Category: News & Events

The province of Trichy celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our dear sisters Juliet Soosainathan, Ruby raj, and Borgia Michael with a lot of gravity on 3rd January 2021. The august assembly gathered for the solemn Eucharistic celebration to thank the Almighty for the inestimable gift of their life and precious religious vocation which was indeed a journey of fidelity. Rev. Fr. Michael Raj from St. Paul Seminary was the main celebrant along with four more priests who were the special invitees.

The celebration started with the welcoming of the Province Animator Sr. Jyothi Selvaraj followed by garlanding and the procession accompanied by the little flower girls. They were felicitated by Srs. Julie Kulandaisami, Arockia Mary Soosaimanickam and Dhanamary Manickam. The theme of the celebration was “His goodness shall follow me to the end of my days”. Sr. Juliet thanked the group.

Everyone was excited to see the three kings appearing from far to greet the Jubilarians. They were quite fabulous in their costumes, with the star and message in their hands. We thank the Jubilarians for their generous service to the Congregation in different places to various people. The celebration ended with the cutting of the cake followed by the festive meal. Everything was set right by the systematic plan of Srs. Sathiya Selvi and Amali.

Sr.Arokia Mary, Novitiate

Province of Trichy.

30th December 2020 marked an awesome day in the history of ‘POWER’ the Social Centre at Viralimalai as it celebrated the 25th year of it’s birth. Jubilee year is a year of thanksgiving to the Almighty God who blessed immensely with showers of light and encouragement to delve into the untrodden paths in creating the space for the last and least in the society.

POWER stands for Participation and Organisation of Women for Empowering Rural India. This social centre was started on 5th July 1995 by Rev. Sr. Josephine Chinnarani, Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod, Province of Trichy, in view of women empowerment among the illiterate and rural women.

 

The main aim is to organise the rural women to SHG (self-help groups) and make them participate or participant of their own development – economically, socially and culturally. This development includes not only the women but also their children since they are the future citizens of our country. Hence we have study centers for the children in our project area.

The celebrations began with the blessing of newly built Claudine Training Hall by Fr. S. Melchior, the Par ish priest, Viralimalai, and cutting of the Ribbon by Rev. Sr. Jyothi Selvaraj, the provincial of the province of Trichy. 25 years is not just a stone to cross over rather it has taken lots of hurdles.

The great and awaited events of the Jubilee celebration began by invoking the presence of God with the multi-religious symbols and the lighting of the lamp. The chief guest of the day Sr. Jyothi Selvaraj, the provincial of the Province of Trichy, the speaker Mrs. S. Sundaravalli the Social activist, the guest of honor Rev. Sr. I. Josephine Chinna Rani, the director of SOC SEAD and the founder of ‘POWER’, Rev.Fr. Paul Mike, the director of IDEAS, Madurai, Rev. Fr. Eugene, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Trichy and Mr.M Palaniyappan, the businessman, Viralimalai were warmly welcomed by Rev. Sr. Jeyarani the Director of POWER. All the invitees were honoured with a shawl and a Momento.

The highlights of the day’s programme were the release of the Silver Jubilee souvenir, screening of a fabulous documentary to the audience, release of the flag for POWER Social Centre and the cash of Rs.1,50,000/- for the education of the poor children handed over to Sr.Jeyarani, the director by the women federation of POWER.

The Children of POWER entertained the audience with their colourful cultural performance like Kummi, kolattam, Thappattam, songs, dances and skit on the theme ‘love one another’. The jubilee celebration ended with distribution of coconut saplings to 1200 women. May the silver bells continue to ring in the minds and hearts of the poor and the downtrodden of the society through POWER to witness the Golden years.

Trichy-final-converted

The province meet of the province of Tiruchirappalli for 2018 -19 was held on July 27, 2019. The day began with invoking the presence of God with a meaningful and inspiring prayer by the sisters of Namakkal community.

Sr. Jyothi Selvaraj, Provincial Superior, set the tone for the day with a cordial welcome with a thought provoking inaugural address.  It was delightful to see the newly professed sisters becoming the stars of the day during the opening ceremony with the colourful welcome as they take part in the province assembly for the first time.

The Province Report was presented by Sr. Regie Chinnappan, Provincial Secretary through video presentation followed by Bursar’s Report by Sr.Vimala Singarayar, Provincial Bursar through powerpoint presentation. Various commission Reports were presented by coordinators of each commission through Video and Power Point presentations. The timely intervention of the sisters with their appreciation and comments after the report of each commission was enriching and enlightening.

Mr. Jinna gave a talk on “Personal Health Care” through one-touch therapy, using which diseases can be cured without taking drugs. He shared his experiences through video clippings of different stages of patients getting cured through his one touch therapy.

The Junior sisters kept the congregation alive and active with their Action Songs and Quiz from Family Annals by the MCs (Sr.Amutha and Sr.Dhanam Mary) of the day.

To cap it all, Sr. Jyothi Selvaraj addressed the gathering again. In her address she appreciated the sisters for their tireless commitment and hard work in living the patrimony of the Congregation and for carrying out the ministries entrusted to them with utmost care. The areas we need to look into also were highlighted and brought into notice. Sr. Jyothi thanked the sisters for the arrangements made to make the day meaningful.

The Holy Cross Anthem, which is dear to the heart of each member of the Congregation, was sung at the close of the Province meet.

 

The celebration of the 10 years of successful completion of the annual meet of Lay Associates (2008-2018) was conducted on 10th March 2019, from 9.00am to 4.00pm at Sophie’s Hall, Holy Cross College, Trichy. There were 110 Lay Associates from 13 Units.

The first session began with a meaningful prayer in which the significance of milestones and the activities of the yester years (2008-2018) were brought out by the Butterworth Unit. Followed by an hour of reflection shared by Rev.Sr.Mary Johnsi Amaldas on the topic “Joyful Witnesses of Christ’s Mission” and 19 God’s abundant graces from the book of Hosea”.

There was a group sharing on the obstacles in reading the Word of God followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Reverend Father Marianus Isaac for the milestones as God had travelled with our lay associates during ten long years. During the Eucharistic celebration 14 Lay Associates renewed their promises.

We had the presentation of Annual Reports followed by felicitation. Our provincial Rev.Sr.Jyothi Selvaraj and the golden Jubilarians – the President Mr & Mrs.Joseph Raj Rosebel were honoured. The day came to an end with the Unit wise photo session.

Sr.Amalorpavam Louis, Co ordinator, Commission for Lay Associates

Final Profession of our five sisters – 3 from the province of Trichy, 1 from the province of Guwahati and 1 from the province of Tenali was on the 16th Sep.2017, at Holy Cross Convent, Teppakulam, Trichy, solomonised by Rev.Antony Devottta, the bishop of Trichy in the presence of Sr.Eugene D’souza the Superior General, Sr. Lourdu Adaikalasamy, the General Councillor, Sr.Peuma PERES, the provincial of Srilanka and councillors, Sr.Gratia ANTONY, the provincial of Guwahati and her councillors, Sr.Lucy Maliekkal, the provincial of East Africa and her councillors, Sr.Priyanthi SAMALA, the provincial of Tenali and her councillors, Sr.Jyothi Selvaraj, the provincial of Trichy and her councillors. It was indeed a great occasion to praise and thank God for the gift of our sisters to OUR congregation.

The Enlarged Council will be held in Chavanod at the Spirituality Center, “La Maison du Grand Pré” from 1st to 21st May 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

We congratulate the newly elected Provincials, Delegation Superiors and their teams and wish them God’s blessings. We thank the previous Provincials, Delegation Superiors and their teams for their joyous, generous and dedicated service.