Diocese : Chikmagalur
Pioneers: Sisters Lilly Rodrigues, Gratia Pinto, Mildred Crasta
The Sisters rendering their service through six establishments of the Congregation in the district of Chikmagalur – Assisi Convent at Tirthahalli (1956), St Joseph Convent at Koppa (1958), Sacred Heart Convent at Hirebile (1960), Nirmala Convent at Balehonnur (1962), Christa Jyothi Convent at Jogfalls (1965), and Christa Prabha Convent at Jayapura (1973) – have been facing a twofold problem. The first difficulty is related to the geographical distance lying between these houses and the administrative unit of the Congregation/Province, which created a sense of ‘being secluded’ in the Sisters. The second hitch concerns the hassles the Sisters had to undergo during their trip to the headquarters on account of civil and educational purposes; they had to take recourse of the generosity of people at the area, which was not always reasonable.
As a result of the decision of the Mysore Province Chapter, the first concern was addressed in 2008 by forming the Chikmagalur Region which consisted of the six above-noted houses. The second issue was settled by setting up a transit house at Chikmagalur in 2011. This section offers details regarding the transit house. Larissa meaning ‘cheerful’ or ‘light-hearted’ is the name assigned to the transit house. The house has been rented from Mr Lawrence Lobo who resides in Mumbai. The owner of the house handed over the house to the Sisters on 29, December 2010 at Chikmagalur depositing Rs 30,000/- and Rs 3,000/- as the monthly rent. Sr Irene Brian D’Souza has been instrumental in procuring the rented house. Larissa has been furnished by the articles secured from the Giri Jyothi Convent at Kudremukh as it was closed down due to closure of the Iron Ore Mining Company at Kudremukh. Sr Jyothi Fernandes, Provincial Superior inaugurated the house and Bishop Antony Swamy of Chikmagalur Diocese blessed it on February 2, 2011.
The Capuchin Friars working in the area have offered to the Sisters a teaching post at their Infant Jesus School. Hence, from June 2011 onwards a Sister teaches in the School. The Sisters are involved in pastoral ministry as well. They visit families; the Catholics are assisted in their faith formation. Above all, the Sisters at Larissa fulfil diligently and joyfully the charge of providing a transit to the Sisters arriving from the outposts of the Delegation in discharging their responsibilities at the civil and educational administrative units in Chikmagalur. They no more feel excluded but rather feel included and loved too….
Chikmagalur literally means ‘the town of the younger daughter’. The town is said to have been gifted to Rukmangada by her father, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna. This portrays the significance accorded to female members of the family. We wish that the Sisters rendering their service at Larissa in Chikmagalur offer ‘cheerful’ service not merely to their fellow Sisters but to people of the area and women in particular who bear silently the torment of domestic violence.
