ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018

Introduction: I am pleased to present the challenging, yet delightful proceedings of our Congregation through the Annual Report for the year 2017- 2018.  Wrapped by the Divine Power, we experience God’s unremitting and merciful love in order to share the same with all in our Apostolate.

General Aspect of our Congregation: Our Congregation has 20 houses spread in the Archdiocese of Goa and 13 houses outside Goa. The total number of Sisters in the Congregation at present is 141. We celebrate the love, warmth, care and concern that exist among our Sisters. Assortment of contributions from my Sisters assists me in my discerning strides to move the Congregation to greater heights.

Apostolic Activities: “to bring good news to the poor and the oppressed” Lk 4:18. 

The Spirit of God keeps inspiring us to remain faithful to the option for the poor, in diverse ways as we carry out our apostolate in Goa and in the other parts of India, especially in the Mission Areas. Sisters are concretely involved in the field of social services, protection of children and the aged and Educational Apostolate. The keen enthusiasm and zeal of our Sisters in various fields of apostolate is well appreciated. Sisters are engaged in evangelizing activities, such as teaching catechism, distributing communion, conducting prayers, visiting families and the sick, administering first aid, hospital ministry, conducting needle work classes, flower making courses, host baking, candles, etc. The Sisters try to maintain harmonious relationship with people of other faiths. One is actively involved in the NGO called COOJ and also in the prison ministry. 

Spiritual Growth: “More things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of”.  Mr. Alfred Tennyson 

To foster the spiritual growth of our Sisters, the Superiors of the Local Communities take the responsibility of arranging talks, monthly recollections, confessors, etc. Each Community Time-Table is designed in order to assist the Sisters to be regular for prayer and spiritual exercises. The spiritual life of the sisters is nourished by the Eucharist, regular prayers, adorations, etc. Annual Retreat was organized for the sisters in 3 Batches conducted by Fr. Joe Santiago from Pune. Seminar in 3 Batches on Eucharist was conducted by Fr. Iyres Fernandes from Pune. Sisters attended Novena Mass of Ven. Fr. Agnelo, At Pilar especially arranged for our Congregation.

Educational Apostolate: “Bereft of values, success is meaningless.”

In this respect, our sisters work incessantly in collaboration with other staff members to offer integral formation and make our Educational Mission meaningful and successful. They often invent friendly ways to influence the students positively in the teaching- learning process as well as in character formation. We try to foster in our students a strong sense of connectivity to the Creator. The Congregation has 4 High Schools, 5 Primary Schools and 11 Pre-Primary Schools.

Social Apostolate: “Anyone serving the poor and the infirm is, in fact serving God.” Mother Theresa.

The Congregation runs three boarding homes, one hostel for working women, six homes for the Aged, one home for the destitute and two orphanages. Under the able guidance of our Sisters, we conduct Tailoring Classes aided by the Overseas Employment Agencies – NRI at two Centres, namely St. Alex Convent Calangute and Nazareth Home, Pernem, enabling young ladies to earn/supplement their family income. A special visit was made to our Married Orphan Children with Christmas Sweets. A family atmosphere, a sense of belongingness, security and concern is being created and experienced in this Apostolate.

NewVentures:  “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.” Psalm 127:1

• The newly re-built St. Alex Pre-Novitiate cum Social Centre, at Calangute, Bardez, Goa, was inaugurated and the Oratory was blessed on 16^th January 2018, on the foundation day of our Congregation.
• Foundation for New block for St. Joseph High School Aquem, Margao was laid on the feast of Patron St. Joseph on 19^th March, 2018.
• Foundation for the new block for Holy Spirit Home, Moira was laid on 7^th March, 2018.
• A new Residence is being provided for Herculano Niwas Community at Saki-Naka, Mumbai, in St. Anthony Church Premises and was formally blessed on 13^th August, 2017.

Intellectual Formation: “The purpose of our lives is to give birth to the best which is within us.” says Williamson.

The best within us is the Divine plan. Our Sisters are pursuing their studies through Degree Colleges as well as short term Courses in various field of education like BSW, B.A, M.A, Kindergarten Training, Computer, Music, Tailoring, etc.

Updating Ongoing Formation: “An investment in Knowledge pays the best interest.”

Sisters invested their time and energy and got trained in different aspects of formation. Sisters also updated themselves, through various seminars and workshops. Timely Seminars were arranged for the Junior Sisters in order to make them proficient and adept for a holistic life and five Junior Sisters renewed their vows. One committed herself to the Lord through her first Profession and one Postulant joined the Novitiate in May, 2018.

General Team, Superiors, Formators and Local Bursars attended the General Body Meeting and formulated the general guideline for effective living in the Communities. They were given sessions on Leadership.

Important Meetings:

Superior General along with the General Secretary attended the following:

1. The General Body Meeting of WRCRI on “Networking to uphold Constitutional Values”, held in Pune, Maharashtra from 5^th July to 6^th July 2017.
2. Superior General along with the Novice Mistress Sr. Sahron Vaz attended a workshop on “Integral Formation for today” held in Pune, Maharashtra from 4^th Jan. to 6^th Jan. 2017.
3. Annual Meeting of the Major Superiors having Communities in Goa, held at ‘Lar de Estudantes’, Panjim, Goa.
4. The General Body Meeting of CRI, India, on “Current Scenario – Move to the Margins”, held in Chennai from 27^th May to 30^th May, 2018.

To promote better transparency in accounting and other account related problems, a work-shop was organized for the Superiors and Bursars. It was presented by Fr. Alex from Pune on “Spirituality of Temporal Administration.

As far as possible, the Superior General keeps in contact with the Sisters through her circulars, phone calls and formal as well as personal visits. It has been my priority to make each sister feel loved and dignified in order to encourage them for an active and effective apostolate.

From the shadows of pain: ‘For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.’ Phil 1: 21 

We remain assured that our beloved Sr. Epiphany D’ Cruz who expired on 8^th April, 2018, rests in eternal peace and comfort in her saviour’s arms.

JUBILATE! 150^th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

Being the Sesquicentennial Birth Anniversary of our Founder Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves, we considered the year as a golden opportunity to commemorate his life and legacy and to make him better known near and far. Various activities were well-planned and successfully executed.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JUBILEE YEAR

(Closing Ceremony)

THEME: Marieche dekhin, Padr. Herculanache Sfurten, amkanch visrun seva Korum-ia.

• Grand Finale: Thanksgiving Mass presided by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão, on 11^th Feb 2018 at 4.00 p.m. at St. Alex Church Premises, Calangute in collaboration with the villagers and parishioners. The Mass wasconcelebrated by Bishop Alwyn Barreto– of Sindhudhurg Diocese, Bishop Peter Machado– of Belgaum Diocese, Bishop Derek Fernandes– of Karwar Diocese and Bishop Alex Dias- of Port Blair and many other priests. The pandol was full of priests, religious and laity offering an elegant outlook and off course a prayerful ambience. 
• Special Song: A special song composed by Prince Jacob on the life of our Founder was sung by Tiatrist Jose Fernandes from Benaulim, in the Drama ‘Padri Monis Noim?’
• Documentary: A consequential Documentary was released on Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves
• A Musical Drama: The captivating scenes and scintillating performance was presented in ‘Rise and Die’, the musical drama brilliantly scripted efficiently directed by Rev. Fr. Allan Tavares SFX presenting the life of Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves.
• Articles published: Articles were published on dailies, magazines and news bulletins
• Calendar 2018: Released on 30^th December 2017 at St. Alex Convent. Calendar being sponsored by Rev. Fr. Santan Fernandes
• Congregation/Community/School level Activities: Inter-School competitions were organised by Little Flower of Jesus School, Calangute. Various other activities were conducted in respective communities, in order to facilitate more profound understanding among our own Sisters, our collaborators, well-wishers and beneficiaries on the Life and Spirituality of our Founder.
• A prayer booklet: A booklet withspecial prayer services was prepared by the Sisters based on selected themesin preparation for the closing ceremony.
• Acts of Charity: Keeping in mind the great event, we reached out to the poor, the prisoners and the needy, through concrete acts of charity. At the school level, Scholarships are being instituted in memory of our founder, for a girl child bearing good moral character.
• Commemorative Souvenir: Enduring admiration and everlasting reminiscences, on the life, spirituality and legacy of our Founder were resourcefullypresented in the Jubilee Souvenir.

• The following books were published:
• Translated lettersof our Founder by Can. Fr. Mario Saturnino Dias
• A glimpse into the life of Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves, Edited and Published by Mr. Patrick Rapp.
• Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves- Pankollie Sarkea Kallzacho Padri, By Sr. Perpetua Vaz. Sponsored by Rev. Fr. Santan Fernandes
• Our daily prayers
• Collaborative Support: Likeminded villagers and parishioners of Calangute, teamed up together with collective efforts in order to celebrate the life and legacy of Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves on his 150^th Birth Anniversary and to pay a fitting homage to this great visionary, by installing the Statue in St. Alex premises.

ST. THEREZA’S CONVENT, ST. KITT’S ISLAND: The contract for the Community at St. Kitt’s Island was renewed for the Year 2017-18. Considering the practical difficulties faced in the continuation of the Apostolate, it is decided not to renew the contract. We are genuinely grateful to Rev. Fr. Manuel Antao, SVD, for initiating our Apostolate in the distant Island. The significant and noteworthy contribution of all those who worked to this mission is warmly recognized and appreciated.

Conclusion:

Daily flow of superior performance adds up over time to a tidal wave of outrageous success. It is like dreaming big yet starting small. I reckon that we have accomplished a fine Mission during the Pastoral year 2017-2018. I owe my deep sense of gratitude to your Grace, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão for your fatherly care and constant support in all our endeavors. I count on prayers and blessings upon each of our sisters and upon our Apostolate. I am deeply appreciative of the General Team for their understanding, guidance and constant encouragement. To my Sisters, our collaborators, well-wishers, and many others who have helped in varied ways, I wish to say a big ‘thank you’. I look forward with expectations that the Small improvements over time will lead to stunning results and our Congregation to a greater height. In our beloved Founder, we see a holy man who navigated in the face of storm and articulated the vision for us, his Sisters.  As we successively celebrate the Life and legacy of our Holy Founder, we seek to live up to his dreams and create loving relationships with God, with nature and with others, particularly the poor and the needy.

May God lead and guide us, Christ walk with us, and the Spirit hold us as we continue our Mission through the years to come.

GOD BLESS US ALL!

Thanking Your Grace and praying for all your intentions.

Yours in Christ’s service,

 Sr. Faria Barretto