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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 celebrationNow 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, butcould there be a bigger hearted one ! so I bow my head in gratitude to the almighty and beforeeach one of you who made this day a touch stone memory for me, the external grandeur of thisday will slowly fade away but your thoughtfulness will be part of me forever, forgive me if Isound too personal even though I stand on behalf of others too. One day a teacher came to herclass and as part of the thanks giving assignment asked her first graders to draw something forwhich they were grateful. Eddie was a timid boy he had just drawn a hand. The whole class wasso captivated by the sketch some said it might be the hand of God who protect us while others itmay be the hand of the police man who guards us or the milk man who give us milk. In herenthusiasm of finding the class so responsive teacher had almost forgotten Eddie himself, nowshe bend down to him and asked “hey Eddie what did that hand mean for you he whisperedTeacher it is yours! Well today at the end of this Eucharistic celebration if Jesus asks me to do athanks giving assignment for my 25 silver years , I will need many manila papers to complete myassignment because I have to draw many hands that played a significant roles in the journey ofmy life.

When my sisters of the Province asked for the theme for my jubilee I said “25 years ofjourneying under the shadow of His wings!. When I turn back to my religious life I am treasuringit 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, theexpected 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, anddetours, the journey is a good one because Jesus was there to navigate my journey, always showingme light when I was tumbling and protecting me under the shadow of his wings. So colourfully Idraw His outstretched arms at first in my thanks giving canvas. Then I paint the caring hands ofmy parents who brought me up with love and care and ignited in me ardent faith, and the lovinghands 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 lordbrought always surprises on my way and greatest of all that was bringing me to the port of StAnne’s congregation now all what I am I owe to the SAB family, of course with dueacknowledgment to my family of origin. Gratefully draw the guiding hands of my sisters in thecongregation who were torch bearers of my journey. Looking at the altar of the Lord I paintgracefully all the hands of the priests who blessed me, anointed me, nourished me throughspiritual banquets as spiritual directors, my professors and friends. Now very specially for thisheavenly Eucharistic celebration, for all of you who celebrated today’s mass for us. I havealways experienced the prayers and blessings of the angels who are born in heaven very speciallymy beloved father and the dear departed sisters of my congregation friends and relatives

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It is said that people come to your life either for a reason, or for a season or for a life time. In thepast 25 years journey, there were people who came to my life for a reason when I needed a helpthey were there like an angel and their mission accomplished they are gone away from me. StillI remember them gratefully. There were people who came to me for a season they were therewith me for a particular period of time they were very much part of me but now I m not in touchwith them yet I praise god for them. Now when I look around me I see mostly people who willbe 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 thiswas one of the most difficult or challenging phase of my life when I had to face too manyunexpected situations. I need to Paint in golden paint the hands of Philma family, those who arepresent here and those who are gone from here but were very much part of me, I do miss themall. Thanks for being with me and helping me in every way possible. It is said Life's journey isalways easier when you hear a friends footsteps beside you. Yes I could not only hear yourfootsteps, but feel you were walking along with me There are times when everything was not okand I needed someone to whom I could say “I am not okay” it hurts I am glad that there arepeople around me to hear when I say “I am hurt” When I look back at those moments, I am gladthere were shoulders to lean on to say “It’s okay” and to wipe my tears .At times when I didsomething 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 Iclaim there were no struggles in our friendship sure there were but it is said "When someonehurts us, we should write it down in sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away, butwhen someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can evererase it.So I not only paint your hands but engrave it in stone oh not in stone but in my heart. if I have topersonally thank each one of you I have volumes oh ! No I have to thank for a life time .eventhough I don’t mention your names I am sure you can feel my vibrations. You were my angelsperhaps without you and those who were part of Philma family I wouldn’t be standing heretoday. This day was another surprise. Thanks to the Present captains of Philma family. Everydetail was well planned with inspiring Eucharist, melodious choir, delicious meal thoughtful giftsspecial thanks to frs Joshi, Alex ,Vinoy and Srs Silvi and Lis and special thanks to Fr Sebastianfor his special support and the most inspiring homily and for engraving the special words on thememento Once again painting your hands beautifully may I role up my canvas. Thank you..