Diocese: Bellary
Pioneers: Sisters Petronilla D’Silva and Sheela Mary
The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters arrived at Pothnal of Bellary in Karnataka on May 23, 2005 in response to the invitation of late Joseph D’Silva, Bishop of Bellary Diocese. Pothnal village is in the Manvi taluk of Raichur district. It is well connected by road and it lies on Karnantaka State Highway. It is 26 kms from Manvi and 20 kms from Sindhanur. Besides being a drought- prone district, Raichur is known for maladies such as unemployment, illiteracy, ignorance, superstitious beliefs and practices, caste system, child labour and therefore poverty in all forms. Superstitious beliefs and practices along with oppression by the mighty restrict the people of this area to the periphery of society. Pothnal is surrounded by 15 remote villages.
Sisters Petronilla D’Silva and Sheela Mary arrived at Pothnal as pioneers. They were accommodated by the Capuchin Friars, who have been rendering their services in the area since May 19, 1994. Two rooms in the boarding house of children turned out to be their temporary residence until their convent was ready on April 3, 2006. The new convent building along with a hostel for children has been put up in a plot of two acres of land which is bought from the Friars; the Friars have gifted another acre of land to the Sisters.
The Sisters offer assistance to the Capuchin Friars in the field of education; the school was started in 2005. It is a matter of pride to the Sisters that the school caters to the children of economically backward families and of schedule caste. In order to reach out to children more effectively, Anugraha, boarding house for girl children has been put up. The aid offered in this regard by Fr Patrick Langue SJ and the French Students calls for a special mention in the history of the Congregation. They offer not merely financial assistance; they also put in physical labour in constructing the building. A religious unit named Holy Childhood finances partially education of the boarding children. Currently the boarding house accommodates sixty children.
Besides teaching in the school, the Sisters involve themselves in health ministry: they provide mobile health service to several villages. They also catechize, offer value education and train students in yogâsanas. Pothnal is known for extreme weather conditions. The Sisters have withstood severe heat of Pothnal in carrying out their mission for God’s people.
Diocese: Gulbarga
Pioneers: Sisters Helen Monteiro, Christina Mary and Sherine Dimple D’Souza
Itga is a Muslim and Lingayat dominated village of the Diocese of Gulbarga in the district of Bidar. It has been a contact spot of the Bidar missionaries, Fr
Robert Michael Miranda and his companion priests ever since the inception of the Bidar Mission in June 1982. On June 1, 2000, the Ursuline Franciscan
Sisters ventured into the Itga hamlet, located 42 kilometres away from Kaudiyal, the venue of their first establishment in the Bidar Mission. The Sisters
serving at Kaudiyal had set aside two days in a week for Itga; however, their course of action was limited to attending to a few Christians belonging
to other denominations. They motivated them to pray and live their faith with commitment. This in a way was the continuation of the work undertaken by
their predecessors, the priests. Visiting the Hindu families was risky as the Christians were associated with conversion – converting Hindus to
Christianity.
Gradually the Sisters assumed greater responsibilities at Itga. They started sowing the seeds of faith and facilitating their socio- economic empowerment.
During the long duration of two years they carried out their mission at Itga by commuting from Kaudiyal. They had their meals at the Mission Centre and
took shelter in the village among people. As they gained confidence of people at Itga, they moved on to a neighbouring village called Bannhalli.
Meanwhile it was realized that Itga was a good ground for their work, though rather challenging due to mainly poor availability of transport to the
place and lack of accommodation there. At the proposal of the diocesan authorities, the Sisters started a sub-community there in June 2003 with
Sisters Helen Monteiro, Christina Mary and Sherine Dimple D’Souza as its members as well as pioneers. Sr Evelyn Pinto, animator of Kaudiyal,
supported them financially; she also directed their work.
The trio undertook works of faith formation and empowerment of women, children and youth. In spite of initial hitches, they succeeded in gaining confidence of and cooperation from the people. In order to function more effectively the trio were replaced with another trio, namely, Sisters Evelyn Pinto, Pramila Mascarenhas, and Savita Sequeira in the following year. Along with Fr Stany Lobo, Director of Bidar Mission, the Sisters ventured into new villages, undertaking tasks of faith formation and empowerment of the people. The mission of faith formation included visiting families, catechizing, which included adult catechization, leading vocal prayers such as Rosary, and preparing children for reception of the sacraments. The youth was singled for extra attention. They were formed into groups and accompanied regularly in their psycho-spiritual needs. Through day’s retreat they were guided to pursue their studies and to choose fulfilling careers. They were also motivated to contest in panchayat election. The empowerment of children was also an area of concern of the Sisters. They were brought together for daily Eucharistic celebration, daily prayers, Rosary, and Bible reading. They were coached in their studies, instructed on self- hygiene, and involved in recreational activities like sports and picnic. Efforts of the Sisters could be subsequently seen bearing fruit in the form of a well-formed youth and children at Itga. The number of Catholic population currently is 200; thirty families accepted the Christian faith.
Organizing women and facilitating their empowerment was another significant feature of their ministry at Itga. The women were formed into SHGs linking the groups to banks for drawing benefits; awareness programmes were conducted on various issues related to their well-being. Women’s Day celebrations were held in villages on a grand scale; the occasion was used to conscientize women in self-hygiene, in preservation of environment and in animal husbandry. They were trained in keeping accounts; they were also enthused to fight for their rights. Initiating education ministry became a further achievement of the Sisters at Itga. Sisters Evelyn Pinto and Irene Albuquerque with their limited experience and expertise in the field of education initiated and administered the Milagres School belonging to Gulbarga Diocese for two years. As the number of students increased consistently, Sisters Anisha Pinto and Divya Reshma, two trained teachers were appointed in the school. Ever since, progress in the education field has been remarkable. The Sisters have been taking an active part in training the children for programmes on Independence Day, Children’s Day and other national festivals.
In 2007, 5.5 acres of land was purchased by the Sisters. A new convent building, Ashraya Mathe was built and inaugurated on August 21, 2008. It was canonically erected on April 12, 2009 by the Superior General and the Blessed Sacrament was installed in the chapel of the Convent by Fr Robert Michael Miranda. Sr Evelyn Pinto was appointed animator of the newly erected community. A tube well was drilled in the plot to meet the need of water for both cultivation and consumption. People came to appreciate greatly the presence of the Sisters in their midst. They acknowledged and expressed it by their presence at the occasion of the silver jubilee celebration of religious profession of Sr Evelyn Pinto in 2008. A French group of students who had arrived at Itga for assisting in the construction of the school building have also acknowledged the service and toil of the Sisters in the mission land.
Itga offers too large a scope in the field of education, development, and evangelization. Three strong pillars of the work perform these tasks at Itga with commitment. Sr Anisha Pinto administers the Parish School, Sr Irene Albuquerque has undertaken social work, and in particular, she has been conducting tailoring classes at Shanthi Kiran Technical Institute in Humnabad, a government-aided technical centre of the Sisters of Little Flower of Bethany. She also fosters ecology specifically by cultivating bio-products in the convent premises. Sr Evelyn spends practically her whole day and even nights in visiting villages for the faith formation of the people and for their socio- eonomic empowerment. All the three feel that the region offers ample opportunities to proclaim the Kingdom of God and wish that many more opt for such noble work in the area.
Diocese: Belgaum
Pioneers: Sisters Cecily Pinto, Eulalia Monteiro and Benedicta Pinto
On May 19, 1969, the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters assumed the responsibility of collaboration with Fr Jacob P J, a priest of the Diocese of Belgaum, to empower the inhabitants of one of the remotest villages in the district of Dharwad in Karnataka, namely, Tumarikop. Sr Ernestine D’Almeida, Superior General, designated three heroic Sisters for the purpose, namely Sisters Cecily Pinto, Eulalia Monteiro and Benedicta Fernandes. They received shelter under the roof of the old parish church. In battling the sorry state of affairs of the area and its vicinity, as warranted by their mission, they ventured into several courses of action like education, administration of the centre for women, named Grihini as well as a boarding house for girl children and a dispensary. To this effect, on April 29, 1992 an agreement was signed between the Diocese of Belgaum represented by Bishop Ignatius Lobo of Belgaum and the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation represented by Sr Severine Barrows, Superior General. The contract spelled out the apostolic activities the Sisters were expected to carry out, the responsibility of the diocese/parish towards the Sisters, terms and conditions concerning the movable and immovable goods, and the responsibilitly of the Congregation to assign suitable personnel for the mission. The Sisters have been fulfilling loyally these stipulations over the years.
The abject poverty of Tumarikop had led the people to neglect education of their children. The Sisters succeeded in creating awareness and motivation with regard to this concern. It proved rewarding to see the response of the people. During the tenure of Sr Patricia Tauro as head teacher of the school, St Xavier High School turned out to be one of the best schools in the district of Dharwad. In fact she won the ‘best teacher’ award at the district level of Dharwad. Likewise, St Xavier High School at Tumarikop became known for its discipline, value based education, and co- curricular and extra-curricular activities. In 1997, Sr Shanthi Lobo replaced Sr Patricia Tauro. Along with Sr Hilda Lobo, her assistant, she maintained the pulse of the School. In order to prevent the children from dropping out of school, they, along with lay teaching staff, coached the students regularly. The discipline and atmosphere of the School has been commended by education officials visiting the school with their attributing it to supervision, inspection, and educational training programmes. At the transfer of Sr Hilda Lobo in 2004 and Sr Shanthi in 2007, the Management of the School appointed Fr Maria Antony as the head teacher of the School. Since then one single Sister serves in the school as teacher. Unhappily, the Sisters are deprived of a post in the High School, which, according to an agreement made earlier with the Bishop, ought to have been theirs.
