Faithful Remember Sr Bartholomea on her Centenary Birthday in Jeppu
Mangaluru: Added to many celebrations held at various places during the past few days to commemorate the birth centenary of Sr Bartholomea, yet another celebration was held at the Spandana Trust/Social Welfare Unit-Jeppu in the premises of Infant Mary’s Convent on 14 July 2017 at 10 am. the programme began with a prayer invoking God’s blessings by the volunteers of the Social Welfare Unit. Sr Evangelina, aged 72 -the Administrator at the Spandana Trust welcomed the Trust, and also gave a brief story of her association with Sr Bartholomea, having worked with her while at the Infant Mary’s Convent.
The dignitaries on the dais namely- chief guest Fr Valerian D’souza- Retired priest, residing at the Priest Retire Home-Jeppu, along with Sr Sylvia Fernandes- Superior, Infant Mary’s Convent; Sr Helen Fernandes- Designated Administrator, Spandana Trust; Sr Tulia Pais- resident at Infant Mary’s Convent; and Sr Evangelina lighted the lamp in front og=f the portrait of Sr Bartholomea; and also garland and showered flower petals at the portrait. In her speech Sr. Evangeline stressed the need to give. She said, “Sr. Bartholomea taught us to give others who are more needy than us. I have worked with Sr. Bartholomea, and seen the sacrifice she has done for the needy. She has done a lot to the poor and because of her efforts people are living happy life. She said when we receive something, we should learn to give”
Addressing the gathering Fr Valerian D’souza said, ” We cans say that God only sent Sr Bartholomea to serve the people of this community. She was just like Mother Theresa to poor and destitute in and around Mangaluru. She was responsible in building nearly 1000 houses for the poor, which no religious sister has done single handed. She even served in Mynmar (Burma) and later cane back to Mangaluru to take care of the needy here. I have been associated with Sr Bartholomea in some of her projects while she was at Jeppu. She had always followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ by caring and serving the poor. And she never looked for any honors or felicitations for the works she did. She was a simple, God fearing nun doing her community service to please her saviour. Even though her health was deteriorating she still managed to help the less fortunate. We should also commend the yeomen service done to the community by the Sisters of Charity”.
Sr Sylvia Fernandes addressing the audience said, ” We need to follow in the footsteps of Sr Bartholomea, and make her as our role model. Working with her for few years, I have witnessed her love and care for the needy. And while appreciating what she had done for the community, we need to thank her. As a religious and God fearing nun, she achieved her dreams by transforming her religious beliefs into social work, succeeding in building nearly 1000 homes for the poor. But she did nor sought any limelight or social acknowledgement for her works- she always worked behind the scenes. Her legacy of sacrifice and work towards the poor should be appreciated by all of us in a big manner- and therefore celebrating her birth centenary will be a befitting tribute to this great soul who has done so much for the needy and destitute.”
An audio video on the life of Sr Bartholomea, was shown to the audience which was presented by Sr Dorothy and her team. Social worker Ms Teertha proposed the vote of thanks, while the programme was compered by Victor Vas- coordinator at Spandana Trust. The formal function ended with a dance and a skit portraying the life of Sr Bartholomea enacted by the women social workers of the Trust.
Birth Centenary of Late Sr. Bartholomea Lewis Celebrated at Navajyothinagar
Mangaluru: Birth Centenary of Sr Bartholomea was celebrated with a befitting program by Navajyothinagar residents Merlapadavu at Navajoyothinagar Community Hall Merlapadavu recently.
Sr Sylvia Fernandez the chief of Infant Mary Convent, Jeppu, presided over the programme. Rev. Fr. Anil D’Mello, Parish priest of St. Josephs Church, was the chief guest. The Programme is inaugurated by Rev. Sr. Sylvia Fernandes by pouring water to a plant, which will be planted in the Navajyohtinagar Community Hall Campus in loving memory of Sr. Bartholomea. Ms. Sharal D’Souza briefed the life history of Sr. Bartholomea Lewis. The Guests on the dais unveiled the portrait of Sr. Bartholomea and showered flowers.
