DIAMOND YEARS OF SR.IVY D' SOUZA CELEBRATED
A thanksgiving Prayer was held in honour of Sister Ivy D' SOUZA for the 60 years of her Religious Profession and joyous service to God and His people in North East India as a Salesian sister of Don Bosco on 20th December 2020 at Mazzarello Study Home, Kuda Nagarjan Dimapur.
On the occasion, Sis Ivy thanked God for the 87 years of her life and 60 years of religious profession in the North East where she stepped in the N.E. in the year 1955 as a young lady teacher. Besides Kohima (Nagaland) she served in several parts of the NE including Shillong, Assam, Manipur. Thanking the people of the North East for enriching her life, Sister Ivy said, "I have never regretted a single moment coming and working for the people of North East." Recalling her time and life spent with the past pupils of LFS, she commented, "You supported me and I helped you grow, I love you all very much. She was the head mistress of Little Flower School Kohima from 1974 to 1981 where she mentored, disciplined and moulded students with honest authority and many of whom has become an asset for the society today.
Retired Commissioner & Secretary Nagaland, Lithrongla Chishi, who was a student of Sister Ivy, (1977 batch)while recalling her schooling days and the impact Sister Ivy has made to many including parents said, "She has taught has to be virtuous, taught us to be good children of God, to fear the Lord and to be modest. Lithrongla pointed out how Sister Ivy has made LFS one of the strongest educational institutions in Nagaland not just for education itself but discipline and bringing human beings and good citizens. I am sure today Sister Ivy would be proud to see the marks of LFS Kohima girls in different organisations and society, she remarked. We have walked the road with all the teachings and guidance given to us by Sister Ivy to be disciplined, modest, to help the poor and to always look forward to do something better, Lithrongla maintained. She encouraged the LFS Kohima past pupils to take forward the teachings of Sister Ivy and appealed to them not to diminish her teachings but to light the world in a bigger horizon.
Editor and Publisher, Nagaland Page, Monalisa who was also a student of Sister Ivy, (1977 batch) described her as a constant moral anchor who continues to make indelible marks in many lives. Sister Ivy was our most feared but loved teacher/ headmistress and we cannot imagine what our life would have been if not for the presence of Sister Ivy, Monalisa recalled. She said that she felt so blessed to see the 60 years together with Sir Ivy making enduring memories. You gave your all and best to make us genuine and changed us from wild weeds to roses and you have been a teacher par excellence, Monalisa lauded.
Besides the fear of the Lord, I still fear Sister Ivy and that has made me do the best, Mona commented. May you always be that firm voice that speaks to us to remain true to God, Monalisa prayed.
OSD to Government of Nagaland and HOD NSDMA, Johnny who was also present, congratulated Sister Ivy for her Diamond years in the service of God and also for moulding so many lives who are now contributing towards the society. You are a true definition of making your occasion translate in real life, he said.
During the brief but memorable programme, Atula Kikon (1983 batch) invoked God's blessings upon Sir Ivy, Father Paul proposed the vote of thanks while Pastor Moa Imsong pronounced the benediction. The programme was compered by Abeny Odyuo (1983 batch). Besides LFS Kohima past pupils, the programme was more colourful with the attendance of sisters from Mazzarello Home, sisters from Senapati and sisters from St.Joseph University who also presented a special Christmas rendition.
(DPRO Dimapur)