The Centre for women, Grihini has been administered with utmost care. Sisters Mariola Picardo and Hilda Lobo were its animators. Craft, tailoring, science of agriculture, house management, family building, cooking, praying, moral education, etiquette, health, and hygiene have been the areas dealt with at the Centre. Not merely theory, but also practical learning was insisted on. At this Centre thirty to thirty-five trainees have benefited annually. In order to acquire self- sufficiency of the Centre a poultry-farm was maintained. Acquiring training at the Centre enabled women to grow in self-confidence, leadership, building their families, in taking up issues related to justice, and fighting for their rights. The students were given opportunity to tour other places in view of acquiring more knowledge on issues related to their area of work. Fr Jacob PJ as a parish priest had donated 16 acres of land for utilization of Grihini. Unfortunately, this noble work has slipped out of the hands of the Sisters as Fr Jacob shifted it to Kalaghatgi when he moved there.
The Sisters were aware of the fact that women were a vulnerable section of society at Tumarikop. They explored an alternate measure to assist them. They started a boarding house for girl children on August 24, 2003 commending it to the patronage of St Angela Merici. It attends to the education of girl children of remote areas in and around Tumarikop. Financial assistance comes in for this great cause from various angles such as the Generalate, the Province and benefactors from Italy. In 2004 the water supply was arranged to the boarding as well as the Convent from the Benachi Kere.
The people of Tumarikop have been helped out through a dispensary, named Asha Nilaya. It was started on November 7, 1988 with the arrival of Sr Beatrice D’Silva to Tumarikop. She used the parlour of the house as dispensary. In 1991 it was shifted to the boarding house of the children. Several people from various neighbouring villages such as, Muthige, Siggatti, Herehonalli, Kalghatagi, Hullambi and Devikoppa have availed themselves of the benefits of the dispensary. Their trust in the healing power of Sr Beatrice D’Silva was so profound that they approached her for all their illnesses irrespective of her incompetence to take up certain cases. Precisely for this reason she upgraded herself with medicare facilities and refresher courses in the medical field arranged by the CHAI in Bellary and Bangalore. From then on she aimed at preventive health care. She conducted awareness programmes on the killer disease, HIV/AIDS. She treated several ailing people free of cost as they were unable to pay for the medicine. Sadly this project was closed down with the transfer of Sr Beatrice D’Silva in 1993.
Pastoral apostolate is central to their life at Tumrikop. They catechize, animate the altar servers, clean the House of God, prepare the liturgy, distribute Communion, and prepare the children for the reception of the sacraments. They also attend the pastoral council meetings and collaborate in the activities of the parish wholeheartedly. They visit the families, pray with them and guide them as and when necessary. Special attention is paid to the women of the parish. They listen to their woes, guide them and stand by them. Women have built up confidence in the Sisters who support them in times of need and trials. The Sisters attend meetings and seminars of the women’s cell arranged by the diocese. Self-help-groups are maintained by the Sisters; these groups render a great deal of service to the church in liturgy and other activities.
The situation of Tumarikop provides ample scope for social apostolate. The Sisters have been addressing the problems right from the inception of Bharavasha Nilaya. In keeping with the name of their house, they have attempted to change the situation of hopelessness into hope. In view of this they visit families, listen to their joys and sorrows. They coach the slow-learning students, guide them morally, assist them to settle their discords, guide them in choosing a career, in building character etc.
Acute poverty was a stark reality at Tumrikop. In the initial years, the Sisters assisted their pupils in health and hygiene; along with the staff, they supplied clothes, books, and stationery to the students. The Sisters motivated people in farming especially sericulture. To enthuse them further in this regard, a ten days’ camp was organized in collaboration with the students from Rajiv Gandhi Agriculture College. Several of them benefited from the practical sessions conducted at the spot.
The convent building constructed in 1975 was in an awful condition. It was renovated with assistance from Mangalore Province and a few donors. The refurbished house was blessed on October 16, 2005 by Fr Derek Fernandes. In 2006, the Sisters undertook protective measures regarding their immovable goods. As such, the 16.32-acre land was fenced with barbed wire. The sericulture cultivation was enhanced with sprinkler irrigation, made possible by a subsidy scheme of the government. In 2007, a shed was built for sericulture processing and storage; a shed with four tanks for earthworm collection was also installed. In view of securing self-sufficiency for the boarding house, paddy, additional sericulture, maize, cotton, and soyabean cultivation are being resorted to. A pump set was a need of the hour, which, happily, the Sisters have obtained from the Provincialate.
The Sisters have been contributing towards the development of Tumarikop over the years. They have been identifying themselves with women, children, youth, the sick, the aged. Tumarikop is a transformed place today; thanks to the Sisters’ dedication to a large extent. Thus the Sisters of Bharavasha Nilaya are true to their mission of shedding rays of hope in a place staring at them with its hopelessness.
Diocese: Gulbarga
Pioneers: Sisters Evelyn Pinto, Grace Alvares and Janet D’Souza
The ‘Bidar Mission’ in the district of Bidar consisting of five talukas – Bidar, Basavakalyan, Bhalki Humanabad and Auarad has been a dream child of Bishop Basil S D’Souza of Mangalore Diocese. His striving to plan, to establish, and to build it in person ought to be written in red letters. He had integrated it into the Diocese of Mangalore following a request from Archbishop, Samineni Arulappa of Hyderabad. Factors such as long distance, language barriers, and lack of personnel had restricted the Archbishop’s visit to the believers at Bidar twice a year only, for Easter and Christmas celebration. At the time of adopting the Bidar Mission, Bishop Basil appointed Fr Robert Michael Miranda as the overseer of the Mission. Subsequently several women religious of various congregations established their houses in the Mission at the invitation of Bishop Basil S D’Souza. The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters constituted one of the nine women religious congregations working in Bidar.
The Bidar Mission became a part of the Gulbarga Diocese since June 24, 2005, day of erection of the new diocese. Fr Robert Miranda, ordained bishop on August 18, 2005, was the first bishop of the new diocese. The Diocese of Gulbarga has been established for the Catholics of the then three civil districts of Karnataka State, namely, Bidar, Gulbarga and Bijapur1. With the bifurcation of Gulbarga in 2001, Yadgir has been the fourth district of the diocese. The newly formed diocese has a Catholic population of only 6,500. The diocese maintains the legacy of being a diocese ‘of the poor and for the poor’.
‘Being a diocese of the poor and for the poor’ is a loaded statement. In order to understand this, a bird’s-eye view of the socio-cultural and economic setting of Bidar is in order. The district of Bidar is the northernmost of the districts of North Karantaka. The saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ applies to a great extent to the district. Being located 692 kilometres north of Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, Bidar is neglected in all aspects by the State Government, which has been a cause of its dismal condition. In addition its inherent drawbacks such as its location as a border of two States, namely, Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh, its multi-lingual (Kannada, Marati, Telugu and Hindi) reality, its disadvantages resulting from illiteracy and superstitious beliefs render it liable to pulls from every angle, ethnic being the key factor of them all. Moreover extreme climate of Bidar in summer and in winter acts as a disincentive for habitation. Agriculture is the main occupation of the region; however it is seasonal. Scanty rainfall drives people to migration outside the district and even outside the State. Migrants often become carriers of communicable diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. People are daily wage earners, which is sometimes no more than Rs 20/- a day.
The Hindus are the majority of the area – 78%. 50% of them belong to scheduled castes and tribes. The caste system is a hallmark of society. Lingayats and Marathas dominate and subjugate the other castes. People are religious-minded; as a norm every feast is celebrated by people, and pilgrimages to religious places are undertaken in spite of all their meagre earnings. It is believed that these are means to appease their god/goddess. Religious celebrations are marked by various folk songs and folk dances. The district has been once an abode of royal dynasties such as Kalyans, Brahmins and Nizams. It is also the birth place of Sharana movement led by the great reformer Basava in the twelfth century. By and large the people of Bidar are peace- loving.
In a place enhanced by a rich historical background, rich religious heritage, a dynamic culture vis-a-vis the ills of caste, poverty, superstitious beliefs..., the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters started their mission on May 29, 1998. They arrived at Kaudiyal2, a tiny village in the Basavakalyan taluk; it is one of the 117 villages of Bidar district and from most points of view insignificant. Sisters Evelyn Pinto, Grace Alvares and Janet D’Souza were pioneers in the mission; they arrived there having no inkling of what they were in for. They were greeted with the scorching summer heat when they landed in the place at midday. However, they were soothed with the hospitality they received from Fr Baptist Menezes, Director of Prarthanalaya (abode of Prayer, which simply meant Prayer Centre) at Bidar. They resided at the parochial house until they moved to their house offered by the Mission. Their abode, Chaitanya, meaning vitality, the twenty-seventh community of the Mangalore Province, was born on June 2, 1998.
The Sisters assumed their mission immediately. The initial days proved trying as people were wary of Christians due to allegations of converting the naive to Christianity. They began with visiting families of people belonging to lower strata of society, forming SHGs (Self-Help-Group) of women and imparting non-formal education to children, particularly, dropouts from school. They also visited the schools in the vicinity, made a careful study of the performance of children, and motivated the slow-learners to come to the convent for coaching classes. They integrated extracurricular activities like dance, sports, and singing in the coaching sessions. Besides, they created awareness regarding self-hygiene, cleanliness of their houses and surroundings.
They were able to gain confidence of the people due to their philanthropic works. Eventually the people accepted them as their own; they also conscientized them with questions related to their way of life, their service, motive for their free service, their financial source etc. People requested them to attend to their illnesses. Bishop Basil S D’Souza encouraged the proposal. Sr Grace Alvares started treating the sick with herbal medicine. They started a dispensary in 2001. Sr Helen Monteiro, a trained nurse who joined the community later was able to help the people in their physical and mental health through the medical centre. The Sisters shared in the vision of Bishop Basil S D’Souza. He had envisioned starting a prayer centre or Prarthanalaya at
Kaudiyal. That was in 1996. It must be noted that no Catholic population existed at Kaudiyal village or in its vicinity. One could count only a few Christians belonging to the Methodist denomination. While these used the centre regularly for prayer, a few others too joined them to pray there. The mission teams of Bidar as well as of Gulbarga use the Centre for rest, for prayer and for recollection. Prarthanalaya was later rechristened Christashram; it adopted three ways to proclaim the Good News
of salvation taught by Jesus Christ, namely prayer for the people, dialogue with the people of other faiths, and liberative activities for the people around the place. In evangelizing, they employed down-to-earth and popular methods of prayer of the region such as chanting the Keertans and Bhajans. The Sisters involved themselves in preaching the Word of God, during which they prayed over the sick. They also preached retreats at the Centre. The number of people coming to the Centre increased day by day.
