4. Ancillae News Letter_December 21

Ancillae News Bulletin DECEMBER 2021 | Volume 4 “A saviour has been born for you today in David's town. He is Christ the Lord. This is the way you will know him. You will find a baby wrapped in a cloth, lying in a box where cows feed.” (Luke 2 :11-12) A

1 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

My dear Sisters, Warm greetings and blessings to all! “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.\"(Mt: 4.16) The world is undergoing an unprecedented health crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic. There is no area which is unaffected by the scars and bruises of this virus. Even now a great threat looms over the world in the form of changing variants of virus, and it dims hope every morning as we wake up. We feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, even if vaccines are available. On November 22, 2021, Pope Francis said, “with advent coming during an ongoing pandemic, Christians are called to hold on to hope, and foster a season of compassion and tenderness. This year too its light will be dimmed by the consequences of the pandemic, which still weighs heavily on our time. All the more reason why we are called to question ourselves and not to lose hope”. We are the people chosen by Jesus as salt and light of the world (Mt. 5:13-16). The world needs us today than ever before because we are given the mysteries of heaven (Mt 13: 11) as beacon of hope. As we are spread in the different parts of the country proclaiming the gospel of Jesus, we come across the pain and suffering of families and individuals. People have lost their dear and near ones, jobs, business, education, opportunities, livelihood and the list are endless. Together with all these, the after effects of COVID-19 on spiritual, social, individual, community and family 2 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

spheres are alarming. This is a time marked with fear of loneliness and abandonment. In this context, as we are preparing for Christmas, we are called to be the good Samaritans binding the bruises and scars of time (Lk 10:25-37). This is the season to tell the good tidings, of ‘Emmanuel’ the eternal hope for all people in the peripheries (Lk 2:10). Remember, today we are the signs for the world to show the light for those who are in darkness. First of all, let us allow the light to enter into our hearts and permeate to everyone who are most in need of it. Have I taken enough oil with me to wait for the savior? (Mt 25: 1-13). Do we have enough faith like the centurion who is waiting to hear a word to withstand the anxious time? (Mt. 8:5-13). Let us learn from the nature that how a tree protects itself in winter. While the tree seems dormant above ground, the underground system of roots is busy at work… growing, searching, and retaining nutrients to help get the tree through the winter, and to prepare it for the spring. Being in pandemic, let us plan for future. Let us recall the words from Pope Francis, “the beauty of Christmas shines through in the sharing of small gestures of genuine love. It is not alienating, it is not superficial, it is not evasive. Its beauty is humble and full of human warmth, compassion, and tenderness. Let us broaden the heart and rebuild the fabric of relationships with service to our community”. Christmas has the capacity to alleviate despair, fear, loneliness, loss, emptiness and recreate everything again in hope. Let us allow God to once again be born in us and in our midst. 3 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

matters… 1. For the continuation of the Indian mission and the sustainability of the same, the region has made a proposal to the General Council for constructing a commercial building at Thiruvambady. As per the approval by the General team the unused plot where the old social center was demolished will be used for the purpose in consultation with the experts. The plan is to start the processes by the beginning of 2022. As we may not be able to meet offline in the near future, I request your valuable prayers for this intention in a very special way. 2. Nirmala S. Horta completed a one-year Certificate Course from Institute of Career Certification International. We congratulate Nirmala for her accomplishment. 3. Pauline Joseph and Liza Joseph attended the celebration organized by Helga Gaberle at Rostock, Germany on 25 & 26 September 2021. 4. On 7 October 2021, Annliya Rose and Mishal were officially admitted to the Ancillian Formation during the Solemn Eucharistic celebration and initiation ceremony presided over by Fr. Joseph Titus, the President of the St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute. 5. Marykutty Michael, Thangamma Abraham, Liza Jose and Pauline Joseph attended the Platinum Jubilee celebration in Germany on 8 October 2021 followed by the General Council Meeting. 4 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

