Meeting of Commissions of Primary Apostolate of all provinces in India

As per the Recommendation of Acts of our General Chapter VIII no.5 (p 155) the members of the Commissions of Primary Apostolate from the provinces of Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, Guwahati and Generalate gathered in the Motherhouse, Krishnagar for their first meeting on 21 and 22 March 2014.

The national meeting was organized by Sr. Jaisy Varickamthottiyil, the General Councillor for Primary Apostolate to revive the pastoral activities of the congregation according to the mind of the Founder. Sr. Lisette Thuruthimattam, Superior General inaugurated the assembly with a prayer and words of welcome. Thereafter the participants listened to the taped conference of Father Founder, Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, SDB, on the purpose of the congregation.

The two day sessions were animated by Sr. Emilia Monteiro, provincial councillor of Bangalore, who spoke on SCC, the Way of being Church in India today and women and Vatican II.

Sr. Licia Puthuparambil highlighted on the pastoral ministry in the light of the vision of the Founder, the constitutions and the latest Apostolic Exhortation Evangelium Gaudium on New Evangelization.

Sr. Gracemary Kundukulam, provincial councillor of Kolkata Province enlightened the group on their call to be prophets and saints in today’s world and not activists and social workers.

Sr. Jaisy spoke on the call of the Church to go to the periphery as shepherds, to families in crisis to bring them to Christ. She also dealt with Spiritual and Apostolic charism of the congregation and the importance of nurturing a sisterly community to be effective sister apostles.

Foundation Day celebrated

12th December 2013, the 65th Foundation day of the congregation, was a day of thanksgiving. Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, sdb, was remembered with great affection and profound gratitude for his unique role as the father and founder of the institute.

First profession of Vows

Six Novices were privileged to pronounce their first vows on the Foundation Day, 12 December 2013, expressing their desire to follow Jesus. The day was indeed memorable for them and for the entire SMI family.

Sister Letitia Moolamkuzhy SMI, Called to her Eternal Home

Sr. Letitia Moolamkuzhy aged 81, was called to her eternal reward on Saturday, 22 March 2014 at 6.00 p.m. in the Motherhouse, Krishnagar, West Bengal. We believe that our Blessed Mother, in whose name she was baptized as Our Lady of Joy, accompanied our Sister in her journey to heaven.

Sister Letitia was born on 9 August 1932, at Thevara, Ernakulam Dt., Kerala, as the third child of her devout parents, late Varkey and Mariam Moolamkuzhy, a family of eight children.

Having completed Higher Secondary Education Sister entered the SMI on 27 June 1951 and was privileged to make her first and final vows in the presence of our Father Founder.

Qualified as a Nurse, Sister Letitia rendered her selfless and dedicated services to the Church and Society as an SMI through our communities in West Bengal, Andhra Predesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat. She was known for her faithfulness in her religious practices and commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to her.

Since 2011 Sister Letitia was in the infirmary at our Motherhouse, Krishnagar as her health condition was weakening. From the second week of March 2014, Sister became very weak. On Saturday, 22 March, at 4.30 p.m. in the presence of several of our Sisters, she was administered the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. At 6.00 p.m. Sister Letitia returned to our Abba Father peacefully.

On Monday, 24 March 2014, after the solemn Eucharistic celebration the mortal remains of our dear Sr. Letitia was laid to rest at 9.15 a.m. in our parish cemetery, Krishnagar. Her youngest brother John accompanied Sister in her last journey representing the entire family.

Sister Clara Michael SMI, Called to her Eternal Home

Sr. Clara Michael aged 54, was called to her eternal reward on Friday, 13 December 2013 from her community at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Krishnagar, west Bengal India.

Born on 16 October 1959, in Tamil Nadu, Sr. Clara joined the congregation on 29 July 1978, professed her first vows on 8 December 1981 and final vows on 29th October 1988.

Sister served the Church and society selflessly and effectively for nearly 32 years through the different communities under various capacities as teacher, animator, nurse and provincial councillor.

The most significant characteristic of Sr. Clara was her devotion to duty which she performed in a quiet and unassuming manner, and with perfection in the spirit of the Little Way. She was accessible to everyone, especially the sick and needy. She drew many patients and their relatives closer to the Lord by living the Motto of the congregation, “To love God and help others to love God”.

Friday, 13 December 2013, was her last day on earth. She spent the morning hours in the town attending to various business matters on behalf of the community as its economer, and caring for the in-patients. After lunch while assigning duties to her co-workers, she had a massive heart attack and breathed her last at 2.30 pm. to be with our Abba, Father forever, despite immediate medical care from our Doctors, nurses and others, having received the Sacrament of the Sick, and the prayerful support of nearby communities.

On 15 December at 8.00 a.m. Rt. Rev. Joseph Suren Gomas, sdb, Bishop of Krishnagar, concelebrated the Holy Eucharist along with 12 priests. Some of her family members from Tamil Nadu were present to bid her a tearful adieu. The mortal remains of Sr. Clara was laid to rest at 10.15 a.m. in the parish cemetery, Krishnagar.

Our Presence at Zunheboto, Kohima, Guwahati Province

On 16 December 2013 we began our presence in the parish of Zunheboto in the diocese of Kohima, Nagaland. Srs. Bency Panickassery, Della Thundathil, and Vivette Kavikallarackal are the pioneers of this new mission. Our apostolate includes attending the pastoral needs of the people, village tour, teaching in the parish school, and dispensary.

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