Palayamkottai - CIC Madurai

Welcome to our CIC Palai Eugene Province

Motto : To set free the oppressed

Provincial Superior Sr.Margaret Mary.Y

Councilors

Sr. Victoria Amali.L

( Asst.Provincial)

Sr.Sebastiammal.V

Sr.Arul Mary Soosai

Sr.Michael George Mary

Procurator Sr.Diana .J

Secretary Sr.Arockia Daisy.S

History

The Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, Madurai had its inception at Panjampatti at the end of the 19^th century. When Fr. Julius Larmey S.J., was its Parish Priest, a middle-aged man, Augustine Pereira, by name, was preparing himself for priesthood under his able guidance. He was also assisting the parish priest in the pastoral works. He was from an aristocratic family in Tuticorin.

On account of the motivation given by these holy men, a group of the first four dedicated women entered into a hut with a single purpose and started their community life on 2^ndFeb., 1899. Rev. Fr. Julius Larmey, S.J., Rev. Fr. Augustine Pereira and Rev. Fr. Eugene Nespoulous, S.J., are honoured as the founders of the Congregation.

In order to secure more efficient administration, the Congregation was divided into 3 Regions namely, Madurai, Paramakudi and Palayamkottai on 25^th March 1984.

On the occasion of its Platinum Jubilee on 7^th and 8^th May 1986, efforts were taken to make it a Congregation of the Pontifical right. Subsequently it was promoted to the ‘Pontifical Status’ by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on 19^th Jan 1993.

In the Interim Chapter held from 5^th to 9^th Feb 1997 after the 12^th General Chapter, three Regions were promoted as three Provinces namely, Madurai, Sivagangai and Palayamkottai with the following Mottoes.

Palayamkottai – To set free the oppressed

MADURAI – To Build up the Broken Humanity

SIVAGANGAI – To be in relationship with those deprived of their human rights especially the women

With deep confidence in the Lord, we renew ourselves totally in the spirit of the charism and in the spirituality of the Congregation and commit ourselves zealously to the upliftment of our target people.

Our former Superior General Rev. Mother Mary Josefa took efforts to divide the Congregation into regions for the sake of an efficient administration. Rev.Mother Josephine Alphonsa the successor of mother Mary Josefa, made streneous efforts to change it into provinces; such as Madurai, Sivagangai and Palayamkottai. In the year of 1997 March, the region of Palayamkottai was formed into province comprising of Communities.

“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone;

We thank the Lord for enabling us – the CI.C –Palai Province Sisters – to help the people of our nation for the Twenty two years and we implore His blessings for the years ahead.

“What a wonderful sight to behold weak, timid women hurrying to the ends of the world, to devote themselves with truly maternal love to the education of children. How much your Guardian angels rejoice at this! My own heart leaps within my breast for very joy!”

SERVICES

EDUCATION MINISTRY

“Nourish him with the bread of understanding, and give him the water of learning to drink” (Sir 15: 3)

“Education is one of the most powerful things in life. It allows us to find the meaning behind everything and helps improve lives in a massive way”.

The education ministry of CIC started from the first teacher and Founder Fr. Augustine Pereira. His great effort of equipping the illiterate first four women to be teachers were great. Through learning to read and write the catechism lessons, they started to teach the people of Panjampatti in the Amalorpaviyin Veedu.

“All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen”.

One of the major objectives of the CIC is to provide Catechetical instruction to girls and boys in schools and young women in parishes and to help them into mature men and women of deep Christian faith. To take full part in the life and ministry of the Church by devoting themselves heart and soul they are imparted education which helps to foster piety and commitment. The C.I.C’s Apostolate of Education reads as follows:

The aim of all our educational efforts is to help Christian and young women attending our schools to acquire up-to-date knowledge and good habits so as to grow into mature persons, conscious of their responsibility as members and future leaders of our society.

Orientation Programmers are conducted to help promote value among students.

‘The aim of Education is total liberation of man’, was the topic of a seminar in Nov.1990.

