The Word...Lived...Shared

Sisters of Notre Dame, Patna Volume 43. No.4 October 2017

With much joy and festivity, the Sisters of Notre Dame celebrated the Jubilee of Grace, the Diamond Jubilee, the Golden Jubilee and Silver Jubilee of our Sisters at the provincial House, Patna on October 21st, 2017.

Jubilee of Grace: Sr. Mary Ann

Diamond Jubilee: Srs. M. Jyoti, Nirmala, Amala and Vijaya

Golden Jubilee: Srs. M. Prema Devraj, Prabha, Jyotsna, Sarika, and Aruna

Silver Jubilee: Srs. M. Prabha Toppo, Anjana, Kalpana, and Marina

Most Rev. William De Souza SJ, the Archbishop of Patna, concelebrated the Holy Mass with Rt. Rev. Sebastian

Kallupura, Bishop of Buxar, Fr. Tony Andrade, the brother of Sr. M. Jyoti and 22 priests. A good number of relatives and friends of the Jubilerians, Sisters and Brothers of other congregations were present for the Eucharistic celebration, the felicitation ceremony and for the agape that followed.

Province Assembly 2017

The province Assembly from October 18th to 20th saw the gathering of 125 Sisters at the Provincial House, Patna, from all our 33 affiliations. Sister Mary Tessy, the provincial superior, presided over the Assembly. It was a joy to have Sister Mary Sreeja, the Assistant General, and Sister M. Marina, the Treasurer General present for

CELEBRATING A HARVEST OF BLESSINGS

The Jubilations with Most Rev. William De Souza SJ, Rt. Rev. Sebastian Calliper

and Fr. Tony Andrade, SJ, pose for a photo after the solemn Jubilee Mass.

the Assembly. Sister M. Sujita was the fecilitator of the proceedings. Each day the sessions were chaired by different Sisters.

New Wine in New Wineskins

The Theme of Assembly was "New Wine in New Wine Skins'. In her orientation talk

Sister M. Tessy, quoting P o p e F r a n c i s s a i d , "Consecrated life today is placed before a lot of challenges. During this difficult and hard period, we are asked to reproduce the holiness and creativity

of (our) own founders"

The call for us today is to exercise a new discernment so that we are able to speak to our contemporaries, in the light of the urgings of Pope Francis.

Fr. Louis Prakash, S.J. a well‐known Social Act iv ist gave a very enl ightening presentation on the present social, political and cultural, scenario in our country. He commented on the laudable work our Sisters are doing in the area of Women's development. Fr. Louis pointed out the urgent need for accompanying the women in distress and the young girls who are vulnerable.

Sister M. Sreeja gave an overview of the document, "New Wine in New Wineskins" issued by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Sister urged the Sisters to read and study this important document for Consecrated persons. Sister Mary Sreeja enriched the Assembly with her sharing on the lived reality in other provinces and delegations. Sister Sreeja said, "Courage, risk and great deal of prophetic imagination may be our most urgently needed virtues today… This is the creative force of the spirit who blows

where she wills and unceasingly creates new life throughout all creation."

Ministry wise Presentations

A very important segment of the time was devoted to presentations by the ministry co‐ordinators Sisters M. Lucy, Suja, Jyotisha, Nishkalanka and Rosemary. Group discussions and Plenary Sessions on the second day of the Assembly focused on the issues, needs and possibilities raised in the reports sent from the communities. The participation in the discussions with respectful listening and a discerning spirit was commendable.

Enriching Liturgy and Prayer Services

Different communities had been assigned to take care of the morning and evening prayers. The well prepared prayer sessions with relevant reflections on the theme using multimedia and soul‐elevating melodies added richness to the Assembly days.

The celebrant of the Liturgy on the First day was Fr. Jose Vadassery, SJ, the provincial of the Jesuits, the second day Fr. Pius Thekkemury, SJ and the third day Fr. Gregory Gomes, SJ. The Eucharistic celebration with deep reflections on the Chapter theme energized and challenged the Assembly to be open to recognize the new wine that is being poured into our wineskins.

Concluding Session

The general feeling at the concluding session was one of deep satisfaction and gratitude for the experience of the Province Assembly. There were many favourable comments on the mature tone of the discussions and the whole‐hearted participation of the members. We thank and praise God for the peaceful and fruitful "Province Assembly‐‐2017" P

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Assump�on Province, PatnaPar�cipants of the Province Assembly

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Excerpts from Jubilee Prayer Service

Sr. Mary Ann

"Sister Mary Ann, you are a living witness to the practice of the vow of poverty by serving the God of the poor. You often looked for the things which others c o n s i d e r a s t h e l e a s t , s m a l l o r insignificant. I have seen you using the tiny stub of a pencil by inserting it into a bamboo holder and making the maximum use of it. Your special gift in finding, e n c o u r a g i n g , s u p p o r t i n g a n d empowering others in need has touched many of us present here today. So we celebrate your inspiring life of the past 70 years as a religious through various ministries like education, socio‐pastoral work, community leadership and communication ministry."

