Trichy Zonal Meeting : 23rd July 2011

Diocesan Pastoral Center Date: 23rd July 2011

Prison Ministry India Tamil Nadu is divided into four zones namely Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy. Trichy Zone consists of Trichy, Kumbakonam and Thanjavur   Dioceses. Trichy Zonal meeting was conducted on 23rd July 2011 in the Diocesan Pastoral Center, Thanjavur.30 volunteers from three dioceses participated in the meeting.

At 9.30 am we started the adoration before the Blessed Sacrament which is the source of the Prison ministry.Fr G J Anthonysamy the Asst State coordinator conducted the adoration and motivated the group that this ministry is not merely a social activity but a prayer group.

Fr Vincent Xavier SDB the State coordinator explained about the ministry. He shared with the group about the three R theories of the Prison Ministry, Release, Renewal and Rehabilitation.

Most. Rev. Devadas Ambrose, Bishop of Thanjavur in his address recalled his memories of the Prison ministry during his studies in St. Paul’s Seminary, Trichy.  He also said that he is happy that this ministry is being motivated in all the parishes connected with sub jails of the Thanjavur Dioceses and groups are formed in all the sub jails. All the inmates are not criminals. Christ himself identifies with the inmates and said, “I was in prison you visited me”.
After the tea break Fr Vincent presented a video presentation named ‘stunning twist’. It was about a rehabilitated prisoner story.
Mr. A. Jesu Raja State secretary of PMI TN insisted about the basic principle of the ministry namely, Inconvenience is our convenience, bank balance is the providence of God and the begging is our lifestyle. He also insisted that no project should be written in any form and funds for the ministry. And with the blessing of Fr. Anthuvan the meeting came to end at 1.00pm.