Kundapur/Piusnagar: Sr. Millicent AC celebrates Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Kundapur/Piusnagar, 12 May 2016: Sr. Millicent belonging to Apostolic Carmel congregation celebrated Golden Jubilee of her Religious  Profession along with her family members and parishioners at St. Pius X Church, Pius Nagar, Kundapur on Wednesday, 11 May 2016 by a thanksgiving Mass at 10.30 am offered by her brother Rev. Dr. Valerian Fernandes as the chief celebrant assisted by Fr. Richard Lasrado, Fr. Louis D’Sa, Fr. Rayan and Fr. John Barboza, parish priest of Piusnagar, followed by felicitation programme at Silver Jubilee Hall at 12 noon. 

 

Delivering the homily during the mass, Fr. Richard Lasrado recalled the service rendered by Sr. Millicent to the Apostolic Carmel congregation in particular and to society in general. 

 

 

Following the thanksgiving mass, the felicitation programme in honour of Sr. Millicent was held in the Silver Jubilee Hall. Along with Sr. Millicent, her brother Rev. Dr. Valerian Fernandes, Fr. Louis D’Sa, Fr. John Barboza, Fr. Richard Lasrado and Sr. Marie Jane were on the dais.

 

To mark the Golden Jubilee of her Religious Profession, Sr. Millicent cut the cake along with her family members. 

 

Raising the toast in honour of Sr. Millicent, Fr. Louis D’Sa, parish priest of Mudarnagadi and a close associate of the family of Sr. Millicent said that she has fulfilled her religious duties with all sincerity and perfection and the Golden Jubilee celebration of her Religious Profession  gives her a sense of satisfaction and gratitude towards God who had chosen her to his service. In brief he narrated the family background and said that coming from a family of 14 children she was the first one to join religious order followed by two of her sisters and one brother who chose to follow her footsteps and dedicate themselves to the service of God and society. He recalled the contribution of her father Julian Fernandes (Jillu Master) and mother Pauline Fernandes in bringing up such a large family with devotion, prayerfulness and sacrifice. Fr. Louis D’Sa also briefly summed up the career graph of Sr. Millicent in the Apostolic Carmel congregation. 

 

In reply to the toast, Sr. Millicent thanked Almighty God for the gift of the vocation and thanked her family members and parishioners of Piusnagar for organizing the Golden Jubilee celebration.

 

Sr. Marie Jane, one of the students of Sr. Millicent from Kasargod narrated how as a young student of Sr. Millicent she was inspired eventually to join the Apostolic Carmel congregation. Sr. Marie Jan e highlighted the finer qualities of Sr. Millicent as a teacher and as a nun. She mentioned about her concern towards marginalized students and how she helped them in her own way. On behalf of all the old students of Sr. Millicent, Sr. Marie Jane felicitated Sr. Millicent by offering her a shawl.

 

Next, the parishioners of Piusnagar felicitated Sr. Millicent by reading and presenting the citation by the Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council-Wilfred D’Souza, Fr. John Barboza, Parish Priest of Piusnagar offering her shawl and Mrs. Leena Tauro, Secretary offering her garland. The parishioners also presented a felicitation song.

 

The family members of Sr. Millicent honoured her collectively by offering her shawl and fruits and singing felicitation song to the accompaniment of violin played by  Master Varun D’Sa, son of Anil and Vidya D’Sa.

 

Romald Fernandes, the youngest brother of Sr. Millicent and Mrs. Cynthia Fernandes who would be celebrating silver jubilee of their wedding in the next month were also felicitated by the family members.

 

FR. John Barboza recited the grace before the meal.

 

The entire felicitation programme was anchored by Mrs. Flavy Menezes from Shankarpura-Pangla. Romald Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.

 

Varsha, daughter of Anil and Vidya D’Sa and one of the grand nieces of Sr. Millicent presented a dance. 

 

 

About Sr. Millicent AC:

Born on 13 October 1944 as the third among 14 children, 5 sons and 9 daughters of late Julian and Pauline Fernandes of Halehalve, Kundapur, Sr. Millicent had her primary education at the Government Higher Primary School and high school education at St. Joseph’s High School, Kundapur. 

 

Having felt that she had divine call, Sr. Millicent joined the Apostolic Carmel congregation on 24 May 1963. She did TCH Training in St. Anne’s Teachers Training Institute, Mangalore and underwent religious training at Mary Hill Convent, Mangalore. She professed her First Vows on 3 May 1966 and was posted at Kasargod as a teacher. 

 

Realizing the importance of higher education, Sr. Millicent did graduation studies from 1968 to 1972 in Vimala College, Trichur and acquired BA degree from the Calicut University.

 

As part of religious studies, Sr. Millicent completed Theology in Mater Dei Institute, Mumbai in 1973-74. While in Mumbai she also did B.Ed. course from Mumbai University that would provide her adequate teaching qualification. She also did two years specialized course in Catechism.

 

From 1977 to 1981, Sr. Millicent was appointed as the Superior of the Holy Rosary Convent in Goa. Thereafter, she was deputed to Kuwait as Vice Principal and administrator of Carmel School. When Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein of Iraq, Sr. Millicent had to come back to India and was sent to Aldona, Goa as the Superior of the convent.

 

As she was nearing retiring age  from active teaching profession, Sr. Millicent who had a great flair for music and as such she mastered the art of playing piano and western classical music and obtained eighth grade in music from the Trinity College, London.

 

After her retirement, Sr. Millicent was appointed to teach music to sisters in Nagpur convent. Having taught music in Nagpur convent for many years, Sr. Millicent has been transferred  to Pune this year to teach music to novices.

 

Being simple, gentle and caring, Sr. Millicent has carved a niche for herself not only in her own family but also in the family of her congregation and thousands of students who have studied under her guidance. She has been an inspiration to many. Her brother, Rev. Dr. Valerian Fernandes serves in the Aurangabad Diocese in Maharashtra. He is the founder of St. Paul’s High School at Paithan and presently serves as the parish priest of St. Paul’s Church and correspondent  of St. Paul’s High School. One of her sisters, Sr. Noreen AC has won the National Best Teacher Award and presently serves at Kanpur. Another sister, Sr. Caroline belonging to Sisters of Holy Cross of Chavanod is presently the Provincial of Pune Province of Holy Cross Sisters.