Sr. Marie (left), Sr. Ancilla (right) being congratulated by Sr. Lucy (centre) 

Sr. Marie Deans and Sr.Ancilla Rodrigues celebrated their Golden Jubilee on 31st March 2012 at Kiamaina  Novitiate, Nakuru.  The celebration began the evening before with a thanksgiving prayer led by Sr. Rose Nakku who is the third member of the novitiate community at Kiamaina.  In this prayer the sisters were led to reflect on the Biblical tradition of a time of jubilee – and the opportunity to understand life backwards, reflecting on God’s Providence and the joys and challenges of the journey.  Marie’s motto, “In you Lord I hope”, and Ancilla’s motto, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” became the backdrop of their personal faith sharing during prayer – the story of when God became real in their lives, when they sensed a call to seek something more and how a loving God reaches out to invite us into a life of service as a Franciscan Missionary Sister for Africa.  This personal faith sharing was the best gift they could give to the novices who were a large part of the group at this prayer, by affirming and supporting the future!

The 31st morning dawned gloriously.  The joyful Franciscan liturgy was celebrated by the parish priest of Kiamaina, Fr. Michael McCarthy.  All the FMSA sisters in Kenya attended together with Lydia D’sa representing the sisters in Uganda.  Three members of the staff at Kiamaina were also present.  This small ‘family’ group sang and praised God for the rich and wonderful opportunity to celebrate a double jubilee.  In his moving and inspiring homily, Fr. Michael alluded to how God had carried them on “eagles wings”, pointing out how each sister had lived her call in faithfulness, doing the ordinary things of daily life in a quiet unassuming manner and in this way being effective for the Kingdom. Just before the final blessing, Fr. Michael said that he had a message from Rome, and presented Marie and Ancilla with the Papal Blessing.  The final thanksgiving song moved Ancilla and other sisters to express their joy and gratitude in dance.

 
Sisters in Kenya and from Uganda who attended the Jubilee Celebration

The novices had a delicious lunch prepared for all and at the end of the meal Marie and Ancilla cut their jubilee cake and thanked all the sisters present for making the day a memorable one, and all their family and friends for supporting and sustaining them to this point in their lives.

Sr. Lydia D’Sa FMSA