News Letter

News and Views
Newsletter of the Divine Providence Province
January 2011
Volume 4 Number 1
A New Call to Holiness
Province that has started in Saigon,
Vietnam. Around the first pioneer
Guanellian in that land, a little flock
of energetic and enthusiastic young
men has started gathering together
to begin their vocation discernment
and experience the beauty of our
Guanellian charism. The work has
just begun and we are committed
to give special attention to this new
branch blossoming on the tree of our
Congregation.
I am sending my New Year wishes,
recalling with deep gratitude the
many blessings that our Province
has experienced and shared during
2010. Among the special signs of
God’s graciousness to our Province
and Congregation, I would like to
single out the growing number of new
“Shepherds and Servants” ordained
during 2010: Eleven new priests
and seven deacons. What a gift and
responsibility!
At the closing of my visit to our
Vietnamese brothers, we went on a
Pilgrimage to a mountain three hours
north of Saigon, where a huge statue
of Mary is venerated. We literally
had to climb the mountain to reach
the place where we celebrated the
Eucharist, entrusting to the Mother
of God our vocation and mission in
the different corners of the world.
May Mary, under whose protection
we start the New Year, accompany us
on the daily climbing of the mountain
of Holiness, reminding us with her
example that we can’t really follow
Jesus without sharing with Him, the
journey of the Cross that leads us daily
to the experience of God’s total self –
giving and all embracing compassion.
To each and everyone a blessed and
grace filled New Year.
The upcoming event of the
canonization of Don Guanella is for
these new ministers of the Gospels
as well as for all of us, a challenge to
aim high and aspire to holiness, that is
total, wholehearted response to God’s
call and to the service of His people.
I am writing to you after landing again
in Manila, coming from a fruitful visit
to the youngest and very promising
portion of the Divine Providence
Fr. Luigi
“
Then they
opened their
treasures
and offered
Him gifts.
Matthew 2, 11
“
Beginning a new year is an invitation
for we Christians to start our journey
with the Lord afresh. We do not simply
turn another page of the calendar;
we are all gently and firmly called
to turn over our whole life with new
generosity and trust to the loving God
so that He may continue to use us this
2011 as instruments and channels of
His grace and compassion to build
His kingdom and renew the face of
the earth.
World Disability Day in India
CHENNAI - December 5th was a long awaited day at
DGRC. It was a special Sunday, graced with many visitors
December 3rd was an important day for the 70 million to the DGRC campus. The preparation for the program
people with disabilities in India. Some progress has been began long ago with the assistance of the Confreres, staff
made in the area of disabilities in India especially in the and students of DGRC.
past year; however, implementing change is a different
thing. Even the basic rights of education, employment The day began with
Holy Mass celebrated
and access are not available to people with disabilities.
by Fr. Soosai Rathinam.
Guanellian communities celebrated in a grand manner, Good children from
to encourage people to respect human life, especially institutions like Prema
the lives of the disabled in their homes.
Vasam, Satyalok, the
BANGALORE - Under the guidance of Fr. Visuwasam, Little Flower School
Guanella Preethi Nivas celebrated World Disability Day and Sisters from many congregations, parents,
on December 5, 2010. Differently-abled and aged people youth, benefactors, collaborators and friends were in
were brought from ten institutes and from the local area. attendance. The Good Children served Mass as the
Around five choir, lectors, at the offertory, and Anjali, a way of
hundred praising God.
people were After Mass, Good Children danced and sang to
welcomed entertain the gathering; showcasing their many talents.
and served The chief guest was Mr. Joseph T. Ravi, the District
tea
and Disabled Rehabilitation Officer of Thiruvallur. In his
tiffen. speech, he said that he is happy with the success of our
Mr. Muni Center and promised to help in anyway possible. VIP’s
Rathinam, from the Christian Fellowship of Secretariat joined
a resident the celebration and gave financial support. They were
of
Don honored with ponnadai and memento. Games were
Guanella Home for the Aged, welcomed Archbishop played; and prizes awarded to the winners. Parents
Bernard Moras with a garland; Fr. Ronald welcomed
and youth from surrounding parishes
the archbishop and the gathering at the
performed various cultural items. All
opening of Mass. Archbishop Moras lit
were invited for the festive dinner. A
the kutthuvizhaku and presided over the
meeting was held for the benefactors,
Holy Eucharist. The special people of the
Guanellian Lay Movement and Friends
day were honored by the gift of grace.
