Ludhiana - Bethany Northern Province

Sacred Heart Convent, Ludhiana (02.07.1965)

In 1965 Christian Medical College at Ludhiana founded in 1894 had already spread the spirit of Christian service in Ludhiana City. Shri Lisa Das, the District Commissioner of Ludhiana, felt that his city, would be incomplete without a Convent School. So, he contacted Fr Hyacinth, a Capuchin Priest. He lost no time in getting touch with Sr Violette, the Principal at St Theresa’s Convent School, Karnal, who in turn briefed Mother Macrina, the Superior General, about it. Mother Macrina approached Mgr Alban Swarbrick OFM, the Prefect Apostolate of Jalandhar Diocese, for the needed permission. Mgr Alban Swarbrick was more than happy to welcome the sisters and extended his help in this project.

Responding quickly Mother Macrina sent a group of sisters- Sr Gretta, Sr Mirabelle, Sr Doritta, Sr Dora, Sr Evangeline and a domestic helper to Ludhiana. All of them were warmly welcomed at Ludhiana by Fr Hyacinth OFM and the Secretary of Ad hoc Committee of Ludhiana. Shri Isa Das with the help of the officials concerned gave an abandoned Engineering College building at Model Gram for the Convent and School. On 2 July at 8am Mgr Alban Swarbrick blessed the Convent and School building. Thus began an epoch-making era at Ludhiana. Sr Violette became the first Superior and Principal with Sr Mirabelle, Sr Dora and Sr Evangeline, the members. A historic civic reception was arranged for the group in the evening of 2 June 1965. 350 students were registered on the same day for LKG, KG, Std 1 and Std II. At present Sr Diana Serrao is the Superior of the Convent and Sr Veena D’Souza is the Principal of Sacred Heart School.

GROWTH

On19 march 1966 by Fr Luke OFM blessed the foundation stone for a new convent and school at Sarabha Nagar and Mr AK Fletcher IAS, the Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Punjab laid the stone in the presence of prominent citizens of Ludhiana. Boarding facility was provided to the desiring scholars. Presently, only the economically backward children are offered the hostel facility. A new Convent and hostel building was blessed and inaugurated on 25 March 1974. Until then the sisters stayed in one of the wings of the school building.

Step by step, the ministry at Ludhiana expanded and the school reached a gigantic size with an auditorium, science block, KG block, and International School. The panoramic achievements studded with a myriad range of activities are what set Sacred Heart Convent Schools apart as a ‘school with a difference’.

The school boasts of excellent academic result year after year. In addition to countless distinctions, students have won laurels by their score being placed in the top (0.1%) of the Board’s result.

Sr Maria Leena and Sr Jane Chantal received National Best Teachers’ award in 2006 and 2010 respectively. The Award bestowed on Sr Mirabelle on 5 September 2016 by the Minister of Education, Government of Punjab, is a great achievement and impetus.

Other Ministries

Pastoral and developmental services were extended to Nurpur, Khanna, Ladia and Halwara right from the establishment of the convent. These missions were later on handed over to the diocese.

At the slum

Sita Nagar a slum in the city enjoys the service of the sisters and school students. It houses an ITI, Non-formal Education Centre, Community College and National Open Schooling.

Bethany Social Service Society, Punjab

To give a cohesive structure to the greatly expanded social work of the Northern Province Bethany Social Service Society, Punjab, was formed and registered at Sacred Heart Convent on 4 June 1993. Jeevan Jyoti Vocational Training Centre in the campus of Sacred Heart Convent offers skill training and job opportunities specially to women.