Celebration of the Centenary of Foundation of Bethany Congregation by Mangalore Province, Vamanjoor

Mangaluru: 15 July 2021, the Centenary Jubilee celebration of Bethany Congregation was held at St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor at 10.30am with the Eucharistic Celebration followed by felicitation programme. Rev Fr James Dsouza, the Parish Priest of St Joseph The Worker Church Vamanjoor officiated at the Eucharistic Celebration. The faithful love of God to Bethany was highlighted with gratitude. 

Rev Fr Wilfred Prakash Dsouza, the Director of St Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor preached the homily. In his homily he gave us a clarion call to be the messengers of Christ and to draw strength from Him in order to be fruitful in our ministries. As Yahweh journeyed in the lives of the Israelites as cloud by day and fire by nigh, His faithful love journeyed in the lives of Bethany Sisters for the past 100 years. The Lord has chosen Bethany before the foundation of the world and made it a reality in the Church and the Society. Blessed be the Lord!

The Eucharistic celebration was preceded with the entrance procession to the Chapel by singing the Bethany Anthem along with 100 lighted candles. The intercessory prayers were offered for the various intentions of the Church, Society, Congregation, Benefactors and to eradicate the present Pandemic, Covid-19. The Provincial Superior and the Sisters thanked God for the marvels the Lord worked in and through Bethany. Fr Alwyn Dsouza and Fr Santhosh concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration. Sisters of St Raymond’s Convent added the tone of thanksgiving by their melodious choir.

After the Eucharistic celebration the felicitation programme was held in the community hall of St Raymond’s Convent. The Centenary cake was carved by Sr Cicilia Mendonca the Provincial Superior, Sr Gracy Monica the Superior of St Raymond’s Convent and their Councillors.  The Centenary chorus was raised by the sisters on the occasion. The symbolic closing of the Centenary was held by reminiscing the milestones of Bethany with the flowing waters from the pots in a natural environmental settings inaugurated by Sr Cicilia Mendonca. Rev Fr Alwyn D’Souza felicitated Bethany Sisters and appreciated their service to the Church and the humanity at large.

Sr Cicilia Mendonca in her message wished that Bethany continues to grow, flower and bear fruit for the ages to come and to become relevant to the present times. She recalled with gratitude the founding of Bethany by the Founder the Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas and the founding members. She thanked each and every Bethany Sister for realising the dreams for Bethany. Sr Gracy Monica welcomed the guests and the Sisters for the celebration. Sr Anna Maria voiced a note of gratitude for hoisting the celebration and the cooperation of every sister. Sr Lilly Pereira compeered the felicitation Programme. The Programme was winded at 1.00pm with a fellowship meal.

Report by:
Sr Anna Maria BS
Bethany Provincialate
Vamanjoor

Photos by;
Stanley Bantwal