Final commitment - Nepalhilfe Aham
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Himalayan Echo January-February
Vol: 54/19 Nepal Region Newsletter January-February
Final commitment
Making the Final Commitment Before the Eucharistic and added more meaning to the
to the Lord is a great milestone on celebration began, Sr. Margaret celebration of love. In Srs Amrita
the journey of one's religious life Mary gave a warm welcome to all and Karuna's own words:
and the memory of it will ever be present in the Church and gave a "We thank the Almighty God
etched in our hearts as a reminder brief introduction that traced Srs for all His bountiful graces that He
of God's fidelity to us. Amrita and Karuna's journey showered upon us on this great
With great joy before God, the from the time they entered the day. Thank you Lord for calling us
Church, and in the presence of Rev. Congregation until the day of and giving us this precious gift –
Bishop Paul Simick, 25 priests, their definitive commitment to the vocation to religious life; it is not
many religious sisters, relatives God in Congregatio Jesu. The our merit but your generosity and
and parishioners, Srs Amrita entire profession ceremony was unconditional love for us. On the
Francis and Karuna Shrestha of divine nature and all those auspicious occasion of our Final
professed their Perpetual Vows who witnessed it confessed that Commitment to the Lord, we were
as Religious of the Congregation they experienced pure joy in the graced to have Rt. Rev. Bishop
of Jesus, on the 30th January at presence of the Lord. A divine Paul Simick preside over the Holy
Assumption Church, Dhobighat. serenity and tranquillity prevailed Eucharist. We would like to express
This was a red letter day for our in the Church throughout the our heartfelt gratitude to our dear
Congregation in Nepal, as this Eucharistic celebration. Bishop, for not only celebrating
was the first time in the history The choir led by Mr. the Eucharist on that day but also
of the Nepal Catholic Church, we Augustine and Sr.Veena Dias for journeying with us during our
witnessed the ceremony of the consisted of primary children of tertianship through his valuable
Final Vows of religious Sisters. Mary Ward School, Jhamsikhel. prayers and specially teaching us
We the CJ Sisters give thanks to The heavenly songs of innocent the Scripture. On this great day, we
Almighty God and rejoice! children raised all hearts to God gratefully remembered our Mother
Himalayan Echo 2 January-February
General, Sr. Jane Livesey and her who encouraged and supported us so that we may be ever worthy
Councilors, all our Formators, Sr. through their prayers during our instruments of His love. Believing in
Jessy our Regional Superior, our formative years. the words of St. Paul, ‘My Grace is
previous Regional Superiors, Srs We pray that the Lord who sufficient for you.’ we ask the Lord
Margaret Mary and Marilyn, all has called us and helped us to be to lead us to be great missionaries
our Superiors, all the Sisters from faithful to Him, may shower His for His people in His vineyard". -Sr.
Nepal Region and Indian Provinces choicest blessings on each of us, Vinita Mazhuvancherry
Feast Day Celebrations -2019
It was a good opportunity for all the
CJ Sisters in the valley to come together
to celebrate our Congregation Feast in
St. Mary’s Jawalakhel. The Tertians had
decorated the chapel very creatively. The
name of Jesus written with marigold flowers
captured everyone's eyes. The Eucharistic
celebration presided over by Fr.Abraham
SDB was inspiring and devotional.
All the other communities out of
Kathmandu too celebrated the Feast of the
Holy Name of Jesus in their own small ways.All
had special solemn Eucharistic celebrations
along with some fun-filled activities.
Himalayan Echo 3 January-February
St.Mary’s, Gorkha
School was closed for winter break from 22nd
December to 2nd January. Fr. Sebastian SDB from
Lubhu, at the invitation of Sr. Jessy, arrived in Gorkha
with his drums and flutes to teach musical instruments
to our students. He stayed with us for a week and
taught some of our students to play flutes, drums and
formed a school band. It is a great joy for our students
to have some insight into musical instruments, as we
lacked experts to teach them music correctly.
