Mangaluru: Bishop of Belagavi Rev Dr Peter Machado graces Golden Jubilee Celebrations of VTI

Mangaluru : The Apostolic Carmel has spread its branches into the various parts of India, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Pakistan, Kenya, Rome and Bahrain. The Congregation is governed under Six Provinces and centrally administered by the General Team from the General Mother-house in Bangalore. The mission of the religious institute was and remains Catholic Education. It provides a Catholic value-based education, with special attention given to the disadvantaged sections of society through various levels of education: pre-primary, primary, secondary, pre-university, higher,technical and special education for the disabled. The other ministries include: healing ministry, nursing care, de-addiction and rehabilitation of alcoholics and drug addicts, self-help groups, prison ministry, ministering to persons with different disabilities, community-based-rehabilitation, Catechism and faith education.

And one such educational and technical institute managed by the AC nuns is the Vijaymari Technical Institute (VTI) and Community College located near Mary hill, and has been serving to the needs of the young women in building various careers in their lives since 1965. Viyaymari motto challenges them to spend themselves in “Faith” and ” Service” after the examples of Mary. Ever since the opening of the Technical Institute, the service rendered by Vijaymari to thousands of young women seemed like it was wanted, because the service has been beneficial year-after-year for the past 50 years, where students have come forward to get the training that they needed which enabled them to fit themselves to face life.

Vijaymari Technical Institute, and few years back the opening of Community College at the same premises, has served young girls of Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring area by offering them opportunities to face the never economic challenge that developing India was posing for its youth. For the last 50 years, the Superiors, Misereor, and all the Sisters connected to Vijaymari had ‘fought the good fight’ in raising this institute to greater heights, thereby making their dear Mother Theodosia’s – the founder of Vijyamari, vision a reality. 50 golden years indeed, purified with splinters from the cross of His Son- Splinters that hurt in order to bind, the Apostolic Carmelite nuns worked together hard in keeping this institute running smoothly and successfully, catering to the needs of young women- and they hope to continue serving in the same way in the years to come.

The brainchild behind the starting of Vijaymari Technical Institute was the Superior General (1959-1972) then, Mother M Theodosia AC who wanted to provide several opportunities for the benefit of young Catholic girls/others who emerge out from High schools in DK, and who were eager to take some profession which would enable them to learn and earn and supplement their family income; and also Mother Theodosia realizing that these promising young girls were at the same time, subject of moral danger specially when they had no option but to leave Mangalore to find better jobs in cities like Mumbai decided to open this institute. And on 8 May 2015, The Management, Staff and Students of Vijaymari Technical Institute celebrated the “Golden Jubilee” with Thanksgiving Eucharist, Felicitations and Cultural Programme, at the VTI Chapel, and later after mass, a formal function in Open-air at VTI premises.

The “Golden Jubilee Celebrations” began with Thanksgiving Eucharist at the VTI Chapel, con-celebrated by Dr Peter Machado-Bishop of Belagavi (formerly Belgaum), along with other clergy namely Fr Lawrence Ronald D’Souza- Kodialbail Church, Fr Alwyn- Capuchin priest, and Fr Sterwin. Sr Euna AC – a sister who worked many years in VTI briefed about the history of VTI. In his homily, Bishop Machado quoting that Man gets and then forgets, he said, ” While we are celebrating in joy the golden jubilee of VTI, we should not forget the blessings of God on this institution. God has not let us down, he protects us, guides us and cares for us, and in rerturn we should be grateful to him”.

He further said, “Everything is possible with God- we need to trust him, have faith and believe in him. While we are celebrating the fruitful golden years of this institute let us ask for God’s blessings so that this institute will carry on to celebrate the platinum and centenary jubilee. I congratulate the Sisters, staff and students of this great institution for the successful 50 years and may God bless you all”. The Mass was followed by felicitations and cultural programme.

The formal function began with a welcome prayer song sung by VTI students, followed by “Swagatam” a welcome dance by VTI students. Sr Maria Joyce AC-Principal of VTI welcomed the gathering and introduced the dignitaries on the dais, which was followed by the inauguration of the program by lighting the traditional lamp by Bishop Machado, along with other guests of honor namely- Sr M Linette AC- Provincial Superior-Karnataka Province, Sr Edna Furtado-Secretary-Apostolic Carmel Educational Society-Karnataka Province, Dr Ida Barboza- Superior and Joint Secretary, Sr M Rosetta- Pioneer-VTI, and Sr M Joyce-Principal-VTI.

Sr Rosetta expressing her close association with VTI and served for 21 years said, “Thousands of students from DK, Kerala, Karwar, Belgaum, Bellary, Chikkamagaluru, and many other areas have passed out of this Institute and are employed or self- employed, and also many have joined vocations to different Religious Congregations among quite a few have joined the Apostolic Carmel. Ever since the inception, although Vijaymari is an unaided though permanently recognized Institution it has developed steadily and it was only possible due to the tremendous support and encouragement received by way of spiritual, moral and financial aid both from within and outside AC congregation”.

She further said, “Over the years since Vijaymari started functioning, there have been various new courses added. Right from the start, the department of Commerce and Tailoring has been active, the former offering Typewriting and Shorthand in English, and the latter in I and II years Certificate Courses in Tailoring. Book-keeping and accountancy, Kannada Typewriting and Shorthand and the non-Government course of Needle-Work, Computer Course and others were added. A course in drawing was also added which helped students prepare for the higher grade drawing exams. Vijaymari also provides hostel facilities to their students and also to other students who pursue their education at other institutions like St Agnes College. I feel proud to be a member of this AC family”.

MLA Moideen Bava who arrived late for the function, in his speech praised the Christian community for their service in the field of education. No other community provides the best education and morals like the Catholic community, he said. Through all that God has enabled these Apostolic Carmel Sisters to do, and make them continue what they are doing, their main objective is to help the students to get the skills and attitudes necessary for community living with a sense of dignity in labour to serve faithfully God and the Country. Although the Sisters are trying their best in running the Institute to the maximum satisfaction of the students with quality and dedicated service and training, the public should also support them. “If the Sisters need my help through the government I am ready to oblige them” said MLA Bava.

Sr Linette AC also spoke and complimented the management and staff for the glorious fifty years of service through education, and morals. Few Sisters were felicitated for their dedicated service towards VTI, they are Sr Rosetta AC, Sr Christine Misquith AC, Sr Leena AC, Sr Sandhya AC, Sr Villa AC, Sr Vinutha AC, Sr Euna AC, and others. The cultural program comprising of dances and songs received loud applaud from the audience. The vote of thanks was proposed by Robert-VTI teacher, and the function was professionally compered by Vaishali, who received high praises for a job well done.

While remembering the precious words of Mother Teresa, ‘ In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love’, I end this column with a thought-provoking message for all the good things and work that Sisters of Apostolic Carmel rendered at ‘Vijaymari’ for the last 50 years :

“As you serve the Lord with all your heart and his life shines through you to light the way for others, may you rejoice in knowing what a difference you are making in His kingdom. For the work, love and goodwill that you spread throughout the community, may God bless you.”

Also Read:

Vijaymari Technical Institute & CC Run by AC Sisters Helping Young Women Build Careers Since 1965