Diocese: Mysore
Pioneers: Sisters Fridesville Menezes, Premalatha C
Evangelization and catechesis are interrelated. Evangelization refers to proclamation or announcement of faith to those who do not yet ‘believe’. It is also called kerygma. It is necessary that the act/process of proclamation is carried on in a fascinating, interesting and coherent way so the logic and beauty coincide and help bring one to belief. Catechesis succeeds evangelization or kerygma. This means that once one believes and accepts faith, then examination of that faith in its entirety/ its implications/its history must be set forward in a systematic and regular way, which is carried on through catechesis.
The analysis of evangelization and catechesis transports us to Udbur. Udbur is a village in Mysore Taluk of Karnataka State. It belongs to Mysore Division. It is located 14 kms towards south from district headquarters of Mysore, 13 kms from Mysore. The existence of Divya Jyothi at Udbur meaning ‘to well up and overflow’ rightly elicits sentiments of delight in the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. For it has actualized the dream of the Congregation, specifically of Sr Edilburga Monteiro, the Superior General – in line with its charism – to begin a centre exclusively for evangelization and catechesis. After seeking a written permission from Bishop Joseph Roy of Mysore Diocese, the centre was started in a rented building at Model House, Karunapura Extension, NR Mohalla, Mysore. The Catechetical- Evangelization office was established on September 2002 to March 2006. Sr Jyothi Fernandes inaugurated it and Fr Joseph D’Mello, parish priest of St Joseph’s Cathedral, Mysore blessed it. Sr Edilburga Monteiro graced the occasion by her presence; Ms Irene D’Souza, President of the Catholic Women League of St Joseph Cathedral, Mysore, Sisters of the Province and laity were present as well. It has to be noted that an endeavour towards active involvement in catechetical programmes has been existing in the Mysore Province since 2002.
The centre got into task immediately after its inauguration. It began with Sisters of the Province: the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been explained to Sisters zone-wise. Besides, lay leaders of Mysore diocese at the level of deaneries and mission stations have been trained. Bishop Thomas A Vazhapilly has encouraged and supported the venture greatly. In spite of the several hurdles involved in the work such as lack of a suitable venue, distance involved in reaching places of activity, the centre has extended its services to sixty parishes and schools. The centre has trained people of different age groups such as adolescents, youth, adults, women and children with programmes of shorter and longer durations.
Having acknowledged the fruitful work undertaken in the field of catechesis and evangelization under the leadership of Sr Clotty Olivera (Coordinator for pastoral apostolate of the Congregation) on the one hand and on the other realizing the necessity to be more effective in the fields, the second Provincial Chapter mandated to the newly elected Provincial Superior, Sr Leena Mascarenhas and her team to establish a catechetical centre at the province level. Following this, a plot of land was purchased at Udbur on July 23, 2005. A training centre especially for lay leaders was put up in response to the need of the hour and in line with the terms and conditions of the donors. The Divya Jyothi farm house was ready for habitation on December 9, 2006. Fr Bona Marcel Rodrigues OFM Cap blessed it and Sr Leena Mascarenhas inaugurated it. Sr Fridesville Menezes, was the pioneer of this house. Sr Cressy D’Souza replaced Sr Fridesville as animator of the community on June 1, 2007; Sr Pramila D’Souza joined the community as a member.
On August 31, 2009 a new structure was ready. Sr Olinda Sequeira, the Provincial Superior of Mysore Province, inaugurated it and Bishop Thomas Anthony Vazhapilly blessed it. On September 17, 2009 the initial state of formation for religious life – candidacy– was shifted to Udbur from Bangalore. Sr Anitha Fernandes guided fourteen girls in their quest to become consecrated religious.
Besides the specific work in the field of evangelization, the Sisters reach out to people by way of literacy, emotional assistance, pastoral help etc.