A tribute ... to someone who was in love with the young and Sports Chennai, Mar. 14. Fr. Raphael Jayapalan releases the biography of the veteran Fr. Sean McFerran, authored by Fr. Joseph Jeyaraj and published by Fr. Gerard, on 6th March 2011 at Wisdom Town, Redhills, Chennai.
A wish expressed to Fr. N. Gerard in 2006 by the then Salesian Regional, Fr. Joaquim D'Souza that a Biography be written on Fr. Sean McFerran, the Irish Missionary who had greatly influenced the young through his unique approach within the Salesian framework of zeal and service, became a reality after almost five years, on 6th March 2011 when the Book ''The Sporting Padrč'' was released at the end of the concelebrated Eucharist. Fr. Joseph Jeyaraj who had compiled and authored the book at the behest of Fr. Gerard, his spiritual guide, worked his way through for almost three years with the quest to ensure the authenticity and relevance of the contents of the Book. The Salesian Provincial, Fr. Raphael Jayapalan released the Book in the presence of a modest crowd of great admirers and pupils of Fr. Mac. Mr. Denis McFerran, the nephew of Fr. Sean McFerran and one very much associated with the Salesian works since 1999 with the same spirit and enthusiasm of his uncle, received the first copy. When acknowledging the honour given him, he thanked the Salesians, particularly Fr. Gerard and Fr. Joseph Jeyaraj, for recognizing and registering in the bringing out of this Book thirty-six years of unforgettable and laudable works of his uncle Fr. Sean in India. The title of the Book had been aptly chosen so as to portray the man who had made an impact in the sports arena, an involvement that was indeed unique of religious of his time. 'The Sporting Padrč' was the popular name of Fr. Mac who saw sports and games as very good means for spiritual elevation of the young as well as means for livelihood.
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