Circular: TJP– 9 August- 2018

Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales

MSFS - USA Vice Province

Fransalians 3887 Rosebud Road

Loganville- Atlanta, GA 30052-4656 USA

Email: viceprovincialusamsfs@gmail.com,

Website: www.fransaliansusa.com

Cell: 615-943-8706; Office: 470-268-4069; Fax: 678-336-9118

Fransalian Annual Congregational Retreat 2018

The Fransalian Annual Congregational Retreat was held from June 11-15, in Marywood

Retreat Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The retreat was animated by our Assistant Superior

General Very Reverend Fr. Thumma Mariadas and Reverend Fr. Binu Edathuparamppil. The

retreat was a quality time for the Fransalians to come together as religious family and enjoy

the presence of one another as Fransalian Missionaries. We had confreres from Canada and

Trinidad. On behalf of the Vice province and all the confreres working in the United States, a

special thanks to Fr Thumma and Fr Binu for doing an excellent job in animating the retreat.

Thank you and God bless you both. Great Job !!!!!!

Fransalian Annual Retreat 2019

The next annual retreat for the Fransalians will be held from Monday, September 9, to Friday,

September 13, 2019. It will be animated by Reverend Dr. Joe Boenzi, SDB. More details

about the retreat animator will be available soon. Please make sure that you do not pick up

holidays, pilgrimages, or any other commitments during this time so that all of us can come

together as a Fransalian family and spend some quality time with one another. Hereafter we

will try to keep the annual retreat in the month of September. It is also an important month

for us Fransalians as we are celebrating our founder’s day on September 30, our patroness’

day on September 15, and the nativity of Blessed Mother on September 8. Let’s keep this

month for spiritual renewal and family bonding.

Inside this

Issue:

Fransalian

Annual Retreat

2018

Silver Jubilee of

Fr. Sunny

Welcome to

New Confreres

Blessing of the

Fransalian

House Logan-

ville

Fransalian

Master Plan

20/30

Confreres Re-

turning to

Mother Prov-

ince

Renewal of

Pastoral Under-

standing

New Parishes

Entrusted to the

Fransalians

Congratulations

& Prayerful

Wishes

New Assign-

ments and Ad-

dresses

Report of

CMSM Meeting

Report of

NASM Meeting

Silver Jubilee Celebration of Fr. Sunny Punnakuzhiyil

During the Fransalian Retreat in Jacksonville, Florida, the Fransalian Community celebrated the Silver Jubilee

of Rev. Fr. Sunny Punnakuzhiyil. The celebration was held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in the presence of

several priests other than Fransalians. After the Eucharistic Celebration, delicious food was served in the So-

cial Hall. The celebration was very colorful. Thanks to Fr. Amarnath Nagothu, Fransalian Community, and

the parishioners of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Jacksonville, Florida.

Welcome to New Confreres to USA Vice-Province!

A hearty welcome to the new confreres to the USA Vice-Province.

• Fr. Anthony Bonela joined the USA Vice-Province as a permanent member with an active and passive

voice in the USA Vice-Province. He is appointed as the Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church at

Hondo, Texas, and the Pastor of Holy Cross Church, D’Hanis, Texas, in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

There will be one more priest joining him soon as his associate. These two parishes are entrusted to the

care of the Fransalians on a long-term basis.

Designated Members

• Fr. Noble Dominic Ambalathuruthel has just joined as a designated member of USA Vice-Province. He is

appointed as the Associate Pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Lewisburg, in the Diocese of Nashville,

Tennessee. He will also be functioning as a mission director of St. Teresa of Calcutta Syro-Malabar

Catholic Mission in Nashville, Tennessee, in St. Thomas Syro-Malabar diocese of Chicago.

• Fr. I. Jesuraj will be arriving soon as a designated member of the U.S.A. Vice-Province from Pune

Province.

Blessing of the Fransalian House Loganville, Georgia!

The Fransalian House was blessed along with a Eucharistic Celebration on May 1, 2018 on the Feast Day of

St. Joseph the Worker; by Fr. Tomy Puliyanampattayil, the Vice-Provincial of the USA Vice-Province in the

presence of Fransalians, other priests, and Fransalian Associates from the Atlanta Area. It was a great

gathering of unity, fellowship, and Fransalian spirit. We had our priests traveling from Tennessee to be part of

the celebration. There was also a delicious dinner after the ceremony. A word of thanks to all the participants,

especially to Fr. Joseph Pottemmel, the Bursar of the Vice-Province for his hard work, and the members of

the Fransalian Community of Atlanta. Thank you and God bless you, dear confreres, for the good job!