The Sisters were also involved actively in other activities related to evangelization. They were : preparing the Sunday liturgy and getting the people for the reception of the sacraments. They preached the Word of God during retreats and conducted the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Kaudiyal and in other villages. On Fridays, they observed fast, conducted Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and counselled people arriving at the Centre. The Bidar Mission has a tradition of performing an annual Jathra or pilgrimage to Infant Jesus Shrine at Bhalki, in Bhalki taluka during the second week of November. The pilgrimage is an occasion to thank God for good harvest, to pray and to accomplish the vows taken. Gradually the pilgrimage has turned out to be a diocesan event. Sisters participate in this event by joining people in the pilgrimage by singing Keertans and Rosary, preparing liturgy, installing a stall of religious articles, praying over the sick, and preparing people for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The event has been truly an occasion for the Sisters to witness Christ by identifying with people; it is also a means to profess publicly the Christian faith of believers.
As the Sisters had succeeded in establishing good rapport with the people, and the children in particular, they started children’s groups. They coached them for their studies regularly for which the number of students used to be more than one hundred. They visited their families and in the process obtained proficiency in local language, their dialects in particular. Various recreational and other activities conducted in the Centre enabled the people to build an affinity with the Sisters. The children are guided to put up cultural programmes on feasts and public days like Christmas, Independence Day, Republic day, Diwali and other national programmes.
ORBIT, a diocesan organization for Bidar Integral Transformation, functions in all the centres of Bidar Mission, with its head office at Humanabad. Focusing on developmental activities, it adopts different projects, programmes, and schemes from the Government as well as from other donor agencies. The Sisters collaborate with the ORBIT in Bidar. One teacher takes up Vidya Vikas programme arranged by the ORBIT. As a regular teacher in the school, she coaches children both in the morning and evening. The Sisters guide and accompany her in family visits, in conducting meetings and in monthly evaluation of the programme. The Self-Help-Groups initiated by the Sisters are linked to the bank for further help. The incentives and initiatives provided for women have caused an increase of Self-Help- Groups in different villages of Basavakalyan. Women are offered information on different issues related to their rights and duties and self-hygiene. They also make available government loan to women and enable them to contest in local civic body elections.
The Sisters had carried out a unique mission at Kaudiayal under the ORBIT the NGO, namely working for HIV/AIDS prevention. ‘Sneha’, a preventive measure of HIV/AIDS, supported by CRS from Hyderabad is initiated in six panchayats of Basavakalyan taluka. The programme is both useful and
essential because a sizeable number of populations of Bidar have been affected by the disease due to migration to other places in search of employment. Sr Helen Monteiro coordinated the work with assistance from eight supportive staff. They conscientized the SHGs, the youth, and members of the panchayat Raj (local civic body), schools and colleges, roadside hotels and truck drivers, school teachers, the migrating population, police personnel, Anganwadi teachers, ANMs and in moving buses in two talukas. They also attended meetings regularly arranged by the CRS agency. As alternative methods, they held various competitions in schools on the disease. On World AIDS Day, they conducted programs at the panchayat and district level. The programme created awareness as a whole in the district of Bidar. Initial oppositions have given way to cooperation and collaboration from leaders at various areas and levels in society. A remarkable and substantial outcome of the Sneha programme was the establishment of a care centre for HIV/AIDS in the district. The centre is financed by the NACO guided by the KHPT. The ORBIT of the diocese monitors and supports all such activities. It was provided with a ten-bed support by the NACO and fourteen-bed support by the centre itself. Sr Helen Monteiro who along with the staff in coordinating the programme, attended to the clients, monitored their progress, and maintained documents of the centre. Families of clients were visited, awareness was being created in them, and they were counselled to lead a calm life. Besides, they held and monitored income generating programmes, conducted meetings every month, and enabled them to attend meetings organized by the District AIDS Control Officer.
When Sr Helen Monteiro withdrew, Sr Meena Monica was appointed in her place at Community Care Centre on June 1, 2011. Sneha project of CRS, Hyderabad is continued and presently supported by KROSS. Sr Meena Monica was the resource person for the Sneha project for two years – from September 5, 2011 to 2013. The Centre organized blood donation camp and 108 persons donated blood which came to be used for the needy HIV patients. Sr Meena Monica attended ART and District AIDS prevention and control unit meetings regularly every month. The Community Care Centre was the Central Government project which was closed by the Government on March 31, 2013. This was the only centre that existed in the whole of Bidar District. It treated totally 1058 patients.
In 2000, the Sisters bought 1.03-acre land near the church and got it registered. A convent building was erected in the plot; it was inaugurated by Sr Doreen D’Souza and blessed by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore on March 13, 2002. The district of Bidar is generally called the Land of Patience because of its sluggish progress. The Sisters consider themselves fortunate to be able to live and work in the district, while giving the best to the people – the knowledge and compassionate love of Jesus Christ and bringing the best out of them – their latent determination to love Jesus Christ. They look forward to having more volunteers in the region who can transform risks into challenges in proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
Diocese: Karwar
Pioneers: Sisters Doreen D’Souza, Margaret D’Souza, Nancy Ferrao and Benny Correa
Sirsi or Shirasi, the largest town in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka State, is situated at the heart of the Western Ghats. As a hilly station, its innumerable waterfalls and lush green forest including the cultivation of areca nut and valuable spices such as cardamom, pepper, betel leaves, and vanilla had caused it to be named Kalyanapattana once upon a time. A large part of the populace of Sirsi and its vicinity, the Siddhis in particular, had not been part of the mainstream. In order to address the social as well pastoral needs of these people, the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters were invited to Sirsi by Bishop William D’Mello of Karwar Diocese. Christa Seva Nilaya was situated one and half kilometres away from the town of Sirsi.
At their arrival on June 1, 1979, the Sisters resided at the catechetical centre of the diocese at Chipgi. They involved themselves in the parochial nursery school and high school and in villages amidst people who needed them for their empowerment. They moved to the new convent building in 1983. Meanwhile the catechetical bureau was shifted to Yellapur and in its stead a Grihini Training Centre was established in the same building. Through the Grihini, the Sisters focused on empowering women, the Siddhis of Yellapur in particular. Various training programmes such as house-keeping, tailoring, culinary art and literacy conducted at the Centre enabled them to come out of the clutches of the oppressive society and be part of the mainstream.
Sr Ursuline Frank, animator (1981-1987) of the Sisters, is remembered at Sirsi for her expertise in farming especially sericulture; she is immortalized also for her simplicity of life. At her transfer to the Bishops’ House at Karwar in 1987, Sr Rosy Noronha was appointed animator. During her tenure, the Sisters extended their socio-pastoral service to Ekkambi, Gadigere and Banvasi substations of the parish. Sr Laveena Lobo was appointed animator in January 1988; she continued to tread the path of simplicity and humanitarianism. Sr Evelyn Pinto, the next successor appointed in 1991, actualized the vision of her predecessors to purchase a plot of land at Sirsi. On December 21, 1991, 14 cents of land was purchased at Nilekani at a cost of Rs 2,10,000/- Sr Alphonsa Fernandes, Councillor General, coordinated the deal.
A new convent building was constructed and it was inaugurated on June 31, 1995. The efforts put in by the Sisters for the construction of the building require to be recorded in history. As the place was located seven kilometres away from the old Convent, they had to commute the distance daily to be at the spot and supervise the work. They were glad to move to their new residence at Nilekani on July 31, 1995. The house provided facilities for the formation of the candidates of Mangalore Province for thirteen years, right from 1996. Sr Jacintha Crasta was the first directress of candidates at Sirsi. Sirsi proved to be a suitable place for the all-round growth of the candidates. Christa Seva Nilaya has contributed towards the well-being of the junior Sisters of Mangalore Province as well. The junior Sisters of Hubli Zone had to travel to Shanthi Dham for their programmes every month, which was cumbersome. Ever since 2008, Christa Seva Nilaya hosted their programmes such as recollection, juniorate programme and renewal programme. The formation programme of the candidates was shifted to Vorkady in June, 2013 as the Convent at Sirsi now forms a part of the newly-erected Hubli Vice Province.
Sirsi has a new church building since May 28, 1996. The Sisters undertake all responsibilities of the parish church as in other places. They also animate various associations of the parish, attend liturgical celebrations in the wards, visit families regularly, catechize children etc. Two substations of the parish, namely, Sampkand and Hegdekatta are assisted by the Sisters in all liturgical and pastoral activities. The KDES (Karwar Diocese Education Society) has been magnanimous to offer three teaching posts to the Sisters in St Anthony English Medium School. Sisters Irene Mathias, Bibiana Noronha, Syra Veigas, Benedicta D’Souza and Helen Pais were its head teachers since 1988. They have worked towards imparting quality education in the School. On October 8, 1998, the Sisters organized a vocation camp for 22 students of class IX and X from the UFC managed schools at Sirsi and Bhatkal. Sr Dulla D’Souza celebrated the golden jubilee of her religious profession on April 16, 2001. In 2008, a dispensary, Christa Seva Homeopathic Clinic, was opened at Sirsi. Sr Sarita D’Cunha, who held a BHMS in Homeopathy cure, administered it for a year. It was closed down in 2009 as she went for Masters Degree. In 2013 pre nursery has been started and Sr Lucella Coelho takes care of the children along with other Sisters.
In responding to the signs of the times, the Sisters at Sirsi have been exploring, designing, and implementing various ministries. This would continue in the future as the growth of any institution entails going through this process if it has to be relevant to the times.
Diocese: Belgaum
Pioneers: Sisters Letitia Fernandes, Responsa D’Souza, Anita Pereira, Eliza Pinto, Joanina Patrao and Laureen Vas
Hubli, also called Hubballi possibly meaning a ‘Flowering Creeper’ is situated twenty kilometres away from Dharwad, with which it forms a twin city. As a fast-growing city in the State of Karnataka after Bangalore the capital city, Hubli is the commercial centre and business hub of North Karnataka region. On account of the commerce and business a large number of people are settled in slums. A goodly part of population is settled in rural areas engaging themselves in the cultivation of cotton and peanuts, two major commodities of the region. The region receives somewhat scanty rainfall and its uncertainty causes anxiety to the farmers. In order to address the situation of people in general and those in the depressed condition in particular, the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters were invited to Keshwapur in Hubli. The proximate factor that prompted their arrival to Hubli was their impressive work at Tumrikop. Fatima Convent lies two kilometres away from the city of Hubli.
