India

PROVINCIALATE HOUSE
“The World`s largest mission begins just outside your door”
As the sun is spreading its rays to the earth let us raise our hearts and minds to God the Father Almighty for gifting us these 25 years of service on this land. On this gracious occasion we remember all those people who rendered their help and support as we turn the pages of the history of this home. We can see many generous people who helped and encouraged us to start the mission in Tamil Nadu.
As this day is especially dedicated to our Saintly Father Camillus and this year is dedicated to God’s Mercy and our charism is connected to this mercy of God. St.Camillus says in his writings; the foundation of this Congregation caused me much tears entire night in prayer on my knees. So we are proud to say that we are Daughters of this saintly Father Camillus who experienced God’s mercy in his life and shown this mercy and compassion to sick and suffering. Now let me explain how this mercy and compassion are carried out in this place.
This Place was gifted to us by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Kasimir S.J the Arch Bishop of Madras Mylapur and the parish priest Rev.fr. Francis K.J and the parishners.
The parishners had a great desire to start a hospital in this place; so together with parish priest Rev. Fr. Joseph they started the construction, but due to lack of money the work was stop. After 4years Rev. Fr. Francis K.j and parishners started the construction, at that time on 03/04/1991, Sr.Catherine Kuruthukulangara, Sr. Josephine Karuvelil, along with Sr.Teresina Kandathil came to Chennai searching for a place to start the mission, and they met His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Kasimir S.J who was so kind and generous to accept the sisters in His diocese and offered this place to the sisters.
On 05/04/1991 Rev. Fr. Francis K. J, welcomed the sisters in his parish and introduced them to parishners. The faithful was very happy to have the sisters in their parish, because the people so much desired to have the presence of sisters amidst them. At that time there was no place to accommodate the sisters, so sisters stayed with the sisters of Apostolic Carmel in Tambram. They were so kind and generous to accept our sisters. They stayed there, around two months, but they used to come every day to see the progress of the construction and by the time doing their house visiting. On June 1991 the name of the dispensary was changed which was in the name of St. Lawrence into Daughters of St.Camillus centenary memorial dispensary.
At this time Sr.Catherine Kuruthukulangara was attending the patients who were coming to the dispensary, and the people had much trust and confidence with the sisters and their treatments.
On 29 July 1991 the Solemn Blessings of the dispensary and the house did by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Kasimir S.j the Archbishop of Madras Mylapur. Sisters along with Parish Priest and the parishners arranged the programme. The people were always ready to help and support the sisters. After the inauguration the number of the patients increased in coming to the dispensary by this time. Dr. Sr.Anna Kollichirayil took in charge of the mission.
As the time went on seeing the sign of time we started to take care of the elderly people but due to inconvenience and some government rule we had to stop the dispensary and only dedicated ourselves to take care of the elderly especially those who are bedridden and unable to do anything for themselves.
As the time passed by the diocese of Madras Mylapur divided in to Madras Mylapoor and diocese of Chengalput and we received His Grace Most Rev. Dr. A. Neethinadhan as our shepherd who is guiding and encouraging us to continue our mission.
I warmly welcome you to this Eucharistic celebration Presided by His Grace Rev. Dr. A. Neethinadhan, Bishop of Chengalput. The former Arch Bishop Rev. Dr. Chinnappa, the founder of the Society of God’s reign, all the priests and religious and all the faithful. Let us raise our hearts and minds to ask His Blessings and Graces upon this house and our mission. By your prayers this Silver may turn in to Golden.