Moodubelle: Farewell to the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany – A Heartfelt Tribute

By CA Pritish Burton D’sa & Mr. Joel D’sa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 25 May 2025: A heartfelt and emotional farewell ceremony was held on 25th May 2025 at the Church Hall of St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle, to honor and bid adieu to the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany from the Loretto Convent, Moodubelle, as they concluded their dedicated service to our parish and community.

 

The program began with Ms. Carol Rosly Quadros, who gracefully served as the Master of Ceremonies, welcoming the gathering. She invited the Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, CA Pritish Burton D’Sa, to escort the dignitaries to the dais. The General Secretary of the Parish Council , Mr Charles Quadros then formally welcomed the dignitaries on stage and extended warm greetings to all the parishioners present.

 

CA Pritish Burton D’Sa offered a floral welcome to the dignitaries and delivered an address highlighting the remarkable and selfless service rendered by the Bethany Sisters to the Moodubelle Parish and its educational institutions. He expressed his deep gratitude for their unwavering commitment and compassionate care over the years.

 

A special moment of the event was the felicitation of the three Sisters currently serving at Loretto Convent – Sister Superior Bertina Pereira, Sister Jeslita, and Sister Elize. Each was honored with a traditional shawl and a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation from the parish.

 

In her emotional response, Sister Bertina Pereira expressed her heartfelt thanks to the parish community. She particularly acknowledged the role of  the then Parish Priest Fr. Abundius D’Souza, under whose guidance the Sisters of the Bethany Congregation began their mission in Moodubelle. She also expressed gratitude to former parish priests, assistant priests, the current parish priest Fr George Thomas Dsouza, Asst Parish Priest Fr Rickson Monteiro  and the entire parish community for their continuous love and support. Sister Bertina poignantly explained that the suppression of the Moodubelle convent was due to a lack of vocations and the aging of existing members.

 

Fr. George Thomas D’Souza, in his presidential address, conveyed the parish’s collective gratitude for the Sisters’ long-standing and invaluable service. He urged the parishioners to consider dedicating at least one child each year  from the entire parish to God’s service  to Gods vocation and calling , as a lasting tribute to the Sisters’ legacy in Moodubelle.

 

The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Carol Rosly Quadros, followed by the serving of refreshments to all attendees.

 

The event was a fitting tribute to the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, whose presence and service will be remembered with deep respect and affection by generations of Moodubelle parishioners.

 

The parishioners wholeheartedly wished the Sisters good health, happiness, and continued blessings in their future missions.

 

Sr. Eugene D’Souza and Sr. Iline D’Souza were on the dais.

About Loretto Convent, Moodubelle , Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany:

Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany:

The Loretto Convent in Moodubelle traces its roots to a noble initiative taken for the spiritual and social upliftment of the parish community. It was during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Abundius D’Souza, the then Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle, that the need for the presence of religious sisters was strongly felt to better serve the pastoral and educational needs of the parishioners.

 

Recognizing this need, Fr. Abundius approached the leadership of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany in Mangalore and expressed his desire to have sisters serve at Moodubelle. The congregation responded positively, and on May 30, 1964, three Bethany Sisters – Sr. Emilian, Sr. Fabiola, and Sr. Mary Hilda – arrived from Mangalore. They were welcomed into a modest old house near the church, which served as the first convent.

 

The official inauguration of the convent took place on May 31, 1964, at 4 PM in the presence of the parish priest, parishioners, the Superior General, and many other Bethany Sisters. The occasion was marked with devotion and celebration.

 

Early Contributions:

On June 1, 1964, Fr. Abundius requested Sr. Emilian and Sr. Fabiola to take up teaching duties at St. Lawrence Higher Primary School, which they accepted willingly. They not only began formal teaching but also took the initiative to empower the local women and children by teaching them tailoring and other livelihood skills, thus uplifting many from poverty.

Their influence was deeply felt in the parish. Over time, several children from Moodubelle were inspired by the sisters’ dedication and joined religious life in various congregations.

 

Growth and Expansion:

Initially starting with just two sisters, the number of Bethany sisters in Moodubelle gradually increased to six, then eight, and continued growing. Their dedicated presence contributed significantly to the growth of educational institutions, and they became an integral part of the parish life.

The sisters served selflessly in many capacities:

• Teaching catechism and preparing children for sacraments.

• Assisting in the church by beautifying the altar and preparing for Mass.

• Visiting families, leading prayer meetings, distributing the Eucharist.

• Maintaining cleanliness in the church premises.

 

Loretto Hospital

Recognizing the medical needs of the parish, the sisters, with the support of the parish priest, established Loretto Hospital. One of the Bethany sisters, a qualified doctor, served the community with remarkable dedication, offering medical care especially to the marginalized and poor. The hospital became a beacon of compassionate healthcare for many years.

 

With the growing number of sisters, the convent building was eventually expanded to accommodate them comfortably.

 

Legacy and Present Status:

Over the course of 61 years, 19 Superiors have led the Loretto Convent at Moodubelle, each contributing immensely to the spiritual and social fabric of the community. Many sisters who served here have since passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and faith.

 

However, due to declining vocations, a result of changing family structures and fewer children, and with many sisters reaching old age, the congregation has faced challenges in continuing the mission with the same vigor. Moreover, as the convent premises were not owned by the congregation and considering the dwindling number of sisters, the leadership of the Bethany Congregation has taken the difficult decision to suppress (close) the convent at Moodubelle.

 

The Loretto Convent at Moodubelle stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith, service, and education. The Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany have touched countless lives in this parish with compassion, commitment, and unwavering dedication. Though the convent may close, its legacy will live on in the hearts of the people and the institutions it helped build.