125th Death anniversary of our Founder

 30^th December 2013 was a day of great rejoicing for us the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters as the jubilee bells kept ringing and echoing in our ears. At 6.30 p.m. we celebrated the PCSJ of the death anniversary of our Founder and the Profession of the Vow of Virginity of the Pioneers of our Congregation at Rosario Cathedral, Bolar. Large number of our Sisters and the UFLA members were present for this celebration numbering around 500. Rt Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza the Bishop of Mangalore officiated at the Eucharist. Fr Pradeep Sequeira S.J., Rev. Fr Remegius Sequeira Ofm. Cap., the Spiritual Director of our Congregation, Fr Pius D’Souza O.C.D. the Episcopal Vicar for Religious in Mangalore Diocese, Fr J.B.Crasta the Parish Priest of Cathedral Parish, along with three other Priests of Rosario Cathedral were the concelebrants. The Choir was conducted by Fr Ronald Serrao joined by our Sisters and Formees. Fr Pradeep Sequeira S.J. in his homily congratulated the Sisters and invited all of us to go back to the source and origin of our Congregation which began as a tiny mustard seed in the very place of the celebration held. He drew our attention backward in the history of the Cathedral Parish to 135 years where Fr Urban Stein landed in Mangalore along with his other Jesuit Priest companions on December 31, 1878.

After the Holy Mass, a short felicitation programme was held in the Church itself. Sr Susheela Sequeira, the Assistant Superior General invited the dignitaries along with our Superior General Sr Doreen D’Souza to the dais. As Sr Susheela announced Sr Doreen D’Souza, Superior General felicitated the dignitaries our Bishop, Fr Pradeep, Fr Remegius, Fr Pius D’Souza OCD, Fr J.B. Crasta, Fr Ronald Serrao and Mr Dolphy the UFLA President of Bolar Unit were honoured with a shawl by our Superior General.

The two books of the Congregation namely the PCSJ Souvenir “For the Love of God” edited by Sr Rosin Noronha UFS, and the revised edition of the History of the Congregation; “Branch of the Vine Fruit of the Branch” authored by Sr Helen Dantis UFS, and edited by Fr Devadatta Kamath S.J., and Sr Aurea D’Souza UFS were released by our Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza and by our Superior General Sr Doreen D’Souza and Fr Remigius OFM Cap respectively.  Bishop Aloysius P. D’Souza in his message thanked our Superior General her team and all the Sisters for their selfless and unassuming service in the Diocese of Mangalore in a particular way and in the other parts of the Country, Europe and Africa. A special mention of the Sisters in Africa was made by the Bishop saying that the render all the needed help and support to the Priests of Mangalore Diocese working in Africa as they have just taken up the new mission. He also invited us to strive towards holiness in our life and mission and prayed that God may bless us with genuine vocations.

 Sr Susheela Sequeira proposed the vote of thanks expressing the gratitude on behalf of our Superior General and the entire Congregation for the marvels God has worked in and through us for the past 125 years. She expressed her sentiments of gratitude for all the dignitaries, the UFLA members, all our benefactors and collaborators.  At the end of the celebration all the people present had a jubilee fellowship meal.