Diocese: Same
Pioneers: Sisters Irene D’Souza, Irene Reema D’Souza and Nirmala Rodrigues
On September 16, 2004, Sisters Irene D’Souza, Irene Reema D’Souza and Nirmala Rodrigues volunteered to move out of the ‘would-be Ursuline Franciscan Formation House’ to a rented house in Stelling, which lies seven kilometres south of the Bishops’ Campus. They sensed a dire need of the area, namely, attending to the education of girl children who had discontinued their schooling due to various reasons. They envisioned a unique project of providing residential training of Pre-form, to twenty girls each for three consecutive years.
Aim of the project was to enable them to join the Secondary School or any other professional area of their interest. Academics, catechising, instruction on value education, character formation, health and hygiene formed an integral part of the Pre-form syllabus. A nursery school was also started in view of providing a solid educational base for children.
As expected, the mission of the Sisters demanded innumerable sacrifices. Their inability to celebrate the Eucharist daily they consider to be the greatest of them all. The apostolic zeal of the Sisters inspired Fr Mansuetus, the General Secretary of the Diocese, to donate the Sisters 15 acres of his land. In addition, the Sisters have purchased 19 acres of land in order to cater to apostolic needs at Stelling. This means that the Sisters own 34 acres of land at Stelling. On October 25, 2004, the foundation stone was laid for Assisi Convent building by Bishop Jacob Koda. He blessed it on July 28, 2005 and the Superior General, Sr Doreen D’Souza inaugurated it. Sr Lily Fernandes, the Councillor General was also present. The convent building is a generous gift from Franca and Gigliola of Florence, Italy. On the day of the inauguration the then Bishop applauded the Sisters for their unique way of living and mission with these words: ‘What we as Church could not do for past twenty-five years has been done by Ursuline Franciscan Sisters within a year in the field of faith formation’.
Concurrent with the construction of the convent building, a Primary School building and a Children’s Home were constructed in the same campus. The construction was commenced on December 23, 2004; foundation stone of the building was blessed by Fr Mansuetus and it was laid by Mr Samboja, his brother. The school building named Assisi School was inaugurated on October 14, 2006 and the Children’s Home named Padre Pio Children’s Home, a generous gift from Centro Padre Pio, Florence, Italy was inaugurated on October 18, 2006. Associates of the group Mr Carlo Così, Ms Gigliola and Romana Santoni were present for the inaugural programme; they were accompanied by Sr Jacintha P D’Souza, the Superior of the Padre Pio Convent at Florence. In the following year, the school
building was extended; at its completion, it was blessed by Bishop Jacob Koda and inaugurated by Mr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of Tanzania on August 3, 2007. It has to be noted that Assisi Convent has been serving as the House of the Candidates ever since 2007. Six batches of candidates have crossed the portals of the House by 2013.
The Sisters are involved in pastoral activities. They visit families and conduct SCC prayer meetings. They seek out transformation in the living condition of people for which they employ programmes of conscientization. Complying with this vision, a three-day seminar on Poverty Alleviation was conducted. As many as 165 people were beneficiaries of the seminar. Further, the team of Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA) from Dar es Salaam was invited for a ten-dayprogramme. Thirty leaders of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) from Same attended the programme.
Little joys of life enkindle the spirit of the Sisters in the midst of a hectic and challenging life. Sr Leena Mathias celebrated her 25 years of religious life and Sr Nirmala Rodrigues celebrated Thanksgivng Mass after her perpetual profession on July 2, 2007. Other events that brought cheer to the Sisters are the visit of a group of students from Tilburg University in February 2008, the visit of Fr Vincent Furtado, the Provincial Superior of the OFM (Cap) in March 2008, canonical visitation of the Superior General Sr Doreen D’Souza accompanied by Sr Jeraldine, the Councillor General, on May 2008 and visit of the Superior General in 2011 to hold canonical visitation and Regional Chapter and Sr Aurea D’Souza to conduct evaluation of formation and Sr Rita Vas as resource person to carry out sessions on St Angela Merici and St Francis of Assisi.
