St.Mary's Province Mananthavady
Karnataka Mission
The post modern world in which we live, recognizes and celebrates diversity. Nothing is same in the universe .Now two human beings are alike. Each one is unique. Understanding and helping each human being is challenged. FCC Mananthavady came to save poor and needy persons in Karnataka.
His Grace Mar.Jacob Thoomkuzhi and Rev.Fr.Jose Mundakkamattam took special interest and started the new mission stations. At request of the people of the locality, FCC sisters of Mananthavady Province commenced their service among the villagers of Karnataka.Journeying with the people of God for their integral development is always challenging .FCC Mananthavady decided to join the Mission,as it is very much integrated in their Charism. In Various activities for people's development in the aceas of health education, Social equality, Humanitarian and Charitable programmes. Our style of work was non formal, non institutional ,people oriented and participatory.
There are 7 mission stations in two Diocese of Karnataka namely Bhadravathy and Mandya. In Bhdravathy, we have a school up to X std in Anavatty and sisters render their service in the field of social work in the V Gard stabilizer unit and taking care of Tribal Hostel.In Sagar we give service in an Old Age Home run by the MCBS Fathers.In Muthanikoppa , sisters are involved in faith formation and parishworks.In the Diocese of Mandya there are three Convents namely H.D Kotta, Rudrakshipura and Hallikara. In H.D Kotta, two sisters are teaching in the school of the diocese. One sister in a full time social work and another one in the dispensary owned FCC Congregation.At Hallikara, there is a dispensary where Snake bitten patients are taken care of, along with a tailoring centre. At Rudrakshipura, sisters do their services in the dispensary, nursery and social work.
Our involvement could create a transformed society based on love, sharing, justice and equality. A new generation is groomed by our endeavours. We could bear witness to Jesus, who loved all and taught us to love.
German Mission
The mission in Germany started in 1989 at Wuppertal In Colon Diocese. It is an industrial area . At present there are 14 sisters from Mananthavady Province. Out of this two are nursing students five sisters are working in St.Josef's Hospital in Wuppertal. The second house in Germany started in 1995. This is about 6 KM away from St.Josef's Krankenhans, known as Paul Hanish house, it is an Old Age Home. Three sisters are serving there.On 1st January 2014 sisters started to work in an Old Age home in Colon itself. Four sisters from our Rajasthan Region are working there. Sisters are interested and dedicated to do spiritual assistance in the parish along with their duties, in the hospital. They visit houses to greet the senior citizens for their birth days and also pay attention to those who are terminally sick. The parishners appreciate their dedication to the sick and suffering ones and the people there approach the sisters with great confidence and gratitude.
St.Mary's Province Manthavady conducts various programmes for the integral development of sisters . Such as :
First and foremost the duty of a superior is to lead the sisters to prayerful life through spiritual animation. In order to help them to do their service effectively, Province conducts courses once in three months. It enables them to understand their own strengths and weaknesses, to improve self acceptance and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. This course includes seminars, classes, discussions and evaluations.
The scripture says"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!".In the beginning batch gatherings were conducted on batch level. Since the past 12 years, it is done age wise
We conduct super seniors course to help them to tackle their problems of ageing, to get an opportunity to share their life experiences to each other and to lead a peaceful life. This programme includes classes ,discussions, sacrament of reconciliation, Holy Mass, documentation on life of saints and outings etc.
St.Mary's Province organizes gatherings for senior and young senior sisters. It helps them to nourish spiritual, mental and social spheres of their lives. Experienced personalities from different fields take classes on various subjects. This course also includes adoration, Holy Mass, planned recreation, picnic etc.
Formation is an ongoing process .So every three months juniors gather together in Provincial house or in any other convents with their mistress. This course aims to deepen faith and to facilitate vowed life and also to get opportunities to share their experiences with batch mates and mistress. It includes sacrament of reconciliation, Holy Mass, adoration spiritual guidance etc.
Annual retreat and monthly recollections are effective means for the renewal of our religious life. Province conducts six days programmes for sisters. This retreat includes classes, meditation, sacrament of reconciliation etc. It is a chance for sisters to revive their consecration to our Lord and helps to become effective servants to bring the joyful love of God and message of salvation to all men.
Family is the basic unit of the church .Safeguarding the sanctity and integrity of the family, which is the miniature church , is our topmost priority. So Home mission is a courageous step in the field of family apostolate. Members of the team gather once in a month and spend time in prayer and fasting. After class and spiritual directions the team accept suggestions and corrections from superiors. Then they decide about the future programmes . This gatherings increase fraternity among members, improve prayer life of the sisters as well as the family renewal .
Course for Teachers.
"Lack of education is as serious as lack of food. An illiterate person is really one who starves in spirit". Sisters working in field of education should have faith vision, much kindness and they should be properly trained .So Provincial department conducts various programmes according to the need. They are follows.
-Meetings
-Discussions on developments, modern trends, problems and requirements etc.