Diocese: Mysore
Pioneers: Sisters Jacinta Pinto, Jaya Joseph and Mary Reg
The Convent is located to the west of Chamarajanagar Taluk. Bordering on the taluk to south are Kerala and Tamil Nadu States. To the north is Nanjangud Taluk of Mysore District. To the east is Chamarajanagar Taluk. To the west of this Taluk is HD Kote Taluk of Mysore District. Gundlupet town is the taluk headquarters. The historical name of the Gundlupet town was Vijaypura. It is located on the banks of Gundlu River and situated on the Mysore-Udhagamandalam (Ooty) National Highway. It is at a distance of 61 kms to the south of Mysore city.
The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters chose a place of such immense significance at the invitation of Bishop Mathias Fernandes of Mysore Diocese. Sisters Jacinta Pinto, Jaya Joseph, and Mary Rego arrived at Gundlupet on May 27, 1975. They had to usher in their apostolic life through a threefold task: educational, pastoral and socio-developmental.
The Nirmala Ashram Higher Primary School established in the same year as their arrival at Gundlupet had to beg for a viable number of pupils at the beginning. Today it can count 450, varying from LKG to class VII. The school occupies an esteemed status. The celebration of its foundation of 25 years earlier on February 20, 2000 has enhanced its fame further. Amidst success, the focus of the Sisters has not been shifted. They continue to admit destitute children to the school. They have admitted 90 destitute children from the Children’s Home of the ‘Christian Missionary Service’ (Christian Denomination). Besides, they coach the slow-learning students before and after school hours. In the year 2012 English Medium section of Class VI has been commenced with due permission from the department.
Sisters contribute to the life of the Church through their life witness and mission. They collaborate actively in all the liturgical, para-liturgical and pastoral activities. They teach catechism in the parish, prepare children and adults for the reception of sacraments, train the liturgical choir and assist in Sunday liturgy. In 2005, the Sisters commenced the ‘Lay Leaders’ Association’ in the parish. The association consists of twelve Catholic women who take leadership role in the parish church. Participating and guiding SCC and BCCs is a regular feature of the pastoral exercise of the Sisters.
In order to reach out effectively to the marginalized, the Sisters set off Nirmala Seva Kendra in 2005. With women and children as their focus, the Sisters reach out to all marginalized sections of society through the centre. Programmes concerning awareness of the rights of women, formation of Self Help Groups, empowerment of women through savings and obtaining government loans and other facilities, vocational guidance and skill training through tailoring for girls and women and activities related to women empowerment and Child Sponsorship Programme are conducted at the centre by the Sisters.
After 32 years, i.e., in 2007 the convent building was renovated and extended. It was inaugurated on September 1, 2008 by Sr Olinda Sequeira, the Provincial Superior. The Sisters have been toiling tirelessly for 38 years in the pursuit of fulfilling their objective of bringing the Kingdom of God to people. Much has been achieved and much more is yet to be achieved.
