My dear Sisters, teachers, students, parents, well-wishers and friends, “The most glowing success is but the reflections of an inner fire”, writes John P.
We have successfully come to the end of the academic year through determination, hard work, perseverance and self-sacrifice. I hope that you teachers and parents will have the satisfaction of having given much to our children and they in turn will have the joy of going through numerous growth promoting experiences. Let us thank God for blessing all our endeavors throughout this year.
The XVI General Chapter of Bethany Congregation has elected me as the Superior General of the Congregation. In this capacity I also have assumed the responsibility as the President of Bethany Educational Society in place of Sr Wilberta BS who has completed her tenure of office as the Superior General. With gratitude, I place on record my deep appreciation for the committed and valuable services of Sr Wilberta. She has left no stone unturned to realize the vision of the Society. May God bless her profusely for her labour of love.
I am indeed grateful to you for your co-operation in executing my role as Secretary of Bethany Educational Society for the past six years. I wish all success to Sr Mariette, the newly appointed Secretary of Bethany Educational Society.
I consider it a great privilege to be at the helm of this renowned Educational Society envisioned by the Servant of God Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas, an eminent champion of education. He considered education as a powerful means for the development of the society specially the empowerment of poor. I shoulder the responsibility following the great ideals of this great visionary, and above all, that of Jesus the greatest Guru. I invite all of you to join hands with me to gear our education towards greater progress making it child-centred. As Bethany Congregation is heading towards the centenary celebration in 2021, we’ll harness our energies to work for the youth, families, migrants and anti-human trafficking. I have great confidence that you will support us in our ventures.
There is an urgent need to contextualize our education in order to address the current problems of the society. At this juncture, Education for Peace and Harmony deserves considerable attention. In this connection I am reminded of the words of late Dr Abdul Kalam who says:
Where there is righteousness in the heart
There is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character,
There is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home,
There is order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There is peace in the world.’
Let our education aim at this beauty of character leading to peace in the world.
Sr Rose Celine BS
Superior General of Bethany Congregation
President of Bethany Educational Society