Sr. Mary Jyoti

"You are a treasure house of varieties of gifts and qualities which overflow into the rich harvest of your diamond years and into the lives of others. As a great educator you have touched many lives and inspired many. You continue to give yourself totally as you reach out to the young boys and girls of this place. We raise our minds and hearts for the gift of you to our Province, to our Congregation and to the Church".

Sr. M. Nirmala

"Sr. Mary Nirmala, today we recall with love and gratitude, the graces and blessings God has placed within you. You, in turn, have blessed others with the generous sharing of your life. You have inspired us with your ability to see things in its totality, your courage to express your thoughts and above all your deep love for the province. As an educator, administrator and a companion your

giving has been total and without reserve."

Sr. M. Amala

"You have touched the lives of many in our province as a formator, provincial superior, community leader and retreat director. You have inspired many to make the good God known and loved. You continue to inspire others with your reflections and your way of life. We raise our minds and hearts to the Living God and acknowledge His wonders in our lives through you. May the loving Mercy of our God continue to journey with you always."

Sr. M. Vijaya

"As the gift of water is refreshing in our lives, you have used your ability to refresh the lives of many as teacher, principal, local superior, assistant provincial and Formator. Today we celebrate God's goodness that we have experienced through you in varied ways. Your sisterly love, steady support, listening heart and guidance have touched many in their spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth and well being. We pray that the good God showers His choicest blessings on you and keep you in the Hollow of His hand."

Sr. M. Sushila

"We remember (Sister M. Sushila) with much love and gratitude. We have seen the joy of the children when she visited Gossai tola. As we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee we ask Sr. M. Sushila to intercede for us that we too may find ways and means to reach out to the most needy of our times."

Sr. M. Prabha

"God rejoices over you dear Sr. Mary Prabha as we celebrate his goodness to

you these past 50 years as a Sister of Notre Dame. You are gifted with determination, compassion and a keen intelligence and you have used your innate gifts for his glory in the service of God's people. While serving as treasurer in different places or in the field as a hard core social activist, you have reached out to the less privileged and have done what you could to empower them. We thank God for you and for his faithfulness to you."

Sr. M. Jyotsna

"You are a person who lives a simple life, gives, shares, loves, prays, works and also receives from God and from others. Your hard work as a teacher, headmistress, local superior and treasurer has inspired many of us. We thank God for your gifts of mind and heart that you generously share with your Sisters and people around you."

Sr. M. Prema Devraj

"Called by Jesus, the master healer, you have touched and healed many with your medical expertise and compassionate care. We thank you for your joyful spirit and your creative approach to life. You are blessed with the ability to mingle with any age group. You have joyfully given yourself during the past 50 years as a Sister of Notre Dame. May the divine healer reach out through you to the suffering and the needy."

Sr. M. Aruna

"You are called to proclaim the goodness and providence of God to the poor and the rich as a missionary through your various ministries as teacher, principal and local superior. You were one of the three pioneers who stood firm as a missionary to Africa and faced the challenges of life in many adverse

situations. Your deep Faith in God and prayer sustained you. Today we celebrate your fiat to the Lord the last 50 years. May you continue to serve God's people by sharing the goodness and provident care of God."

Sister M. Sarika

"Good and loving God, we thank you for the graces and blessings you have bestowed on Sr. Mary Sarika. Though she is not among us today, we gratefully recall her contributions to the province and to the Church as a teacher, a person in community service, a community leader and treasurer. We thank God for her joyful spirit and friendly ways."

Sr. M. Prabha Toppo

"With great joy we recount the blessings of the Lord for the last 25 years of your consecrated life. We celebrate your giftedness and committed service as a teacher, as headmistress and a joyful community member. Our life is made of love, care, trials, temptations, joys, sorrows, failures and successes. We celebrate life which is so marvelous and wonderful before our good God. May this celebration be the beginning of your Golden years of consecrated life."

Sr. M. Anjana

"God has guided and led you through a variety of situations and events in your life. You have steadily opened up to the graces that God gifted you with during t h e s e t w e n t y fi v e y e a r s o f y o u r consecrated life. As a teacher and principal, you have carried out the min istr ies entrusted to you with enthusiasm and determination. May you continue to encounter this generous and living God everyday of your life."

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Sr. M. Kalpana

"Like a tree growing beside running waters, you have been nourished by God with His love and compassion. You have reached out to many as a teacher, local super ior , headmistress , and as a treasurer. God has blessed you with a joyful and calm personality. Today we thank God not only for what you are but also for what others are because of you."

Sr. M. Marina

"We celebrate with you God's faithfulness towards you for the past 25 years as a S i s t e r o f N o t r e D a m e . G o d h a s abundantly blessed you with enthusiasm and zest for life. You have touched many l i v e s w i t h y o u r l i v e l y a n d w a r m personality. You have carried out the responsibilities entrusted to you, very specially that of the Provincial Treasurer, with the utmost fa ithfulness and c o m m i t m e n t . A s y o u s e r v e t h e congregation in the capacity of the Treasurer General we invoke God's blessings upon you and your very responsible ministry."

