Contents Page EDITORIAL.. 2 SECTION 1 : SPECIAL EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS 1. Twin Celebrations!! Sister Maria Ashel A.C. 3 2. “Eucharistic Community at M.I.C” Sister M. Susan A.C 5 3. St. Cecily’s ushers its Centenary! Sisters,St.Cecily’s Convent 8 4. Dasara Parade at Bannimantap Sister M. Gracilda A.C. 10 5. Mother House Visits Goa! Sister Lavina Anita A.C 13 6. For All - Thank You Lord Sister Maria Greta A.C. 17 7. ‘Scenery of Greenery’ Sister Apoline Baretto A.C. 20 8. Kumaris at Kanyakumari Sisters, St. Mary’s Convent 23 9. Kudla Dharshan ! Sister Rose Agnes A.C. 26 10. The Voice of the Silvarians Sisters Lathika & Mayola 28 11. Std. X of St. Ann’s - 1974 ‘Annettes’ – St. Ann’s 31 12. Ten – Tin Jubilarians Sister Rosevera A.C. 33 13. Celebrations …. 150 Years Sister M. Gracilda A.C. 36 SECTION 2 : OUTREACH PROGRAMMES & VARIA 1. My Experience At Yesu Kripa Sister M. Henrita A.C. 37 2. Catastrophic Somersault!!! Sister M. Stanislas A.C. 39 3. Boat Ride In Mumbai !.. Sister M. Adelcia A.C. 41 4. Province Website!!! Sister M. Venitha A.C. 43 5. Seminar with a Difference Sister M. Marilda A.C. 45 6. ‘Festivity of Nativity’ Sister M. Rosetta A.C. 48 7. ‘Gratitude … Everything Grows’ Sister Maria Reetha A.C 50 8. ‘I Am Special’. Sister Maria Sonal A.C. 52 9. “Far - Voor ?” Sister Agatha Mary A.C. 54 10. Thirsty Birds Sister Sylvia Soares A.C. 57 11. ‘The Lost Kid Sister M. Sylvette A.C. 59 SECTION 3: BRAIN VITA … QUIZZES, RIDDLES AND COMPETITIONS 1. A.C Footprints Volume 7 Sister M. Aquina A.C. 61 2. Results of the Quiz 66 3. Result of Veg. Dhamaka 67 ‘Preach without preaching…..’ How is this possible? But this is exactly what was done by St. Francis of Assisi who had requested a brother to accompany him for preaching in the city. The brother, who was raw, could not understand the depth of the meaning in the reality bytes of the walk in the city, praying, thanking God and sharing without words which carried a better sermon than the one preached from the pulpit. Two thousand years ago, in the stillness of silence, without pomp or ads, decorations or celebrations, hustle or bustle the birth of the King and Redeemer took place, wherein no political or religious dignitary arrived. His silent birth was sensed by the alert shepherds who had the wisdom to grasp the song of the angels, three Magi who were waiting for the signs, recognized the star of hope. His silence, birth in the stable, poverty stricken atmosphere, and the swaddling clothes all spoke to those who had the eyes to see, grace to grasp and the vision to behold the divinity. Gandhiji’s advice to his contemporary missionary Christians is “You Christians, especially missionaries, should begin to live more like Christ. You should spread more of the gospel of love and you should study non- Christians faiths to have more sympathetic understanding of their faiths. Christians should not just preach, but should put into practice what they preached. To live the gospel is the most effective in the beginning, in the middle and in the end… a life of service and uttermost simplicity is the best preaching… A rose does not need to preach. It simply spreads its fragrance. The fragrance is its own sermon.” Yes, the fragrance has its own sermon, how true it is! There is a spark of divinity in each of us. In some it is vibrant and in others it is dormant. All are gifted with the grace of baptism and the riches of the heart. Today’s youth are looking for role models, witnesses of credibility. We as religious are called upon to practise the culture of ‘the Eucharist’ a giving culture. May the New Born BABE of Bethlehem gift us with the heart of Mary to toil in the world of Martha. Let me take this opportunity to wish each one of you a very Happy Christmas and a grace filled New Year 2018 with wonderful surprises. Let’s be on the road, preaching the ‘Sermon of Fragrance!’ * Sister Rose Agnes A.C. Editor ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○4 December 2017 SECTION 1 : SPECIAL EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS TWIN CELEBRATIONS!! Sister Maria Ashel A.C. Carmel Convent Gangolli ‘It takes many hands to build a house but many hearts to make it a beautiful dwelling’ Yes, the dream and the hard labour of the golden years passed came to a happy ending with our Lady of the Ocean standing firm for years, stretching out her mantle of protection over Carmel Convent, Gangolli. We the sisters of Carmel Convent, Gangolli raise our hearts and minds in thanksgiving for the glorious 50 years of blessings. We call it a twin celebration because we had an added reason to rejoice on December 17, 2016 when we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Convent along with the Inauguration and Blessing