CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REV. FR. N. GERARD, sdb

A very solemn event to celebrate the Life and Legacy of Fr. Gerard was organised on 4th September 2021, at Amaidhi Hall, Karunalaya. Rev. Fr. Johnson Bashyam, Rector, Don Bosco Broadway and Rev. Fr. Rober Anthony, Headmaster, Don Bosco H.S.School, Vyasarpadi, graced the occassion, lead us in the tribute and unveiled the Portrait of Fr. Gerard (Born: 03.02.1940, Died:22.03.2021).

A galaxy of speakers shared their experience with Fr. Gerard covering various aspects of his Life. Mr. John Bosco, President, Karunalaya welcomed and presided over the event. Mr. Ravikumar David, Vice President, spoke about Fr. Gerard and his involvement in Sports. Mr. Glenn D Rose shared about Fr. Gerard with lay collaborators, Mr. Bakthavatsalu spoke about Fr. Gerard in Scouting, Mr. Shanmugam, Director, Bro. Siga Animation Centre, spoke about Fr. Gerard in Social Service. Fr. Robert Antony spoke about Fr. Gerard with the Salesians, Fr. Johnson Bashyam shared about the learnings from the life of Fr. Gerard and Dr. N. Paul Sunder Singh, Secretary, Karunalaya, shared about Fr. Gerard's association with Karunalaya and proposed a vote of thanks.

We are grateful to Mr. Denis McFerran, (the nephew of Fr. Sean McFerran), We Care, Ireland, Mr. Peter Deurloo and Ms. Dilia Deurloo, Amaidhi Foundation, The Netherlands and Mr. Henk Krabben, CEO, Honicel Group, The Netherlands, who were very good friends and wellwishers of Fr. Gerard, for their video messages, which was much appreciated by everyone present.

Fr. Gerard had united lay leaders from 3 DBYCs, social service organisations, football, carrom associations and Salesians for the All India Football Tournaments he conducted in memory of late Fr. McFerran every two years until 2018. It was a r eunion of the members in various organizing committees of the All India Football Tournament, sports associations and social service organisations during this event.

Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, SDB, Rector Major, was gracious and kind by sending an official message appreciating the efforts to honour Fr. Gerard, wishing Karunalaya and everyone involved in the organisation. Former Provincial of Chennai, Vice Provincial of Trichy Province and many senior Salesians sent messages of prayers and wishes to us for the success of the programme.

Fr. N. Gerard was born on 03.02.1941. He was ordained as a Priest on 24.05.1987. Besides fulfilling his spiritual commitments and responsibilities as a Salesian, he was a dynamic visionary involved in youth welfare, community service and sports promotion. Fr. Sean McFerran was an inspiration and role model for Fr. Gerard. He founded BALPART through which housing projects for the Leprosy colonies at Balaramapuram, Tiruvottiyur, Tiruvallur, Pattabiram, Ponneri and Avadi were carried out. At Balaramapuram - Chapel, Clinic, Community Hall, Dental Ward, DBAU Hall, Library and Computer centre were established. He later built the Jeeva Jyothi Illam for the destitute aged people, New Life Centre, Orphanage, Don Bosco Matriculation School for the poor rural children, Don Bosco Anbu Ullam for deserving youth, Don Bosco-Fr.McFerran sports hostel for talented and deserving boys, Don Bosco Wisdom Town for the youth and the Divine Mercy Formation Home, for Gospel of LIfe Sisters.

Karunalaya is a reputed organisation inspired by the Salesian Presence through the Don Bosco Youth Centre, Broadway. It was patronised and guided by Rev. Fr. Gerard. Karunalaya works for the protection and development of street and working children, empowerment of women and marginalised communities. He inspired the young people in the Youth Centre irrespective of religion, caste or creed and created lay leaders who are making a difference in many walks of life. He was well known for the All India Football Tournament organised in memory of Fr. McFerran every two years until 2018 in the outskirts of Chennai which drew thousands of spectators and football lovers.

He was part of the Introduction of Team India for the Street Child Football World Cup, 2014, Rio, Brazil. He blessed the Team India Girls for the Street Child Football World Cup, 2018, Moscow, Russia. He expressed his immense happiness when he me the Champions of the Street Child Cricket World Cup, 2019, lead by Karunalaya and won the World Cup at Lord's, London. He passed away peacefully on 22.03.2021 and was buried at the Chapel of Jeeva Jyothi Illam on 23rd March 2021 according to his wish. he was a respected friend of the poor and a Living Don Bosco in Chennai.

We are lay leaders and products of great Salesians like Fr. Gerard. Therefore we are very Happy and obliged to organise this important event to pay Tribute and relive the memories with Fr. Gerard.