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The First Noel in Paasathottam, Dindigul

On the first Sunday of Advent itself the planning for Christmas celebration began. The children were enthusiastic and eagerly waiting for the day to come. It was decided that on the 19th of December PAASA families would come together to celebrate the birth of Christ. The Directors of FLAME and PAASA ILLAM come together to host the day with messages, dance and drama to make the day a memorable one.

Fr. Sathyan, ofm cap was the chief guest for the day. He celebrated the Eucharist and preached the homily. He spoke how the society can be insensitive to people’s suffering and their loneliness. He ended saying that Christ is the answer for our question.

To bring some colour and meaning to the day the SALESIAN and St. CHARLES BORROMEO POSTULANTS were asked to stage some programs on CHRISTMAS. Both the groups did well in their performances. The carols with the SANTACLAUS made people laugh hilariously. The sisters enacted the pros and corns of media affecting the social life and the message went right into the minds of the young children. They enjoyed the program thoroughly.

Around 1.00 pm the food was served to 300 people and Christmas gift was shared with them. Their smile expressed gratitude and joy.

Many came from nearby villages not walkable. One will have to take transportation to reach their homes. Therefore, a bus ride was given to them to go to bus stop to catch the bus on time.

22nd December at 5.00 pm the bishop of DINDIGUL most Rev. Thomas Paulsamy visited PAASA Thottam to say hallo to the children. He shared with the children the bed sheet and expressed his appreciation the Franciscans do for the people of deprivation and marginalised. He takes pride in the works of Franciscans for they act as extended hands of the diocese.

After this the Director Fr. Eugene requested the bishop to bless the water dispenser donated by the Provincial of Chennai Province. This particular machine does not make children to wait in a queue to get a bottle of water.

Followed by the visit of the Bishop the staff of FLAME had their Christmas get together. The fathers and the staff of Paasam family came to have lunch together. After the meal the staff exchanged some jokes and took away the Christmas and left home to celebrate the feast with the family members. All these events gave a variety of people from different walks of life visiting us to wish and remind us that CHRIST IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM TO GIVE US PEACE AND JOY.

On 26 th the next day of the festival of Christ’s birth 12 JUNIOR SISTERS OF FMM INSTITUTION came and pitched tent for a week-long exposure and experience staying with HIV/AIDS infected people and with their children who are housed at PAASA Illam.

Every day they pack their lunch move out with FLAME staff to meet the people in their places. They will finish their program by 3rd of January 2022. We wish them all success and grateful for having chosen to get educated to this ministry.

On one hand people come to learn about the ministry and on the other hand there are people to make the place more dynamic and create thirst in others to visit the PAASATHOTTAM and FLAME. We are thankful to Friars Xavier Durairaj and Gopu Rajasekhar for their presence in putting up the hospice building. Without grudging they travel and present themselves at the site under the scorching sun.

Other than the parish pastoral care we have one more ministry based on social issues. The brothers are encouraged to train themselves to involve in this ministry and bring hope to people who have no hope. Train yourself and build bridges between the society and the deprived people of HIV/AID infected people. You will be a person to sing THE FIRST NOEL and bring JOY to others.

Br. Arok Sundar OFM
Paasathottam Dindigul

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