Province Gratitude Day 2022-23

19 February – The day began with a beautiful, meaningful, creative celebration of a Prayer Service by Vaduvanchal Community at the end of which everybody pledged to live Vocational Fruitfulness by the strict observance of the Holy Rules, avoiding negative criticisms, jealousy, gossip, and above all living fraternal charity in all its details. A copy of this was handed by the Vice Provincial to Sr. Lucy Rose the Provincial. She expressed her satisfaction in receiving such a ‘best gift’ on this day.

During the Prayer the Animators carried the names of their Houses were carried in procession while a commentary was read and placed in the places allotted for it. The Councillors and Mother Provincial carried beautiful roses and placed them at the feet of Our Lady. Starting from the 1st Provincial of INK Province each one was remembered and prayed that the Lord may bless each one copiously.

At Breakfast we greeted M. Provincial and each other. The solemn Eucharist began at 11am as the Animators carried a placard with the name of their House and placed it in the sanctuary where the places were allotted. The 3 three themes practiced for a month in preparation for provincial Community Day – Vocational fruitfulness, Missionary Synodality and Integral Ecology were offered symbolically while a commentary was read. Councillors and M. Provincial carried lighted candle followed by the celebrant Fr. Shalbin Kalanchery SDB, the Vice Provincial INK Bangalore. Fr. Shalbin in his homily began referring to the Gospel of the day the main theme being love your enemies. He then commented particularly on the theme – synodality illustrating how Jesus practiced the same with his disciples. Jesus asks us to go higher than what the scripture says and suggested 3 things: Good action, Bless and Pray. Jesus showed it in action- healed the ear of the soldier Peter cut off, go beyond our emotional level, take decision, and make the choice. It may seem irrational but that is to go beyond, beyond the logic of the world – super natural. Joseph of old instead of retaliation blessed his father and brothers. He brought home the message illustrating the story of the porcupines how they survived the bitter cold enduring the poking of each other and stayed together. So he concluded by saying stick together in the midst of challenges. The only solution is to stand together. During the Prayers of the Faithful we thanked the Lord for the many graces and blessings He has showered on us and implored his continuous blessings for the Province. After the Mass, amidst singing a cake was cut and as it was the birthday of Fr. Shalbin, greeted him with a birthday song in the Verandah in front of the S. Heart after which a sumptuous Lunch in typical Karnataka style was served on banana leaves with a variety of items. Most of the Sisters left by evening and the rest will leave tomorrow morning. Praise be to the Lord for his bountiful blessings on us.  M. Provincial gave us Goodnight soon after Supper in the Refectory itself. Once again, she thanked everyone for making the day a fruitful one. She expressed her thanks to Sr. Monica and especially those who got up early to prepare the Breakfast and other jobs. She shared some news of the province. As for Goodnight she referred to the gospel of tomorrow where Jesus casts out deaf and dumb demon from a boy which the disciples could not. As Jesus told the disciples, Mother Provincial exhorted us to nourish our spiritual life with prayer. With a grateful heart all retired to bed.