Diocese: Aizawl
Pioneers: Sisters Helen Malsawmi and Prisca Tirkey
The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters have opened their second house at Aizawl at the request of the Montfort Brothers to assist them in their school at Melriat. The township lies 10 kilometres south of the city of Aizawl. The Brothers have provided a house for their residence, Bishop Stephen Rotluanga of Aizwal Diocese has inaugurated it on July 8, 2005. Currently a convent building is being constructed.
Sisters Helen Malsawmi and Prisca Tirkey, pioneers at Melriat, commenced their mission immediately after the inauguration of the house. Sr Helen served as the Superior of the community as well as Sister in charge of the Montfort School. On January 25, 2006, Sr Zita D’Souza arrived at Melriat having been transferred from Sacred Heart Convent, Lunglei. She took charge as animator of the convent as well as head teacher of the school. In 2009, the LKG and UKG sections were shifted to a new building in Montfort Academy campus.
In their striving to serve God through the people in Melriat, the Sisters had to put up with a lot of hassles in the initial years. Transport facilities were pitiable; dusty (during summer) and slushy (during rainy season) roads almost kept them inside the house from carrying on their apostolate. Since 2008 the situation has changed to a large extent due to the repair of roads. Besides the hassles of transport, the problem of lack of water caused immense inconveniences to the Sisters. They had to fetch water from a deep valley at a distance. Currently, the problem has been settled after boring a well within the campus.
Stein Convent is situated half a kilometre away from the region where the Catholic community resides. Unmindful of this fact, the Sisters join people in their functions such as funerals, marriages, festivals, and condolence meetings. They visit families regularly. Due to economic constraints several children discontinue their schooling and engage themselves in activities related to agriculture. The Sisters coax them to rejoin school; they provide them with education at concession rates. The School is known for academic excellence and discipline; as a result children of surrounding regions seek admission in the school.
The committed service of the Sisters has begun bearing fruit to a large extent – people have begun questioning their superstitious beliefs and preconceived ideas concerning several aspects including God and religion.