of DGRC led by Fr. Ligory. They were
Differently-abled people and the oratory
asked to join the Servants of Charity
children gave cultural programs, organized
in serving these Good Children.
by aspirants Santhosh and Francis. After
Throughout the day, candles, greeting
the cultural programs, everyone shared a fellowship cards, incense sticks and blocks, and Agal vilakku,
meal.
made by Good Children of DGRC, were available for
CHENNAI - As the whole world celebrated World
Disability Day, the children of Don Guanella Evening
School, also gave their little hands to celebrate. They
contributed what they could; saving the little amount
they received from their parents or buying candies
for the celebration at Don Guanella Rehabilitation
Center. Thus their contribution became larger, for they
contributed from the little they had. We are happy that
charity is rooted in the hearts of the children and they
are happy to have done something good.
purchase. The special children were offered a towel as
a token of love from the
DGRC family.
Thank you to all who
worked hard to make this
celebration successful,
especially God, for his
powerful guidance.
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REACT Extends Charity at Yesuvanam
SIVAGANGAI - From the land of John de Britto, a group
of people inspired by his life formed an organization
called REACT, Rural Education And Charitable Trust.
The 25 members of REACT are from different places,
races, and religions, they are rich and poor but for a
common good, they were united as one family. REACT
was touched by
our service to
the
physically
and
mentally
challenged
children and they
wanted to do
something for our
Good Children.
Anniversary of the birth of Blessed Louis Guanella. Mass
was offered to the church and the congregation with
many of the confreres serving the Lord as lectors and
acolytes. Fr. Alphonso Crippa accepted the intentions
of the first year theology students and conferred the
ministry of the Lector and the Acolyte for the second
and third year theology students. After Mass, the
The ‘Garden of community gathered for a small dinner and presented
Jesus’ was filled with REACT members on the Feast of gifts for all.
Christ the King. They came with their families in order
to teach good values to their children. They organized
Christmas Gifts to Oratory Children
the cultural program. They presented a Physio-therapy
machine for the Anbagam program and promised BANGALORE- A group of people came forward and
to help us in extending our mission in the future. Fr. extended their supportive hands to the Guanella Preethi
Gnanaraj, the Superior of Yeusvanam community, gave Nivas community by providing gift bags to Don Guanella
an address to the gathering about the real suffering of oratory children and youth. Oratory children performed
a short program for the guests. Fr. Ronald conferred a
the Good Children, which brought people to tears.
Christmas message to the children and benefactors. The
Members prepared a meal and brought it here to serve guests were honored with gifts and sang carols to the
our Good Children. The help of REACT is a blessing of
children.
Divine Providence, which is always with us.
Bro. Sachin
expressed
Lay Co-Operators Meeting
thanks
to all the
BANGALORE - To show gratitude to all those who
guests
offered contributions for the success of the world’s
for their
special people, a Lay Co-Operators meeting was
generous
held on December 19. Fr. Visuwasam led an hour of
help to the
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during which Bro.
children.
Arivazhagan presented a slideshow on the spirituality
After the
and Mission of the Founder. After the spiritual program, they distributed gifts, sweets and a bit of food
nourishment a meal was shared with the cooperators.
to all the children.
International Theological Seminary
ROME,
ITALY
December 19th was a
significant day for the
Guanellian community
of the International
Theological Seminary in
Rome. The congregation
celebrated the 168th
Annual Sports Day Meet
CUDDALORE - Don Guanella Boys Home was happy
to celebrate the Annual Sport Meet for the 2010 –11
school year. The boys were divided into four groups led
by their captains and confreres and they led a parade. The
purpose of the meet is to encourage health awareness,
team spirit and unity among the boys. The event was
held October 24th.
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Regents Gather in Yesuvanam
SIVAGANGAI- After a challenging half-year ministry,
the brothers in regency reconvened at Yesuvanam to
recollect their experiences and reflect on their future.
They all shared their experiences, feelings, success and
difficulties. Fr. John Baptist, a Salesian Priest, presented
some practical uses of the preventive system. Then
Rev. Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial Vicar, taught the
Fr. Piero Lippoli serving the ‘Good Children’ during his
Guanellian Educational Style in which charity must
recent visit to India.
always prevail.
