SEMINAR FOR SISTERS ENGAGED IN HIGHER EDUCATION

                               The Participants               

                                     

Seminar for Sisters engaged in Higher Education held at the Generalate, Jayanagar from 25 to 31 May 2013.  Sr. Mabilia A.C. was the Co-ordinator of the programme and arranged all the resource persons and logistics of the seminar.

The inauguration of the seminar took place at the Eucharistic celebration, when the participants went in procession with lights to the altar and made a symbolic offering to the Lord.  Rev. Father Francis Serrao S.J. Provincial Superior of the Jesuits offered mass that morning.  On 25 May Father Francis took up  two sessions for the participants, on ‘Spirituality’ and the other two on ‘Education as Mission’.

On 26 and 27 May, Rev. Father Elias Moses OFM took up sessions  on his well  researched ‘Communication Model’-  a practical and professional application into leadership communication.  The participants were given practical training to imbibe communication skills in the 4 areas: Person, Process, Practice and Performance.

On 28 May, Sister Mabilia, the Co-ordinator had arranged for a day of Recollection.  Rev. Father Frederick D’Silva S.J. was called in to give an animation talk and for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the  Eucharist.  The day ended with a meaningful hour before the Blessed Sacrament, which helped the participants to integrate their consecration with the mission of Education.  On 29 May, the Superior General, Sister Agatha Mary A.C. addressed the sisters on some pertinent issues viz: Consecration, Contemplation and Commitment.  The participants listed out their Institutional difficulties, problems and obstacles and sought to arrive at suitable solutions.  She drew their attention to the life and spirituality of the foundress, Mother Veronica who always did God’s  Will amidst life’s challenges.

In the afternoon of that day, the Principals of Apostolic Carmel Colleges shared briefly the high lights of their respective Institutions.

In the evening the participants worked on the Action Plan for the next six years.  This action plan would be a road map for progress and growth for sisters in Higher Education.

On 30 May they were taken for a field visit to neighbouring  Colleges in Bangalore City.

The week long programmes included in the seminar for sisters in Higher Education were practical, educative and enlightening. The participants are grateful to the Congregation and  their communities for giving them a chance to attend this seminar. 

                                   

Celebrating the  Eucharist

                                       

                    At the Various Sessions

              Session with the Superior General 

Sessions with Father  Elias Moses OFM

Actively involved in the learning process

                                        Recreational Activities.

A.C. MISSION CONGRESS CONTINUED

               The Final Day

The day began with the triumphant entry of our Eucharistic Lord in procession for an hour of adoration conducted by Eastern Province and Kenyan Region. 

Sister Sujita SND the vibrant speaker shared with us her practical experience of living in slums, organizing women under different projects against child marriage, rape cases and other issues. She practically lit fire in our bones.  

After tea break was the concluding in which two books were released by our dear Sr. Agatha Mary, Superior General - ‘Health for All’ by Sr. Agnesita and ‘A Vessel of Election’ by Sr. Carmilla. After this one sister from each Province and Region shared their experiences of the A.C. Congress and action plan for the Province. This followed Superior General’s concluding address in which she emphasized the aspect of Contemplation, Compassion and Forgiveness. 

The climax of the A.C. Mission Congress was the Eucharist offered by Most Rev. Ignatius Pinto, Archbishop Emeritus, Bangalore. The Eastern province and Kenyan Region sisters organized a meaningful Liturgy.

A.C. Congress is indeed a memorable event in the history of the Apostolic Carmel where in around 375 sisters, 12 ACAs and 6 CCR Sisters participated.

 

A.C. MISSION CONGRESS - CONTINUED

Third Day – Called to be an effective Missionary

The Morning Prayer and liturgy was led by Sisters of the Western Province.  The Celebration of the Eucharist by Fr. Francis Serrao S.J was very meaningful.

The morning two sessions were taken up Fr. Francis Serrao on “Mission Today: Understanding the Mission of the Church in the Indian Context and being Effective Missionaries”. He instilled a spark of fire within us to go and spread the good news of Jesus.