The Scouts had their investiture ceremony. The
junior scouts made their promise and they received the
official Scout scarfs and badges. The grand Science
exhibition was arranged by the Science club. The best
ones were awarded with attractive prizes.
Our school compound has a fresh look with its
newly built fence, tiled floors, retaining walls, wire nets
and rails. Badminton court is very active. We had a
competitive Badminton match during the Mary Ward
Week. Students are eagerly waiting for the completion
of basketball and volleyball courts.
Sr. Jyoti had a successful cataract operation
by the country's renowned doctor, Dr. Sanduk Ruit in
Tilganga hospital. After a few days rest in St. Mary's
Mrs Mayalaxmi, the Scout guide and Sr. Celine
Kathmandu she is back to the community.
took the students for a hiking to Chebtar hills. It
Mr. Ramchandra Lamachane and the LTSers was enjoyable and at the same time a challenging
had a one day program in Manav Sewa Ashram- experience for them as heavy rains, great thundering
an orphanage in Gorkha. The students were very and lightning shook the hills as they were about to
generous to help the inmates out in whatever way they return home.- Sr. Catherine Ezhakunnel
could.
Mary Ward, Lubhu
The months-long hard work of our sisters, Sr. Edwina received the sad news about
teachers and students for the Parents Day was the death of her sister, Sr. Vincy CSN on the 2nd
rewarded with great success. The Chief Guest, the January. She had been ailing for the past four years
Mayor of Mahalaxskmi Municipality in his speech from cancer. She also lost her uncle Fr. Savio. May
appreciated the whole performance and commended their souls rest in peace.
on the values which were displayed through various ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'.
items. The participation of every student in one or Our co- workers had a day of outing and they visited
the other item gave great joy to the parents. We ‘Pilot Baba’ whose name is in the Guinness Book.
were delighted to have the presence of our CJ They had a wonderful day with various competitive
Sisters from St. Mary’s, Mary Ward Jhamsikhel and games and good food.
Godavari. Srs Marisa and Nancy attended a two – day
Pastoral Leardership Training programme in St.
Mary’s along with the entire Vicariate and Religious
of Nepal. It was to deal with the pressing needs of
the time, keeping in mind the Evangelization and
values of the Gospel in our education and pastoral
system.
One of our hostel girls' (Sabina of Class V)
mother met with an accident on the way back home
after dropping her daughter in our hostel on the
20th Jan, 2019. She succumbed to her injuries and
went to eternity. This shocking news saddened us
Himalayan Echo 4 January-February
all greatly. Sabina is the only child of the family and
is very much upset and sad after her mother's death.
Let us support her in our prayers.
The long awaited farewell of class ten students
took place on 2nd February. The students looked
simple, charming and graceful in their colourful
‘saris’. Now they are free to prepare themselves for
the forth-coming SEE Board Examination to be held
in the middle of March. Please keep them in your
prayers. – Sr. Nancy Edamanasseril
St.Mary’s, Pokhara
The New Year began with a Solemn Mass in Srs Margaret Mary and Clotilda represented
our chapel in honour of our Blessed Mother. The the Pokhara community for the final Profession of
Congregational feast was celebrated in a quiet Sr. Amrita and Sr. Karuna in Kathmandu. Sr. Clotilda
manner locally as Gorkha and Pokhara schools had remained for a few more days in Kathmandu and
classes. enjoyed a trip to Chandragiri hills and Don Bosco
All the students from Cl. 1 – 9 enjoyed their Dinner party.
educational trips in the first half of January adding We had the first managing Committee meeting
to the celebration of Maghe Sankaranti, some of the with Sr. Rufina as the new President. We are grateful
coldest days of the year. The company of friends and to Sr Rufina for agreeing to it and congratulate her
food kept them warm, cheery and energetic. for the same.
