SHANTHI DHAM, DERLAKATTE
Diocese: Mangalore
Pioneers: Sisters Doreen D’Souza, Eugenia D’Souza, Claudia Tauro, Hycinth Pinto, Evelyn Pinto and Susheela Monteiro
Shanthi Dham meaning ‘Abode of Peace’, the Provincial administration house of the Mangalore Province is situated twelve kilometres away from Mangalore city. It is on the way to 213Mangalagangotri, Mangalore University at Konaje. The Provincialate building came into being on December 26, 1997. The gigantic structure of Shanthi Dham has its origin in a tiny structure, (maintained to date as kitchen and store house of the Provincialate) called ‘Bungalow’ for practical purpose; it was erected in a plot measuring six acres at Nityadhar Nagar at its procurement in 1975. The plot was a gift received from the Andheri Hilfe donor organization through the intervention of Fr Edwin Pinto, as a means to secure financial stability to three Children’s Homes of the Congregation, namely, Vorkady, Panir and Karopady.
The history of Shanthi Dham would be incomplete without the mention of the dedicated labour of Sr Elizabeth Suarez, who took care of the plot for twenty-two years. She, along with Mr Dera Poojary, father of Sundara and Sanjeeva Poojary who still serve as drivers at Shanthi Nilaya and Assisi School in the Panir campus, has truly sanctified the area by her care for plants, earth, soil, and human beings alike akin to St Francis of Assisi. While toiling day long in the farm and fields, she commuted to the Lourdes Cottage with Sr Loira for her meals and respite of the night. Once the Somarpann Novitiate was set up in 1983 and the Shanthi Farm was established in 1980, she became a member of the Shanthi Farm from 1983 onwards. While she was at the Bungalow during day time, the Sisters from St Joseph Convent, Panir and children from the De Mercede Home kept her company after their classes and on holidays. Sr Elizabeth never threw her weight around amid her laborious toil at the farm and in the fields. The Sisters, who visited her, still remember her warm welcome accorded with a fresh tender coconut from the trees she had planted and nurtured. The sweet odour of her presence continues to linger at Shanthi Dham even after her departure from there in 1998 for Holy Rosary Convent, then, a ‘home for the elderly’, and her departure from this world on January 15, 2008. Her industriousness was seen even at Holy Rosary; she was found in the compound doing whatever work was within her ability and of course with an irresistible smile of a child ...
Seemingly, the plot had entailed in itself other objectives. In 1996 the Bungalow was renovated and Sisters Evelyn Pinto, Hycinth Pinto, and Irene Menezes began residing in it. In keeping with the proposal of Sr Edilburga Monteiro, Superior General, and her team, the plot was marked out for erecting the administration block of the Mangalore Province. Accordingly, on July 17, 1996 the foundation stone of the Provincialate building was laid by Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Roman Curia. The construction progressed under the supervision of Sr Evelyn Pinto and Angeline Sequeira. On December 26, 1997 the Provincialate house, Shanthi Dham, was inaugurated; along with it, the Mangalore Province was officially erected by Sr Edilburga Monteiro by her reading out of the decree of the erection. The auspicious occasion was used to honour Sr Elizabeth, Mr Dera, Mr Quadras, engineer and all labourers of the construction. Sr Doreen D’Souza and her team consisting of Sisters Susheela Sequeira, Claudia Tauro, Alice Noronha, and Lucy Lilly Pinto having been elected officials of the Mangalore Province in the first Provincial Chapter held from December 27 to 30, 1997 moved into the house immediately. Sr Susheela Monteiro joined the team as the Provincial Bursar and Sr Violet Sequeira as office Secretary of the Provincial Secretariat.
