Diocese: Mangalore
Pioneers: Sisters Clemence Noronha, Consolata Noronha and Alwina Pereira
Jyothi Nilaya is situated at Kunjathur, a hamlet in Kasargod Taluk of Kerala. The Southern Railway line and the Arabian Sea, and therefore a magnificent scenic beauty at the western side of Jyothi Nilaya at a distance of one kilometre make it unique. Kunjatur, being located seventeen kilometres away from the city of Mangalore, like its counterparts at Vorkady, Kayyar and Narampady, politically forms a part of Kerala, but ecclesiastically it constitutes a part of Mangalore Diocese in Karnataka. These border land areas have remained underdeveloped owing to neglect from both States. Illiteracy, unemployment and poverty are characteristic features of these regions.
As part of the diocesan effort at uplifting the people the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters of Mangalore Province landed at Kunjatur on June 1, 2005. Their conscious choice to go in search of the least and lost instead of being contented with taking up offers that came their way, was the fruit of a revival of their charism in accordance with the signs of the times. Fr Rosario Fernandes, parish priest and the parish pastoral council decided to entrust the mission to the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters and sent the invitation letter on April 27, 2005. Initially, the Sisters commuted to Kunjatur and only during weekends. Sr Susheela Sequeira, Provincial Superior, procured a rented house for them from Ms Monthi D’Souza within six weeks, which was named Jyothi Nilaya. Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore Diocese blessed it on July 10, 2005. Fr Rosario Fernandes, parish priest and Fr Peter Noronha, brother of Sisters Clemence and Consolata Noronha were present.
It is true that the Sisters arrived to Kunjathur to be at the service of the parish. But the parishioners of Mariashram on their part were also outgoing in their assistance to them. Mr Thomas D’Souza, a parishioner, offered the Sisters his newly constructed and furnished house at Shedikatta all rent-free. On August 20, 2006 Fr Rosario Fernandes, parish priest blessed the Gloria Cottage, the house of Mr Thomas D’Souza. The parishioners helped the Sisters to shift their belongings to the new dwelling. In recognition of the service of the Sisters in the Diocese and especially at Kunjatur, Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza donated a half acre of land to them to put up a convent building. Its foundation stone was laid on June 29, 2008 by Sr Susheela Sequeira. At the completion of the construction the Convent was blessed by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza and inaugurated by Sr Doreen D’Souza, Superior General, on February 24, 2009. As Jyothi Nilaya had been a sub-community to Shanthi Dham Provincialate, the Provincialate attended to all its requirements at the initial stage.
Sr Jasmine Lewis replaced Sr Alwina Pereira in June 2006; she had taken up teaching at Vidyodaya ALP School at Pavur. In 2007, Sr Leena Fernandes took up administration of this school as head teacher. Sr Jasmine Lewis was appointed animator to the community in 2010 in the place of Sr Clemence Noronha. Sisters Adelaide Noronha, Annie Mary Sequeira, Aneeth Asha Monteiro and Anitha Wilma Pais joined the community in 2010 at the transfer of its pioneers. Sisters Aneeth Asha Monteiro and Anitha Wilma Pais pursued their graduation studies at St Aloysius Evening College, Mangalore. Sr Venisha Mendonca succeeded them. Sr Catherine Monteiro replaced Sr Annie Mary Sequeira in 2012 and Sisters Severine D’Cunha and Leonora Menezes joined the community in 2013. Sr Flavy D’Souza was appointed a teacher by the Catholic Board of Education, Mangalore to Mariashram ALP School on June 4, 2012. She is the first Sister who started the education apostolate at Mariashram after the opening of the Convent in 2005. Presently Sisters Leena Fernandes and Severine D’Cunha are teaching in the Vidyodaya aided Higher Primary School, Pavur. Sr Leena Fernandes is rendering her services as an animator in the place of Sr Jasmine as she has been transferred to Kayyar.
Being true to the objective of the choice of Kunjatur for their mission, the Sisters undertake varied ministry. The parish consisting of 160 families with 611 Catholics has to be assisted by the Sisters in its spiritual journey. Animating Marian Sodality, which consists of 20 to 25 girl children, catechizing first Holy Communicants, whose number varies from 10 to 20 every year, animating altar servers and praying Rosary in families are their regular pastoral activities. They undertake other humanitarian acts like accompanying alcohol addicts to hospital in Mangalore and following them up, motivating people to make a retreat, which revives their spiritual as well as family life, preparing those in death bed for reception of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, helping people to find employment, coaching slow- learning children and those who have dropped out of school for various reasons.
The Sisters endeavour to build the community at Kunjatur by way of education and other related empowering means. Their committed and joyful presence and service is hoped to impact considerably on the situation and in the life of people at Kunjatur and its neighbouring regions.