Installation ceremony of the third Regional team On 1st June 2019
The third Regional team of the Indian Region took its Leadership toady. On 1st June all the sisters of the Region gathered in the Regional community chapel for the installation ceremony of the third Regional team. At 10.30am, we had an adoration conducted by Sr. M. Jaisamma Kappil. She began it by saying “Rocks are God’s thought in stone, dew drops are God’s thoughts in pearls and every beginning is God’s wonderful thoughts of creation”.
The Prayer service focused on two significant purposes:
- Thanking the regional team for the period of 2016-2019; for their dedicated service during the past three years.
- Installation of the New Regional team for the period of 2019-2022.
After a beautiful introduction we welcomed Jesus into our midst, into our hearts. The chapel was filled with the perfume of praise and worship. In front of Him the sisters acknowledged the service of the Regional team for the past 3 years: how the team worked together for the betterment of the Region, the growth and the inclination to walk towards new horizon, above all for the great support and affection towards the sisters. A special thanksgiving was expressed for Sr. M. Lilly Urakkadan for her dedicated service as Secretary for the past 3 years and prayed for her new ministry as Superior. Sisters encouraged her and supported her with the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians to stand firm in every situations of life…. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work in the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not vain.” (1st Cor. 15:58.)
We entered into the second part of the adoration with the theme “Servant Leadership.”
Sr. M. Jaisa welcomed the new Regional Superior and her teaM.
Sr. Mary Thumbalan Regional Superior 2019-2022
Sr. M. Reena Puthen purackal – First Councilor
Sr. M. Alphonsa Manikkathan – Second Coucilor
Sr. M. Shanty Panamattathil – Secretaria Regionale
Sr. M. Valsa Puthenpurackal – Economa Regionale
During adoration the team was strengthened and empowered with the power of the Holy Spirit and the assembly asked God`s grace upon the Regional Superior and her team for an inspiring vision and mission in the coming years. The Lord guided them towards the service as a servant leader whose identity and trust are not in his calling, but in his CHRIST. The following affirmations were the key points for the reflection:
A servant leader
- seeks the glory of His Master
- seeks the highest joy of those she serves
- will forgo his rights rather than obscure the Gospel
- will not preoccupied with personal visibility and recognition
- anticipates and graciously accepts the time for his decrease
- Carries the light of Christ everywhere.
In the Gospel of Mathew 5:14-16, Jesus stated us “you are the light of the world…… your light must shine before others, that the people may see your good deeds and glorify your Father.” These words penetrated into our hearts and provoked the new team to be light of the world and to our sisters.
The adoration was closed asking grace upon the new team from Jesus, our great leader who leads the new team in His light. That they may shine in the name of Christ.
After having finished the adoration, the Regional Superior, Sr. Mary Thumbalan thanked everyone who was supporting her during her tenure of three years; She acknowledged the great support of the councilors in carrying forward the responsibility, especially to Sr. M. Lilly who worked with her closely as her secretary. She asked the sisters to continue to do the same as she is reelected for the next term ie. 2019-2022.
Later the sisters expressed their gratitude to the outgoing team with a token of love and Sr. Alphonsa thanked them with Assamese Gamosa.
The new team was welcomed by the sisters with affectionate hug and honored them with garland. It was a moment of encouragement and gratitude.