AMAR # 398 Mother’s visit to the three FMA communities of Gujarat – Day 8

This morning the animators and some sisters of the three FMA communities were at the Vadodara Airport to welcome Mother Yvonne accompanied by our Provincial Sr. Ritha Dora Thomas and the Province Secretary Sr. Supriya Noronha, who arrived at 10.00 am by Jet Airways. Mother was warmly welcomed with floral tributes offered by the animators of Auxilium Baroda Sr. Rita Lobo, of Pushpanjali, Dakor Sr. Sunanda Solanki and of Jag Prakash Kanya Chatralaya, Pansora Sr. Nayana Vankar.
Auxilium Baroda was blessed with the visit of our beloved Mother General Mother Yvonne Reungoat. The entire educating community awaited her presence with great longing in their hearts. The students of the Gujarati medium school adorned with colourful attire welcomed Mother Yvonne in the traditional way. They performed ‘aarati’(Indian ritual).and placed a ‘tilak’ (a mark on the forehead) that symbolized the blessings of the Almighty and the well-being of our Mother.

The animator Sr. Rita Lobo then officially welcomed Mother with a shawl and the headmistress Sr. Philomena Lobo welcomed her with a bouquet of flowers.

The students of the Gujarati medium School displayed a variety of dances to the tune of Garba, Rajasthani, Adivasi and Maharashtrian music. The lively presence of young people, students, teachers, Sisters, women and support staff added joy to the occasion.

After the solemn welcome ceremony our dear Mother Yvonne was invited to address the gathering. She began by thanking them for the grand welcome given to her and for this joyful day. She also said that she felt at home.
After this, Mother entered the Chapel for a moment of prayer. She placed a lighted lamp at the altar as a mark of her radiating presence that lights up our lives. Mother Yvonne was then taken to the refectory where she expressed her sentiments of joy to be with the Sisters.

In the afternoon around 500 women from Baroda,Dakor,and Pansora gathered for the Women’s Day Celebration at Auxilium Baroda. Mother Yvonne Reungoat was the chief guest for the occasion. The theme for the day was “Celebrate the achievements of women”,
The programme officially began at 2.30 pm with a lively lezim performance by the SHG (Self Help Group) women.

Mother Yvonne was felicitated with a shawl and a bouquet after which she was given a glimpse of the Gujarati culture through dances and songs. She was thrilled to see the women dancing. There was a short musical enacted by the SHG women of Dakor that depicted the achievements of women in different fields.

Mother Yvonne was then invited to speak to the women. She began by appreciating the gift of their womanhood and for being part of the Salesian Family. She spoke about the importance of women and praised them by saying: “you are beauty, a perfect person in the world; you are the source of inspiration and hope for your children and for society. You have the power to change and make a difference in the world.”

She expressed her joy for being part of the Women’s Day Celebration for the first time. She joined the women in their traditional Garba dance.

In the evening Mother Yvonne participated in the solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Apostolic Administrator of Baroda Rt. Rev. Bishop Stanislaus Fernandes and concelebrated by the Salesians of the Don Bosco Parish, Makarpura, Baroda. Present and Past Teachers, Parents of the Sisters, the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s Sisters), benefactors and well-wishers joined us for the Holy Eucharist and thereafter for a sumptuous dinner.