Carrying out the mandate given at the Province Assembly 2012, a year of retreats was launched in Bangalore Province by Provincial Ann Palatty, SCN, and Vice-Provincial Sheela Palamoottil, in the presence of 34 SCNs and candidates congregated in front of the Assembly Hall on May 2, 2013. The first one of these retreats was held at Chandapura from May 3–10, 2013. The Theme chosen for this sacred time was: REKINDLING THE FIRE OF ZEAL TOWARDS TRANSFORMATION IN SCN LIFE AND MISSION.

There were 25 SCNS belonging to the local communities of Banakal, Kakkavayal, Madiwala, Musunuru and 14 junior sisters who participated in the retreat. A two day workshop on self introspection and sharing helped the members to enter into the retreat fully. The retreat materials based on Scripture, SCN Constitutions, Assembly proposals and the Challenges emerged from the Scientific Survey of the Province moved the participants to reflect, pray, share, reconcile, let go of the past and to envision new ways of living in community and mission. A spirit of silence and prayer prevailed in the entire campus. Enkindled by the spirit of St. Vincent and Catherine, the retreatants desiring prophetic zeal, seemed ready to reach out to poorest of the poor.

On the last day of the retreat 15 Junior Sisters renewed their vows during the evening liturgy. As a part of the final ritual all the retreatants were anointed and sent forth to proclaim the Good News to the world.

The members of BLR Province like to place on record, their appreciation and deep gratitude to Shalini D’Souza,SCN, chairperson of the committee for her availability, facilitation and guidance during this first retreat in Chandapura.

BLR Resource Team:
SCNs Bridget Kappalumakal, Beena Chirackal, and Ann Moyalan

Around 150 students from class six to 10 took part in the Rangoli competition at Nazareth Academy, Gaya, on May 4. Their colorful production filled the auditorium, stage, open lobby, and the spacious concrete grounds in front of the convent and the administration block of the school. The audiences were spell bound as they went around admiring the blooming talents of the young artists.

Various competitions are held throughout the year to develop the unique talents of each child.



The new student council was installed at Nazareth Academy, Gaya, during a special ceremony on April 16. From the chapel with a lit lamp, the newly elected leaders went in procession for the school assembly. One by one, they lit their candles from the lamp and placed them on two decorated stands.  The lamp symbolized Christ, the source of all light, who would guide them in their new role as leaders. Principal Sophia Joseph, SCN, Vice Principal Seema Monippallikalayil, SCN, and teachers pinned the leadership badges on each student council member.  

The leaders made a solemn promise that they would perform their duties, carry out their responsibilities faithfully, and become the ideal students that they would like to be.  The Oath ceremony concluded with the school song, "Jesus of Nazareth who loves us all … when we proudly call Nazareth Academy."


Sonali Sonamoti Soren, SCN

On April 22, 15 SCN Juniors gathered in Nazareth Convent, Chandapura, for their annual summer gathering which turned out to be one of the best we ever had.  It was an immense opportunity for us to be part of the theological reflection on “New Way of Being Women Religious in the Asian Context” given by Shalini Mulakal, PVBM, the pre-assembly workshop by Inigo Joachim, SSA, and the community retreat. Each of these gave us a very deep interaction with the elders and senior sisters of our province which was both enlightening and enriching. The coming together of the juniors offered us a healthy blend of sharing that came from experiences in the communities from educational institutions and from challenging missions.

Throughout these days of workshops and retreat, we were led in to a deeper understanding of our call to religious life. It brought within us an awareness of "Where we are? What we seek? Who we walk for?" The challenging life experiences of all the resources persons that including SCNs Shalini D’Souza, Bridget Kappalumakal, Ann Moyalan and Beena Chirackal were inspiring. We once again were called to recommit ourselves to living out the mission statement, especially in the area of embracing multiculturalism and risking our lives in the mission of Christ, our model.

On the last day of our retreat, with joy in our hearts, we once again renewed our commitment to the SCN way of life. With all the preparations we had had over the past 20 days, our renewal of vows had special meaning in our call to this vowed way of life.  The final phase of the programme was a well cherished picnic to the scenic Nandi Hills of Mysore.  

As we part once again to our respective places of ministry, we carry with us the invitation to be Jesus, Mother Teresa, Mother Catherine and Vincent de Paul in our lives. We also move on with a spirit of love to be in Jesus’ mission through a life of contemplation, compassion and action. We feel the call to be transformed and to be prophetic transformers of the society.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to Sister Beena who planned this programme meticulously. Our gratitude also goes to Sister Ann Palatty, our provincial, Sister Sheela Palamoottil, vice-provincial, and all the sisters in the Chandapura community for the innumerable ways in which they guided and supported us.


Most of all to Jesus our brother we give thanks.

Written by Mary Bincy Joseph, SCN

SCNs Grace Binita Tuti, Jayanti Marandi, Kitamai Catherine Sinku, Manisha Bara, Olive Ekka, Sheela Barla, Sushila Telra and Tarcisia Hembrom made their final vows at the Convent chapel in Mokama, India, on May 11. Carlette Gentle, SCN, was also present for the celebration.