The Board exam results of Class XI was
very unjust and unfair and the agitated students of
Pokhara took to streets demanding fair evaluation or
re-examination. Though at first the Board was hard
on them, gradually they relented and all were given
an opportunity to appear for a re-examination. The
result was very good and the students were extremely
happy.
Class 10 students conducted a tearful and
beautiful Assembly expressing all the noble emotions
as they plan to move out of the school at the end of
The Science exhibition for the senior students the academic session. On the following day they had
was held on 26th January was much appreciated by the Formal Farewell, during which they beamed with
the chief guest and parents. The most outstanding excitement in their glimmering dresses. The Campus
piece of the day was the model of Pokhara city , with flooded with beauty and charm, and the band of
modern technology, pollution free and well planned teachers and students were found posing for photos
traffic system displayed by class 12 students. and selfies! - Sr. Margaret Mary CJ
Himalayan Echo 5 January-February
Snehanjali, Godawari
Our candidates along with Sr. Marilyn occasionally visit the houses
of the Catholics in our neighborhood, in order to conduct prayers for
healing as many people express the desire to be prayed over. They look
out for our presence in their families. While on this mission we do visit
poor families of other religions too in order to have a chat with them and
offer words of comfort.Mentally challenged children are an attraction for
Sr. Regina. She often spends time with them as opportunity provides.
They too look forward to her kind visits.
After Christmas Sr. Regina and the candidates visited this
organization and distributed cakes and pastries in honour of Jesus’
birth. It was indeed a memorable event for all of us. We also had a small
gathering at our place with all our Hindu neighbors after Christmas
which made a big difference in their attitude towards us.
Sr. Marilyn returned from Kerala after an ayurvedic treatment for
her back problems. And on the11th January Sr. Regina left for Sirsia to supervise the construction of a
hall. Sister is privileged to visit the Holy Land along with the parishioners. – Sr. Marilyn Murickal
St.mary’s,biratnagar
The cold months of January and February theme of the Rangoli Competition, “Save the
were busy days in our school. The school fete Environment” was depicted effectively giving
was held in the beginning of January itself and it everyone a strong message about the role of
was indeed a grand success. Each of the classes human beings in destroying the Mother Earth
from I-X had different stalls with various games. due to their selfishness and greed.
Live music and singing were the attractions of The students were given an orientation
the day. The parents grabbed the opportunity to programme on cyber-crime by the police
try their musical talents on the stage along with personnel of the Metropolitian City. Our students
their daughters. For the inaugural function we excelled in the Karate competition and won
had Ms. Meena Joshi, a senior social worker of four gold, two silver and eight bronze medals
Biratnagar, as the guest of the day. and stood on the 3rd position in the overall
Srs Deepa and Marina made their first championship in which 23 schools took part. The
attempt to venture into Assam for Vocation students of Class X had an Educational Tour to
Fostering and Fr. Mathew Das was kind enough Chitwan and Lumbini for two days.
to accommodate and take them to the interior
villages. They have come in contact with some
young girls who aspire to become religious.
An eye checkup camp was organized by
Biratnagar Eye Hospital in the school and they
distributed free spectacles to students who
The Art, Craft and Science Exhibition had troubles in their vision. Those who needed
witnessed the creativity, imagination and further treatment were referred to hospitals and
smartness of our talented students. The were treated free of cost. – Sr. Deepa Olikunnel
Himalayan Echo 6 January-February
Mary Ward, Jhamsikhel
prepared by the co-workers of
St. Mary’s, Kathmandu.
A day was set apart for
recollection and confession
guided by Fr. Sam VC in St.
Mary’s, Kathmandu. We were
strengthened spiritually by
his classes, prayers and the
Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Our students prepared
long and hard to be the choir for
the Final Profession of our Srs
Amrita and Karuna. They gave
an outstanding performance
and all were happy that these
little children could sing the
Catholic hymns so melodiously.
