Saturday 28th November 2015 SMI Provincial House, 15 Gurusaday Road, Kolkata-19 wore a festive look - the occasion: SILVER JUBILEE of the Kolkata Province. The celebration began at 11 am, with a welcome speech by Sr Little Flower Payappilly, Provincial Superior, Kolkata Province. She thanked the Almighty for His immense love and continuous blessing and recalled the day when SMI was formed in Krishnanagar 67 years ago in 1948 by Late Most Reverend Louis L.R. Morrow sdb. The farsighted Bishop felt the need for women religious to work particularly among women by visiting their homes when their men-folk were out on work. The sisters used to go for house visits in the interior villages on their bicycles and soon became popular as “Smiling Cycling Krishnanagar Sisters”! The Kolkata Province was formed on 31st January 1990 on the feast day of St John Bosco. Sister Little Flower thanked the founders and pioneering members for their service especially in the field of vocation to priesthood and healing ministry. She thanked Archbishop Thomas D’Souza for gracing the occasion.
The Holy Eucharist was concelebrated by the Archbishop along with 12 priests viz. Fr Dominic Gomes-Vicar General, Fr Vincent Lobo-Dean of Calcutta, Fr Joseph Pathickal sdb, Fr John Mohan Das, Fr Albert sdb, Fr Hermil, Fr Robert Johnson and others. The choir of SMI sisters added life to the proceedings which included bringing the Bible in a procession and handing it over to the Archbishop for installation on the lectern.
In his homily the Archbishop said the fact that the Silver Jubilee was being celebrated in the auspicious Year of Consecrated Persons added greater significance to the occasion. He said that the SMI way of service was “doing small things with great love” as Blessed Mother Teresa said. He cautioned against “Crisis of Faith” when primary things become secondary and secondary things primary. He congratulated the Superior General Sr. Lisette and Sr Little Flower, urged the SMI sisters to recount all the blessings received during these 25 years and exhorted them to forge ahead with the task of evangelization in the years to come.
There was a short power point presentation on SMI’s genesis and activities e.g. Village Apostolate, Pastoral Ministry, Catechetical Media, Healing Ministry, Teaching Ministry from running of schools to girls hostels, Empowerment of Women and Rescue from Human Trafficking.
Past Provincial Superiors and six Jubilarians were also honoured.
The celebrations ended with mouth-watering starters and a sumptuous lunch.
By Isaac Harold Gomes
isaacgomes@hotmail.com
The Holy Eucharist was concelebrated by the Archbishop along with 12 priests viz. Fr Dominic Gomes-Vicar General, Fr Vincent Lobo-Dean of Calcutta, Fr Joseph Pathickal sdb, Fr John Mohan Das, Fr Albert sdb, Fr Hermil, Fr Robert Johnson and others. The choir of SMI sisters added life to the proceedings which included bringing the Bible in a procession and handing it over to the Archbishop for installation on the lectern.
In his homily the Archbishop said the fact that the Silver Jubilee was being celebrated in the auspicious Year of Consecrated Persons added greater significance to the occasion. He said that the SMI way of service was “doing small things with great love” as Blessed Mother Teresa said. He cautioned against “Crisis of Faith” when primary things become secondary and secondary things primary. He congratulated the Superior General Sr. Lisette and Sr Little Flower, urged the SMI sisters to recount all the blessings received during these 25 years and exhorted them to forge ahead with the task of evangelization in the years to come.
There was a short power point presentation on SMI’s genesis and activities e.g. Village Apostolate, Pastoral Ministry, Catechetical Media, Healing Ministry, Teaching Ministry from running of schools to girls hostels, Empowerment of Women and Rescue from Human Trafficking.
Past Provincial Superiors and six Jubilarians were also honoured.
The celebrations ended with mouth-watering starters and a sumptuous lunch.
By Isaac Harold Gomes
isaacgomes@hotmail.com
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