St. Joseph’s Convent

Mother St. Laurent, the Regional Superior of Bangalore at the time, who had the audacity to dive into the deep of adventure. There was a call from the Parish Priest, Fr. A Levelle and the people, for our Sisters to serve in Whitefield. So the Institute decided to open a Community there. A house with a large plot of land was purchased. Srs. Marie Martha, Mary Patrick, Mary Teresita

( Europeans ) and Srs. Maria Vincentia, Maria Joanna and Maria Prescilla

( Indians) were the Foundresses. The Community was blessed and inaugurated on 9th January 1933 by Fr. Levelle, the Parish Priest.

On 14th January an English Primary School was started for European children in the convent premises. From the early writings we read the following account : “ On the 16th a Kannada Primary School was opened. The classes were conducted under the trees with 12 pupils. Later used the reading room of the Parish to hold Kannada classes in the Church premises for the poor Indian children.

St. Joseph’s Convent School was the first ever school to be recognized by the Government in Whitefield. Thereafter the School was officially inaugurated on 20th December 1939 by Mr. A. M. Peck.

Sr. Marie Seraphine Menezes is an outstanding person in the history of Whitefield that the eventide home. The Home for the Aged’ for pensioners was opened. She also sheltered street boys. They were accommodated in the house that Mr. Phillip had built in our premises for Mrs. Agatha D’Mello, his mother – in – law. They remained there growing up healthily. The boys were given training in carpentry, shoe making, welding, weaving and bakery in a Training School, opened in our premises. Those who could study were sent to School. In their later years it was decided to shift them to the ‘ Home ’ of the Holy Cross Brothers in the neighbouring compound.

The Sisters continue to take great care of the ‘ elderly People ’, though it is a challenging mission. The mission of the school is praiseworthy with a team of enthusiastic Sisters and Lay staff. The Sisters render great service to the Parish by way of pastoral work, faith formation, Catechism, family visits, liturgical preparation and the choir. Since the inauguration of the Region, this community has been at the service of the Region and the Sisters, for holding assemblies, retreats, camps, meetings, formation activities of junior Sisters etc. Nature’s quiet, the fresh air and the large space available – all provide a conducive atmosphere for such activities.

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