Prayerful greetings for Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year 2003.
“Your love and support the source of Everything to St. John’s Orphanage and the
parish of Mallukunta.”
Prayerful greetings from St. John’s Orphanage filled with Christmas Joy, Love
and peace to bring you all the Heavenly blessings and bountiful graces of child
Jesus and that will enrich your life throughout the year 2003.
I, Fr. Gnanapragasam.Boddu, am a missionary priest working in the mission diocese
of Eluru, Andhra Pradesh State, and India. I was ordained on December 21st 1994
at Mahimagiri shrine, Janampet, Eluru by the Bishop of Eluru diocese, Rt. Rev.
John Mulagada. Since my ordination, I have worked under Rev. Fr.John Simonella,
an Italian missionary for six years as an assistant in the sacred heart church
parish at Jangareddigudem of Eluru diocese. At present, I have been transferred
to a new parish of Mallukunta parish i.e. Our Lady of Fatima Church as a parish
priest. Apart from being a parish priest I have been given administrative duties of St.
John’s Orphanage having 52 boys and girls as orphans and one warden, two
dietary workers and looking after the premises of the Orphanage and church.
This Mallukunta mission parish is one of the ninety- (90) parishes of Eluru
diocese. It is 60 miles away from the diocese head quarters. It has about 14
sub stations and 3 catechumen villages spread out into 36 miles. This parish
itself comprises of 1033 catholic families and 3015 Catholics in
all. I am happy about the fact that many people of other faiths are turning
towards Christ and preparing themselves to receive the water of
salvation (Baptism).. Their interest in Christianity is giving me more
strength and Joy to do the mission work with much commitment and love.
Most of the parishioners are tribal and others are daily wage laborers. So they
are struggling to feed their families with below poverty wages, so there is no
question of educating their children. Definitely, these youngsters will grow up to
be ignorant adults with plenty of psychological problems.
Focusing attention on these future calamities, I earnestly resolved to provide
them at least basic education to ease their parents’ burden of looking
after them as well as educating them.
If these children are provided with the textbooks, clothes and the required
school supplies in the prime stage of their lives, they will be able to objectively
evaluate their talents and limitations and make a better choice of
profession for their lives. They will surely cease to feel threatened or insecure in the world.
Besides St. John's Orphanage 52 orphan children, there are other orphan children
in the parish. But, these 52 children are the poorest of the poor. The
parishioners are unable to give the holy masses stipends and the mass intentions. There
is no help from the Bishop either. So far I have not applied the any other
benefactor agencies or groups. I am taking all the burden
of looking after these poor orphans.
I humbly, urgently request your kind and merciful financial aid for each of these
orphan children for every month. If you could please support us with financial
help or send me some holy masses or mass intentions. At least get some other
benefactors to adopt each boy or girl to provide for each month. Otherwise
these children may become the bonded laborers.
The assistance or the financial help that you extend will be recorded in the
parish files and the history of our parish and in the hearts of our orphan
children. I along with the children will always pray for you and your family. I
especially offer the holy masses for your intentions.
Since our diocese of Eluru fully involved in evangelization, I am very active to
spread the Good News to the people and children who are under my care. Please
kindly consider my application and do what is necessary. I have great faith in your
merciful financial aid for each child of St. John’s Orphanage.
I am enclosing the photographs with this letter. Please if possible visit my
orphanage with your family or with the other persons of your place who would
like to visit. Also very important need of the hour for our orphanage is as
follows:
Water facilities to be provided for that need underground pipe facility and
tank to be built.
Lavatory to be built for the boys and girls separately.
First and foremost I need these above facilities for the orphan children. So
please send me the aid as soon as possible. Or you can send the aid for
children or find the benefactors for each orphan child.
Expenditure for each child of St. John’s Orphanage:
Food:
For a child per month =$8.
For 52 children = 52*8=$416.
Books:
For a child per year = $6.
For 52 children = 52*6=$312.
Clothes:
For a child per year = $5.
For 52 children = 52*5= $260.
Total expenditure of St. John’s Orphanage:
Food = $416
Books=$312
Clothes=$260
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Total = $988.
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My heartfelt thanks and blessings to you for your aid, I hopefully am receiving
from your kindness. I have great faith in your kind selves. I have great
faith in your aid.
Thank you.
Yours in Lord Jesus,
Fr.Gnanapragasam.Boddu,
Parish priest..
Our Lady of Fatima Church
Mallukunta
Borrampalem (Post)
(Via) Lakkavaram
W.G.Dt – 534451
A.P., South India. Contact Fr. Boddu
