"Bethany Champions" first national convention inaugurated
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Oct 25, 2015 : In Keeping with the mission of the Mangaluru Based catholic nuns’ order the ’Bethany sisters’ (BS), whose first task handed down by their Founder ’Servant of God’ Raymond F C Mascarenhas (1875-1960), is the education of the young and women empowerment.
Established in 1921, the last 94 years of it’s divine propelled service has spread in a powerful way all over India and particularly in the North and North East. It’s BES - ’Bethany Education Society’ (BES) now spearheads the cause of education for all and co-ordinates its core service as it has gathered momentum over the decades. "Bethany Champions" first national convention (Oct 24-27) was inaugurated on October 24.
The BES in co-ordination with the Bethany leaders in education thorught India conceived and brought to fruition the concept of "Bethany Champions". This effort saw the light of day on October 24, 2015 at Bendur (the parish that was founded by the Bethany Founder SD R F C Mascarenhas). In the morning, after hoisting the flag V Rev Sr.Wilberta BS the Superior General of the BS and President BES, the more than 300 strong ’Champion" leaders of the more than 1200 total initial members from Bethany schools all over India and even as far as the tribal areas of NE gathered in Bendur Church to seek the blessings of the Almighty.
The Eucharist was presided over by Bishop of Mangalore Rev.Dr. A P D’Souza and a beautiful talk to the youth was delivered by Rev. Alwyn Serrao, Principal of Padua College, several priests were present among a good representations from parishes and education institutions of Mangaluru and other vital sections of society.
The convention then moved to the St.Theresa’s School Bendur. It was formally inaugurated amidst a cultural display by the ’Champions’ from different parts of the country. Later, by lighting up the logo made up of 5 main attributes of the human to achieve excellence. Each of the qualities to be harnessed for the good of the land and people was done by the chief guests present under the leadership of Sr. Wilberta BS the Superior General : Rev. Faustine Lobo, National Director Pontifical Missions of India, Rev.Antony Serrao Parish Priest Bendur, Roy Castelino President Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Parishad, Mayor of Mangaluru Jacintha, Asst Provincial Sr. Carmel Rita AC and Corporator Sabitha.
The Convention will continue till Oct 27 to chalk out the strategy and means to take this great effort forward and train the leaders of the "Champions" for the task ahead, which will include thousands of the young. The exemplary vision and actions of the BES Vice-President and Asst Superior General Sr.Lillis BS, Secretary of the BES Sr. M Rose Celine BS and the many School heads and resource persons and teachers spread thorough India was acknowledged.
Bethany Sisters - A thumb nail sketch:
The Bethany Congregation is a model of high religious standards and learning and has spread over India and parts of the world. Basically comprising near 1,500 nuns, 180 communities in 50 diocese in India and 9 diocese abroad. The nuns render yeoman service in women’s welfare, health care, geriatric care, and so on - in particular education. The Bethany Education Society (BES) that was pioneered is a flagship of service in modern times.
The Mangalore region and it’s surroundings and many regions of the country now have benefited significantly with over 65 institutions mainly Kannada and English Schools, PU Colleges and vocational institutes; in North of India and particularly the North East, there are many reputed institutions under the banner of Bethany which has over 88,000 students overall and served in a special way by the Bethany Sisters and their