THE HISTORY OF THE SALESIAN PRESENCE IN THE DIOCESE OF DHARMAPURI
The Salesian presence in the diocese of Dharmapuri began from the appointment of Most Rev. Joseph Antony Irudayaraj, SDB., as its first Bishop in April, 1997 by the Holy Father John Paul II. The very next year (May, 1998) we were invited to take up the parish of Bagalur near Hosur. It was a poor backward parish with 45 families. Fr. Michael Thomas was its first salesian parish priest. They in a very small way started the pastoral ministry, computer training & tailoring unit staying in a rented house. Fr. Michael Thomas purchased some land and built a residence for the Salesians and a multipurpose hall which was useTHE HISTORY OF THE SALESIAN PRESENCE IN THE DIOCESE OF DHARMAPURI
THE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS:
The Salesian presence in the diocese of Dharmapuri began from the appointment of Most Rev. Joseph Antony Irudayaraj, SDB., as its first Bishop in April, 1997 by the Holy Father John Paul II.
The very next year (May, 1998) we were invited to take up the parish of Bagalur near Hosur. It was a poor backward parish with 45 families. Fr. Michael Thomas was its first salesian parish priest. They in a very small way started the pastoral ministry, computer training & tailoring unit staying in a rented house. Fr. Michael Thomas purchased some land and built a residence for the Salesians and a multipurpose hall which was used as a chapel. He later invited the sisters of St. Anne – Chennai to start a Matriculation School.
THE CONSECRATION OF THE NEW CHURCH IN BAGALUR
On the 02nd October, 2006 there was yet another important occasion in the pages of history. It was the consecration of the new Church at Bagalur dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians. His Lordship Most Rev. Joseph Antony Irudayaraj, SDB., DD., consecrated the Church in the presence of Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, SDB., - the provincial. On that day the Bishop thanked the provincial for the good works done by the Salesians in his diocese. He also proposed to the provincial to consider starting a College of Education (B. Ed., & D. Ed.,) along with the arts & science college, because there were no such institutions in the diocese and if we start ours would be the first minority college in the university. The provincial had promised the bishop that he would take it up in the council and consider the matter favourably.
EXTENSION OF SIGA:
The community of Bagalur has turned a new leaf from 2007 onwards. The Diploma course in printing that was given Chennai under the title SIGA has its extension in Bagalur. The first year students are trained at Bagalur under the guidance of Fr. Francis Xavier, SDB., We have a presence of an assistant for the boys in the person of Bro. Augustine Arulraj, SDB.,
THE SEMINARY AND THE SCHOOL:
The very same year (1998) the Diocesan minor seminary & Don Bosco Matriculation School situated at Gundalapatty, 6 kms from Dharmapuri, was handed over to the Salesians in contract for 6 years. We continued there for 6 full years (1998 – 2004) taking care of the formation of the seminarians of the diocese and development of the Don Bosco school.
As the Salesians left the seminary and the school in the year 2004, the Bishop felt the need for the continuation of the salesian presence in his diocese.
INITIATION OF VAZHIKAATTI & YOUTH COMMISSION
So with the approval of the then provincial of Chennai province, Fr. Bellarmine Fernando, SDB, the Bishop appointed Fr. Johnson Antonysamy, SDB., as the secretary to the Youth Commission in the diocese and the director of Don Bosco Vazhikaatti (a centre for career guidance & job placement), which was again a salesian initiative. He was staying in the diocesan seminary, holding his office in the Cathedral and belonging to the House at Bagalur.
THE PURCHASE OF LAND
On the feast of Don Bosco, 31st of January, 2005 we bought five and a half acres of land from the diocese and registered it in the name of the SOUTH INDIA SALESIAN SOCIETY on the same day. The land was bought in view of building our residence and starting an ITI for the poor youth of the diocese as per the request of the bishop. The clearing and leveling of the land started immediately and was completed by the end of March the same year. The building construction began only in June 2005 after Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu took charge as provincial of Chennai province.
