Media Release
Udupi, Nov 25: To commemorate the sesquicentennial (150 years) of the Apostolic Carmel in India, the sisters of St Maria Goretti Kemmannu, warmly welcomed the ACA, staff, neighbors and friends on the 114th death anniversary of their foundress venerable Mother Veronica on November 16 and also to thank God through praise and worship, for the 150 years of fruitful mission in India.
The ACAs and friends met together for the celebration. Sr Niveditha, the superior, welcomed and thanked the members for coming in large numbers. Sr Silvian the ACA animator, compered, the programme and made everything very lively. Sr Elise conducted a game and celebrated the birthdays of those born in November with a birthday song.
Fr Herald Pereira, the director of Small Christian Community, Udupi diocese conducted a very prayerful and touching Holy Hour, during which he thanked the Lord for the mighty blessings God showered on the AC sisters and on their Varied Apostolate - of Education, their good work through orphanages, health centers, Adult Education Centers, Women Welfare Centers, Houses of Compassion, daycare centers, needlework and craft centers, special schools, parish Apostolate and boarding houses for the poor, AA groups in parishes, prison ministry, rescue home and other social work.
Fr Herald called upon the ACAs and others present to support the AC sisters in their mission and to be effective AC Associates in their parish, ward and in their neighborhood.
After the prayer, they were led to the hall, where the books authored by the sisters during the past 100 years were exhibited, 'A treasure trove of our Congregation!' The ACAs were truly amazed and glad to see a good many books written and the records of the erection of each convent and obituary of each sister who has gone for her eternal reward during the past 150 years.
Last but not the least, every sister of the community worked selflessly to make this event truly grand and successful and they also contacted many parishioners to join this association in order to help them build faith-filled families. Arun Fernandes gave a new look to the chapel with his artistic decoration.
The well-begun programme came to a joyful end, as each one received a copy of ‘Precious Pearls Garnered from Venerable Mother Veronica and Mother Mary Aloysia'.