  |
     |
 |
|
Phone: +91 4872372631
The complex question of ‘Rites’ in Kerala was a block to vocation promotion. Religious congregations serving in Latin Rite dioceses needed special permission from the Bishops of Oriental Rites in Kerala to hold vocation camps and promote vocations in an organized manner. These permissions were difficult to obtain unless the congregation had a convent of their own and in some way participate in the religious and apostolic works of the diocese. In order to answer this felt need, Marie Therese study centre was opened in Trissur Town on 2nd February, 1997. Sisters Fulgentia and Leelsa came to Trissur and stayed in the rented house. Sister Leela was appointed as the person in charge of the centre and Vocation Promoter for Kerala. While living in the rented house, the sisters searched for a permanent place to settle down in Trissur. St. Joseph and Blessed Marie Therese, helped in finding a suitable place in Krishnapuram, Ollukara, just five kilometers away from Trissur railway station. On 2nd June, 1998 the Registration of the land bought from Mr. Bhaskaran Nair was complete. There was a small house in this land which the Sisters occupied as the first Convent. On 3rd June, the house was blessed by the Parish priest Fr. Thomas Kuttianical and his assistant Fr. Paulose Manikathan. Sisters Leela, Philomena, Daisy Joseph and candidates were the members of the community at that time. Through family visits the sisters kept good contact with the people of the locality and the Parish. The sisters participated in the parish activities through teaching of Catechism, Youth Ministry and family visits.
It was a long awaited dream of the sisters to have a house in the north eastern part of the country. It was during the leadership of Sr. Mary George Elengical when she met Archbishop Thomas Menamparambil, SDB and expressed this desire. Shortly afterwards the Daughters of the Cross were invited to the ‘land of Red River and blue hills’. On 2nd November 1998, the two pioneers Sr. Mary Pricilla Xaxa and Sr. Suchita Kerketta reached Rangjuli mission where they were welcomed by the OFM fathers and the parishioners. The convent was blessed on 3rd November 1999 in the presence of Sr. Mary George Elengical, Provincial Superior. After two years Rangjuli was canonically erected as a community on 15th September 2000. Initially, sisters were also involved in the health apostolate apart from educational ministry here. Sisters ran a small dispensary from where they catered to the sick and suffering of the adjoining areas. With stringent rules in place for administering primary health centers, sisters had to close down the dispensary. Sisters collaborate with the fathers in the education ministry. Sisters are teaching in St. Francis of Assisi School. One sister is fully engaged in the pastoral ministry. We also have a hostel for the girls. |
|
© 2017 Daughters of the Cross KPI
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta |
