On Monday, November 7th, The Mayflower Community residents living in Beebe Assisted Living and the Health Center participated in a “Roka Ceremony” viewing. A Roka Ceremony is one of the most significant ceremonies that takes place before a wedding in India. This ceremony marks the union of both the bride’s and groom’s families and friends.
In this Roka Ceremony, the bride-to-be is Lilianna, the older sister of Mayflower’s Community Life and Wellness Coordinator, Cecelia Bagnoli. Lilianna has lived in India for seven years and met her now fiancé about five years ago. They plan to be married in March of 2023.
For Beebe and Health Center residents, Cecelia showed a PowerPoint of parts of the Roka ceremony held in India. Cecelia’s and Lilianna’s mother attended to represent the bride’s family.
In recognition of the program, Mayflower’s Foodservices Supervisor, Jacob Staroska, prepared two special Indian desserts for residents to sample. The dessert resembling donut holes is called “gulab jamum,” and the diamond-shaped sweet made of cashews is called “kaju katli.” They were scrumptious.
— Leslie Jaworski, Community Life and Wellness Director
