Sr M Ophelia BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Teaching Catechism
counselling
Mission With the mentally handicapped
Come and see candidates
Haryana is a State that contributed greatly to the ‘Green Revolution’ in the 1960s. Fr Christanand, the parish priest at Karnal, had been running a Catholic Enquiry Centre in Karnal besides rendering pastoral services to the students studying at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI). In August 1960 he also started an English Medium School there. Seeing the great service rendered by Bethany Sisters, he requested Rt Rev John Burke, the Bishop of Simla, to invite the sisters to take over the upcoming school. The process was initiated on 4 October 1961. Eight sisters ventured into the North in the harsh winter of January and reached Karnal on 6 January 1961. Fetched from the railway station by Fr Christanand and a few Catholics, they proceeded to 37 D Model Town, their rented residence. Among the eight sisters who had come to the North as pioneers, Mother Genevieve, Sr Oliva and Sr Rosalie were handpicked to be the pioneers of St Theresa’s Convent and School. Sr Oliva was the first Superior of the Convent and Mother Genevieve, the founding Principal.
On 14 January 1961 Rt Rev John Burke blessed the Convent and School in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner and the other invitees placing it under the guidance of St Therese.
St Theresa’s Convent Mission Forges ahead
A plot of land on Kunjpura Road for the construction of the convent and school was purchased on 13 July 1962 and on 19 March- the Feast of St Joseph, Bishop John Burke laid the foundation stone for the school building. Amid scenes of jubilation on 1 February 1965 the school was shifted to the new school building. St Theresa’s Convent School earned a name for value based education, co-curricular activities and personal growth and professional success of its students and alumnae. Students secured ranks at All India levels and the climax of it was securing of the first rank in All India CBSE class X examination by Vineet Ahuja, now a renowned doctor at All India Institutes of Medical sciences, Delhi. In the presence of great personalities, alumnae and well wishers, St Theresa’s celebrated the Silver and Golden Jubilees and is on the move to the Diamond Jubilee.
Recently Saumya Uppal secured third top rank in CBSE (2016). The face of the school has been uplifted magnificently by the addition of Primary Wing, Skating Rink, Colossal auditorium, well equipped labs including language and sections attaining a division from A to E.
With the key qualities of technology aided learning, supportive teachers, green and clean campus, massive auditorium, emphasis on sports and NCC, equipment and facilities, education at St Theresa’s is a blend of the basic virtues of life and modern development. Sr Helima is the present Principal of the school and Sr Ophelia, the superior of the convent.
Outreach Programmes
The outreach programmes are a unique feature of St Theresa’s Convent and School. Literacy programme in the villages, village development programmes, non-formal educational centre in the slums and remedial classes in the evening are carried on with zeal and commitment.
Karunalaya is a Centre for Women in Distress started in the year 2012 to mark the Golden Jubilee of the death of Fr RFC Mascarenhas, the Founder of Bethany Congregation. Karunalaya gives shelter to those women deserted by their own families. In three years time 19 women were helped to get in touch with their families bringing cheer and hope of a better future for the women.
St Theresa’s Vocational Training Centre (VTC) provides job oriented course in tailoring to women
Year of establishment: 14.01.1961