Professions

• The junior sisters of the Provinces of Ranchi and Delhi have their gathering in Dalhousie (Delhi Province) to begin their tertianship, under the guidance of Sr. Moly Augustine Vavukatt, in preparation for their final profession this year. There are fourteen of them: ten juniors from Ranchi and four from Delhi. May they have a very enriching time together!

 

• Our heartfelt congratulations to our four novices from the Delhi Province who made their first vows today: Tamanna Bhatti, Jobita Tirkey, Mary Grace Xaxa and Promila Ekka. We welcome them into the Lord’s vineyard and entrust their religious consecration to the divine protection and to the Virgin Mary, our Mother.

Video of the profession:

Pakistan (sent by Sr Maria Shaukat)

Reception ceremony (hair cutting ceremony)

In June, the heat is on its peak, but during the 3rd week of the month we didn’t feel it so much, as we were anxiously busy in the preparation for the reception and the first profession of our novices Anum Saleem, Anita Nasir, Soha Shaukat and Roma Kanwal.

On the eve of 22nd June 2021, the first symbolic ceremony of cutting of hair took place. Cutting of hair is symbol of sacrificing the female beauty. The novices had set their hair in beautiful decorated hair ornament called “Paranda”. They were then given red veils and led to the chapel, the palace of their King Jesus accompanied by the formation community, singing Ps. 45.

The Provincial team and the sisters of Lahore Community received them joyfully at the entrance of the chapel and together they went in the chapel for the evening program.

The first profession of Sr. Anum, Sr. Anita, Sr. Soha and Sr. Roma (23rd June 2021)

It was a blissful day for our Congregation and especially for the Province of Pakistan when our four novices committed themselves to the Lord. His excellency Rev. Bishop Sebastian Francis Shaw and about twelve priests presided over the Holy Mass. Many sisters of other Congregations and Brothers of Charity also witnessed the ceremony. The Mass started at 5:30 pm. The parents of the four elected novices accompanied their daughters to the altar as an offertory to the Lord. It was a very touching moment. The choir, under the guidance of Sr. Maggie Yaqub, sang beautiful hymns based on the theme " Come, Follow Me ". Rev. Bishop shared an inspirational, supportive and encouraging homily to help us to continue following Christ by bearing witness to the Gospel values.

All the sisters of our Congregation joyfully accepted the newly professed Sisters by garlanding them, according to our culture. When the Holy Mass ended, a newly professed, Sr. Anum Saleem, on behalf of her companions, Sisters Anita, Soha and Roma, presented a vote of thanks and invited everyone present to enjoy the delicious dinner in the convent garden.

After the celebration, the newly professed Sisters went home with their families for two weeks.

Sr. Soha, Sr. Anum, Sr. Roma and Sr. Anita

International Community

The long wait for the arrival of members from Africa for the formation of the International Community was partially fulfilled this week with the arrival of Sr. Charitine Impuhwe from the Vice-Province of Rwanda on 15th July. The Generalate Community has given her a warm welcome. Now we are looking forward to welcoming the fourth member in the coming days.

Floods

• Belgium has been hit by deadly floods in Wallonia, Limburg and other places following record rainfall during the last days. At least thirty-one persons died and many people are still missing. Some areas are more affected, especially the provinces of Liège, Namur and Luxembourg. A large part of Wallonia is now on alert. We entrust all these victims to the Lord.

• This situation is not unique to Belgium. Our neighbouring countries are also in the same situation, especially Germany. In Asia, the monsoon rains are taking their toll on India and Sri Lanka.

Coronavirus crisis

The virus does not seem to be in any hurry to leave us! The number of infections is said to be on the rise here in Belgium as well as in other countries where the SCJM are present; especially Vietnam, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, India...