News

25 January, 2025 is a red lettered day in the annals of the history of St Joseph’s Convent, Sagar. We the Bethany Sisters celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of our faithful journey on the fertile soil of Sagar, proclaiming God’s love for 75 years. We count and recount God’s limitless blessings on us through our Founder Servant of God, Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas, a man of God and humanity.

The vision of our Founder was the reign of God which Jesus came to proclaim. His one goal was to radiate the love of God to those living on the peripheries, the poorest of the poor, the illiterate, the rural girls and marginalized. Sagar was no exception to the above-mentioned factors. At such a time, Fr Fulgence Lopez, the parish priest of Sagar requested Founder to send Bethany Sisters. Mgr Raymond saw the need, acted on it, invoked God’s grace and joyfully accepted the invitation. He informed Mother Petra, the Superior General about his plan. She having obtained permission from Most Rev Rene Feuga, Bishop of Mysore, sent six members to Sagar, as missionary pioneers namely Srs Lazarus, Rita, Clemence, Gemma, Presenta and Maggie Bai the helper. Sisters made an entry into Sagar in the District of Shimoga - Founder’s birth place on 16 May1950. It was in the year of Founder’s Twin Jubilee - Golden Jubilee of his birth and Silver Jubilee of his priestly ordination. Sisters began their ministry in the parish on 17May, Wednesday a day dedicated to St Joseph.

Mgr Raymond who wanted the Gospel preached, guided the Sisters to take up the pastoral ministry in sub–stations: Hosanagar, Nagara, Jog, Anandpura, Talaguppa, Sorabha, Kable and Thirthahalli although transport facilities were limited. The seed sown at Sagar for the spread of God’s kingdom sprouted, grown and bears abundant fruit in the field of education, faith formation, vocational-training, social service, pastoral ministry and youth empowerment. Today we see Sagar as transformed society due to the miracle of compassionate love of our Founder and Sisters. In the growth Process our Sisters were fortified by trials, tribulation and persecution.

The Platinum Jubilee celebration of the Convent commenced with an hour of prayer on the 24th evening in the Convent Chapel at 6.30 pm. All the Sisters of the community, Sr Mariette- General Councillor, Sr Sahana, Provincial Superior of Bangalore Province and guest sisters joined us for prayer. We thanked God for His great love. We honoured St Joseph the Patron of our Convent and thanked him for his protection and intercession. We could experience the wellspring of gratitude in our joyous hearts.

On 25 January 2025 at 9.30 am Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, the Bishop of Shimoga was warmly welcomed by Srs Mariette, Sahana, Molly Sharon the Superior and Sisters. Just before the Eucharist, the newly constructed tombs for the deceased Sisters of the Convent were blessed by the Bishop. Prayers were offered for them. The Bishop then presided over the thanksgiving Eucharist while Monsignor Felix Noronha the Parish priest and nine other priests of our diocese concelebrated. Breaking the Word of God on St Paul’s conversion, the Bishop highlighted two aspects - one is tearing and dividing and the other, building and uniting. He applauded the Bethany Sisters for practicing the second one. At the end of the Eucharist, Sr Reshma, thanked briefly everyone present.

Sr Sahana, the Provincial Superior thanked God for the flowering of Founder’s vision and mission at Sagar through the services of the sisters. She also thanked the Bishop for his support, spiritual assistance, co-operation and encouragement to the sisters and appreciated the support and guidance given by Sr Rose Celine, the Superior General and the past Superiors General. She also recalled with gratitude the parish priest, teachers, parishioners and people of Sagar. Rev Mgr Felix Noronha, the parish priest congratulated the Sisters, thanked them for their long term faithful and zealous services in the parish.

Most Rev Dr Francis Serrao,the Bishop in his presidential address highlighted the significance of Jubilee celebration that is to look back and thank God, to look forward and hope in God, to look above and praise God, to look around and serve humanity. He added saying, the roots of Bethany tree have gone so deep that it can’t be shaken by anyone. The Bethany Sisters have not only crossed the streams, ponds, lakes, rivers but also seas. It was a reference made to the growth of our mission at Sagar. He thanked the Superior General, the Provincial Superior and the Sisters for their mission not only at Sagar but also in other places of his diocese. He acknowledged the greatness of the Sisters by extending 50% fee concession to Christian children at St Joseph’s English Medium School, the only school in the diocese in the past and the present.“This has raised the educational standard of Christian community at Sagar”, he said.

The short skit “THE PATH” edited by Sr Tresa Lydia was enacted by the students which gave a glimpse of Bethany Sisters’ arrival at Sagar and their mission update.

Finally, the curtain was drawn on Platinum Jubilee celebration with a clarion call to the Sisters to face new challenges with renewed vigour as they step into the centenary years.

Report by, Sr Clemency BS, St Joseph’s Convent, Sagar