Author: manager

 

On 3^rd July 2024, Feast of St. Thomes the Apostle, three novice Sisters from our Community in India made their first profession of vows as Franciscan religious. The novices who made profession were Sisters Monica, Riyona and Jyotsna.  Their vows were received by Sister Promodini, the delegate of Mother General.

The professions of vows took place during a celebration of Mass in the Karunalaya priest home in Mysore Diocese.  Rev. Fr. Alfred John Mendonca, the Vicar General for Mysore Diocese was the main celebrant.  The Mass was concelebrated by many priests.  The three Sisters’ family members were guests at the celebration, along with representatives of local religious communities.  After professing vows, the Sisters were presented with the book of the Form of Life of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis and the FMSL Constitutions.  They also received their black veils and the medal of the FMSL Congregation.  The celebration was livestreamed by video call and Sisters from the UK and Ireland extended their congratulations and good wishes to the newly professed Sisters. 

At the end of Mass, the three professed Sisters delivered a speech of thanks in three languages: English, Kannada and Oriya.

The Sisters join Srs. Manju, Fatima, Sathya and Sujatha, already in temporary profession.  This stage lasts for three to five years, during which the Sisters’ vows are renewed annually.  On completion of this stage, they can apply to make a final profession of vows as FMSL Sisters for the rest of their lives.

Please remember in your prayers Sisters Monica, Riyona and Jyotsna as they continue their vocational journey as Franciscan religious.

Rest in peace Brother Malachy Seymour OFM
15th October 1934-31st December 2020

As a child, Brother Malachy came to live with the Sisters in Littlehampton during the Second World War when his hometown of Brighton was being bombed.
Later, as a young man, he did his National Service in the Royal Artillery. He served in Egypt during the Suez Crisis. On return home, he worked on various jobs, gardening, a dustman and cultivated an allotment in his own time. His family moved to Liverpool and there he got a job at Speke Airport, now John Lennon Airport.
In the 1960s, he joined the Friars Minor and did his postulancy in Woodford Green. He took the religious name ‘Malachy’ in tribute to our Sister Malachy FMSL, who had helped to care for him in Littlehampton as a boy. As a student friar, he trained in cabinet making in a local college. He did his novitiate in Chilworth. After profession of vows in 1970, he was posted to East Bergholt as sacristan. In 1974, he went to Forest Gate and did some of the cooking and looked after the door. In 1977 he served in Glasgow for a time as door-keeper. He then served as cook, sacristan and door-keeper in the Friars’ communities in Ascot, Gorton, Manchester and then in Forest Gate until that friary closed in 2002. After this, he was based in Woodford on light duties as he gradually became frailer. As a friar who served in the area of hospitality for most of his life, he was always concerned to make sure that each community member and visitor was included and provided for.
He used to take his holidays each year in Littlehampton, where the Sisters always looked forward to welcoming him back. He was a gentle and cheerful brother who was solicitous to pray for many people’s needs and intentions during his life on earth.
God called Brother Malachy home on 31st December 2020. May he rest in God’s peace and continue to pray for us.

On 2^nd June 2023, Canon Seamus Hester, Chaplain in St Joseph’s Convent, celebrated sixty years of service in ordained ministry. A thanksgiving Mass was held in St Joseph’s chapel.  Canon Seamus concelebrated the liturgy with Msgr Benedict O’Shea and Dom Stephen Ortiger OSB.  Deacon Adrian Burnett preached the homily. 

At the end of Mass, Sr Clare Bowers, Mother General, presented Canon Seamus with a papal blessing in honour of his sixty years of priesthood.

The Jubilee Mass was streamed on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/Pm_aCymziwk

We thank God for our chaplain’s many years of dedicated service to the Church and particularly to all in St Joseph’s Convent and Nursing Home.

 

 

 

On 28^th July, 2021, Sisters Manju and Fatima made their first profession of vows in St Anthony’s Convent, Belwadi. 

The Profession ceremony took place during Mass in the convent chapel. 

The Sisters pronounced their vows in the presence of Sister Martha and of Sister Anne Joseph, who founded the FMSL mission in India.  The Sisters vowed to live in poverty, chastity and obedience according to the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi.  This written form of life consists of the writings of two Saints – Francis and Clare of Assisi, and was approved in 1982 by another Saint – Pope John Paul II. 

Sister Manju and Fatima received the habit and veil of the FMSL Congregation as a sign of their consecration.  Due to the pandemic, the gathering was restricted to the community and one priest. 

Even so, the Sisters made this a celebratory occasion to remember. 

Please pray for Sisters Manju and Fatima as they begin a life consecrated in the Lord’s service.  We thank God for their generosity and commitment.