Someone has rightly said that “the best way to be happy in life is to wake up each morning and spend the first 10 minutes wrapping yourself in gratitude. Feeling grateful and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it”.
We began our preparation for our Gratitude Day in early February, a month ahead of the actual day, by praying each day for one member of our community as well as for all the persons or groups connected with the mission of our Community. The liturgy was specially animated every day. Our theme for the occasion was: “Rejoice and Be Glad”.It helped us practice holiness in all aspects of our daily life, remembering Pope Francis’ invitation to live everyday holiness. On 3rd March, the eve of Gratitude Day, we had an audio-visual vigil-service, animated beautifully with the help of a PPT, thanking God for our animator Sr. Wilma De Souza and for each sister of the community.
The much awaited 4th March began with a special morning-prayer service, thanking God for every member of our community. This was followed by a festive Eucharistic celebration during which the celebrant Fr. Bakthinath spoke on the value of being grateful to others.
We enjoyed a festive lunch together, receiving little useful gifts. The highlight of the feast was an outing in the evening: Our first stop was on the shores of the Khadakwasla Lake where we had tea and snacks, while enjoying the beauty of the vast expanse of fresh water. Our next stop was at the Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden. We enjoyed the moments of togetherness in the company of one another. May God bless our Community and keep us united in His love!
On 8th March, Gratitude day was kept up in our Pre-Primary School. Our tiny tots expressed their gratitude to Sr. Wilma and the Sisters through a short address by their teacher, Mrs. Lorna Samuel, and then the children sang “thank you” songs in Hindi and English, offering a bouquet of flowers, a card and small gift to her. Sweets were distributed to the children.
The same evening the children of our remedial class also expressed thanks to Sr. Wilma and the Sisters, through their speech and song.
May these celebrations help us to grow in our sense of gratitude to God, to one another and to everyone who touches our life in one way or the other.
