Moodubelle: Bethany Sisters Celebrate 90th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Congregation

Report and Pictures by Dr. Eugene D’Souza
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 16 July 2010:  Bethany Sisters of the Loreto Convent, Moodubelle celebrated 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Bethany Sister of Little Flower on Friday, 16th July 2010. The thanksgiving Mass was concelebrated at 6 pm in the Loreto Convent Chapel by Rev. Fr. Mathew Vas, Vicar Vaar of the Udupi Varado along with Fr. Maxim, Fr. Jerome, Fr. Rony, Fr. Lancy and Fr. Dancy.

In the introduction before the Mass, Sr. Hilda narrated the circumstances that led to the foundation of the Congregation of the Bethany Sisters and the nature of their service to the church and society. The motto of the Congregation is ‘Prayer and Service’. She pointed out the threefold significance of the day. First of all 16th July is the Feast of Our Lady of Carmel. This year also happens to be the 50th anniversary of the death of Msgr. Raymond Mascarenhas, the founder of the Congregation of Bethany Sisters and thirdly, the Mangalore Province of the Bethany Sisters celebrates the Silver Jubilee of its formation.

Servant of God-Msgr. Raymond Mascarenhas

In his h omily, Fr. Maxim Pinto (Capuchin) explained the significance of the Feast of Our Lady of Carmel.  In the thirteenth century, the Blessed Virgin Mary is traditionally said to have appeared to St. Simon Stock, the sixth General of the Carmelite Order and gave  him the Carmelite habit, the Brown Scapular, with a promise that those who die wearing it will be saved. Thus, popular devotion to St. Simon Stock is usually associated with devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Fr. Maxim lauded the selfless service rendered by the Congregation of the Bethany Sisters. After the homily, all the five sisters of the Loreto Convent renewed their vows. The choir was led by Fr. Paul Sequeira who played the organ. At the end of the Mass Rev. Fr. Mathew Vas blessed the Scapulars which were later distributed to all those who were present in the chapel.

Following the Mass, Sr. Vineetha,  Superior of the Loreto Convent thanked Rev. Fr. Mathew Vaz for being the chief celebrant of the thanksgiving Mass and presented him a bouquet on behalf of the Convent and every one present on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday that was celebrated recently. She also expressed gratitude to the other concelebrants of the Mass and the invited guests. 

 

Sr. Vineetha-Superior of Loreto Convent

It was ninety years ago that the Servant of God Msgr. Raymond F.C. Mascarenhas had founded the Congregation of the Bethany Sisters of Little Flower on 16th July 1921 with just four sisters-Sr. Mary Martha,  Sr. Mary Clare, Sr. Mary Lourdes and Sr. Mary Gertrude at Bendoor, Mangalore. The Congregation was founded on the ideal of ‘Our life through Prayers and Service’. Presently, there are more than 1,300 Bethany Sisters in 167 Convents spread in many countries working in the fields of education, medicine, social service, care of elderly and helping in pastoral work.

The Loreto Convent of the Bethany Sisters in Moodubelle was established on 11th May 1964 due to the efforts of late Fr. Abundius D’Souza. Presently there are five sisters in the Loreto Convent. These five sisters are: Sr. Vineetha (Superior),  Sr. Davidica, Sr. Elnora, Sr. Hilda and Sr. Iliene. They teach in parish schools and also help in various parish activities.