Awareness and knowledge on the basis of Government Orders were also given.

‘Value- based Education’ was the theme of a few seminars in Oct.’1992.

Guidance and counselling for Heads in High schools,Hr.Sec.Schools and Colleges were given by concerned department personnel.

Women Movement : a movement focusing on the issues of women was started in 1993. It has become very successful.Renewal retreats at the regional level were arranged for Sisters working in High and Hr.Sec. Schools.

Programmes for family Welfare : CIC Sisters in the Welfare of families, and programmes on Awareness of Environmental upkeep in terms of cleanliness.

OBJECTIVES

To give priority to the poor students and helping them to grow.
To import value-based education.
To develop integrated personality.
To impart economic, political, social awareness.
To promote multifarious skills and talents.

Amala Primary School – Kariapatti

Amala Primary School is in Kariapatti has a school named Amala primary School. It is a State Board school, with a team of 26 dedicated and professional faculties, which are here to ensure that the children get the most from their education.

Amala High School was launched in 1998. With the student teacher ratio being 31:1 the primary medium of instruction is Tamil and English as secondary medium. The school tries to provide best learning environment.

Classes from 6 to 12 run in this school. This school’s student strength is approximately 829.

The school has given exceptional results in the academic sphere and its students have excelled in extra co-curricular activities too. 100% qualify examination with 77% scoring first grade.

St. Xavier’s Nur. & Primary School , N.G.O. ‘A’ Colony

We aim to ensure every child or young person, regardless of background, has an equal opportunity to enjoy a first class education, equipping them with the skills, experiences and opportunities to succeed in school or centre, further education, work and life.Its established in 1923, is a private, Catholic, co-educational international school offering an American based curriculum to students aged three to fourteen. The school shares the traditions of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and is part of the RSHM network of international schools. Marymount welcomes children of diverse cultures, religious beliefs, and abilities. The school’s international character and location in France provide a valuable opportunity for increased cultural awareness and understanding. Our aims and objectives focus on fostering a lifelong love of learning

R.C. Middle School , Ilayarasanendal

Established in 1923, is a private, Catholic, co-educational international school offering an American based curriculum to students aged three to fourteen. The school shares the traditions of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and is part of the RSHM network of international schools. Marymount welcomes children of diverse cultures, religious beliefs, and abilities. The school’s international character and location in France provide a valuable opportunity for increased cultural awareness and understanding. Our aims and objectives focus on fostering a lifelong love of learning

John Bosco Matric Hr. Sec. School, Kovilpatti

St. Michael’s Girls Hr. Sec. School, Tenkasi

Amala Arts and Science College for women

Amala Arts and Science College for women is to be inaugurated soon. Though the college building and other requirements were already met, difficulties in obtaining some certificates had delayed the process.

Institutions under the Palai Province :

Joseph’s Primary School – Ambasamudram
Amala Primary School – N.G.O. ‘B’ Colony
Joseph’s Primary School – N.G.O. ‘B’ Colony
Primary School – W.Pudupatti
Amala Primary School – Kariapatti
Theresa Middle School – Vickiramasingapuram
Xavier’s Middle School – Irudayakulam
Middle School – Cheranmahadevi
Middle School – Ilayarasanendal
Antony’s Middle School – Vattam
Amala Pethannl Middle School – Thirunagar
Sahayarani Middle School – Rajapalayam
Middle School – Rayapuram
Joseph’s High School – Ambasamudram
Amal High School – Kariapatti
Joseph’s Girls Hr. Sec. School – N.G.O. ‘A’ Colony
Michael’s Girls Hr. Sec. School – Tenkasi
Amali Girls Hr. Sec. School – Irudayakulam
Joseph’s Matric. School – Sankarankovil
John Bosco Matric School – Kovilpatti
Amala Matric School – Thirunagar
Joseph’s Nursery & Primary School – Ambasamudram
Xavier’s Nursery & Primary School – N.G.O. ‘A’ Colony

HEALTH CARE MINISTRY

“A selfish heart loves for what it can get; a Christian heart loves for what it can give”.

