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Sister Jackulin Jesu Celebrates Silver Jubilee
November 05, 2012
| Silver Jubilee, Kurji Holy Family Hospital, Jubilee
Jackulin Jesu, SCN celebrated her Silver Jubilee at Kurji Holy Family Hospital with 33 SCNs, Medical Mission Sisters, some of the collaborators, priests, doctors, few students and nurses on 4 November.
The following words from Sister Jesu explain it all: “I am deeply humbled at this moment as I stand before you. Sentiments of gratitude fill my heart and I am awed at God’s faithfulness and abiding love which has primarily led me on, to this day. I am deeply touched and immensely moved as I reminisce all those phases of my life that have been blessed by God’s unfailing presence.
I recall with great pride and joy, my mother, father, brother, sisters and all the family members who have been supporting me in many generous ways and I am deeply grateful to them and pray for them.
My inner most gratitude goes to my SCN family that has nurtured me from the time I was just a 15 year old. What a journey it has been! While I thank every member of this great SCN Family, I wish to recall now very specially my formators — Sisters Olive Pinto, Mary Joseph Pamplaniel, Marceline Indwar, Josita Eniakattu and Anne Marie Thayilchirayil for leading me to this grace-filled moment.
I am sure that most of you have experienced the challenges of early stages of life as religious especially in Bihar as it had been for me. But the loving companionship of Shanti James, Rena Fernandes and Albertina (former member) and many others helped me to forge ahead facing the challenges with courage and fortitude. Thank you, friends. Those memories will be treasured as they will continue to be my inspiration.
MY SCN Family members who were particularly part of my 25 years’ journey in our missions at Gomoh, Mokama, Bakhtiarpur and Patna have played a vital role in shaping me to be who I am today. And I also owe my gratitude to the people with whom I have ministered, for they have made me see the face of God in and through them.
I am deeply indebted to my local community, Coordinator, Sister Lata Thurackal and all of you Sisters, for your love, support, hard work and tremendous effort in organising this celebration. Father Christu, the main celebrant, fathers, brothers, sisters and colleagues, I thank you for being here to share my joy. I will continue to treasure and draw inspiration from the countless kindness shown to me by all of you. May God bless us all.”
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Golden Jubilee at Nazareth
July 15, 2012
| Jubilee
Congratulations to the Rainbow Jubilarians
June 06, 2012
| Jubilee, Rainbow Jubilarians
Jubilee Celebration in Shahpur
As part of the ritual, the pioneer Sister, Rose Plathottathil, SCN, together with the rest of the Sisters who had been missioned here were escorted by the parishioners by the beating of the drums and processed from the parish, the beginning place of SCNs, to the present Navjyoti compound. During the procession, SCNs Marina Thazhathuveettil, Mary John Nadackal, Aruna Ekka, and Rose Plathottathil greeted the villagers and recalled their village hut experiences, minimum living conditions, struggles and joys they had encountered.
The compound was filled with the invited guests, Christians and non Christian villagers. They sat in a much disciplined manner throughout the Eucharistic celebration. This was followed by a cultural program organized by Mary Michael Dang, SCN, and Brother Kevin of Gurukul, Muzaffarpur. During the program, we took the opportunity to honor all those who have offered their services for the enrichment of our mission.
The parish priest, Father Sahayaraj and the Assistant, Father Sanjay and the previous parish priest Father Joseph Marandi were there to help us out in every activity. Mr. Joby and Smita Karikkattil, SCN, are truly praiseworthy for they were in charge of the catering and provided very delicious meal for all present.
We recalled that the 2008 flood experience was a turning point through which God opened the eyes of our people. As a result, they could see the wonder that God has done in this land. After an agape, the crowd dispersed happily and praising God.
At the end of the day, Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN, provincial, gathered all the 23 SCNs present to remember and thank God for the many SCNs who had been missioned here at many different inter-junctions and lived in hope and contributed to the mission immensely. With grateful heart we also remembered all the well wishers who have contributed to the Shahpur mission in many different ways.
The Bishop exhorted us to continue our mission here at Shahpur for the next 125 years!
Gratefully, Sisters in Shahpur
Sangsay Jubilee
The Bishop in his speech appreciated the SCNs for their commitment to serve the people of the area regardless of caste, creed, or religion and encouraged the young people to do the same.
Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN, eastern provincial and Bishop Lepcha released the souvenir on this auspicious day.
Written by Cecilia Simick, SCN
Rainbow Jubilarians
June 02, 2011
| Jubilee
Rainbow Jubilarians (those 55 or more years as an SCN) celebrated this special anniversary June 1 at St. Vincent Church with a Mass and meal. The group joined together to recognize the gift of their religious vocation. In her reading, Maria Vincent Brocato, SCN, shared that is has been a privilege over these years to show God's love in classrooms, at the bedside of the sick, in parish churches, in homes for children, to family, friends and the SCN Community.
Sister Maria Vincent said, "When we knelt here fifty-five or more years ago, most of us had little knowledge and less understanding of the dimensions of the gift we had received. There would be many joys, many challenges, some sorrows. We could not have imagined that we would live through a life-changing, Church-changing, religious life-changing time in the history of the world. Our loving God has trusted us to live at this time, however, and through these momentous years, has remained our Strenth and our Shield."
For more photos, click here.
