Welcoming New Sisters into the Community

Holy Mass Introduction - The Community of Nazareth, Fort, Trichy – 2024

INTRODUCTION
Dear Beloved Nazareth Community,
Today is a day adorned with the petals of anticipation and the fragrance of new
beginnings. With hearts as open as the blossoms in spring, we gather to extend a
resplendent welcome to our dear Sr. Regie Chinnapan, our animator, Sr.
Borgia, Sr. Lynette, Sr. Mangala, Sr. Jera. and Sr. Judy Gomez Like delicate
petals carried by the winds of fate, our newly transferred members have found their
home in the nurturing soil of Nazareth.
As we embrace them into our community, let us marvel at the gathering of colorful
experiences, each hue painting the canvas of our collective journey. Like a bouquet
enriched by diverse blooms, our community flourishes today with the addition of
these esteemed individuals. In their arrival, we discover new melodies to
harmonize with our symphony of unity.
As a sign of our warm embrace, let us adorn them with Kumkum and sandal paste
and pin the favor.
Welcome, dear sisters, to the enchanting haven of Nazareth. May your roots
intertwine with ours, and may your presence enrich our mosaic with the most
exquisite of hues. We extend our heartfelt welcome to you all, with all the splendor
and grace befitting this extraordinary moment.
WORDS OF SAINTS
Dear sisters, as we move ahead on this new journey, the road we haven't taken
before, our beloved saints are here to guide us with their wise words.

1. St. Teresa of Ávila: "Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands
but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the
compassion of Christ looks out to the world. Yours are the feet with which
He is to go about doing good, and yours are the hands with which He is to
bless us now."

2. St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary,
use words."
 3. Mother Claudine Echernier: "Humility, humility, my dear daughters! That
is the virtue that will enable you to reach the heights."

4. Father Peter Mermier: "In times of trial and difficulty, remember that God
is with you. Trust in His guidance and never lose hope, for He will sustain
you through every challenge."

5. St. Francis de Sales: "Have patience with all things, but chiefly have
patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own
imperfections but instantly set about remedying them every day begin the
task anew."

MASS INTRODUCTION WITH SYMBOLIC PRESENTATION

In our sacred gathering today, we extend a warm welcome to our sisters Sr. Regie
Chinnapan, our animator, Sr. Borgia, Sr. Sr. Lynette, Sr. Mangala, Sr. Jera.
and Sr. Judy Gomez who have chosen to dedicate their lives to serving God here
in Fort, Trichy. Their commitment to God fills us with joy.
We will now contemplate a meaningful story from the Bible in which Jesus uses
the analogy of a vine and its branches. He likens Himself to the vine, emphasizing
the importance of remaining closely connected to Him for strength and sustenance.
This analogy underscores our mutual dependence on each other and on Jesus.
Just as branches rely on the vine for life, our new sisters join us seeking that same
vital connection with Jesus and with our community. They are eager to learn and
grow with us.
As a symbol of your insertion into our community, I invite each of you, dear
sisters, to hang a bunch of grapes in the fort's garden.
Music ……. Sisters are fixing the grape bunces
Let us remember Jesus' words: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever
remains in me will bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing"
(John 15:5). With this in mind, let us offer our new sisters love and support.
As we come together in worship, let us celebrate our unity, renewal, and the
boundless love of God. With hearts full of gratitude, let us continue to
acknowledge that God's love unites us as one family in Christ.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according John 15:1-9

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch
in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears
more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the
vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much
fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw
them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain
in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father
glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves
me, so I also love you. Remain in my love."

Ephesians 3: 16-19