Diocese: Dar-es-Salaam
Pioneers: Sisters Irene D’Souza, Leena Mathias and Vinola Iniappanavar
St Aloysius Convent is located two kilometres south of the city of Dar-es-Salaam meaning ‘harbour of peace’. Apart from the significance of the city for economic, maritime and business deals, a house in the vicinity of the city was a dire need precisely because the offices related to educational and such other business transactions are situated in the city.
Mr Aloyce Ngowi and Mr Charles Mlawa, two philanthropic businessmen were instrumental to a large extent in the realization of the dream of the Sisters to begin a house in the vicinity of the main city. They offered their newly constructed five-storied building to the Sisters on condition that fifty percent of the income generated from the school should be given to them. The agreement holds good for twelve years.
On January 2, 2006, the Sisters began residing in the fifth floor of the building, which is named St Aloysius Convent. It serves as a transit house to Sisters from other communities who arrive at the city on account of office matters related to education, land etc. On January 16, 2006, St Aloysius Nursery and Primary school was inaugurated and blessed by Fr Alphonse Minja, parish priest, and a member of the Congregation of the Precious Blood. Currently, the school has 230 students varying from nursery to class seven. It ranks as one of the top ten schools in the district; it has also bagged the ‘certificate of excellence in education’ from the Ministry of Educational and Vocational Training. The school is also known for faith formation and character building. The school arranges counselling classes for parents and students.
The school has catered to students of remote areas through boarding facilities for three years; however, such a remarkable apostolate had to be brought to an end because the rooms had to be converted as classrooms in order to provide admissions for the school. There are possibilities that the apostolate will be re- launched: the Sisters have been able to buy 25 acres of land in Bagamoyo, a new city in Dar-es-Salaam.
The Sisters, besides their teaching responsibilities, join the SCC prayer meetings, distribute communion during the Eucharistic celebrations, and collaborate with other religious congregations in parish activities. The Sisters also visit the sick and suffering in their neighbourhood on a regular basis. They join the people in their festivals and prayer sessions on all occasions. Fr Shabas Crasta OCD caters to the spiritual needs of the Sisters.
Diocese: Same
Pioneers: Sisters Jacinta Cutinha, Victoria Serrao and Assumpta Mangali
St Angela Convent is located in the Mwanga district of the Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania. It lies seventy-five kilometres south of the district headquarters of Same and fifteen kilometres south of Mwanga District. Being located 12,000 feet above the sea level and surrounded by three villages, namely Ngujini, Chanjale, Songoa, the region is a feast to the eyes of the passer- by.
The mission began to take shape when Sisters Jacinta Cutinha, Victoria Serrao and Leena Mathias moved to Chanjale seminary school on August 16, 2004 in order to obtain teaching experience (as it exists in the land). On December 27, 2004, Bishop Koda handed over a community school named Kindoroko Secondary School of Kisangara Juu parish to the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in the presence of Fr Mansuetus, Secretary General of the Diocese and Fr Elias Msuya the parish priest and school manager. In the meantime, Sisters Jacinta Cutinha and Victoria Serrao moved to Kindoroko after their teaching experience at the seminary school; Sr Assuntha Mangali joined them at Kindoroko. Sr Edilburga, Mission Superior guided the Sisters while staying with them for a period of three months.
The staff quarters of the school, existing in the school premises have been renovated and converted into a convent for the Sisters. It was blessed by Fr Everest Abedi on December 27, 2004 (Fr Elias was transferred by then). The Holy Eucharist was celebrated in the Convent on May 12, 2005 by Fr Abedi; he also installed the Blessed Sacrament in the Convent. The Convent was canonically erected on January 1, 2007. Fr Valence E Mruma joined the school as a chaplain and second master in June 2007. Fr Hilary Mshana has been rendering his services as chaplain to the Sisters from 2011 onwards.
There have been other remarkable developments in the school: the school has been equipped with twenty computers, received as a gift from VIA-AFRICA agency. Two dormitories have been constructed; one is meant to be a hostel for girl students and the other is a recruit house, meant for fostering vocations. The Sisters envision beginning pre-university course (form V and VI) in 2012. Construction of the building for this purpose is in progress.
