Fr. Soosai Rathinam - Servants of Charity

News and Views
Newsletter of the Divine Providence Province
February 2014
Volume 7 Number 2
Facebook to Face to Face Relationship with our Master, Jesus!!
God for the gift and blessing of the
large number of candidates in the
various stages of initial formation
and the need to prudently develop
current mission centers .
Today, Consecrated life is like a
sailboat pushed by the wind of
the Spirit. In many places, she
has no tailwind- she is slowed
and finds a lot of obstacles in her
path. The conversation of Pope
Francis with the Superior Generals
of religious men at the end of
their 82nd General Assembly on
November 29, 2013 gave an open
invitation to the religious, “Wake
the World Up.” The priority that
consecrated life, “is the prophesy
of the kingdom,” is not negotiable.
We are bound to follow the Lord in
a prophetic way, with generosity,
detachment, sacrifice, and selfforgetfulness which is the witness,
the “martyrdom of religious life.”
Let us praise the Lord more
enthusiastically for the great gift of
consecrated life. The presentation
of Jesus in the Temple is an eloquent
icon of the total offering of each
one of us and thus helping us to
grow in prophetic relevance of our
consecration by reproducing Jesus
in a more visible and viable way.
Fr. Soosai Rathinam
“
Behold, our
Lord will come
with power, to
enlighten the eyes
of His servants.
“
February 2nd is the 17th World
Day of Consecrated Life and it
will be celebrated on the Feast of
the Presentation of the Lord, also
known as Candlemas Day, which
symbolizes Christ who is the light of
the world and consecrated person
par excellence. The fundamental
call of religious life is always the
search for God and the deepening
of one’s relationship with God.
“Religious life is about keeping the
dangerous ‘memory of Jesus’ alive,
dangerous because “love of God
and of neighbor constitutes, costly
grace,” as Bonheoffer says.
We recently had our traditional
learning meeting in the Generalate
with all the Provincials. In Europe,
we cannot avoid putting a lot of
time and energy discussing and
planning its future in Religious
Life with the phenomenon of
the 'inverted pyramid’ because
the number of older and retiring
members are increasing while
new members are decreasing.
Therefore,
restructuring
and
closer collaboration with the laity
in the Service of Charity and also
bringing new energy to revitalize
our religious life and mission is
indispensable in the Congregation.
Whereas on the other side of the
globe, such as Asia and Africa,
we have to take a fresh look at the
increasing vocations and thank
February Calendar of Fr.
Provincial
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Madurai: Mission Visit
Kallathupatti: St. Antony’s
Parochial Feast Mass
11 Poonamallee: Perpetual Vows
at St. John the Baptist Church
12 Poonamallee: Diaconal
Ordination at St. John the
Baptist Church
13- March 6 Canonical Visit of the
Superior General to India
24-28 Bangalore: 5th DPP Plenary
Council Meeting
Mar 1Bangalore: Formators meeting
with Fr. Charlton
Germany has Welcomed the Guanellians!
On January 19th even the sky was laughing. It was a
spendid sunny day and the entire Italian community
was filled with the joy of finally having two "San Calò
priests," as Guanellians are
commonly called by my
countrymen because in
1948 the first Guanellians
arrived to care for the
many poor, orphaned and
abandoned children in the
poorest corner of Sicily:
Naro. On that beautiful
morning we gathered
in the new Guanellian
residence to pray the
Lauds. Fr. Nino blessed
the rooms especially the
small chapel which was
prepared following the
roots of our tradition: stay close to the blessed Sacrament
all day. The Italian marble cutter, Guida erected the mini
altar using 3 slabs of Italian granite. I was overcome with
emotion and tears of joy flowed abundantly. Finally the
long journey was over, the deepest dream fulfilled and
new horizons became attainable; from and through
Germany, Guanellian charity will be "exported" to targets
in the Emirates,
Tanzania
and
South Africa as
a natural flow
of our Indian
brothers to those
countries where
millions of their
forefathers have
been going for
generations.
