Diocese: Karwar
Pioneers: Sisters Jude D’Souza, Blanche D’Souza, Mable D’Souza and Syra Veigas
Bhatkal, a port town in Uttar Kannada District of Karnataka derives its name from the Jain King Bhattakalanka who once ruled Bhatkal. The town is located on NH-17 running between Mumbai, Mangalore, and Kochi. It has witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties and rulers such as Hoysalas, Vijayanagara empire, Chola and Hyder Ali. According to 2011 India census, the total population of Bhatkal is 1, 12,000 both males and females constituting fifty percent each. The Muslim (Nawayath) and Hindu (Namdhari) communities are predominant. The Muslim community is economically well placed as many of its members are involved in business sector either in India or abroad. However, the Hindus and Christians are a poor lot in Bhatkal, who needed the services of the Sisters. Anand Aashram is located three kilometres north-east of the town of Bhatkal.
The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters serving since 1971 at Thernamakki, a substation of Christ the King church at Murdeswar, had been extending their pastoral service at Bhatkal, another substation of the same parish. They were motivated to render their services at Bhatkal on a permanent basis. Hence in 1973 they settled in a rented house consisting of two rooms and began teaching the children to read and write. Gradually they opened a primary school in the same rented house, adapting the rooms as shelter during the night and class rooms through the day. People esteemed their presence rightly as persons of God and persons for others.
In 1979 Fr Vincent Pereira, parish priest of St Antony church at Thernamakki helped them to purchase a two-acre plot in the present location of the convent premises. In 1980 a moderate hall was constructed which served as a school building for students as well as chapel for Catholics of the locality. Only after seven years, the Sisters could construct a proper school building and a new convent building, which were inaugurated on March 19, 1987. Meanwhile, the number of members had increased to seven involving themselves in teaching in the school, catechizing in the parish and substations and in carrying out social work at Murdeshwar, Shirali, Mundolli and Muglihonda.
On June 1, 2004 Anand Ashram High School was started at Bhatkal in the existing school building. The foundation of the new building was laid on November 22, 2004 and the building was inaugurated on March 28, 2006. In the same year a new ministry was started in the school premises, namely, spoken English classes to people of the locality; Sr Marie Therese was responsible for the venture. In 2010 a multi-purpose hall was erected on the second floor of the High School building.
The Sisters carry out pastoral ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Mundolli and at the substation of Muglihonda. The parishioners consist here of 200 and 80 families respectively. Preparing liturgy, catechizing, cleaning the parish church at Mundolli and substations at Murdeshwar, Muglihonda, Shirali, Karekal, Thernamakki, and Manki, operating as extraordinary ministers of the sacraments, preparing children for reception of the sacraments are their regular pastoral activities. Besides they animate SCC prayer meetings and summer camps, visit families on Sundays and Fridays and join in celebrations of other faiths. Sisters Ancilla Pinto, Marie Therese and Laura Pinto have made themselves available to share reflections on days of recollection.
Celebrations of golden and silver jubilee of religious profession of Sisters were occasions to look forward to amidst their hectic schedule. The golden jubilee of Sr Magdelene D’Souza and Sr Laureen Vas and the silver jubilee of Sr Delphine Tauro were celebrated on May 9, 1990. Sr Syra Veigas celebrated her silver jubilee on December 5, 1991 and Sr Lucella Coelho on January 1, 1996. Silver Jubilee of the establishment of Anand Ashram was celebrated on April 9, 1996.
Crosses were not wanting. The community had to face the sudden demise of Sr Laurine Vas on December 26, 1993. It was also a painful experience to the Sisters to adjust to the pain of their foundation house in Karwar Diocese, namely at Thernamakki being closed down on April 1, 1996. Then there was also a greater anguish on December 12, 1999 when 657 students out of 1300 demanded issuing their transfer certificate from the School ostensibly due to a play enacted on the occasion of the celebration of the School Day which allegedly hurt the Muslim community. Happily they changed their decision subsequently and returned to the School.
The Sisters have been reaching out to the people at Bhatkal through pastoral and educational ministry. Their life witness has been equally appealing. People have benefited from their life and mission.