Its Adieu sis

 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Henceforth 

there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness”.

The words of St Paul can well be applied to the life and the person of our beloved Sr. Arul Lilly Grace who was called to heavenly abode on the 13th January 2024, at the prime age of 45 out of which 22 years are lived as Carmelite Missionary in the Province of St Francis Xavier, India. 

Sr. Arul Lilly Grace Antony Samy was born on 15thApril 1978 at Sethidal, Tamil Nadu, India to Antony Samy Santhapan and Mangala Jaya Rani. She is the eldest of three siblings, a brother and a sister. She entered the Postulancy on the 29th June 1998 in Ahmedabad and Novitiate on the 21st May 1999, made temporary vows on the 6th May 2001 in Pune, and final vows on 25th May 2010 at Prithi Kunj, Mumbai. She served in Dediapada and rendered her service as a Bursar. At the time of her death she was a local superior in Bangalore. By profession she was a Dentist and she held Diploma in religious sciences.

Sr. Lilly Grace loved her vocation and lived it faithfully with much love and dedicated service. She was very diligent in carrying out her responsibilities. She never compromised her values and always stood for truth and was willing to pay the consequences. Straight forward by nature, because of which she was not always liked by others. She was genuine in her commitment and relationships. She cared for others with utmost sincerity and without counting the cost. She had the ability to endure hardships with faith and courage and a silent sufferer. Sympathetic in her dealings, she had special love for the least and the lost, ready and willing for any kind of service in spite of ill health. Lilly was a passionate missionary.

She was diagnosed with Scleroderma an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and fibrosis in the skin and other areas of the body. When she was diagnosed of her infirmity she accepted it with great faith and courage and took utmost importance in taking care of herself without neglecting her duties. When her family came to know about the disease they requested her to return home, which she politely refused and never compromised her YES to the Lord.

 

With great confidence and power in the Mighty Healer Jesus Christ, she continued her life as a Carmelite Missionary. “Who can separate us from the love of Christ?” She did not look back though she knew what could be the end of this illness. 

Since December she had been suffering with fever and chest congestion, cold and cough but continued with her usual medication without going for further investigation. When the situation worsened, she was admitted to Ambika Nursing Home on the 22nd of December 2023 and was shifted to the ICU at St. John’s Medical Institute on the 23rd December. She showed certain improvement as doctors treated and there were hopes of recovery. However, her health started declining and was in and out of ICU for 3 weeks, eventually her health deteriorated rapidly and breathed her last on the 13th January 2024, where all her pains and sufferings came to an end.

The grain of wheat has fallen into the ground yielding fruit in abundance. Thank you dear Sr. Lilly, for being an instrument in the hand of the Lord in making Him known near and far by your life of love and compassion, commitment and surrender. Yes, Arul Lilly Grace with the strength and grace of the Lord has run the race, fought the good fight and now enjoys His presence wearing the crown of glory in the Lord. Though you are not physically with us, your love for all especially the sick and ailing, the poor and the downtrodden will be cherished for the days to come. Thank you dear sister for your gift of life, vocation and your exemplary life. 

The last rite of Sr. Arul Lilly Grace was held on the 14th January 2024, in Christa Parbhalaya Church, Jayanagar, Bangalore, presided over by Rev. Fr. Peter Mascarenhas, SMM, the Provincial Superior of Montfort fathers, in the presence of her parents, relatives, priests, nuns, people and sisters from various communities. Sr. Philomena Menezes, the Provincial Superior expressed her gratitude to all those who were present and served her during her illness. Her mortals were laid in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Brigade road, Bangalore.

Yours O Lord Forever

 https://youtube.com/watch?v=bBW4pmhwgAs&si=gis4oNxHADk5BzDj

Final yes to God

 

Service to man is service to God

 

God loves a Cheerful giver

On 13th and 14th November the Archdiocese of Ranchi had organised the Krusver Rally for all the catechism children for different parishes. We encouraged our parish children to take part in it enthusiastically and increase their love for Jesus. 

“No one has ever become poor by giving others.” 

                   - Ann Frank. 

The science club of our School under the guidance  of our school principal Sr. Manisha had conducted various activities in the neighbouring government schools to help and teach them the basics of life. All the members of science club teachers along with students and sisters went to conduct activities for the poor children in the government schools. 

VISIT TO ASHA NGO 

“Not for ourselves alone are we born.” 

                                           - Marcus Cicero. 

Sr. Manisha the Principal had taken initiative to help  the poor and needy children of the society. Therefore on 10th November the school Social club had organised the visit to ASHA NGO which works for the upliftment of the orphan children and women.  32 students from our school, sisters and teachers went to visit the NGO. It was a wonderful experience to see the activities of the NGO who is working for the children and women.  We expressed our love for them through  a small programme along with a good contribution from our school donated by our students in the form of money, clothes and snacks.  Through these ways and means we are trying to sensitize and saw the seeds of charity to the humanity in the minds and hearts of our children. 

National Convention of CMS

 

Fr. Founders day

The most special day in the life of our congregation is the feast of our Fr. Francisco Palau y Quer. 

The day was celebrated with Holy Eucharistic service. An introduction was given briefing the life, struggle and perseverant passion of Fr. Founder Blessed  Francisco Palau Y Quer. Rev. Fr. Manoj Sabastian the superior of the St. Teresa's monastery was the main Celebrant.  2 others  OCD fathers concelebrated. Fr. Dominic Dung in the homely highlighted that as our founder we too should be firm in our vocation inspite of all the challenges and difficulty. One should be convinced of his/ her calling. 

A  special dinner was served  for all the parishioners who participated in this celebration. The day passed living vividly in the spirit of our father.  We were reminded of our charism and also of our belongings to the family of Carmel during the days of novena in preparation for the feast. It was heightened on 6 Nov on the day of commemoration of our martyr sisters. The celebration of the feast was the climax, thus inviting us to live our life with full satisfaction and love for our congregation.

Avila Nivas

Siana, Punjab 

Grateful to Gods faithfulness

 Triple celebrations OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

We the Community of St.John of the Cross, Dhandhuka, had Triple celebrations on 5^th November. The feast of 4 CM Martyrs, Feast of our Founder Bl. Francisco Palau and the Silver Jubilee of Sr.Bincy Jose,  of her religious commitment.

His Excellency Bishop Rethna Swami, the bishop of Ahmedabad, along with other 21 priests, presided the Solemn Eucharistic celebration.

The presence of Sr.Philomenea Menezes, our Provincial, and councilors and  so many Carmelite Missionary sisters and religious sisters of other congregations were present.  Specially the family members, and many relatives of Sr.Bincy  Jose, made  the occasion indeed a blissful and magnificent one. She received Papal blessing during the Holy Eucharistic celebration. It was indeed celebrating the faithfulness of God. 

Sr. Bincy Jose and Community

Dhanduka