Eastern Province

 Blessing of the House by Most Rev Kishore Kumar Kujur, Bishop of Rourkela Diocese

 Sr Manjula Toppo and Sr Jemma Soreng, (the pioneers)
With Rev Sr Jessy Maria (Centre) the Provincial Superior

From Left: Sr Sushmita Dung Dung Sr Prisca Toppo (Superior) and Sr Jemma Soreng
Members of the Canonically Erected Community

On the occasion of the Canonical Erection of Bethany Convent, Brahmanmara

Bethany, Brahmanmara, Rourkela Diocese

13th August 2023, was a historical day in the annals of Eastern Province. A new mission at St Antony’s Parish Brahmanmara, District of Sundargarh, Diocese of Rourkela in Odisha was initiated. Sr Jessy Maria the Provincial Superior of Eastern Province responded to the invitation of Most Rev Kishore Kumar Kujur, Bishop of Rourkela Diocese for a collaborative mission, in pastoral, educational and hostel apostolates. Sr Manjula Toppo and Sr Jemma Soreng, the pioneering members were chosen to set foot on the new mission. Around 20 Bethany Sisters from neighbouring communities were present to witness this joyous event along with a great number of parishioners of St Antony’s’ Parish, Brahmanmara.

Most Rev Kishore Kumar Kujur, Bishop of Rourkela Diocese extended a warm welcome to the newly arrived sisters and officiated the Holy Eucharist invoking God’s blessings on the new venture. Fr Felix Ekka, the Parish Priest, Fr Sanjith Kerketta, the Asst. Parish Priest concelebrated and hundreds of Parishioners participated in the Mass. After the Solemn Eucharist the sisters were welcomed by the Parishioners with a short cultural Programme. This was followed by the blessing of the renovated house given for the stay of the sisters, by the Bishop, Bishop applauded the sisters for their missionary spirit which he had witnessed from his experience of working with them at Bethany Convent Jharmunda. He assured his support in the days to come and requested the people to collaborate.

A brief history of the Congregation was presented to the Parishioners by Sr Shanti Priyal, Superior of Bethany Convent Badibahal. Sr Jessy Maria introduced the sisters, present on this occasion. She thanked and appreciated the good will of Bishop Kishore Kumar Kujur in availing the opportunity to open a first mission in the Diocese of Rourkela. She thanked the Parish Priest Fr Felix Toppo, Asst Parish Priest Fr Sanjith Kerketta and all the Parishioners for keeping ready the house and contributing generously to provide the necessary things to start the mission. Sr Manjula Toppo proposed vote of thanks to the gathering. To mark the significant occasion a fruit sapling was planted by the pioneering members along with the Provincial superior.

The 193rd community of Bethany of Eastern Province was canonically erected at Brahmanmara in the Diocese of Rourkela, Odisha on 6th July 2024. Sr Prisca Toppo was installed as the first superior of Bethany Convent Brahmanmara by Sr Jessy Maria the Provincial Superior. Sr Jemma Soreng and Sr Sushmita Dung Dung are the community members. Along with Sr Jessy Maria the Provincial Superior, Sr Kanti the Province Procurator, sisters from Haldijharia, Badibahal, Bargarh and Jharmunda witnessed the great event.

Fr. Felix Kujur the Parish Priest along with his assistant, Fr Amar officiated the Holy Eucharistic Celebration. The sisters, hostel girls and boys and catechists from sub-station attended the Holy Eucharist. Sr Jessy Maria the Provincial Superior of Eastern Province read out the decree of canonical erection issued by Sr Rose Celine the Superior General during the Mass.

Sisters take care of 30 hostel girls studying in the nearest government school, a great opportunity of Evangelisation. After the Mass a short felicitation programme was organised during which sisters were welcomed by the parish priest and felicitated by Sr Jessy Maria. Sisters will be involved in Pastoral and Educational ministry.

We owe our gratitude to Bishop Kishor Kumar Kujur for inviting Bethany to work in the Diocese of Rourkela. We thank Sr Rose Celine the Superior General and her team for their continual prayerful support.

Date of Establishment :06.07.2024