Saturday25th June 2022 was a grace-filled day for our Congregation, and especially for our Arockya Province, as we blessed and inaugurated our new Convent and Junior College in Waliv, Vasai. We noted this day as honouring the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed VirginMary.

On time10 am, Archbishop Felix Machado, Bishop of Vasai Diocese, was welcomed by our Superior General and Provincial Superior, and ceremoniously accompanied to the college by our students in the School Band and other students doing the Maharashtrian‘lezim, adance-of-welcome. At the college entrance, Bishop Felix said the blessing prayer, blessed the building with holy water, and unveiled the inaugural tablet. Superior General, Mother Reginal cut the inaugural ribbon are open the Convent and College. The ‘samai’ an Indian lamp was set to light by ten special invitees.

After the blessing and inauguration, followed the Thanksgiving Mass with Archbishop Felix Machado as the Main Celebrant with 12 concelebrants.  A multi-lingual choir well supported the whole liturgy. The felicitations line-up was the third item in today’s program. The Provincial of Arockya Province Sr.Plasilda formally welcomed all the guests.

In his address, Archbishop Felix Machado talked of his family and himself being personally familiar with Waliv and reminisced familial memories. Superior General thanked Archbishop Felix for supporting the Sisters of St. Anne in his diocese.  Superior General then honoured Mr. Sanju Gonsalves the building contractor, with a gift.

With that the stage was cleared for the students of St. Anne’s School, Ambadi Road, to present several robust, riveting and fast-paced folk dances, depicting the indigenous communities of Maharashtra, including Vasai! Sr. Therasal, the Provincial Secretary thanked all who made this event memorable.