Media Release
Mangaluru, Apr 14: "Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant that it may continue before you forever; for you have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever - Chronicles 17:27
The Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, Northern Province, which comprise the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Utter Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh recently opened a new convent, a religious Study House at Neermarga, here, namely 'Carmel Ashram'. The main purpose of opening this ashram is to accommodate the aspirants who have a desire to join religious life under 'Come and See Programme'. Thus, this is a formation house too.
The inaugural ceremony was a moment to thank and praise God, for providing this wonderful opportunity to have a new dwelling place for the Apostolic Carmel sisters of the Northern Province, along with the aspirants. Sister Doris D'Souza, AC and her team, priests, sisters, and well-wishers gathered to take part in the celebration of the inauguration and blessing, witnessing this memorable event. Sister Doris D'Souza AC, the provincial superior, Northern Province cut the ribbon thereby inaugurating the community while Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha blessed the convent and unveiled the plaque, in memory of the establishment of the house. Sister Shamita AC, the provincial superior of the Karnataka Province, along with her few sisters helped out and led the ceremony of blessing, through a prayer service.
The solemn inaugural thanksgiving eucharistic sacrifice of the mass was celebrated by Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha and concelebrated by Fr Anil D'Mello, parish priest of Neermarga parish. The bishop in his invigorating homily interpreted the day's readings with illustrative examples.
There was a brief felicitation programme after the mass. The sisters of the Apostolic Carmel raised their hearts and minds in gratitude to God and to all those involved in the construction of Carmel Ashram, especially the engineer, contractor, supervisor, masons and labourers who worked under a great challenging time due to the corona pandemic.