Media Release

Bengaluru, Dec 5: The golden jubilee celebration of the religious profession of Sr Neeta Alva, Sr Sujata D’Sa, Sr Cicily K and Sr. Mary Jose, the senior sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, (Hazaribagh), South Province, Bengaluru who served for the congregation and the society at large for 50 years, was held on December 1 at Holy Cross Institute and Convent, Kothanur, Bengaluru.

Maxim L. Noronha, vicar general of Mangalore Diocese was the main celebrant at the thanksgiving eucharistic celebration. Fr Anil Joyel Prasad (Kross Institute, Bengaluru) and Fr George (Darjeeling) were the co-celebrants.

Provincial Sr Archana Padikara, former provincials, councilors, sisters from across south province were present.

Sr Sujata (daughter of Coses Noronha and the late Lawrence D’Sa) was the provincial and Sr Neeta (daughter of the late Thomas Alva and the late Maria Castelino) was the asst. provincial of Holy Cross Sisters, South Province. Both are born and brought up in Pangla Parish of present Udupi Diocese, joined the congregation in 1969 and took first vows in December 1974. They have served in Hazaribagh, Bihar (now in Jharkhand), Maharashtra and various places of Karnataka.

At present, Sr Neeta is the founder and principal of Holy Cross Special School, Vijayapura (formerly Bijapur) and Sr Sujata, superior of Holy Cross Convent, Neermarga, Mangaluru.

Albert W D'Souza (chairman of Aldel Education Trust, Palghar, Printania and Model Bank, Mumbai), Dr Kevin Noronha (professor & HoD, EXTC, St Francis Engineering College, Borivli, Mumbai), Vincent Castelino (ex railway official, Mumbai), H R Alva, columnist (Mangaluru), Concepta Fernandes, IBPS, ex All India Radio (Bengaluru), Lawrence Alva (Mumbai), Helen Mathias, (Mudarangady), Jacintha Alva, (Shankarpura), Benedicta D’Sa (Udyavar), family members and well wishers of all the jubilarian sisters participated in large numbers.