Kuppam

The Promised land was set apart by the Father, for us Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes in Chittur District of Andhra Pradesh. In the year 2005, month of October, at the invitation of the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. M. D. Prakash, Bishop of Kadapa Diocese, Srs. Maria Teresa, Celestinea and Delphina met the Bishop and discussed the possibility to open a convent in Kadappa Diocese.

Sr. Maria Teresa wrote a letter to the Bishop of their acceptance of the invitation. Bro. Verghese, Provincial of the Mountford brothers made an agreement with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes for collaboration with the brothers in teaching the students of their school in Kuppam.

The new Community was inaugurated on the 20th of May 2006 in a rented house which had one single room. Srs. Alexina, Violet and Jayaseeli. Bishop of Kadappa Diocese celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass in our little convent. Sisters from K. G. F. often visited the newly inaugurated community in Kuppam and were a support for the sisters. The sisters were engaged in teaching for 3 years in Mont Ford Brothers’ School. Meanwhile, Fr. Mathew, the Parish Priest was very much interested that the sisters should have a convent in a land of their own. Fr. Mathew went in search of the land in nearby places. The sisters moved from the present environment to a better place. The prayers of the sisters and the efforts of Fr. Mathew bore fruit in getting a piece of land.

In the year 2007, Sr. Catherine Charles became the Regional Superior. With the Council, Sr. Catherine found a better place with 2 rooms for our sister’s residence in 2009, month of July. In the month of August the land was registered and a blue print of the building plan was made for the construction of the boundary wall. Sr. Euphrasia then Provincial with her council looked for a piece of land of 5 acres and 22 cents for the Regional house of Jeevan Dhara. The land was purchased by the Provincial Council in the year 2010 and on the 8th of December 2010 the foundation stone was laid for the new

community. The sisters of the community were engaged in running a crèche for little children, evening tuitions for the school going children and pastoral ministry in the Parish. Srs. Maria Amudha, Violet and Seema Lakhra worked tirelessly to get the building completed at the earliest. The neighbourhood families and the prisoners were very appreciative of the sisters loving service and cordiality Sisters visited the catholic families, organized carol singing with the Parish Priest and Parishioners for Christmas.

On 22nd of April 2012 the sisters inaugurated the new building in the presence of sister Mercy Jacob, our Superior General, Provincial

Sr. Philomena Cardoza and her council, Sr. Catherine Charles and her council. Many sisters from K. G. F. and Bangalore were present. Fr. Peter, Fr. Mathew,

Fr. M. D. Prasad, Fr. Solomon concelebrated and blessed the house.

Sr. Maria Amudha the animator of the community welcomed the guest with arathi.

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