Proceedings of the Day 3
• The third day of the Provincial Chapter commenced with the meditation animated by Fr. Achariyam and the Holy Eucharist was presided over by Rev. Fr. Gnanaraj, SdC, the Provincial Councilor. In his reflection he highlighted the significant presence of the Archangels in our lives. He mentioned about three aspects of the angelic nature that all of us have: self, others and the circumstances.
• At the start of the office hours of the chapter the members reciting the prayer for the 5th provincial chapter, Rev. Fr. Provincial requested Fr. Bernandes and Fr. Peter Joseph to sing a Holy Spirit hymn in Telugu. Rev. Fr. Gnanaraj, the moderator of the day, invited Fr. Shantham the secretary to read out the minutes of the previous day. It was approved with few clarifications and additions.
- Then the forum welcomed Rev.Fr. A. Soosai Rathinam SdC, the former Provincial Superior and the present General Councilor who was honoured with a shawl by Rev. Fr. Peter Sebastian and a present by Rev.Fr. Provincial. In his address Rev. Fr. A. Soosai Rathinam said that the provincial chapter is nothing but of redefining the religious identity, refreshing the rules and constitutions. Showing our Founder as a model he said that action should come first then the words and invited us to become testimony of origins and said that amidst the storms of life in order to keep alive the Charism we have to help each other by praying, by giving mutual edification and by tolerating one another patiently in the defects. Wishing the best of luck for the fruitful chapter he concluded his address.
- Then Fr. Moderator invited Fr. Provincial Superior to introduce the theme of the day to the forum. Fr. Provincial, reminding of the essence of community life and mission he exhorted the forum to come out with clear cut creative proposals and suggestions for the mission to the poorest on the presented questionnaire. The moderator presented the themes of the day (Recipients & Inclusion; Infrastructure, Programs and Educational projects; Consolidation and expansion; and study of formation manual) for the group discussion and requested the tellers to distribute the questionnaire to each group.
- After the group discussions the secretaries of the groups Frs. John Paul, Loyola Diraviyam, Adaikalam and Samson Rajasegaran presented the reports along with the proposals to the floor. The members intervened and clarified over the presented reports.
- Fr. Moderator announced the themes for reflection and the topics for the next day asking for the suggestions from the floor and all consented to the proposal.
- Then Fr. Provincial requested Rev. Bro Franco Lain if he wished to suggest something having visited our mission centres and he responded in appreciating the developments of our structures in the mission centers. He suggested for the professional preparation of the confreres and the staff in the Guanellian way. He asked us to be vigilant in changing the Boys Home into paid hostel, giving preference for the poor ones. With regard to expansion in China, Korea, Indonesia, and Burma he reminded us of the presence of another Asian Delegation. He appreciated the group discussions which bring out the proposals.
- Succeeding Rev. Bro. Franco, Fr. Provincial Superior mentioned the proceedings of the previous days where we have discussed on fraternity, community life, formation and mission and now we have to work on looking into the needed development in resources, infrastructures for the better, qualitative and dignified service to the poorest. He urged the members for the regular annual planning and its execution ahead of time. He also mentioned about the challenges that we face in taking up the new missions temporarily. He congratulated all for their active participation in the group discussion.
- The day concluded with the final prayer animated by the Moderator.
