The Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo

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

Kereng village is located in Chainpur Tehsil of Gumla district in Jharkhand, India. It is situated 67km away from Gumla, which is both district & sub-district headquarter of Kereng village. Kereng has 7 villages, with approximately 360 Catholic families.

In 1989 the Spirit of the Lord prompted the sisters of St. Charles to begin another house in the Arch Diocese of Ranchi. Gumla was not yet a diocese. At the same time the Salesian Fathers were looking for Sisters to assist them in the Parish of Kereng especially – health care. The sisters approached the Arch bishop Rt.Rev.TelesphoreP.Toppo and Kereng was one among the few parishes suggested by them. In their desire to reach out to the less fortunate the sisters set out in search of new pastures .Sr. Renee the then Provincial Superior, Sr. Victoria, Sr. Stan and Sr. Sabina began their first journey to Kereng about 200 kms from Ranchi. Sisters visited few parishes. At Kereng, they experienced a warm reception from the people and priests.Fr. Joseph Varappilly welcomed them and explained the need of the presence of the sisters in this parish which he called the cream of the Arch diocese. As they journeyed on, the impressions of Kereng lingered in their hearts until they decided to pursue the mission.

Fr Joseph continued the contact with the sisters for the next two years. His burning seal for the people specially the healing mission made him request the sisters to start as early as possible. On January 18, 1991, Sr. Renee and Fr Jose decided to build a small house for the sisters at Kereng. The blessing of the house was on August 18, 1991, by His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Telesphore Toppo, the Arch Bishop of Ranchi. The parishioners welcomed Sr. Sabina and Sr. Gracy Pothan as Pioneers. Milestones-Foundation stone for the health centre was laid on May 17th 1993 by the Bishop of Gumla Rt. Rev. Micheal Minj.At present we belong to the diocese of Gumla. Convent building foundation was laid on 28th May 1993 and blessing on Oct.29th 1994 by Bishop of Gumla Rt. Rev. Micheal Minj. Boarding was blessed on March 25th 2001 also by him.

The opening of the convent here was to give medical care and education to the poor, neglected and marginalised people of the locality. The children and the women in the area were the focus of attention.In the beginning the sisters collaborated with the Salesian priests for health care and education. As the years passed by, we collaborate only in the education. We manage the apostolate by ourselves due to the sponsorship programme. The parish has given us 4 acres of land from the 20 acres of land which the parishioners had donated to the parish.Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo, came to Kereng and opened hostel for girls and a much needed dispensary for the health care. They now actively collaborate with Salesians to make Kereng “a parish with a difference.” The sisters of St. Charles Borromeo are active in Health care, caring for the tribal girls in the boarding, socio pastoral work, tailoring classes, teaching in the parish school and family apostolate are being carried on. We could reach out to a lot of needy people especially in the medical field with the collaboration with the Govt.As the mission progressed we have started a day care centre for the differently abled children. At present we are catering to the needs of 40 differently able children.