The Holy Rosary Convent, Jeppu Unit of the Ursuline Franciscan Lay Association was initiated in 2012, at the very inception of this lay wing of the Congregation. It was founded on 12th April 2012, during the Post-Centenary Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Congregation at Rosario Cathedral, Mangalore.
URSULINE FRANCISCAN LAY ASSOCIATION
CENTRAL DELEGATION
The Holy Rosary Convent, Jeppu Unit of the Ursuline Franciscan Lay Association was initiated in 2012, at the very inception of this lay wing of the Congregation. It was founded on 12th April 2012, during the Post-Centenary Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Congregation at Rosario Cathedral, Mangalore.
The first members to register were the late Mr Christopher D Souza and Mrs Christine D Souza, a devout couple from Bendore Parish. Mr Christopher D Souza was the nephew of our beloved Fr Pacificus Menezes, OFM Cap., the instrument of God in raising the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation to the fuller status of Religious Life through its affiliation to the Capuchin Order.
This couple, along with a few others, attended a half-day programme at St Ursula Convent, Bolar, Mangalore, along with the members of St Angela Convent, Bejai unit, in preparation for their initiation into UFLA. This unit is therefore honoured as the very first unit in the history of UFLA.
On the same occasion, Mr Purushottam Kotankar of Chakala, Mumbai, was also initiated. With him began the Stein Sadan, Chakala Unit.
At that time, Sr Aurea D Souza, the Central Delegate Superior, served both as Coordinator of UFLA in the Central Delegation and as Animator of the Holy Rosary Unit. Sr Alice Serrao, Superior of Stein Sadan, Chakala, animated that unit.
Since then, more members have joined. Today, UFLA is active in both units of the Central Delegation. Members serve through works of mercy and charity according to their capacity and vocation.
Current Membership Strength
Holy Rosary Convent, Jeppu
Permanent members : 01
Temporarily affiliated members : 10
Members in contact period : 05
Total : 16
Stein Sadan, Mumbai
Permanent members : 09
Temporarily affiliated members : 03
Members in contact period : 05
Total : 17
Coordination & Formation:
The Central Delegate Superior serves as the coordinator of both units. Sr Pramitha Cutinha is the Animator of Holy Rosary Unit, and Sr Matilda Fernandes is the Animator of Stein Sadan Unit.
Regular monthly meetings are conducted by the animators in both units. Each meeting includes half an hour of Eucharistic Adoration, input sessions based on the UFLA syllabus, and planning of activities. UFLA Day is celebrated once a year on 21st October.