Silver Jubilee Celebration in Surkhet, Nepal for Sister Cecilia
Cecilia Simick, SCN, shares this message about her recent Silver Jubilee celebration in Surkhet, Nepal:
Dear Friends,
Loving greetings from Nepal. I'd just like to share a few pictures of my early Silver Jubilee celebration in Surkhet. The actual Jubilee day is on June 1. It was a beautiful day and the Sisters, staff, and children had prepared a wonderful program highlighted by Fr. Andrew with his music and singing, which added much flavour during the program. I was privillaged to have Rev. Pius Perumana, VG, my brother Rev. Paul Simick, and William for the occasion. Philomina Bading, SCN, from Kathmandu Community was also present. During the program my brother shared stories about my childhood days and our family, thanking God for giving me as their only sister/daughter among eight brothers. Indeed the memories of childhood days filled our hearts … up through the journey I have made until today.
We had a meaningful Mass on the May 7. Father Pius was the main celebrant and gave beautiful homily. We also shared snacks with all the invitees, staff and children on the 6th, and meal with the Catholic community on the 7th.
Loving greetings from Nepal. I'd just like to share a few pictures of my early Silver Jubilee celebration in Surkhet. The actual Jubilee day is on June 1. It was a beautiful day and the Sisters, staff, and children had prepared a wonderful program highlighted by Fr. Andrew with his music and singing, which added much flavour during the program. I was privillaged to have Rev. Pius Perumana, VG, my brother Rev. Paul Simick, and William for the occasion. Philomina Bading, SCN, from Kathmandu Community was also present. During the program my brother shared stories about my childhood days and our family, thanking God for giving me as their only sister/daughter among eight brothers. Indeed the memories of childhood days filled our hearts … up through the journey I have made until today.
We had a meaningful Mass on the May 7. Father Pius was the main celebrant and gave beautiful homily. We also shared snacks with all the invitees, staff and children on the 6th, and meal with the Catholic community on the 7th.
I look back to my 25 years of Religious life with Gratitude to God, to my SCN family, my own family, my friends , all those who have walked with me in my ups and downs, and supported me/us to carry out the mission/ministries in various places.
Thank you all for being part of my life … sometime … somewhere you all have touched my life and I have grown.
Thank you all for being part of my life … sometime … somewhere you all have touched my life and I have grown.
Golden Jubilations for Two SCNs in Jamshedpur
December 22, 2010
| Jamshedpur, Jubilee
In accordance with local tribal culture, Sister Ann George walked on two baskets without touching her feet on the ground with students dancing on both sides to the tune of tribal music and drum beats.
They welcomed them both by washing their hands, sprinkling water on them as a sign of blessing, aarti, tike, and garlands.
Sister Ann George inaugurated a souvenir, footprints, creatively designed by the students and teachers in honor of their experiences of Sister Ann George. The children were in their essence in performing various dances, skits and songs.
The school had a prayer service for Sister Ann George the previous day and all the students were given a piece of cake. The students stood in a long queue to receive a blessing and to present gifts of flowers, cards, and various items to give to Sister Ann George and Sister Anne Marie.
On Dec. 19, Rev. Fr. C.R. Prabhu, Vicar General of Jamsehdpur, presided over the Eucharist along with seven other priests in honor of the Golden Jubilarians. Also in attendance were the local faithful, many nearby religious Sisters, Brothers and invited guests.
After the Mass, the invited guests were given a jubilee meal. The presence of 20 SCNs, along with Basanti Lakra, SCN, vice provincial, doubled the joy of the celebration.
Monica Flora Tigga, SCN
75th Jubilee – Sister Alice Teresa Wood
March 25, 2010
| Jubilee
Alice Teresa Wood, SCN, is celebrating 75 years as a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. Today dozens of people around the world came together to honor the 91-year-old Sister and to recall the many home cooked meals she prepared and the lives she has touched.
View all of these pictures here.
At Nazareth, Sister Alice Teresa was honored during a celebratory Mass. Earlier in the morning friends and family surrounded her as she used Skype to connect with Leadership gathered in India. From Ranchi, India, members of Leadership, Candidates, Pre-Novices and Sisters sang to her and reflected upon her more than seven decades of service.
Sister Alice Teresa is a gifted cook and has carried out this ministry in Maryland, Ohio and Kentucky. She happily recalls life at St. Helena's convent in Louisville where many Sisters would just drop by to enjoy her mouth watering meals. Guests often included Sisters from the Motherhouse in Nazareth who at that time were driven to Louisville by a gentleman named Bernard. One day Alice Teresa heard a knock at the door. When she opened it she found Bernard. "I didn't bring the Sisters today," said Bernard, "but knew I'd be welcome here for one of your home cooked meals!"
Sister Alice Teresa, a native of Hollywood, Maryland, is the youngest of nine children. She has fond memories of helping her father, a farmer, plant tobacco and corn.
She first began thinking about religious life when she was in seventh grade as she observed the dedication and kindness of an SCN, Sister Cyrilla.
Sister Alice Teresa, who joined the Congregation when she was 16, says she is grateful for having lived such a rich life. She now lives at the Motherhouse. Friends say she is anything but retired. She loves to crochet and makes baby afghans, kitchen towels, and tiny angels, and is famous for her raffles of "Sister of Charity" dolls. She recalls that learning to crochet was challenging as someone who is left-handed. Sister Alice Teresa says she was able to accomplish this feat by standing behind her sister and carefully watching the way she held the needle and formed the stitches.
Dozens of people lined up today to give Sister Alice Teresa hugs and to thank her for being an inspiration. Sister says she greatly appreciates this season of her life. "I have more time now to pray, reflect, and internalize what is going on in my life!"
Leaders of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, in Ranchi, India connect with Sister Alice Teresa Wood, in Nazareth, Kentucky, along her family on the day of her 75th Jubilee.