15th March 2019 will be a red-letter day in the annals of MM Mumbai Province as Sr. Ritha Dora Thomas, the Provincial, Sr.Magdaline Sequeira, the Vice-Provincial, Sr. Rita D’Souza, the Province Bursar, Sr. Aruna Castelino and Sr. Lavita Sequeira warmly welcomed Sr. Maria Nieves Reboso, Sr. Maria Fisichella and Sr. Anelfreda Miranda with smiles and bouquets at the International Airport in Mumbai.
Though it was nearly 11.00 pm it didn’t matter as the Sisters brought tidings of renewal and gladness.
This morning i.e 16th March the Sisters were delighted to see the vibrant students of Auxilium Pali Hill Bandra greeting them through the Lezim dance. The students performed a dance, melodiously sang and song, “with a smile on our face resounding the ‘Benvenuta’.
Through a fable, Sr.Maria Nieves brought home the message that everything depends on each one of us. The students inquired about Mother General as Mother Yvonne had come on March 2018, her maiden visit to MM Mumbai and had also visited the students of Auxilium Pali Hill, Bandra. Sr. Nieves thanked the staff who trained the pupils to make it a memorable one.
In the evening the Sisters were happily welcomed by the two communities of Wadala. Through the Kalash and marigold flowers which are typical of Maharashtrian culture, they conveyed to those present elegance, colour, and beauty. Through a vibrant song, all the Sisters; young and the elderly greeted the Sisters. The Eucharistic celebration was a meaningful one as the 3 lamps were carried and placed at the feet of our Blessed Mother asking Mary to guide the Sisters on the Salesian way.
During the ‘Goodnight’ Sr. Nieves thanked the Sisters for the good they do and asked them to dwell upon the attitude of having ‘the contemplative way’. She suggested that the Sisters train the youngsters to help the poor especially those of the vicinity.
She gifted a medal of Mary Help of Christians and Mother Mazzarello and told the Sisters to communicate to Mother Mazzarello in silence. And each of the Sisters would hear the message ‘I entrust them to you.’
With feelings of gratitude and warmth, the Sisters thanked the communities of Wadala for their hospitality and joy.
