Media Release
Bhiloda (Gujarat), Mar 3: The blessing and the erection of New Bethany Convent of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany Mangaluru was held at Bhiloda, on March 1.
At 9.00 am Sr Cicilia Mendonca BS, the Provincial Superior of Mangaluru Province unveiled the plaque. Sr Lilitta, the delegate of the superior general and the general councilor inaugurated the convent building. Archbishop Dr Thomas Macwan of Gandhinagar diocese blessed the building and prayed over it. There were the other provincial councilors along with the procurator of the province as well as Bethany Sisters from Vadgam community. Jesuit priests and the hostel children along with their mentors joined the occasion. There were altogether 19 Bethany Sisters, 4 Jesuit priests and 99 hostel children who witnessed the occasion.
It was followed by the Eucharistic celebration at Catholic Church, Bhiloda at 10.30 am. The entrance dance in tune for the Bethany anthem was performed by St Xavier Gujarati Medium, Bhiloda High School children along with Power Point presentation of the history of Bethany congregation was displayed. Sr Lilitta read out the decree of the erection of the new community after the sermon. The entire congregation of the people prayed for the intentions of Bethany sisters. 21 priests of Gandhinagar diocese concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration along with the Archbishop.
After the Eucharistic celebration there was felicitation programme presided by Sr Lilitta BS. Archbishop Thomas Macwan, Fr Stany Pinto SJ the former parish priest and the Manager of Jesuit Institutions, Fr Sobers SJ the present parish priest, Sr Annie the Superior of Asha Niketan Convent of SMMI Congregation, Sr Arun Savio BS the superior of Bethany Convent, Vadgam, Limboi, Gujarat and new superior Sr Theresa Sequeira BS were present on the dais. Fr Sobers SJ and Fr Stany Pinto SJ appreciated the superior general and the Bethany sisters for volunteering to serve in the Bhiloda mission. Archbishop Thomas Macwan said that the presence of the Bethany Sisters is a blessing to Bhiloda mission. It is an opportunity to be with Adivasi children and educated them in the love of Jesus, faith and character formation. Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the Provincial Superior thanked the Archbishop, Jesuits and the SMMI sisters for their collaboration and the opportunity to be part of Bhiloda mission. Sr Lilitta acknowledged the support of the Archbishop, the Jesuits and the superiors of Asha Niketan, Limboi and Bhiloda communities by presenting a shawl and a bouquet. She congratulated Sr Theresa Sequeira, Sr Jyothi Lakra and Sr Reshma Fernandes, the members of newly erected community of Bhloda, Gujarat. The children of St Xavier’s English Medium and Gujarati School presented the cultural programme. Sr Jyothi Lakra welcomed the guests and the assembly. Sr Anita Moras introduced the guests. The programme was compreered by and Sr Jyothika BS. There were 800 people including the parishioners witnessed this historic occasion.