Sep 22: The flame kindled 75 years ago by SD Raymond, the Founder of Bethany Congregation, continues to burn brightly. This is a moment to warmly recall and express gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed upon Bethany, particularly through its Founder, the Founding members, and those who collaborated in our educational mission. We remember the Sisters, dedicated educators, and enthusiastic students who have wholeheartedly embraced Bethany's vision, objectives, and core values. The journey of Bethany Educational Society (Mangalore) has been marked by faith, hope, and a loving commitment to serving generations of students in our nation.
On the momentous occasion of the closing ceremony of Bethany Educational Society's Platinum Jubilee in the Eastern Province, representatives from all our communities and schools, along with Sisters and educators from the states of U.P, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, gathered on September 2, 2023, in Rajaulatu, Ranchi, Jharkhand with their leader, Sr Jessy Maria, the Provincial Superior and Corporate Manager with her team members, students, parents, and well-wishers, to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, officiated by Rev Ajit Kumar Xess SJ, Provincial Superior of Ranchi Province with seven other priests in gratitude to God for our blessings of past 75 years.
To share in our joy and celebration, we were honoured to have Mrs Shilpi Neha Tirkey, MLA of Jharkhand, as the Chief Guest, Rev Fr Ajit Kumar Xess SJ, Provincial Superior of Ranchi Province, who presided over the Holy Eucharist, and Sr Jessy Maria B.S, Provincial Superior and Corporate Manager as the Presiding person of the function. These esteemed guests added to the jubilation by offering inspiring messages for our future journey based on our past educational endeavours.
Key organisers, including Sr Jessy Maria, Sr Anita Moras (Province Education Co-ordinator), Sr Christine, Sr Agnelita, Sr Margarita, and Sr Kanti Dung Dung, along with the Bethany Education Society sub-committee members, orchestrated this grand event. It took place at Bethany Convent School at Rajaulatu, Partadih. The students captivated the audience and their mentors with their presentation, "The Journey of Bethany Educational Society and the Way Forward,” leading them to reflective disposition.
At this significant event, we applauded the Local Managers and Principals of 10 English Medium Schools, 1 Odia Medium School, and 1 Hindi Medium School, with 11,562 students, 513 teaching and 124 non-teaching staff members, for their dedicated contribution. Our commitment to empowering tribal and disadvantaged children, especially girls, was reaffirmed. Sr Wilberta, Mrs Teresa Singh, Mr Prafulla Kumar Lenka, Ms Seema George, and Mrs Chajaran Lakra were honoured with Platinum Jubilee Memorial Awards in recognition of their remarkable loyalty, creativity and devoted service to transformative education for the fullness of life towards human fraternity.
As we progress, we are called upon to be bold, dream big, and translate those dreams into reality. The Platinum Jubilee allows us, as educators, to think beyond traditional boundaries and extend the light of knowledge to thousands worldwide. We, as teachers, bear the responsibility of passing on the torch to the next generation, igniting in them the flames of love, commitment, and selfless service in shaping "men and women for others." This transformation will turn every Bethany School into a centre of excellence and a beacon of enlightenment, shining far and wide.
Sr M Agnes Tete BS
Bethany Convent School, Rajaulatu
