Interview with Sr. Rose Simon FMA
Dear Sr. Rose Congratulations!
What are your happiest memories as an FMA?
The day of my First Profession, the Salesian Family Spirit, the joy of living with the first missionaries, happy communities where I encountered good friends and lively young people.
What thoughts gives you comfort?
The thought of becoming a saint gives me comfort.
What was your strong weapon during your 50 years of your religious life?
Prayer and community life
What message do you have for the sisters of the Province?
Do your daily duties well because it is in fidelity to small things will bring us joy and happiness. Live and appreciate your vocation, and be ever grateful to God for His predilection and love.
Golden Jubilee is a happy event for you isn’t it? Why?
Yes. Because I feel I am a fortunate FMA to celebrate this great event. Many people longed for it but did not. I am ever grateful to our Blessed Mother for her continuous support and guidance.
What would you like to tell the young people of today?
If you feel the call of God follow it because you will find a great treasure in Jesus.
50 years of service in the vineyard of the Lord
Golden Jubilee of Sr. Anna Varkey was celebrated with great preparation and solemnity on 3rd August 2014 at Don Bosco Parish, Mirik. The Holy Mass was at 9.30 a.m., presided over by Rev. Fr. Fabianus Kujur the parish priest and Fr. Raymond Tudu the assistant parish priest. The Holy Mass began with the entrance dance by the boarders. During the homily the celebrant congratulated Sr. Anna and spoke of the faithfulness and generosity of God towards us. The liturgy was animated by the parishioners. After the Holy Mass Sr. Anna spoke few words to all those who were present quoting the Psalm 16:9 “I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.” I am feeling very happy and contended. I never thought that I will be celebrating my Golden Jubilee. But it is God, who makes everything wonderful in our life, she said. It was followed by cutting of the cake and felicitation. The three neighbouring communities Jaigaon, Kurseong and New Chumta represented the whole province.
Once again the jubilee was celebrated on 5th August in the Convent chapel together with the boarders. Fr. V.C. Jose the Rector of Don Bosco Community celebrated Mass. In his homily he spoke about those who hear the Word of God and fulfill it and congratulated Sr. Anna.
Sr. Cecilia K.
Jubilee Celebration
On 5th August 2014, the community of Auxilium Dum Dum celebrated the Foundation Day, the Golden jubilee of Sr. Alice Olikal and the Silver jubilee of Sr. Teresa Karakkal. Sisters from the Kolkata zone communities, candidates and the neighbourhood religious communities joined for the celebration. This memorable day, the solemn Holy Eucharist was presided over by Rev. Fr Hermil D’Souza, the parish priest and con-celebrated by Rev. Fr. Peter. During the homily Fr. Hermil congratulated the sisters and said it is the celebration of God’s fidelity towards us and our response to His faithful love that we celebrate. He concluded the homily by saying, “Before you expire you inspire, in life position is not important but disposition matters and before being samples give examples”. The entire liturgy was very meaningfully animated by the sisters.
After the Eucharistic celebration the jubilerians were felicitated with songs, gifts and gestures of love. The presence and the felicitation of the candidates added joy to the celebration. It was followed by a delicious and sumptuous lunch. Congratulations dear Sr. Alice Olikal and Sr. Teresa Karakkal. May God bless you and accompany you always.
Sr. Dominica J. Thapa
Interview with Sr. Anna Varkey
Sr. Prisila: Congratulations! Dear Sr. Anna.
Sr. Anna: Thank you sister.
Sr. Prisila: On this auspicious day we bring you many wishes from all the sisters of our Province.Today you look like an angel coming down from heaven to give us good news with a smiling face. I can see you always communicating good things that you know or heard to many you meet. Today as you celebrate your 50 years of service in the vineyard of the Lord, can you tell me some golden words?
Sr. Anna: “I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, O Lord, because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.” Psalm 16:9. I am feeling very happy and contended. I never thought that I will be celebrating my Golden Jubilee. But it is God, who makes everything wonderful in our life.
Sr. Prisila: Can you share some wonderful things happened in your life?
