Our Lady Of Dolours Church
SONAPUR
RELGIOUS IN THE PARISH
DAUGHTERS OF THE HEART OF MARY,
NIRMALA NIKETAN COMMUNITY
The Society of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary (dhm) was founded on 19th July 1790, in France during the tumultuous period of the French Revolution. It was a time when all other religious societies were suppressed and persecuted. It was a challenge to live a consecrated life at that time and the challenge continues even today.
At present the members of this Society serve the needs of the Church and all peoples through a wide variety of pastoral, developmental works, educational and health services, even in most difficult circumstances and places.
The call of a DHM is not to offer a particular work or expertise. It is a call to be a sign and a presence of the merciful love of God in all situations of life and work.
Our Founders – Fr. Peter Joseph de Cloriviere s.j. and Marie Adelaide de Cice, were persons who dared to dream differently.
WHY NOT IN THE WHOLE WORLD ?
The seed sown in 1790 has grown into an International Society in – Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America.
The Foundation in India was in Goa in 1951. Ms. Maria Pavia Councerio responded to the missionary call and came to India in Bombay.
We have two Provinces in India today – Province North – consisting of DHM reunions in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Province South covers DHM reunions in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Meghalaya.
Nirmala Niketan Community in Mumbai has three educational institutions - College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan Polytechnic and College of Social Work.
We also have a hostel for students studying in our Institutions. We are engaged in Pastoral Work in the Parish of Our Lady of Dolours and one dhm is a headmistress in Barretto High School, a Diocesan School.
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
Website: nn@cswnn.edu.in
Tel: 22002615/22067345
COLLEGE OF HOME SCIENCE
Website: www.nirmalaniketan.com
Tel: 22076503/22007544
NIRMALA NIKETAN POLYTECHNIC
Website: www.nirmalaniketanpolytechnic.com
Tel: 22076503/22007544
The community at Nirmala Niketan consists of 16 sisters.
Superior: Dr. Gracy Fernandes.
Mobile: 9867199139
Tel: 22017370/22081564/22074526
Read more here
THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF THE CROSS
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross took its first steps at Chavanod, France in 1838. Ignorance and misery prevailed along with exploitation of the poor, especially girls. Here was born in extreme poverty and great simplicity a congregation of a new type for those times. Claudine Erchernier was the foundress. Sisters were thus called to be witnesses of the Gospel in their milieu, and educators of the poorest.
Our Founders brought to fruition Mgr Neyret’s words “We have so many needs ……….. Only good laborers are lacking and perhaps laborers of the caliber of the Sisters of the Cross is needed” and so in 1886 the Sisters of the Cross came to India. Today 130 years later the Sisters of the Cross live their consecration to God at the service of the people in 7 different Provinces in India. Pune Province which is situated on the West of India covers the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.
Since 1955 the Sisters of the Cross work in the parish of Our Lady of Dolours Sonapur, contributing our services in the Parish school. We are available for parish activities, hospital Ministry, visiting the old, sick and housebound, teaching catechism, Eucharistic ministry, Liturgical cell and CCO. The CCO undertakes caring for street children living in the vicinity, sending them to school, seeing to their basic needs – food, clothing, cleanliness and helping them with homework daily. Medical treatment when needed is provided to the children. The Mahila Mandal for women is active and monthly meetings are held with women of the area. Women’s day and interreligious festival are celebrated to build communal harmony and positive outlook with one another.