PARK CIRCUS: The Canonical visit of Sr.Lucy Rose Ozhukayil from 9th to 11th March 2019 to Auxilium Park Circus was indeed a special blessing from the Lord. Strengthening the bonds of charity deepening the commitment of fidelity, was the theme of our Canonical visitation. We are indeed privileged to have also our dear Sr.Veronika Kamai Pontinei secretary of Sr.Lucy Rose. The journey began with a warm traditional welcome extended by the community. All were led to the chapel for a wedding experience as the icon of this occasion clearly denotes the wedding feast at Cana, which symbolises a joyful celebration with Jesus the Bridegroom and Mary our Blessed Mother. As a symbol of our encounter to God and for our own transformation the community received Jesus the light in the form of lighted candles handed over to us by dear Sr.Lucy Rose.
At the conference Sr. Lucy Rose continued her theme on the Wedding feast and stressed on the importance of Mary’s presence and invited the members to enrich each other with individual reflection. She also compared the life of the community to the joyful experience of Mount Tabour but which is located in the midst of the mount Beatitudes and the Calvary mount. One can experience Motherly love, and the trust of the Father, and sisterly advice at the personal encounter. In the same evening of her arrival, she was overwhelmed to see the active participation of the Salesian co-operators. She exhorted them to live evermore the spirit of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello in their ambient.
On the following day 10th March the entire community along with Sr.Lucy Rose and Sr. Veronika Kamai proceeded to Auxilium Provincial house Dum Dum to take part in the funeral Mass of our dear Sr. Catherine Das and thereafter to the burial ground for the last rite. We returned home edified by the simple yet solid life lived by Sr. Catherine. At 3.30 pm she met the Oratorians who showcased different programs like songs, dances and karate. Sr.Lucy Rose was enchanted by the display of their performance. She was appreciative of the various activities organized for them like spoken English, drawing, dance, and karate. At the end of the short programme she advised the Oratorians to be always good and honest, and to cooperate with the sisters in order to become good human beings.
On the next day she was greeted by the tiny tots of the School. They took the entire show of the day with their inspiring prayers, lovely songs, dance, and speech. She was indeed happy to be in the midst of these little ones. She told them to obey their parents, sisters, teachers, and all the elders.
At 10.00 am she was accompanied by Sr.Elizabeth Makil to the Church of Christ the King. The Parish Priest and the other co-pastors were happy indeed to welcome her. The Parish Priest Fr.Vincent Lobo thanked her for the active presence of the sisters in the parish, particularly for the catechesis of the adults and children. The last community conference was based on the episode of Prophet Elijah and the widow at Zarephath from 1st Kings 17:7-16 on which we had reflective sharing. The community then thanked her for filling each ones jar with the bountiful blessings of the Lord. Sr.Lucy was presented with suitable gifts as a gesture of our appreciation for her enriching presence with us.
Sr.Lucy Rose met the Salesians at Don Bosco Park Circus and the Sisters of Mary Immaculate at their residence. In both the places Sr.Lucy was fondly welcomed and experienced the warmth of our Salesian family spirit. She reminded the young sisters that they are a gift to the church, province and their community. She exhorted them to remain as beautiful and active gifts of God.
We did experienced her joyful presence in our community, and it was indeed with a matter of regret that four of us accompanied her to Auxilium Gobra the next community of Canonical visitation by Sr.Lucy Rose Ozhukayil.