This was followed by Panel Discussion moderated by Sister Jennifer D’Silva. Six sisters one from each Province spoke on different aspects of Mission. i.e. Charism and Mission, Consecrated for Mission, Formation for Mission, Community and Mission, Leadership in Mission, and Witnessing in Mission. The sharing enriched every sister who listened to them.

Afternoon session was taken up by Mr. George Devassy on “Evangelization of Youth”. To deal with the youth of today we have to know them, love them and walk with them and finally the last session on “Evangelization and Social Apostolate" was given by Sister Sujita SND.  The day came to a close with a fantastic Laser Show on Mother Veronica.

MISSION CONGRESS CONTINUED

Second Day – A Call to Personal Renewal

The day began with morning prayer led by Sisters of Northern Province followed by Eucharistic Celebration by Fr. V.M. Thomas SDB. The first two sessions in the morning were given by Fr. V.M. Thomas SDB on “Need for Personal Renewal” and “Authentic Discipleship”. He stressed the aspect that we should be Disciples and not just Admirers of Jesus. He motivated us to aim high and follow the vision of our Foundress Mother Veronica.

Afternoon two sessions were taken up by Sister Serena MSA on “Evangelization and Education”. Through personal testimonies she brought home to us that we need to bring the compassionate love of Jesus to the people whom we Evangelize.

Last session was on “Sharing of Faith Experiences” moderated by Sister Ancilla A.C. One Sister from each Province shared in a creative way their missionary activities in their respective Provinces.

A.C. MISSION CONGRESS

The much awaited A.C. Mission Congress was inaugurated today at the A.C. Generalate Bangalore in the presence of the Superior General, the Generalate team, the Provincial Superiors, six sisters of the CCR Congregation, A.C.A representatives, Fr. Datius OCD and 350 or more AC sisters from India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Rome and Pakistan.  

The first day began with prayer, Eucharistic celebration by Fr. Datius and then the formal inaugural ceremony.  Sr. Agatha Mary, the Sup. General in her inaugural address emphasized the Mission Congress as an occasion to celebrate the gift of our Chrarism, handed down by our Foundress Moother Veronica 150 years ago.  She also quoted the message of the Holy Father Pope Francis and how we A.Cs can put it into practice by Announcing Jesus and rejecting Worldliness, by Christ centred, and to focus on the inseparable value of the Cross of Christ in His life and His Mission. 

The first  two sessions were taken up by Sr. Vincent our former Sup. General in which she spoke on our founding Charism.  Afternoon session was moderated by Sr. Therese Rani with five penalists – an A.C. Sister, Sr. Agnesita, an A.C.A., an ex-student, a staff member and a parent. The sharing was very rewarding because  the charism of Mother Veronica had touched the lives of the people we encountered. The final session was by Fr. Paul Puthanangady Sdb, who spoke on the "Faith encounter with Jesus for effective Evangelization”.  He divided this theme into three parts showing the three phases of the faith encounter which take in the life of the religious – Consecration, Contemplation and Mission.

Golden Jubilee of our dear Superior General, Sister Agatha Mary

Sister Agatha Mary completed 50 years of her religious profession on 10 January 2013. The Generalate team and Lourdes community anticipated the day and the celebration took place on 30 December 2012.

It was truly a congregational get together. The sisters from all the six provinces attended the celebration.  Sisters Linette and Snehalatha, the provincial superiors of Karnataka and Southern Provinces respectively, were present. It was a daylong celebration, as the day started with  the leading of the jubilarian to the chapel for an inspiring morning  prayer followed by the homely greeting at breakfast. There were a number of sisters already present there to greet sister.

 All through the day the sisters kept pouring in. The Eucharistic celebration was at 4.30 pm and the chief celebrant was His grace Most Rev.Dr.Bernard Moras, the archbishop of Bangalore . Her dear cousin Fr.John Noronha came all the way from Kolkota. The Jubilarian was led to the chapel with 50 lighted diyas. After the Eucharist, the jubilarian was taken in procession to the hall in the pre-primary block. The dancers , decorations and lighting added to the joy and glamour of the occasion. The usual felicitations and fellowship meal followed.