Mary Ward Convent - Sirsia

Beginnings

The Sirsia mission started on 1st July 2005, pioneered by Srs. Asha, Jyoti, and Annies. Initially, it was located in Sitantola in a Balmandir run by Don Bosco Fathers. After six months, the sisters moved to one of the classrooms of Don Bosco School, Sirsia. In 2008, they purchased a piece of land and laid the foundation for the convent near Don Bosco School to educate poor and underprivileged Santhal girls.

Early Challenges

Sr. Asha narrates the beginning of the mission in Sirsia:

'At the start of the mission in Sirsia, we stayed in a community hall named Asha Bhawan. We made many adjustments but found joy in the loving people around us. During our second year, we moved to a classroom in Don Bosco School. We faced many challenges, including a violent incident with a local who broke the windowpanes of the classrooms. Despite such difficulties, God was with us, helping us through the struggles. Fr. John Prakash SDB was very kind and supported us during our initial struggles.'

Current Ministry

At present, Srs. Jyoti, Shobha, and Celine are actively and effectively carrying out the mission. The sisters are involved in caring for the hostellers, teaching in Don Bosco School, attending to the pastoral needs of the Sirsia Parish, and cultivating the field. Their presence has significantly impacted the locality, which was previously a neglected area on the India-Nepal border.

Hostel Ministry

In 2008, the hostel started with 22 Santhal girls and 8 day hostellers. Now, the hostel serves many underprivileged Santhal girls from various villages, motivating them for a bright future. The hostel has also inspired some young girls to join religious life, such as Sr. Monica CJ.

Teaching Ministry

According to an agreement between the Salesians and the Nepal Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one sister from the Sirsia CJ Community collaborates in teaching at Don Bosco School. Sr. Celine currently teaches there. Initially, the school had 300 students from classes one to six. Now, it has expanded to class ten with 600 students.

Health Ministry

Started in 2006 under Sr. Annies, the health ministry continues on a smaller scale. The dispensary serves the poor and sick from various villages, as well as students and teachers from Don Bosco School.

Pastoral Work

One sister is involved in pastoral work, teaching catechism to students from Don Bosco School and government schools.

Youth Ministry

One sister is involved in youth ministry, visiting the sick and poor, conducting prayers, and organizing orientation and exposure programs. The ministry includes weekly meetings and annual seminars for youth in different places until 2019.

Social Work

Social work began in 2005 with support from the Don Bosco Austria project, carried out by Sr. Smitha CJ. The Prakask Bachat Co-Operative project, which started the same year, funded various ministries until 2011 and is now independent with Sr. Smitha as a counselor. This project also funded health ministry, tailoring classes, and literacy programs for girls and women from 2009 to 2011.

Tailoring and Literacy Ministry

The tailoring and literacy ministry started in 2008 and discontinued in 2011. It involved two sisters and two teachers, benefiting about 200 women and young girls by motivating and empowering them.

Mobile Clinic

According to the Jesuit Social Action plan, the sisters collaborated in running a mobile clinic for villagers. This ministry, which started in 2017, reached out to far and nearby villages, offering health awareness programs. It was discontinued in 2019.

Voluntary Teaching in a Government School

Sr. Marina was missioned by Sr. Jessy, the Regional Superior, to teach at a nearby government school for two hours daily as a voluntary service. This mission started in 2020 but had to be stopped in 2023 due to a lack of personnel, and Sr. Marina was reassigned.