THE NEW SALESIAN COMMUNITY AT DHARMAPURI
As the activities increased one person could not manage both the youth work in the diocese and the Vazhikaatti works. With this in mind the provincial in the year 2005, set a salesian presence with 4 salesians viz., Fr. Johnson Antonysamy – Director of Vazhikaatti, Fr. Samson Raja – Asst. Director & Secretary to the Youth Commission in the diocese, Bro. Arul Sundaram – college student (B. Com.,) and Bro. Martin Sowriappan – college student (B. Sc., Chemistry). Since there was no residence built for the salesians, they got settled temporarily in a rented house (Rent – Rs.3,200/- per month) in the following address: DON BOSCO VAZHIKAATTI, 87, HIG – TNHB, 1/1309, VENNAMPATTI HOUSING BOARD, COLLECTERATE P.O., DHARMAPURI – 636 705, Ph : 04342 – 285 368.
THE MULTIFARIOUS APOSTOLATE AT DHARMAPURI
The presence was attached to the parish of Bagalur. Though the house began as the Vazhikaatti centre, the generosity, zeal and enthusiasm of the Salesians and the dedicated staff and the backwardness of the district made the mission branch out into manifold works within a year, with the approval of Fr. Provincial. They were:
• Vazhikaatti – a centre for career guidance and job placement.
• Dropout Prevention Programme – To conduct evening schools in the nearby villages and hence prevent the school dropout rate in the area. Most of the rural students drop out of school due to poverty at home, drought, unemployment, illiterate parents, no proper teachers or teaching facilities, no proper ambient to study at home, household chores of grazing cattle and employment in agricultural sectors. So it is necessary to followup the children outside the school hours. Inorder to provide a study environment to the rural school going children and to create in them self-confidence. Once they are motivated to study and to score good results, they perform better.
No.of Centres: 30
Duration: 2 hours
31part time teachers help us in running these centres
They are paid from the local and other contributions received
Around 1236 children benefit from our programme(Boys : 647, Girls : 589)
• Gypsy Ministry
Aim: To liberate and to empower the primitive, illiterate, superstitious and nomadic tribe socially, economically, psychologically and spiritually. There are around 600 families in the two districts;
1. Vallimalai - 120 families
2. Berigai - 320 families
3. Hosur - 70 families
4. Chikarimedu - 110 families
5. Harur - 60 families
Activities
Study centre for the children
„« Job placement
„« Marketing of their handicrafts
„« Self help groups
„« Medical intervention
„« Housing & Drinking Water Schemes
• Don Bosco Prison Ministry – Juvenile Delinquents Home (Panchampalli) & Subjail
Aim: To restore freedom, honour, dignity and to extend love and concern to the brethren behind the bars irrespective of caste, creed and language.
Activities :
1. Counseling to the children and youth in sub jail
2. Rehabilitation programmes for the released delinquents
3. Constant follow-up of the children at prison after their term
4. Creating a chance for the children at the juvenile home to contact their parents thru cellphone talks
5. Daily tuition study for the children, special coaching for the 10th std students
6. Providing Educational materials
7. Self-employment training programmes
8. Special entertainment programme – Children’s day, X-mas celebration, etc...
9. Motivation programme
Place: Panchampalli, Subjails in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Hosur, Harur.
Beneficiaries : 110 Juvenile delinquents between 12 – 18 ages, 230 inmates in Krishnagiri, 150 inmates in Harur sub jail
• Programme Project – forming Self help group and hence make the poor to self-sufficient.
Aim: To empower the rural youth & women in community mobilization, social integration and to enrich their economy by income generation programme.
Progress: Another venture in the formation of SHG’s is the mobilization of Federation. Right now, we have 3 federations by name ‘Honeycomb Federation’ in Dharmapuri & Palacode respectively.
