Sr M Shanti Priyal BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Educational ministry
Formation - Candidates
Bethany Champions
Berhampur nick named as “The Silk City” is located in the eastern coastline of Ganjam District of Orissa, about 160 kilometres south of the state capital Bhubaneswar.
Shanti Ashram and St Vincent’s Convent School were started in 1954 by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul who having worked there for twenty-five years, decided to hand it over to our Congregation. Sr Miriam, who came from Jhinkpani, stayed with DC sisters till they took over the charge on 10 May 1979. Thereafter the DC sisters moved into the needier and abandoned areas where the poor awaited them. Sr Pilar DC handed over the entire property with Convent building and the School to Sr Miriam on 10 May 1979.
The Pioneering members of Shanti Ashram in 1979 were Sr Flavian, Sr Prathima, Sr Rose Rita, Sr Muriel, Sr Neomi Sr Valerine and Sr Miriam (Superior).
In 1981 when our Congregation celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of its foundation, Bethany at Berahampur took up a project of starting the Oriya Medium School as a Diamond Jubilee Memorial for poor children. Bishop Thomas Thiruthalil inaugurated the Oriya Medium School on 13 July, 1981.This school is recognized by the State Government and the students after V Std go to other schools specially Govt. Schools to complete their education.
St Vincent’s is the first school of Bethany Educational Society that gave the facility of appearing for the Open School examination conducted by the CBSE for the dropouts which has helped many girls and boys to complete their high school and pursue their college studies and vocational training later. It was started by Sr Miriam, the then Principal. Today St Vincent Convent School under the leadership of various Principals has made great progress to become the much sought after School in the city.
The outreach programmes begun in 1982 by Sr Neomi to reach out to the people are continued by the Sisters offering them hope, self –esteem, relief and enlightenment to hundreds of less privileged and marginalized people specially the youth.
At present under the able animation of Sr. Shanti Priyal, the superior and Sr. Roseline Clara, the principal sisters are actively involved in Educational Pastoral and Social Apostolates.
We have seven student candidates staying at Shanti Ashram and continuing their Pre-University studies. Sr Dulcine is directress of candidates assisted by Sr Roseline Clara.
Year of establishment : 10.05.1979
