Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 15: The centenary jubilee celebration of the Bethany congregation was held on July 15 at St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor at 10.30 am with a eucharistic celebration followed by a felicitation programme.
Fr James D'Souza, the parish priest of St Joseph The Worker Church Vamanjoor officiated at the eucharistic celebration. The faithful love of God to Bethany was highlighted with gratitude. Fr Wilfred Prakash D'Souza, the director of St Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor preached the homily.
In his homily, he extended a clarion call to be messengers of Christ and to draw strength from Him in order to be fruitful in their ministries. As Yahweh journeyed in the lives of the Israelites as a cloud by day and fire by night, His faithful love journeyed in the lives of Bethany sisters for the past 100 years. The Lord chose Bethany before the foundation of the world and made it a reality in the church and society. Blessed be the Lord!
The eucharistic celebration was preceded by the entrance procession to the chapel by singing the Bethany Anthem along with 100 lighted candles. Intercessory prayers were offered for various intentions of the church, society, congregation, benefactors and to eradicate the present pandemic, Covid-19. The provincial superior and the sisters thanked God for the marvels the Lord worked in and through Bethany. Fr Alwyn D'Souza and Fr Santhosh concelebrated the eucharistic celebration. Sisters of St Raymond’s Convent added to the tone of thanksgiving by their melodious choir.
After the eucharistic celebration, a felicitation programme was held in the community hall of St Raymond’s Convent. The centenary cake was carved by Sr Cicilia Mendonca the provincial superior, Sr Gracy Monica the superior of St Raymond’s Convent and their councillors. The centenary chorus was raised by the sisters on the occasion. The symbolic closing of the centenary was held by reminiscing the milestones of Bethany with flowing water from pots in a natural environmental setting inaugurated by Sr Cicilia Mendonca.
Fr Alwyn D'Souza felicitated the Bethany sisters and appreciated their service in the church and humanity at large. Sr Cicilia Mendonca in her message wished that Bethany continues to grow, flower and bear fruit for ages to come and to be relevant to the present times. She recalled with gratitude the founding of Bethany by the founder servant of God RFC Mascarenhas and the founding members. She thanked each and every Bethany sister for realising the dreams for Bethany.
Sr Gracy Monica welcomed the guests and the sisters for the celebration. Sr Anna Maria voiced a note of gratitude for hoisting the celebration and the cooperation of every sister. Sr Lilly Pereira compered the felicitation programme which wound up at 1.00 pm with a fellowship meal.