Archive | October 2022

With Mary, a life-giving presence – Provincial Community Day 2022

Oct20

The Provincial Community Day was held on 05 October 2022 at Provincial House Dum Dum. Animators, Principals and Economers of all communities, a good number of sisters from neighboring communities, candidates in formation, and young people from Auxilium Dum Dum took part in the celebration.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAbWMX – Provincial Community Day in images

The occasion was highlighted at 3.00 pm, celebrating the Family Togetherness organized by Nepal Communities under the able guidance of Sr. Aquila Phawa. Amusing games with attractive prizes caught the attention of all sisters. Everyone felt the joy of being a province community and participated wholeheartedly.

Sr. Celine Alexander and Sr. Rosy Veliyan from the Social Communication sector stole the stage for a while to thank all the communities for their valuable contribution to the newsletter of the province. A special edition of the newsletter was brought out by the sector on the 150th Foundation Year of the Institute. The first copy of the magazine was handed over to the Sr. Provincial and a copy each to all the animators of the province. They also distributed prizes to deserving communities for their contribution to the province newsletter.

Releasing of the Book, ‘Joyful witnesses of Fidelity’ – Vol.II’ was a historical moment for the province and it was a cherished dream of Sr. Lily Perumpettikunnel who compiled the life of the departed sisters of the province. A copy of the same was handed over to Sr. Provincial by Sr. Lily. She thanked all the sisters who generously shared their experiences with the departed sisters and a special thanks was accorded to Sr. Rose Ezarath who collaborated with Sr. Lily in compiling the life of the sisters.

After all these exciting moments, all the participants following the instructions of Vice-Provincial Sr. Teresa Adampakallel headed towards the Exhibition Hall (Prodotti Casa) contributed by all the communities of the province. It was a cherished moment for all as they explored the contribution of all the communities and appreciated the generosity and love of all the sisters who prepared each item.

A thanksgiving Holy Eucharist was celebrated at 6.00 pm for the precious gift of Provincial Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil presided over by Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes, Vicar General. In his homily, he highlighted the theme of the celebration, ‘With Mary, a life-giving presence’ and how love can be shown through practical action. The joyous celebration of the Eucharist was a shared responsibility of the entire province: Music and singing by Dum Dum, Entrance dance by the Aspirants of Bamunmura, Introduction to the Mass by Kurseong, Proclamation of the Word of God by Gobra, Prayer of the Faithful by Geyzing and Post Communion Prayer by Jumaikela.

Another characteristic of the celebration was the shared meal that was prepared and contributed by all the communities. The aspirants greeted the provincial with prayerful wishes and a congratulation song.  As a sign of gratitude and appreciation to the Provincial, the sisters gathered around her once again after dinner. In the name of the province, Vice provincial Sr. Teresa Adampakallel expressed words of thanks to her. All the communities greeted Sr. Leelamma and thanked her for her guidance and enthusiasm as a leader of the province. Sharing the centenary celebration by all communities was an enriching moment for all. Finally the day came to an end with a vote of thanks by Sr. Leelamma the provincial.  She thanked all the sisters profusely for their expressions of love for being part of every celebration on this occasion. A special note of thanks was addressed to Sr. Teresa Adampakallel for organizing the event with one month of spiritual preparation and involving all communities in the day’s program.

Reported by Sr. Rosy Veliyan

Celebrating the milestone of 25, 50, and 60 years of Consecration

Oct20

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians popularly known as the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco have marked two great events in the history of the Institute i.e. the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute and the centenary of the arrival of the pioneers in India. Million thanks to the Pioneers who sowed the seed of vocation in our country. The fruit of their hard work was celebrated on 06 October 2022 in the Province of Kolkata at Auxilium Provincial House, Dum Dum as we celebrated the jubilee of the religious profession of our sisters. With great joy celebrated and thanked God for the life of fidelity and dedication lived by our dear sisters, Sr.Elizabeth Makil and Sr.Silvina Kujur for 60 years, Sr.Rose Ezarath, Sr.Teresa Korattiparampil, Sr.Dorothy Torcato, and Sr.Teresa Thudianplackal for 50 years, Sr.Minimol Chettayil and Sr.Taramani Minj for 25 years.

The day’s prayer was completely dedicated to the jubilarians. At Morning Prayer the outstanding and exceptional qualities of the sisters were highlighted in which each jubilarian was asked to place a monument with the year of the profession on it to place at the feet of Mary Help of Christians. Sr.Leelamma Palliparambil the Provincial brought to the limelight the various activities carried out by the jubilarians among the young thus imprinting in the young minds the lives of our founders and above all living an exemplary life as a true religious.

The climax of the celebration was the Holy Eucharist which was officiated by His grace   Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza the Archbishop of Kolkata. He was surrounded by four Con-Celebrants. The joy was doubled with the presence of different religious communities, teachers, students, Co-Operators, Past Pupils, ADMA members, Candidates, Benefactors, well-wishers, and the close relatives of our Sisters. During the homily, the Archbishop exhorted the beauty of religious life. He then continued saying, it is a love story of God which the church summarizes as gratitude and we celebrate this love story as a jubilee. Every vocation can be summed up with three stupendous words i.e. “following in love” to the one who calls. This is the reason why Christ calls us that we are precious in His sight.

The beautifully decked hall with Jubilee bells created an atmosphere of jubilation and celebration. An hour of cultural program was hosted by students, candidates as well as well-wishers. The last message was delivered by one of the jubilarians Sr.Rose Ezarath in which she shared her experience of religious life and thanked all who made the long-awaited auspicious day a great success with their token of love and expressions. The hour-long presentation came to an end. After which all were served a sumptuous meal.

This occasion of coming together did not remain only in mere celebrations but imprinted in everyone’s hearts the edifying lives of our jubilarians lived with total commitment and passion for young people.  

Reported by  Sr. Pranati  Sabasundar

Please find below a glimpse of the celebration

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAbPqK