Udupi/M’Belle: Loreto Convent of Bethany Sisters celebrates Golden Jubilee

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

 

Udupi/M’Belle, 31 Jan 2015: The Loreto Convent of the Bethany Sisters celebrated Golden Jubilee on Saturday, 31 January 2015 by offering solemn thanksgiving mass at 4 pm concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Roshan Menezes(OFM Cap)-Episcopal Vicar for Religious of Udupi Diocese as the chief celebrant along with Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza, former Parish Priest of Belle, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, present Parish Priest and other priests from the parish and Assisi Nilaya.

 

Following the end of the mass, a brief felicitation programme was held in the church. Rev. Fr. Roshan Menezes (OFM Cap), Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Rev. Sr. Mariette-Provincial Superiro, Mangalore, Rev. Sr. Asumpta-Councillor, Rev. Sr. Irene Viegas-Superior of Loreto Convent Moodubelle and Alphonse K. Alva-Vice President of the Parish pastoral Council were on teh dais.

 

Present Community of the Loreto Convent

Rev. Sr. Fabiola from Shirva-Founder Member of the Loreto Convent in 1964

Former Superiors of Loreto Convent

Rev. Sr. Elnora

Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes

 

Following the welcome address by Rev.  Sr. Irene Viegas, the founding member(Pioneer) of the Loreto Convent-Rev. Sr. Fabiola was honoured by the dignitaries on the dais.

 

The former superiors of the Loreto Convent and the present superior, Sr. Irene Viegas were also felicitated during the programme.

 

Rev. Sr. Elnora, who has completed fifty years of religious life was honoured by the dignitaries on the dais.

 

Rev. Sr. Mariette felicitated the former and present Parish Priests-Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes by offering them shawl, bouquet and fruit tray.

 

In his message, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes on behalf of himself, the assistant priests and the parishioners conveyed his greetings to Bethany sisters on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Loreto Convent.

 

Rev. Sr. Asumpta thanked the former and present Parish Priests and all the parishioners for supporting the Bethany sisters in their mission work in the parish.

 

Sr. Lavina proposed the vote of thanks and Charles Quadros compeered the programme.

 

Following the end of the felicitation programme, snacks and cold drink was offered to all those who were present for the function.

 

About Loreto Convent:

It was during the tenure of  late Rev. Fr. Abundius D’Souza as the Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle that the Bethany Sisters were invited by him to start a convent in Moodubelle and help the parish in various activities such as education, health, religious instruction to children and service in the church. Heeding to the request from Rev. Fr. Abundius D’Souza, three Bethany Sisters-Sr. Emiline, Sr. Hilda and Sr. Fabiola arrived at Moodubelle on 31 May 1964 and started their mission both in the church and in the school as teachers. Sr. Emiline was appointed as the first Sister Superior of the convent named ‘Loreto’. Within two years, the number of sisters increased to seven.

 

The initial four years were quite difficult for the sisters as they had to reside in a rented house opposite to the present Post Office. Later, in 1968, the sisters got their own building constructed on the land provided by the church just behind the cemetery.

 

Loreto Convent

Rev. Sr. Irene Viegas-Present Superior of the Loreto Convent

 

Besides teaching in the Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School, serving in the church and conducting Sunday Catechism classes, the sisters also opened a dispensary with six hospital beds. However, unfortunately the health ministry had to be discontinued due to unavailability of experienced doctor sisters.

 

During the past fifty years 15 Sister Superiors were in charge of the ‘Loreto Convent’. These have been: Late  Sr. Emiline (1964-67), Sr. Ancilla (1967-71), Late Sr. Poma(1971-77), Late Sr. Honorina (1977-83), Sr. Joseph Mary(1983-89), Late Sr. Vincetta (1989-91), Late Sr. Hilaria(1991-92), Sr. Pavana(1992-93), Sr. Sarita(1993-94), Sr. Patrick(1994-97), Sr. Sharol (1997-2000), Sr. Milburga(2000-06), Sr. Hilda Rodrigues(2006-09), Sr. Vinitha Pereira(2009-2012), Sr. Irene Viegas(2012-till now).

 

Presently there are five sisters in the community. They are: Rev. Sr. Irene Viegas (Superior), Rev. Sr. Elnora, Sr. Lydia, Sr. Lavina and Sr. Wilma.