October 21, 2017: Bethany, oh! Bethany you have grown steadily and extended your branches as and where called for to extend God’s mission far and wide. Here is one such response.
We were proud to have our Decennial celebration of our community in France this year. We stepped into this land France, dear to Bethany, in 2007. The celebration of the day was held on the community and Parish level by giving priority for the spiritual renewal. In our Convent Chapel, along with the faithful of the Parish, we had 12 hours of reflective reading of the Word of God, and another 13 hours of Perpetual Adoration, concluded with a Thanksgiving Mass. The parishioners were grateful for this spiritual backing and Bethany sisters’ presence and contribution in the parish.
As a sign of recognition and gratitude, we had the solemn Thanksgiving Mass in the Church, during which we presented in a nutshell Bethany’s Charism and Spirituality, diverse mission in the Congregation, and focused on our mission in this place at Sarcelles from its inception till today. The choir sang the Bethany Anthem which was so moving and inspiring. The Parish Priest thanked the sisters for their presence and witness of life. This was followed by a delicious meal.
Founder’s dream and vision has been realized through the intercession of St Therese, to have now two communities in France in the Diocese of Pontoise. Bethany, through its Pastoral Ministry, is reaching out in Sarcelles especially to the migrants. Faith Formation is one of the important mission we are catering to through Catechism, family and hospital visits, taking communion to the sick and elderly, sacristy duty, preparing children for the reception of the Sacraments- Baptism, Confession and Communion, participating in the funerals and reception duty where we have much scope to interact with the people and give a patient and attentive listening. We are continuing to build on the solid foundation laid by our pioneering members and are widening the horizon to be effective and growing disciples of the Lord in the present context. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the guiding star who leads and guide