Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales. MSFS - USA Vice Province. Fransalians Rosebud Road Loganville- Atlanta, GA USA

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1 Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales MSFS - USA Vice Province Fransalians 3887 Rosebud Road Loganville- Atlanta, GA USA viceprovincialusamsfs@gmail.com, Website: Cell: ; Office: ; Fax: Circular: TJP 9 August Inside this Issue: Fransalian Annual Congregational Retreat 2018 Fransalian Annual Retreat 2018 Silver Jubilee of Fr. Sunny Welcome to New Confreres Blessing of the Fransalian House Loganville Fransalian Master Plan 20/30 Confreres Returning to Mother Province Renewal of Pastoral Understanding New Parishes Entrusted to the Fransalians Congratulations & Prayerful Wishes New Assignments and Addresses Report of CMSM Meeting Report of NASM Meeting 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, 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.

2 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 Social 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.

3 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. 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! We have to do everything for love, not out of force. ~St. Francis de Sales

4 Fransalians 20/30 Master Plan: Atlanta, USA (A master plan that can be achieved within years, approximately by ) 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 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 community 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. 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.

5 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, 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 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.

6 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 longterm basis beginning from July 1, Fr. Amarnath Nagoth from Vishakhapatnam Province who has been functioning as an Administrator is appointed as the pastor of the parish. A brief history 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 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 Msgr. James Heslin became the next pastor in 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, Msgr. Keith Brennan was the pastor from July 2012 to June Fr. Anthony Bonela, MSFS was the pastor from 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!

7 New Assignments and Addresses of Confreres! Fr. Dijo Thomas Koikkara MSFS Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish 121 William Street Marysville, PA Phone: Cellphone: Fr. Babu Pinninti St. Joan of Arc Parish PO Box West Main Harper, Kansas Office: Cellphone: Fr. Chandra Sekhar Potnuru (Dominic Savio) Chaplain 1145 S Yale Street Wichita, Kansas USA Office: Cellphone: saviomsfs@gmail.com Fr. Augustine Joseph St. Joseph Catholic Church 68 Center St. Danville, PA Office number: Cellphone: fraugustine2000@yahoo.com Fr. Tomichan Moonnanappillil, St. Fernando Cathedral 231 W. Commerce St. San Antonio TX, USA Cell: (914) tomymsfs@gmail.com Office Number : Ext. 124 Fax: Fr. Anthony Bonela St. John the Evangelist 2102 Ave J Hondo, TX Office: Cell: Fax: anthonybonela@yahoo.com Fr. Arokiaselvam Nithiyaselvam Alexian Village 198 James Blvd Signal Mountain, TN Residence: Cell: selmsfs@gmail.com New Local Superior for Fransalian Community- Kansas Fr. Bab R. Pinninti from Visakhapatnam Province is appointed as the Local Superior of Fransalian Community Kansas. We wish him prayers and support. 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 In my absence Fr. Davis Chackaleckel will be able to assist you in case of any needs or situations. His cell Phone is Thanks Fr Davis for your help and it is appreciated. Stretch forth your hand towards God as an infant towards its father to be conducted by Him. ~St. Francis de Sales

8 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, 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 opportunity 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 ministry in the United States for a long time. I learned a lot from this one week-long sessions and interactions regarding 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 conferences 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 Salesian Network in the dissemination of Salesian Core Values. Some prominent suggestions were: media interventions, 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 creating a Salesian Resource Kit by Fr. Joe Boenzi, SDB, agreed to draft a petition to the Holy See for an Apostolic Letter from the Holy Father for the 400 th 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 showing the 333 Salesian Families spread across North America. The day wrapped up with a thought-provoking documentary/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