The house, from then on, began to buzz with Province level programmes; their planning, organization, and implementation. They included Come and See programme for aspirants of Ursuline Franciscan way of life, recollections, junior Sisters’ programme, Province day celebration, commission meetings, formators’ meetings, pre-chapter study sessions, and Chapter sessions. Besides, the house provides tender care to Sisters of the Province in their illness and advanced age. Many of the medical students and nurses studying in the nearby medical college would visit the Chapel and spend time in prayer. On October 4, 2003 a grotto was built in honour of St Francis of Assisi; Ms Benny Crasta of Kelarai donated the statue of St Francis for the grotto. The Provincial House was equipped over the years. A few of the purchases include an Armada Jeep in 1993, a Bolero in 2006, and a two wheeler in 2007. Other equipments and developments included an Elevator, a Generator, a Transformer, Panel Boards, and Xerox Machine, computers, a washing machine, solar lights, a television, a slide projector, an overhead projector and cupboards to the library. In addition, a cottage is put up for helpers to reside, a cowshed has been constructed, and an astra ole has been installed.
Shanthi Dham consists of a community of Sisters as well. Sisters Lilly Dias, Lydia Serrao and Angeline Sequeira have been animators of the multi-faceted house. Clara Furtado is the present Superior. The community members render their services in diocesan pastoral activities. Sr Angeline Sequeira while being the Provincial Coucillor and Secretary functioned also as Secretary to CRI, Mangalore. Sr Lydia Serrao has served as Secretary to the CRI at ward level and secretary to the Regional Commission of SCC. Sr Leena Sequeira has worked as Diocesan Lady Animator for ICYM for two years. Sr Claudia as a member of the Maria Retreat Group has preached Christ in various parishes of Mangalore diocese. The Sisters also offer their services in the Mangalore South ward especially during Jeevan Jyothi camp at Permannur. They render pastoral service at Ammembal 216 and Bola parishes as well. Socio-medical help and expertise is also rendered by the Sisters. Sisters Christine Andrade and Rosa Dias, render their services at Fr Muller Homeopathic Medical College as supervisor and nurse respectively. Sr Lilia Rasquinha has served as a warden in the ladies hostel of the same college. The Sisters visit Abhaya Ashram, leprosy rehabilitation centre and coach children of the neighbourhood for their studies.
Celebrations have been part of Shanthi Dham. Sr Lilly Dias and Sr Lilly Pinto celebrated the silver jubilee of their religious profession on May 23, 1999 and May 28, 2003 respectively. One hundred years birth anniversary of Sr Josephine Pinto was celebrated on June 30, 2006. Sisters Lilly Pinto and Lilly Dias were given the opportunity to undertake the Franciscan pilgrimage in Europe in 2003. Sr Lenita D’Souza, Provincial Councillor travelled to Kuwait in September 2004 in view of procuring financial assistance for the works of the Province. She was in Canada from August to December 2006 for the Franciscan Course.
The house has to put up with a few constant annoyances caused by the neighbours. They are, flow of sewage water of the HN Hostel through the campus, and encroachment of 51 cents of land by the neighbours. Encroachments took place due to skyrocketing rise in price of land because of the three rising institutes in the vicinity of the house, namely, KS Hegde Hospital, Yenepoya Hospital and Fr Muller Homeopathic Hospital College. Measures are being taken to resolve the annoyance. It ought to be noted that Shanthi Dham has demonstrated civic responsibility by donating 10 feet broad and 200 feet long land to the Kotekar Panchayat.
Even though Shanthi Dham has administration of the Province as its main objective, the community participates in pastoral activities of the parish. The parish has 1837 Catholics in 449 Catholic families. The Sisters help out in distributing 217Communion on Sundays. They join two of the sixteen wards in SCC prayer meetings. They visit families and join the people to pray the Rosary. Two Sisters catechize in Ammembal parish. Above all, Shanthi Dham fulfils faithfully its obligation of providing for the three Children’s Homes. As the name of the Convent suggests the Sisters at Shanthi Dham have a greater responsibility to be true instruments of peace both within and without. In this endeavour they have the saintly veteran, Sr Elizabeth, a model to emulate
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