Bethany Convent, Dumka (01.10.2002)
Dumka, which is also known by the name of Naga Dumka is a town located in the North-eastern part of the state of Jharkhand. The Mughals named the town ‘Dumka’ because of its unique location and landscape. The name Dumka actually means ‘skirt of hills’ as the town is surrounded by hills on all sides. People living here are simple in terms of their culture and dress that represents their tribal culture. Dumka was made headquarters of Santhal Pargana region which was carved out of Bhagalpur and Suri districts after ‘The Great Santhal Hul’ of 1855.
Education for the tribals living on these hills was a much neglected one and that prompted Most Rev Julius Marandi, the Bishop of Dumka Diocese, to invite Bethany Sisters to his diocese to start a Hindi Medium School and a hostel for the tribals. On 4 April 2002 invited by Rt Rev Julius Marandi, the Bishop of Dumka Diocese, Sr Nora, the Provincial Superior, and Sr Hilerian her Councillor, arrived at Jasidih railway station along with Sr Clare Toppo and Sr Balbee. At the station, they were received by Sr Emmanuel of the Sisters of Charity, who took them to the Bishop’s House. They were warmly welcomed by Bishop Julius Marandi and Fr OV Joseph, the Assistant Procurator of the diocese. That day they stayed in the Bishop’s House.
The two pioneers, Sr Clare and Sr Balbeena did not have a beautiful new building. To share the life of the poor they were to stay in an old diocesan building at St Joseph’s School campus, Bakshi Bandh Road was blessed by the Bishop on 6 April 2002 formed the first convent for Sr Clara Toppo, the Superior, and Sr Balbeena, the member. The hostel that started on 22 April 2002 with 7 children, accommodates 275 girls at present. On 1 October 2002 Sr Hilerian, the Provincial Councillor canonically erected the Convent on behalf of the Provincial Superior, at Dumka, with Sr Clara Toppo, Sr Balbeena and Sr Emerentia, as the members of the community.
Sisters Serve at St Mary’s Hindi Medium High School Children residing in a terrain hard and unyielding have a rare opportunity to study in the Hindi Medium School that started with 5 children and now has over a thousand romping on the vast ground. On 3 March 2004, the new school building was inaugurated by the Bishop and the dream of the least and the last blooming to its fullness is a rare sight.
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