I would say that living of consecration is just like a tiny star giving the powerful light to the darken world. In the context of Timor, I feel the symbol of star is very significant. Bazartete, the mountain area, the place where I live, there are neither big buildings nor any illumination. Therefore even a tiny star radiates its powerful light for us in the night. Very many times, this tiny star shows the way back home while I walk around.

My life as a consecrated woman is also just like a tiny star…… radiating the tender love, joy, peace and mercy or Christ to the simple people around me; especially the broken people. And I strongly believe that, the profound experience of God gives me the courage to challenge my life each moment even to the unknown.

There are many experiences, but I would like to share one of the experiences while I was in Pune just before I came to Timor. While I was transferred to Pune, I got a job in ENNS (Mrs. Erin Nagarvala School) as a remedial teacher to deal with the LD (Learning Disabled) children. It was a very old non catholic school with day scholars and the residents, run by Parsees. I was placed in a residential school. Soon after my interview, I was asked to be in charge of one class with sixteen LD children. Since I didn’t have any idea about their academic level, I requested to observe the class for one month in order to build the relationship with them and also to get their level. And my Principal was agreed to my request, and I began my observation. But I was shocked to see the injustice was going on in the class. The lady who was in charge of that class was not a teacher, but the clerk who had done some short term course on LD. But in reality, she had no idea about the LD at all. Therefore she used to torture the children physically, mentally and psychologically; especially the girls were her target. She couldn’t stand the girls, even one of the girls called Anjali was the victim of taking all her anger. With the result, the child lost all her self confidence and was not been able to say one word. With the fear, she used to stammer and when the lady hears her stammering, all the more she used to get angry. Together with the children, I suffered a lot in the class feeling total helpless. Soon a moment came that I couldn’t bear any more. After the prayer and reflection, I decided to speak to the Principal and tell her everything what was happening in the class. When I spoke to her, she asked me to write an evaluation in detail. Soon after that the Principal appointed me as a class teacher of that class. Even though I had to bear the consequences from that lady, I was very happy to see the tremendous change in the behaviors and in the academic are of the children. They began to believe in themselves and thus began to perform well in all areas. Even Anjali could speak without stammering. The Principal and all the teachers were surprised to see the noticeable change, and that gave me credibility as a Religious Sister. Even in a non Catholic school, the management respected me more than any other teachers who were working for so many years and always consulted me in any of their official matters. This was possible only because of my Handmaid vocation. Even today, some of the children from that group often write to me. Recently Anjali had written to me saying that “What I am today is because of Sister”. It is not that I have done something, but it is the Christ who lives in me. I really thank God for the gift of my Handmaid vocation.

Our vocation to be a Handmaid is a free gift of God. It is not because of our greatness we have obtained this gift. But it is God’s mercy which made us worthy to be a Handmaid of His heart. Therefore we have to take care and nurture our vocation with an attitude of gratitude to the giver. Every moment of our life is important, and there is not even a single minute to waste. The broken world needs us….. Listen to the cry…. So live our vocation more meaningfully for the service of others radiating the tender love, joy, peace and mercy of Christ. “So that the world may know that you are my disciple”. Keep your eyes fix on the eyes of the Lord….. And never get tired of sharing…….

Happy Birthday Sr.Julie ( 25th May)

When I reflect on vocation story as a Handmaid, I feel great joy with the experience of being enveloped by Jesus in the Eucharist with his unconditional love for me. This was visibly experienced in my first communion and confirmation.

I remember that in my teenage hood, during the family rosary, I could not utter words, as I use to get lost in gazing the picture of Sacred heart which was placed at the center of our prayer room. I used to feel that I am embraced by His look and it was there He captured me to be His own. I was also very much touched with my mother’s large heartedness towards the poor by helping the needy and homeless and seeing them as one of us.

As the search was growing in me some of the Handmaids visited my home. Their overnight presence confirmed my vocation as a Handmaid. There was an incident which confirmed it ‘i.e.’ during the supper, the electricity went off and I appeared in the midst of the sisters with a candle light and I could hear the sisters altogether telling in one voice: “Here comes the light of the world” – I was very much touched by their joy, simplicity and their being with us as one among us. This helped my connectedness with the handmaids to grow deeper and went for a “come and see program” very often. There too I was very much attracted by the Eucharistic life and community life.  In short, “I went, saw and was captured by the Lord”.

My family was not convinced about me being a handmaid and send me to a local congregation for a month’s experience where I could not even stay for a week as I was already decided and convinced my call as a Handmaid.

During these past experiences of my life I am most touched by the life in Roha, where I see it as my first home, where I was called to commit myself to the poorest of the poor and marginalized; where I experienced and lived my vision and mission to the full. “I have come that they may have life to the full.   (Sr.Kochuthresia Konath.aci)

Happy Birthday Sr.Kochu ( 5th May)

    On the 14^th of April it was a great day in the history of the Region of India.  A long awaited dream of having a house in Mangaluru, of the state of Karnataka came true. After putting many heads and hands together with the support of the congregation and by the Grace of God the new novitiate house was erected and was inaugurated. 14^th April is a significant day for us as handmaids as it was the foundation day…. We have been praying to the Lord through the intercession of Mother Pillar and we felt that all things went on well through her intercession. The house was blessed and Inaugurated on the 14^th of April 2016 by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’souza, the bishop of Mangaluru. Sr. Margaret our Regional Superior cut the ribbon and the doors of the house were opened, the house was filled with Handmaids, other religious, priest and all the friends and well-wishers. Along with the Bishop there were four other priest to celebrate the Eucharistic celebration. The mass was in local language that is Konkani apart from that Bishop also spoke few things in English. According the rubrics and ritual the house, alter, crucifix, tabernacle was blesses.