The gathering
Formation Meeting
finished with a
DINDIGUL - The Indian formators of the Divine visit to our lands
Providence Province gathered at the Bishop’s House, in Madurai and
Dindigul, for a two day meeting December 14-15th. on the way
The presenter was Rev. Fr. Arul Shivan, an experienced back to their
Jesuit priest, who spoke about relevant issues and
communities
challenges in Formation and Ministry today. Fr. Arul they stopped
taught that formators should be persons of integration, at Vaigai Dam
having a strong educational background and experience for
some
in the pastoral field. They need to reference their own relaxation.
lives, showing consistency between their ideals and
Parents Meeting, GPN
their practices, particularly in community life and
ministry. They should be rooted in generosity, patience,
commitment and sacrifice, ready to adjust their lifestyle BANGALORE To explain the educational statues of
and relationship to others so that they actually model brothers, to build up a good relationship and to inform
the realities they wish to convey. He emphasized the them of the formative structure of our congregation, a
importance of the mentoring process, an experience of meeting was held on December 17th for the parents of
integrating interpersonal human relationships which aspirants at Guanella Preethi Nivas. Fr. Samson met
has as its objective learning and growth. A mentor the parents of aspirants individually and had a dialogue
is expected to be mature and motivated, with an with them about their son. Fr. Visuvasam delivered a
empathetic intelligence. In our work, compassionate concluding talk in the evening. After the meeting, Holy
and therapeutic listening skills play a major role and a Mass was celebrated by Fr. Ronald for the intentions of
certain amount of inner freedom is necessary to nurture the aspirants. The meeting ended with a grand dinner.
maturity.
Meeting for Mission Animators and Parish
The second day Fr. Rathinam, tutelage coordinator,
Priests
gave the sources on Ratio - the human maturity for an
effective Gospel witness. He listed the sources to equip CHENNAI - The meeting was held at Don Guanella
the formators in India. He offered suggestions on how Major Seminary. All the mission animators and Parish
Priests that participated benefited. Fr. Soosai Rathinam
to be an adequate formator for young aspirants.
said, “Learn more to earn more because we live in a
Suppose Christmas at Boys Home
digital and divided
culture.” All the
CUDDALORE - On the evening of Dec 23rd, the
confreres shared
Suppose Christmas and New Years were celebrated
their
mission
at Don Guanella Boys Home. Fr. Sebastian blessed
experience
from
the crib that was set up in the Portico. Seminarians,
tuition teachers, benefactors and workers participated
their
respective
in the joy of the boys. Mr. Pughalendhi, former MLA
places. Overall, it
of Cuddalore, presided over the celebrations. The boys
was a fruitful, and
and seminarians performed a colorful Christmas drama
uplifting day.
with songs and dances. A joyous meal was shared by
Fr. Piero Lippoli sharing leisure time with the
all.
‘Good Children’ during his recent visit to India.
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News from Germany
Despite many difficulties, last month was very eventful,
rich with emotion and filled with rewarding news.
On December 4th, we celebrated the 50th anniversary
of our Italian
parish
at
Pforzheim
where
Inge
and I are active
members of
the pastoral
council.
In
the presence
of Monsignor
Bertolone and
many German parish priests, we thanked God for the
long and fruitful presence of almost 200 Guanellian
alumni. During the celebration, we realized that our
project to have a Guanellian structure in Germany has
become reality. Our assistant bishop, Mons. R. Klug, has
shown his interest and readiness to permit a Guanellian
parish in our country. This presence will be a blessing
to increase the promising activity of our small Procura.
Our General House has given a formal commitment to
send a young priest to assist this Italian community of
7000. Let’s hope and pray that Fr. Guanella appears in
Germany!
After this joyous news, we had another sign of the
benevolence of Divine
Providence and fatherly
intervention from our
blessed Founder; the
Catholic solidarity agency,
Sternsinger Pueri Cantores
of Cologne, has pledged to
fund our disabled center,
Harong Kan Sagrada
Familia,
in
Legazpi,
Philippines. A substantial
amount was granted to Fr.
Battista. Confirmation was
given on the birthday of Fr.
Luigi Guanella!
More important news comes from Abu Dhabi, United
Arab Emirates. The secretary of Bishop Hinder, the
Capuchin Fr. Gandolf, reported that the Ministry of
Social Affairs is ready for a detailed presentation of our
charismatic method in dealing with disabled children.
He asked us to confirm our next visit in early March
2011 with Fr. Joe Rinaldo.
