Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 25: December 23, 2014 marked the 54th death anniversary of the death of the founder servant of God Msgr Raymond F C Mascarenhas, of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Bendoor , Mangaluru.
On this day Sahodaya Bethany Social Service Centre organized a programme as its annual feature wherein all the office bearers of Bethany Mahila Okkoota, the federation of Bethany SHGs in Dakshina Kannada District came together to join the Bethany Sisters and all the staff at various Bethany offices to celebrate Christmas, on its Founder’s day. In addition this year, ‘Mission Tanisha’ was inaugurated on this occasion to support the pastoral activities of Sachetana Bethany Pastoral Wing of the Congregation.
Sr M Assumpta BS, the director of Sahodaya and Sachetana welcomed one and all as an expression of Bethany hospitality as offered by Martha and Mary of the Gospel to Jesus at his every visit to ‘Bethany’. Sr M Ida Janet BS, the director of Shubhada Shleter Home, Suralpady, with her staff, facilitated God experience through a short prayer service.
Sr M Wilberta BS, the Superior General gave momentum to ‘Mission Tanisha’ a pastoral collaboration of Leslie and Blossom Rego, to perpetuate the mission of evangelization of their 6-year old daughter Tanisha whose cherubic life ebbed out in a short ailment on February 3, 2011. They also wanted to express solidarity with Sr M Gertrude BS, one of the first four pioneers of Bethany Congregation, as she is the paternal great grand aunt of Tanisha, and thus join in the charism of the Founder of the Congregation of preaching the good news to the poor!
Christmas celebrations followed with the carving of the Christmas cake by Sr M Wilberta BS, joined in by the general councilors Sr M Rose Celine BS, Sr M Assumpta BS and Sr M Canisia BS and by the members of Tanisha’s family. Sr M Michelle BS, the coordinator of Sahodaya guided the cultural activities and the agape, which was shared by all.
Latha, the staff of Sahodaya conducted the programme and Lalitha of Sanjeevini Kendra, Kinnigoli, proposed the vote of thanks.