At their arrival at Hubli on June 1, 1970 Bishop Ignatius Lobo of the Diocese of Belgaum entrusted them with the charge of a group of Fatima Educational Institutes at Hubli. The cluster of schools included Fatima Day High School, St Mary Kannada Primary School, St Mary Kannada Higher Primary School and Tamil Day School. Sr Ernestine D’Almeida, Superior General, chose and sent Sisters Letitia Fernandes, Responsa D’Souza, Anita Pereira, Eliza Pinto, Joanina Patrao and Laureen Vas for the mission. Sr Eliza Pinto was appointed animator and took charge as the head teacher of the St Mary Kannada Higher Primary School, Sisters Letitia Fernandes and Responsa D’Souza were appointed teachers at the Fatima Day High School while Sr Joanina Patrao was chosen to teach in St Mary Kannada Higher Primary School. For their residence they occupied two classrooms of St Mary Kannada Higher Primary School, adjusting everything and everyone within that space. In 1971 Sr Jovita Fernandes took up the charge of the head teacher in St Mary Kannada Higher Primary School.
In December 1970 the Sisters acquired St Michael English Medium School from Mr and Ms George Sibyl D’Mello. As they were preparing themselves to migrate to Canada they requested the Sisters to take over the whole concern which had been their dream child since 1963. The Sisters purchased it for Rs 1, 50,000/- in December 1970. They moved to the newly acquired place in January 1971. They erected a convent there and named it Fatima Convent, the decree for which was issued on March 30, 1971. Gradually the Sisters handed back to the diocese the charge of the Fatima Day High School and Tamil School retaining the administration of both St Mary Primary School and St Mary Higher Primary School. Alongside they concentrated on St Michael School.
The schools are known for their quality education. The teaching staff is equipped with training, refresher courses and seminars. The children are boosted with co-curricular and extracurricular activities such as sports and games, debates, elocution, fine arts, crafts and value education. Along with academic excellence, character formation based on love and service is taken as the maxim of the school. Empowering the pupils to face challenges of the modern world is also an objective of the school. Sr Eulalia Monteiro, head teacher of St Mary School was nominated for ‘Best Teacher’ award at the State level in1986. She retired from teaching in 1997 after seventeen years of service. Her successor, Sr Winny D’Souza added five class rooms to the school building. St Mary School has turned out to be the best Kannada medium school in Hubli Taluk.
To maintain St Michael School abreast with demands of education department, computer education was started in the School. The Rotary Club of Hubli donated five computers to the School; Sr Nirmala Mathias added a few more. She also constructed a separate block for it. She furnished the School with an auditorium, a sump, and a table tennis court. The Rotary Club facilitated clean drinking water to the school by funding for the sinking of a well in the school premises. The School feast day is celebrated every year; the occasion is used to spread the message of Christ to pupils. A playground has been a desideratum of the School; the Sisters have not succeeded in acquiring suitable and adequate land owing to escalating land prices.
St Michael School has some noteworthy events to relate in its history. Sisters Letitia Fernandes, Lilia Rasquina, Marie Terese, Lidwin D’Souza, and Jeneveera Noronha are retired teachers of St Michael High School. They were felicitated duly in a grand celebration organized in their honour by Sr Nirmala Mathias,
Principal of St Michael School. As extension of St Michael School, the Pre-University College was started in Shanthi Nagar with Commerce and Arts streams. Sr Nirmala Mathias performed this responsibility efficiently at the beginning of the College in June 2002.
The Sisters have involved themselves in pastoral and social apostolate right from the beginning of their life at Hubli. They catechize children in the school, prepare them for catechism and moral science exam conducted by the Diocese of Belgaum, and prepare children for the reception of the sacraments. Adult catechism has been a special feature of the pastoral activities of the Sisters. They carry on all other liturgical and pastoral activities in the church as well as in the parish. Women of the parish are trained to undertake sacristy work. They are involved in rectifying inter-caste marriages. By visiting families regularly, they instil in them faith, hope, and love. In answer to a request to assist in pastoral activities at Infant Jesus Church, Shanthi Nagar, the Sisters have extended their services for three years commuting from Fatima Convent until a sub-community was established there on September 1, 1996 with Sisters Beatrice D’Silva, Felix D’Souza, Theresia Serrao of Fatima community as its pioneers. The Community supported the initiative wholeheartedly.
They have been extending their help in social concerns too. They visit Sneha Sadan, Mother Teresa’s Home for the Destitutes, and St Vincent de Paul Home for the Aged, and spend quality time with inmates. Prison ministry is undertaken as well. Sr Lilia Rasquina initiated self-help-groups in Hubli. Sr Marie Therese organized Women’s Cell on March 3, 2003 at St Joseph parish church. YSM meetings are conducted regularly at the High School.
As part of refurbishing the house, in August 1988 new toilets and bathing rooms were put up; geysers were fixed as well. A utility block was constructed and inaugurated on July 4, 1990. In 1995-96, the Convent was renovated and whitewashed. Over the years, the convent building as well as the Fatima School building had been cramped for space. Both the structures were demolished part by part in 2007 and new structures were erected in part by April 16, 2009 and again by June 1, 2009.
Mentioning a few events held at Fatima Convent is in place. Sr Joanina Patrao celebrated the golden jubilee of profession Sisters Nonnita Pinto, Eulalia Monteiro, Edilburga Monteiro, Felix D’Souza, Ancilla Pinto, Linet D’Souza, Jeneveera Noronha, Lidwin D’Souza, Helen Pais, Margaret D’Souza, Carmine Lobo, Winnie D’Souza and Florine Vas celebrated the silver jubilee of their religious profession. Sr Joanina who served at Hubli for 33 years took seriously ill on December 8, 2003. Though treated at Lourdes Hospital, Dharwad and then at Fr Muller Hospital, Mangalore she passed away on December 23, 2003 at the Provincialate, Shanthi Dham. A requiem Mass was offered for the repose of her soul by Bishop Bernard Moras at St Joseph Church, Hubli on December 29, 2003. The community remains indebted to her for her life and work at Hubli.
Our Lady of Fatima being the patroness of the Convent, her statue has been installed in front of the Convent. Our Blessed Mother draws everyone, children in particular, towards her to pray and to bask in her loving arms.
Diocese: Belgaum
Pioneers: Sisters Ancy A, Apoline Pais, Cecilia Saldanha, Anita Pinto, Gracy Veigas, Jenny D’Sa, Veronica Gonsalves and Sr Veena Goretti
Roshni Teachers’ Quarters, a second establishment of the Mangalore Province, was started on August 28, 2008. It was situated 0.5 kilometres away from Roshni Convent. The Sisters involved in social work at Hangal realized the necessity of beginning an English medium school in the place. The request was put forth by people of the locality. Hence a three-acre land was purchased and a building was put up, which they named Roshni Teachers’ Quarters. The sections of LKG, UKG and Class I, which were functioning at Roshni thus far, were now shifted to the new building and the Sisters from Roshni were commuting there daily. Meanwhile, they added a classroom each year until the building was complete in 2008. The three storied school building not only became known for its quality education but also served as a landmark of Hangal. As the number of students increased, for a fruitful ministry it was felt necessary that the Sisters reside in the school campus. Accordingly on August 28, 2008 eight Sisters began residing at the new place occupying three rooms of the school building. Roshni Teachers’ Quarters was formed into a sub-community under the charge of Roshni Convent.
Functioning in the region of Hangal with one’s apostolic demands is challenging indeed. Divine involvement supports the Sisters through human means. St Lawerence parish came to be established in the year 2002. The Sisters now collaborate in the pastoral activities of the parish. They undertake sacristy work, assist in liturgy and visit families of Catholics and other faith. Besides, they visit families of their students irrespective of religion. This has strengthened the bond between the Sisters and the people.
The educational apostolate of the Sisters at Hangal is well coordinated under the animation of Sr Linet D’Souza. The staff, consisting of Sisters, Catholic lay teachers, Hindu and Muslim teachers alike, strives to give the best to the students and aims at bringing the best out of them. Apart from imparting knowledge, they also unravel the innate potentials of students and encourage them to grow in it. They are trained to be emotionally balanced, intellectually alert, morally sound, spiritually oriented, socially committed, and culturally enriched!!! In order to foster active collaboration in building up the institute and academic progress of students, programmes such as Parent-Teacher Association, and Open Day are arranged. The Roshni Primary School was upgraded to High School on June 1, 2010. It was an auspicious day when viewed from the perspective of enlightenment a school can bring about in nearly 700 pupils. The school children compete in all activities at all levels and win laurels to the School.
Roshni Teachers’ Quarters has been canonically erected on August 6, 2013 by Sr Doreen D’Souza, Superior General. It is said that extra privileges carry with them added responsibilities. As Hangal is a good ground for service with love to all, irrespective of religion, it is to be expected that the teaching apostolate at Hangal uplifts the lowly, offers hope to those in despair and unites everyone into one human family. The Roshni Teachers’ Quarters was named ‘Kripa Sadan’ on August 6, 2013.
