The Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo

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

Karwar Mission

On August 1st, 1978 the three pioneers Sr. Adeline (Maria Alvares) Sr. Marceline and Sr. Placid (Laetitia Valder) started their journey for Mirjan, escorted by Sr. Lydia. The C.S.S.T sisters from Kumta arrived here early, to give them a warm welcome.
The only available shelter they could find was a go-down belonging to a merchant. It was rented out to the Sisters; they modified the same and made it fit for their abode. The house was officially opened on August 4 and it was christened Daya Nilaya, House of compassion. His Lorsdhip Rt. Rev. William D’Mello, Bishop of Karwar, blessed the house in the presence of Moher Benedicta, Provincial Superior, representatives of the other communities of St. Charles Borromeo and some of the people of the locality.

As the days went by, the Sisters introduced non-formal education for children and adults. Literacy classes and tailoring classes had good attendance. The youth of the village were involved in preparing the liturgy they joined the choir and made the services meaningful. Direct evangelization was promoted and supported. All in all the new venture went on well, Sr. Lydia joined the community on January 19, 1979, her presence for few months gave a boost to the mission. She was transferred to Bangalore on March 23 1979.

On February 2nd 1979 the new parish was inaugurated and the parish priest was installed. Under the guidance of the parish priest the sisters organized a programme for the international year of the child. A Balwadi was opened, on June 5th 1979, the Panchayat pressurized the sisters to close the Balwadi on June 1st 1980, they were feeling threatened by the sisters ‘presence in the village. Sr. Placid (Laetitia Valder) attended a three month course on community development. On January 1st 1980 a dispensary was opened and Sr. Mechtilde was placed in charge of it. On May 21st 1981, Sr. Alphonsa took charge of the community, Sr. Raymond was transferred from Shimoga and Sr. Pauline was transferred from Bangalore to the new mission.