It was around 8.30 p.m. on Monday, 24th April 2017! The Mangalore Central Railway Station was filled with the arrival of the A.C. Sisters from in and around Mangalore. Where were these sisters going? Nowhere but to Bangalore. Yes, to attend a 3 day Seminar on Leadership for all the Sisters in the Teaching apostolate, at Christ University, Bangalore.
This seminar was planned and organized by Rev. Fr. Thomas C. Mathew, Vice Chanceller of Christ University, in consultation with our Provincial Superior and Secretary for Education. That’s how we landed at Christ University, Bangalore!We were 142 in number, from all over Karnataka, Besides those in active apostolate, there were also some senior sisters, who were a part of Mary Immaculate Convent, Bangalore in the past.
The Inauguration of our (3 day) Seminar was held at 9.30 a.m. on 24th April at K.E. Auditorium of Christ University. Sr. Ida Barboza, Secretary A.C. Educational Society, led the Inaugural Prayer followed by orientation by the Registrar Dr Anil Pinto. We then had an Interactive Session on “Education-an important mission of the Church” by Fr. Thomas C. Mathew, V.C. Christ University, followed by a session on “Good Governance” by Dr. Senthil Kumaran, Chief Confluencer – ‘The Learns Confluence, Bangalore’. After a short tea-break we had the next session in groups. The teaching sisters had 4 groups –viz. the Higher Primary, High School, College and the Professional. The senior sisters had separate sessions arranged for them. Some of the topics dealt in our groups – ‘Learning Organization, Organizational Culture, Effective Communicator & Human Relationship etc.
Our next Session – Session II was at 2.30 p.m. on FOLLOWERSHIP by Fr. Benny Thomas CMI, Director, Faculty of Engineering and School of Law. This session on ‘followership’ gave us a lot of insights on who really a follower is. Follower makes the Leadership meaningful. He/She helps accomplish goals willingly, accepting assignments, exhibits loyalty to the group, voices out differences of opinions but supporting the decision of the group, maintains a positive attitude even in confusing or trying times. After this session, we had a brief session on ‘Centre for Social Action’ by Phinu Jose, giving us all the information on Major Developmental Programmes and Activities conducted by them. They include Rural Exposure, Rural and Tribal Community Development, Klaste Management, Environmental Initiatives (Prayatna), Transformation (Parivartana), etc. with this enriching session we had a long break. At 6.00 p.m. we had our Evening Prayer followed by Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Viju CMI. His inspiring homily on ‘Servant Leadership’ and ‘Resonant Leadership’ enabled us to opt for one such Leadership that will make our life worth living. Imagine, so many Servant Leaders - in the Apostolic Carmel!
After Mass once again we assembled in the Auditorium. This time not for a session, but for a unique event! Yes, for the formal Inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee of Mary Immaculate School (MIS) Wilson Garden, Bangalore. One may wonder why its’ in Christ University and not in MIS. The reason is simple. It was Fr. Thomas C. Mathew, V.C. of Christ University, also the Sunday Chaplain of Mary Immaculate Convent for the past 29 years, who thought of having a get together of all the sisters who had lived & worked at MIC/MIS, during these past 60 years. He went a step further in inviting all the sisters in the Teaching Apostolate together with all the EX-MICs for a 3 day seminar, during which the formal Inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee of MIS would take place. That’s how we had this Inaugural Ceremony in Christ University. We were privileged to have the presence of Sr. Susheela our beloved Superior General at this Diamond opportunity.
The Inaugural Ceremony (was proceeded) with cultural event. The Invocation (prayer dance) was led by our sisters of Lourdes Convent Jayanagar. Their graceful movements did lift our spirits high in awesome wonder! They deserved a prayerful applause! This was followed by some wonderful performances, in the form of dance and song by the students of Christ University. Marvelous! They deserved a thunderous applause!! With this fabulous event, we moved on to the actual event of this evening, the Inaugural Ceremony commenced with lighting of the lamp followed by honouring the dignitaries –viz. Rev. Fr. Thomas C. Mathew, CMI, Sr. Euna A.C., former Headmistress of MIS and Sr. Maria Laila A.C. the present Principal of MIS. Sr. Susheela, our Superior General, Sr. Carmel Rita A.C., Our Provincial Superior and Sr. Ida Barboza A.C., Secretary for Education, carried out this pleasant task of honouring them. We then witnessed a creative presentation of the History of Mary Immaculate School (MIS), which led us to lift our hearts & minds in gratitude to God Almighty for the marvels done in and through MIS over these 60 years. At the end of this event, as we stepped out of the Auditorium we experienced the thoughtful gesture of Sr. M. Laila in giving a little memento to all the participants.
The day ended with a grand dinner hosted by Fr. Thomas. The menu had a special dish – duck meat. After dinner can you imagine what happened? Here a quack, there a quack, everywhere a quack, quack….!! Thus ended the first day of our seminar.