The month of January began with a day of
outing for all of us and our co-workers. We joined the
February was filled with various competitions
team of St. Mary’s, Kathmandu for a lovely picnic to
in the school. Class Two had a spelling contest
a place called Kulekhani. All took the opportunity for
conducted by the students of Class III. The little ones
boat riding. Though it was a long drive, all of them
of UKG spoke a few sentences on the topic “Mother”.
enjoyed it very much, especially the delicious meal
– Sr. Veena Dias
Mary Ward, sirsia
We were blessed to begin our New Year
with the renewal of ourselves through the
Charismatic retreat conducted by Frs. Sam and
Joseph V.C. The hostel girls had a personal
experience of encountering Jesus during the
retreat and they were very much taken up by the
opportunity provided them by Sr. Jessy. As a
follow up of the retreat, they are taken to Dharan
on every first Saturday for the Charismatic
prayer service.
We were happy to have Sr. Martina with us
for a few days. It was indeed a dream come true
for all of us as Sister had not visited this place for
many years. In the absence of Sr. Smitha, we
were blessed with the presence of Sr. Regina
who looked after the needs of the house so well.
She was here previously as sister-in-charge.
Coming back to Sirsia once again gave her a
lot of good memories. She was kept busy as the
construction of the hall is in progress.
Sr. Neelu keeps herself busy in visiting the Sr. Divya renewed her vows in Kathmandu
sick in different villages. She also received an on the day of the feast of Venerable Mother
opportunity to prepare couples for marriage in Mary Ward. Congratulations dear Sr. Divya! We
our parish. The topic, healthy married life, was also rejoice with her for her good result in the BA
the focus of the session. third year examination. – Divya Kalamparambil
Himalayan Echo 7 January-February
St.Mary’s,Kathmandu
January and February feeling brought unstoppable tears several experiments.
were filled with various important when they were in the Mary Ward Farewell Fiesta touched
events of the Region in St. Mary's Auditorium for their very last prayer the principal chord of everyone’s
Kathmandu. The programmes assembly expressing gratitude to heart, for the 9th graders hard work
like Superiors and Principals all the teachers. This assembly and the 10th grader’s excitement
Meeting, Institute Feast Day was conducted on 29th January, finally reflected on the stage with
Celebration, Tertians Farewell, 2019 which reminded them of the the participation of 20 girls in the
Final Profession, Renewal of hour to depart after a decade of “Miss SMS Contest” held on the
Vows, and Pastoral Leadership togetherness. 17th February. Priyam Bhattarai
Training Programme etc. kept all was crowned Miss SMS followed
the sisters quite busy. The house by Sweekriti Kharel and Sanskriti
was filled with various guests who Giri as the 1st and 2nd runners-up,
brought great joy to all of us. Mrs respectively.
Pethra, Sr. Christina IBVM, Frs
The month also magnetized
Suuny SJ, Joseph VC and Sam
the Marians with their much loved
VC were the most distinguished
basketball and volleyball matches.
guests. As we breathe a sigh of
The Blue house stood first in the
relief from the hectic days, we
volleyball match and in the junior
also have tremendous joy that all
basketball match whereas the
events went very peacefully by the
yellow house secured the first
grace of God.
position in the senior basketball
The month of January match. The college beguiled
began with the winter camp in our everyone with its crowning
school campus with around 70 achievement in both the school
students participating. During the versus college basketball and
vacation time, our non-teaching volleyball matches.
