Diocese: Mangalore
Pioneers: Sisters Cecily Pinto, Rose Marie D’Souza, Benedicta Fernandes and Ancilla Pinto
In tracing the history of Samudra Tare Convent at Kulur, one fact becomes evident: that in 1976, during a period of thirty days (May 15 to June 13) five convents were established in the Mangalore Province, Samudra Tare being last in the order. If one pursues the impulse of curiosity, more fascinating details become manifest. During the tenure of Sr Ernestine Almeida as Superior General 1968-1980, thirty convents were established, thirteen of them in Mangalore Province. Another point to be noted is that the Congregation had not yet been divided into separate administrative units, implying that she, along with her Council, in discernment had made those audacious decisions. Certainly God makes great things come to pass through simple people.
Extensive expansion of thirty convents during a period of twelve years should never mean that red carpets were spread out for the Sisters everywhere. Each of the establishments has its own story with its own share of afflictions and hassles. In the case of Kulur, at their arrival at Kulur on June 13, 1976, following an invitation by Fr Gilbert Pinto, parish priest, they had to occupy a classroom for their residence, naming it Samudra Tare. They taught in the school, assisted in pastoral activities of the church and empowered women and girls through needle work and home science.
A new convent building was constructed and inaugurated on September 7, 1985 in a 25 cent land received from the parishioners as a gift in appreciation of their dedicated service. The construction was financed by donor associations like Propaganda Fide. These details further reveal that almost all the convents at their inception carried with them the sole objective of service to the needy, which is a humble and noble attempt to be true to their commitment. Sisters Olivia Sequeira, Ancilla Pinto, Delphin Tauro, Benilda Roche and Consolata Noronha were happy to live in the new specious building after having lived in abject condition for nine years.
Their delight of living in a new house did not last long, though. In 1995 a part of the retaining wall of the Convent collapsed over a house, without however, causing damage to any life. On August 14, 2008 another part of the retaining wall collapsed on two more houses. At the recommendation of Sr Doreen D’Souza, Superior General, the Sisters Idoline Rodrigues, Lucy D’Souza and Matilda Cardoza moved to a rented house in Kavoor next to Gandhinagar and offered their pastoral services from there. The other Sisters were moved to Bolar, Bijai and Shanthi Dham communities. At that juncture, the parish priest in consultation with the pastoral council offered to the Sisters the old high school building to reside. Sr Susheela Sequeira, Provincial Superior and her team renovated the building, making it conducive to habitation. The new house was inaugurated on March 10, 2009. Mr Gerard Abreo bore major cost of the renovation; the Sisters are indebted to him.
Head teachers of the school such as Sr Rose Marie and her successors, Sisters Dulla D’Souza, Olivia Sequeira, Candida Monteiro, Irene Castelino, Agnes Fernandes, Noella Menezes and Lucy D’Souza have lifted the Kulur Higher Primary School from Hades to heights of glory. Sr Ancilla Pinto has served in the high school of the parish started in 1962 for twelve years as graduate assistant. Sisters Shanthi Lobo, Joyce Pinto and Lilly Pinto succeeded her. Sr Lilly Pinto served also as head teacher for six years.
As in the case of most convents in Mangalore Diocese, at Samudra Tare too the Sisters’ presence has had a threefold objective, namely, educating the children, catechizing and evangelizing, and helping in pastoral activities. In the field of education, they have not only taught academics but also prepared the students to be good citizens. In their task of evangelization, they have been preparing children for reception of the sacraments and animating various associations such as Legion of Mary, YCS, Sodality of Mary, Altar Servers Sodality, Third Order of St Francis of Assisi etc. and participating in SCC prayer meetings of the wards. They visit families especially of the sick and pray Rosary with them on Wednesdays. Pastorally they offer career guidance to youth and coordinate in Jeevan Jyothi Camps. They also reach out to alcoholics and people with superstitious beliefs. In doing so, they never count the cost of their convenience, which, incidentally renders the people indebted towards them. Besides serving at St Antony parish, Kulur, the Sisters have rendered pastoral assistance at parishes in Thannirbavi and Thokur.
The Sisters of Samudra Tare Convent have rendered exceptional services in various fields. Sr Aurea D’Souza while she was the animator of the community for two years functioned from Samudra Tare also as junior directress of the Congregation and later was transferred to Holy Rosary Convent from where she continued her work of formation of the junior Sisters for two more years. Sr Imelda Crasta worked for two years at Prakashalaya, diocesan centre for evangelization located at St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu. She also assisted for six years the Sisters of the Province in their ailment. Sr Lilly Pinto served the Region for three years as Regional Councillor and as Provincial Councillor she served the Province for six years. Sr Idoline rendered her services to the Province as the vocation promoter for six years.
The Convent had the celebrations of the silver jubilee of religious profession of Sr Candida Monteiro on May 14, 1988, Sr Joyce Pinto on May 12, 1995, Sr Lucy D’Souza on June 25, 2005 and the golden jubilee celebrations of Sisters Jane Frances on June 9, 1991 and Sr Imelda Crasta on May 27, 2009. The Sisters have been helped in their spiritual life by the parish priests of Kulur, friars from St Ann Friary Bejai, Jesuits from St Joseph Seminary, Carmelites from Bikarnakatte and Dominican Fathers from Ashoknagar. The Sisters rest assured in our Blessed Mother and pray for daily grace to continue to carry out their mission at Kulur. They also remember to pray for wayfarers through the intercession of our Mother, Star of the Sea.