Diocese: Gulbarga
Pioneers: Sisters Petronilla D’Silva and Janitha Rodrigues
Shorapur is part of the newly formed Yadgir district. Yadgir, along with Gulbarga, Raichur and Bidar distircts was a part of Hyderabad which was ruled by the Nizâms. These districts were amalgamated with Mysore (later known as Karnataka State) region on the basis of the language spoken by the people in the place namely, Kannada. Even to date the whole region is known as Hyderabad-Karnataka; which itself is one of the most backward districts of North Karnataka. At the request of Fr Antony Fernandes, the parish priest of Our Lady of Rosary church and the late Bishop Joseph D’Silva of Bellary Diocese the Sisters of the Mysore Province moved into North Karnataka. Until now they had confined themselves largely to the district of Mysore. Subsequently Pope Benedict XVI created the new Diocese of Gulbarga comprising the four districts of North Karnataka (Bidar, Gulbarga, Yadgir and Bijapur) on June 24, 2005, with the appointment of Bishop Robert Michael Miranda as the first Bishop of the new diocese. Thus the Diocese of Gulbarga was carved out of the three geographical dioceses of Hyderabad, Belgaum, and Bellary. Prior to that Bidar district was a mission adopted by the Diocese of Mangalore even though it was a juridical part of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. Bijapur, a part of Belgaum Diocese was taken care of by the Jesuit Fathers. The Gulbarga and Yadgir districts were the part of Bellary Diocese.
Having studied carefully the scope for mission work according to the Ursuline Franciscan charism, the Provincial Superior, Sr Jyothi Fernandes accepted the invitation; on June 16, 2001 Sisters Patronilla D’Silva and Janitha Rodrigues arrived at Shorapur. As in several other cases, in Shorapur too, the Sisters had no residence of their own; hence, they were put up in the parochial house.
The Sisters did not involve themselves in educational ministry in Shorapur; they visited the neighbouring villages with the assistance of the parish priest and a Catholic lawyer Mr Augustine. Their field study proved to be providential. The pathetic situation of the differently abled children clamoured for their ministry; without delay, the children were brought to the parochial house. The Sisters as well as the children shared the parochial house. Simultaneously, they also focused their attention on children who had dropped out of school. These children were re-admitted to school; they were coached in the evening for their studies.
In 2002 Sr Mary Bastin Pinto academically with a Masters in Social Work, was posted to Shorapur. As a person committed to the cause of the poor, she began studying the ground reality by a survey of the areas on economic, political, social, cultural and educational points. The study revealed that the areas of literacy and health were more neglected than others. The Sisters began addressing these concerns primarily by starting a kindergarten school. They also coached students studying in government schools; tailoring classes were organized for girls and women. In a more structured manner, they organized value- education classes; they also organized summer camps for children and youth. Gradually, they formed self-help-groups for women; the venture enabled them to obtain knowledge regarding savings, children’s education, legal rights, health, and hygiene and bank transactions, which works as an invaluable asset. Awareness programmes are carried on with the assistance of thirty self- help groups.
In the meantime, Fr Antony Fernandes was transferred from Shorapur to Shahapur, 30 kilometres away. He began a school there and requested the Sisters to extend their services in the school. Sr Janitha Rodrigues was assigned with the task of administering the school. Initially she commuted from Shorapur to Shahapur. Later Sisters Florence Sequeira and Susheela F began residing in a room of the parish church; they returned to Shorapur only at weekends. Gradually 1.32 acres of land was bought by Mysore Province at Kumberpet on October 22, 2004. Officially the school was inaugurated at Shorapur in 2006 starting with LKG and UKG with 28 students. Sr Blanch D’Souza was appointed head teacher. As the classrooms were equipped insufficiently, classes were conducted in the residence of the Sisters.
On March 23, 2007 the foundation was laid for the school at Kumberpet in the newly purchased land; the basement and first floor was completed on August 12, 2007 and blessed by Bishop Robert Miranda of Gulbarga Diocese. Simultaneously, the foundation was laid for the convent building. On December 31, 2007, classes were shifted from Shorapur to Kumberpet. Since then the Sisters resided in the basement of the school. In July 2008, a group of eighteen students from France through the mediation of Fr Patrick Langue SJ headed by Fr Michael Meguel SJ constructed the second floor of the building within twenty days of their stay at Kumberpet. Along with construction, they visited the remote villages in order to study the socio-cultural situation of the place.
The new convent building Prerana, the Social Work Centre and the Children’s Home were blessed on their completion on August 24, 2010 by Bishop Robert Miranda; Sr Jyothi Fernandes, the Provincial Superior, inaugurated it.
The Sisters involve themselves actively in welfare activities: when North Karnataka experienced a severe deluge in 2009, the Sisters involved themselves in the diocesan programmes of flood relief. Social and pastoral activities are being carried out with a vision to empower the people – women and children in particular.
Diocese: Belgaum
Pioneers: Sisters Eulalia Monteiro, Dulcine Crasta and Rosa Cecily PJ
Hangal is a semi-forest area in the district of Haveri in North Karnataka. The district was been formed in 2001 after being carved out of the district of Gulbarga. In order to present the significance of the presence of the Sisters at Hangal, a demographical portrayal of the setting must be attempted. The newly-formed district was not free from the unjust socio- economic and cultural structures that are common to North Karnataka.
A large section of the people belongs to scheduled castes and tribes at Hangal. The Lingayat community forming majority owns the agricultural and business resources of the place; the rest of the people either marginal farmers or landless labourers, seek employment from the landlords, which is but seasonal. The rest of the time of the year, they migrate outside the district and at times even outside the State. Only ten percent of the families own a bullock cart and on an average 15% of the families own a cow/buffalo/goat/sheep/fouls etc. In their dreadful economic misfortune, they borrow money from landlords and moneylenders; their inability to settle loans, lands them into child labour and bonded labour. The mighty of society exploit the weak to the maximum. They enforce the principle of divide and rule in villages which have resulted in a systematic exploitation of the people. Hangal consists of 40 Gram Panchayats and 173 villages.
The Hangal taluka contains 220 primary schools and only 27 secondary schools, nine pre-university colleges and a single degree college. This is a pointer to the fact of dropout rate in schools. 60% of the children drop out of school by age ten. On an average, 6,919 children drop out from a total number of 38,613 annually, which implies that within a period of five years 90% of the children stay out of school. Poverty and migration, two interrelated factors are the causes of this sorry state of things. Hangal is a multi-cultural locale. Tribal and caste communities hold on to their own customs and norms. Generally they believe in fertility cult. Customs such as early marriage and marriage among relatives are rampant. Devdasi system (offering of girl children to goddess Yellamma in fulfilment of a vow taken; they are later sexually exploited by poojaris) also exists in the region.
In such a setting, the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters were called to proclaim the Kingdom of God. The setting corresponded to a vision of Sr Edilburga, Superior General, to uplift the downtrodden and neglected of society. The project was commenced on an experimental basis in 1997 when Sisters Eulalia Monteiro, Ruth Rodrigues, Grace Alvares and Dulcine Crasta were sent to Mundugod to familiarize themselves with the abject state of the place. As a daring move, they opted to reside individually in villages. The Loyala Vikas Kendra at Mundugod, a Social Action Centre of the Jesuits of Karnataka Province, was the beacon in their dismay and confusion caused by the dismal state of affairs.
Their encounter of the reality for a year equipped them to engage profoundly in their mission at Hangal. On June 5, 1998 at the request of Bishop Bernard Moras of Belguam Diocese the Mangalore Province started a social work centre at Hangal by staying in a house at Kubsat Building in Vijayanagar extension which is located 0.05 kilometres away from the current location of the convent. The house was named Roshni Social Action Centre. Sisters Eulalia Monteiro, Dulcine Crasta and Rosa Cecily PJ were its pioneers. As a preliminary course of action, they studied the situation of Hangal taluk and identified villages for their work. Initially they focused on three villages where the people of Lambani tribe lived. They trained them to take to savings and tailoring. The benefits of the Coaching Centres and Holiday Camps which were established and conducted in villages and exclusively for people from villages were also made available to them. As they worked in villages, walking distant miles and residing in villages amidst people, and facing rejection from them became part of their work.
Being true to its name, Roshni, the Centre spreads rays of hope on everyone – women battered by societal evils, children divested of their childhood by their being forced into child labour, youth who are unemployed due to lack of education, men who are victims of evil habits, and the aged who are neglected by their own. All of these categories are organized under Self-Help- Groups and motivated to achieve liberative empowerment. Young girls are guided to be self-reliant through tailoring and craft. The Youth Clubs and Yuvati Mandals (Clubs for young women) are conscientized regarding their responsibility at home and in society; they are also alerted regarding communicable diseases. The youth in turn communicate the same to people in their respective villages by means of street theatre. They also organize shramadan (donating labour freely) to keep their hamlet clean; people support their initiative by joining them. Meanwhile it must be noted that the beneficiaries of the Sisters’ toil are not Catholics alone, for Hangal consists of only six migrant Catholic families.
In 2000 the Sisters purchased a 9 cents of land to put up a social action centre. The structure was ready on November 20, 2001. Roshni Social Action Centre was inaugurated by Sr Doreen D’Souza, Provincial Superior, and blessed by Bishop Bernard Moras of Belgaum Diocese. The Sisters moved into the Centre on the same day and occupied a part of the building as their residence whereas the other part was used for the social action activities. In 2002 an additional three acre of land was purchased in the adjacent location in view of starting a formal school. Roshni Primary School comprising LKG, UKG, and Class I was started in 2002 in the Centre. On June 2, 2003 the foundation stone was laid for the school building. At the completion of the building on July 24, 2004 it was inaugurated and the classes were shifted to it immediately.
Alongside, a dispensary was established on September 23, 2002. On June 2, 2003 a mobile clinic was added to the dispensary. Social apostolate has been a remarkable feature of Roshni. People from forty villages within the radius of twenty five kilometres from the Centre have been the beneficiaries of the work of the Sisters. In these villages, they have established eighty five SHGs; members of SHGs are trained in various areas of self-reliant programmes and employment. Girl children are accorded utmost importance by the Sisters. In the school they obtain special attention. During school vacation, they are involved in camps, moral value education sessions and in children’s club; they are also provided with the hostel facility in villages. The School offers scholarships to girls from villages scoring highest marks in classes IX and X. Thirteen girls have been availing themselves of this facility thus far. Spoken English classes are being conducted for those interested in learning English.
A tailoring centre has been started at Aregoppa. A large number of women utilize its expertise and benefits. These women are motivated to form themselves into SHGs; they are also animated to contest in civic body elections. Women’s Day celebrations are held at taluka level and cluster level. Environment care has been instilled in people by the distributing of plants; a follow-up of this scheme is maintained. People are provided with benefits of the government schemes. Animators of the Centre at various fields are brought together for regular monthly, quarterly, and yearly evaluation.
