History of St. Joseph’s convent Samtoli, Simdega

On the 15 th of October 2008, Sr. Valentia Lakra from Gumla Community visited to Simdega for recruitment. She met Fr. Vijay Manohar Tirkey S.J. the rector of St. Mary’s Community Samtoli Simdega, and Fr. Alois Beck S.J. the director of Arouse Social Work Centre in the Diocese of Simdega, Jharkhand. They invited us to collaborate with them, in St. Mary’s English Medium School which they were to start. They showed a piece land which they would give to us.

This responsibility of negotiating the details was entrusted to Gumla community, by Sr. Teresa Paul, the then Regional Superior and council.

The Diocese of Simdega is highly catholic populated. There is a lot of opportunity for the mission such as pastoral, social, education, and hostel and vocation promotion.

Srs, Elsy the assistant regional superior, accompanied by Sisters of Gumla community and visited Jesuit fathers at Samtoli on the 10 th of January 2009. After much discussions and deliberations fathers welcomed and invited us to collaborate in St. Mary’s English medium school, and to open a hostel for 10 +2 girls. They also showed a rented house where the sisters would stay till we put up a convent. The proposal was accepted and forwarded to the higher authorities.

The sisters met Fr. Ranjit Toppo, the provincial of Ranchi Province and shared with him, the invitation to work at Samtoli in English Medium School. He was happy with the proposal to collaborate in their school. The agreement was made between both authorities. Also Srs. Teresa Paul and Ammini Pushpam met Rt. Rev. Bishop Vincent Barwa, the bishop of Simdega Diocese. He was happy and extended his support for our life and mission and welcomed us to his diocese.

Sisters Malina Toppo and Dibya Dungdung began the satellite community on the 19 th of April 2009 as part of Gumla community in a rented house to start the mission. On the 19 th of June 2009, Srs. Mary T.K and Sheela Minj, continued the mission in St. Mary’s English medium school with 55 students.

The community was canonically erected with the Sister Ammini Pushpam as the animator and Srs. Mary T.k. and Sheela Minj as members on the 30 th of July 2010. The extension of the apostolate; pastoral visits, women animation programme- tailoring, catechism, youth ministry etc continued. In the year 2014 the girls’ hostel was began with 15 college girls. At present there are 60 girls. They are able to pursue their studies because of the guidance given in the hostels. Various activities are conducted for them during the year, like psycho-spiritual, carrier guidance, Spoken English, Competitions, animation on self empowerment, leadership, group building, housekeeping, cultural programmes, exposure programme etc.

At present we are happy to extend our service in the prison ministry in collaboration with other congregations.

The present community members are;

• Sr. Milred Ekka, the animator
• Sr. Valentia Lakra,
• Sr. Neelima Tigga and Sr. Sudha

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