India: Holy Family Sisters Celebrate 89th Foundation Day

On June 15, 2024, the Holy Family Sisters at Sancoale, Goa, celebrated the 89th Foundation Day of their congregation, expressing gratitude to God and recommitting themselves to the vision and mission of their founder, Fr. Faustino De Souza.

The event, originally scheduled for June 16 but moved to Sunday, included a Eucharistic celebration led by Rev. Fr. Jacob Shally SFX.

The theme of the celebration was “Govai: Porgottnnechem Probhavik Hatiar” (Witness: An Effective Tool for Proclamation).

Fr. Shally emphasized the importance of the sisters' witness in their work and lives, urging them to uphold the founder's vision and legacy to prevent the decline seen in other congregations that have strayed from their original mission.

He praised the sisters for their ongoing dedication and love in maintaining their legacy. The Eucharistic celebration was enlivened by the musical accompaniment of the formees on the keyboard, which helped the congregation participate actively.

Sr. Molly Fernandes, Directress of the Holy Family Communication Centre, addressed the gathering before the garlanding of the founder’s bust.

She highlighted the significance of the day:

• Celebrating with joy and unity.
• Marking the 89th Foundation Day as a pinnacle of service and dedication.
• Renewing their commitment to the core values and mission of the founder.
• Bridging the gap between younger and older sisters, fostering mutual learning and inspiration.
• Evolving amidst adversity while continuing the mission and vision.

After garlanding Fr. Faustino’s bust, the congregation released the Savera magazine. A touching moment occurred when a little girl kissed the bust of Fr. Faustino, known for his love for children.

The celebration began the previous evening with a meaningful prayer service on the same theme, “Witness: An Effective Tool for Proclamation.”