June 1st 2023 was a significant day for Bethany Mother House. Sr Shaila BS the Administrator of Bethany for the past one year was installed as the Central Delegation Superior by Rev. Sr Rose Celine BS, the Superior General with Sr Dona Sanctis and Sr Lourdes as her 1st and the 2nd councillors respectively.
The sisters of the Generalate, of the Mother House and Nazareth Home, Bajpe including the newly initiated prayer ministry sisters gathered in the Chapel at six in the evening for the installation ceremony. Sr Shaila and Srs Dona and Lourdes with their lighted diyas to be offered at the altar, accompanied by Rev Sr Rose Celine arrived in procession to the singing of the Bethany Anthem.
At the introduction Constitution no 66 was paraphrased and role of the shepherd was highlighted: it’s a special privilege to be a responsible shepherd to lead the sisters to deeper union with God and foster communion in the community. The threefold role of leadership as given in the Gospels according to Mt10:45-servant, Jn 10:10-shepherd and Lk12:43-steward was highlighted. The 16th Gen. Chapter Decree reiterates the importance of prophetic leadership. Our revered Founder’s leadership was that of a prophet, servant, shepherd and steward.
The gathered community then called upon the Holy Spirit to come upon and anoint the Delegation Superior and her councillors.
Rev. Sr Rose Celine in her message from Jn 21:15-19 focussed on “Peter, do you love me” and “Follow me”. Authority vested is to know/call the name, help the weak and vulnerable- care for individual persons and thus mission of Christ is accomplished. Her prayer was that more love is poured into their hearts which in turn is streamed out to the sisters. She called upon the sisters to recognize this authority and to cooperate.
Thereafter installation ceremony took place. Sr Shaila, the newly appointed Del Superior took oath of office to fulfil the mission of the church through the Congregation, to coordinate the mission of the congregation in the bond of unity and charity. She was symbolically vested with a shawl and was offered Bible, book of Constitutions, key and lighted candle. It was followed by the installation of Srs Dona and Lourdes as the 1st and 2nd councillors to the Delegation Superior. They were advised to uphold her authority, to be loyal to her and support her with zeal and enthusiasm in the mission of the Central delegation. Thereafter the community sisters offered prayers for the newly installed Delegation team.
Taking protection of the Queen and Mother of Bethany Magnificat was sung. Rev. Sr Rose Celine made the concluding prayer.
Sr Shanthi Priya the Asst Superior General led the prayer superbly. The choice of apt hymns added meaning and solemnity to the ceremony.
After the installation ceremony, all the sisters gathered in the Pushpalaya hall to felicitate the Office bearers. Rev. Sr Rose Celine introduced Sr Shaila acknowledging her capacities and the different roles Sr Shaila had played. She appreciated and thanked her for her ‘yes’ and was confident that she will take up her responsibility with commitment and determination. She offered words of appreciation to the councillors called upon them to keep the Founder’s flame burning. They were greeted with bouquets of flowers and songs.
Sr Shaila voiced out her sentiments with apt words of faith in the sacred scripture that gave her encouragement. She thanked Sr Rose Celine and the Councillors for reposing their trust in her. She thanked different persons for their unique contribution of the day and prayed for and wished to work with clarity of vision, purity of intention and serenity. She called upon all to be connected to the Divine Mercy and be compassionate.
Sr Leena D’Costa compeered the programme ably.
Sr Hilarita BS
Bethany Mother House