach out to them with the maximum help. I greatly appreciate most of our institutions who have readily, immediately and spontaneously come forward to extend their support in the relief works as well to offer tothe victims material helps providing solar lights, food, clothing, blankets, medicines, drinking water, mosquito netsand other basic needs.

As I whole heartedly appreciate this gesture of solidarity, I place on record the following communities who made efforts to collect material helps, visited the spot and engaged in the relief works…DB Dindigul together with the Prenovices, DB Thanjavur together with the Aspirants,

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The Retreat Yercaud community with the youth, ASMAM Community together with the ITI Students, DB Jawaharpuram community together with the ITI Students, Madurai LS Parish community, Keeranur community and youth, Varadarajanpet community with the DB Past Pupils, Madhakottai parish community, Keela Eral community with the youth, Savariarpalayam community with the youth, DB Vellakinar community, DBAI Coimbatore, DBAI Salem, DB Kazhiappanallur, DB Lalgudi, DB Namakkal and Jananam Department. I am aware that a few more communities are trying their possible ways to reach out to these victims. I appreciate all of you for understanding the pain of these people and for extending your valuable support.

A sincere and special word of appreciation is extended to the ITI Students of AMSAM, DB Jawaharpuram and to the Prenovices of DB Dindigul for spending days in hard work to set right the affected area. We thank our Alaihal Media team for their photo and video coverage to bring to light the actual damage and the condition of the affected people. I thank Fr. Agilan the Vice Provincial, Fr. Amaladoss, the Economer, Fr. Maran, director of the development office, Fr. Barnabass and Fr. Arun Simiyonfor taking great efforts to reach out to the victims and inspiring many to do the same.

I thank BOSCONET – Delhi on behalf of the province for coming forward to render their helps to the victims. I also extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Kuzhanthai Francis (IVDP), Dharmapuri and to Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur for extending their support in a big way towards cyclone relief services. Thanks to the Don Bosco National Past Pupil unit for their thoughtfulness and monetary help. The Good Lord would surely bless us for the generosity and solidarity extended to our people in need. Let us continue to pray and support the affected families in all ways possible.

RECTOR MAJOR’S STRENNA FOR 2019

Our Rector Major, Rev. Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, is extending his invitation to all of us with his Strenna 2019, ‘So that my joy may be in you (Jn 15: 11): Holiness for you, too.’Our Rector Major insists on an essential reality of holiness on a day to day basis. He says ‘Holiness is not an “extra”, an optional and a goal only for some, but it is a gift and a life to the full, according to God’s plan.’Daily sanctity has become a reality in the lives, lived to the full in the Salesian Charism. He further refersDon Bosco,saying that he was a great teacher with the ability to inspire and accompany his children on the paths of daily holiness.We are thus invited,through this Strenna, to live a life of holiness and lead the young to holiness.

VIII SALESIAN BROTHERS CONGRESS

The 8thSalesian Brothers Congress of South Asia will be held from 30 December 2018 to 3 January 2019, at DonBosco Skill Mission, Bangalore. Together with the Salesian Brothers we are invited to reflect on the theme ‘Salesian be a Faithful

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Witness.’ We pray that this Congress turns out to be a great inspiration for all of us and a moment of choicest blessings for all our dear Salesian Brothers. We wish Bro. Biju Joseph Poonamkavil, the National Delegate of the Salesian Brothers and his team all the very best as they prepare for this important national event. Together with this circular attached the brochure and a prayer card for the congress. Let us intensify our prayers for the success of the congress and extend our prayerful support by reciting the prayer during the Lauds throughout this month.

I wish all our Salesian Brothers of our Province, Br. George Joseph, Br. Arockiadoss, Br. Sagayaraj, Br. Chinnaparaj, Br. Philip, Br. Edwin and Cl. Amuthan God’s choicest blessings, as they celebrate the Salesian Brothers’ day on 05 December, the feast day of Bl. Philip Rinaldi. On behalf of the

province, I thank them for their dedicated service, hard work and cheerfully living this great gift of brotherhood vocation. I recommend all our communities to meaningfully celebrate the Salesian Brothers’ Day on 5th December 2018, praying for all our Salesian Brothers and promoting vocations to Salesian Brotherhood.

XIII NATIONAL BOSCOREE

Province of Mumbai is gearing up with the final preparations for the 13th National Boscoree to be held at Nashik from 30 December 2018 to 3 January 2019. This is a national event of gathering the Scouts and guides with the slogan, ‘Holiness (Love of God), Harmony (Love of neighbor) and Health (love of self).’There is no doubt that all the units of Scouts and Guides of various provinces look forward to this special event. I wish the participants of our province and those in-charge of Scouts and Guides who would accompany our young people for this Grand National Boscoree, a great and enriching experience.