A hearty welcome to our confreres for pastoral ministry in the USA.

• Fr. Arokiaselvam Nithiyaselvam from Southeast India Province has arrived to the Diocese of Knoxville,

Tennessee to work in the Alexian Village in Chattanooga, TN.

• Fr. Francis Thadathil from Northeast India Province has arrived to the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

• Fr. A. Dharmaraj from Southeast India Province has arrived to the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana

• Fr. Pankairaj from Southwest India Province will be arriving next month to the Diocese of Kalamazoo,

Michigan.

• Fr. Nusi Konda Reddy and Fr. Nannnam Ratna Swamy from Vizhakapatham Province have arrived to the

Diocese of Wichita, Kansas.

We have to do everything for love, not out of force.

~St. Francis de Sales

Renewal of Pastoral Understanding with the Diocese of Tyler, Texas

The USA Vice Province has renewed the memorandum of pastoral understanding with the Diocese of Tyler

with regards to the parish of Prince of Peace for a term of another 10 years. Thanks to Fr. Gus for

shepherding the people of this parish for the past 5 years. Thank you and God bless you.

Confreres Returning to their Mother Provinces • Fr. Lucas Arulappa from the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee has returned to Southeast India Province

• Fr. Stephen Soares from the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida has returned to Nagpur Province

• Fr. George Thomas Thayilkuzhithottu from the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin will be returning to

Northeast India Province soon.

• Fr. Joshy Mathew Kulangara from the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin has returned to Northeast India

Province and will return to the USA to pursue his studies.

On behalf of all the confreres, and the USA Vice-Province, I would like to thank every one of them for their

person, presence, mission and ministry in the USA. Each one of them brought their talents in their ministries

and brought ministry fruitful and productive. Each of them has been a great blessing to the Fransalian com-

munity here in the USA. We will miss them, but we assure them of our prayers, support, and love. May God

Bless You in your ministry in your Mother Province.

Fransalians 20/30 Master Plan: Atlanta, USA

(A master plan that can be achieved within 20-30 years, approximately by 2045-2050)

GOAL: Establishing a “Fransalian Campus” in the existing property of 14 acres of land on Rosebud Road

Loganville-Atlanta with the following physical developments:

1. MSFS Provincial House with 5 administrative offices:

2. DeSales Clergy Home:

3. Spirituality & Retreat Center:

4. Chapel for 24 Hours of Perpetual Adoration

5. Facility for Spiritual Direction & Confessions (retired priests can be made available)

6. Fransalian Counseling Center

7. Fransalian Media & Publication Center

8. DeSales & Mermier Research & Study Center

New Parishes Entrusted to the Vice-Province on a Long-Term Basis

Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas: The Archdiocese of San Antonio and the U.S.A. Vice-Province of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales has entered into a memorandum of pastoral understanding to take care of the following parishes on a long-term basis beginning from July 1, 2018. Fr. Anthony Bonela has been appointed as the pastor of both the parishes and the mission. Fr. I. Jesuraj who will be arriving as a designated member for the U.S.A. Vice-Province from

Pune Province will serve as the associate pastor. A brief history of these two parishes and the mission is given below.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Hondo, Texas

History: With the coming of Southern Pacific Railroad through Medina County, Hondo was laid out on railroad owned land. In 1884 the railroad donated land to the Catholic Church. When Hondo became the county seat in 1892,

Father Matthew Metzinger, assistant pastor at D'Hanis, built the first Catholic Church in Hondo and dedicated it to Our Lady of Seven Dolors. Father J. J. Myers became the first resident pastor in 1909 and under his direction, a new church was built and dedicated to St. John the Evangelist in 1912, and was the used until 1969, when the present church was built. Mission statement: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church is a united community empowered by the Holy Spirit by modeling ourselves in Christ in sharing our heritage, preparing for our future and promoting Christian values through service to God and neighbor.

