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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 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
Annes 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 todays 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
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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 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 Its okay and to wipe my tears .At times when I did
something good there were few special people to say You have done wellYou 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 dont 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 wouldnt 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..