The Province Assembly of Mangalore Province was held at Bethany Provincialate, Vamanjoor from 7.07.2017 to 9.07.2017. The theme of the Province assembly was ‘Ministry of leadership – spirit filled and grace filled’. Sr Shanthi Priya BS the General Councillor addressed the assembly and offered the Profile of a Bethany Superior. During this occasion the Province Bulletin “Bethany Flame” was released by the Resource Person. Another unique feature of the assembly was ‘Sisters spent two hours in praise and worship and pleaded before the Eucharistic Lord for all the intensions of the Congregation, church and society at large. Rev Fr Anil Alfred assisted to preach the Word of God.
“Mysticism- A Science of Love’’ was dealt elaborately by Fr Alfred Menezes OCD, the Director of Ryshivana. Speaking on the topic, he expanded saying ‘ It is the highest form of love, it is purely; loving God. Our love is imperfect; we are called to perfect our love in order to be the Mystics. It is possible to love God when we experience the unconditional, intimate and personal relationship with Him. Love and sin is opposed to each other. Those who genuinely love, cannot sin. Hence we were invited to be the mystic inside and outside the chapel as well. The invitation of Jesus to love one another as he has loved us was repeated brought home to us.
The entrusted mission is given to us only after we were assured of his love. Hence we need to be mystics and find God in everything and everything in God. Pay attention to our sisters and brothers and help them unconditionally.
In the keynote address Provincial Superior, invited the Sisters to grow in deep union with God in prayer. The assembly spent time in discussing the various insights received during the sessions, evaluated the plan of action of the previous year and planned for the current academic year 2017-18. Sr Roshel BS the Asst Provincial Superior moderated the session and framed the plan of action for the Province. The focus of temporary administration was shared by Sr Lizzie BS the Province Procurator.
Indeed it was a grace filled event for the members. The assembly came to an end, by exchanging the greetings of Bethany Foundation Day and feast of Mt Carmel in advance.
Reported by –
Sr Mariola BS.