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THIRUKAZHUKUNDRAM, October 27, 2024: “Seeking Kingdom of God at Home” (Yillam Thedi Yirai Arasu - இல்லம் தேடி இறையரசு) a catechetical project initiated by Deepagam – Don Bosco Catechetical Centre at The Citadel - INM, Chennai concluded with a celebration of Eucharistic festival at Don Bosco Polytechnic College, Kothimangalam, Thirukazhukundram on October 27, 2024 at 5:40 PM – 9:00 PM. This was a follow-up of month-long preparation of visiting the homes of the poor parishioners in all the anbiums of the Thirukazhukundram parish and its substations.

Deepagam team set-out on Sunday morning to Kothimangalam with a laity volunteers from Chennai who visited the homes of the parishioners spreading the good news in all the rural villages in and around Thirukazhukundram.

As the parishioners were gathering for the celebration of ‘Kingdom of God in Families’, Fr. Jesudoss and his team of animators for Yillam Thedi Yirai Arasu informally presented cultural programs of catechetical orientation.

Fr. C.M. Varghese Choorackal SDB, Rector of the Salesian community at Thirukazhukundram welcomed everyone present for the catechetical celebration; he said, “Yillam Thedi Yirai Yarasu (“Seeking Kingdom of God at Home”) must be “Ullam Thedi Yirai Arasu” that is, “Seeking Kingdom of God at Heart”.

Fr. Jesudoss (Director of Deepagam) called this celebration as “Vetri Vizhaa” (Day of Victory) after a month-long week-end lay mission by 25 lay people who collaborated with Deepagam by visiting homes of the rural parishioners. He pointed out the theme of the celebration as “Love, Justice, Truth, and Equality”. This is in view of the preparation for the Jubilee 2025. Quoting St. Paul, Fr. Jesudoss told the parishioners that we must together build-up body of Christ by witnessing Christ in each family.

Fr. Joseph Leo Irudayasamy (Director-Surabi) introduced the various Social Ministries of Surabi, namely: Education, Gender and Development, Livelihood, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Climate Action. The mission of Surabi is to provide strategic direction to the urban and rural economic and social development in the Salesian province of Chennai. Fr. Leo said that Surabi can reach-out to the rural poor in nurturing the Kingdom of God at homes.

Fr. Anto John (Director-Vocation Promotion) enlightened the rural parishioners on the mission of Don Bosco that of saving the souls for Christ. He encouraged parish youth to respond to God’s call for saving souls.

Two Cluny Sisters from Trichy called on young women to answer the call to religious life. They presented their founder and the congregation. They said, “The congregation was founded during the revolution in France.” The Cluny Founderess, Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey had a dream in which people were all walking together who are in different skin colors. They said, “Education, medical and social ministries is the primary apostolate of Cluny Sisters.” They concluded their presentation with this well-known note: “God calls the unworthy”.

Fr. Ernest Rosario, spoke of DBICA. He said, “DBICA exists for 27 years imparting Media Education to the poor youth. SIGA is 70 years old, educating the thousands of underprivileged with print technologies. Now, Don Bosco College of Arts and Science (DBCAS) at Kilpauk have introduced Visual Communication as a school of study.”

Fr. John Britto Savarinathan In-charge of Kalvi Solai, gave an awareness on Salesian Educational Apostolate Sector comprising of school education, higher education and polytechnic institutes. Niraivagam counsels students studying in all Salesian institutes. Vazhigaatti at Perambur, Chennai guides educated youth in their career for life. Poor youth also have a numerous scholarship programs to help them in their academic life. In all, Fr. Britto said, “We follow Don Bosco’s educative system of Reason, Religion, and Loving Kindness.” The primary purpose of Salesian apostolate is integral human development destined by Jesus Christ.

Fr. John Christopher (Provincial Counsellor) in-charge of Don Bosco Social Action and Research Center (DBSARC), Tiruvannamalai informed the congregated parishioners: “We are disseminating Indian Constitutions in Schools. We will soon visit Kothimangalam Parish at Thirukazhukundram.”

Mr. Maria Sagaya Pushparaj from Sagaya Matha Church, shared his faith experience to the people. He said, Fr. Jesudoss, incidentally hails from his village. Fr. Samson Raja (Parish Priest) felicitated Mr. Gnanapragasam (father of Fr. Prabudass hailing from the same village) who had been a catechist for 50 years. Also, Anbium Volunteers who took part in this Yillam Thedi Yirai Arasu were felicitated.

The parish congregation prepared themselves for the solemn Eucharistic celebration that was presided by Fr. John Alexander, Vice-Provincial of Chennai Province. On conclusion of the Holy Mass, Fr. Samson Raja (Parish Priest) thanked all the people who participated in the celebration.

Youth and Children of the Parish took part in the cultural program that was interspersed with the sharing of Salesian ministries to help the families for concerted effort in growing faith for life. The parish choir performed for: ஆண்டவரே! நீரே என்னை மயக்கி விட்டீர்! and Parish Children danced for the sound-track: மகிழ்ந்திருங்கள், மகிழ்ந்திருங்கள், கர்த்தரில் மகிழ்ந்திருங்கள். Also, youth performed newly released devotional songs: புதிய துவக்கம் எனக்கு தந்து… and ஆசை விடு, ஆசை விடு, இயேசுவுக்கே ஆசை விடு.

This Yillam Thedi Yirai Arasu celebration completed with fellowship meal for all. Yillam Thedi Yirai Arasu catechetical project was celebrated in Pavunjur (Chennai Pondicherry Region) and is scheduled to be carried-out in Perambur-Chennai.