Western Province

Sr. Gloriosa BS
Superior
2016-22

Sr M Gloriosa BS
Superior

Members of the Community

Convent building

Pastroral ministry

Pastroral ministry

Bambolim in Goa is a vast plateau overlooking the Arabian Sea.

It was a momentous day for Sr Agnella and Sr Paula to have an encounter with Rev. Fr Francisco Antonio Aires Renato Rego, a diocesan priest, and his brother Fr Vasco Rego SJ at the Jesuit House, Panjim in mid-May in the year 1995, because on that day the brothers shared their noble intention with regard to the plot of land they owned and proposed to gift it to the Bethany Congregation. The then Superior General Sr Agnella BS along with her Councillors decided to accept the offer of 65 cents of land at Alto Santa Cruz, Bambolim, Goa on 08.08.1995. Fr Renato Rego made the Will to hand over the land to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany. Unfortunately before the land could be registered on 07.09.1995, Fr Renato Rego went to his heavenly abode. Fr Vasco Rego SJ, his brother completed the registration of the plot in the name of the Congregation on 17 Feb 1996. A compound wall was built in 1997-98. Sr Jyoti, the next Superior General requested Sr Paula to use the land for the given purpose as per the will.

Thereafter, Sr Rose Ann, Provincial Superior of Western Province, was asked by the Superior General to go ahead with the construction of the House of Formation. It was the urgent need of the newly carved out Western Province. So on 1 May, 2007 the foundation stone was laid by the then Parish Priest of Santa Cruz Parish Fr Saude Pereira, in the presence of Sr Rose Ann, the Provincial Superior, her team, well wishers and sisters of the locality. On 20 Nov 2007 Mr Arsenio and Associates started the construction work of the Formation House. It was a grace filled day for the Western Province when Archbishop Rt. Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao blessed the house of Formation and the Superior General Sr Jyoti  inaugurated the building and Sr Rose Ann, the Provincial Superior unveiled the plaque. The Parish Priest Fr Cristao Caldeira, reserved the Blessed Sacrament in the new convent Chapel. The canonical erection of the community took place in 2009.

Since then the sisters strive to fulfill the donors’ intention by undertaking humanitarian works in the neighbourhood, the nearby hospital and carry on the pastoral work in the Parish. Sisters visit families and share the joys and sorrows of the people. They express their solidarity with the people by visiting them during their sickness and in times of tragedies. They are actively involved in animating the SCC meetings in various wards of the Parish and share their faith experience with the people. They also facilitate the youth and couples for Christ to have their meetings in the Convent hall. There is good rapport between the clergy, people and the sisters. Parishioners are happy with the presence of sisters and render whole hearted support and cooperation to them. Sisters show love, care and extend hospitality to the pilgrims and visitors and create a conducive environment for people to pray and participate in the common hour of worship in the convent chapel.

From 2013, the building provided for Pre-Novitiate formation and the 4th batch of  15 candidates of Western Province was initiated to the Pre novitiate on 16 June, 2013. Sr Anitha Shanthi was appointed the Directress Pre-novice. It was a happy day when sisters from different provinces gathered at Bethany Convent, Bambolim to attend a seminar for 8 days. Sr Maria Leena the Provincial superior of Northern Province organized a get together for the batch of 30 sisters and Sr Mariola AC conducted the counselling course for them and Fr Paul Alvares OFM Cap offered daily Eucharist for the group.

1st National convention of Small Christian Community (SCC) was held in Goa from 19 to 21 Nov 2013 at Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa. The Theme was “Small Christian Communities; communion of faith in love” more than 80 bishops and 8,000 people from all over the country and abroad participate, during which some of the Bishops,  priests were accommodated at Bethany Convent. The community was graced by the presence of Bishop John Vadahal CMI Bijoor, Bishop Felix Toppo Jameshedpur, Bishop Julius Marandi – Dumka, Bishop Albert D’souza – Agra, Bishop Vijaya Anad Nedumperam- Chauda, and Bishop Francis Kallist – Merut, and Archbishop Anil Coutto – Delhi, Bishop Franco Mulaclea- Jallandar, and Fr. Christian Hennecke from  Caritas, Germany.

Bishop Martin Happe from Mauritania North West Africa was the honoured guest at the Convent on 26th and 27th Feb, 2014.
Goa Diocese had organized an exposition of St. Francis Xavier’s relics from 21 Nov 2014 to 4 January 2015. All the religious Congregations were asked to put up their stalls and adequate place was allotted to them. It was a magnificent exhibition put up by men and women religious as well as the Diocesan clergy. The exhibition was open for 45 days for the public. All the Provinces sent their representatives to assist the community at Goa during the exhibition.  Bethany Convent Sao Jose de Areal and St Mary’s Quepem along with Bethany, Bambolim and Loliem  worked hand in hand at this venture. It was a united effort by Bethany sisters of Goa which was well appreciated by all.

Year of establishment : 09.10.2009