Moodubelle: Perpetual Profession of Sr. Herita celebrated with Thanksgiving Mass and Felicitation

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 24 April 2018: The Perpetual Profession (Final Vows) of Sr. Herita Monthi Mathias of Mother Teresa ward Moodubelle belonging to Bethany Sisters Congregation was celebrated with Thanksgiving Mass at St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle followed by Felicitation Function at Lions Seva Bhavan on Tuesday, 24 April 2018. Sr. Herita had done her Perpetual Profession on 19 April 2018 along with other 12 Bethany Sisters including her cousin, Sr. Priya at Rosa Mystica Convent Chapel, Gurpur on 19 April 2018 during the solemn mass concelebrated by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore.

 

 

Sr. Herita celebrated her Perpetual Profession at her native St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle with Thanksgiving Mass, concelebrated by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest assited by Fr. Prakash (OFM Cap), Fr. Rosario and Fr. Johnson. 

 

Fr. Prakash (OFM Cap) in his homily highlighted the significance of dedicated life by the religious either in convents or monasteries. He referred to the Encyclicals (Papal Letters) of the present Pope Francis and former Pope St. John Paul II to emphasize the role of the religious.

 

At the end of the Holy Mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, on behalf of the parishioners congratulated Sr. Herita and expressed hope that her example would be taken by other young girls from the parish to join religious life.

 

 

The felicitation function was held in Lions Seva Bhavan at 12.15pm. The programme commenced with prayer dance performed by the students of Church Aided Higher Primary School, Moodubelle trained by Sr. Irene Viegas, Headmistress of the school and Superior of Loreto Convent. 

 

Along with Sr. Herita, her parents-Henry and Irene Mathias, brother-Hensan, Provincial of Mangalore Region-Sr. Cecilia Mendonca and maternal aunt-Sr. Mariola were present on the dais.

 

Following the welcome address by Mrs. Irene Mathias, the family offered traditional welcome with water, jiggery and betel leaves.

 

Sr. Herita lighted the lamp with the candle and thereafter along with her family members cut the cake. 

 

Neri Cornelio, former Principal of Milagres College, Kallianpur and a relative of   Sr. Herita raised the toast in her  honor. 

 

Both parents-Henry and Irene Mathias felicitated their daughter by offering her Jasmine garlands. In return, Sr. Herita also expressed her gratitude by garlanding her parents and later her brother Hensan. 

 

The maternal grandparents of Sr. Herita-Salvadore and Christine D’Souza, who completed 60 years of their married life were honoured on this occasion. They ceremonially cut the cake and garlanded each other to the applause of the guests. 

 

Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Sr. Cecilia Mendonca and Sr. Mariola  in their messages congratulated Sr. Herita on her Perpetual Profession and wished her well in her future mission. 

 

Youth of Mother Teresa Ward presented a felicitation song in honour of Sr. Herita.

 

In her thanksgiving address, Sr. Herita expressed gratitude to her parents, bother, relatives, grandmother, late Cecilia Mathias who had lived up to 100 years, her teachers, parish priests, Bethany Sisters and all those who had inspired, promoted and supported her vocation in Bethany Sisters Congregation. 

 

Sr. Meena compeered the programme.

 

 

About Sr. Herita:

Sr. Herita Monthi Mathias was born on 9 September 1990 as the second among two children of Henry Mathias and Mrs. Irene Mathias, the elder being Hensan. Sr. Herita completed her higher primary and high school education in Moodubelle.

 

Sr. Herita with her Grandmother-Late Cecilia Mathias

 

Being from a devout family, young Herita was attracted towards religious life since she was in sixth standard. Her maternal aunt, Sr. Mariola who had joined Bethany Sister Congregation was her inspiration and role model whom she wanted to follow. Hence, after completing SSLC, Herita joined Bethany Convent at Vamanjoor, Mangalore in 2006 and completed PUC education from Little Flower PU College, Kinnigoli while staying at the Bethany Convent, Kirem. Later, Sr. Herita also completed BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) degree.

 

In 2012, Sr. Herita professed her First Vows and on 19 April 2018 she took her Perpetual Profession (Final Vows).