The Saint André Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross celebrated its first Final Professions as a new province on October 21. Br. Peter Paul, C.S.C., and Br. Vimal Kumar, C.S.C., professed their Final Vows to Br. PJ Santosh, C.S.C., Superior of the Saint André Province, in a Mass held in the auditorium of Notre Dame of Holy Cross School in Salem, Tamil Nadu, in India.
Presiding at the Mass was the Most Rev. Singaroyan, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Salem. Also present were Fr. Roque D’Costa, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of South India, and Fr. Gaspar Selvaraj, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of Tamil Nadu, along with many other Holy Cross members and religious from other congregations. They joined the family, friends, and colleagues of Br. Peter Paul and Br. Vimal Kumar in celebrating.
Following the ceremony, the newly professed, their guests, and the community attended a short felicitation program and had a celebratory lunch.
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Br. Vimal Kumar, C.S.C. is a native of Cuddalore in the State of Tamil Nadu in India. He professed First Vows on May 31, 2014. Vimal holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Karnataka Dharwad University and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Commerce at Indira Gandhi Open University in Delhi. Vimal also earned a diploma in Philosophy and Theology from JD College in Pune. He is intellectually gifted, a talented musician, and a good sportsman who brings his gifts to helping the community and is enthusiastic in serving in the mission.
Br. Piter Paul Dang, C.S.C., hails from Kurmidih, Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand in India. He pronounced First Vows on May 28, 2015. Piter Paul is hardworking, jovial, expressive, responsible, and has good relationships with others. From his own cross-cultural experiences, he believes in teaching others to develop a reverence for other cultures. Spiritually, he is of the view that “the Holy Eucharist and daily prayers are like a free gift to sit in silence.” Piter Paul holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Loyola College in Chennai. Additionally, he earned a diploma in Philosophy and Theology.