Silver Jubilee Vote of thanks at Philma Celebration: Sr Sheela Nicholas S.A.B- : 25 years of journeying under the shadow of His Wings

I am here to share sentiments of gratitude at the close of this jubilee celebration

 Now my heart resonate with gratitude and it over flows in this 8 letter word thank you, just a thank you seems too small to encompass the vibrations of my heart at this point in time, but could there be a bigger hearted one ! so I bow my head in gratitude to the almighty and before each one of you who made this day a touch stone memory for me, the external grandeur of this day will slowly fade away but your thoughtfulness will be part of me forever, forgive me if I sound too personal even though I stand on behalf of others too. One day a teacher came to her class and as part of the thanks giving assignment asked her first graders to draw something for which they were grateful.  Eddie was a timid boy he had just drawn a hand. The whole class was so captivated by the sketch some said it might be the hand of God who protect us while others it may be the hand of the police man who guards us or the milk man who give us milk. In her enthusiasm of finding the class so responsive teacher had almost forgotten Eddie himself, now she bend down to him and asked “hey Eddie what did that hand mean for you he whispered Teacher it is yours! Well today at the end of this Eucharistic celebration if Jesus asks me to do a thanks giving assignment for my 25 silver years , I will need many manila papers to complete my assignment because I have to draw many hands that played a significant roles in the journey of my life.

 When my sisters of the Province asked for the theme for my jubilee I said “25 years of journeying under the shadow of His wings!. When I turn back to my religious life I am treasuring it as a journey in love with Jesus. My journey was comprised of a variety of circumstances, situations, and experiences.  Experiences of joy and sorrow, elation and disappointment, the expected and unexpected, and good and bad. It was a journey, with valleys, mountains, zigzagging paths, caves, cracks, holes, obstacles, and bumps. In spite of the obstacles, bumps, and detours, the journey is a good one because Jesus was there to navigate my journey, always showing me light when I was tumbling and protecting me under the shadow of his wings. So colourfully I draw His outstretched arms at first in my thanks giving canvas. Then I paint the caring hands of my parents who brought me up with love and care and ignited in me ardent faith, and the loving hands of my brother and sister who taught me to be a good sister.

 As a teenager I set out on this journey not knowing well where it is leading me to but the lord brought always surprises on my way and greatest of all that was bringing me to the port of St Anne’s congregation now all what I am I owe to the SAB family, of course with due acknowledgment to my family of origin. Gratefully draw the guiding hands of my sisters in the congregation who were torch bearers of my journey. Looking at the altar of the Lord I paint gracefully all the hands of the priests who blessed me, anointed me, nourished me through spiritual banquets as spiritual directors, my professors and friends. Now very specially for this heavenly Eucharistic celebration, for all of you who celebrated today’s mass for us. I have always experienced the prayers and blessings of the angels who are born in heaven very specially my beloved father and the dear departed sisters of my congregation friends and relatives

It is said that people come to your life either for a reason, or for a season or for a life time. In the past 25 years journey, there were people who came to my life for a reason when I needed a help they were there like an angel and their mission accomplished  they are gone away from me. Still I remember them gratefully. There were people who came to me for a season they were there with me for a particular period of time they were very much part of me but now I m not in touch with them yet I praise god for them. Now when I look around me I see mostly people who will be with me for a lifetime so I need whole life time to draw your hands.

Life in Manila in this “ pearl of the orient” added a significant mile stone in my life perhaps this was one of the most difficult or challenging phase of my life when I had to face too many unexpected situations. I need to Paint in golden paint the hands of Philma family, those who are present here and those who are gone from here but were very much part of me, I do miss them all. Thanks for being with me and helping me in every way possible. It is said Life's journey is always easier when you hear a friends footsteps beside you. Yes I could not only hear your footsteps,  but feel you were walking along with me There are times when everything was not ok and I needed someone to whom I could say “I am not okay” it hurts I am glad that  there are people around me to hear when I say “I am hurt”  When I look back  at those moments, I am glad there were shoulders to lean on to say “It’s okay” and to wipe my tears .At times when I did something good there were few special people to say “You have done well”“You are the best” for simple things . In my life there are people to both celebrate and cry with me. In no way I claim there were no struggles in our friendship sure there were but it is said  "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away, but when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.

So I not only paint your hands but  engrave it in stone oh not in stone but in my heart. if I have to personally thank each one of you I have volumes oh ! No I have to thank for a life time .even though I don’t mention your names I am sure you can feel my vibrations. You were my angels perhaps without you  and those who were part of Philma family I wouldn’t be standing here today.  This day was another surprise. Thanks to the Present captains of Philma family. Every detail was well planned with inspiring Eucharist, melodious choir, delicious meal thoughtful gifts special thanks to frs Joshi, Alex ,Vinoy and Srs Silvi and Lis and special thanks to Fr Sebastian for his special support and the most inspiring homily and  for engraving the special words on the  memento Once again painting your hands beautifully may I role up  my canvas. Thank you..