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
The history of the foundation and the expansion of the mission at Madurai
“If the Lord does not build the house in vain does the builder labour.If the Lord does not watch over the city in vain does the watchman keeps vigil”.Ps:127;1.
‘The late sixties seemed to burst forth with new vigour…’says Sr Sheila as she starts recording the history of Madurai community. As if this vigour that burst forth in flame started up a glowing fire the missionary activities that have proliferated in the campus with nothing to obstruct this fire of apostolic zeal glowing. And each of them remains an ideal expression of what the Charism of the Congregation spells out. (Blossoms of Mission)
Foundation of Madurai Community.
The invitation for the new venture was initiated by Rev.Fr.A.J.Francis CSsR., who inspired the Bishop of Madurai to enlist the services of the sisters of St Charles in the diocese. Mother Christiane who was the Provincial Superior responded promptly and sent Sr Benigna and Sr Andrew to Madurai in the second week of January 1969 to prepare the way. Sr Mathilda, Sr Lizzy and Sr P Gertude were the forerunners of the Madurai Misson. Sisters visited the locality and recruited 15 pupils to start the Nursery class in the rented house at Thirunagar.
The mission was officially launched on 16th June 1969.The pioneers were Sr Benigna and Sr Myriam. St.Charles English Medium School was started on 19th June 1969.Classes were conducted in the rented building in Thirunagar
Sr Ann Mary was appointed as Superior of the community. She took charge on 25th June 1970. The Archbishop Justin Diraviam installed the Blessed Sacrament on 4th November 1970. The strength of students increased gradually to 105 from 24, nursery to class IV in 1971.Archbishop Justin Diraviam was a strong support and generously gifted 5 acres and 39 cents of the existing property at Thanakkankulam. And the sisters of St Charles purchased 6 acres and 44 cents.1 acre and 37 cents of Govt.land that lay inbetween these 2 plots was handed over to the Convent by Govt.authorities in accordance with the legal procedures. (Ref. Taluk No 23949/7531 dated 25th May 1976) the total area is equivalent to 13 acres and 20 cents. Thanakkankulam is located 13 kilometers from Madurai town.
On 6th June 1973,Sr.Alphonsa Gonsalves was appointed the superior of the house, the big buildings first seen at Thanakkankulam came up under her initiative and supervision.
The mercy home known as ‘Sneha Illam’ a home for the destitute opened its door to the aged on 4th June 1974 with 3 inmates. Sr Cecilia Anthony was in charge of the home, it was inaugurated in the rented house in Thirunagar.
The foundation stone for ‘Sneha Illam’ was laid by His Grace on August 14, 1976, in Thanakkankulam. It was blessed and inaugurated on 1st May 1979 by Arch Bishop of Madurai Dr.Justin Diraviam. The home accommodates forty elderly, both women and men, irrespective of caste and creed. The home could see the light of the day because of the generous contribution of Caritas India and Help Age International.
On the same day ie. 14th August 1976 St Charles Health Centre was blessed and inaugurated by His Grace the most Rev.Dr.P. Justin Diraviam, and the foundation for the convent building also was laid.
The Health Centre a ten bedded hospital catering to the health of the Burma refugees and Sri Lankan refugees who lived in the vicinity and also the rural poor started functioning with Sr. Hilary as the first nurse.
In 1979 the sisters moved to the new campus at Thirunagar after putting up with all the conveniences for nearly a decade. The convent was blessed on 1st May 1979 by the Arch Bishop of Madurai. The house also accommodated the boarding students. On 17th January 1976 foundation was laid for St Charles Nursery School.
The school building was blessed by Rev. Fr.Manfred Hauk S.A.C. on 8th January 1980 and the function was presided over by Rev.Mother Henriette, Superior General of the congregation.
Our sisters had to face a lot of challenges and obstacles to have the Primary school(1981 ) St Charles Matric School (2004 )Higher Secondary School(1998) recognized by the State Government.
A long contemplated plan of the Eastern Province came with the grand inaugural ceremony of the new building for St Charles College of Education (B Ed) for women, on February 22, 2007. Rev.Sr.Dr.Amali Anbarasi was the superior and first secretary of the college, whose tireless work and dedicated service brought affiliation and laurel to the college of Education.
Expansion
Sneha Illam: Adjacent to the work room in Sneha illam a shed with galvanized sheet roof was planned and foundation was laid on the 3rd March 2015.The entire work was completed with the generous contribution of the donor (the niece of Sr.Lilly Pushpam) then superior amounting to Rs.3,50,000/-
Miriam Hostel: Foundation was laid for a new hostel building in front of the convent next to the dispensary building .The work was undertaken by Mr.Germanus .The new building was blessed by Rev.Fr.Xavier Vedham SJ, and inaugurated by Rev.Sr.Christi Sarojini Superior General on 10th January, 2014.
Schools: We are indebted to.Mr.Mohan, M.P –Madurai, for his generous contribution of Rs.4 lakhs from his MP fund to construct the classrooms for the students of Primary school over the ground floor in June 2005.
Additional Blocks are constructed in order to accommodate the increasing strength in both St Charles Matric school that was opened By Rev.Sr.Jaya Mary ,Provincial and blessed by Rev.Fr.Stanley SAC,Parish Priest on 11th February ,2011 and St Charles GHSS ,Adrein Bresy Block, opened by Rev.Sr.Virgy SCB,Provincial Superior and blessed by Rev.Msgr.Dr.Jeyaraj ,Vicar General on 1st June 2016. In addition to that a big stage has been constructed for the use of all the St Charles institutions in the campus. It was blessed by Rev.Fr.Kuilyi Abraham on 13th March 2018 and opened by Rev. Sr.Fatima Rani,the superior and correspondent.
Golden jubilee of the convent and the Matric Hr. Sec. School was celebrated on 27th April 2019 in a grand manner, Rev Fr.Jaya Raj V.G, Madurai Diocese was the main celebrant.Srs Alphonsa and Sr Hilary the pioneer were present for the function. In memory of the Golden jubilee 50 workers, present and former, were honoured and given a memento.
Dispensary: Due to the Govt Primary Health Centre and the increase of Multi-Specialty hospital around Thirunagar, the number of out patients to the dispensary is reduced and so after prayer and discernment, community proposed to start a paid old age home in our dispensary building. Having obtained due permission from the authorities, on 1st January 2018, it was officially started. There are nine inmates at present. 2 or 3 more can be accommodated.
Argentina Region
The Sisters of
Argentina Region
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