Sr. Anna: I never thought that I will become a FMA sister. But God’s plans are so wonderful. When I heard that sisters had come for recruiting the girls in Kerala, I got permission from my parents and went with them to my parish Priest to get the letter. When the priest asked me the name of the Congregation I want to join, I didn’t know the name. Parish priest was surprised. He asked me without knowing the name of the Congregation where do you want to go? Finally he gave the permission. I was very happy and excited.
Sr. Prisila: Do you remember anything that your parents said before leaving home?
Sr. Anna: I don’t remember anything special but one thing I remember my mother asking my father “what type of dress do they wear”? My father said that their dress looked like frock attached with the fan. Ha ha
Sr. Prisila: What made you or inspired you to leave your loving family and join the Congregation?
Sr. Anna: I understood that my life is to live for Jesus and for the mission, making known His name. And now I feel very happy to serve the people wherever I am.
Sr. Prisila: I see you always cheerful, active and innovative. What is the secret of this joy?
Sr. Anna: This is the secret of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. Be cheerful always. Young in spirit. And so I like to be young.
Sr. Prisila: Sr. Anna, hearing your word, I don’t want to grow old.
Sr. Anna: (Laughing) I did not mean growing old physically but young in spirit. We must be always active and creative, young in spirit with the young people because now the world is changing every moment with the science and technology.
Sr.Prisila: What is your suggestion for the young people of today?
Sr. Anna: Quoting the maxim of Don Bosco; “Dance, play and jump but do not commit sin.”
Sr. Prisila: What is your advice for the young sisters?
Sr. Anna: To equip themselves well to face the modern youth of today with the Spirit of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
Sr. Prisila: What is your wish for the Province as a whole?
Sr. Anna: To be faithful to the charism of the Congregation; not to deviate from the Preventive System because our holiness depends by the way we live. Have great and strong devotion to Mary help of Christians and inculcate real love for her.
Sr. Prisila: Who is your favorite saint?
Sr. Anna: St. Teresa of child Jesus. Also I have great devotion to Blessed Eusebia. My family too is devoted to Bl. Eusebia Palomino FMA.
Sr. Prisila: Sr. Anna, can you tell me why are you devoted to Bl. Eusebia?
Sr. Anna: Once my brother was suffering from slipped disc. He was admitted in the hospital and his condition was very critical. When I heard I could not go and see him, I prayed to Bl. Eusebia with great faith. I sent the relic of Bl. Eusebia to him. He put it in his chain and he was cured of his illness. My brother said, “Bl. Eusebia is a wonderful woman”.
Sr. Prisila: Thank you dear Sr. Anna, I am very much enthused by your golden words. With confidence I can say that you are really living the true charism of Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello. And I hope all the young people of today may be inspired by this way of living your religious life. May God bless you and grant you long life.
Interview with Sr. Alice Olikal FMA
Sr. Alice can you tell me the person who was the motivating force behind your vocation ?
My Assistant Parish Priest was the motivating guide behind my vocation. He used to talk to us in the school every Friday about the missionaries and the great work they were doing for the spread of the Gospel. He also made us to act out the lives of the missionaries. I used to dream even in my childhood to go to the mission and speak about Jesus. This was an inspiration for me to become a missionary. So together with my two other companions Sr. Rose Simon FMA and Sr. Anna Varkey FMA I left my home to become a missionary.
What are your happiest memories as an FMA?
I do not have any special happy memory but I was happy whenever I did my work well with a sense of responsibility and commitment. I recall with joy the times I spent in front of the Blessed Sacrament. There are many moments I felt happy in the company of others and I found them sharing my joyful experiences.
What thought gives you comfort?
The thought of living with and for Jesus and Mary in the Congregation gives me comfort. Another comforting thought that comes to me is that I was well taken care by all the superiors and sisters in which ever communities I belong to. Now I praise and thank God with all my heart for the great love and care showered upon me by the community here at Dum Dum and all the prayers that are sent to me by many people especially the sisters of all the communities to console me and give me hope to live on with optimism and joy.
Do you have any regret in life?
I do not have any regret in life but when I failed to carry out God’s will through my superiors I felt sorry.