Roshni Rehabilitation Centre for addicts was established in on January 26, 2008. Having felt the need of the people to free themselves from the clutches of alcoholism, Roshni reached out to people with a simple and systematic approach. Involvement of the community in bringing the alcoholics to the main sphere was very important. As the people of the locality had no idea of the de-addiction programme, awareness was given to the people on an individual and group basis. Initially de-addiction camps were conducted in the rehabilitation centre which is in the first floor of Roshni building itself. Until 2010 April, addicts were treated in a camp setting. The treatment in the camps brought about good result and people were drawn to Roshni, as it lightened the families and instilled hope among the family members of alcoholics. Later on the Centre felt the need of having a systematic approach in treating the addicts, so 21 days of treatment was introduced on a monthly basis, having the admission on the 5th of every month. This procedure was followed until the centre became aware of the rule of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, to have de-addiction treatment for 31 days. The treatment for 31 days was introduced from March 2012. As to abide by the rules of Mental health authority license to run de-addiction centre under the Mental Health Act was obtained on June 20, 2012. Now, the Centre has systematic treatment methods with psychological re- educative sessions, therapies, individual and family counseling, spiritual exercises, physical and psychiatric treatment. Every month 10-15 patients get admitted to the Centre and benefit from the treatment. So far 500 patients from the districts of Haveri, Dharwad, Gadag, Bellary, Karwar, Shimoga, Davangere, Mangalore, Gulbarga and Pune have undergone the treatment. Today the Centre is considered as having the best treatment and facilities in the undivided Dharwad district. The regular programme of sensitizing the people through awareness programmes is being carried out.
As the fame of rehabilitation centre began to spread, the thought of having a spacious building for de-addiction activities was put into action by buying 4 acres of land at Nakara Cross, 7 kms away from Roshni. Due to the lack of financial stability to put up a building, at present the land is utilized for agriculture purpose. Mango plantation, cultivation of seasonal crops and rearing of domestic animals are carried out as the income generating activities for the Centre.
The Sisters had been telling themselves constantly that a formal school was a crying need of the place as it was one of the most effective means to progress in any undeveloped setting. Hence in 2003 a school was started with UKG, LKG and Class I in the Centre. Administering a school in the campus buzzing with several activities was found to be challenging. Nonetheless, the Sisters stubbornly carried on with the undertaking until the classes were shifted to the new building at Roshni Teachers’ Quarters in 2008.
Amidst their usual physical exhaustion they have never allowed their spirit to sag. Spiritual assistance is drawn from the diocesan priests from Hirekerur and Haveri and Jesuits from Mundugod. With the erection of St Lawrence parish church and appointment of a resident priest in 2003 at Hangal, the Sisters received additional help in their spiritual life. Regular spiritual exercises are followed in the community in spite of its hectic schedule.
The Sisters have been endeavouring to build one human family at Hangal irrespective of caste and creed. They have enabled the people to realize their human dignity especially by empowering them through people’s organizations. God has certainly worked through them as he did through St Paul, his powerful instrument. God uses the Sisters in the service of his people and the Sisters keep themselves ever open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Diocese: Gulbarga
Pioneer: Sisters Florence Sequeira and Susheela F
Shahapur, a tiny town in Gulbarga is known for its economic backwardness, the impact of which is extensive on the children of the poor in particular. Assessing the need of the locality, Fr Antony Fernandes, the parish priest of Shahapur, started a school in 2003. He sought the assistance of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in realizing his vision. Sr Jyothi Fernandes, the Provincial Superior, responded promptly to the need and sent Sisters Florence Sequeira and Susheela F to Shahapur on May 24, 2006. They resided in a rental house for three years. The community in Shahapur existed as a sub-community almost for four years. On April 14, 2010, it was canonically erected and the convent was named Sneha Sadan.
The Sisters took up their responsibility immediately in the form of instructing in the school. Initially, they travelled daily 30 kilometres from Shorapur to Shahapur in fulfilling their responsibility. In general the standard of education was extremely dismal. This was because discipline was dismal. The Sisters focused on these two areas and the school grew to be a much sought after study centre within a short period of time.
Besides their teaching ministry, the Sisters involved themselves in pastoral activities such as catechizing and preparing children for reception of the sacraments. At the arrival of Sr Sophia T, a qualified Bachelor in social work, on May 31, 2008, one can claim the face of Shahapur began transforming. In collaboration with the diocesan social work centre Sneha Sangam developmental works were extended to rural areas around Shahapur. She faced suspicion in initial days; however, she was able to win over the people over and gain their overwhelming co-operation and support in the successive days. Sr Mary Bastin Pinto continued the good work begun by Sr Sophia; she has extended her services to the youth of the locality.
Diocese: Gulbarga
Pioneers: Sisters Helen Dantis, Irene Albuquerque, Trecilla Dias, Catherine Sunitha Vas and 23 Pre-Novices
Bijapur is a geographically land-locked district. It is bounded by Sholapur on the north, Sangli on the north-west (parts of the state of Maharastra), Belgaum on the west, Bagalkot on the south, Gulbarga on the east and by Raichur on the south- east. Thus, it is a land-locked district on the northern boundary of Karnataka. The district is known for its religious, cultural, historic, and even civic heritage. The historic merit of Bijapur sets it apart from other districts in North Karnataka. The world famous Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur is located just fifty feet north of Sneha Sangama Convent. However, the socio-economic condition of the district as a whole is deplorable. The condition is similar to that of Bidar and Haveri, which has been illustrated elsewhere. Bijapur consists of 78 villages and Bijapur city alone consists of more than one hundred slums. The caste system is rampant in the area; in addition, unemployment, illiteracy, child labour, bonded labour, broken families, drunkenness, morbid attachment to superstitions and corruptions are widespread. The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters arrived at Bijapur on June 3, 1998. A brief illustration of the scenario that dictated their advent to Bijapur is in place.
In early 1990s, the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation was making a conscious choice to move to the margins to be with those who are on the margins. In achieving this objective, Sr Edilburga Monteiro, Superior General and her team3 had made available to the whole Congregation an opportunity to attend a week-long seminar on social analysis, conducted by Fr John Desrochers CSC, a well-known social analyst. The proposal was further disseminated in the Superiors’ Meeting of 1997 using expertise of Mr Desmond and Ms Margaret Abreo, Fr Francis Guntipalli SJ and several other socially enlightened people. In view of intensifying the reality of making a conscious choice for those on the margins, Fr Claude D’Souza SJ was invited to guide the Chapter delegates through a retreat which was held as a proximate preparation for the Tenth General Chapter in 1998. Having resided at Bijapur for a few years already, Fr Claude D’Souza literally harped on the concern of making a preferential option for the poor. Subsequently in the General Chapter, along with a proposal to initiate social action in all the four Provinces of the Congregation, it was unanimously decided that the Pre- novices of the Congregation would spend a large part of their formation year in the slums of Bijapur, which was called contextual formation.
Accordingly in May 1998 Sr Edilburga Monteiro, Superior General, Sr Angeline Sequeira, Councillor General, and Sr Helen Dantis, Directress of pre-novices, arrived at Maitri Sadan, Bijapur, residence of the Jesuits. They spent two days in listening, discussing, visiting slums, and above all discerning in prayer regarding the course of action to be initiated shortly. Subsequently on June 3, 1998 Sr Helen Dantis along with 21 student candidates moved to Bijapur. Sr Victoria Serrao, Assistant Superior General accompanied them. She stayed with them for a month – visiting slums and accommodating herself to each and every inconvenience of a congested rented house, without interfering in the programme of formation while taking stalk of everything as gently as possible. Her presence had been a blessing in the house. They settled in a rented house belonging to Mr Mohammad Gaus Tavildar, situated twenty metres north of the Sneha Sangama Convent on the way to Gol Gumbaz. The family was extremely good even to the extent of moving to a rented house in order to provide the Sisters with the needed space. The Jesuits, Fr Claude D’Souza and Fr Paulose Vellacada in particular had been instrumental in making the initial arrangements for residence as well as apostolate in the slums. On June 4, 1998, the student candidates were initiated to the pre-novitiate by Sr Victoria and the apostolate was begun on the same day. They visited the slums individually for half a day while the remaining half day was allotted for classes, reflection, and other daily chores. They managed by themselves every activity of the house – marketing, cooking, accounting, and fetching firewood from a depot located two kilometres away from their residence. At the end of the year, during March and April when the pre- novices had returned to the Holy Rosary Convent at Jeppu the house was occupied by the novices of Mangalore and Mysore Province for a month each in view of acquiring contextual formation.
Encountering the abject reality of Bijapur and incorporating it into one’s prayer, study, reflection, and way of life was found fruitful; hence, in view of continuing the venture, a 0.75-acre land was purchased in the present location of the convent in 1999 even as the second year continued in the rented house. Sr
Angeline Sequeira was involved in the transaction with the assistance of Fr Paulose SJ. She put up a modest house with asbestos-sheeted roof in the plot within three months with assistance from labourers from Mangalore headed by her brother Joachim Sequeira. The house was inaugurated on June 1, 2000; it was canonically erected and a community was formed consisting of Sisters Helen Dantis, Irene Albuquerque, Trecilla Dias and Catherine Sunitha Vas.
