Bethany Convent, Samalkha (29.12.1998)
The missionary minded Sr Miriam full of apostolic zeal used to visit the mission stations around Karnal while she was a Provincial Councillor from 1986 to 1993. Sr Wilberta, the first Provincial Superior of the Province, had already given a clarion call to the Province to accept option for the poor as a mandate.
When Sr Miriam became the Provincial Superior, she approached Fr Iswar Prasad, the Provincial Superior of Indian Missionary Society (IMS), and expressed her desire of opening a community at Habri, the sub-station of Karnal mission. The Sisters at Karnal, in collaboration with the IMS Fathers of the parish had been regularly visiting the substations like Nilokhiri, Habri, Taraori and Brijpur from the 60’s onwards. Fr Iswar Prasad offered Basada in Samalkha as an alternate station since a few Catholic families were residing there. Hence, in August 1994, Sr Melvice and Sr Maria Jyoti pioneered the work at Basada, initially visiting it on weekends and later, on a regular basis.
Thereafter, Sr Joselita, Sr Monthie Albuquerque and Sr Rita Rebello visited the village on weekends for Holy Mass and catechism and carried on the work from Karnal until 1998. In order to do better service, it was essential that the Sisters stayed at Basada.
From 11 August to 25 December 1998, another team of enthusiastic Sisters – Sr Rose Margaret, Sr Priyanjali and Sr Shamitha – started their life in Basada staying on the Church premises. Along with the pastoral work they also supervised the construction work. Faith formation in Basada, remedial classes for the children of Basada village, tailoring classes and youth animation programmes in Dehra village were some of the pastoral and developmental activities the Sisters started with.
The new community was canonically erected at Samalkha on 29 December 1998 by Sr Nora, the Provincial Superior. Rt Rev Gilbert Rego, Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh Diocese, was the main celebrant at the Holy Eucharist. Sr Rose Margaret BS, the Superior, Sr Priyanjali BS and Sr Shamitha BS were the first members of this formal community.
At present Sr Lina is the Superior of the community. There are about 14 Candidates whose formation is taken care by Sr Clare Toppo BS and Sr Jhancy Clare BS. Sr Reena D Souza BS is the Principal of Bethany Convent school, Samalkha. At present the school has a magnificent building housing around 900 students.
Apart from educational ministry sisters are also involved in Faith Formation, Remedial classes for children, dispensary, alternative medicine, developmental activities, income generating schemes, self-help groups which are carried on by Sr Geeta Bhengra BS. In addition, she is also collaborating with Pragati Social Service Society of IMS Fathers of Delhi Province.
