By Sr Molly Fernandes SFN
Agasaim, Dec 28: The Congregation of The Sisters of Holy Family of Nazareth (SFN) echoed with chorus of thanksgiving and gratitude to God for the grace of perseverance given to Sisters Mary Lobo from Belgaum, Karnataka and Sr Jennifer Fernandes, from Agasaim, Goa.
Sr Mary Lobo - Hails from Belgaum, Karnataka, the eldest among 8 siblings(girls). Having brought up in a god-fearing family with discipline and prayer, she did her schooling in Holy Rosary High School, staying with the Holy Family Sisters’ boarding in Azra and joined the Congregation being influenced by the life and work of the sisters who encouraged, and guided her, on May 24, 1993 and made her first commitment to the Lord on December 28, 1998. Having experienced the Lord, she did her perpetual vows on December 18, 2006 and have worked in the different diocese in India, such as Belgaum, Sindhudurg, Jaipur, Simla-Chandigarh, Goa. At present Sr. Mary is a teacher at Silvassa and renders pastoral services.
Sr. Jennifer hails from Agasaim, Goa. She is the youngest the most loved and pampered, among ten siblings – 7 sisters and 3 brothers. Her Hardworking parents lived a very simple and sacrificing life and nurtured, groomed her to grow in love of God and humanity. On June 15, 1992, she joined the sfn’s and having lived with them and learnt their way of life allowed herself to be moulded and groomed through her first yes, on May 28, 1998, having gone through the novitiate and passed the first test. She continued to grow in the Lord and experienced him more intimately whereupon she decided to fully commit her life to give glory to God, for the service of humankind to God through her perpetual vows in May 19, 2006 and served the Church through youth ministry, social communications, pastoral and as a teacher in Goa and the diocese of Jaipur.
It is raining silver in the valley of Sancoale, blown over into the Zuari river across Cortalim as the church bells of Agasaim chimed in chorus of thanksgiving, at the Eucharistic celebration, celebrated by Fr Leonard Moraes and con-celebrated by 10 other priests on December 27, 2023.
The journey of Sisters Mary and Jennifer, said Fr Moraes, has been the synodal journey, a journey walked together with the family members and having responded to His call like the apostles walked together with Jesus the long 25 years of religious life. With Jesus, they carried on the work of Christ.
Fr Moraes, declared, it was the love of the crucified Lord that enabled them to persevere and remain faithful to the Lord through thick and thin, as he reminiscence when he had once asked a couple what was it that enabled them to celebrate the golden years of married life and they replied it was the crucified Lord.
He further continued saying, the renewal of their vows once again today is a sign of surrender of their lives to him to continue to remain faithful to the rest of their life, seeking the strength and grace, to give glory to him through their life of committed services by their way of life.
The jubilarians thanked the priest, family members, congregation and everyone present, for all that they are today and making this day a memorable one.
After, the Eucharist the joy was shared with the cutting of the cake, wishing of the jubilarians by the family, friends and well-wishers. Everyone went back having graced the occasion with joy and thanksgiving.