Mangalore Province - V Provincial Chapter (26th - 29th Dec 2009)

Sr. Lenita D’Souza Provincial Superior, Sr. Rita Vas Asst.Provincial Srs. Angeline Sequeira, Lucy Lilly Pinto, Dulcine Crasta Provincial Councilors, elected in the V Provincial Chapter of Mangalore Province of Ursuline Franciscan Congregation Provincialate ‘Shanthi Dham’ Nithyanada Nagar, D.K. 575018 (26.12.2009 to 29.12.2009)

The Ursuline Franciscan Congregation Mangalore Province is in its 13th year exuberance. The V Provincial Chapter held on 26th to 29th Dec. 2010 at the Provincialate ‘Shanthi Dham’ amply manifested the joyful heart of the Mangalore Province. Like the fully blossomed flower that speaks of the fertility of its plant, the whole pre chapter preparation spoke of the vitality of the Mangalore Province. It was thoughtfully planned, beautifully organized and meticulously executed. There was praiseworthy discipline, encouraging participation of the community Sisters in a family spirit and the service of the delegates deserving appreciation. A year was spent in preparation through special prayer daily in the communities, questionnaires, group discussions, pre chapter study with prayerful reflection, input sessions by eminent personality like Sr. Inigo, Retreat by Fr. Terrence Farias sj. During days of the Chapter, Eucharistic Celebrations with inspiring messages by Most Rev.Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, Fr. Francis Serrao s.j. Provincial of Karnataka Province, Fr. Vincent Furtardo ofm Cap., Provincial of Trinity Province, Fr. Ronie Prabhu s.j. the Episcopal Vicar for Religious in the Mangalore Diocese gave a focus to the theme of the Chapter.

This success is indeed a credit to the Provincial Team. Behind this success that would enter the history of the Mangalore Province is the substantial contribution of Sr. Susheela Sequeira the Provincial Superior.

The thrust of the Mangalore Province Chapter:

What would make the Mangalore Province a beacon of light is –

• To realize the insights of the soul search that was undertaken to see how well its objectives and vision are to be realized in the next 3 years

• To reaffirm and reconfirm what has been successfully done to better human life

• To find ways and means to touch lives hitherto left untouched

• To generate a single minded direction in all its collaborators in the context we live

• To weed out that which causes hiccups on its progressive endeavors.

All that it has to look forward to is in actualizing a meaningful, useful, on going vision and purpose of its living charism, community life, evangelical counsels, formation, apostolate, governance and administration of temporal goods.

The theme: “Towards redefining identity, lifestyle, and mission of the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation in the context of today” is the vision of the Province Chapter. As such the mission is to “gear up our apostolate through moral and spiritual values and make it life enhancing specially for the poor and the marginalized”. If a united effort and an action on war footing spirit are forthcoming - all that is done during the V Provincial Chapter to revitalize the Province will be a total success. It has entered a new horizon.

The erection and formation of the Mangalore Province was by Rev. Sr. Edilburga Monteiro, Superior General for the period 1997- 2004. It has verily grown and behind the growth there is the dynamic and forward-looking inspiration of her successor Sr. Doreen D’Souza Superior General for the period 2004 to this day.

When we look into the history of the Mangalore Province of UFC, Sr. Doreen D’Souza Provincial Superior (1997-2003) and Sr. Susheela Sequeira Provincial Superior (2003-2009) stand out. They not only administered but gave a new outlook to the whole of the Province.