The Murree Community celebrated the opening of the Bicentenary celebration with great enthusiasm and excitement. After weeks of preparation, the day commenced with bright sunshine and blue skies. In the morning the helpers were busy in preparing the “flat” with banners and the hall was decorated tastefully with the sayings of St. Claudine displayed on a backdrop as well as the flags of our JM presence in the world.
The Eucharist was celebrated at 4.30 p.m. with three priests. Fr. Jacob Dogra, the Vicar General of the Pindi Diocese, Fr. Joe Joyce, (Columban) who also gave the homily and Fr. Anoush David. The Sisters formed the choir with a few teachers and children accompanied by the keyboard and the dholki. At the end of Mass, the children of the school performed a “Vird”.
The programme in the hall commenced with a Power Point on the beginnings of the Congregation focusing on all the houses and schools in the Province and then on to other continents and countries. The children of the Junior School gave two performances on “The Little Violet” and “ The Life of St. Claudine Thevenet”. Both performances were appreciated by all.
After the Junior School the Senior School performed cultural dances of the five Provinces. The boys and girls of Class 9 and 10 danced to the folk dances of the Provinces and the audience was thrilled.
Sr. Marian thanked all the Sisters and teachers for their hard work in the preparation of the programme. As the guests proceeded to dinner, fireworks began on the flat with the “dhol” beating. All began to dance and enjoy themselves. The guests were given a sumptuous meal and all were very pleased to have been part of this celebration. “How Good God is!”.