Carmel Nivas, Lingasugur
A new house was opened at Lingsugur in Raichur District, in the North Karnataka region under the leadership of Sister Agatha Mary, the then Provincial Superior of Karnataka Province on 17 April 2005 . Rt Rev. Dr. Joseph D’Silva, the Bishop of Bellary, through Rev.Fr. Charles D’Souza (cousin of Sister Agatha Mary), the Parish Priest of Lingasugur Church invited the Apostolic Carmel Sisters to start the apostolate of education in his Diocese.
This parish has four mission stations with 75 Catholic families, almost all of them poor, backward and converts. Along with the apostolate of education the main task is to cater to the spiritual needs of the families, strengthen their faith and give their children quality and relevant education. Hence, for this purpose it was settled to have a free Residential House and each year admit 3-5 children in the boarding house as the other parishes in Bellary Diocese have done and are doing.
Rev. Fr. Charles D’ Souza purchased a piece of land measuring about 4 acres at Huligudda close to the main road but at some distance away from the town and the Parish Church. It was registered under St. Ann’s Society, Mangalore. The pioneering Sisters of the new community were Sisters Bertine, the Superior, Joycelyn, the Headmistress, Therese D’ Souza, Doreen Jacques and Jovita. Sister Olivia, the then Assistant Provincial Superior escorted the little band of sisters to Lingsugur and on Sunday, the 17 April 2005 reached their destination. The Parish Priest and the parishioners accorded a warm welcome to the Sisters and garlanded them. Fr. Charles D’ Souza helped the sisters to fix a temporary accommodation in a rented house. It was a blessing of Providence that the new convent received readymade furnishing and fittings from Shanthi Sadan, the convent at Bijapur which was closed at the same time.
The Bishop of Bellary, Rt Rev. Dr Joseph D’ Silva visited Lingsugur on May 22nd 2005 and blessed the residence and gave permission to install the Blessed Sacrament. May God bless him for his kind gesture of love and concern for the Sisters.
From June 2005, LKG, UKG and I Std. classes started with 115 students on roll. The permission was granted to open the school in Kannada Medium by the Education Department. On 8th August 2005 the foundation stone for the convent building was laid by Fr. Charles D’ Souza and he himself supervised and directed the work of the building. Within a year the building was ready and was inaugurated on 20th July 2006 by Sister Agatha Mary the then Provincial Superior and blessed by Rev. Fr Mark Gonsalves, the Vicar General of Bellary Diocese. The first phase of the school building with five class rooms and an office room was inaugurated by Sister Olivia the then Provincial Superior and blessed by Rt Rev. Dr Bernard Moras the Archbishop of Bangalore on 3rd July 2007.
The missionary work is being carried out earnestly. The Sisters take turns to visit two mission stations viz Santhekellur and Anehosur. They meet people, interact with them, teach them Catechism prepare them for the reception of the Sacraments and the Eucharistic Celebration. Every year a five day residential mission camp is organized during the Holy Week to enable the children to participate in the Holy Week liturgy and to know the mysteries of the faith. Adult Catechism, preparation for adult baptism and marriage is also done by the Sisters. Sisters are fully involved in the Parish Liturgy helping the lay people to participate actively.
The beginnings are always hard, but the fruit is sweet. The school has successfully sent out three batches of S.S.L.C. students with 100% results. The pioneering Sisters began their mission at Lingsugur under the leadership of Sister Bertine for two years at its infancy and then Sister Maria Maisie who was young and energetic shouldered the double responsibility as Superior and Headmistress for two terms facing all the trials and difficulties and saw to many developmental works. A lot of problems were faced by the community on account of land dispute. However some of the people of goodwill have kindly assisted the sisters in the hour of need. May God bless and reward all those who have laboured for the success of this mission.
Contact Details
Carmel Nivas
Huligudda
Lingsugur – 584 122
Karnataka
Ph. No: 08537 – 257 249
e-mail :
Superiors:
1.Sister M. Bertine A.C. |
.jpg)
2.Sister Maria Maisie A.C. |
.jpg)
3.Sister Juliana Mary A.C. |
|
4. Sister M. Supriya A.C. |
|||