The recruit house fosters vocations to Ursuline Franciscan way of life. The recruits are encouraged to participate in the ‘come and see’ programme organized for duration of three days. Those who show fervour to join religious life through the Ursuline Franciscan way of life are provided one year intensive formation; they are also assisted with academics to complete pre-form. Subsequently, they are admitted to the Secondary School at Kindoroko; during their study period at Kindoroko, they are provided with opportunities for weekly prayers and instructions, spiritual direction and annual retreat. A ‘Recruit Directress’ accompanies them all through the course of time. The recruits are indeed a blessing to the African mission. They accompany the Sisters in church activities such as catechizing the adults and First Holy communicants, preparing students for Baptism and Confirmation and visiting families. The Sisters undertake more humanitarian activities. They offer counselling services to school children, provide vehicle of the school to take the ailing poor to hospitals, console the bereaved and offer assistance to poor children to complete their studies.
St Angela Community and School have been animated by Sr Jacinta Cutinha for two years and Sr Victoria Serrao for five years. Currently, Sr Sunitha Catherine Vas is shouldering the responsibility. Sisters Renita D’Souza, Nirmala A, Asses D’Souza, Elizabeth Shayo and Josephine Tibaaga were serving as teachers in the school. Sisters Trecilla Dias, Asses D’Souza and Lavina Rodrigues joined the school as teachers in consecutive years. As the school is residential in nature, the Sisters had to strive hard to bring discipline in the school.
Diocese: Dar-es-Salaam
Pioneers: Sisters Irene Reema D’Souza, Trecilla Dias and Consolatha Thairora
The existence of St Clare Convent is truly providential. As the Sisters were exploring avenues to extend further their services to the needy, Mr Samboja, professor in Dar-es-Salaam and Director of Rural Research and Poverty Alleviation (REPOA), brother of Fr Mansuetus, donated 16.37 acres of land to the Sisters. The land has acquired already a title deed in the name of the Ursuline Franciscan Society. St Clare Convent is situated in the coastal region; it is seven kilometres south of Mlandizi town and 60 kilometres south of the Arusha-Dar-es-Salaam highway.
The foundation stone of the Convent was laid on October 14, 2008 by Fr Stephen Kombe, the Rector of Visiga Minor Seminary of Dar-es-Salaam Diocese. Sr Irene Reema supervised the construction work efficiently for four months while residing with the Sisters of Kilimanjaro. Sisters Lavina Rodrigues and Renita D’Souza assisted her throughout the four months. The Convent was inaugurated on January 30, 2009 by Mr Samboja and Ms Schola, his wife. Cardinal Polycarp Pengo of Dar-es- Salaam blessed the building. Fathers Peddy Castelino SVD and Peter Pinto SVD from Arusha assisted the Sisters in installing the solar system in the Convent premises.
Within a period of three months after the inauguration of the Convent, a centre for recruits was constructed; it was inaugurated by Ms Schola and blessed by Bishop Method Kilaini, Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese. It is named St Clare Formation Centre. Three batches of recruits, 51 in all, have passed through the portals of this centre. Out of the 51 students, 36 recruits have been continuing their secondary school education at Kindoroko, which is managed by the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. During this period Sr Mariola Picardo ably animated the community and its mission. Besides this venture, the Sisters coach boys of the neighbourhood in the evening at the Convent premises. Human Development Programme (HDP) was commenced in January 2010 in view of assisting students who have dropped out of school. The Sisters involve themselves actively in the pastoral activities of the sub-parish community. They catechize in Visiga Secondary and Primary schools on Fridays and in Kwakipo outstation of the parish on Sundays. Along with the recruits, the Sisters attend SCC meetings; they also share their reflections on the word of God while joining to pray in families. Visiting the sick and the aged of the neighbourhood – Muslims form majority of the population in Visiga – is a common feature of the apostolic activity of the Sisters. Sr Reema (of the medical personnel) guides people in primary health care; she also creates in them awareness regarding HIV/AIDS.
