Diocese: Mangalore
Pioneers: Sisters Benny Fernandes, Philomena Correa, Tresiamma Shilja and Rose Rhozusa
A need-based aspiration of the Sisters working in North- East India, namely, a transit house of their own for Sisters both during family visits and while in search of medical and educational facilities in Mangalore became a reality on August 7, 2008. This was a fruit of the generosity and relentless pursuit on the part of the Generalate team. The Province was offered an acre of land from the ‘farm house’, now called Shanthi Nilaya at Panir. Its foundation stone was laid on April 27, 2007 by Sr Doreen D’Souza, Superior General. Sr Jeraldine D’Souza, the Councillor General, assisted by Sr Benny Fernandes, supervised the construction work efficiently. Subodhini, a house dedicated to the Mother of Good Counsel, was ready on August 7, 2008. It was inaugurated by Sr Doreen and blessed by Fr Victor D’Souza, parish priest of Our Lady of Mercy church, Panir.
Sr Benny Fernandes, Superior and Warden, Sr Philomena Correa, Sr Rose Rozusa, Sr Shilja Joseph and twenty one hostellers moved into Subodhini on August 28, 2008. All of these were housed at the Generalate for a period of three weeks until Subodhini was interiorly furnished. Hostel facility at Subodhini is primarily in view of obtaining financial self-sufficiency for the house. The hostel can accommodate 48 girls. Sr Helen D’Souza took charge of the Subodhini Community as Superior and Warden of the Hostel in May 2009 when Sr Benny Fernandes was transferred to Dimapur. The young girls who are given hostel facilities are time to time instructed and guided by the hostel warden. All opportunities for the practice of Catholic faith are provided to the Catholic girls in the hostel.
As intended and looked forward to, besides providing a transit house and catering to the socio-medical and academic needs of the Sisters of the Province, the place accommodates student Sisters of other Provinces as well. One batch of the student candidates of the Province ventured for the first time to study their pre-university course at the St Sebastian Composite PU College at Permannur. Their presence at the college as well as at Subodhini truly made a difference!
The Sisters involve actively in pastoral activities such as teaching catechism, participating in SCC prayer meetings and liturgical services, accompanying the parishioners to pray the Rosary in families, visiting the sick and visiting people in families. Sr Philomena Correa has ventured to take forward her unfinished task started in Mizoram, namely, coaching children of neighbourhood who are slow-learners and who belong to economically poor background. She attempts to fulfil concretely the wish of the Sisters at Subodhini that they be a blessing to society just as Subodhini has been a blessing to them.