staff enjoyed a one-day picnic
Career counseling for
to Kulekhani Dam. It was an
classes 10 and 12 was held on
enjoyable experience for all to see
the 18th of February which was
the place and enjoy the boat ride The little scientists with
organized by ASMAN. The class 10
in the lake. innumerable inventions scattered
girls from Mary Ward, Lubhu also
As the school reopened, the here and there on the 1st
witnessed the programme which
campus became the bee hive of February, heralding the hankering
began after the welcome speech
various activities. The teachers of the budding Marians to soar
of Pratistha Thapa, the president
quickly plunged into preparations higher. The students from classes
of ASMAN. Four guest speakers
for Mary Ward Week amidst the 1 to 12 (except class 10) actively
were invited who unanimously
unit tests. participated in the exhibition. The
focused on the fact that “There
pupils from classes 1 to 5 displayed
The feeling associated with is no shortcut to success” while
their 3DI projects whereas the ones
“a few days of school life” lit the guiding our students to dream big
from classes 6 to 12 had prepared
hearts of each girl in class 10 and work hard.-Sr. Mariette Pinto
various models and conducted
like a horrendous hurricane. This
Himalayan Echo 8 January-February
Prison Ministry
Joy is Portable: SMS Mela’s temperament with the dance of to. Warm gestures, like that of
Fund Brings Happiness to Ms. Seema and Ms. Sonal. The a girl laying her head on Sister
Inmates at Central Jail :- dance not only just made them Jessy’s shoulder as she shared
smile but also had them dance her story, filled the environment.
On the occasion of
along to the beats of ‘Kutu ma Many women shared their stories
Christmas, St. Mary‘s team
Kutu’. The main purpose of the to our teachers. The women were
visited the Central Jail sharing
day was to spend some quality happy to have us around as they
the festival’s joy with the female
time with the women in the prison, shared their stories of endurance
inmates. A one-day programme
play along and conduct some fun and strength.
of games, dance performances,
activities like dancing, singing and The overall aim of the
gift sharing and a good meal was
gift sharing. ministry was to engage the women
our offering. Sr. Jessy led the
team along with the other sisters, The game conducted by there and have them feel the
teachers and two students. The Ms. Bhumija recreated the same joy of love, good food and warm
day was all about celebrating uproar as that of the open floor company. Our efforts were to uplift
Christmas uniquely. For the dance. Everyone, ranging from the spirit of the inmates present
inmates, it meant a break from a 19 year old to a 50 year old, there creating a pathway for them
their usual chores and routines to was so eager and participated in to strengthen and restore their
indulge in merriment, conversation it enthusiastically. The way the faith in love and happiness. The
and, reconciliation with us who women there depicted humility, generosity of Sisters, teachers
have visited them often. gratitude and boundless joy to the and students of St. Mary’s made it
little we offered for them made us all possible. The fund used for the
It was a small world inside
understand that things are not to service was from the SMS Mela.
the prison. The place had around
be taken for granted. Indeed, we learnt that the real and
350 women inmates from different
With this programme, we deeper meaning of Christmas is
age groups. The women stayed
were not only able to feed all the not found under the Christmas
closely, either washing clothes,
women with wholesome food tree but where there is sharing of
chatting or knitting. As we entered,
but also created time for them to hope, peace, joy, and love to all.
we tried to shift the environment’s
converse with us if they wanted
Mary Ward Week-2019
“That Incomparable woman, whom England in her darkest
and most Sanguinary hour, gave to the Church”.
(Pope Pius XII, 1951)
Himalayan Echo 9 January-February
St.Mary’s, Kathmandu and students , showcasing the qualities of Mary Ward
Vivifying the Marian tradition of honouring and the growth of the Congregation in Nepal - stressing
remembering our dearest foundress, Venerable Mary the pioneering spirit of Mary Ward sisters , and the
Ward, this year also, we observed “Mary Ward Week” Charism enshrined in our education ministry, to
from the 23rd to the 30th of January. create girls and women for others in service. It was an
inspiring experience to be present in the Auditorium
On her birthday, the students of class nine
and learn how enthusiastic and deep they delve into
conducted a meaningful and inspiring prayer
the life and legacy of Mary Ward – not as we sisters
assembly entitled “Living the Just Soul". The following
would perceive but as people in the world would see
day was for a documentary- show highlighting the
her as an icon of undaunted courage and persevering
hardships of our dear Mother, which definitely was a
efforts.
stimulant for each one present to see her life enacted
and prove her great words, “Women in time to come
will do much.”
