Sr M Priya Teresa BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Educational Ministry
The first and the only community of Bethany Sisters in Madhya Pradesh, was opened in Khandwa, on 16 July 2002 at the request of Most Rev. Leo Cornelio SVD, the Bishop of Khandwa. Sr Shaila, the first Superior cum Principal, Sr Agnes Gratia, Sr Clara Alvares and Sr Beena John, the members, were entrusted with the responsibility of starting and administering Sophia Convent School on behalf of the diocese. With three class rooms almost ready, the sisters started Nursery, LKG and UKG with 155 students on 17 July 2002. As they did not have their own residence at that time, they were accommodated at Bishop’s House from 27 June to 21 September 2002.
From 22 September 2002 onward, the sisters occupied two class rooms of the school building. They soon adjusted to the new environment, away from the main road, in the midst of fields with no houses around for about a Kilometer.
On 3 November 2012 the sisters’ residence was shifted to the newly built Convent constructed in a plot of land purchased by the Bethany Congregation. Currently Sr Veena D’Souza, the Superior and Principal along with Sr Jeromia, Sr Monthi Anita, and Sr Theresa Antony render their service in Sophia School which has 2931 students on its roll.
Besides education, sisters are actively involved in teaching catechism, visiting families, conducting SCC meetings and participating in the Eucharistic celebration in the villages.
As an outcome of the pastoral reach out, one candidate has been recruited to the Pre-Novitiate. Sisters render spiritual and pastoral guidance to the adopted village in the Parish.
Year of establishment: 16.07.2002