24 June 2022 the Feast Day of Immaculate Heart of Mary, was a memorable day in the Annals of the Northern Province. Sr Erasma was installed as Provincial Superior for a second term and Srs Arpan, Sr Clare Toppo, Sr Rose Margaret and Sr Helen D’Costa as Provincial Councillors by Sr Rose Celine BS, the Superior General during a prayer hour led by Sr Mariette, the General Councillor and General Coordinator for Formation at 10.00 am in Bethany Provincial House, Ish Kripa, Karnal. Fifty-two sisters representing the various communities of the province were present on this auspicious occasion. Prayers of gratitude welled up from the heart of all those present on behalf of Sr Helima, the outgoing Assistant Provincial Superior, Sr Violet Pinto and Sr Stella D’Souza, the outgoing Provincial Councillors.
Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General handed over the light, the Bible, book of Constitutions, Cross, tabernacle key and a passbook to Sr Erasma, who is reappointed for a second term as the Provincial Superior. Thereafter the newly appointed Provincial Superior and councillors took the oath of office and pledged to be loyal to their responsibility.
Quoting relevant Bible passages, Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General, made it explicit that a leader is a good shepherd whose mission is the personal care of the sisters, healing, forgiving and guiding.Obedience and humility go together, and the love of God is the first criteria she added. She further stressed that prayer must be the leader’s breath, love the warmth of her heart and seeking the will of God the search of her soul.
Citing I Peter 5:1-4 she called upon the leaders to serve not out of obligation but willingly for God’s sake, not looking for reward but with a generous heart. The three-fold responsibilities of a leader mentioned in Const. 163 care of individuals, building communities of communion and promoting effectiveness of mission was highlighted by her.
Holy Eucharist was officiated by Fr Sandeep IMS, the Assistant Provincial Superior of Delhi Province. The choir was led by Sr J Nancy and the group, Fr Sandeep highly appreciated the service of Bethany Sisters and the contribution made by them in building Christian communities and to the development of the people in Karnal.
During the felicitation programme that followed, the outgoing members Sr Helima, Sr Violet Pinto and Sr Stella D’Souza were applauded for their selfless service. Sr Erasma, Sr Arpan, Sr Clare Toppo, Sr Rose Margaret and Sr Helen D’Costa were greeted with a shawl, garland and bouquets by Sr Rose Celine. Thereafter the sisters returned to their communities with the unforgettable memories of the celebration lingering in their hearts with the aspiration, ‘Let Bethany grow, flower and bear fruit.’
News by: Sr Grace Maria BS, St Joseph’s Convent, Bathinda, Punjab
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