Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 9 : The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters arrived at Siddakatte in Bantwal Taluk on March 1st 1971 at the invitation of Fr Raphel D Silva, the then Parish Priest of St. Patrick Church. Sisters Rita D Souza, Speciosa Alvares, Jude D Souza and Lidwin D’ Souza served as Pioneers.

The objective of their presence was twofold namely collaboration in the pastoral work of the parish and teaching at St Patrick Kannada Medium school. Bought a plot of land with a house in it for the residence of the sisters from Mr. Francis D Souza’s family was gradually turned into a convent.

In fulfilling the first objective, the sisters taught in the school including the nursery classes. In view of empowering women and girls of the locality they conducted tailoring and needlework sessions in the convent. A large number of women benefited from the project. The Mother and Child Care Health Programme was another important initiative monitored after realizing the pitiable condition of women. These have been empowered also by way of literacy adult education and self employment like preparing soap. Women of the locality were able to secure employment in a cashew factory.

The sisters are involved in pastoral ministry like, catechizing children and animating Marian Sodality of girls and the Association of Altar Servers, visiting the families regularly, listening to the people, preparing the children for the reception of sacraments, and helping particularly in the sacristy work. As the years passed, sisters had to manage with a meager income of a single teaching post in the school which necessitated the sisters to explore alternative means of livelihood. In 2006 nursery classes were started in the convent premises. Sisters also rendered their service in St. Patrick English Medium School from 2014 to 2019. For the self sufficiency, the convent land was utilized by planting coconut saplings, areca, fruit and pepper.

The fruitful and committed work of the sisters at Siddakatte has been the cause of immense development at the place. The Lord who guides the course of their life will surely give them enough strength to carry on their mission joyfully.

The Golden Jubilee of Bal Christ Nivas Convent at Siddakatte was celebrated on 7th March 2021 with the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration officiated by Rev. Fr Joseph Cyril D’Souza OCD along with the Parish Priest Rev. Fr Daniel D’Souza together with the parishioners in St Patrick church in a befitting manner. Rev. Sr Lilly Pinto and Rev. Sr Juliana Pinto the Councillors General of Ursuline Franciscan Congregation, Rev. Sr Rita Vas Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province and her Councillors, the pioneer member Sr Lidwin D’Souza, the sisters of the zone were present for this auspicious occasion. A felicitation programme was arranged in the parish after the Eucharistic celebration wherein the service of the sisters acknowledged, appreciated by the parishioners and the parish priest and honoured them for their help and co-operation for the past 50 years. Mr. Michael D’Costa expressed his views on behalf of all people about the presence of sisters at Siddakatte. Anchoring was done by Mr Praveen. Refreshment was served to the people after the Mass. Thereafter a short felicitation programme was arranged in the convent premises, the animator of the convent Sr Leena Pereira on behalf of the sisters of the community and the pioneer sister Lidwin were honoured with shawl and garland. Sumptuous meal was served as a mark of Golden Jubilee celebration for all the sisters.