Superiors and Heads of the institutions of Bangalore Province gathered after a long period, after COVID -19 Pandemic lock down for the Province Assembly held on 29-31, January 2021. All gathered, felt gratitude to God for the safety, and the good health that was experienced during the Pandemic.
The theme of the Province Assembly was Love and Fraternity. After the opening prayer led by Sr Precilla BS, the Asst. Provincial Superior, the newly appointed Provincial Superior Sr Sahana BS and her team – Sr Precilla BS, Sr Sharlet BS, Sr Cynthia Pais BS and Sr Winnifred Mascarenhas BS were congratulated and felicitated with floral bouquets. The newly appointed Superiors and Headmistresses were welcomed to the Province assembly by Sr Sahana, the Provincial Superior.
In her key note address, Sr Sahana enumerated numerous blessings and learnings of the Pandemic. She specified five lessons this Pandemic taught us:
1. We are all one family interconnected.
2. The situation was as though we were at the threshold of death.
3. There is goodness in humanity, even in the darkness.
4. The nature was rejuvenated, free from all types of pollution.
5. Life is precious. We learnt to be grateful.
In continuation, Sr Sahana, explained briefly on the new encyclical of Pope Francis: Fratelli Tutti. - Fraternity and Social Friendship. Therese are the ways the Pontiff indicates to build a better, more just and peaceful world, with the contribution of all: people and institutions, with an emphatic confirmation of a ‘no’ to war and to globalized indifference. The Pope emphasized that in an unhealthy society that turns its back on suffering and is “illiterate” in caring for the weak and vulnerable we are all called-just like the Good Samaritan, Sr Sahana discussed at length its applications to religious life, in particular community living. She called the attention of all sisters towards fraternity in the communities by building bridges among the members and being neighbours to one and all.
Fr Edward Thomas SDB conducted a session on Taking Forward Education Ministry in the Present Scenario. The focus was how to make education, mission oriented. We need to move out of the systems of today in order to make Education holistic. Further he invited the group to reflect as to what we have done in our educational Apostolate. Is it transformation of the heart? Did we cater to the needs of the poor children? It was a soul- searching session to find ways and means to sustain our educational apostolate through our resources- human and material during the Covid -19 Pandemic.
On 30 January, the second day, was set apart for paryer and fasting from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm. Bro. Donn D’souza and Team from “Bread of Life” Ministries conducted sessions on prayer, Praise and worship. They talked on the purpose of our call to religious life, stressing on the need to heed the voice of God in prayer and our ministry, to consider God as our centre and summit always. It was a call to renew ourselves in Spirit, journeying forward with God, surrendering ourselves and all our projects in His hands.
On 31, January, the thrird day the coordinators for the different apostolates conducted sessions. Sr Cynthia Pais, the Co-ordinator for Vocation Animation, encouraged all to engage in Vocation animation making use of the time that is at hand. At 9.15pm Sr Winnifred, the Province Co-ordinator for Pastoral and Socio-Medical apostolate presented a brief report on the works of the communities during the Pandemic to help the poor and the needy. She called upon the members to restart teaching of Catechism, the BLA meetings and family visits wherever it is possible.
Sr Sharlet Rodrigues, the Education Co-ordinator, discussed at length about the challenges of paying salary to teachers and collection of fees in our institutions. She conducted brief evaluation of the three days’ programme followed by drawing up an yearly action plan for communities of the Province.
Sr Sahana, in her concluding message appreciated Superiors and Headmistresses for their commitment to the person of Jesus, and commitment to the community and their mission. She expressed her sentiments of gratitude to her team, Provincialate community and every member of the Province assembly for their rich contribution to make the Province Assembly effective. She called upon the Superiors and Headmistress to work as a team and promote spiritual atmosphere in the community and promote co-responsibility, by keeping in mind the three key points: prayer, patience and prudence.
It was an enriching experience which spurred us to deepen our commitment to Jesus, to live in fraternity within the community and our society.
News by:Sr Cynthia Pais BS, Bangalore Province