On Saturday 30 June 2007, the Sisters of the Daughters of St Paul, Bandra were at home to the Lay Pauline Cooperators in celebration of the Annual Patronal Feast of St Paul the Apostle.
11 of the 21 Cooperators were present and 8 renewed their promise concerning their commitment to the Pauline Apostolate of the Media. The rest of the members were unable to make it on account of the water-logging resulting from the night-long downpour.
The Eucharist was celebrated meaningfully and joyfully. On this feast of the Patron saint, it was a joyful occasion for Sr Edline, (Junior) who renewed her vows.
Speaking at the Breakfast, Dom Fernandes, a member of the Core Team, thanked the Sisters on behalf of the Cooperators for their graciousness in hosting the celebration and for the opportunity being provided for lay participation in the Pauline Family’s Mission of spreading the message of the Gospel through the Media. Present for this meal were some of the Councillors, the Sisters-in-charge of various Sectors of Apostolate, Thecla Merlo Community and the Superior of the Queen of Apostles Community.
The Postulants (trained by their English Pronunciation Master, Ladislaus L D’Souza, Lay Pauline Cooperator) sang a brief Pauline Litany in English. In conclusion, they sang “We wish you a hap-hap-happy Feast Day…” to the Cooperators, praying that, infused with the spirit of the great Apostle, they may become effective Lay Paulines!
The morning celebration was preceded by a two-hour Recollection for the Cooperators on the 29th June evening (5.30-7.30 p.m.). The Recollection comprised of a talk by Fr Sebastian ssp, and the Eucharistic Adoration conducted by Ladislaus. It was attended by 14 members of the Association of Lay Pauline Cooperators. The talk focused on the need to know Jesus at a very personal level both as Son of God and Son of Man and following him at a close level. The Scripture verses quoted by Fr Sebastian made for further reflection in the light of our willingness to respond to the call of St Paul to be his imitators as he is of Christ. The Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament took the participants deeper into the commitment aspect of the Lay Cooperator’s mission as an integral part of the Media Apostolate of the Pauline Family. We are grateful to Sr Felicita Teron fsp, who has been directing the Association since the past few months.
Ladislaus L D’Souza, LPC