With additional members, the community ventured into additional need-based and humanitarian activities. A group of seven girls from villages were accommodated at Sneha Sangama and they were coached in view of their being prepared for SSLC exams. It was an attempt like Grihini. Sr Trecilla Dias managed the scheme for a year. As a corresponding initiative, in 2001, the Sisters collaborated with the Jesuits in catering to a group of sixty girl child labourers; it has been a project of the government in view of uplifting girl children who were generally divested of their right to education by occupying them in household chores. The work has been too intricate necessitating a monthly recording of even the amount of spices used for each child. Besides, the office of child labour demanded several details regarding several aspects of the group of sixty children. In fact, the Sisters of Mysore Province – Winnifred Lobo, Susheela F, and Deepti CK have been assisting in educating the boy child labourers since 1997 onwards by residing at Maitri Sadan. Sisters Susheela F and Deepti CK were accommodated by the Sisters in the rented house from 1998 onwards. The children were housed in a four room school building constructed in 2001 with assistance from a French group of students headed by Fr Patrick Langue through the mediation of Fr Claude SJ. The good work of catering to girl child labourers was continued in the following year with assistance from the Padre Pio Association at Florence,
Italy. This is because the government project was reallocated. The Sisters followed a different strategy in obtaining girls for the programme. Instead of accommodating children who arrive seeking education, they visited rural and interior villages; they resided with them overnight and brought the most deserving. In many cases, they had to literally plead and even lie stating that they would take them for a day’s picnic to the Gol Gumbaz. This is because most of the girls were earning members of the family at the age twelve onwards. As the saying goes, risks are repaid with risks, the Sisters, at their return with fourteen child labour girls, had to face the wrath of a group of Hindu fanatics who forced driving the KSRTC bus to the Sindagi police station. Nonetheless, there was sufficient grace and help to address the situation. Sr Catherine along with two lay local teachers shouldered the responsibility of teaching the 61 child labour girls.
Simultaneously in 2001 Sr Irene Albuquerque started training girls from the slums in tailoring, embroidery and craft work. As many as forty students regularly attended the class. She occupied one of the classrooms in the new building. The Generalate was supporting wholeheartedly all the initiatives taken at Bijapur. Besides the day scholars, there were twelve resident girls from villages to learn tailoring. Tailoring school day was celebrated annually. The occasion was used to conscientize the students on concerns like personality development, women’s rights and duties etc; experts in these areas were the resource persons.
In 1999 itself they were involved in prison ministry. Their service, limited to visiting the convicts weekly, listening to them, counselling them, and even praying with them, was enhanced after formation of the community and with the arrival of Sr Irene to Bijapur in particular in 2000. Sr Irene started training the women convicts in tailoring, embroidery, and craft. Sneha Sangama has undertaken heroic deeds in the service of prisoners, like distributing fruits to women convicts purchased with savings from fasting on Fridays, donating blood to a male convict in his grave illness, visiting convicts at their house in remote areas when they were released at the sunset of their life due to illness, and working to secure bail to an orphan girl who was jailed for theft. Cultural programmes communicating consolation and hope in their despair have been performed as well at the jail. The ministry has been continuing; Sr Veronica VS and Jenny D’Sa have been taking up the charge.
The Sisters at Sneha Sangama were involved in another daring enterprise, namely, working with women involved in flesh trade. They visited them, guided them, and attended their meetings and seminars. It was found to be a challenging and rewarding mission. A significant achievement of the Sisters has been initiating seven girl child labourers after completion of their one year study in the child labour school, into SSLC open school scheme. In the case of those aged between thirteen and fifteen, and equipped with no more than reading and writing, coaching them with class X syllabus was desperately arduous. Sisters Catherine Sunitha Vas, Milagrin Horta and Helen Dantis have undertaken the responsibility with great care and love. The girls could appear for two subjects at a time failing most of the time. It has been a matter of great pride that three of them were able to complete their class X after three years. Furthermore, Sneha Sangama has conducted a survey of the physically handicapped residing in the slums of Bijapur; the object of the survey was to make them fit to avail themselves of the benefits of the government.
In 2002 Sneha Sangama formal school consisting of a nursery class and classes I and II was started. Catering to children exclusively from the surrounding slums of Bijapur had been its objective. Sr Winnifred Lobo and Leena Mathias who were community members in 2002, contributed a great deal in the initial stage of the school. The school building was a generous gift by a group of university students studying in France (majority of them were of French nationality), under the guidance of Jesuit priests; their help was obtained through Fr Claude D’Souza SJ, Mission Superior of the Bijapur Mission. Three different groups consisting of 10-15 members arrived at three different times (2001, 2004 and 2009) to Sneha Sangama and helped in putting up a three-storied school building. Each group put in twenty days manual labour in the construction of the building; as part of their project they supported the construction financially too. It goes without saying that the community Sisters as well as the Congregation are indebted to them; besides, their inspirational value system and way of living was food for thought to the pre-novices. Their association continued to finance partly the payment of the school staff. In 2007, the medium of instruction in the higher primary school was changed into English language from Kannada. In 2009, high school education was initiated at Sneha Sangama School. On June 25, 2010 the high school block as well as a computer room for the school was inaugurated. The school reached up to Class X. Students were found performing well in both curricular and co-curricular activities.
It must be noted that the work of the pre-novices in the slums undertaken in view of acquiring a contextual formation was challenging. Already their routine was highly demanding: activities in the slums, such as imparting literacy to women and young girls and children who had been deprived of it, coaching the school-going children from slums, teaching at child labour schools both at Maitri Sadan and Sneha Sangama, listening to women suffering domestic violence etc. In addition they would venture into exceptional heroic deeds, including nursing and caring on a daily basis an old woman who had contracted leprosy, a sick-single-destitute widow, a young man who was thrown out of his house due to his rotten leg, an HIV infected man, a woman with burns, a battered teenager forcefully married to a boy with vicious conduct. They fasted on Fridays
and skipped fruits at one meal in order to help the neediest. Needs of people were brought into their prayer and to the Eucharistic celebration as well. There were painful moments in the process of fulfilling their mission: three of them were taken to the police station on charges of conversion; one was chased out of a slum with a warning that she would be married to a boy from the slum if she dared to return to the slum; two of them were ordered not to enter a particular slum in which they had been serving... The pre-novices sailed through such unpleasant events. By and large their experience proved fruitful and of an enduring value.
When the number of pre-novices was more than twenty- five they were divided into two groups providing them with the experience of five months each at Bijapur. Both the batches were brought together at Holy Rosary for a month during which they were, through experts, taught skills in dance, music notation, street theatre etc. The History of the Congregation and sessions on religious life were imparted to them from Sisters of the Congregation. The group had been apart by itself cooking their food and managing their activities while assisting the community in whatever way feasible to them. Animators of Holy Rosary, Sisters Clara Furtado, Hilda Albuquerque and Rita Vas wholeheartedly supported the venture. One cannot but acknowledge gratefully the interest the Congregation has shown in this affair, expensive financially and other ways.
In 2004 at the transfer of Sr Helen Dantis, Sr Lucy D’Souza was appointed directress to the Pre-Novitiate and animator of Sneha Sangama. Sr Lucy D’Souza of Kallianpur was placed in charge of the Sneha Sangama School in the same year. The pre- novitiate programme was shifted back to the Holy Rosary Convent at Jeppu in 2007 and the Generalate handed over the Bijapur Mission to the Mangalore Province on August 28, 2009. Gradually the School overcoming its conversion tag, securing a record figure of 600 and attaining the title of one of the best schools in Bijapur has taken the centre stage. In the words of the Sisters at Bijapur, “definite progress has been certainly achieved in the field of formal education; however, the education apostolate has turned to be the sole apostolate of the institution. The social apostolate has faced a severe setback in the long run”. They also contend that the rich legacy of Sneha Sangama, which is a matter of pride and source of inspiration, ought to call for greater introspection along with need-based and timely action in reaching out to thousands of underprivileged in the region.
The Sisters have been extending their help in the pastoral activities of St Ann parish at Bijapur. Catechizing, sacristy work, joining in SCC prayer meetings, preparing and conducting liturgy at solemn feasts, accompanying the bereaved families in their sorrow, stitching dress for altar servers, and visiting families have been their regular activities. The Jesuits have supported the venture at Bijapur a great deal: Fr Claude was a spiritual challenge; Fr Paulose was present in times of tensions in the slum, Fr Arockia has given sessions to pre-novices on electricity; he has also guarded the house along with his boys of Loyola Technical Centre for three days when Sneha Sangama was undergoing the dread of robbers. Sisters Gretta Sanjeevini D’Souza and Benedicata Tellis have familiarized themselves with the crude reality of life at Bijapur for a month each in 2001 by being at Bijapur prior to their taking charge as novice directresses at North-East Province and North Province respectively.
Diocese: Belgaum
Pioneers: Sisters Felix D’Souza, Beatrice D’Silva, Theresia Serrao and Dulcine Crasta
St Michael Convent is situated in Hubli taluk. It lies two kilometres away from Fatima Convent at Keshwapur, Hubli. Being located away from the noise of the city, this scenic location is chosen as a post-retirement destination by several government employees. Existence of Catholic population is a gradual growth in the region. In order to attend to their pastoral needs, Infant Jesus church was established at Shanthi Nagar in 1988 by bifurcating the main church of St Joseph at Keshwapur, Hubli. The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters landed at Shanthi Nagar owing to a request of Fr Eusebius Fernandes, parish priest, to extend their assistance in spiritual and pastoral exercises of the Infant Jesus parish.
The life of the Sisters at Shanthi Nagar involved a fascinating process, which is worth noting. The Sisters of Fatima Convent commenced their extension service at Infant Jesus church, Shanthi Nagar in 1995 by commuting daily. In order to facilitate their work, on February 27, 1994 Sr Edilburga Monteiro, Superior General, approached Bishop Ignatius Lobo of Belgaum Diocese and requested him to grant permission to acquire a piece of land at Shanthi Nagar. The Bishop replied promptly, i.e., on March 3, 1994 suggesting that the Sisters could purchase a piece of land in which a convent as well as a high school building might be constructed in order to meet the pastoral and educational requirements of the place. The suggestion was followed and worked upon. Finally Sisters Eulalia Monteiro and Beatrice D’Silva succeeded in locating two plots, instead of one, consisting of 03.00 and 03.24 acres; they were purchased for a total amount of Rs 11,74,000/- And 20 cents of land had been encroached by a neighbour, which the Sisters decided to surrender after realizing that it was impossible to set the matter right.