We wish and extend our prayerful support to Fr. Godfrey, the Provincial of the hosting province and the organizing team. Let the words of Baden Powell, the founder, ‘we are here to leave the world better than before,’ come true through this 13th National Boscoree. The celebration of the 12th National Boscoree in our Province still lingers in our memory. It made a great impact in all of us and gave us an opportunity to experience Salesian togetherness. We wish the same to the hosting province and to all those who are involved in this great event.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS…

05 Wed Salesian Brothers Day20 Thu Provincial Council29 Sat Ordination in Tiruchy Province

UPCOMING SALESIAN FEASTS…

05 Wed Bl. Philip Rinaldi – Priest Founder of the Secular Institute of the Volunteers of Don Bosco

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RECALLING EVENTS…

National Level DBYA Council and Board Meet was held from 04 to 08 November. Our Province hosted this event. There were 50 participants from all the provinces of the region. The youth ministry Delegates along with the core team members participated in this meeting.

7th National Convention of the Past Pupils of Don Boscowas held from 16 to 18 November 2018 at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The theme of the convention was, ‘Past Pupils of Don Bosco towards Nation Building.’ The convention was inaugurated by Rev.Fr. Jose Kuruvachira SDB the Dimapur Salesian Provincial, with the special invitees from the State Government. From our Province there were 25 members (5 SDB + 21 Past Pupils) participated in this event. Key-note address was delivered by Rev.Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga SDB, South Asia Regional Councilor. I thank Fr. Sebastian Jacob, Provincial Delegate and Mr. Irudayasamy, the President of Past Pupil association, for coordinating all our past pupils to represent our province in a big number and for accompanying them to this convention.

All Commissions and Departments Meet was held at the provincial house on for the mid-year Evaluation on 10 November. It was a moment of presenting reports and sharing of activities and ideas of each department and commission. I thank Fr. Agilan the Vice Provincial for coordinating this event. Zonal Level Meet for the Clerics was held on 18 November. The young clerics were accompanied and animated by Fr. Agilan, the Vice Provincial.

CONDOLENCES…

• I express, on behalf of the Province, our deepest condolences to the Provincial and the confreres of Dimapur Province at the death of Fr. Peringalathu Joseph (63), on 29 November 2018. May his soul rest in peace.

• I express my sincere condolences and prayerful support, on behalf of the province, to Fr. Amirthanthan Irudayaraj at the death of his beloved mother Mrs. Philominal (77), on 09 November 2018. May the Good Lord grant her eternal rest.

COMMUNITY REFLECTION…

Our policies for the Youth: The two policies that we take up for Provincial Chapter discussions are ‘Policy for Higher Education’ and ‘Policy for Youth Services (Ilamai)’. Both the policies are very important for our ministry among the youth and they directly address the young people. To give both more attention and get clarity, we restricted ourselves with only two policies for Chapter discussion. It is fundamentally important to develop good comprehensive policies for our organizational functioning. The policies guide the organization personnel to make a decision and govern an organization. Our services for young people in youth services and higher education have been growing. It is time that we place good policies in place at the service of the Province.

Imagine if we had a faulty product and we wished to return it to the shop from which we had purchased. If there is no policy for refunds, the refund might only depend on the trust of persons

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we spoke to. But if the person from whom we purchased has a bad day, we might return with the same product. It teaches us that absence of policy could only lead to inconsistency of decision making.

Policies provide us useful and necessary assistance. Policies also give rise to decentralized functioning and decision making, and thus increase the efficiency of work processes. The policies are to benefit the province for its efficient way of carrying out the youth ministry. They benefit in helping us to make decisions at the local level more efficiently, provide instruction on how to carry out the tasks in the way of the Province, creating confidence, protecting every person in the system, and demanding responsibility and accountability. Policies achieve the goals of making people behave in a way that is predictable, advisable and in the best interests of the organization and the person.

These two policies should seek to empower the young people by creating an enabling environment and marshalling the resources necessary for undertaking programmes and projects to fully develop the youth in their intellectual, mental, moral socio, economic, political, cultural, physical and spiritual potential in order to improve their quality of life.In finalizing our policies, we must ensure that it reflects the vision of the Province and safeguards organizational integrity with the Government. A well-developed policy is also actually good evidence of proactive and forward-thinking management.

The significantly successful Youth Chapter that we organized was a wonderful positive sign of giving hope to strong policies and practices that exist in the Province. The youth services by of way Ilamaior the services in the Higher Education are bound to usher in changes in the world of young people. The development of the youth will ensure the national development. Yet in all these, the goal of our policies should define the underpinning principles of Salesian Youth Ministry. It should include our commitment to invest in youth services. We are re-entering in an era again just like Don Bosco found himself catapulted into a new world where there was no shortage of problems of social, economic, political and religious.

Hence, we must be guided by contemplating the youth situation through God’s eyes. Ours is not merely youth ministry it is also youthful ministry where evangelisation and education integrates. Every type of Salesian work should have Don Bosco’s oratory at the very origin and constitute its prototype. It should inspire every educational and evangelizing project and services of the Salesian mission (cf. C. 40) to be Don Bosco’s Oratory – Youth Centre presence.

Wish you all… A Holy Advent! Blessed Christmas! A Prosperous New Year 2019!

Yours Affectionately in DB

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