The Teresian Association that set foot on Indian soil in the year 1973, marks its golden jubilee of presence in this country this this year 2023. The main celebration took place on November 20 in Honnavar.
As invitations went out across the globe for the grand celebration in Honnavar the theme specially coined for the golden jubilee “With one mind and one heart: celebrating 50 years of God’s faithfulness with renewed hope and commitment” filled the air and vibrated in the hearts of members near and far.
All paths and eyes were fixed on Honnavar where not only the members, families, collaborators, friends from across India converged, but some members from other countries such as Sylvia Ooi, Pilar Ferrer, Imee Miranda and Agosh Librea, who have lived and worked in India before, too were present. It was a special gathering of the TA family which does not occur so often due to the long distances. Scores of other members who couldn’t make it physically were present in spirit and through their heart-warming messages.
Solemn Mass
The grant celebration began at the gate of the St Pedro Poveda church with a procession ushering in the bishop, priests, Teresian Association members from different parts of India, parishioners and guests accompanied by the joyful notes of the band.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided by Bishop Derek Fernandes, the administrator of the Diocese of Karwar, and concelebrated by 20 priests. The introduction by Jennifer Fernandes remembered with fond gratitude the faithfulness of God who has walked with the TA in India since 1973. Also very fondly were remembered the first members who brought the charism to our land and all those from abroad and natives who tirelessly gave their lives for the rooting of the charism and in the service of the mission.
In his homily, the Bishop remembered St Pedro Poveda as a great martyr who sacrificed himself totally and was faithful to his vocation as ‘a priest of Christ’ to the very end. Poveda is an inspiration to us of self-giving, sacrifice and faithfulness to the mission God has entrusted to each one of us. Further congratulating the Teresian Association on its golden jubilee, the Bishop lauded the mission of the Teresian Association of being the salt of the earth to build the kingdom of God through her various projects, pastoral work and other endeavors not just in Honnavar but also in the diocese of Karwar and the other parts of the country. The bishop mentioned with gratitude the work being carried for women, the differently abled, youth and children through education and culture.
The incumbent Parish Priest of St Pedro Poveda Church, Fr Alwyn Cardoso, while congratulating TA India, welcomed all the TA members and thanked the members for their valuable support and service to the Parish community. The Eucharistic liturgy was multilingual thus fostering the participation of all in true characteristic TA family spirit. Gratitude and joy were truly evident in the vote of thanks proposed by Nancy Fernandes.
Testimonies
After the Eucharist everyone moved to the SARPI Center hall where a well-planned program had been prepared. All were welcomed with refreshments and a colorful welcome dance by the children of the Honnavar ACIT members. The special dignitaries were ushered up on stage and felicitated, after which Bishop Derek Fernandes was very specially felicitated with flowers and a shawl by Goretti Gonsalves.
Everyone was happy to hear from the TA President, Gregoria Ruiz, as Nancy Fernandes read the congratulatory message. Then Maria Goretti Gonsalves, the Sector Director of sector A-4 (India, Taiwan, japan and Holy Land), who also is the first native member, while sharing her own personal vocational story, expressed her gratitude to God and fondly remembered the sacrifice, fortitude and love of the first members who came to this land like Mary Careaga, Nenita Tenefrancia, etc. and all the members who subsequently gave many valuable years of their life to the rooting of the charism in the country.
Goretti also recalled the support of many persons very specially that of Bishop William D’Mello, the previous Bishop of Karwar Diocese who was instrumental in welcoming the TA to Honnavar. On a joyful note she welcomed all the members and guests from far and near and also made present the memory of those gone before us and those who could not make it for the celebration.
Fr Valerian Sequeira, the first Parish Priest of St Pedro Poveda Church, while congratulating the members of the Teresian Association expressed his admiration for the vision of St Pedro Poveda and mission of the TA, through which culture and education are evangelized. Fr Valerian further added that his close association with the TA strengthened his own priestly vocation and also appreciated the zeal for the mission of the local vocations of Honavar namely: Nancy, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Paskin, Sylvia and especially those from the St Pedro Poveda Parish namely: Flavia and Roopa.
In his address at the gathering Bishop Derek stressed on the nature and identity of the Teresian Association as an International lay association of pontifical right and underlined the vocation of being in the world but not of the world by being called to be the salt of the earth of the Gospel.
Benedict Gonsalves, President of ACIT Honnavar in his address expressed his happiness and gratitude to all.
A book, dances, songs...
The words of wisdom from the dignitaries on stage was followed by the release of the book of the history of the Teresian Association in India authored by Ana Maria Madrigal a Spanish TA member who spent many years of her life in India, and co-authored by Verenne Viegas an Indian member.
This was followed by the release of a song on the life of St Pedro Poveda in Kannada, made by Clinton Miranda, a parishioner, on the occasion of the Parish feast and Jubilee celebration.
The audience was then treated to a rich cultural program put up by various groups and projects of the Teresian Association such as dances by: SARPI balwadi students, Anand ACIT group, St Pedro Poveda Special school students, ACIT Honnavar group and also presentation of a song by the Pune group which was specially composed for the occasion: the lyrics written by Goretti Gonsalves and music by Elia Fleta, a TA member who had lived for several years in India earlier.
A video message of Nenita Tenefrancia one of the first three members to arrive in India in 1973, was screened. The grand celebration came to an end with a family song by all the members together and a sumptuous meal for all. The finale of the program was the solemn vote of thanks by Roopa Dsouza. All departed with a very deep sense of gratitude and joy.
The celebrative mood continued as the TA family gathered to share their profound feelings and listen together to the messages sent from far and near.
Verenne Viegas, India.
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