The Sisters of
St Charles of Borromeo
Faith, Toil, Progress
St.Charles Generalate
Kamba village,
Varap post, shahad
Kalyan west,Thane Dist
Maharashtra state – 421 103
Ph: 8976587778
The Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo
Kamba village, Varap post, shahad, Kalyan west,Thane Dist, Maharashtra, India - 421103
October 28, 1991 was a day of great miracle – the opening of the first house of the family of St.Charles in Kerala. The ‘seed of compassion’ slowly found its place in ‘God’s own country” and began to sprout. Rev. Mother Andrea, the first Indian Superior General, Sr. Lydia Braggs, the Provincial Superior of the Western Province and Rt Rev Dr Mathias Kappil, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Punalur were the steering force of this new mission who were present on this occasion. The real inspiration was Fr.Thomas Myladoor SDB, the Provincial Superior of the Salesians in Bangalore. Sr.Adrian, the Superior, Sr.Clare Joseph and Sr.Severine were the members of the community.
On December 27, 1991, the land where we were planning to build the convent was surveyed and the documents for 4 acres and 48 cents were handed over to the convent by the Bishop. The Sisters occupied the existing small house. It was in the year 1993, the Superior General Mother Andrea and her Councillors decided to hand over the Kadakkal mission to the Eastern Province in exchange of the land in Thuthiyoor. Sr.Ignatius was the Provincial Superior and Sr.Rina Kokkat was appointed as Superior. Sr.Bede and Sr.Lisa of the Western Province continued until Sr. Sr.Alphonsa came to substitute the former and later Sr.Laly replaced Sr.Lisa.
Apostolates
The Sisters engaged themselves in taking the census of five villages in 1994. Awareness programmes for Panchayath Raj, nutrition, health and hygiene, savings, kitchen garden were conducted successfully. Mahila Samaj and credit unions were introduced. Faith formation and marriage counseling were given emphasis. In order to help the future generation in education, a boarding house primarily for dalit girls was started in our convent block. Regular camps for youth are conducted during summer holidays. Women’s empowerment groups are formed to mobilizegovernment projects. Self employment schemes are introduced and the girls are given training in the respective fields and in turn teach the villagers, such as mushroom cultivation and goat rearing.
The long awaited dream of having a school was realized on June 3, 1998 as they opened the St.Charles ICSE School with LKG and UKG with the vision of making it a full fledged school. The opening ceremony was simple, but significant because Sr. Joseph the only Indian pioneer alive lit the lamp which is kept burning till today. At the beginning stages class rooms were in the convent building. On July 31, 2002, the foundation stone for the school building was laid by Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathias. It was an uphill task to put up the building but with the timely help of the province and support of the parents we achieved the goal. Revival of our socio-pastoral ministry took place by placing Sr.Gracy Pothen who was fully involved in this mission. This was continued by Sr.Sony Francis. Efforts are being made to some extent to carry on the good work started by committed persons in the past. Today the Sisters take care of Madhuramkunnu, Ilavupalam and Iyakkodu, the substations of the parish.
On July 17, 1993 five candidates were welcomed and ever since there was a great zeal in promoting vocations. The house was too small to accommodate the Sisters and the candidates. A proper convent building became an urgent need. Ever since the foundation of the Congregation, the sisters have experienced the divine providence. Motivated by such experience Srs. Ignatius and Rina approached Rev. Fr.Guezou S.D.B to lend a helping hand in the form of a loan to build the convent. But to our surprise it was not merely a loan but a gift that he promised. It was a moment of joy and surprise for the sisters. Above all it was yet another occasion to deepen our trust in the Divine providence.The foundation stone of the convent cum boarding was laid on January 1995 by Sr. Ignatius, the Provincial Superior and blessed by Msgr. Felix Arikaparambil of Punalur Diocese in the presence of the Parish priest and a few parishners. The house was blessed on April 29, 1996 by Rt. Rev. Mathias.
Today a wing of the convent building is used as boarding for the poor girls of our sub-station. Even the corridor upstairs is the abode for the few teachers who stay with us. Thanks to the generosity of the late Rev. Fr. Guezou, for we have a beautiful house today. Our school is being extended as the total strength is 750 today. NOC has been obtained together with the order for recognition for the school. The school has a mini bus and two vans to help the students come from faraway places. The Sisters are engaged fully in the mission of education whereby they give holistic and Christian values to the students and help them grow as good citizens of our country. The fragrance of “Paradise Rose” continues to attract many from far and near. May the Almighty help the Sisters to keep its beauty and odor for many more generations to come!
Argentina Region