Sr M Alice BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Hostel ministry
Youth ministry
In 1970, Fr Roger Marcel csc started an English Medium School in Agartala town at Abhoynagar, 6 kilometers away from Mariamnagar, the parish centre. Fr Marcel requested Rev Mother Macrina, the then Superior General, for sisters to work in the English Medium School. Sr Rosette and Sr Clarilla were the first Bethany Sisters to teach in this School. The fathers and sisters were put up in a rented house. Sisters lived there during the week days but returned to Shantir Rani Convent, Mariamnagar on weekends.
The community at Abhoynagar was established in 1974 with Sr Clementia as the first Superior. The members were Sr Audrey, Sr Alice D’Souza, Sr Berlinda, Sr Lucious and Sr Carol. On 15 June 1974 the foundation for Holy Cross Convent was laid in one portion of the newly purchased land at Durjoynagar. In 1976, when Holy Cross School was shifted to Durjoynagar, the community also shifted to the new residence. Traditionally the Sisters are appointed Headmistresses of the School while the Principal is a Priest. The main apostolate of the sisters is education. All the sisters are involved in teaching and the community is also engaged in other ministry of pastoral care of visiting the villages, preparing people to receive sacraments, catechism, family visits etc. They also take up literacy classes for the less privileged children of the neighbourhood. As a fruit of the sisters’ involvement with the people, many young girls have joined Bethany. The first vocations of Tripura in Bethany are Sr Teresa Lagardo, Sr Malati and Sr Sumitha.
From the beginning till today Holy Cross School has grown under the leadership of 12 successful Headmistresses and a band of committed sisters. At present Sr Alice D’ Souza is the Superior of the Community and Sr Tresa Monica and Sr Sajana are Headmistresses of the Morning Shift and the Noon Shift respectively. In 2009 the Holy Cross Fathers opened a Degree College in the same campus. Sr Caron worked as the Dean of Holy Cross College for four years. At present Sr Marina teaches in the Holy Cross Degree College and assists in the B. Ed College as well. Sr Monica Kamei and Sr Sunita Edith are studying B.A in the Holy Cross College.
The Sisters take care of the girls of St Mary’s hostel which is run by the Holy Cross Fathers. There are 46 girls in the hostel.
Year of establishment : 15.06.1974