25th January was a fun-filled day, for the FMW
(Friends of Mary Ward) organized a food fest as a
fund raising event. The amount collected Rs. 81,000/-
is given to a poor man to build his house. On the
28th January, various activities like maxim writing,
collage making, and portrait drawing based on the
maxims of Mary Ward etc. were conducted among
the students of grades 1-12. This event enabled the
Another exciting activity of the week was
students to learn the maxims of Mother Mary Ward
the quiz contest for the FMW members. How they
and depict them through their own creative ideas.
engaged themselves to know the details! The best
three groups were awarded the Mary Ward Trophy.
On 29th January the Primary Section held a short
assembly in their own style and language highlighting
the important events in Mary Wards life.
Mary Ward, Lubhu
The student unit of FMW along with Sr. Vinita, their
spiritual guide, teachers and coordinators had a day
of orientation directed by Fr. Augusty SDB. It was
an enriching experience for the students. The week
ended with a solemn Oath-taking ceremony, during
which six teachers and 22 students made a promise
to be Friends of Mary Ward.
St.Mary’s, Pokhara We celebrated Mary Ward Week, in the school
and in the community in a devotional, inspiring and
Mary Ward Week was celebrated very
meaningful way. Every day of the week, a theme
meaningfully; the FMW taking full responsibility of
from the life of Mary Ward was chosen to conduct an
organizing different items for every day of the week.
organized and reflective assembly.
On the 23rd an excellent program by the teachers
Himalayan Echo 10 January-February
Various competitions such as drawing Mary St.Mary’s, Biratnagar
Ward's portrait, writing poems, songs, making Mary Ward Week was celebrated with much
collage and role- plays were organized. Amazingly, love, enthusiasm, creativity and interest in the
all were equally interested and we received a school. On the birthday of Mary Ward, the Friends
positive response from one and all. They put a lot of Mary Ward enacted the life of Mary Ward in the
of effort into whatever they did and the winners were form of a dance drama. During the entire Mary Ward
awarded with attractive prizes. Week the school sang “Hail to you Oh Mother Mary
Mary Ward, Jhamsikhel Ward” during the School Assemblies.
After the winter vacation all the teachers and The Four Houses of the school conducted
students were busy and ethusiastic in preparing the Prayer Assembly for an hour each day through
for the Mary Ward Week. Every class took up the dramatization, songs, recitations, musical drama,
responsibility of conducting various programmes dance drama and poems. The House bulletin
throughout the week. Every day one teacher spoke boards and the classrooms were decorated with
to the students during the assembly about Mother the maxims of Mary Ward and her portraits. On
Mary Ward’ qualities. Thus the children learned Mary Ward Day, that is on 30th Jan, the school had
the qualities of Mary Ward. We were privileged to various competitions such as making of bookmarks,
have Sr.Teresa IBVM on the last day of the special picture frames, drawing, making wall hangers,
assemblies.We concluded the week with recitation flower baskets, bouquets, poems, essays, and quiz
of Nepali poems on Venerable Mary Ward. competition on Mary Ward.
We also had the joint celebration of CJ & IBVM
St.Mary’s, Gorkha in Biratnagar where all the priests and the religious
During the Mary Ward Week, 2019, we had of CRN-Purvanchal were present. Fr. Amritraj
special prayer assemblies to celebrate Mary Ward's Samy was the main celebrant of the day. It was an
life. The prayer assemblies began with the Class Ten occasion for us to make Mary Ward known to them;
students guided by Sr. Neena. In the days following, so, the teachers enacted the life of Mary Ward to the
each class excelled in their talents bringing out the whole congregation. They admired and appreciated
values of Venerable Mother Mary Ward. During the the courageous and daring spirit of Mary Ward as
whole week, we also had different activities such many of them were unaware of the life of Mother
as quiz contest, speech competition, and writing of Mary Ward.
Mary Ward's maxims etc. (compiled by Sr. Vinita)
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