The Sisters rented a house in the vicinity of the newly- purchased plot. The house comprised two bed rooms, two halls and a kitchen. With its blessing by Fr Peter D’Souza, parish priest and inauguration by Sr Ancilla Pinto, Regional Superior of the West Karnataka Region, on September 1, 1996 the Sisters formed the community. Sisters Felix D’Souza, Beatrice D’Silva, Theresia Serrao and Dulcine Crasta have been pioneers of St Michael Convent. While Sisters Felix D’Souza and Theresia Serrao were involved in teaching at St Michael High School at Keshwapur, Sisters Beatrice D’Silva and Dulcine Crasta carried on social apostolate at Shanthi Nagar. On September 7, 1996, they were introduced to the parishioners with a salutary advice that they were a gift to the people of God at Shanthi Nagar. They occupied the house altering it according to their requirements. On September 13, 1996 during a meeting with the parish priest their pastoral responsibilities were spelt out. Accordingly they were expected to undertake sacristy work, distribute Communion on Sundays, and proclaim the Word of God during daily Eucharistic celebration. The priest assured that he would celebrate the Eucharist at the Convent on Saturday; he would on Thursday take the Blessed Sacrament from the church to the Convent for adoration until the Blessed Sacrament was installed in the Convent. He would also share reflections on the Word of God on days of recollection if needed. He thus offered to render brotherly help to the Sisters in whatever way possible for him.
As Sisters Felix D’Souza and Theresia Serrao continued with their teaching apostolate at St Michael’s School, Keshwapur Sisters Dulcine Crasta and Beatrice D’Silva explored ways and means to involve themselves into the inhuman living condition of the people in the slums and rural areas of Hubli. With
assistance from the Jesuits in Mundugod, Sr Dulcine Crasta rented a part of a house at Bengeri and coached children from the slum every day between 08.30 and 10.30a.m. As many as twenty five children benefited from her service. Sr Beatrice D’Silva began organizing an awareness programme on HIV/ AIDS in schools and colleges. Students, teachers, head teachers, BEO (Block Education Officer) and Police Commissioners of Hubli and Dharwad attended the programme. The Education Department backed her venture.
Pastoral apostolate has been accorded great importance at Shanthi Nagar. When catechism classes were introduced in the parish, the Sisters assumed the responsibility of forming the faith of people. In order to be available fully for this cause, they discontinued catechizing at Keshwapur, which in a way served as a blessing: lay teachers were appointed in their stead. The Sisters engaged themselves in several activities of the church and the parish as in other places. They got into Mahadev Nagar, an area bypassed by everyone. Sr Dulcine Crasta deserves to be commended for her venturesomeness achieved in collaboration with Fr Peter D’Souza. He put in extra effort to learn the local language in order to celebrate the Eucharist there on days of solemnities. They involved themselves actively in novenas and charismatic prayers arranged on Thursdays at Infant Jesus church. The memory of their visits to families and the solace they offered through prayers and counselling is cherished by the people even today.
Gradually the Sisters focused on putting up structures at St Michael Campus. The building erected and inaugurated on November 29, 2000 consists of a multipurpose hall which is being utilized for several programmes of the mission; it also contains a first floor which the Sisters occupy as their residence. Meanwhile in order to attend to children in the vicinity with an English medium school, a kindergarten section with fifteen children was commenced in a shed close to the Convent. Fr Peter D’Souza inaugurated it; however, for various reasons it was closed down within a year. On October 11, 2001 permission was obtained to start a Pre-University College at Shanthi Nagar. But because of practical concerns such as building, teaching staff etc. the opening of the college had to be delayed till June 2002. The hall was availed of for sheltering the pupils of the Pre- University College.
The concern of the pre-university education was addressed systematically from 2002 onwards. On March 4, 2002 a 20x25- foot strip of land was bought as an approach road to the college building. The foundation stone of the college was laid on December 17, 2002. On June 2, 2003, sections of UKG, LKG and class I consisting of 157 students were commenced in the multi- purpose hall named now St Michael School. Sr Laura Pinto as the head teacher and Sr Anthony Mary as the correspondent served the institute in its beginning stage. A play park was also established in front of the hall for nursery children. The college building consisting of five rooms was ready for blessing on June 16, 2003. On August 23, 2003 the first floor was inaugurated and the three sections of St Michael School (this is a second school of the Ursuline Franciscan Management in Hubli with the same name existing at Shanthi Nagar, while the other school exists at Keshwapur) as well as the PU sections were shifted to it from the hall. As the hall was vacant after shifting the classrooms, a pre-nursery class was started there in 2006; the hall is utilized in the afternoon hours for activities related to social action. Sr Madtha D’Souza was in charge of the class; she managed the class of 28 children with assistance from a lay teacher. Currently, Sr Beatrice D’Silva along with a lay teacher and peon of the school manages the class.
Social apostolate has been accorded due importance at Shanthi Nagar. On April 13, 2005, a Centre for Social Action was opened in the multi-purpose hall. Several people contributed towards the furnishing of the Centre. Social apostolate formed an integral part of the St Michael Convent from then onwards. Women began availing themselves of its benefits. Having been formed into groups, they began claiming their rights; they also started raising voice against injustice meted out to them either at the domestic level or in society. They opened accounts in the Grameena Bank [bank pertaining to rural development], deposited weekly savings in it and procured loans for income generating trades. In all, this set a sort of revolution at Hubli.
Sr Dulcine Crasta, a qualified and committed social worker pioneered the social action in Shanthi Nagar in a professional manner in August 1996. She began with imparting literacy to children residing in slums; she also coached slow-learners. As she found it difficult to organize the ministry systematically, she was allowed to stay at Mundugod at the Social Action Centre of the Jesuits, which had been well established. Sr Rosa Cicily PJ continued the work at Hubli. She coached the children living in slums, rag pickers, and women from Gopankoppa area. She succeeded in admitting three children from the area to the Government School of Bengeri. As women learnt to read and write, they were encouraged to be formed into SHGs. Hence sixteen such groups were formed; they were accommodated for meetings in a room offered by a widow from Gopankoppa. At one Christmas children from the slum were brought together in the Convent and were made part of the celebration. Sr Angeline D’Souza replaced Sr Rosa Cicily PJ at the latter’s transfer to Hangal. She continued the good work. She enhanced the women with programmes on health and hygiene. She also brought the children to the Convent and trained them on self-hygiene. Sisters from Keshwapur and Sacred Heart Convent supported her in her good work by providing stationery, dress etc. Social work at Hubli was brought to an end as the successors of Sr Rosa Cicily PJ could not cope with the demands of the work. Sr Madtha D’Souza revived the social apostolate in 2002. We may note that her toil was duly rewarded when she was honoured during the Rural Women SHGs Meet at the Glass House, Hubli on March 13, 2007. The programme was organized by Mr Anil Kumar Patil, Ex-Mayor of HDMC; Mr Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Home in the State of Karnataka at the time honoured her by garlanding.
A new convent building was constructed and it was inaugurated on April 24, 2008. The occasion was combined with the celebration of the golden jubilee of religious profession of Sr Beatrice D’Silva. She was also the supervisor of the building. The Convent was equipped with solar lights, which Sr Beatrice D’Silva and the Mangalore Province jointly sponsored. This brought respite to the Sisters as the region experiences frequent power failure. In 2002 the property of St Michael campus was protectively encircled by a boundary wall.
St Michael Convent has been arranging pro-life programmes for various sections of people. Thus a seminar was held for teachers on HIV/AIDS and life skills from December 4 to 6, 2006 at St Michael College. Seventy-five teachers benefited from it. In 2005 Women’s Day celebration was organized at the premises of St Michael School. As many as 1300 women of the SHGs participated in the event; input sessions and a cultural programme were part of the programme.
The Sisters cherish the fruit of their toil at Shanthi Nagar especially from the field of education. The School consisting of Nursery to Pre-University College has been performing extremely well in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities both at the taluk and district level. The education department and parents of pupils express great satisfaction regarding the functioning of the School. On September 5, 2008 the Educational Department honoured St Michael Primary School as the ‘Best Primary School’ among Hubli rural schools. Sr Serena D’Souza, head teacher received the award on behalf of the School.
Amid these success stories, the Sisters had an agonizing event that sent shivers down their spine. On November 16, 2001 the convent building was attacked by a group of armed dacoits at 8.15p.m. However God sent several angels to protect them. The Sisters are indebted to Fr Shanthappa, the parish preist, members of a prayer group at Vincentian Ashram, the police and the youth in particular, who guarded the Convent for a month subsequent to the event. The Sisters at Shanthi Nagar contend that they experience profound joy, which, according to them, is the result of total self-giving in the service of the needy.
The establishments of the Mangalore Province since 1990s and particularly in the region of North Karnataka portray clearly the thrust of the Province to be with those on the margins of society. The Province represented by Sr Lenita D’Souza and her team has reiterated the thrust yet again in 2012 by establishing a community at Sindagi. Sindagi, in the Sindagi taluka of the Bijapur district lies 65 kilometres away from Bijapur.Its demographic and topographic condition is similar to that of Bijapur; hence, it pleads for lending a hand to those suffering inhuman living conditions, or to include the excluded into the one human community. The Jesuits of Karnataka Province had commenced such work already in 1994; the work was undertaken in an organized manner in 2004 by the setting up of a social action centre named Sangama in the town of Sindagi. The centre carried out activities like organizing women into SHGs, making the governmental schemes available to people, organizing children and youth into clubs, arranging coaching in English language, and running a hostel for post- child-labour boy children. Having realized the significance of education in empowering people, they started a formal school at Sindagi in 2011, which consists of nursery and class I. The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters were invited to collaborate in the mission in 2012.
As Sneha Sangama at Bijapur had been a concern of the Mangalore Province since August 28, 2009 and since Sindagi is closer to it, the Province agreed to extend assistance at Sindagi. Accordingly Sisters Irene D’Sa and Sunitha Pinto, members of Sneha Sangama, were sent to Sindagi. Currently the Assisi Nilaya community carries on as a sub-community of Sneha Sangama. The Sisters have begun teaching in the School. The School has been making steady progress. Sr Sophia Bellary joined the community in 2013. They reside in the rooms provided by Jesuits at Sangama centre.
They envision upgrading the sub-community into a full- fledged community; they also intend to initiate other apostolic activities alongside collaboration with the Jesuits. Sindagi offers ample scope to working for alcohol addicts, differently able children, children of migrating parents…. The region also calls for conscientization of men, women and youth about their rights and duties towards a dignified living. The Province has discerned rightly in taking up the mission at Sindagi.