The
presence
of Nino Minetti, general superior emeritus; Fr. Luigi,
delegate for General Superior Alfonso; Fr. Soosai
Rathinam, Divine Providence provincial superior; and
me, oldest Guanellian presence in Germany, were also
honored by the national delegate of Italian missionaries
in Germany and Scandinavia, Fr. Tobia Bassanelli, a
Dehonian friend of the SdC.
The small Barfüßer Kirche was full of Italian friends who
welcomed both confreres. The organist, Enzo, played the
best Italian hymns while Antonio, our sacristan cried
with joy. After the solemn Mass the Italian community
served a light lunch. Vespers and a short visit of the
former parish priest Fr. Santi and Fr. Bassanelli closed the
unique feast. Now our Polish confrere, director of the new
mission, has begun his apostolate. We, as lay supporters
will give him and Fr. Rocky a better understanding of the
critical ambiance, new culture and difficulties among
the many facets of the Italian
community.
At the end of January, we
celebrated Fr. Wieslaw's
birthday at the Italian Culture
Center where the Italian social
worker, Mr. Galluzzo, and Mr.
Minotta, Italian representative
to the city council, and Mrs.
Morabito, active member of
the City youth ring, met the
two Guanellians entrusted to
God's people in our adoptive
hometown, Pforzheim.
We are also planning visits to
our neighbors in Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg,
Poland, UK and the Italian community of Alsace-North
France for new fundraising endeavors in those countries.
Our friends at Missio and Sternsingers already provided
us with the names and addresses of the persons who
might be sensitive to the charity programs God calls us
to.
We thank all confreres of our Province as well those in
Italy, Africa and South America for their wishes and
prayers. The way we have yet to go is bristly and long.
May our Lord accompany us in this new task; and the
most Blessed Virgin Mary show us the right way and
means.
Have a blessed lent time and remember us in your
prayers!
Laudate Dominum, quia nunc totum factum est!
Gero Lombardo, German Guanellian Procura
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Alumni Gathering at DGBH
Cuddalore - The alumni gathering was held on
December 26th at the Don Guanella Boys Home with
about 45 former
students participating.
It was a joy filled event
because they came from
Bangalore, Kerala and
different parts of Tamil
Nadu. The meeting
was well animated
by the Guanellian
Community.
Rev.
Fr. Visuvasm, the
Superior, began the
day with adoration.
A motivational talk
was given by Mr. John Rosario, vice principal of Periyar
Arts College Cuddalore, followed by participants coming
forward to sing and dance.
After a lunch shared by current and former Boys Home
students, the alumni did some planning for the future and
elected new officers for the association. The Boys Home
director is the president, Fr. Paul Francis is the animator
of the association and a leader from each class was elected
to facilitate communication.
Holy Mass celebrated by the alumni: Rev. Fr. Samuel
(Pondy-Cuddalore Arch Diocese), Rev. Fr. Dominic
(Servite Order) and Rev. Fr. Paul Francis (Guanellian),
culminated the day.
Mr. Christu Raj and Mr. Antony Raj
shared their stories as motivation for
the current students; encouraging
them to seize this golden opportunity
and to grow in their future. With tea
in the evening the gathering came to
an end.
The Ashram Experience
Bangalore - The word Ashram is
an Indian word which originally means
'religious hermitage' or in a modern
sense 'spiritual retreat center.' Ashram is a
place of spiritual retreat; usually there are
permanent residents and they welcome
visitors for an experience. To experience
the Ashram way of life as part of their
novitiate program, for 10 days four of
our novices stayed at Anjali Ashram in
Mysore, run by a holy Catholic priest,
Fr. Louis. He helped them to realize the
intervention of God in their personal
life. Through his teachings he also
helped them to attain spiritual power. He
enkindled the hearts and minds of the
novices to heighten their self-realization,
to lead a simple way of life and to respect
and inherit the spiritual values of other
vegetarian food, an austere lifestyle and long hours of
religions. At Anjali Ashram they learned the importance personal prayer to enhance one’s religious life.
of solitude, virgin silence, beauty of Nature, simple
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Dreaming and Planning
Grass Lake - In an effort to give a more effective
presence of our Guanellian Vocation and Mission in
this local church, we are planning a series of Family Day
meetings inspired by the Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis
“The Joy of the Gospel.”
