Diocese: Kohima
Pioneers: Sisters Anita Pereira and Juliana Veigas
In June 1986, at the invitation of the Jesuits who had been working already in the place, Sisters Anita Pereira and Juliana Veigas ventured into Pfutsero, coldest region in Nagaland, which is sixty kilometres south of Kohima, the capital city of the State.
Simple and warm-hearted people welcomed the Sisters amidst them as they visited their families, catechized them and catered to their minor health complaints, in particular to issues related to the health of their children. The Sisters catered to people’s health requirements particularly through a full-fledged dispensary which was opened in June 2004. Sr Roshni KV, a trained nurse, attended to health needs both in the dispensary and in villages. Unfortunately the dispensary had to be closed down in 2009, as a civil hospital started catering to the health needs of the people.
Besides the medical aid to the people, the Sisters assist them through the Diocesan Pastoral Training Centre. One Sister renders her services as Assistant Director in the Centre. The Centre conducts regular meetings for catechists, organizes camps for children and seminars for youth and women. These contribute to the deepening of the faith of the Christians. The Centre conducts also camps on career guidance; these have proved to be a boon in providing jobs for people. Ever since 2005, the Centre has been conducting a course on ‘Church Leadership’ to Catholic youth who have dropped out of school. This residential course held for duration of ten months has generated exceptional results – 136 youth from various dioceses in North-East have been trained up to now. The training helps them in knowing and understanding their faith better; it also enhances the faith of their brethren in their respective local churches.
Imparting education has been an important ministry at Pfutsero. The School has reached up to class X with a number of 1578 students. The number of Catholic students in the School is two hundred; most of these students are converts to Christianity. This aspect brings deep joy to the Sisters because it vindicates the fact that they have been taking seriously their mandate to evangelize. The success story of Pfutsero along with its adversities beckons the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters to stand tall and continue to serve God and humanity wholeheartedly.