Holy Cross Catholic Church

D’Hanis, Texas

History: The current church was built in 1974. The parishioners

reflect the evolution of our community; descendants of the original

Alsatian and German settlers of D’Hanis which was founded in 1847

and the Hispanics descended from original Texas settlers who were

in this area before Texas was a republic. The population for D’Hanis

is 1,145 and currently there are 161 families registered in our parish

who truly believe in our

motto: “God is still number One in our town.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission

Yancey, Texas

Our mission church, Immaculate Heart of Mary is located in Yancey, Texas which is 13 miles south of D’Hanis. This quaint

small town situated off the beaten path has a population of 649 people of whom 36 families are registered at this mission church. A very unified group of parishioners who are making great

improvements to their church.

Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida:

Holy Spirit Catholic Church Jacksonville, Florida

The Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida and the U.S.A. Vice-Province of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales has entered into a memorandum of pastoral understanding to take care of the pastoral needs of Holy Spirit Catholic Church on a long-term basis beginning from July 1, 2018.

Fr. Amarnath Nagoth from Vishakhapatnam Prov-ince who has been functioning as an Administrator is appointed as the pastor of the parish. A brief his-tory of the parish is given below.

History: In 1966, there was a need for a new parish in the East Arlington Area. The closest church had been Resurrection Catholic Church on University Blvd. N. Father Richard Bowles celebrated the first Mass on Feb 13, 1966, in the Beacon Hills clubhouse. At that time, the congregation numbered about 60 families. In 1968, Fr. James became the pastor. Under his leadership, the first parish church was completed in 1971. That church is what we now recognize as the school lunchroom or the upstairs social hall. Subdivisions were going up everywhere. Young families with children were moving into the parish. The parish rectory was built in 1974.

Msgr. James Heslin became the next pastor in 1985. In 1992 Bishop John J. Snyder dedicated the new church building that we all know today.

Fr. Anand Maddineni, MSFS was the pastor for six years, 2006 – 2012.

Msgr. Keith Brennan was the pastor from July 2012 to June 2013.

Fr. Anthony Bonela, MSFS was the pastor from 2013 – 2017.

Fr. Amar Nagothu, MSFS is the current pastor.

Congratulations and Prayerful Wishes!

Rev. Fr. Chinnapa Reddy is appointed as the Provincial Superior of Vishakhapatnam Province for the second time!

Rev. Fr. Jose Kumblolickal is appointed as the Delegation Superior of Philippines Delegation.

Rev. Fr. Manoj Arackal is appointed as the Delegation Superior of Chad-Cameroon Mission.

Rev. Fr. Baiju Mundackal is appointed as the Regional Superior of the South African Mission.

Congratulations and prayerful wishes to all the new superiors on behalf of USA Vice-Province. Be assured of our prayers and support in your mission and ministry as Fransalians. God Bless You All!

Fr. Dijo Thomas Koikkara MSFS

Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish

121 William Street

Marysville, PA 17053-1438

Phone: 717 957 2662

Cellphone: 717 992 0114

dkoikkara@gmail.com

Fr. Babu Pinninti

St. Joan of Arc Parish

PO Box 218

1023 West Main

Harper, Kansas 67058

Office: 620-896-7886

Cellphone: 620-899-0220

babupinninti3@gmail.com

Fr. Chandra Sekhar Potnuru (Dominic Savio)

Chaplain

1145 S Yale Street

Wichita, Kansas - 67218 USA

Office: 620-684-6896

Cellphone: 316-833-3972

saviomsfs@gmail.com

Fr. Augustine Joseph

St. Joseph Catholic Church

68 Center St.

Danville, PA 17821

Office number: 5702752512

Cellphone: 470 585 0803

fraugustine2000@yahoo.com

Fr. Tomichan Moonnanappillil,

St. Fernando Cathedral

231 W. Commerce St.

San Antonio 78205 TX, USA

Cell: (914) 338-5484

tomymsfs@gmail.com

Office Number : 210-227-1297 - Ext. 124

Fax: 210-271-0149

Fr. Anthony Bonela

St. John the Evangelist

2102 Ave J

Hondo, TX 78861

Office: 830-741-2236

Cell: 210-287-0205

Fax: 830-426-3339

anthonybonela@yahoo.com

Fr. Arokiaselvam Nithiyaselvam Alexian Village 198 James Blvd Signal Mountain, TN 37377 Residence: 423-244-5275 Cell: 423-244-5275 selmsfs@gmail.com

New Assignments and Addresses of Confreres!

