Diocese: Kolkata
Pioneers: Sisters Jaya Joseph and Cynthia Pashan
In view of securing financial stability of the North Province as well as procuring a residence for the Sisters and student candidates of the Province to pursue their studies, the Congregation bought a piece of land at Guma in the suburbs of Kolkata. The plot included a building as well. Guma is sixty kilometres north of the city of Kolkata. Guma is also the border of Bangladesh to the south of Paschim Banga (West Bengal).
Sr Edwina Saldanha and Sr Emercina Pereira were rendering their services at CIT, Kolkata from1990 to 2000. They were instrumental to a large extent in establishing Shanthi Dham at Guma. On being instructed by the Generalate to procure a place in Kolkata, they sought assistance of Sr Edwina’s brother Fr Henry Saldanha, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kolkata. The request synchronized perfectly with the scheme of Fr Henry to motivate a group of women religious to work at Guma. Guma is a substation of Shanthi Rani Girja, Bamanganga and Fr Henry served there as priest in charge. Guma is unique: it had sheltered several refugees from Bangladesh. It had also housed four hundred and fifty Catholic families. Living in Indo-Bangla border – no-man’s land – they looked for assistance from any and every possible angle.
On May 10, 1997 the Sisters bought two acres of land. Archbishop Henry D’Souza of Kolkata Archdiocese permitted the Sisters to construct a convent in the plot. Thus Shanthi Dham was inaugurated on 26 June, 1997 by Bishop Cyprian Monis, Auxiliary of Kolkata. Sisters Jaya Joseph and Cynthia Pashan arrived at Guma on June 12, 1997 as pioneers. Instantly they involved themselves actively in pastoral activities. Alongside, they started a kindergarten school (with 7 children in view of continuing it as a full-fledged primary and higher primary school. However, as the scope for such an endeavour was bleak, Sr Edilburga Monteiro, the Superior General contemplated the idea of withdrawing the Sisters from Guma. When the matter was brought to the notice of Fr Henry, he reassured the Sisters with the words that God would continue the work if it was God’s work. He also assured them of his assistance not merely during his presence at the place but even after he was transferred from the place.
The Sisters resolved to continue at Guma. The decision has proved to be as providential as challenging. The Sisters put up a school building within a period of two years; however, they could afford only asbestos-sheeted roof and walls. As the school would cater to the marginalized chiefly, it was rightly named after St Francis of Assisi, who is also the patron saint of the Congregation. Fr Henry was around again to suggest that the Sisters open a hostel which would bring in more students to school; more specifically, it would cater to the marginalized sections of society. Accordingly, a hostel was opened. It had ten (Catholic) children, among whom a few belonged to a neighbouring Bangali medium school. The number grew gradually; the number currently is 730. Catholic children find easier to procure admission to the hostel as they are financially sponsored by Bhalobasa ONLUS, Italy. Currently, the school has classes LKG to X. It is affiliated to ICSE Board, New Delhi. A decent Convent for Sisters, a residence for the hostel children and extension of the school building to accommodate the rising strength of students are contributions of Don Fancesaco Saverio Bazzoffi, a saintly priest from Italy who envisaged Guma’s mission in his prayers.
The Sisters do not restrict themselves to the school premises. They animate activities such as Marian and Women Sodality and CLC. They also prepare children for reception of the sacraments. Besides, social apostolate is taken up with commitment. Poor children of the neighbourhood are coached at convent premises in the afternoon on regular basis.
Shanthi Dham salutes its initial members and the persons who have supported its origin, growth and development. May Gods work be continued with full vigour by the Sisters striving at Shanti Dham currently.