Another request for a new Guanellian facility came
from South Africa where, since 2003, we have been in
contact with Bishop Tutu and the archbishop of Pretoria
for a shelter for abused and disabled children. My friend
and good advisor Mr. Frik Solms, who has known our
Congregation since 1998 and has visited our structures
in Rome, Como and Perugia, is working with me to
open a door!
Fr. Gandolf of Abu Dhabi, who spent many years in
Tanzania, asked if the Guanellians are present there. My
friend Makundi, a rich businessman in Dar es Salam
and relative of the current President of Tanzania, would
support our arrival there.
The Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Cologne has pledged
to finance part of the costs for building the new church
at Kumbokonam in India.
The Catholic solidarity agency Misereor is seriously
considering our project for the disabled center in Mexico
City. We continue our work for opening new ways of
fundraising in Germany and neighboring countries.
From the bottom of our heart we thank God and Holy
Mary for the grace granted to me personally and to
our young procura. We need further spiritual support
from our readers. May God accompany all of us in the
new year knowing that even one hour with God brings
much more than a long life far away from him. Let Him
give us an appointment in Rome for the canonization
proclamation of our Founder and show the World that
his charism is still alive through our work.
Gero Lombardo, Procurator of the Guanellian Entity in Germany
GLM Takes Root in Rhode Island
EAST PROVIDENCE - On December 5, a group of
parishioners of the Sacred Heart Church met to solidify
plans for starting the GLM and making contact with
different catholic and social organizations working
throughout the city. During the meeting, members
agreed to promote activities to raise awareness of our
Founder, targeting the pastoral group of the parish,
students and alumni of the parish school and their
parents. They are planning some social, formative and
cultural activities for the months of March, May and
September.
In the next five years, there will be many events that offer
the opportunity to spread the charism of Fr. Guanella and
the work of the Servants
of Charity and Daughters
of St. Mary of Providence
worldwide. The calendar
of this new GLM group is
marked with centennial
anniversaries to be
celebrated in the coming
years.
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Fr. Paul Celebrates 40th Anniversary
GRASS LAKE - On the evening of December 10th,
a reception was held for Fr. Paul Oggioni in the Holy
Family Pastoral Center at the Shrine of St. Joseph/
Pious Union of St. Joseph. Drs. Paco & Millie Lopez,
Guanellian Lay Movement organizers, arranged the
surprise reception and provided food for the gathering.
A communication went out to the Shrine community in
Grass Lake and the
Latino community
in Jackson and a
big crowd gathered
to decorate the
building
for
a
generous celebration
of Fr. Paul’s 40th
Anniversary as a
Guanellian Priest.
The Latino community sang as Father entered the
building and with his usual missionary grace and good
cheer he greeted everyone, he blessed them and offered
a prayer over the food.
The Pastoral Center was warmed by the fellowship of
the people and several of Fr. Paul’s brother priests: Fr.
Fortunato Turati, Fr. Dennis Weber and Fr. Satheesh,
who added a special blessing to the celebration.
Tocco Family Continues Christmas
Tradition
CHELSEA - With an ever expanding group of family
and friends, Jack and Toni Tocco continued their
tradition of providing gifts for every St. Louis Center
resident on Sunday, December 19, 2010. This year’s
Tocco group from
the Eastside of
Detroit, numbered
twenty people, and
included several
professional
musicians,
Big
Band
trumpet
player
Johnny
Trudell, and opera
singers Eva Evola
and Dino Valle.
As Jack Tocco wished our
residents Merry Christmas
on behalf of his family and
friends, Santa Claus made
one more trip to St. Louis
Center to pass out more gifts
to our “Good Children.”
As Santa met with each
resident, Jack Jr. passed out
dollar bills to each resident,
as they also enjoyed apple
cider and fresh donuts
during the visit. Ms. Evola
provided a beautiful solo rendition of “Oh Holy Night,”
and before they left, an accordion was left behind for the
residents to learn to play until the group returns next
year.
SLC Residents Benefit from Marine Toys for
Tots
CHELSEA - The night of Monday December 13th
was very special for the residents of St. Louis Center,
as they had the privilege of rubbing elbows with some
of America’s finest soldiers; a detachment of Marine
Reserves. This crisply dressed group of 25 men and
women came to put a smile on everyone’s face and warm
the gymnasium with Christmas Carols and gifts from
the Toys for Tots program for all of our “Good Children.”
