A significant milestone in the history of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Southern Province took place on 2nd April 2022 with the installation of the Provincial Superior, Rev. Sr. Judy Varghese and the Councillors Sr Priya Rose, Sr Sujaya, Sr Alphonsa and Sr Hermina by Rev. Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General of the Congregation at Bethany Provincial House, Chevayur, Calicut. Sisters from different parts of the Province, including Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh gathered at the Provincial House to witness this grace filled event on this auspicious day.
The installation ceremony commenced with the Holy Eucharist officiated by Most Rev Dr. Varghese Chakkalakkal, the Bishop of Calicut. During his homily he prayed God’s blessings on the outgoing team Sr. Santhosh Maria and the Councillors and the new team Sr. Judy Varghese and the Councillors for the outpouring of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Quoting from the document “Service in authority and obedience” he described the seven priorities in the service of authority in consecrated life. The Holy Eucharist was preceded by the Installation ceremony of the new Provincial Superior and the team. Sr. Rose Celine, the Superior General, in her message called upon every member to realize that authority comes from God, no leader is perfect, and obedience must flow from a spirit of love. Above all, joy must be the hallmark of leadership.
Thereafter, Sr. Judy Varghese, the Provincial Superior pledged to carry out the mission entrusted to her in the spirit and charism of the Congregation for the welfare of each member and the good of the Church. The councillors made their promise to collaborate with her, with a sense of responsibility and loyalty. This was followed by the felicitation programme. At the very outset Sr. Brigilia Lawrence welcomed the entire gathering. First of all, Rev. Sr. Rose Celine was felicitated with flowers and with a token of love as she is re-elected as the Superior General. Sr. Lillis, the Former Provincial Superior of Southern Province was welcomed back to the Province after her 12 years of dedicated service as the Asst. Superior General.
Sr. Rose Celine, the Superior General expressed her sentiments of gratitude and appreciation to the outgoing team Sr. Santhosh Maria, the Provincial Superior and her councillors Sr. Judy Varghese, Sr Gracy Ignatius, Sr. Priya Rose and Sr. Daisy Mani. Sr. Santhosh Maria expressed profusely her gratitude to the sisters of the province whom she loved and cared for during the past eight years.
Sr Judy Varghese the newly installed Provincial Superior and her councillors Sr. Priya Rose, Sr Sujaya, Sr Alphonsa and Sr Hermina were greeted with the carving of the cake,with flowers and to the melody of the songs. Sr Judy Varghese, the newly installed Provincial Superior then made her maiden address to the province.
“The First Blossoms of Bethany from Kerala”, written by Sr. Theresild, the former Provincial Superior was released by Sr. Rose Celine. Sr.Theresild then was honoured for her valuable and creative work. She in return expressed her gratitude to the Congregation.
Southern Province is proud to have the first Sister in the person of Sr. Anitha Stephen who has completed her doctoral thesis on the theme: “Consecrated life as a call to Compassion with the special reference to the call of the Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas and the Charismatic life of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany”. She was honoured and in response she thanked the Congregation for the constant support and prayers she received. Sisters of Thenhipalam community compered the programme of the day and Sr. Jane Joseph proposed vote of thanks.
News by: Sr Evangeline and Sr Anitha Stephen, Bethany Provincial House, Chevayur, Calicut