THE SEMINAR ON SOCIAL APOSTOLATE AT THE APOSTOLIC CARMEL GENERALATE

The Seminar was held from August 14 to 26. 45 participants from all over India and Sri Lanka
participated in the programme. The objective of the Seminar was to re-vision our social apostolate and to integrate it with the main stream educational apostolate. So there were many young sisters from our schools and colleges. The sisters were very happy that a broader vision of education was presented to them.
The sisters also became aware that the various ministries complemented each other and that we need to work hand in hand if we are to reach out to the marginalised and the neglected groups of our society.

CARMELHILL - our fifth convent in Kenya

16th of August 2010 was indeed an auspicious day for the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, for on this day one more house, called Carmelhill Convent, was inaugurated at Naromoru in the archdiocese of Nyeri in Kenya, East Africa. Situated as it is at the foot of Mt. Kenya, this Convent is an ideal place for prayer as well as service. The Sisters who have been putting up in a temporary building have been educating a number of boys and girls mainly from the low economic group, in the residential Primary School.

The event of the blessing of the new Convent brought together Sisters from our five Convents in Kenya, as well as some priests, religious of other Congregations and local people. The presence of our Sisters from Kuwait who were in Kenya at that time for their annual retreat was the cause of added joy.

After the blessing of the chapel and the convent during an inspiring liturgical celebration, we met together for a fellowship meal at a felicitation function. The presiding priest, Fr. Elias Gichuki, Vicar General of the archdiocese of Nyeri expressed his deep appreciation for service rendered by the sisters in the archdiocese.

The family spirit that marked the occasion enhanced the joyful mood of the day making it a truly memorable occasion.

Sister Agatha Mary, the Superior General's Feast day, February 5,2010

Our loving greetings and prayerful support to you,

dear Sister Agatha Mary

The Common Juniorate Programme at Bangalore, 2010

There are forty four of them , ten from Karnataka Province, seven from the Northern, eight from the Southern, ten from the Eastern , five from the Western and four from Sri Lanka . They will be here with us for two months . Sister Lira Morais is their Directress.

Our dear Jubiliarain – Sister Lira Morais A.C.

The Generalate team was happy to have one of us, dear Sister Lira Morais as the golden Jubilarian of the year 2010. The celebration started at the Generalate on January 1, as we wanted to have a homely get together on this occasion. Sister Agnesita had prepared an apt and touching prayer service highlighting the life qualities of Sister Lira. With their melodious voices, the team sang, prayed and greeted the Jubiliarian. The soft, golden candle light and decorations added to the beauty of the occasion.

January 5, the actual day of the Jubilee dawned with the six of us, the team members singing “Behold the Bridegroom cometh” reminding Sister Lira of January 5, 1960. At 5.45 am, the young, energetic members of the Lourdes convent were there to lead Sister Lira for the morning prayer with the strains of , “Behold the Bridegroom cometh”. The solemn procession wound its way to the chapel. Sister Lira’s sister Zita, her brother and sister-in-law, her cousins Fr.Jovita, Dr.Luzito and his wife were already there in the chapel with all the rest of us.

Sister Mabilia conducted a moving and an elaborate morning prayer. All her family members were gratefully remembered and prayed for. Then we moved on to the most solemn moment of the Eucharistic celebration. Sister Agatha Mary, the Superior General was by Sister Lira’s side all the time. Sister Liceria welcomed all to the Eucharistic celebration and spoke on the significance of the day’s celebration. Rev.Fr. Paul Puthanangady was the main celebrant. He preached a poignant and relevant homily highlighting the role of the Religious in the modern society.
Lourdes community made the day a memorable one for our dear sister Lira by their singing, decorations, delicious meals and hospitality. In short, this important milestone in Sister Lira Morais’ life was marked with joy and gladness for herself, her dear ones and for all of us at the Generalate.

The Silver Jubilee programme

Twenty Silver Jubilarians of the Apostolic Carmel of two batches (1984-2009 & 1985-2010) came together at Saranya, Bangalore, for a renewal Programme from the 20th Sep. to 17th Oct. 2009.
With a motivational input on the first two days after arrival, the Jubilarians prepared themselves with prayer and rest for an eight-days retreat which was to follow. The retreat was directed by Fr. Amulya S.J. of Kolkatta Province. These days were a feast for the soul as the retreatants absorbed themselves in prayer, relishing God’s love and mercy. They flowed like a river, soared like an eagle, to get an over-view of what turn their life, of union with God and their mission, would take along the Golden Road that lay before them.
After the retreat, well chosen resource persons, Fr. Dion S.J., Mrs. Jeanette D’Souza, Srs. Agatha Mary (Sup. General), Liceria and Mabilia enlightened and guided them with inputs and the visual presentations on various topics like Psycho-Spiritual Integration, Discernment, Mid-life Transition, Practical Guidelines for Community Living, Life and spirituality of Mother Veronica and Apostolic Carmel Spirituality and Charism.
With such an enriched drinking in of varied content the jubilarians were equipped to re-view their Plan of Life (Reform of Life) and re-frame it realistically to make the years ahead more creative, fruitful and joyful for Christ, His Church and for themselves.
The pilgrimage to the places of our Congregation’s beginnings at Calicut and Mangalore, helped the jubilarians to imbibe the spirit of our Foundress, Mother Veronica, and of our First Superior General, Mother Marie des Anges, in this her Death Centenary Year. It was a joy to note that the spirit of zeal and dedication of our Founding Pioneers continues to inspire the Sisters we met. The provincial Superiors, their teams and the sisters of the communities the jubilarians visited in the Southern and the Karnataka provinces, shared their love through prayer, generous hospitality and gifts, to enhance their spirit of joy and unity.

The month-long Renewal Programme and the joint Silver Jubilee Celebration was brought to a climax at the Eucharist celebrated in the Lourdes Convent Chapel, breakfast at Saranya and a prayerful visit to the two shrines (Infant Jesus’ Shrine at Viveknagar and Our Lady’s Shrine at Shivajinagar), in Bangalore on the 16th of October. The Jubilarians expressed their gratitude to God, to the Superior General and her Team and to all the sisters of the Lourdes and Saranya communities for the rich experiences they were provided with. The 20 Jubilarians returned to their respective communities in India and Sri Lanka on and after 17th evening. May God bless the Jubilarians and their communities for their spirit of self-giving and unity.