Diocese: Mysore
Pioneers: Sisters Cecily Pinto, Julita Menezes and Ninian Theresa.
The first establishment of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters outside the Diocese of Mangalore and in the Diocese of Mysore – at Hunsur, on June 4, 1956 evidences the fact that a follower of Jesus must be prepared to bear many hardships. The afflictions, no doubt, are in view of the Kingdom of God. The Sisters called for the service of the Kingdom at Hunsur have been braving the adversities with an undaunted spirit, which has proved providential for themselves and for people they are called to serve. It has to be admitted that the patronage of St Joseph has been sustaining them all through. Initially for a few years the poor and the deserving girls were helped to pursue their studies. They were offered residential facility while their other requirements were also attended to. From the beginning of the Sisters’ arrival in 1956 the pastoral and educational services had to be seen to simultaneously. Currently almost three acres of the land out of the nine has been utilized for constructions. The academic institutions cater to 3,500 pupils starting from kindergarten up to junior college with both Kannada and English mediums. A junior college was the need of Hunsur. Responding to the necessity, St Joseph Composite PU College was opened on July 2, 2002. The College received a competent person, Sr Emily D’Souza for its administration at its inception. Arts and Science sections were started immediately. The commerce section was commenced on July 14, 2003 at the completion of a separate block which was inaugurated on the same day. Until then the classes were held in the previous primary school. Year after year the number of students kept increasing. Consequently an independent block was added to the existing Higher Primary School. In the year 1991 a new convent building was constructed. On October 30, 1991 Bishop Michaelappa of Mysore Diocese blessed the Convent. The partial portion of the old convent building has been renovated and furnished which is being used now for the elderly and sick Sisters. In the same year Sr Serena D’Souza who toiled hard in the place had the joy of celebrating the silver jubilee of her Profession.
The landing of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in Hunsur being the first step in crossing over from Mangalore Diocese to Mysore Diocese, September 6, 2005 became a memorable day as the inaugural function of announcing the golden jubilee of St Joseph’s Convent, the Higher Primary School as well as the presence of the Sisters in the Diocese of Mysore was held on this day. The actual celebration of the event took place on October 10, 2006. On the occasion, a documentary ‘Thirthatane’ depicting the fifty years’ presence of the Sisters was produced and released. The students and Ursuline Franciscan formees were actors and Fr Joshi Illath of NBCLC was the producer of the documentary. So also St Joseph High School ushered in the silver year on March 17, 2010. The celebration proper was held on December 13, 2010.
The Sisters of the Convent have been taking up their pastoral apostolate assiduously. Catechesis to children and adults, animation of youth and choir, family visits and prayer, SCC prayer meetings and altar services are the main focus of the ministry. Sr Alphonsa Fernandes in particular involves herself in catering to the needs of the sick, the aged, the abandoned, the women, the mentally and physically challenged. She strives to bring a smile on those grim faces. She also attends to the problems related to inter-caste marriages, family disputes, marriage rectification etc.
On March 2, 1992 a catechetical seminar was conducted for the Sisters and teachers of the locality by the Diocese of Mysore. St Josephs takes pride to note this event tracing back the event of the catechetical seminar Mother Mary Agnes Mathias had conducted at the level of Mangalore Diocese, which had spread word that “the mission of the Ursulines is to be the backbone of the ministry of evangelization” (cf Branch and fruit p. 60). This saying holds good for the Province due to the fact of its involvement in catechizing as well as in catechetical activities. The campus is utilized for other spiritual activities as well. They include zonal recollections, courses and group meetings. The charismatic retreat conducted by the Jeevan Jyothi, Mangalore group and attended by over one thousand people from October 18 to 23, 1998 is truly a memorable event. People arriving from distant places were accommodated in the school buildings during the event. St Joseph Convent records its name in the history of the Province for hosting the first Province Day on November 24, 2002.
Besides, seminars are being conducted for teachers and students on several timely topics. On March 1, 2002, in collaboration with the ODP Mysore and CODP Mangalore, a DPP (Diocesan Peace Plan) was conducted. Priests of the Deanery, animators of religious communities and headmistresses attended it. The composite nature of the school premises enables its utilization for other purposes such as training programme for teachers and police personnel. Besides, the campus is used during the Panchayat, Taluka and State elections – from the casting of votes to the counting of votes!
The Sisters had to awaken themselves to the reality of loss of dear ones. Sr Frances D’Souza aged 87, fell ill and breathed her last on December 30, 2004 while she was amidst her family members in Goa, gone there on holidays. Her mortal remains however were interred in the Maria Niketan cemetery, Bogadi. Sr Maria Rodrigues after a brief illness passed away on March 1, 2007. Her mortal remains were interred in the cemetery at Hunsur Convent premises. Sr Joyceline D’Souza died on August 21, 2011 and Sr Monica Sequeira on April 6, 2013. Both were interred in the cemetery at Hunsur. Their services to people and the Congregation are hereby acknowledged gratefully.
Concerning the persisting woes of the Sisters at Hunsur we recall the fear expressed on p. 115 of the ‘Branch of the Vine Fruit of the Branch’. Detailing the hassles at St Joseph Convent Hunsur, due to trespassing in the school campus, it is remarked: ‘One is not sure when it will erupt again and in what form’. The Event Book of the community notes on July 24, 1995 that the Sisters have clarified to the Police Superintendent, Circle Police Inspector and the Deputy Superintendent of Police during their visit to the Convent that it is impossible to provide an access to the school premises apart from the one through Idgah ground (A large ground for offering Ramzan prayers) as demanded by the authorities of the Mosque. It notes also that mediation has taken place several times having no positive result. All efforts at mediation between the Wakf board and the Convent officials as well as the school management have proved futile. Subsequently the issue was referred to the Court for determination of the right of way and the case is pending in the Wakf board Tribunal at Mysore.
The courage, hope, faith and love of the Sisters seen in hardships deserve appreciation. All their efforts pooled towards the development of the people have borne enormous fruit and that is the joy of all who make themselves available to the needs of God’s own cause!