Sr Celine Vas
Moodbidri, Oct 25: Child is the joy and happiness of a family and today in the absence of children, joy and happiness are a distant reality, said Sr Wilberta the Superior General, Bethany Congregation.
She was addressing the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Genassano Convent, Taccode on Tuesday October 23.
She also honoured the parish priests, Fr Jerald, Fr Hilary Lobo and Dr Fr Mark Castelino who attended to the spiritual needs of the sisters and accommodated them into the parish community.
Sr Mariette, Provincial Superior, Mangalore Province hailed the people of Taccode for accompanying Bethany Sisters for the past 75 years of journey; journey of joy and sorrow, journey of pain and suffering, journey of faith and love. She thanked the parishioners for offering 38 flowers (daughters, who are Bethany Sisters) to the garden of Bethany Congregation. The eldest among them from the Crasta family of Kajebail, Sr Sylveria BS of Taccode was honoured. Sr Sylveria has rendered 17 years of service in Taccode as a Bethany Sister. The past superiors, Sr Prudence, Sr Dominica, Sr Felcine, Sr Norma, Sr Emerita, Sr Hazel, Sr Carita, Sr Lilly D’Souza, Sr Theresita and Sr Prefilda were honoured by the Provincial.
K Abhaychandra Jain, MLA, Moodbidri constituency said Bethany Sisters arrived to Taccode ‘Kuggrama’ (underdeveloped) in 1937 and taught to the people of this region the meaning of being human and selfless service with divine compassion. He applauded their service and said ‘Even today Bethany Sisters remain the same’.
K Amarnath Shetty, former state minister, said that Bethany Sisters are known to him for quite a long period and hailed their compassionate service in the field of education, social service and uplift of the girl child.
John Rego, vice-president , Taccode parish said that since the time of their grand parents it is sisters who taught them not only to read and write but to live a value filled life. On behalf of the parishoners he thanked all the sisters who rendered their service born out of love in the past 75 years to their parish.
Valerian Moras, secretary, Taccode parish was all praise for Sr Sylveria and Sr Gemma who were Little Gods of his childhood days said that their service with a smile and compassion have etched unforgettable memories in his mind. He thanked Bethany Sisters for what they are now and will be in the future.
Fr Austin Peris, vicar var, Moodbidri, differentiating the meaning of interest and commitment said that commitment alone makes one work harder till the goal is achieved and interest need not have such goal.
Dr Mark Castelino , parish priest, Taccode Church insisted upon the religious to make use of the electronic media for missionary purpose.
Bethany Sisters at Taccode have a history of 75 years, a journey of hope and faith. The credit to their fruitful ministry goes to the people of Taccode who stood by the sisters in times of tears and joy. Fr Piedade D’Souza, the parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Taccode made a request to Fr R F C Mascarenhas, the founder of Bethany Sisters to send his sisters to his parish. With the permission of the then Bishop Rt Dr V R Fernandes, Sr Pia, Sr Pauline, Sr Purifica and Sr Justa were sent to Taccode on July 1937 for the mission of education through the Parochial School namely St Joseph’s Higher Elementary School.
The community Genazzano Convent was dedicated to Mother of Good Counsel. Sr Pia was installed as first superior of the community. They resided in Martin D’Cunha’s house in Kaikamba, Taccode (one kilo meter from the parish) for a year. Next they moved to Raymond Crasta’s house, Kajebail at Karinje villalge. Later they permanently resided at the present Genazzano Convent. Bethany Sisters gratefully acknowledged the gesture of kindness generosity shown by the D’Cunha and Crasta families by honouring them.