“3rd December 2015  is marked in the history of St. Raphaela Mary Convent, Vypin. On that day we were blessed both with the presence of Srs. Inmaculada, Concesa and Margret and the most important event of placing the foundation stones for a spacious chapel which was the dream of the community for a long time. At 4pm the parish priest Fr. George Kalathiparambil blessed the foundation stones of the chapel and Srs. Inmaculada, Concesa, Margret and Lizzie laid the first stones.

All the Aci family members and vocation girls were present to witness and to pray along with us during this auspicious occasion. We are grateful to the Lord and to the Congregation for all the good that would be brought about through the presence of the Lord in this chapel.

Srs. Inmaculada and Concesa along with Sr. Margret also found the time to meet the community, Aci family, the vocation girls and to visit our misión – Play school , the social centre and the Fisher folks who live in the costal area. The very next day -which was a Friday -we all went for the morning mass (a special mass and novena dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our parish ). The sisters were really impressed seeing many people flocking towards Jesus  with such ardent love and piety.  We thank the Lord for the opportunity which we have got to unite ourselves to this universal body of the Institute.”

Sr.Tincy renewed her vows Juridically on the 8th December, 2015 during the Eucharistic celebration at Dilkhush Convent, Juhu.  Fr.Jerome S.J. celebrated the Eucharist. Let us listen to the story of her consecration.

“I am set apart for God….”

When I think of my consecrated life, the first image come to my mind is that of the day of my first profession; where I could see that I was entering from the main entrance of the church to the altar. Deep within me the words were repeating like a mantra that I am for God. As I reached the altar and I offered myself to God while looking at the crucifix, which gave me inner strength to say,” YES”. Yes I am ready to do your will.
 
The conviction and experience that I belong to God gives me an inner strength, joy and happiness in all that I live and work. As I am set apart for God by offering my life as a consecrated person, I feel deep within me that I am called to live my life for God and for his people.That word of Yes freed me from and for God. As the days, months, year’s passes, My Yes gives me the conviction and motivation to face all that comes to my life. I could see the changes in my life, in my way of dealing and sharing with others and in all that I do.

I always experience God’s providence in my life. He has shown His love and support through many people. He helped me to complete all my tasks with peace and joy. I also enjoyed His presence in my struggles and in my strengths where I could feel that He is holding my hand which would give me confidence to face tomorrow and to live my present and to persevere in my consecration to Him.

My consecrated life welcomes me to the great church as His beloved. It is not only God who welcomes me, but also others as God’s chosen one. As I am set apart for God it has given me an opportunity to make the whole creation my home where I am welcomed, loved, cared and wanted as God’s favorite child. This deep experience also gives me the awareness of the demand of this being “set apart”- to be broken and shared just like the Eucharist which we celebrate every day – yes my call to be a paschal mystery!

Thank you Lord, for calling me to be the Handmaid of your heart and thank you St.Raphaela Mary for being  my inspiration.  Sr.Rosy Tincy.aci    

Sr.Inmaculada and Sr.Concessa visited the school, workshop and Creche on the 27th November at 9.30. The Consul General of Japan in Mumbai Mr.Yoshiaki Ito was also invited on the same occasion. The children in the school and the Creche put up some cultural programme and they had their refreshments in the workshop.    

The sisters from Roha, Pune Odisha and Mumbai had meeting with Sr.Inmaculada and Sr.concessa.

On 28th Evening we had a special adoration at Dilkhush community to welcome advent and to say “Thank You” to Sr.Inmaculada.

On 29th morning they left to Mangalore to visit the site of the Novitiate at Paldane. They had meeting with the parish priest, Bishop  and the Architect.

 “Parents are the Best Therapists!” This was one of the beautiful messages that came through very strongly at the evaluation of the course at Dilkhush Teachers’ Training Centre. The Certificate course, began with a total of 11 participants, predominantly parents of children with special needs and a few who were inclined in learning and helping persons with disabilities. The duration of the course was 12 Saturdays i.e. 36 hours of instruction, with lectures from renowned specialists in the field of the special education. Some of the topics covered were understanding the concept of disability, its physiological aspects as well current trends like Inclusive education. Other related topics covered were early intervention, and therapeutic intervention, teaching methodology for children with intellectual disability, learning disability and autism, behaviour modification techniques and basic counselling skills. There were also special workshops on art based therapy and interplay to help introduce the participants to various forms of intervention for persons with special needs, and to provide a healthy platform for self-expression, relaxation and understanding oneself on a deeper, spiritual level.  The participants attended every session with enthusiasm and the will to learn and understand various aspects pertaining to persons with special needs. This spirit of curiosity and passion helped enrich each session allowing speakers to happily disclose additional information on the topic based on the needs of the participants. The final session that involved the Evaluation of the course where participants were asked to choose a topic of their interest and make a presentation before the class.

The presentations made were truly unique and insightful. Each participant stood in front of the class and made presentations like they were the experts on the topics that they selected. The stories of their lives in connection to the theoretical aspects of the subject chosen,were told with emotion, truth and simplicity, which left everyone in the room teary-eyed to see their struggle but proud and inspired to see the strength and resilience that shown through their lives and their families. 

All the participants were grateful to the  team of faculty for initiating the course and requested that more courses like these are started to reach out and sensitize people.It was a proud moment for all the staff at Dilkhush Teachers’ Training Centre as the certificates of completion were distributed to all the participants, who accepted it with a sense of achievement, honour and happiness.

Grandparents’ day was celebrated at Dilkhush Special school on the 9th October 2015. Even though very few grandparents attended the program; it was a very heart warming experience for all of us at Dilkhush. The grandparents went to the respective classes of their grand children. They were welcomed with a rose and a greeting card, which expressed the love and gratitude of the children. Some classes organized music and dance and the children explained to them what they do in the class. The grandparents visited the other classes along with their grandchildren. After that they were gathered in the hall and watched a video of the different activities of the school. Then tea and snacks were served. A small memento also was presented to each one.

Overall it was a great experience and the grandparents were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Most of them expressed their happiness for inviting them to the school and spending some precious time with their grandchildren in the school.