6. Gracy Vanchipurackal have been elected to be a Team Leader for the Life in the Spirit programs of Pala Diocese. The Ancillae family congratulate her for the new responsibility and implore God’s blessings upon her. 7. Rajitha A. is appointed as the Academic Coordinator of St. Francis Boy’s High School, Ramnagar with effect from 23 October 2021. The Ancillae Family wishes her a fruitful apostolate. 8. Mariamma Mathew was admitted in Holy Family Hospital, Muthalakodam on 27 October 2021 on account of being tested COVID19 positive and was discharged after a week. 9. Our Directress General Miss Rosamma Thomas, Miss Mary James and Miss Teresa Marottikuzhy arrived safely at Jyothibhavan on 11 November 2021. 10. One round of prayer for each member of our region was completed on 13 November 2021. 11. The Extension building of the Girls Hostel of Ancillae Nivas, Shamshabad, was blessed by the Arch Bishop of Hyderabad, His Grace Poola Anthony on 23 November 202. 12. Claramma Cyriac has joined Ancillae Bhavan, Thiruvambady on 25 November 2021.We wish her a peaceful and comfortable stay over there. 13. Marykutty Michael was tested COVID positive while in Germany and returned to India on 24 November 2021. 14. Mary James and Annamma Cherian celebrated their 75th birthday 5 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

15. The 5th Council meeting had been conducted at Jyothibhavan, Moolamattom on 18 & 19 November 2021. 16. Mayamma Joseph took charge as the Ongoing Formation Guide of the Junior Sisters with effect from 1 December 2021. 17. The Ancillae Family thank Rajitha A for serving the Radlmair Bhavan Community for the past 5 years as the Group Leader. Mercy Kurian will be the new Group Leader at Radlmair Bhavan with effect from 1 December 2021. Congratulations and blessings to Mercy. 18. Merlin Thomas was awarded with the MARY GLOWREY-LILIANE BREKELMANS (MGLB) Disability Award 2021 under commendation category for her contribution towards mainstreaming and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Congratulations Merlin for the remarkable achievement. 19. Lissy Abraham started to work in the ATMA Books and Liturgical stall at Parayancheri run by the OFM Cap Fathers. The Ancillae Family wish her all the best for the new endeavor. 20. The Ancillae Family commemorated the forty seventh death Anniversary of Theyamma Xavier on 10 December 2021. 21. A heart felt tribute was made to Rev.Fr Saimon Eluvathingal on his First Death Anniversary held on 11 December 2021 at St. Joseph’s Church, Kuriachira and the Ancillae attended the same. The Ancillae gratefully acknowledges his remarkable service for the Indian Region and commemorated him in the respective communities. 22. After having completed 8 years of service at Benediktbeuren Teresa Marottikuzhy is back to India and is at Jyothibhavan Moolamattom for the time being. 6 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

23. As the rules and regulations getting changed every now and then, it is mandatory for the Group Leaders/the person in charge of community account to submit the bills and vouchers at every quarter to the Regional Procurator without fail. Request your understanding and cooperation to ensure the same. 24. I request each group to submit their budget for the next financial year 2022- 2023 latest by 30 January 2022 through the group leaders to [email protected]. Ancillae in India 1. Ancillae Mayanad celebrated the Children’s Day on 14 November 2021 with 33 Nursing Students from INSeRMalabar Cancer Centre, who are staying as paying guests. 2. A Livelihood promotion program was organized for the BPL families by providing chicks. 3. Shalom Vattappara had participated in the Exhibition on the occasion of the World Disabled Day. 4. Gisel Chacko Moderated one day online seminar on ‘Faces of Faith in Pandemic and Post Pandemic’ organized by Indian Catechetical Association and Dimension of Education to Faith at Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia, on 16 November 2021 7 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

Obituaries… 1.Anice Paul’s sister-in-law Mrs.Elamma passed away on 18 November 2021. 2. Our sister’s relatives such as Sr. Anestella, Raju Sebastian, and other friends and people whom we know had been called to eternal rest during this period. “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let your perpetual light shine on them. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen”. My dear sisters as we all are aware that many of our members are advancing in age, may I request everybody to take care of ourselves and each other. Let this Christmas be a period of reflection on our past and help us to better the years before us, let us show greater love and care for one another more in this year. Wish you a Joyful Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2022. Regards and prayers, Betty George Regional Directress Shanti Nivas, Bangalore 8 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

Ancillian Moments… 9 Ancillae News Bulletin, December 2021

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Wish everyone a gracefilled year ahead with abundance of JOY, PEACE, LOVE & 11 GOAnOcillaDe NeHws EBullAetinL, DTeceHmber 2021