In his speech, Fr. Anil said, “Sr. Bartholomea was the greate personality. She lived and worked for the poor people. She built Navajyothinagar. Now because of her selfless service, residents of Navajyothinagar have progressed in their life. We should take her example and walk on her path. It is the path shown by our Lord Jesus Christ. Sr. Bartholomea lit the lamp of hope in thousands of houses. She is very much alive in our hearts even now. As we are self-sufficient now, we should strengthen our faith and should become good example for others”.
In her presidential speech Sr Sylvia Fernandes said, “I had worked with Sr Bartholomea. I experienced her love and sacrifice. With the utmost faith in God, she spread His message through her service. She built houses for the poor. She extended financial help to youths for their higher education. She built community halls. Inspired by her service, many joined in and helped her. She is a role model for selfless service. I am thankful to the centenary committee for remembering her.”
In this occasion Sr Evangelene Menezes administrator, Spandana Trust has been felicitated for her selfless services to Spandana Trust and for Navajyothinagar by Rev. Fr. Anil D’Mello, Parish Priest of St. Joseph Church Neermarga.
In her speech Sr. Evangeline stressed the need to give. She said, “Sr. Bartholomea taught us to give others who are more needy than us. I have worked with Sr. Bartholomea, and seen the sacrifice she has done for the needy. Navajyothinagar was very backward village years back but now because of her efforts people are living happy life. She said when we receive something, we should learn to give”
Mrs. Marilina from Italy, Sr. Helen Fernandes, Designate Administrator of Spandana Trust, Mr. Victor Vas, coordinator Spandana Trust and Mr. Prakash Pereira Vice president of St. Joseph Church Neermarga were present as the Chief Guests. Prem Flores President of Nagarika Hita Samiti Navajyothinagar welcomed the guests. Mrs. Gracia Saldanha proposed vote of thanks. Mr. Wilfred Lobo compered the programme. There was a cultural programme at the end of the programme by Navajyothinagar Youth.
100th birth anniversary of Sr Bartholomea was celebrated at Saripalla Community Centre:
The 100th birth anniversary of Sr Bartholomea was celebrated by the Sisters of Charity at Saripalla Community Centre of AB Nagar recently. Sr Sylvia Fernandez -Superior at Infant Mary Convent, Jeppu, presided over the programme. Fr Victor Machado, parish priest of Holy Cross Church-Cordel/Kulshekar, was the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering Fr Victor Machado said, “Sr Bartholomea used the language of service to communicate to society. She built the village which is called Saripalla. She stood with poor people and youth in their difficult times. She was the walking God. Nobody returned with empty hands when they met her. With sincere service she became role model for all religious and ordinary people. She used to supervise all the works in each and every locality constantly and giving guidance to the projects to ensure they materialized smoothly. Without caring for hunger, thirst or fatigue, Sr Bartholomeo saw the God in the service of the poor. Because of her continuous efforts today more than 1,000 families are living in their own houses happily. Today on the occasion of her centenary birthday we should remember her service and good things she did for the community and society. We should all follow in her footsteps.”
Sr Sylvia Fernandes said, “I had worked with Sr Bartholomea. I experienced her love and sacrifice. With the utmost faith in God, she spread His message through her service. She built houses for the poor. She extended financial help to youths for their higher education. She built community halls. Inspired by her service, many joined in and helped her. She is a role model for selfless service. I am thankful to the centenary committee for remembering her.”
Irene D’ Cunha briefed the life history of Sr Bartholomea. Sr Evangeline Menezes administrator, Spandana Trust and Victor Vas, coordinator Spandana Trust were present as guests of honour. Louis Rosario, president of centenary celebration committee and Mahesh Chowta welcomed the guests. Sunil Jayaram rendered the vote of thanks. Gangadhar compered the programme.
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