The Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo

Kamba village, Varap post, shahad, Kalyan west,
Thane Dist, Maharashtra, India - 421103

Dumka is a peaceful and green city and also sub-capital of Jharkhand and the inhabitants belong to Santhal and other tribes.

Rev.Sr. Christine Vas, the Provincial Superior of the Northern province, with the burning desire to spread the salvation of God’s message in Santhal Pargana, responded immediately to the invitation of the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits, Rev.Fr. Varghese Puthuserry of Dumka visited the place on January 10th 2004 together with Sr.Hariette Kispotta Provincial councillor. With the consent of the Bishop of Dumka Rt. Rev. Julius Marandi D.D, the Province ventured into this Santhal mission.

Origin- The mission station in Murguni is situated 40 kms away from the district and dioceses of Dumka in Jhakhand. The mission station was established by the Jesuit Fathers in 1996 with the aim of reaching out to the Santals and other people of the area through various apostolates. On June 20th 2004 the pioneers Sr. Hariette Kispotta Superior, Sr. Annie Kurian, Sr. Asha Baxla, together with Provincial Sr. Christine Vas and other councillors were welcomed during the Solemn Eucharistic celebration offered by Rev. Bishop Julius Marandi, Bishop of Dumka, assisted by Fr. Varghese. We were called to collaborate with Jesuits in the field of education, caring for hostel students, participate in medico- socio-pastoral apostolate. Due to the foresight and persistence of Sr. Christine and the Provincial council the dream of having our own land was realized. We purchased land in the name of St. Charles Society, Ranchi and registration was done in the presence of Srs. Christine, Hariette and Emilda on the 30th Dec. 2008. The sisters lived a simple life for 10 years in a dormitory with attached toilet and bath and later built a convent and the boarding house for girls on our land.

During the 10 years of our dedicated mission in this area, God stood like a fortress and protected us throughout this precious years. 21.11.2014 is an auspicious day dawned for the Sisters of St. Charles and for the faithful of Murguni. Bishop Julius Marandi DD of Dumka inaugurated and blessed the newly built St. Charles boarding for girls and Rev. Sr. Saroj the Superior general cut the ribbon and we entered the new home.

Today the Mission has grown in leaps and bounds. The sisters are collaborating in the Jesuit school comprising of boys and girls. We have 150 tribal girls in our hostel. They are given the basic Education till Std – 6th. We have the satisfaction of serving the poor children of the locality. Sisters are on the move to the villages to empower the women and the children with their medico social apostolate. Our presence makes a big difference here in Santhal Society. Continuous visits are done to accompany the people in their day today life.

There are 29 self help groups, empowering the women of the parish. The activities such as pig, goat raring, poultry farming, brick making, plate making with leaves to generate income and earn their livelihood. Through herbal medicines many people are cured of their illnesses such as T.B, Malaria, paralyses, cancer, kidney problems etc. We train the villagers to prepare their own herbal medicine. Thus the presence of the sisters is a real boon in the lives of these backward and poor people.