The Salesian Sisters of Kolkata Province rejoiced and thanked God for the gift of Sr. Mary George U on the occasion of her 60 years of her joyful fidelity & service in the vineyard of the Lord with her motto “God loves a cheerful giver.” The solemn Eucharistic celebration was held at Auxilium, Provincial House, Dum Dum on 23^rd August 2015. It was participated by her dear ones, sisters from all the communities of the Province, priests , religious, co-operators, past pupils, teachers, boarders, friends and well wishes.

The celebration commenced with Morning Prayer and felicitation. The Holy Eucharist was held at 10. 30 am, presided over by Rev. Fr. Mathew George SDB, the Province secretary of the Salesians of Kolkata. The candidates from Auxilium Barast led the diamond jubilarian, Sr. Mary George and  the silver jubilarians  Sr. Gracy Parekattil, Sr. Amali John Joseph and Sr. Sherely Kalapurayil and the celebrants  for the Eucharistic banquet with their devotional rhythmic steps.

Before the commencement of the Mass a short profile of Sr. Mary George was presented to the assembly. She hails from Ramapuram, Kerala, born to her parents George and Elizabeth on 1^st July 1931. Through the instrumentality of her elder brother late Fr. Mathew SDB and her parish priest, Sr. Mary George  joined the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at Vellore in 1946 as an aspirant and made her 1^st Profession on 24^th May  1955 at Kotagiri. She worked in various capacities in different communities of the 4 provinces of Chennai, Guwahati, Shillong and Kolkata as Provincial bursar, local bursar, animator and formator of candidates. Sr. Mary worked in the communities of New Delhi, Maligaon, Dibrugarh, Nongthymmai, Jumaikela, Dum Dum, Park Circus, Kathmandu (Nepal), Barasat and Ranchi. A good recruiter for vocations, she has enabled many to answer their call generously to the Lord.

Rev. Fr. Mathew George in his homily said in various ways we can experience the grace of God. One way is through the celebration. It is not important how long one live but how we live. It is not important how many miles we walked but how many people we touched on the way. Quality of life is what matters in life. With the support of anecdotes and examples from great personalities he painted the beautiful life lived by Sr. Mary highlighting the vitality and sweetness of her life. He congratulated Sr. Mary for serving God’s people for 60 years in joy and gladness.

After the homily Sr. Mary solemnly renewed her consecration to the Lord. The assembly applauded with a thunderous clap. It was wonderful to hear at the age of 84 intoning the ‘Magnificat’ as a sign and expression of her gratitude to God when Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath handed over her a lighted lamp as a symbol of faithful watchfulness inviting her to continue to light the flame of  her love and charity to all.

With the felicitation of the sisters, boarders, friends and well wishers and the fraternal fellowship meal the curtain was drawn to the celebration.

Sr. Mini Chettayil