rtptca | RTP Tamil Catholic Association

Feast of Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni

Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Good Health at Holy Cross Church, Durham!

You are cordially invited to join the Indian Tamil Catholic community and the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Durham as we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni, on Saturday, September 14, 2024, starting at 9 am.

The day’s festivities will commence with the Rosary procession, featuring a beautifully decorated ‘Sapparam’ carrying the blessed statue of Our Lady of Good Health. This will be followed by a Healing Service and blessing with Holy Oil. The highlight of the event will be the Feast Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Luis Rafael Zarama, Bishop of Raleigh. Priests from various parishes of the diocese will also join the mass.

Following the Mass, a fellowship lunch featuring delicious Indian cuisine will be served. Sign up here to join the fellowship lunch, so that we can make proper arrangements. Your donations will also help us defray costs.

The revered tradition of Feast mass and procession honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as ‘Arockia Madha’ or ‘Our Lady of Good Health.’ Her legacy of miraculous healing and unwavering faith, which began centuries ago in a small fishing village called Velankanni in India, continues to inspire millions around the world.

Join us as we celebrate this remarkable story of faith and devotion. May the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us, grant us good health, and heal us. Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni, pray for us! Amen.

Blog post on 2023 Feast Celebration

Article about Velankanni on Wikipedia

The RTPTCA Lenten Retreat 2024 was held on the 9th of March 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Durham. It was conducted by Rev. Fr. Vimal Backiaraj CP, from Tennessee. Around 25 families (approximately 100 people including children and adults) attended and benefitted from the Retreat.

The Retreat started with a Rosary in the morning, followed by 3 sessions of reflection, meditation and prayers. All sessions included songs from the choir, setting the scene for a very spiritual experience.

There was Way of the Cross with children enacting the Lord’s passion.

The highlight of the day was the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and special prayers with songs by the RTPTCA Choir.

தவக்கால தியானம். அருட் தந்தை விமல் பாக்கியராஜ் CP நிறைவேற்றிய திவ்விய நற்கருணை ஆராதனை மற்றும் சிறப்பு ஜெப வழிபாடு. பாடல்கள்: RTPTCA பாடற்குழு.

There was also a parallel children’s session that was lead by parents and our youth volunteers. Fr. Alapaty gave reflections & blessings to the children.

The Retreat ended with vigil mass celebrated by Fr. Pius Wakesa, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Durham.

Way of the Cross – Children’s Enactment – Photogallery