Maharashtra Area Centenary Celebration
The centenary celebration in Pune was held on September 28, 2025. The main celebrant was Rev. Bishop Malcom Sequeira, the Bishop of Amravati diocese, Maharashtra, who was the Vicar General of Poona Diocese from 2012 till he was appointed Bishop in late 2023. Earlier he had worked very closely with Sr. Antoinette D’Sa, as Director of Basic Christian Communities in Poona Diocese. As Poona does not have a Bishop currently, he was approached, and he accepted the invitation gladly.
There were around 370 people present for the celebration- friends, benefactors, religious, Priests, family members. It was a joyous occasion. Though it has been raining the whole week, even on the day, by 10 am the clouds stood still and held their breath till evening not dampening the joyful atmosphere. Ursuline Sisters from Holy Family Hospital Bandra also came to join the Occasion and were happy to meet MMS.
It was the fruit of the team work and organization. MMS, priests, and Bishop were led by an entrance dance. Symbolically hands of the main celebrant were washed and Sr. Usha welcomed the celebrants and the congregation. Bishop Malcolm gave a beautiful homily; he very well connected the sacred journey of MMS with the readings of the day.
An herbal booklet and a calendar were released on this occasion. It was a celebration and jubilation!! Eucharistic celebration was followed by cultural program and lunch. It was a meaningful and joyful celebration.
Sr. Babita and Mrs. Shalini, one of the parishioners, were the comperes. The cultural program started with a prayer dance by our young interested women in Sandipani. Another dance, if you love, was performed by Ms. Sneha, Mr. Francis’s daughter, and domestic helpers from HHC too joined the group. Same group performed a small skit on the life and mission in Phulgaon and how the women have been empowered by Sr. Rosalia and the MMS. Jesuit Scholastics from De Nobili College presented a tribal dance. Sr. Juilana concluded the program with the vote of thanks.