It’s a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God Almighty for the marvellous and countless blessings that He has poured on Ursuline Franciscan Sisters of North Province over the past 25 years as it celebrated its Silver Jubilee of the Erection of North Province (1998-2023) on 28th & 29th October, 2023 at Jeevan Dhara Provincialate, Lucknow.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow”.
It’s a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God Almighty for the marvellous and countless blessings that He has poured on Ursuline Franciscan Sisters of North Province over the past 25 years as it celebrated its Silver Jubilee of the Erection of North Province (1998-2023) on 28th & 29th October, 2023 at Jeevan Dhara Provincialate, Lucknow.
This event invited us to remember, to acknowledge and to admire our pioneers and congratulate every Ursuline Franciscan Sister who worked in North Province with great sense of commitment and dedication.
We raised our hearts in gratitude to God for the progress and success stories of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters of North Province as we celebrated the silver jubilee of its erection as Province. God has done wonders in and through us. We remain grateful to God for always accompanying, encouraging and guiding our Sisters when they faced ups and downs in their journey of life. It was a red letter day in the history of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters of North Province.
On 28th October, the Cultural evening started with the inaugural prayer service and the celebration was symbolically inaugurated by lighting the lamp by Rev.Sr Ancilla Pinto, the first Provincial Superior, Rev. Sr Benedicta Tellis the present Provincial Superior, Sr Rosy Tellis the first mission Superior of North Province, Novice Samroki by lighting of the lamps. Then all the invitees were warmly and heartily welcomed by Rev. Sr Benedicta Tellis the Provincial Superior of North Province. The documentary of the glorious journey of the North province and of the communities was presented in a video form depicting the life and mission.
On 29th October, the joyous celebration was commenced with the Holy Eucharist officiated by Most Rev. Gerald John Mathias the Bishop of Lucknow diocese and concelebrated by Rev. Fr Naresh Lobo the Vicar General of the Diocese.
To mark this great occasion of silver Jubilee celebration our Sisters and formees put up the cultural programme. The mime act was presented depicting the history of the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation and of North Province. Community Tree was displayed by all the communities in a creative way. Sisters took active participation in quiz on the History of the North province. At the end of the programme sisters were awarded with prizes for their hard work put in all the activities and the competitions held in the Province.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a great leader and visionary.”
Rev. Sr Ancilla Pinto, the first Provincial Superior of North Province, Rev. Sr Benedicta Tellis, the Provincial Superior of the Province, Sr Rosy Tellis the first Mission Superior, the past and present Councillors and the Procurators of North Province, Editors of the newsletter of the Province "Ashish", Sr Lidwin Fernandes, the executive secretary for CCBI Commission for Women, were honoured with shawl, garland and sapling. We deeply acknowledged their generosity, availability and dedication in the progress of the province.
With grateful hearts we remembered Rev Sr Alice Pinto and Rev Sr Shanthi D’Souza who shouldered the responsibility as Provincial Superiors and also worked as provincial councillors. On this auspicious occasion we acknowledged their service, admired their courage to venture into new missions and the genuine love shown for the Sisters. May God envelop them always with good health, happiness and success.
Sisters of North province missed the presence of Rev. Sr Milly Fernandes our dear Superior General and the team at this auspicious day of celebration. Indeed her presence and blessings were made present as Sr Jacintha Crasta Vice Provincial read the message (letter) sent by the Superior General on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Province. We remain grateful to our Superior General for gracing the event through her message, blessings, prayers and wishes.
Rev Sr Ancilla Pinto in her address to the gathering appreciated for the tireless efforts and dedication rendered by the Sisters of the province and encouraged us to continue with the same zeal and fervour. We greatly acknowledged the presence of Sr Fatima Dias, who joined us for the celebration of thanksgiving and it doubled our joy. The event was witnessed by the Sisters and the formees of the Province.
Sr Cynthia Pashan proposed the words of gratitude and this programme was anchored by Sr Renuka And Sr Reena Ekka. “We should certainly count our Blessings, but we should also make our blessings count”. Yes this celebration has instilled in us a spirit to work more for the good of the Church, society and the Congregation. We march on Silver Wings towards the Golden Light.