By John Malvino Alfonso OCD & Pics-Sr. Molly Fernandes SFN –
MARGAO: Sr. Sukuria Dias, Sr. Saude Rodrigues, Sr. Precila Lobo, Sr. Anserine D’Souza and Sr. Gracia Silveira of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth celebrated the Silver Jubilee of their Religious profession at Our Lady of Rosary Church Navelim.
Congregation of the sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth is founded by a Goan diocesan priest Fr. Faustino D’souza on 16th June 1935 in Goa. Its members are serving in Goa and different parts in India.
Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Rosary Church presided over the Eucharistic celebration along with Fr. Polly Lobo, Parish Priest of St. Alex Church, Calangute, Fr. Jose Roque Gonsalves, Director of Clergy Home, Margao and 28 priests as concelebrants.
“Jesus was faithful to these nuns in these 25 years, therefore we praise and sing a song of gratitude to Him,” said Fr. Polly Lobo. Fr. Polly was delivering a homily at the Eucharistic Celebration held at the Navelim church on the occasion of Silver Jubilee of five nuns of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Faithful prayed during the Eucharistic celebration for late Sr. Anita Godinho, who was the companion of these Jubilarians.
Fr. Polly Lobo recalling the vocation story of St. Mathew ,apostle of Jesus, reflected on the three vows (Obedience, Poverty and Chastity) of religious life.
“Jesus called Mathew, he obeyed Jesus and today he became a saint. So obedience is called Holiness,” said Fr. Lobo stressing on our call to Holiness.
“These nuns served the people and shared love through the eyes of God” Said Fr Polly and focused on the importance of priests and religious having holiness approach in their interaction with people in the society and the mission entrusted to them. “We choose to become poor,” said Fr. Polly while reflecting on the vow of Poverty. “One who is totally depends on God is a poor person,” he added.
He congratulated the jubilarians for giving hope while serving the society at large, depending on God and loving God above all else. “Make your life a story not a history so that people will come to know that to serve God , serve Jesus, is something beautiful,” said Fr. Polly.
He appealed the congregation to promote vocation to Priesthood and religious life and pray for them
Fr. Simon D’Cunha, Chaplain, St Joaquim Chapel led the liturgical singing along with his parishioners. Fr, Garbriel Coutinho wished the jubilarians. Sr. Melvira Borges SFN, gave a brief history of the congregation and introduced the jubilarians.
“As my sisters celebrate 25 years of Religious life, I thank God for the gift of them to our congregation and as a head of the congregation to me personally,” said Sr Berna Rodrigues SFN, Mother General of the Congregation while talking to us after the mass.
She said that she is grateful to God for the ‘yes’ they have said to the Lord and through it the wonderful services they render to the congregation and society.
“I can’t forget to express my gratitude to their parents who have generously offered them to the Lord through our congregation,” said Sr. Berna while wishing the nuns an effective fruitful 50 years.
Sr. Sukuria, who hails from Cuncolim presently serving as Counsellor and incharge of the hostel in the mission of Noida Delhi. Sr Saude and Sr Gracia is from Utorda, Sr Saude serves the community of St. Anne’s Convent, Cansaulim as a Superior whereas Sr Gracia belongs to Holy Family Convent Usgão. Sr. Precila, who is a native of Cananguinim, serving as a teacher at St Michael’s High School, Anjuna. Sr. Anserine, who hails from Panchwadi, is a teacher at Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim
A small felicitation programme was held where Jubilarian nuns cut the cake and Goan Manddo based on the life and mission of the jubilarians was presented under the leadership of Sr Jenifer Fernandes SFN. Jubilarians also expressed their joy and gratitude to God and others through a song.
Sr. Valantina Vaz compered the felicitation programme.