Volume 4, Number 24
Friday, Dec. 16, 2005

FR. PRAGASAM NAMED DISTRICT SUPERIOR FOR INDIA

Fr. Pragasam Thathappa, new district superior of India, at his ordination in August 2004.

Provincial Stephen Glodek announces the appointment of Fr. Pragasam Thathappa as district superior of India, effective January 1, 2006. Fr. Pragasam will serve a three-year term. “We praise God for the generosity of Pragasam in accepting this position,” said Bro. Stephen. “We hope the district will rally behind him as he works with the council and district membership to provide direction for the future of the district.”

In making its selection for the new district superior, the Provincial Council reviewed input from 76 brothers who responded to its consultation for district leadership. “There was amazing unity in the responses regarding the needs of the district and the kind of leadership they are looking for,” said Bro. Stephen. “Fr. Pragasam’s many years of ministry in India as well as his reputation as a unifier of people is in keeping with the needs expressed by the brothers and will serve him well in leading the District of India.”

Fr. Pragasam was born on May 2, 1966, in K.T. Palayam, Dindigul District, Tamilnadu, India. He earned a graduate degree in science at Annamalai University in Tamilnadu (1990), a postgraduate degree in computer science from Jamal Mohamed College, Trichy, Tamilnadu (1991) and a graduate degree in library science from Annamalai University (1992). Fr. Pragasam joined the Society of Mary in 1993 and took first vows in April 1996. He took final vows in January 2000 and was ordained in August 2004 at St. Aloysius Church in the Dharapuram Coimbatore Diocese in India.

From 1996-2000, Fr. Pragasam served as a fieldworker for the Ragpickers Education and Development Scheme and as an accountant for the Deepahalli community administration, both located in Bangalore, India. He also was a volunteer for the Institute of Integrated Rural Development in Bangladesh, India. Fr. Pragasam completed his seminary studies in Rome in 2004.

In September 2004, Fr. Pragasam was appointed treasurer of the District of India, and in January 2005, he replaced Bro. Darwin Joseph as director of the Chaminade Nilaya community in India. In May 2005, the Regional Council appointed him to his current position as assistant for temporalities for the District of India.

Fr. Pragasam’s native language is Tamil. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing games, gardening and social work. Our congratulations and prayers to Fr. Pragasam.

The Province would also like to thank Fr. Ignase Arulappen and Bro. Sukrit Tirkey for their years of service as district superior and assistant district superior and wish them all the best in their new assignments. Under their leadership, the great work of the District of India was expanded to the countries of Nepal and the Philippines.