Excerpts from Ministry Reports

Healthcare (Sr. M. Lucy)

Number of Sisters

Doctors : 4

Nurses: 26

Pharmacist 1

Student‐ nurses 2

New Initiatives in Health Care

Physiotherapy units in Sumbuck, Raxual, Gahiri and Sasaram.

Jurodanr Health center as a substation of Kungiri Holy Cross Hospital

MCH (Mother And Child Health)

Village Health programme with the Hayden Hall Jesuit Darjeeling Society

ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) food supply

SLF ( Stitching Liliane Fond)

P u r c h a s e o f a v e h i c l e f o r t h e differently‐able children

One person trained in physiotherapy

Inclusive education of differently‐able children

Training in herbal medicine

School health programme

Village health programme

Healthcare Coordinator of Buxar Diocese

North East Diocesan Social Service Society (N E D S S), Health project coordination

R e g i o n a l S e c r e t a r y o f H e a l t h C o m m i s s i o n c u m H e a l t h c a r e coordinator of Patna Archdiocese

Social Action (Sr. M. Jyotisha)

Sisters Centre Staff

Sr. M. Jyotisha MCK (Patna) 65

Sr. M. Grace Cheshta, Raxaul 06

Sr. M. Anupama Pragati, Jamalpur 31

Sr. Udaya MSK, Sheikpura 30

Sr. M. Alka JMS, Chenari 08

Sr. M. Amrita PCDC, Piro 10

Sr. Assunta NDC, Sasaram 05

New Initiatives

The Ministry involvements under M a s h a l S o c i e t y w i t h C o m m o n Programmes and Projects.

Bringing Human rights perspective for the empowerment of women and girls

Ensuring community participation and leadership of women to access their entitlement

Building JPIC consciousness in the staff, collaborators and people

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Care of Mother Earth

Promotion of proper waste disposal

Distribution of plants

One day campaign for the promotion of proper waste disposal

One day campaign on Earth Day and Environment Day

Celebration of Van Mahotsava

Sessions on JPIC for students and staff

Reduction of the use of plastic and other harmful material

Pastoral Ministry (Sr. M. Suja)

Every Sister has a pastoral orientation in whichever ministry she is engaged in. Each one finds creative ways to express her commitment to pastoral care through teaching Catechism, faith‐sharing, family visits and compassionate care of those entrusted to her. There are a few Sisters in full time pastoral ministry.

Pastoral Involvement of the Sisters

Faith formation

Women Empowerment

Youth development

Family catechesis

Bible study

Promoting the leadership of the laity

Ecumenical Inter‐denominational involvement of Sr M. Sruti at UTC, Bangalore

Small Christian Communities

Well‐organized family apostolate at Trikaipetta

Starting our ministries with reading from the Scriptures of different Religions

Participation in parish councils and other decision making bodies

Education Ministry (Sr. M. Nishkalanka)

“One can easily see now that one well‐trained and disciplined child can influence thousands and thousands of people

through many generations and centuries. And who, besides the parents, laid the foundation to all this good? It is the teacher……..” Bernard Overberg

New Initiatives in Education

Posters with inspirational quotes of leaders, from different religions

Participation in literacy/girl‐child awareness rally, creation of human chain, celebration of World Health Day

School compound made green and eco‐friendly

Plastic free area created in the school compound

Rain water harvesting

Emphasis on saving water (not very effective)

Prayer for peace included in the daily morning assembly

I n c r e a s e d a w a r e n e s s o f s o c i a l responsibility

Contribution for flood relief, to orphanages etc.

Regular remedial classes for weaker students

Counseling for students by trained Sisters

Sex education given even to pre‐primary students e.g. difference between good touch and bad touch

POCSO introduced in almost all the schools

Integrated child development service introduced ( ICDS) – Sumbuck

Differently‐able studying with other children

nEW WInE IntO nEW WInEsKIns

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Our Lady of the Assumption Province, Patna

Provincial House, SevashramAloysia Bhavan, SheikpuraChetna, SararamJamalpur PiroMariaBhawan ChenariMunger GahiriBarh,

Raxaul

Jurodanr, Musgutri

Gumla,

Balumath,

Tisri,

Ranchi,

Tilaya, Bayandih

Binnaguri, DarjeelingKainjalia, SumbuckRimbick

Akalpur

BadarpurNajafgarh

HojaiRongmongveGaonchulkaGossaigaon

Thrikaipetta

States1. Jammu 12. Assam 43. Delhi 24. Chattisgarh 25. Bihar 146. Jharkhand 67. W. Bengal 58. Kerala 1 Total 35

Dioceses ‐ 16

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Bettiah ‐ 2

Bhagalpur ‐ 2

Bongaigaon ‐ 2

Buxar ‐ 3

Daltonganj ‐ 1

Darjeeling ‐ 4

Delhi ‐ 2

Diphu ‐ 1

Gumla ‐ 1

Guwahati ‐ 1

Jalpaiguri ‐ 1

Jammu ‐ 1

Jashpur ‐ 2

Kozhikode ‐ 1

Patna ‐ 9

Ranchi ‐ 2