The Diocese of Khammam (South-Central India) currently has seventy-five priests serving in seventy-two parishes and five hundred twenty mission stations. They are assisted by 10 religious congregations of men, 40 of women religious and 5 congregations of Brothers, serving in these various missions. The present bishop, Bishop Maipal Paul D.D is a very simple, hardworking and enthusiastic man of God, working for the integral development of the people. He does this through education, health, and other social developmental activities such as boarding homes, schools, colleges, homes for the mentally challenged, old age homes, orphanages, hospitals, and centres for the empowerment of women, children and youth. He is ever so enthusiastic as to launch into newer missions as he believes there is much scope and work to be done in God`s vineyard.
Since April 2019, Bishop Maipal has persistently requested us to start a new mission in Manuguru for socio-pastoral ministry. This is a town and Zonal headquarters in a tribal belt, 120 kms from the Diocesan Headquarters- three hours away from our present community in Khammam. It is a mission parish surrounded by a number of hamlets and villages. It consists of 60% tribal and 40% scheduled caste people who have settled here. The people are economically poor and socially backward. They are illiterate and ignorant of the new developments in the world.
After much prayer, correspondence, meetings, visits to the area and through the intercession of Fr. Médaille, our sisters decided to branch out and themselves into this mission. Three sisters were set aside, formed and prepared for this mission. One, as Animator of the community. another would be part of ARBOR- a micro-credit programme for the poor tribal and scheduled caste women and the third would manage the community-animated programme (tailoring); together, the three would organise the pastoral needs, as well. The three would receive a remuneration from the Diocese.
After much reflection, visits and co-ordination with the bishop and parish priest, our three missionaries supported and accompanied by the Sisters of the already existing community in Khammam began the initial work and finally on 6th Oct 2020 at a solemn Eucharistic celebration, we had our new mission inaugurated and blessed. I accompanied Sr. Philo and together with our sisters from Khammam we offered our moral and prayerful support to our three pioneering sisters. We wish them God`s abundant blessings, enthusiastic perseverance and passionate zeal in this new mission.
Sr. Olinda Fernandes
Province of Nagpur
The Diocese of Khammam (South-Central India) currently has seventy-five priests serving in seventy-two parishes and five hundred twenty mission stations. They are assisted by 10 religious congregations of men, 40 of women religious and 5 congregations of Brothers, serving in these various missions. The present bishop, Bishop Maipal Paul D.D is a very simple, hardworking and enthusiastic man of God, working for the integral development of the people. He does this through education, health, and other social developmental activities such as boarding homes, schools, colleges, homes for the mentally challenged, old age homes, orphanages, hospitals, and centres for the empowerment of women, children and youth. He is ever so enthusiastic as to launch into newer missions as he believes there is much scope and work to be done in God`s vineyard.
Since April 2019, Bishop Maipal has persistently requested us to start a new mission in Manuguru for socio-pastoral ministry. This is a town and Zonal headquarters in a tribal belt, 120 kms from the Diocesan Headquarters- three hours away from our present community in Khammam. It is a mission parish surrounded by a number of hamlets and villages. It consists of 60% tribal and 40% scheduled caste people who have settled here. The people are economically poor and socially backward. They are illiterate and ignorant of the new developments in the world.
After much prayer, correspondence, meetings, visits to the area and through the intercession of Fr. Médaille, our sisters decided to branch out and themselves into this mission. Three sisters were set aside, formed and prepared for this mission. One, as Animator of the community. another would be part of ARBOR- a micro-credit programme for the poor tribal and scheduled caste women and the third would manage the community-animated programme (tailoring); together, the three would organise the pastoral needs, as well. The three would receive a remuneration from the Diocese.
After much reflection, visits and co-ordination with the bishop and parish priest, our three missionaries supported and accompanied by the Sisters of the already existing community in Khammam began the initial work and finally on 6th Oct 2020 at a solemn Eucharistic celebration, we had our new mission inaugurated and blessed. I accompanied Sr. Philo and together with our sisters from Khammam we offered our moral and prayerful support to our three pioneering sisters. We wish them God`s abundant blessings, enthusiastic perseverance and passionate zeal in this new mission.
Sr. Olinda Fernandes
Province of Nagpur