Though a seminar, we did follow a perfect Community Time Table. The next day, 5a.m. was the rising, 5.30-6.30 Personal Prayer followed by Moring Prayer and Mass. After mass there was Breakfast of course. What do you think was the Breakfast like? – Hot mouth – watering Masala Dosa! Idli-Vada, String Appams…..With full breakfast, we then got ready for session in our respective groups. The Resource persons were moving from group to group on earlier mentioned topics, this continued till lunch time.
In the afternoon was a different type of session-an interesting, relaxing, open air session…yes an outing to Kengeri! On our way to Kengeri, we visited Bannerghatta-where the CMIS have a Residential Pre-University College. It’s a little area, where there was a huge rock, now turned into a mighty structure, consisting of 6 floors – 3 below the ground floor and 3 above, including a large Auditorium! We were wonderstruck at this huge, mighty, high, Rock – turned structure! With a cup of tea, we proceeded to Kengeri – a vast area, having many institutions like Engineering College, Law College, etc all part of Christ – University. At our arrival there, we were offered fresh fruit which quenched our thirst and refreshed us. We had our evening prayer there and then went around the place, until all (young and old) arrived at a spot reserved for a Cultural Evening from 7-8 pm, which was unplanned. It was by the sisters and for the sisters. Within a short time, our sisters got ready with a creative and wonderful programme – Community-wise, Batch-wise and other-wise! Sr. Lydia, General Councillor for Education who joined us on the second day of the seminar, was the Chief Guest and Sr. Eliver Tellis from the Western Province participant of the seminar, was the Guest of Honour.
It was indeed a wonderful cultural evening! After this we had another grand dinner – Bada Khana indeed. This time not Duck but Quail! Our sisters relished the Quail so well (without ‘Manna’ of course) that they wanted to carry with them the ‘Flesh pots of Kengeri! But alas! We had to return immediately and time was running short for the execution of such a plan. It was almost 10.00pm when we reached Christ University, with a quick bath, we went to bed. The end of the second day!
On the third day, the last day of the seminar we followed the same A.C. time-table in the mooring. After Breakfast, sisters were free to visit the Campus. At 9.30 am we got into our groups for finalizing the Action Plan, an outcome of the Seminar. It was presented at the Plenary Session later. All the groups had done a wonderful job! Hats off to all groups! The presentation of the Action Plan will soon be circulated to us by Sr. Ida Barboza, Secretary for Education.
The conclusion was the Valedictory, with the limited time available, we had to get ready for it here again some creative minds under the leadership of Sr. Rose Agnes, worked quickly to produce some rare items like the ‘A.C. March Past, ‘Positive all the Time….’ etc. at the end, Sr. Melissa surmised our sentiments together beautifully at the proposing of the ‘Vote of Thanks’
Though the seminar ended with lunch the magnanimity and generosity of Fr. Thomas was seen even after. He suggested that the sisters to visit the Infant Jesus Shrine at Viveknagar. Accordingly two buses were ready for the purpose. From there we proceeded to our own Home- Lourdes Convent, Jayanagar- an invitation extended to us by our dear Superior General who was present with us on the first day of our seminar.
It was pleasant surprise to see Sr. Susheela and her Team waiting for us at the entrance, singing with a swing –‘…we welcome you…welcome…’ with the warmth of their welcome, we assembled at Carmel Hall, where Sr. Marie Lucy, the Superior of Lourdes Convent welcomed us once again and invited us to partake the High Tea organised for us. Having tasted and enjoyed every bit of it, we bid good bye to all of them with an attitude of gratitude. God bless the generosity of Sr. Susheela our Superior General and her Team, Sr. Marie Lucy and the sisters of Lourdes Community!
After returning to Christ University we got ready with our bag and baggage to proceed to the Railway Station can you imagine the generosity of Fr. Thomas and his staff? Our supper was well packed. Each one was offered a packet each as we got into the vehicle that would drop us at the station. Overjoyed with gratitude for the Excellent Service of Christ University, we left the campus carrying rich experiences and varied memories to be cherished! May God bless and reward dear Fr. Thomas C Mathew and his team abundantly!
On the first day of our seminar, we were asked by one of the Resource persons to observe the Place, the people and the process at Christ University. Let me mention here some of the observations mentioned by the group I belonged to.
PLACE: Clean; Green –Eco-friendly; Aesthetic beauty maintained; maximum utilization of the land; spacious and orderly.
PEOPLE: Warm and hospitable, sensitive to the needs of others, joyful, approachable, duty – conscious; hard-working; responsible; trust-worthy; loyal & committed; highly motivated with the vision & mission of the Institution. (viz EXCELLENCE & SERVICE)
PROCESS: Technology based sessions with experienced faculty; delegation of work; co-ordination among workers; a well planned Waste Management and Water Treatment.
The participants of the seminar will surely agree with me that it was worth attending this seminar on Leadership. Besides receiving a lot of knowledge and rich experiences, etc. it was an opportunity an occasion to learn something new. The generosity and magnanimity of Fr. Thomas C. Mathew is indeed a lesson to be learnt by all of us. It’s in giving that we receive! Let us be givers rather than receivers. Thus prove to be true Servant Leaders!!
Sister Maria Marilda A.C.
St. Ann’s Convent
