Convent Category: Changanachery Diocese
When the Congregation was divided into Regions in 1980 a plot of land was bought at Podippara near Ithithanam in Changanassery and built rather a big Convent there which came to be the Regional House of Changanassery St. Joseph’s Region. It was blessed on 19 March 1984. Sr.Concelia (Regional Superior), Sr.Reji, Sr.Raichel and Sr.Sarala were the pioneer membersof the Community. In 1985, when the Region was raised as a Province this continued as the Provincial House. The Provincial House was shifted to Chethipuzha when a new building was constructed there in 1990. Then the Convent at Podippara was made the Novitiate House of the Province.There has been existing a warm relationship between the Convent and the Parish till this day.The tombs of Sr. Emilia and Sr. Carmel who died before the construction of the Provincial House cemetery at Chethipuzha are at Podippara Parish cemetery. Many faithful come to pray at the tomb of Sr. Carmel, since they get favors with her heavenly intercession.
This house was set up in a plot of 90 cents of land with a small house in it, which we bought with the financial help of Salvatorian Sisters with a view to accommodating the differently challenged boys from Mercy Home Chethipuzha. A community of our Sisters – Sr Emerit(Superior), Sr. Fabiola Puthiyamadom and Sr. Sayujya Madhavassery were the community members – occupied the existing house and it was blessed on 21 December 1984 by Archbishop Mar Antony Padiyara. With the donation of a big amount from Mr. Scaria Pottamkulam, Koottickal, and collections from SH English Medium School, Chnganassery, collection amassed from the cultural programs conducted by Mercy Home children for fund raising, and contributions from many individuals and Associations, a new building was constructed in that land without demolishing the old house. It was blessed by Archbishop Mar Antony Padiyara on 17 March 1987. Srs. Mariella (Superior), Adarsha, Delina and Sherin were the first members of the new community in the new house. On 2 June, 1987 differently able boys began to live here.An orthopedic work shop was also started in the old building to make orthopedic aids like crutches, calipers,artificial legs etc. The boys were studying in Parel JM L. P.School, and Changanassery S.B. H.S. After 20 years of our ministry among the differently challenged boys. In 2007 we stopped admitting the boys due to practical difficulties in managing the boys.
Then this House was made the Co ordinating Centre of the soial apostolate of the Province. At the same time it also served as a centre for rehabilitating differently able ladies between the age of 18 to 35 years.Finally it was also made a registered short stay home called ‘Pratyasha’ to shelter girls who live in insecure situations at home or in the society. Sisters actively take part in parish activities.Without any Govt. help, this Institution is maintained entirely by the financial support of the public.
When our service at the Mudiyurkara Priest Home and Karunalayam was terminated, with the permission of the Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam, we opened a convent at Kudamaloor that was blessed by the Archbishop on 22 January 2009. Srs. Adersa (Superior), Jancy, Rosin and Remya were the pioneers. It serves as residence for our Sisters working in the Kottayam Medical College Hospital. Sisters are fully involved in catechesis and other Parish works and also in jail ministry. The counselling centre ‘Asha kendra’ is functioning well . It is the Coordinating centre of the social welfare activities of the Province. A team of Sisters are actively involved in child protection pro-
gram in collaboration with the Govt. organ Child Line, under the authentic leadership and guidance of Advocate Sr. Jyothis Pulickaparambil SD. They conduct Home missions, School Counselling and retreats for children.
Though the Parish Church of Kottangal was to celebrate its centenary in 2004, it was a pity that there was no Religious house in that Parish. In 1990 nephews of our Sr. Patrick Panamthottam took initiative to get started a House of SD here. With this end in view Srs. Jerin and Santa Maria got appointed at St. Theresa’s L.P. School at Alaprakad in 1990. But the dream was actualized in 2000 only, during the time of the Vicar Rev. Fr. Cyriac Kulangottil
In 1995 we bought a plot of land and constructed the convent building. The blessing ceremony took place on 9 February by the Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil. Srs. Francy (Superior), Tracy and Raisa were the pioneers. The Infant Jesus Nursery School was also opened at the Convent on 9 September in the same year, and was flourishing well, imparting a good formation to the children. Sisters make regular family visits and actively participate in the pastoral works of the Parish.
On 15 October 1995, at the invitation of the Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil, we took charge of Alphonsa Sneha Nivas, a rehabilitation centre of the Changanassery Archdiocese for the wandering boys. Srs. Emerit (Superior), Mariet and Nirmalin were the pioneers We shelter and take care of the children, striving for their well being, character formation, education and all round development, thereby enabling them to be responsible and civilized citizens with self esteem and love for fellow beings.
We constructed a convent at Nazareth Thekkekara, near Nedumudy, on the bank of River Pumpa in the land donated by the parish of St.Jerome Church, when Fr. Thomas Nellikunnel was the parish priest. The house was blessed by Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil on 31 May 1990. Srs. Allese (Superior), Jyothi and Santha Maria were the pioneers. Our Teacher sisters who are employed at Pulincunnu, Chennankari, and Kainakari can reside here foreasy journey to the school. Sisters work for the revival of the parishioners in sacramental life through catechism, prayers and family visits.
A convent was established at Puthenangady on 22 January 1989, as a residence for the Sisters working in the Alapuzha Medical College hospital and to assist in the pastoral activities of St.George parish church. Srs. Stany (Superior), Jositta, Angelina and Manojnja were the pioneers. This is also the residence for Our techer sisters employed at Pazhayangady and Thathampally On 5 August 2001, Karunalaya Hospice for women was opened as a platinum Jubilee memorial of SD congregation. The poor abandoned bed ridden patients from the Medical College hospital are taken care of here and they enjoy peaceful and joyful days for the rest of their life. Without any worries about life or death.
As a response to the constant request of Manalady St. Mary’s parish, the Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil invited us to open a convent there. It is a low lying water locked area near Pulincunnu, with no easy conveyance facilities.We bought the land and house from the Little Sisters of Jesus who had been working there, but then left out, and started our service on 24 April 1989. Srs. Raichel (Superior), Chrisilda and Keerthana were the pioneers. In collaboration with the parishioners the Sisters engage in all the Parish activities to build up the catholic community . A dispensary was opened to meet the medical needs of the people and a nursery class for the tiny tots. Both are extinct now because of their irrelevance in the present day situation. Sometimes our teacher sisters get employed at the parish L.P. School. Those who get appointment in Pulincunnu School can also stay here.
In response to the desire of Mar Antony Padiyara, the Archbishop of Changanassery, and of the Vicar of the Parish of Palode, a remote isolated forest area in Nedumangad in TVM district,we started a Convent at Palode on 28 July 1983, to work among the tribals and the Catholic immigrants from the Central Travancore areas. Srs.Canesia (Superior), Regi and Vineetha were the pioneers. A dispensary was opened to meet the medical needs of
the people. Later when another dispensary was opened nearby we closed down our dispensary and started a Nursery class.But when the nearby Primary School started a Nursery class we had to stop ours. We have a few acres of agricultural land there as a means of income for our living. Sisters are active in Parish activities. There is no residential Parish Priest in the Parish and hence no daily Holy Mass. Holy Eucharist is celebrated and on particular week days by the Parish Priest from Vithura.