News and Events

March 2-4 - Thalavadi: Gathering of confreres in Regency

March 4th - Legazpi: Retreat for staff and residents

March 21st - Grass Lake: Guanellian Family gathering

March 19th - Solemnity of St. Joseph

March 25th - The Annunciation

March 27th - Bangalore: Desert retreat for Novices

March 28th - Palm Sunday

Vocation Horizon in Bicol

Legazpi - With the aim of reaching out to a wider horizon for vocation promotion in the Bicol Region, the Vocation Team of the Servants of Charity in Legazpi City had endeavored to visit schools and parishes in the provinces of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon. Comprising the team were our 2 postulants, Jojo and Cesar together with the Vocation Promoter for Bicol, Fr. Kuruz Benson, SdC.

The result was very encouraging as we get a good number of interested applicants for our congregation and a regular flow of young men at our monthly search-in program. The Bicolandia was known as fertile ground for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, but the influence of a modern lifestyle and the deteriorating moral fibers of the young had caused a downturn in the amount of vocations in the local Church.

Pilgrimmage to Palavakkam

Chennai - For the academic year of 2009-2010, we planned to go on three educational picnics. The second picnic, February 6th, was part of a visit to St. Antony’s Shrine in Palavakkam. It is a pilgrimage site where many miracles have been taken place. Children and Staff were happy to visit the shrine and pray to God through the intercession of St. Antony. We packed our lunch and had a picnic on the church grounds. After lunch, we went to Govalam Beach, a perfect spot near this seashore shrine to relax the children’s minds. Children were happy to see the seashore and since many of them are homebound, it was a welcomed respite for them. There is no limit to measure the joy that existed among children of Don Guanella Rehabilitation Center.

Dental Camp

Chennai - Children’s dental health is very important and especially these ‘Good Children’ who do not brush properly. This may lead them to future decay or loss of their teeth. Considering this, we conducted a dental camp for our children at DGRC with the help Savita University. The Doctors from Savita did pre-screening test for all the children early on February 4th. After the results were submitted to the senior doctors, the treatment was performed on February 18th. All the students really benefited and the parents were happy.

Parents Day at Boys Home

Cuddalore -On February 14th , the boys of Don Guanella Boys Home were very happy to see their parents, who had come for a special visit. On that day, the Director and staff had an exhibition highlighting each child’s growth and talents learned at the Boys home. We invited Mr. Pugazhendi, the former M.L.A, to give a special address and express his love and concern for the boys. He inspired them by speaking about the hidden gifts that God has granted to each of them and their duty to discover and nurture through the service of the Guanellians. He joined the Guanellian fathers, sisters and brothers encouraging our boys in all their performances. Mr. Pugazhendi presented prizes to a few excellent performers. The program was pleasing to the parents and an admiration to the onlookers.  The day ended with a grand meal enjoyed by everyone.

Lenten Journey Begins

Chennai - On February 17th, Ash Wednesday, the children and staff of DGRC recited the way of the cross as the Roman Catholic Church started the Lenten Season. Mr. Selvam, our special Educator explained each station to the children in terms that they could understand. Each Friday of lent, the children will be taken to visit a different church.   The first Friday of Lent, February 19th, they went to the chapel of DGMS. The second Friday of the Lent, February 26th, the children were shown the movie Mel Gibson’s Passion of Christ. This Lent will be a time of great spiritual growth for the children and staff.

Guanellian Youth with Poor Children

Cuddalore - The boys and girls of the Guanellian Youth Movement at Sagaya Matha Parish planned to spend one of the Lenten days with the orphans of Satthankuppam. On the first Sunday of Lent from 10 o’clock in the morning till evening, the Guanellians put on a program to entertain the kids. It was definitely a time of joy, fraternity, games, and snacks. The youth were glad to share what they had brought from their family’s small Lenten savings. The real Lenten observance lies not in receiving but in joyful giving without limits. We gave our love and concern to them in whom we saw Jesus smiling.