How do you accept your inability to walk?
I acknowledge it as God’s gift but sometime I find it difficult to accept it. I request all those who visit me to offer prayers for me so that I may accept this gift with a spirit of faith and hope.
What messages have you for the younger generation?
I wish to tell them to live always in the presence of God and to obey the superiors, to pray well and to do their duty wholeheartedly for the salvation of young people.
Golden Jubilee is a happy event for you isn’t it? Why?
Yes, Golden jubilee is a happy moment for me because I lived 50 years in the love of God. I felt that God was holding me in His palm and loving me tenderly. I thank Him and our Blessed Mother for granting me this grace of celebrating my golden jubilee year.
Thank you dear Sr. Alice. May God bless you.
Arise women of Jaigaon
On 26th July, 2014 Nirmala Niketan, Jaigaon witnessed twin celebrations: The feast day of Sr. Annie Thevarkunnel, the animator of the community and the starting of the IGP group under the guidance of Sr. Sadhana Majumdar. During the inaugural prayer service Sr. Annie lit the lamp and invoked God’s blessings and encouraged the women with her enriching words. The women promised to work faithfully not only for their own benefit but also for the betterment of their neighouring families and society.
Sr. Pranati Manjari Sabhasundar
Community Day Celebration
On 3rd August 2014, the community of Auxilium New Chumta celebrated the community day. The theme of the celebration was “Serve the Lord in gladness”. The community expressed their love and gratitude to Sr. Teresa Vettuvazhiyil, the animator and to one another. The celebration began with vigil service, animated creatively by Sr. Sosan Minj and Ongmit Lepcha. It was a moment of thanksgiving and praising God for the gift of every person. The solemn Mass was presided over by Fr. Johny Nedungatt SDB. During his homily he highlighted the theme of our community day and spoke about washing of the feet of others, to be the servant of all. He encouraged us to let our ego for the effectiveness of the mission. He concluded by saying: Make the thought captive to transform oneself.
The day was ended with the short program by the sisters, boarders, teachers and the house staff. The presence of Rev. Fr. Michael Toppo, Parish priest added joy to the celebration. The felicitation was concluded with message of the animator Sr. Teresa. In her message she said that we are unable to accomplish anything much alone in our life we need each other. Our community living is more effective when we live together sharing our joyous and happiness.
Sr. Prisila Bara
Parents’ Orientation day
On 2nd August 2014, Auxilium Convent School, Dum Dum, organized a half a day orientation day for the 210 parents of class IX Students. Sr. Esther Rani Abraham, the principal officially welcomed the parents. A prayer song was projected to invoke the blessings of the Almighty. Mrs.Sujata Harish read out the general rules of the school to the parents. Mr. Mrinal Banerjee, the resource person for the day spoke to parents about how to handle the children who are exposed to various problems. Parents were requested not to put study pressure, not to compare but to have a dialogue with the children since all have unique D.N.A. He highlighted the two severe problems a child of 13 years facing: the social impact and the growing trend of tuitions. They are more involved in the digital and the outside world than their studies, therefore there is less time for self-study, time for leisure and for other activities. To handle these situations he exhorted the parents to be active listeners, to have an eye on their child’s relationship till they are 18 years, to put every discussion in a debate form without the child’s knowledge and to stop scolding but to frame out the whole situation then to act. He also gave them few tips to prepare them for the examinations, like evening walk, watch English news to speed up their writing and hearing capacity, avoid junk food to be a healthy person and to do every day half an hour yoga meditation. The session ended up with various interesting questions from the parents. The Parents thanked the Management for organizing a very interesting and down to earth session.
Sr. Domenica Josphine Thapa
Birthday Celebration
With joy and gratitude Community of Auxilium, Dum Dum celebrated the 75th Birthday of Sr. Alice Olikal. In the evening sisters gathered around her to felicitate with songs and offered her gifts. Sr. Alice distributed sweets and gave the good night. In her good night message she said: “When we are with Christ everything goes fine. When He is with us we perform our responsibility wholeheartedly, do everything with purity of intention and our apostolate will flourish. For Christ everything shines well.”
FMA INC News Update 