of our new Convent building at Gangolli. We remember with gratitude the pioneering sisters who gave their dedicated services in this sea coastal place. They toiled relentlessly for the upliftment of the fisher-folk and for the better education of their children. As the golden years were approaching the need for a new dwelling place was planned and it was followed soon by the laying of the foundation stone. With much prayer and through great efforts the newly erected building was ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○December 2017 5 ready for the inauguration and blessing. Our dear Bishop Most Rev. Gerald Isaac Lobo, the priests, sisters, parishioners, the well wishers, the contractor and the workers witnessed this twin celebration. Sister Carmel Rita our dear Provincial Superior cut the ribbon and whispered a prayer. The blessing of the new building was done by our Vicar Vara Father Anil D’Souza and our dear parish priest Father Albert Crasta. The solemn Mass was offered by the Bishop with ten other priests. The angelic choir conducted by our parishioners was rich and melodious helping the faithful to participate actively in the Holy Eucharist. Sister Basilissa the only surviving member of the pioneering group was present for this great occasion. The past and the present Superiors were honoured on this special day. The untiring services of the engineers, contractor, bar bender and all the building workers were recognized with gifts and words of gratitude. Thus the short stage programme included the speeches of the main guests who appreciated and specially mentioned the hard labour, the loving and dedicated services of our sisters rendered in the school, parish and to the people around. The celebration was made even more meaningful and wonderful with the festive meal offered to all. The celebration did not end with the blessing and the inauguration of the new convent. Sisters were rushing here and there because the eve was approaching for Stella Maris High School to jubilate with the Golden Celebration to mark this awesome event and to record it in the history of Gangolli. The enthusiasm, meticulous planning of the Headmistress, staff, students and the old students are commendable. The loyalty, respect and honour bestowed by the old students in taking the entire past and present staff to the stage is an unforgettable memory. People shed tears of joy and gratitude. The performance of the past and present students on the stage created a special eagerness and attention and all those who witnessed this auspicious event returned home with tremendous satisfaction. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○6 December 2017 Yes, the twin celebration is over but its echo is still heard in the sea of Gangolli. The sweet memories are like tides which keep on dancing and touching the mind - the sea shore every now and then. We owe our heartfelt thanks to all those who added their little or big share of cooperation, support and above all the joy to make this twin celebration a memorable one. This significant event has given new life to Stella Maris High School as all of a sudden there were additional admissions to Std. VIII. We journey with our Lady of the ocean, facing the rough and calm waves, keeping our gaze fixed on Jesus, hoping to reach the same port. From gold we look forward to the diamonds on the sea shores of Gangulli!! ****** EUCHARISTIC - COMMUNITY DAY at M.I.C Sister M. Susan A.C. Mary Immaculate Convent, Bengaluru “Something rare, something memorable”, “MIC” Mary Immaculate Convent chapel is a semi parish. The devoted laity comes for daily Mass at 6.30 a.m. and on Sundays at 7a.m., and the chapel is filled to capacity. We are privileged to have the CMI Fathers of Christ University, Bengaluru as our regular weekly chaplains: Rev. Fathers Biju, Viju, Varghese, Benny and Sebastian. Since Rev. Father Varghese was elected as the new Provincial Superior of the Mysore Province this year, the weekly chaplains have adjusted their turns so that we are never left without a priest for daily ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○December 2017 7 Mass. Off and on, either Father Abraham or Arun or Jossy or Sunny or Jobi or Joy, replace the regular weekly chaplains, when they are out of station. Praise the Lord! Something unheard off! Something so rare! Since the last 29 years dating from 1988, we have as our Sunday Chaplain: “The Colonel Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Thomas Chathamparambil CMI, Vice Chancellor of Christ University, Bengaluru.”As usual this year too, on July 3, 2017, we had a Festive Mass in honour of his feast. After the Eucharistic celebration, the Superior, Sister Roshan and the community and the laity greeted Fr.