Centenary Celebration
Let us sing a joyful song unto the Lord!
A yearlong preparation preceded our Centenary celebration. As a community we regularly reflected on our documents, special Holy Hour and sharing. Often in our discussions we recalled how the journey had been in the past hundred years.
Much joy, gratitude and thanksgiving fill our hearts to our loving God, Mother Anna Dengel, Agnes McLaren, all the pioneers and MMS, for journeying with us in our Healing Charism.
On September 21st, 2025, we had the Eucharistic celebration in our parish – the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Masihgarh Church, Okhla.
Main celebrant was Most Rev. Archbishop Anil J. T. Couto, of Delhi Archdiocese. Our parish Priest Fr. Deepak Soren, Fr. Sherin Thomas Associate director of Holy Family Hospital and other concelebrants from the neighboring religious communities were present. Religious sisters and brothers of CRI Okhla unit also graced the occasion with their presence. Archbishop and all the concelebrants were felicitated with shawls soon after the mass and the sisters were also honored with shawl and bouquets by the parishioners. Book Marks with Mother Anna Dengel’s photo and her words “If you love …….” were distributed to everyone present.
Mass was solemn with entrance dance by the Mahila Sangh (women’s group of the parish), good singing by the parish choir and good participation. Parish council members, mahila sangh, catechism teachers, and youth contributed to the celebration wholeheartedly. Joy and gratitude filled everyone’s heart and parish campus had so much life around! There was a welcome and short introduction about the celebration at the beginning of the mass, Vote of thanks before the recessional hymn followed by a Power Point presentation on MMS history, beginning of mission at HFH Delhi and changes and evolution of ministries. Then, breakfast was served for all who were present for the occasion.
MMS distributing the provision to poor families of the parish
To mark our Centenary celebration and add meaning to it, we as a community did some fund raising to help out 120 poor families of our parish. The parish leaders identified these most needy families and we provided them some provisions. These families are mainly working as domestic workers, gardeners and laborers to earn their living and they are migrants in Delhi. Helping financially a poor family to pay back their Bank loan and paying the bills of some poor patients taking dialysis on regular basis were also part of our charitable activities that added special sense to our celebrations. On September 30th we had another celebration in the community with HFH directors, other priests and religious of the HFH campus. We had Eucharistic celebration in the evening, with Fr. Arokia Das, being the main celebrant – our former associate director and Fr. Antony Francis, hospital Chaplain. About twenty sisters from different congregations rendering their services at HFH were part of this celebration. It was an occasion to make ourselves known to other congregations who were present including some student sisters.
We can truly say we have been blessed. The many hands that helped, our wonderful friends, families and benefactors, without them we would not have been able to accomplish all these.
May the Fire and Flame lit in Mother Dengel’s heart continue to burn brightly inspiring and guiding us as we journey along after having celebrated the milestone of 100 years and may it take us into the future with many who will take the path that led us to the now.
And so, we say “For all that have been THANKS and for all that will be YES.”