A Report on International Women’s Day Celebration

Sr. Shalini.C.J.

The International Women’s Day celebration was held in the Diocesan Community centre at Goll Dakhana on 9 March 2008. It was an occasion to remind women of the tremendous strength , power and potentialities with which God has blessed each one of us. And also to remember the strength and achievements of women and their contributions in building up of a just, honest and happy society. I, as an animator was privileged to attend this programme along with 11 members of St. Xavier’s parish, Shahbad, Mahila sangh. Of course, it was a thrilling moment for me to witness hundreds of women from all walks of life, seated in the hall with lot of enthusiasm and zeal. The days’ programme began at 9.30.a.m.with Holy Euchrist, offered by Rev. Fr. George Manimala of Delhi Archdiocese. In his homily he emphasized on the important role of women in the family and society. In the life of children –mother, father and primary school teacher have a great role in inculcating the right values. Among these three persons, the mother stands first in giving new life, promoting right values of life which enable to build up a society based on love , fraternity and justice and thus the kingdom of God. He highlighted the importance of women by the example of a mother who gave up her life in order to give life to her child. The self sacrificing mother was canonized as a saint in 1992. After the Holy Mass, Sr.Lilly Francis SMMI shared her views on women’s place in the family as a daughter, sister and mother. The family and society is incomplete in the absence of women. They are the strength, power, support . Courage, comfort , source of inspiration and love to each family. The salvation history begins with a woman. Jesus empowered women from all kinds of exploitations. Many became his disciples, even at the foot of the cross they were present to console, comfort and support him. Some others too shared their experience in working for the empowerment of women. On the whole it was an inspiring, thought provoking and challenging experience. All of us were happy to be a part of this august gathering and to be women –the new life giving, source of strength and power in the society . I would like to conclude with a famous quote from Mark Twin “It is at our mother’s knees that we acquire our noblest, truest and highest ideals.”