Kundukulam May 2016 Report

MAY 2016 NEWS: We send you all our greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus. Hope this note of ours finds you all in good health and happiness. God bless you all for your good works done to us. In the month of May, Sacred Heart is fully alive and busy with various activities like May Marian devotion, sub-stations feasts, Holy Communion preparation course, etc.
 
MAY DEVOTION: The month of May is dedicated to Our Lady and in most of the villages, the faithful had evening Rosary and the Litany was recited or sung. It is a custom that every family in the local village try to honor Mother Mary and devote her in prayer, dedicating each day for their intentions. The parish church had an evening Mass and benediction after Rosary and Litany almost every day. At the end of the service each day, the villagers distributed sweets to all  of the participants. On May 31, the last day of the month, the local villagers decorated Our Lady’s statue with flowers and conducted a car procession along the main streets of the village. The young and old put their tremendous efforts in this pious activity and ascertained their solidarity in honoring Mother Mary.
 
ST. JOSEPH’S FEAST AT SURAVANTHI: Suravanthi is a sub-station 10 miles away from the main parish in Kundukulam. There are around 35 families living together. Every year in the second week of May, they celebrate the feast of their village patron saint, St. Joseph, in a grand manner. As usual this year, the highlight of the feast was the Eucharistic celebration organized by the young folk followed by car procession and fireworks. The night was spectacular with ground and also aerial fireworks. The villagers invited all of their relatives from various places and showed their love and concern with a sumptuous meal. The purpose of arranging the feast was to thank the patron saint for his protection last year and to make prayer requests on a good harvest and good health in the coming year.
 
OUR LADY OF HEALTH, NAGAMUGUNTHANGUDI: It is one of the sub-stations closer to the parish church. The faithful from this village are mainly farmers and they try to dedicate them all totally for this feast in the third week of May in thanksgiving. We are lucky to have twins as priests from this village; one works for the native diocese and the other is a Religious, a Claretian pursuing doctoral studies. Surprisingly, both were present for the village feast. Their presence and participation doubled the joy of all of the parishioners. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the statue of Mother Mary clutching infant Jesus in her hand was taken out in procession through the streets. After that, the village committee organized a cultural program in which people from neighboring villages attended.
 
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP, SATHAMANGALAM: Sathamangalam is a tiny village placed on the main road in between our new high school and a famous Hindu temple at Thayamangalam. The Hindu devotees ,who come to worship in their temple, also visit this church. There are 20 families living in and around this village to celebrate this feast in the last week of May. This year it was celebrated well with Rosary, Holy Eucharist, and car procession. It attracted people of other religions living around. They consider Mother Mary as a mother to all.
 
PRIMARY SCHOOL PROJECT: We are able to start up with the school renovation work for the present primary school to be shifted with your kindness and generosity. The work is in progress and it will take a few months for its completion. The photos taken before starting the work will be shared in the September mail out bulletin. We will keep you posted periodically regarding the progress of the renovation work. It involves the repair and replacement of windows and doors, replacement of broken tiles on the roof that are badly damaged, repairing broken parts of flooring, plastering in all classrooms, etc.
 
BOOK RELEASE: Our parish priest, Rev. Dr. Britto, is one of the co-authors of a book titled, “Catholic Shrines and Pilgrims Centres in India.” It was released by Most Rev. Dr. George Antonysamy, the Arch Bishop of Chennai, and received by former member of Parliament Mr. Peter Alphonse, a Catholic, two weeks ago.
 
We sincerely thank you and are ever grateful to you for all of your prayers, continuous support and financial help for the parish and school. You are all in our daily prayers. God bless you all. Yours sincerely, Rev. Dr. M. Britto