Mangalore: Sisters of Charity Celebrate 100 Years of Service at Father Muller
Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Mangalore, Apr 20: The Sisters of Charity of St Vincent Convent and members of Father Muller family gathered together at the Centenary Celebrations of their mission with a healing touch.
The Holy Eucharist was officiated by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore. At the commencement of the Mass he underlined that our service is not a mere service but a mission given by Jesus himself to establish the kingdom of love.
Dr Bernard Moras, the archbishop of Bangalore, former director Fr Peter Noronha, Fr Stany Tauro, Fr Patrick Rodrigues, Fr A F D’Souza, Fr Valerian D’Souza, Fr Joseph D’Souza, Fr Richard Coelho, Fr Denis D’Sa, Fr Rudolf D’Sa, Fr Vincent Saldanha, Fr Felix Monteiro, Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, Fr Victor Machado and many others concelebrated the Eucharist.
Fr Patrick Rodrigues in his homily highlighted the mission of sisters with love, sacrifice and dedication and appreciated their life and mission for the past 100 years.
The cultural programme started with prayer dance performed by Father Muller's MBBS students. A documentary on the beginning and expansion of the services of the Sisters was shown on the occasion. Jubilee chorus intoned thanks giving to God that overflowed from the Sisters.
Fr Patrick Rodrigues welcomed the dignitaries and the large gathering of priests, sisters, well-wishers and collaborators. Sr Matilda Monteiro, the provincial superior of the Sisters of Charity honoured Sr Maria Theresa, the first principal of the school of nursing, Sr Lucy Rodrigues for rendering service for 26 years, Sr Emma Joseph who has served the institution for 28 years, Sr Ann Rose D’Almeda has served the institution for 30 years, Sr Flora D’Souza who served for 26 years and still in the service, Sr Rose Alexander for her service of 15 years, Sr Edmund D’Souza for her 34 years of service, Sr Jacintha D’Souza for 17 years of service, Sr Loredhana Korah for 27 years of service and Sr Winifred D’Souza for 26 years in various capacities.
Sr Matilda Monteiro then addressed the gathering. She not only appreciated the services of the sisters at Father Muller but, she also emphasized on the urgent need of paying greater attention towards the formation of the young minds as they are living in a very precarious times.
Dr Bernard Moras spoke at length appreciating faithful, generous, selfless loving services of the sisters to the least, the last and the marginalized patients with love. Sr Irene Jane read out the Papal blessing and handed it over to the superior, Sr Sylvia Fernandes. She honoured the sisters who served the institution for more than 10 years. She read out a message from the superior general, Mother Sr Annamaria Vigano, expressing her spiritual closeness to us and appealing to us to fix our eyes on Jesus and extend His healing touch to all the suffering.
Dr Nandakishore, senior doctor in leprosy hospital addressed the gathering recalling his joy of working with the sisters for the past 30 years.
Fr Peter Noronha honored the priests who served the institution. In his message, he appreciated selfless service, compassionate care, and healing touch of the sisters to the patients . Sr Matilda honoured the Bishop and archbishop.
The Archbishop honoured the sponsores and all those who are associated with the Father Mullers. The bishop released the souvenir and honoured Sr Matilda, Sr Irene Jane and 14 sisters of StVincent Convent. Bishop in his speech, appreciated services of the sisters and said that they do not go by numbers but pay attention to every individual patient. He stated that Father Muller Hospital needs more sisters to bring message of love service and compassion to others.
Sr Sylvia Fernandes, superior of the community proposed vote of thanks. The programme was concluded with a ballet Seva Sankalpa – directed by Suresh Attavar. Sr Flora and Irene compered the whole programme.