The 12^th Provincial Chapter of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Shillong Province was held from 21-24 October 2019 at FMA Outreach, Lurshai – Lumshyiap, Shillong. 69 members took part in it which consisted of 35 members by right, 22 community delegates, 10 Province delegates and 2 invitees from the temporary professed Sisters. The theme that guided the assembly was “ Do whatever He tells you (Jn. 2:5) communities that generate life in the heart of our contemporary world”. The moderator for the Chapter was Sr. Celine D’ Cunha, general coordinator of the province and animator of Auxilium Agartala.

The chapter commenced with the Holy Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rt. Rev. Victor Lyngdoh DD, Bishop of Jowai Diocese. The official inaugural function which was hosted by Sr. Teresa Kamsuan and Sr. Anita Dhar, commenced with the introductory words by Sr. Celine D’ Cunha, the moderator of the Chapter. Soon after a short prayer moment invoking God’s light and help was animated. The novices presented the theme through a dance entitled, Nozze a Cana meaning, wedding at Cana. At this point of time, Sr. Elizabeth George, Provincial gave the words of welcome and declared the 12^th Provincial Chapter opened. Some representativves from the Salesian Family which included Fr. Paul Olphindro Lyngkot SDB, Provincial of Shillong Province, Fr. Januarius Sangma SDB, Provincial of Guwahati Province, Fr. V. M. Thomas SDB, Director – Planning & Development of DB Tech, Sr. Mary Concepta Dkhar MSMHC, Provincial of Shillong Province, Mrs. Benita Marbaniang, Provincial Coordinator of Association of Salesian Cooperators Shillong Province, Mrs. Amabilis Susngi, President of the Past-pupils Federation Shillong Province, Mr. Richmond Kharlukhi representative of lay-collaborators, Miss Hearty Suja and Miss Camelia Kharkongor the youth representatives delivered their messages. An audio-visual presentation of the province was prepared and projected by Sr. Euginia Laloo. The solemn opening ceremony concluded with words of appreciation by Sr. Rosa Pyngrope, Vice Provincial.

The first day of the Chapter witnessed the report of the state of the Province by Sr. Elizabeth George, Provincial; the financial report by Sr. Gemima Pohrmen, Provincial Economer and straight away after the clarification and discussion the participants took to serious work with Workshop I – “Reality, Emerging Cultures, Contemporary context and most urgent challenges for our communities”, which was done in region wise. After dinner, all went to St. Dominic Savio’s Church for the Holy Mass at the arrival of the mortal remains of Archbishop Dominic Jala from USA California where he met with the fatalistic accident and succumbed to death. The Mass started only at 11pm and the Sisters returned to FMA Outreach by one o’ clock in the morning.

On the second day, the Chapter members worked on Workshop II – “Pathways for a Fruitful Accompaniment and Choices for a Prophetic Missionary Spirit”, Workshop III – “Listen to the Voices” (Views of others on our life and apostolate) and the General Assembly of the following day in order to make time for the funeral of Archbishop Jala.

The third day’s work included Workshop IV – “What is calling us Today?” after which at 10am, the capitulars left for the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians at Laitumkhrah – Shillong for the funeral of Archbishop Dominic Jala. On their return, the Sisters gathered for the General Assembly of the morning’s workshop from 7 – 11pm.

The central act of last day of the chapter was the election of the Delegate to General Chapter 24 and the substitute. With much prayer and recollection the election procedures went off smoothly and Sr. Celine D’ Cunha was elected as the delegate and Sr. Rosa Pyngrope as substitute. The afternoon session began at 2pm for the presentation of the Proposals, Vision Statement and closing ceremony, which was animated Sr. Helen Puwein and Sr. Euginia Kyntiewlin Susngi. During which Sr. Celine, the moderator proposed the vote of thanks to all who have been instrumental in making the chapter a success. On behalf of the capitulars, Sr. Bashisha Massar voiced out the sentiments of gratitude to the moderator, Sr. Celine. Another moment was dedicated to some fun and frolic with the presentation of the odd moments and the climax was the audio-video presentation on the glimpse of the 12^th Provincial Chapter 2019 prepared by the social communication team. Sr. Elizabeth George, the Provincial in her concluding message encouraged all the Sisters to commit themselves to make the communities generators of life, never letting the wine of joy, enthusiasm and hope run short through a symbolic presentation of wine and a souvenir of PC XII for each community. Then, Sr. Elizabeth George, the President officially declared the 12^th Provincial Chapter closed. Thus the historic event came to a close with a pledge to be “sowers of Prophetic hope” in one’s respective community.