“To render medical services” is one of the objectives of the CIC. Our Province medical mission includes dispensaries and siddha (Native Medicine). With the aim of healing the body and mind Sisters render their services in the medical centers. We have careg centre for Mentally retired chidren. Free medical treatment is given to the poor. Qualitative training is given to Sisters in medical services.

OBJECTIVES

To provide primary health education in the villages
To give treatment through Sidha and Allopathic
To follow holistic approach through counseling
To arrange special camps/treatments and rehabilitation for Cataract and Tuberculosis persons.
To give AIDS awareness, Voluntary counseling, testing and treatment.
To organize general medical and health counseling, testing and treatment.

SOCIAL ACTION

“Work for the Lord , the pay may not be much, but, the retirement plan is out of this world”.

“To engage ourselves in social action” is one of the objectives of the CIC-Palai Province. The commission for social services guides the Sisters of the palai province, to help eradicate illiteracy and provide the poor with self-respect. The purpose of all their social services is the wholistic development of the individual person.

The Sisters of the CIC-Palai province know for certain that poverty cannot be abolished by personal conversion alone. Radical changes should occur at the social and economic levels.’For the blossoming of the life of the poor’ is the motto of the Province . The province administration has taken sufficient care and keen interest in making the Sisters fit for this noble responsibility.

OBJECTIVES

Imparting awareness education.
Mobilizing the women and promoting women development programmers.
Collaborating with other like-minded, religious groups.
Rehabilitation of the children.

EVANGELIZATION

She Knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night

Prov.31:20

The sisters of CIC-Palai Province there loved and considered by people as catechists of the poor . They were the simple volunteers of the backward and downtrodden villages. They were champions of the oppressed and neglected, who needed comport and the helping hand of Jesus Christ. They had a large scope of spiritual, social, Medical and educational services, especially in villages and remote areas.

Evangelization Centre – Melaseval, India

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring goodnews “.

(Rom. 10:15)

True wisdom starts with a heart full of health, and not with a head full of facts”.

The special aim of the C.I.C. is to take full part in the life and ministry of the church by devoting themselves heart and soul to provide catechetical institution to girls and boys in schools and young women in parishes and to help them grow into mature men and women of deep Christian faith, to visit non-Christians with a view to proclaiming to help the parish priests in preparing the faithful to receive the sacraments; to direct associations and movements.

The mission of CIC is Evangelization. According to the circumstances of time and place the sisters proclaim the Good News to those who do not yet know Christ.

The C.I.C. Sisters had their retreat under the spiritual guidance of specialists(priests) with the themes- “Gospel Services”, “Gospel life” and Pastoral Service”.

In the local Church where we work, we collaborate with the leaders of the Church, priests, Religious and laity to build up the People of God.

OBJECTIVES

To guide pious movements and associations.
To foster religious knowledge by teaching Catechism.
To dialogue with the people of the faiths.
To prepare the people for Sacraments.
To organize and enhance Basic Christian Communities.
To train laity for Evangelization ministry.
To promote family prayer, unity etc., by house visit,…
To guide broken family by counselling
Retreats are arranged for individuals, families, groups,priests,religious on their request. There are facilities available for conducting seminars. Boarding and lodging facilities at a moderate charges

MINISTRY FOR THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED

The 35^thConvent was opened in Amala Garden – Thirunagar. Along with that St. Antony’s Siddha Dispensary was also inaugurated on 03.02.2014.
The Land purchased of 22 acres, in Ammapatty near T. Kallupatty has got a new fortune. New buildings have been constructed for the mentally retarded and aged people. The 21 acres of land is also cleared and used for agriculture. The impossibility of taking the land from the Government in Vedarpuliyankulam left us in despair to the extent of leaving the place altogether.

The 35^th Convent was opened in Amala Garden – Thirunagar. Along with that St. Antony’s Siddha Dispensary was also inaugurated on 03.02.2014.