Pope Francis called for an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops
that will reflect on the theme "The Pastoral Challenges of
the Family in the Context of the Evangelization."
Every 3rd Sunday of the Month we are undertaking two
activities; one for families including a special program for
children, teenagers and adults with moments of formation
and fellowship; the other
activity is the monthly
“Come and See!” weekend
for Vocation Discernment
of students and workers.
The two experiences
conducted at the same time
give more opportunity for
an integral formation of
the participants.
The January 19th “Family Day” was the starting point
of this new pastoral experience. During summer the
Latino workers will also be involved in the “Family Day”
experience with their children with a program fit for
them.
The main purpose of these activities is to offer more
opportunities for our participants to be formed and
involved in the Guanellian Lay Movement. We also
welcome pastoral groups from throughout the Diocese
of Lansing seeking
days of recollection
for teenagers and
adults. Recently a
group of teens had
a day a recollection
accompanied by their
parents and sponsors
at the Shrine of St.
Joseph as part of their
preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This
joint experience with their parents was very fruitful for
their personal decision to learn more about Jesus and to
commit themselves better throughout their life.
Madness” contest relies on social media to sort out the
winners over a ten week period, and this year’s contest
runs from January 6 – March
16, 2014. There are four
rounds to this contest, and
St. Louis Center continues
to be in the running through
the second round which
ends on February 16th.
There are 48 coaches at the
beginning of the contest that
are reduced to 24 in round 2,
then 16 in round 3, and then
a final four in round 4. The
prizes for each round grow
for the survivors, until the
top charity wins $100,000 at
the end on March 16th.
Italian American Club Supports SLC
Chelsea - Sunday, January 27, 2014 was another
memorable day in the history of St. Louis Center, as
250 people braved another harsh winter snowstorm
to support our children and adults with intellectual
and developmental disabilities. Events began with a
noon Mass led by SLC Administrator, Fr. Enzo Addari.
During his homily Fr. Enzo said, "We bring Christ's
light to society by serving people with intellectual
and developmental
disabilities." After
Mass, the people
in
attendance
were treated to
a true “Culinary
Extravaganza,” with
food donated by
fifteen restaurants, five bakeries and delis. Along with
the great food, there was a Silent Auction, a Gift Raffle,
a Lottery Ticket board, and live entertainment from
an area performer, Chris
Ayotte, who sang music from
the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Silent
Auction items included
ticket packages from the
Detroit Tigers, an in-home
dinner prepared by the
Executive Chef of the Italian
American Club, and sports
SLC Chosen for National Charity Contest
memorabilia. Finally, James
Chelsea - For the third straight year, St. Louis Center Mazzoni, Jr. of Northville
in Chelsea, MI was chosen for the Infiniti Coaches’ was selected as the recipient
Charity Challenge on the all-sports network ESPN by of the 2014 St. Louis Guanella
Michigan Basketball Coach John Beilein. This “March Humanitarian Award.
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Pilgrimage Reflection by Novice Alfie
Matulac
Manila - Half naked children scavenging for food in
piled up garbage, a group of youngsters smoking in the
waiting shed, construction crews working very late, a
homeless family sleeping under the bridge, and young
women dressed in seductive attire in front of a beerhouse
waiting for their customers to come; these were some
of the harsh and disparaging realities of the people
we encountered on the long and tiring trek toward
our destination. On January 15th, Novice Master, Fr.
Charlton, Novice Adornaldo and I started our first-ever
pilgrimage by means of walking. From Quezon City we
walked to The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage in
Antipolo City, Rizal (also known as Antipolo Church).
The 35 km
walk took six
long
hours,
making our
legs ache and
our feet sore.
