Sr M Stella Mathew BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Hostel ministry
Pastoral ministry
Kohima village is also known as ‘Bara Basti’ (Big village). It comprises of the entire hill overlooking Kohima town, the capital of Nagaland. Kohima is an enchanting place to live in. The village is inhabited by the Angami Naga tribe.
In response to the written invitation sent by the Bishop of Dibrugarh, Most Rev Hubert Rosario D.D in August 1967, Rev Mother Macrina, the then Superior General of Bethany, visited Kohima in October 1968. She met the priest in charge Rev Fr Paul Bernick sdb. Thus on 21 January 1969 Christ King Convent was started in Kohima, Nagaland. Rev Sr Loyola, was appointed the first Superior. Sr Jolinta, Sr Conelly and Sr Delia were the members of the community. All were engaged in teaching in Christ King Primary School. Sr Jolinta being a nurse was engaged both in educational and medical care of the people. Apart from the medical and educational apostolates Sisters are also engaged in pastoral apostolate, like, visiting the villages, catechizing, preparing people for Liturgy, family visits and family Rosary.
When Bethany Sisters came to Kohima, Nagaland State was just 5 years old. Development was nil and amenities were very poor. Scarcity of water, alien culture, language, strange people, difficult and unfamiliar terrain were daunting challenges faced by the pioneers. But the eagerness, the people’s need, their gratitude, their warmth and receptivity more than compensated for the problems and urged the sisters to go onward joyfully.
In 1971 Christ King Girls’ hostel was opened. Since there was no separate building for the Convent and the hostel, they stayed in the primary school building. The building was completed and blessed in 1974. Thereafter the Sisters and the hostellers occupied it. The same practice continues even today. The hostel is a boon for children from far flung villages who get the facility to study in Christ King Higher Secondary School. Christ King Parish and the school are managed by the Salesian Fathers.
The mission that started with a handful of students has grown into a mighty tree today sheltering 1,624 students, 52 teaching and non teaching staff, 4 Salesian Fathers and 4 Bethany Sisters. Sr Stella Mathew is the present Superior and the Vice Principal of the School. Sr Margaret Mary is in-charge of the Primary section and Sr Therese Darlong is in charge of the KG section. Sr Berlinda helps in the school. Bethany has stood the test of time at Kohima and thrives ever strong and sturdy continuing to sail steadily and untroubled under the banner of Christ the King.
Year of establishment: 21.011969