Diocese: Mangalore
Pioneers: Sisters Monica Mascarenhas and Isabel Theodore
The origin of St Joseph Home for Children (Orphanage) may be traced to the orphanage Sr Alicia Suarez head teacher at St Joseph Primary School, in Vorkady had started in 1935 in order to meet the dire need the school was facing namely, an insufficient number of pupils. But the scheme did not bear desired results, and the orphanage did not flourish. On June 1, 1938, however, Sr Isabel Theodore resumed the scheme now located in the Holy Face Convent with two boys and four girls. It must be noted that her design had been motivated purely by her love for Christ which she sought to express in and through the care for the little ones. Thus Sr Isabel should be rightly regarded as the pioneer of the Children’s Home at Vorkady.
This tiny seed sprouted and grew into a mighty tree over the years; 786 children have benefited from the Home thus far. Aid from various developmental organizations like Andheri Hilfe and CODP, funding from the Kerala Government and motherly care from Sr Isabel Theodore herself from 1938 to 1941, from Sr Jane Frances Sequeira (1952-1956 and 1978-1990), Sr Prima Rodrigues (1966-1978) Sr Florine Vas (1990-1994), Sr Barbara Franko (1994-1999), Sr Veronica Gomes (1999-2000), Sr Ida D’Souza (2000-2002), Sr Irene Mathias (2002-2008), and Sr Anitha Rodrigues (2008- ) has seen to the smooth running of the Home.
On May 14, 1976 a new orphanage building was started on a separate three acre piece of land at the left side of the church with the aid obtained through the services of Fr Edwin Pinto from Andheri Hilfe. Sr Prima Rodrigues displayed exceptional courage and dedication to move over to this new building and resided there alone with the children for 12 years.
In the succeeding years, besides those responsible for the Home, several Sisters who were the animators of Holy Face Convent rendered immense service to the Home. The animators were correspondents of the Home all through. In order to equip this house a tube well was bored in 1995. During the tenure of Sr Irene Mathias a large number of developmental activities were undertaken at the Home. Some of them may be mentioned: Shielding the open well with iron bars, installing a pump, production of bio-gas, rain water harvesting, obtaining a telephone connection, renovating the roof of the kitchen, cementing the yard of the Home, fencing the cowshed with barbed wire and purchasing a new refrigerator.
In 2008, St Joseph Home for Children was formed into an independent community. Sisters Anitha Rodrigues, Candida Monteiro, Milburga D’Cunha and Jerosa Fernandes were its first members. Sr Candida was appointed warden and Sr Anitha correspondent. As the ‘Home for Children’ was altered to be the ‘Home for Candidates’ of the Mangalore Province on June 1, 2013, the children have been shifted to a bungalow which lies 0.5 kilometer west of the Home. To be precise, it is situated exactly opposite to the St Mary School on the other side of the road. The bungalow lies adjacent to the plot of one acre land, which the Mangalore Province had purchased on February 19, 2007 as play ground for children of St Mary School. The owner, Mr Abdul Rahman had retained for himself a twenty-five-cent land, which consisted of his residence (the bungalow). The Mangalore Province purchased the house along with the plot of land for fifty-five lakhs; the house contains eleven tiny rooms. A cottage exists at the rear of the house, which is utilized as teachers’ quarters.
The house was equipped by modifications, additions, and furnishings. It was inaugurated on June 2, 2013. Sisters Anitha Rodrigues, Consolata Noronha, and Philomena D’Souza are its pioneers. Most Rev. Bishop Aloysius P D’Souza visited Vorkady on August 24, 2013, and made the study of the house. He has granted permission to install the Blessed Sacrament. Accordingly on December 18, 2013 the erection of St Joseph Convent and installation was done. The children, who were with the Sisters in the other Home, continue to form the community at the new house. Currently ten children are taken care of by Sisters Anitha Rodrigures, Consolata Noronha and Philomena D’Souza. The children pursue their studies at St Joseph AUP School, as well as St Mary English Medium School. They find in the Sisters all that they look for, a parent, a friend, a guide and a leader. The children are provided with nutritious and balanced food. They are also spiritually fed with daily prayers, Eucharistic celebration and instructions on the gospel. Recreation, games, picnics are part of their curriculum. Homely atmosphere is fostered at the Home, which enables them to grow responsibly and cheerfully.
Besides rendering service at the Home, the Sisters visit families, participate in pastoral activities of the parish as well as of Miyapadav parish on Sundays. They catechize children, First Communicants and those preparing themselves to be confirmed; they animate Sodality of children. They also teach in schools. The Sisters residing at St Joseph Home have a challenge before them to vibrate the spirit of compassion, love and peace the pioneers had envisioned and lived at the inception of the Home in 1938.