Diocese: Aizawl
Pioneers: Sisters Carmelita Monteiro, Severine Carlo and Severine D’Souza
The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters have spent thirty-seven fruitful years in the service of God’s people at Serchhip. A peek at these years would reveal the reasons for the Congregation to feel proud. The pioneers – Sisters Carmelita Monteiro, Severine Carlo, and Severine D’Souza have definitely a claim for laurels for venturing into an unfriendly climatic condition, deplorable transport system, a totally different culture and people than those experienced in Mangalore, and above all demands of a challenging mission. In view of pursuing their apostolic activity, they established the Little Flower Convent School immediately after their arrival in the place; the motto of the school, In Thy Light We See Light conveys the object of their mission. At its commencement, the number of children in the school was eighteen. The figures swelled up as a word about the witness value of the Sisters spread around. Besides, the Sisters walked the streets of Serchhip and visited each family in search of children, the neediest in particular.
After fourteen years, i.e., in 1990, the school has been partially financed by the government of Mizoram. Six teaching staff and two non-teaching staff have been remunerated in line with the government scale of payment. In the subsequent years, payment to teaching staff has increased to ten and payment of non-teaching staff has decreased by one. Number of pupils on record currently is 777. Students passed out of the school are excelling in their lives holding high ranking posts in governmental and non-governmental organizations and administration. Besides, moral life and spiritual life of the people in Serchhip and in surrounding villages has been enhanced. The Sisters rejoice that their labour of love has not been lost. The school provides holistic training for students. In 1991 the Cubs and Bulbul troops were initiated in the school. The school acquires benefits of the SSA (Sarva Sikhsha Abhiyan) in providing midday meal for children. Ecological concern has been introduced as part of school curriculum.
Serchhip, a hillock in structure, is known for incessant rains and therefore regular mud-slides. These necessitated construction of a new school building as the existing building was in a dilapidated condition. Fr S Michael laid its foundation on November 3, 1997. Sr Letitia D’Silva along with the Sisters of her Community laboured to erect the school as well as a convent. The inauguration of both was held on January 30, 2001. Sr Victoria Serrao, Assistant Superior General and Mr F Malsawma, Education Minister of Mizoram, inaugurated the buildings. Bishop Lumen Monteiro, the Episcopal Administrator of Aizawl blessed them. On the occasion the pioneers to Serchhip were felicitated. A hall was put up and inaugurated on February 18, 2006. In the same year the computer education was introduced in the school. Taking into account the financial condition of the families of children, the Sisters have to waive the school fees of some.
As a holistic growth of children is the concern of the Sisters, they focus on their spiritual growth as well. Religion and moral science classes have become part of the school syllabus. In 1992, an organization named Little Way Association has been formed with the objective of teaching and training children to take part in the mission of the Church. In 1999 the Little Way Association has been renamed as Holy Childhood Association (change of name has been directed by the Church) having the same objectives.
The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters have been perceived as educators chiefly due to the impact they have been making in the lives of people at Serchhip and around. At the same time, they are also considered religious guides due to their wholehearted involvement in apostolic activities. Besides carrying out the church- related activities including the preparation of hosts and particles, the Sisters assist in the formation and guidance of the Parish Altar Boys Association (established in 2007) and animation of the YCS members. They visit regularly the families of school children and others; this feature keeps them bonded to people. The Sisters create awareness among Women Guilders regarding their responsibility towards motherhood. A unique feature of the pastoral apostolate is their participation in mission tours – accompanying the parish priest and the church leaders to villages several kilometres away from Serchhip. As these hilly villages have no roads, it is required that one walks the whole day to reach the houses of the people. The Sisters stay with the people, catechize them, teach prayers to children and prepare them for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sisters also accompany the parish priest to substations of the parish. In a new mission started at Khawlailung in 1991, twenty- one members joined the Catholic Church; Sisters Philomena Correa and Benny Crasta have witnessed this exceptional event. The Sisters have also offered their services in the school started by the parish at Khawlailung in 1993.
In 1993 the parish started a High School in the same campus of Little Flower School; Sr Milly Fernandes served as its first head teacher. Eventually the High School was shifted to the new building in the church campus; one Sister renders her service in the High School as head teacher.
The social apostolate of the Sisters at Serchhip is also remarkable. Awareness programmes are being conducted in schools and in villages on drug addiction. The Sisters take part in funeral ceremonies of people and conduct condolence meetings. The well-furnished hall of the school building is offered for activities such as assembly elections, award giving programme on Chapchar Kut (festival of joy), conducting MESLC Exams, competitions at various levels, etc.
The Sisters acknowledge gratefully the constant support of the superiors, the work of the head teachers, the Sisters and the local staff who have toiled tirelessly for the welfare of the Kingdom of God through the Little Flower Convent. The services of the parish priests and assistant parish priests of Serchhip parish and timely guidance of the Major Superiors are also acknowledged gratefully. The present status of the Little Flower School alumni as well as their contribution to society in various fields is a confirmation to the Sisters at the Little Flower Convent that their labour has brought life, life in abundance.