Activities
* Formation of self help groups
* Savings & linkages with bank
* Modular training, A&R training, Child watch,
* Micro credit programme,
* Income Generation Programme – Individual & Group
* Entrepreneurial training programme
* Cooperatives through federation venture, Confederation, etc
* Exposure programme
Beneficiaries: 60 Self help groups (15 men’s 45 women’s group)
YOUTH COMMISSION
We successfully took charge of the Youth Commission in the diocese for the past three years (2004 – 2007) with Fr. Johnson and Fr. Samson as its directors. As the contract has come to an end, we hand it over to the diocese happily.
The mission that was taking place was very typical: the residence is not the hub of our activities (people do not come to us) rather we launch out the deserving young people, through the above mentioned activities.
PROPOSAL FOR AN ARTS & SCIENCE COLLEGE
By the end of the year, there was a proposal from the diocese to start an Arts & Science college rather than to start an ITI, because there were 3 ITI, 2 polytechnic and 2 engineering colleges. Besides, many are jobless after completing the course. Several diocesan priests & prominent catholics of the diocese expressed their concern to the bishop. As per the new proposal the provincial asked Fr. Johnson & Fr. Varghese, the then principal of Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur to study the possibility of starting a college in this district. Both made a study and were very much positive of the idea. Hence on the 19th April, 2006 they met the Vice Chancellor of Periyar University, Salem to discuss with him on starting a college in the district. It is also worth mentioning that there are no Catholic colleges in the whole of the University, which means no Catholic college in 4 districts.
PURCHASE OF MORE LAND
The starting of the college was set in process. In view of building the new college we bought another land of 17.56 acres at the cost of Rs.1, 37, 500/- on the 16th of June, 2006. It was also registered in the name of the South India Salesian Society. The Joint Director of Collegiate Education made an inspection of the existing building of the college and land on the 01st of September.
THE CANONICAL ERECTION
The 19th of June, 2006 should be imprinted in golden letters in the history of this House at Dharmapuri. As per the approval of the Rector Major, Rev. Fr. Pascual Chavez, SDB., the Don Mission at Dharmapuri was made into a canonically erected community with Fr. Johnson Antonysamy, SDB., as its first Rector. In the name of the Rector Major, the provincial, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, SDB., erected the community and installed the new Rector with concelebrated solemn mass. And hence the community of Don Bosco Mission in Dharmapuri began.
Fr. Varghese who was in sabbatical year was asked by Fr. Provincial to seriously look into the procedures of starting a college in the coming year (2007). So he was shuttling between Chennai and Dharmapuri with the required files for the college purpose.
INAUGURATION OF THE NEW RESIDENCE:
At last we had our own house. On the 26th November, 2006 the Most Rev. Bishop, Msgr. Joseph Antony Irudayaraj, SDB., DD., - the bishop of Dharmapuri blessed the newly built residence for Salesians in the presence of Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, SDB – the provincial of Salesians in Chennai province. At 11.15 am the provincial cut the ribbon and opened the building. Then the bishop celebrated the High Mass concelebrated by 20 other priests followed by the honouring the dignitaries. The happy occasion ended with happy sharing of meals together.
BLESSING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE NEW COLLEGE BUILDING:
The clergy and the religious of the Vicariate gathered around the new land to witness the small but meaningful blessing of the foundation stone for the new construction of Don Bosco College of Arts & Science. The community was extremely happy over the presence of three eminent people: Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Irudayaraj, SDB., DD., - Bishop of Dharmapuri, Rt. Rev. Soundararaju Periyanayagam, SDB., DD., - Bishop of Vellore and Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, SDB., - Salesian Provincial of Chennai Province. The building work started proceeding immediately. The whole project was entrusted to the Ezhil Constructors, Tirupattur.
PURCHASE OF FARM HOUSE & LAND:
A farm house of about 25 acres was bought at the rate of Rs. 2.25 lakhs per acre at Gollapatti. There are many trees, free electricity, 5 wells with motars and a building. We have planned to hire it to the Surabi SHG’s so that they use it as their training centre for their entrepreneurship programmes.
