Diocese: Shimoga
Pioneers: Sisters Millicent Pinto, Redempta Francis, Irene Vas and Juliana Miranda
Jogfalls is a tourist attraction spot due to its gorgeous waterfalls; the waterfall in turn is a contributive factor towards generation of power, which lights up a vast territory of Karnataka. Due to the power project, Jogfalls had housed a large number of labourers. In order to cater to their spiritual and other needs, the Diocese of Shimoga required a committed band of Sisters. At the behest of Bishop Alphonse Mathias of Chikmagalur Diocese, Fr Joe Mary Lobo, the parish priest of Jogfalls, invited the Sisters to Jogfalls.
At their arrival, they resided in a transient structure of the Power Project. They undertook educational, pastoral, medical, and social and development works at Kargal, a town located seven kilometres away from Jogfalls. Kargal housed the additional labour force of the Power Project. Sr Millicent, one of the pioneers, recounts their initial days at Jogfalls: the arduous walking they had to undertake to and from Kargal and Jogfalls, the days of starving they had to spend due to lack of financial stability, and the weight of heavy work they had to assume on their young shoulders. As the immigrant workers at Kargal vacated the place in 1970s at the completion of their project, the Sisters focused their total attention on Jogfalls. The Sisters clearly point to the fact that they follow the mandate of Christ in their mission and never their own schemes.
By 1970s, the Sisters managed to procure rent free housing from the Power Project. The immediate task was to begin a school at Jogfalls. The initiative was backed by SK Hanumantha Reddy, BE Super Intending Civil Engineer, Kargal and his assistants. Christa Prakash School was started in 1971. It achieved progress within a short span of time. The educational office, impressed by the good work of the Sisters, offered financial assistance to the School. Along with educational activities, the Sisters kept alive their developmental works. They extended their services to substations such as Kogar, Linganamakki, Siddapur and Padambyle.
In 1987 at the intervention of Fr Mark D’Silva, the parish priest, the Sisters put up a school as well as a convent building. The school consisting of both Kannada and English mediums, excelled wonderfully under the able leadership of several Sisters. The Superiors in particular deserve a mention: Sisters Millicent Pinto, Celomia Olivera, Petronilla D’Silva, Alicita Lasrado, Supriya Handiavar, Santosh D’Souza, Jacintha Veigas and Rita Lobo. In the succeeding years, demands for English medium effected a drastic fall in number of students to the existing Kannada medium school. In order to maintain the number, the Sisters had to open a boarding house with the assistance of Bishop Jerald Lobo of Shimoga Diocese. The boarding house accommodates children belonging to economically weaker sections.
The Sisters at Jogfalls are active pastorally. They animate and guide Youth Associations, Legion of Mary, Y.C.S, Altar Boys’ Sodality and St Vincent De Paul Association. Socio- developmental works are not sidelined; they steer Mahila Sanghas. Jogfalls being an electric colony illumines a vast part of the State of Karnataka. Certainly, in the years to come Christa Jyothi Convent and School will continue to radiate the light of Christ to those living still in darkness.
