Diocese: Mysore

   Pioneers: Sisters Benvita D’Souza and Ranitha Claudiet

The dedicated service coupled with simplicity of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters beckoned them to Kudige. Prior to being established as a parish in 2004, Kudige was a substation of Kushalnagar church. Fr Angelo Pais was appointed parish priest of Kudige; he knew the Sisters in places such as Naganahalli, PG Palayam, Jompanahalli and Muddanahalli – all rural and economically backward areas. He approached Sr Leena Mascarenhas, the Provincial Superior, and requested to assist him in faith formation as well as in the ministry of education.

Sisters Benvita D’Souza and Renita Claudiet were chosen for the task; they arrived at Kudige on June 1, 2006. While residing in a rented house and being fully involved in parish apostolate such as visiting families and praying Rosary in families the Sisters were mulling over putting up a house of their own. In order to actualize their dream, a two-acre land was bought in 2006. A three room school building was constructed; Sr Olinda Sequeira, the Provincial Superior, inaugurated it on December 1, 2006. It has to be noted that the Sisters continued to reside in the rented building. Happily for the Sisters Don Francesco Saverio Bazzoffi, the Italian benefactor of the Congregation, offered to finance the construction of a fifteen room school building through a generous donor Marilena Ferrari. The building has been completed. A part of the building is used for the residence of the Sisters.