I will be away from the province!

I am taking my annual home holidays to India from 16th August to 21st September and will be also

participating in the PIF meeting with the General Curia which is going to take place in Hyderabad from

September 10th to 14th. In case you need me for anything my cell phone in India is +91- 944-762-3838 .

In my absence Fr. Davis Chackaleckel will be able to assist you in case of any needs or situations.

His cell Phone is 931-627-1780. Thanks Fr Davis for your help and it is appreciated.

New Local Superior for Fransalian Community-

Kansas

Fr. Bab R. Pinninti from Visakhapatnam Province is appointed as the Local Superior of Fransalian Com-munity Kansas. We wish him prayers and support.

Stretch forth your hand towards God as an infant towards its father to be conducted by Him.

~St. Francis de Sales

The Annual Conference of Major Superiors of Men of the United States

(CMSM) The 62nd Annual National Conference of Major Superiors of Men was held at St. Louis, Missouri from July

31—Aug 4, 2018. There were nearly 300 Major Superiors representing different religious congregations of men

in the United States.

I attended this meeting on behalf of the Fransalians. This is the first time that the Fransalians took the opportuni-

ty as a religious congregation to attend this forum of leadership. This was a great time for meeting with other

Major Superiors of Men representing different religious congregations that have been engaged in pastoral minis-

try in the United States for a long time. I learned a lot from this one week-long sessions and interactions regard-

ing the responsibilities of administration, animation, and coordination. It was also an opportunity to network and

build up connections with other Major Superiors who are willing to support and help each other, as we are all in

the field with the same mission.

I made it a priority to get connected with the Department of National Religious Retirement Office, National

Catholic Development Conference (NCDC), Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI), and several other

agencies and departments that are helpful to smaller religious communities like ourselves. In short, this meeting

was very productive, useful, and rewarding. The National Conference is held once a year and regional confer-

ences are held two– to three-times per year. The CMSM has divided the whole country into six regions. Georgia

belongs to the 4th region, along with 10 other neighboring states, called the Southeast Region.

NORTH AMERICAN SALESIAN NETWORK MEETING

(NASN)

The North American Salesian Network Meeting was held from April 9—11, 2018 at the DeSales Campus,

Brooklyn, Michigan. Fr. George Puraidam, MSFS, attended the meeting representing the Fransalians. The key

topic of discussion during the first evening was the Counter Cultural Salesian Core Values in the current North

American context of rising numbers of hate groups and violence. Later, each of the groups represented in the

Network gave a summary of what occurred in their units in the past year. The Fransalian Update was about the

upcoming General Chapter XX to be held in February 2019; the initiative of the Franco-Swiss Province in

providing a three-month live-in experience for younger confrères to catch the missionary spirit and spirituality

of St. Francis de Sales from the very geographical spots of his life and ministry; and the efforts of the MSFS in

forming Fransalian Associates wherever confrères are in ministry.

On Tuesday, the main day of the conference, conversations revolved around the role of the North American Sa-

lesian Network in the dissemination of Salesian Core Values. Some prominent suggestions were: media inter-

ventions, 2-minutes podcasts of Salesian virtues, YouTube presentations, Salesian Droplets, securing more

Spanish Salesian literature, contacting North American dioceses under St. Francis de Sales’ patronage, and cre-

ating a Salesian Resource Kit by 2022.

Fr. Joe Boenzi, SDB, agreed to draft a petition to the Holy See for an Apostolic Letter from the Holy Father for the 400th Anniversary of death of St. Francis de Sales. Fr. John Gradon agreed to bring out an updated version of Salesian Core Values. Kathy Tierney of the De Sales Secular Institute shared with the group a web-map show-ing the 333 Salesian Families spread across North America. The day wrapped up with a thought-provoking doc-umentary/movie on the life and ministry of St. Francis de Sales set in modern day.

On Wednesday, the final day of the conference, the group decided that the next annual meeting will be held in spring 2019, once again in Brooklyn, Michigan. Reported by Fr. George Puraidam

United with His love, your brother,

Fr. Tomy Puliyanampattayil, MSFS -Vice Provincial -USA Vice Province