Diocese: Itanagar
Pioneers: Sisters Roshni K.V, Dotty D’Souza and Margaret Vanlaldiki
The entry of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters into the State of Arunachal Pradesh on May 28, 2005 has been an enviable achievement – missionary activities had been practically banned in the State by the Communist government that ruled the State for several years. One ought to wonder at the daring missionary ventures of the Jesuits – they were already present in the State for a while. At the invitation of the Jesuits, the Sisters Roshni K V, Dotty D’Souza and Margaret Vanlaldiki, reached Hulubro, a village tucked away among the hills of West Kameng district in Itanagar. It has no basic necessities such as roads, electricity or communication media. Having waited on the road for extra hours in order a mudslide to be cleared, the Sisters arrived at the place much later than they were expected. The warm welcome accorded to them by the people of the village made them forget the hassles of the journey.
As in several other new initiatives of the Congregation, here too the Sisters had no house of their own. Moreover, the existential situation of the place did not permit such a luxury to the Sisters. The government medical quarters served to be their shelter. They ventured into apostolic activities immediately. They visited houses, catechized people, offered medical assistance to the sick and educated people regarding health and hygiene. The Sisters also served in St Xavier School administered by the Jesuits.
On May 28, 2006 Assisi Bhavan was inaugurated. The dwelling represented the vision of the Sisters to reach out to the neediest. It ought to be noted that people reach out to the Sisters in their need in an equal manner. They extended remarkable support to the Sisters throughout the construction of Assisi Bhavan. It can be asserted that the Sisters’ Christian way of life drew people to God gradually: on November 5, 2006, they had the joy of witnessing the baptism of 17 Arunachalis! The village with no Catholics in 2006 has now 120 of them. Persevering efforts of the Jesuit Fathers and the Sisters are to be commended greatly in this achievement. The Sisters also strive to bring more people to God through their strenuous efforts in four substations of the church namely, Tenga Dam, Tenga Valley, Bomdila and Dirang.
Currently, two Sisters are involved in teaching apostolate. Not merely curricular, but also extra and co-curricular activities have been introduced in the school. The school has reached up to class V consisting of 170 pupils arriving from near and far of Hulubro. This is considered a tremendous achievement as the people had little appreciation for school education due to their existential situation. Two Sisters are involved in pastoral and health apostolate. They in particular and the rest of the Sisters in general are at the beck and call of people in various ways. They guide and direct unions such as Youth Group, Little Angel Group, Holy Childhood Group, Altar Servers Group, Women’s Group and Self-Help-Group (SHG). Most of these groups are assisted by means of personal visits. The Sisters visit families regularly; on Sundays they accompany the parish priest to distant villages for the Eucharistic celebration. On every Tuesday and Wednesday they accompany the ‘Little Angel Group’ and conscientize them regarding the evil effects of alcoholism and other malevolent habits of the kind. On 10th of every month the Sisters attend the SHG meetings; they also coach women for literacy. During their visit to villages, the Sisters instruct people on faith; they guide them on issues related to health and hygiene. One of the best ways to build a community is by ‘catching people young’ – the Sisters, with motherly affection care for young boys and girls ranging between 4 and 13 years, by accommodating them in a boarding house. They are 60 in number.
On every Friday and Sunday, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is being conducted for the boarders; people of the locality too join the prayer. On every Tuesday and Wednesday, the Sisters teach catechism in the school, making it a part of the school curriculum. On every Sunday, they teach catechism to children and elders. The Sisters prepare people to receive the sacraments. Being unmindful of their hardships and weariness, the Sisters strive with one mind and heart to build up the Kingdom of God in Arunachal Pradesh. They hope and pray that God help them to discern his will and venture into many more regions of the State where the message of Christ has not yet reached. In all that they do they are an inspiration for all the members of the Congregation towards a generous response to the call to be God’s messangers to the people.
