A NEW FOUNDATION AT CHIPLEM- GOA

May 21st , the birthday of the  Foundress of the Franciscans Nissionary of Mary (FMM), was also the beginning of a new foundation for the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Goa – the birthing of ‘Helen Niketan’ at Chiplem in Canacona. The house is named after our foundress, Helen de Chappotin. The new community at Chiplem announces to the 21st Century would be the missionary vocation where God challenges us to be attentive to the needs of a changing world and to the requests of both the universal and the Particular Church.

 May 21st also happened to be a great day for the Parishioners of Chiplem and Bhatpal as 41 youngsters received the sacrament of Confirmation. Chiplem is the extension of Bhatpal Parish. The Main Celebrant was Archbishop Most Rev Filip Neri Ferrao of Goa, accompanied by Fr Vincent Leitao – Parish Priest of Bhatpal Church, Fr Mathew, the Dean of Canacona deanery, Fr Louis Monteiro and Fr Aquileo Gomes, Parish Priest of Taleigao. The presence of about 50 Fmms made a difference in Chiplem parish on 21st as people were wonder-struck to see a band of religious alighting from the bus. Their faces  grinned with joy and we could hear echoes of welcome from all sides. Archbishop in his Homily highly lauded the prompt response of the sisters to serve the people of Chiplem and Bhatpal.  He elucidated the meaning of FMM, how we got this name and what it means to be a missionary of Mary in today’s world. He extended a warm welcome to the sisters and support at all times. He further said, ‘It was my dream to have the presence of sisters in Chiplem and waited for eleven long years for Congregations to come forward. God granted my desire in opening the doors to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary’ Bishop also stressed on the aspect of the Eucharistic Adoration of our life and invited the people to join in adoring Christ wherever possible for them.
 All the other priests were present on the Altar spoke a few words of appreciation of our choice in coming to Chiplem especially Fr Vincent Leitao the Parish priest of Bhatpal expressed his joy in having the sisters  and thanked the Almighty for giving  him collaborators to keep alive the flame of Christ’s mission.
 We were indeed happy to have Sr. Leena Quadras and the Councilors Srs Cecily Paul and Bala Manam who made it a point to be present for the blessing of the new house. If this project has become a reality today it is because of the hard work, commitment and prompt actions of these sisters. Sr. Leena at the end of the Mass expressed her gratitude to Bishop for making this day possible for us and placing us in this challenging mission at Chiplem and Bhatpal. She took the opportunity to introduce the community members who will be residing in Helen Niketan and as each name was called out with a brief introduction all eyes were focused on the four sisters on the stage. The photographers went on click! clack! as the four dynamic sisters stood with daring hearts and smiling faces on the stage. The thunderous applause of the parishioners was a sure sign of acceptance and happiness in having our presence in Chiplem.
The four sisters are: Sr. Clementina – the Superior, Sr. Terezine Scaria, Sr. Marceline Diniz and Sr Lourdu Mary Bandanadam. Sister Clementina Fernandes assured the Archbishop, priests and the parishioners of her collaboration in forming the faith of the people and helping them to the best of their ability.
After the Mass, sisters and the parishioners gathered in front of the Parochial house  for the blessing. Sr Innama (Y.R.) led us in prayer. Sister Leena Quadras along with four community members cut the ribbon. The Indian lamp was lit by Archibishop, Sr Leena Quadras, Srs Bala Manam, Cecily Paul and Clementina Fernandes as a gesture of welcome and gratitude to God. The Word of God was then read. Archbishop helped us to reflect on the Gospel through a short story of a spider highlighting the importance of prayer in one’s life and our connectivity with Him. It is like a thread that links us to God and we should remain united to Him. After that Archbishop blessed the house with the Holy Water while we sang. ‘On this house your blessings Lord’
 We were highly impressed at the hospitality, joy, hard work, unity and cooperation exhibited by the parishioners which was well witnessed all through the function especially over the sumptuous table spread. The delicious food items were prepared by each somudai(SCCs) and their untiring zeal  till the end is to be highly commendable. They are very simple and hard working people and are very happy to have our presence and are ready to extend all necessary help at all times. Archbishop Filip Neri shared some hilarious moments with us during the lunch and met every one.
 Being Thursday every FMM community spends an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. It was befitting to witness the same aspect of our Charism. We spend an hour in Adoring Jesus along with a few parishioners in which we prayed especially for the members of the new community. It was a wonderful day for each one of us as everything went on so smoothly and it was definitely the hand of God guiding and leading us.