COLLEGE APPROVAL AND PROCEEDINGS:
After a hard work of many fervent people, the Tamilnadu Government issued us the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to start a college in Dharmapuri on the 27th March, 2007. With the certificate the University made an inspection on the 10th of April, 2007. The Syndicate Members of the University unanimously approved to start an Arts and Science college at Dharmapuri. With that we selected the staff members through an interview and proceeded with issuing applications. Fr. C.M. Varghese was appointed as the first Principal of Don Bosco College.
The Courses offered are B.Sc., - Mathematics, B.Sc., - Computer Science, B.C.A., B.Com.(CA) and B.B.A. Separate hostel facilities are available for boys and girls. The Salesian sisters have accepted to cater to the girls through hostels. And the Augustinian sisters have come forward to collaborate with us in the college and in the social field.
2007 - 2008
WITH THE AMS SISTERS:
The Augustinian Missionary Sisters have accepted to collaborate with us in our work here in Dharmapuri. They have sent a community of three sisters staying in the rented house.
EXTENSION OF SIGA:
This year Bagalur is added colour with the extension of SIGA. The first year students of Siga (Chennai) Diploma Course are going to be catered at Bagalur with Fr. Francis Xavier as its Principal. It is actually a very good initiative in the diocese of Dharmapuri. We wish them all success.
INAUGURATION OF DON BOSCO COLLEGE:
Atlast the dream has come true. With so much of faith and hope we have begun the college. On the 20th of June, 2007 we had a simple inauguration of the college in the presence of Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, SDB – the provincial and Most Rev. Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj, SDB., DD., - the Bishop of the diocese. We had a month long English bridge course for the students and 3 days seminar for the lecturers. We implore God’s blessing on all those who take part in this shaping up.
No of Lecturers: 10
No. of office Staff: 03
No. of Students: 260 Boys: Girls: Catholics: 92
DON BOSCO COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
SOGATHUR BYE PASS ROAD
PAPPNAHALLI
DHARMAPURI – 636 802
Ph: 291750
The college has 100% admissions in the first year itself. At present we begin the college in the residence building of the salesians and the permanent building for the college is to be inaugurated in the near future. The boys (60) are accommodated in a rented building in the town. The girls (45) are housed by the Salesian Sisters. It is an important point to mention is 60% of the present strength of students are catholics and majority are boys. An added news is that our Badminton Team (Girls) has been announced as the third in the University matches.
SAVIO HOSTEL:
Since there are students of the college who are from far away places there was a dire need to accommodate them with a hostel. So we have rented a house in the town to run the hostel for the boys. Fr. Satheesh Xavier, SDB is the warden of the hostel and there are 2 lecturers who assist him in this work. There are around 58 boys in the hostel. As a commemoration of the 150th death anniversary of St. Dominic Savio, we start the hostel in his name. The girl students are accommodated by the Salesian sisters.
MEETING THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY:
It is yet another important milestone in the annals of the Don Bosco Mission in Dharmapuri. On 08th August, 2007 Fr. Johnson – the Rector, Fr.Varghese – the Prinicipal of DB College and Fr. Francis Xavier – Pricipal of SIGA, Bagalur met Dr. Thangaraj, the Vice Chancellor of Periyar University, Salem. This meeting turned out to be an important event for us. We explained our works to him and he was very keen on the Printing Course we render through SIGA. He suggested that we can start a new course named B.Sc – Digital Print Media (first of its type in Tamilnadu), where we can frame our own syllabus and get it approved by the university. If we work on it we get a privilege to work for the youth in the Printing Field and also be the initiators of the course.
NCTE INSPECTION:
The NCTE (National Council for Teachers’ Education), Bangalore made an Inspection to our College for the approval of B.Ed and D.T.Ed. Courses on 29th August, 2007. They were very positive of the building and the other facilities we have. We are eagerly awaiting their results.
May God bless all those who had worked for the building up of the Mission in Dharmapuri!
Don Bosco Vazhikaatti
Collectorate P.O.,
DHARMAPURI ¡V 636 705.
Cell ¡V 94435 63766
