Bantwal : Bishop Hails Sr Cresentia (100) as 'Woman of Faith'
by Sr Celine Vas B S

Bantwal, Apr 22: Sr Cresentia B S, belonging to the Congregation of Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, was felicitated at a function organized at St Thomas the Apostle Church at Nirkan, Vogga, near here on Sunday April 18.

After presiding over the Parish Day and birth centenary celebration of Sr Cresentia B S, Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, hailed her as a woman of faith and service, who is being treated as 'grandmother' by everyone around. The age of a person is counted not by the years he has lived on earth, but by the years he has dedicated to the service of the society. The Bishop congratulated Sr Cresentia for completing a century of life, and for serving the society since the last 74 years.

Sr Cresentia has lived a contented life of 74 years as a Bethany sister, and 32 years at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Nirkan parish. The parishioners here have the habit of rushing to her to pour out their woes and worries and seek remedies from their ‘grandmother’. They know she has a medicine of prayers and guidance, for their problems. The fact that interactions with her are always delightful and interspersed with humour, has made them to seek succour and guidance from her time and again. She has an amazing power of recollection, and she recalls past memories and happenings accurately, as if they had occurred in the recent past.

The provincial of Mangalore province, Sr Mariette B S, hailed Sr Cresentia as a woman of God, who has prayed, lived and walked the path of religious life as shown by Jesus. “She is a model and light house of religious life. Her love and service have been dedicated to all the needy and poor of the parish,” she commented, and wished Sr Cresentia a fruitful and contented life.
 
The Bishop advised the parents to keep an eye on the conduct of their children, particularly about their habit of watching the television programmes, use of internet and mobile phones. He also urged the people to be alert, and cast their votes in the forthcoming gram panchayat elections. The Bishop also honoured the parish priest, ward leaders, and those parish council members, who have rendered distinguished services to the parish and also the society at large.

In the history of St Thomas the Apostle Church, Nirkan, spanning over 80 years, Fr Naveen Pinto was the first diocesan priest to be ordained from this parish. The Bishop honoured him, duly appreciating his desire to follow Jesus. The innovative and energetic parish priest, Fr Edwine Cardoza, too was honoured for his loving services to the parish. A well wisher of Sr Cresentia, parishioner and a business man at Mumbai, V P Lobo, was honoured by the Bishop. V P Lobo gave away prizes to the winners of Parish Day sports competitions.

Fr Edwine Correa welcomed the gathering. Vice president of the parish council, Stany Lobo, proposed vote of thanks. Parish council secretary, Christine Lasrado, presented the annual report. Alphonse Fernandes compered the event.

Fr Edwine Correa welcomed the gathering. Vice president of the parish council, Stany Lobo, proposed vote of thanks. Parish council secretary, Christine Lasrado, presented the annual report. Alphonse Fernandes compered the event.