St Aloysius Secondary school at Visiga stands as a promising project both to the mission in Tanzania and to the Sisters. It exists as an extension of the St Aloysius Primary School in Mbezi Beach. The school has been equipped with eight classrooms, four dormitories, four laboratories and an administrative block. The major part of the building was inaugurated by Sr Doreen D’Souza, the Superior General on June 9, 2011. The school was opened in January 2012; it has been registered as well. The Sisters are indebted to the European Region for the financial support. Manos Unidas, Spain, has financed the construction of three laboratories for the school. The Sisters envision affording quality education to girl children in Tanzania. They look forward to forming St Aloysius School as a source of self-sufficiency to carry on the mission of the African Region.
Diocese: Same
Pioneers: Sisters Edilburga Monteiro, Rosin Noronha, Venitha Martis
The Ursuline Franciscan Formation House is the second residence (Women’s Hostel of the Diocese which had housed them for a month, being the first), the Sisters occupied in the Bishops’ Village after their arrival in Tanzania. Complying with a request of Sr Edilburga to permit them to continue to reside in the house, the Bishop offered the building to the Sisters. The Formation house welcomed five girls – Consolatha Thairora Kobia, Damaris Nkatha Joseph, Doris Kananu, Helena Kaburo and Lydia Kamathi Mikwa – as candidates in 2005. Sr Leena Mathias with the assistance of Fr Patrick Gitonga, Kenya was instrumental in recruiting the candidates. Sr Edilburga, a seasoned formator took up the task of forming the candidates. Sr Venitha Martis assisted her in the work of formation. Along with the formation curricula, the formees and Sisters visit families, pray the Rosary in families and share with people the word of God. It can be said that the formees are the backbone of the mission in Africa as they are well-versed with the language and culture of the land.
The African mission necessitated a novitiate in order to cater to the continuation of formation of the candidates. Accordingly, on January 1, 2007, the existing formation house was erected as the novitiate. Sr Edilburga was appointed novice directress and Sr Veena C Mascarenhas was appointed assistant novice directress. In order to equip the mission with appropriate personnel, Sr Venitha Martis was sent to India for Bachelor studies in Theology which she pursued at St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore. On April 18, 2009, Consolatha Thairora, Damaris Nkatha and Lydia Kamathi the first batch of African Sisters professed their vows to live as Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. Bishop Jacob Koda celebrated the Eucharist at the occasion. The following year, i.e., December 8, 2010, two more second year novices, Faith Gatwiri Rivngu and Elizabeth Shayo professed their vows and on 8 December 2011, Helen Kaburo, Joan Ndiga, Sabina Abura professed their vows to be Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. It was on December 8, 2012, Josephine Tibaaga, Immaculate Acham and Yuniah Moraa professed their vows. Out of the professed Sisters, seven are from Kenya, one is from Tanzania and three are from Uganda. Currently, five first year novices are being formed to be Sisters; five pre-novices pursue their formation. The novitiate house serving as a powerhouse of prayer supports the mission work of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in the African Region. Junior Sisters spend a day or two in the novitiate house in prayer and spiritual direction. Conducive atmosphere in the house attracts Sisters even from other congregations for prayer.
It is remarkable that the Sisters, besides their work of formation, involve themselves in several pastoral activities such as catechising in primary and secondary schools administered by the government as well as in the Cathedral parish and outstations, coaching the slow-learning students of their neighbourhood etc. With the assistance of the Principal of St Agnes College, Mangalore, India they were able to conscientize people of 19 villages for 20 days on water management scheme. Professors Clement D’Souza, Ronald Mascarenhas, and Charles Stany Pais travelled from Mangalore, India to Tanzania as resource persons of the programme.
Presence of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters amidst people of the land, the underprivileged in particular, has served to be a challenge to women religious of other three congregations working in the locality to move out to visit people and pray with them in their houses. Exposure programme offered to novices and pre-novices to live among the poor in different parishes namely, Makanya, Hedaru, Gonja, Kigare and Kisangara Juu and Kifaru has been a unique experience which has also opened mission vistas to the diocesan clergy.
Apostolic zeal of the Sisters and formees was duly appreciated by Sr Doreen D’Souza and Sr Lily Fernandes (2005), Sr Doreen and Sr Jeraldine (2008) and Sr Doreen and Sr Aurea and Sr Rita (2011) during their visit to the Formation House. In order to continue the Good News of the Kingdom of God, the Church is in need of committed people.