 A short program was conducted to felicitate the dignitaries. On behalf of the Handmaids Sr. Monti Rodrigues welcomed the people and introduced the Handmaids life and mission.

  Important personalities like our Bishop, the parish priest Fr. Gregory Vas, Sr. Margaret, the builder Mr. Roy Castilino, the architect Mr. Christopher Norona, Mr. Ronny Montero who showed us the land and was dealt with the land papers and who was a constant support all through were felicitated A memento from the congregation was given to the builder and the architect.

Bishop spoke a few words and in his speech he expressed his joy of having another congregation in his diocese and inaugurating a novitiate house for the first time in his twenty years as a Bishop. He spoke lot of words of encouragement and support as well as asked the sister to pray for his intentions and for the intentions of the diocese. Sr. Margaret gave the vote of thanks which was specific and deep expressing her gratitude to all who have been part and parcel in building this Novitiate house. The house was named as St. Raphaela Mary’s Novitiate house. As a sign of gratitude and togetherness to we had the fellowship meal.

On the 18^th of May we celebrated the feast of St.Raphaela Mary. On that day in the morning we had together adoration conducted by Sr. Suvarna and during that adoration the four postulants, Margaret, Stella, Ayana and Ashana started their novitiate. The theme was “Draw me into your friendship” with a symbol of the different stages of butterfly where novitiate is stresses as a time of silence, prayer and reflection. They had chosen different symbols which represent their life in the novitiate. At the end of the prayer Sr. Margaret gave them the chain with the embalm.

In the evening we had the first profession our novices Aruna and Rima. They chose the theme “You are precious to me”. The Eucharistic celebration was at 5.30pm. The main celebrant was Fr. Gregory Vas our parish priest and Fr.Botham OFM Rima’s cousin con celebrated the mass and preached the sermon.

 It was nice and cordial celebration; both the family members and parents of Srs. Aruna and Rima were present. The liturgy was a mixture of three languages, Hindi, English and Marati. The presence of many Handmaids added flavor to the celebration. A few close friends too were invited.

When Srs. Aruna and Rima professed their vows and gave vote of thanks both of the family members and parents were very emotional, in fact it was a touching ceremony and for those of who had attended for the first time especially our close friends and neighbors appreciated by saying it was very inspiring and worth attending. After the mass we had a prayer dance y our Novice Ashna and the newly professed cut the cake and all of us wished them. Cake and drinks were served and after that we had a fellowship meal.

  “Children are a blessing from God and with these blessings also come responsibilities, as stewards of God’s children; parents are responsible for helping children grow physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. However the Church has a responsibility toward children, too. They want to provide an environment in which children feel safe, are taught at an age-appropriate level, and are encouraged to develop their skills. Dilkush School is one such school that the Orients (First year seminarians were sent to for their ministry) this school is run by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, fondly known as the Dilkush Sisters.

Our experience of service at this school has been tremendously helpful in shaping our vocation. We experienced that the Sisters along with the teaching and non teaching staff minister to the needs of the special children. The need for these schools is evident through which many young special children can reach adulthood and become more independent in small things and do their daily chores. After my ministry here I can proudly say that if these kids have hope and a healthy future, the credit goes entirely to the Dilkush Sisters and the staff who are all well trained.  There is active planning and the kids here have a great opportunity to learn through activities and music and the ambience is very comfortable and homely. The children here feel so loved that it makes it easier for them to speak, the confidence allows them to be more expressive and conversational and it also enhances their ability to listen and make new friends.

The school has a well-planned and structured workshop where the school places its greatest emphasis on leading children to become self independent and earn a living. This is accomplished by them being trained in wood work etc.

In short I loved my ministry here at Dilkush because of the following:-

• The friendly staff.
• The staff is eager to help parents and outsiders to appreciate their children instead of their disability or reduced mobility.
• The staff is interested in humanity and over all behavior of the children .
• The Sisters are always willing to upgrade the skills of the staff about child development and to be sure the staff is relating to the children in an age-appropriate manner.
• They have very well organized programs and activities.
• Aware of safety concerns and security of the Kids

Br. Troy Monteiro, St.Pius Seminary, Goregaon.

“God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones (cf. Ez 37:1-14). … Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish” –  Pope Francis.

The Chruch Celebrated the feast of the Divine Mercy on the 3rd April, 2016. It was very joyful day for us Handmaids  as Sr.Dorethy Dabre made her perpetual profession. We, the Handmaids of the Region of India joined in her joy and committment at the Eucharistic  celebration which took place in her own Parish – Holy Family Church, Bhuigaon of Vasai Diocese.  She chose the theme, ” Here I am Lord”  which resonated well with the words of Mary, the first Handmaid  by making herself totally available to the Will of God.  

Fr.Robert Dsouza, the director of pastoral  centre of Vasai Diocese was the main celebrant and there were 7 other priests concelebrated the Eucharist. There were many parishners,  aci family members and her friends to witness her Yes!

After the Eucharistic celebration, there was a small felicitation and  cutting of the cake followed by fellowship meal.

Let us all be united with Sr.Dorethy Dabre in thanking and praising God for all the wonders God has done for her and pray that the Almighty may shower His abundant blessings upon her to become a great missionary of mercy.