Diocese: Gulbarga
Pioneer: Sisters Florence Sequeira and Susheela F
Shahapur, a tiny town in Gulbarga is known for its economic backwardness, the impact of which is extensive on the children of the poor in particular. Assessing the need of the locality, Fr Antony Fernandes, the parish priest of Shahapur, started a school in 2003. He sought the assistance of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in realizing his vision. Sr Jyothi Fernandes, the Provincial Superior, responded promptly to the need and sent Sisters Florence Sequeira and Susheela F to Shahapur on May 24, 2006. They resided in a rental house for three years. The community in Shahapur existed as a sub-community almost for four years. On April 14, 2010, it was canonically erected and the convent was named Sneha Sadan.
The Sisters took up their responsibility immediately in the form of instructing in the school. Initially, they travelled daily 30 kilometres from Shorapur to Shahapur in fulfilling their responsibility. In general the standard of education was extremely dismal. This was because discipline was dismal. The Sisters focused on these two areas and the school grew to be a much sought after study centre within a short period of time.
Besides their teaching ministry, the Sisters involved themselves in pastoral activities such as catechizing and preparing children for reception of the sacraments. At the arrival of Sr Sophia T, a qualified Bachelor in social work, on May 31, 2008, one can claim the face of Shahapur began transforming. In collaboration with the diocesan social work centre Sneha Sangam developmental works were extended to rural areas around Shahapur. She faced suspicion in initial days; however, she was able to win over the people over and gain their overwhelming co-operation and support in the successive days. Sr Mary Bastin Pinto continued the good work begun by Sr Sophia; she has extended her services to the youth of the locality.
