Diocese: Bareilly
Pioneers: Sisters Jacintha Cutinha, Edith Rodrigues, Monthi Fernandes and Philomena Moras
The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters have been rendering their services in the State of Uttar Pradesh already for sixteen long years. They have been collaborating in the projects of the diocese (education, health, hygiene, awareness programmes, and socio- economic undertakings). They have been serving within the structures provided for them and contenting themselves with the meagre allowance paid. In order to address the situation of ‘over- dependency’ on the diocese, Sr Edilburga Monteiro the Superior General proposed a few remedial measures: possession and management of two or three English medium schools in the Province was one such course. Accordingly, along with Sr Carmelita Monteiro the Regional Superior, she approached Bishop Anthony Fernandes of Bareilly Diocese. He responded positively to the proposal. As a result, the Sisters occupied a plot of land leased by the Diocese at Baheri, a township which lies 45 kilometres to the South of Bareilly city and 95 kilometres to the north of Nainital.
The construction of a school building was to begin immediately. In January 1993, Sisters Rosy Tellis and Jenvita Pinto undertook the responsibility. They resided in the family of a physician belonging to Sikhism; Mrs Elizabeth Theresa Henry, a Catholic lady of Baheri, also assisted them to a large extent. The construction was funded by the diocese partly. Assistance received from Fr Raymond Menezes, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Bareilly, certainly calls for a word of thanks. Help procured from all corners along with tireless labour of Sisters Rosy and Jenvita was visible concretely in the form of five class- rooms by the end of June 1993.
The erection of five classrooms marked the beginning of Assisi Nilaya. Sisters Jacintha Cutinha, Edith Rodrigues, Monthi Fernandes and Philomena Moras landed at Baheri as pioneers. They occupied the classrooms for their residence, naming it Assisi Convent; it was inaugurated and blessed by Bishop Anthony Fernandes on December 27, 1993. A long-standing dream of the Sisters to have a school of their own was realized in July 1993 when kindergarten and class I were commenced with 50 children each in the newly constructed school building.
Over the years, the Assisi School has developed both structurally and numerically. At the request of parents/ guardians, in 2005 the School has been upgraded to PUC Composite College with Commerce and Science sections. The School has been affiliated to the Indian Certificate for Secondary Education (ICSE) and (Council for the Indian School Certificate examination Board CISCEB), New Delhi. The School caters to the educational needs of the rich as well as the poor. Through value education sessions, the Sisters form young minds to make them responsible citizens of the country.
As in other cases, in Baheri too, the Catholic population is almost nil. Right from 1990s, a priest occasionally arrived from Bareilly and celebrated Eucharist in one of the two Catholic families residing at Baheri. With the arrival of the Sisters in 1993, the Eucharistic celebration was frequented and it was celebrated in the chapel of the convent. Only in 1990, a parochial house was constructed in Baheri and a priest began residing in it attending to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Catholic families (now four in number) and the Sisters.
Education/literacy has been the requisite of Baheri; but issues concerning health and socio-economics were no less essential. Sr Julia Noronha ventured singlehandedly to address the concerns; through the mediation of Fr John Joseph OFM Cap, the Provincial Minister of St Fidelis Province, she approached the Swiss Capuchin Provincial for financial help. The response was prompt and generous. In 2001, a health centre was constructed with the support and guidance of Br Julian Crasto OFM Cap. In order to promote better health, she introduced curative as well as preventive measures. The dispensary caters to outpatients; deliveries are being conducted as well. Sr Julia has trained women health workers to work in rural areas: the ANM programme of a year’s duration conducted in the dispensary has proved beneficial. Immunization, awareness programmes regarding health and hygiene, women’s right to health are a few regular programmes conducted in and through the Centre. Sr Saleen Mary replaced Sr Julia in 2011; she attends to health-related requirements of the people.
Sr Julia has been addressing the socio-economic concerns of people in and around Baheri, a venture she had begun as early as 2001. Since 2011, she has been committing herself totally to socio-economic concerns. She has established 106 SHGs (Self- Help-Groups). In an interaction with animators of these Groups it is discovered that members of these Groups, both men and women, were truly empowered. Sr Julia briefed that they undertook effective programmes for people in their respective villages. Sr Julia assists also differently abled people and children: helping them attend school, buying books and uniforms for them, arranging quarterly sessions to encourage and motivate them concerning their worth, providing physiotherapy, tricycles, medical facilities and pensions. Governmental and non-governmental organizations assist her in this venture.
People in rural areas are trained for income generating skills such as weaving bags, preparing detergents etc. Arrangements are being made for sale of their products. A fact to be noted is that one of such beneficiaries has started a school by himself which now has 150 students. People are assisted also to own and manage petty shops. Ration card, Indira Aawaz (home loans) and widow pension schemes have been made available to people. Legal issues concerning the poor have been taken up passionately. Women’s groups, BPL people have been receiving subsidies. Literacy has been accorded utmost importance. Women and children from rural areas (including slow-learning children) have been the focus of the project. Expertise of the candidates has been employed for the cause when the programme of candidates was being held at Baheri for eleven years (1995-2006). Socio-political involvement of the Sisters has been rendered effective due to the financial support of Suchetana
– diocesan centre for social development. Prior to this scheme, the social apostolate was funded by a few agencies from foreign countries.
Assisi Nilaya has been a house of formation for eleven years (1995 to 2006). In early 1990s, when the Congregation decided to entrust responsibility of formation to respective provinces, the North Province chose Assisi Nilaya, Baheri as the residence for candidates. The first batch consisting of seven candidates was formed in local culture under the guidance of Sr Rosy Tellis. As the number of activities increased at Assisi Nilaya, the number of Sisters increased as well. Consequently, the training programme had to be moved to Hardoi in 2006.
The Sisters are committed to pastoral activities of the parish community. Catechism is taught in the school as well as in the parish. BCC meetings are conducted and attended to, regularly.
Challenges are plenty; however, God’s grace and mutual support keep the Sisters going. In fact the mission of the Sisters at Baheri can be deemed evangelization at its best.
