Central Administration News

by Sr Lourds BS, Bethany Convent, Mother House, Bendur

The celebration of the Foundation day of Bethany and the feast of Mount Carmel was held on July 15, 2020 as the lockdown was imposed from July 16 due to Covid-19. Prior to this on 11 July 2020, the inauguration of the Centenary year of the Congregation was held with a solemn Eucharistic Sacrifice officiated by Most Rev Peter Paul Saldanha, the Bishop of Mangalore. The foundation day celebration anticipated by one day commenced with the Eucharistic Celebration officiated by Rev Fr Joseph Martis, the former Rector of St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore. Sr Anitha Shanthi, the Superior of the Mother House gave a befitting introduction to the Mass. Fr Jospeh Martis in his homily expressed that our Blessed Mother, Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas and Bethany- all three converge on one of the most significant aspects of the life of Jesus, namely the virtue of humility. Every Bethany Sister has a clarion call to practice that virtue by meaningfully saying the motto “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” which is the ideal of one’s life. He continued saying “if Bethany has walked hundred years of life, it is because of the humble and gentle life and service of scores of women dedicated totally in the service of the Lord”.

After the Holy Eucharist, during a short felicitation programme, Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General launched “Bethany Mangalore” the YouTube Channel of the Congregation marking the Centenary of the Congregation. Sr Jyoti, the former Superior General was thanked for making it possible to register this YouTube Channel Thereafter; Rev Fr Joseph Martis launched the website of Sahodaya, Bethany Social Service Society, ‘bsstmangalore.org’. Sr Shanthi Priya, the General Councillor was applauded for working to bring out this website.

Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General in her message called on everyone to be grateful to the Lord who has walked with us faithfully and urged the sisters to be true handmaids of the Lord in our life and mission. Sr Lillis the Asst. Superior General greeted our Superior General on behalf of the entire Bethany family. It was a memorable and joyous day in the history of Bethany as that was the vigil of the of the feast of Mount Carmel on which day the historic event of Founding Bethany Congregation took place 99 years ago.