Santa Claus also
came along for
a visit, and the
singing was led
by Fr. Fortunato
Turati
as
everyone waited
for
Santa’s
arrival.
According
to
Captain Rodney
Sapp, the Toys
for Tots program is administered throughout the State
of Michigan, and provides the Marine Reserves with an
opportunity to visit deserving children in the area who
may otherwise go without a decent Christmas. “We love
what we do, and going out into the community gives
us a positive way of interacting with underprivileged
families. It reminds us of who we are protecting in
service to our nation.”
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World Disabled Day
MANILA
The
Diocese
of Novaliches
in
Manila
celebrated
World Disabled
Day on Saturday,
December 11.
Almost
1500
differently
abled persons
participated in
this program. The day started with the Holy Eucharist.
It was full of different activities for the special people
that made them realize that they can do many things,
differently. We had a lot of fun entertaining our special
people. They gave each institution one plastic mask and
asked us to paint it differently. In this contest, we were
surprised to win 3rd prize. The day was worth spending
with the special people.
was a priest except a
few Christians. He
was not afraid of
the nurse and his
heart refused to
be consoled after
seeing the suffering
of the cancer
children. Let us
pray for them and
their families.
They obtained permission
to share milk powder and
money with fifty very poor
children. During the visit,
the group started praying in
two rooms and when they
reached the third room, the
head nurse asked them to
stop praying and she was
very harsh. Nobody at the
hospital knew that Fr. Felicks
Christmas Party
Fr. Luigi Visits Vietnam
MANILA -The birth of Christ brought Good News to the
poor, joy to Mother Mary and redemption to humanity.
We also feel the same when we celebrated our Suppose
Christmas
party
with
our staff. It
brought Good
News,
Joy
and made us
believe in our
redemption
too. This is the
day on which
all the teachers became students, and grown ups became
small babies. We played party games, danced, sang and
shared gifts with our staff. It made us feel that we are
all one family under the guidance and protection of Bl.
Louis Guanella.
SAIGON -Fr. Luigi traveled to Vietnam, December
26th-30th, in order
to meet the first
batch of students
undergoing
the
discernment
process.
He
enjoyed meeting
the young men
and
teaching
them about Fr.
Guanella and our
congregation.
Not Allowed to Pray
SAIGON - A group of Christian families invited
Fr. Felicks Micheals, SdC, to come and pray over the
children in the government cancer hospital in Saigon.
On the last
day of his visit,
they went on a
pilgrimage
to
Our Lady of Tha
Pau Mount to
celebrate Mass
and give a good
start to the New
Year.
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January Calendar of Fr. Provincial
1-7
Home Visit
10-16 Rome: Gathering of Provincials with General
Council
17-18 Rome: Dialogue with Theology Students in the
International Seminary
19
Return to Philippines
January Schedule of Events
1
2
3
6
7
8
9
12
16
19
21
22
25
30
31
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother
of God
Manila: Seminarians return from Holidays
Manila: Classes resume at Guanella Center
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
Grass Lake: Holy Hour for Vocations
Manila: Adoration
Chelsea: Vocation Retreat for Boys
Grass Lake: Prayer and Pizza Girls group
Springfield: Day of Recollection
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Manila: Staff Meeting at Guanella Center
Grass Lake: GLM Monthly Meeting
Manila: Adoration for Vocations
Episcopal Consecration of Mons. Bacciarini
Manila: Day of Recollection
Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity
of the Human Person
Conversion of St. Paul
Chelsea: Italian American Club of Livonia
Honors St. Louis Center
Feast of St. John Bosco
Best Wishes and Prayers to:
3
5
6
7
11
14
22
23
Fr. Kurikose: feast day
Fr. Paul Arockiaraj: birthday
Nov. Paul Dhinagaran: birthday
Bro. Charles: birthday
Bro. Jegan: birthday
Fr. Selvaraj: birthday
Dcn. A. Perianayaga Samy: birthday; Fr.
Vincent S., Bro. Vincent M.: feast day
Fr. S. Periyanayaga Samy, Dcn. A.
Perianayaga Samy, Bro. A. Periyanayaga
Samy, Bro. Periyanayagam M.: feast day
Have questions or comments about this
newsletter? Contact the Communications and
Community Relations Office at:
16195 Old US 12
Chelsea, MI 48118 USA
Telephone: 734-475-8430
St. John Bosco
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.servantsofcharity.org
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