Ursuline Franciscsn Congregation North East Province celebrated its silver jubilee at Assisi Auditorium, Dimapur on September 30.
Dimapur, October 2 (MExN): Ursuline Franciscsn Congregation North East Province celebrated its silver jubilee at Assisi Auditorium, Dimapur on September 30.
The celebration commenced with the Holy Eucharist officiated by Most Rev Bishop James Thoppil, the Bishop of Kohima and concelebrated by 38 priests from different places.
Bishop in his preaching remembered the humble beginnings of the UFS sisters in North East, through the leadership of Rev Sr Edilburga at the early years of Ursulines entry to North east in the year 1975. He appreciated the committed services rendered in the diocese of Kohima and other parts of North East India. He also said that dream should be realised in spreading God's mission to far and wide.
A press release received here stated that late Rev Fr Ambrose D'mello SJ who invited UFS to join hands to empower the people of Nagaland in the year 1975, God gave gradual growth and the mission spread to other parts of NE states and thus, the region was elevated to the status of the province by Rev Sr Edilburga Monteiro the then Superior General on January 15, 1998 with Sr Jeraldine D'souza as the 1st Provincial Superior of the NE Province.
Today the province serves in 12 Dioceses with 152 sisters residing in 25 communities, 5 sub communities, 57 young and vibrant formees at different stages of formation and 235 Ursuline Franciscan lay associates and UF Blooms. Ursuline Franciscan sisters have travelled along with Jesuits, Diocesan fathers, Salesians, The Capuchin Friars, The Claretians, Franciscsn Brothers, Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel and the other Religious Sisters carrying out Pastoral, Social, Health, Educational and venturing in to the ministries reading the signs of the time, it stated.
In the presidential address Rev Sr Milly Fernandes, Superior General said that the silver jubilee is a celebration of God's providential care and an expression of our deep gratitude.
In the words of Pope Francis she challenged sisters not to cling to security but to be more of an oasis for the weary and the downtrodden; to abandon the culture of comfort and go to the periphery to serve people. She appreciated the sisters for doing just that - day in and day out, even without saying it aloud. The sisters have become the channel of God's love for the world, it stated.
To mark the day, various competitions were conducted. The future of UFC after 10 years was enacted by the novices.
The programme was compered by Sr Rose Mary Yanthan, novices Manine and Catherine. It was attended by fathers, sisters, formees and the collaborative staff of Assisi.