I remembered
that
during
that
long
walk, we came to the point that we were dragging
our feet just to keep going. When at last we reached
our destination, though exhausted, I sensed the
fulfillment deep within us as we recited the Hail Mary
while holding onto the grills of the gate at the Shrine.
Ours was an exhausting but enriching experience; the
realization that life is a long and tiring journey, and in
the process along the way there comes a point that we
want to give up, saying to ourselves that we can’t go on
anymore even a single step. But if we have something
to aspire for, it will empower us and bring us to the
awareness that we can go beyond our expectation. The
first hand encounter of the people along the way of our
pilgrimage made us realize that we who are
aspiring to be religious should be sensitive
to the needs of these people, and that our
prayers should focus on alleviating their
suffering.
Autism Family Support Group
with Karen Davila
Manila - On January 24th, eight mothers
attended the Autism Family Support Group
facilitated by well-known journalist Karen
Davila. Led by Autism Society Philippines
(ASP) Tandang Sora Chapter President
Anna Decorina, the eight mothers went to
Bridges Foundation in Scout Limbaga, Quezon City to
strengthen their ability to care for their children with
autism. The Tandang Sora Chapter is geographically
based at Guanella Center, but members are all families
within Tandang Sora Avenue. During the support group
meeting, Davila shared her stories and experiences raising
her twelve year old child who has autism.
Tips and effective techniques were taught on how
to properly handle children with autism. Sharing of
experiences was also conducted that provided more room
for emotional reinforcement for the mothers.
“Hindi biro ang
magkaroon ng anak
na may awtismo
(It's not a joke to
raise a child who has
autism),” Decorina
said. Decorina has
two sons with autism.
She values the family
support programs like this very much, they give her
strength in raising her children. Decorina added that
what families need to give most to their children with
autism are “unconditional love, more patience, and
understanding.”
So What is Autism?
ASP defines it as “a neurological condition characterized
by a variety of mental and behavioral impairments,
hence the term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These
impairments manifest during childhood, so that early
detection and intervention is the key to a better and
improved quality of life for persons with autism (PWA).”
Get Strengthened! Decorina invites all families that
have a child or relative with autism. The ASP empowers
parents and families of persons with ASD. Programs are
designed to help both the family and the PWA, some of
these are: Parent
Empowerment,
Awareness
Campaigns,
Training
on
Handling PWAs,
Training of LGU
Workers, Siblings’
Workshops,
Livelihood
Programs
for
PWAs, Legislative
Advocacy,
and
Family Support
Groups.
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February Calendar of Events
1-28 Bangalore: Month-long Experience at GPN for IV Theology
2
Presentation of the Lord
3
The Most Holy Name of Jesus
6
Chelsea: Pasta Dinner with the Priests
8
Chelsea: Vocational Retreat for Boys
Grass Lake: Prayer and Pizza Girls Group
8-9 Manila: Vocation Seminar
11Our Lady of Lourdes
Chennai: Perpetual Vows
12
Chennai: Diaconate Ordination
Grass Lake: Mother of Divine Providence Day at PUSJ
14-16 Grass Lake: Come and See
16
Grass Lake: GLM Family Day at PUSJ
19
Grass Lake: Monthly St. Joseph Day at PUSJ
22
The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
24-28 Bangalore: Plenary Meeting
Best Wishes and Prayers to:
1
Fr. George: birthday
2
Fr. Kannikai Raj: feast day
4
Fr. Britto, Fr. T. Anandhan, Bro. Arul: feast day
10
Fr. Kuriakose, Bro. Peddarappu Joseph: birthday
11Nov. Joseph Rajarathnam: birthday; Fr. S.A. Lourduraj, Fr. C. Lourduraj: feast day
12
Fr. Soosai Rathinam: ordination day
14
Fr. Amalorpavanathan: birthday
15
Fr. Silvio DeNard: birthday
19
Fr. Sagayaraj: birthday
24
Fr. Chandra Nevis, Fr. Aputharaj: birthday
25
Fr. Francis: birthday
26
Bro. Gnana Vijay: birthday
Brother Giovanni Vaccari in Lourdes
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
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.servantsofcharity.org
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