Sr M Benedicta D' Silva BS
Superior
Members of the community
Convent building
Prayer meeting -Sihphir
Educational ministry
Eucharistic procession
Sihphir is a prosperous and predominantly a farming village situated along National Highway, 11 kms from Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram. It was a sub centre of Kulikawn parish, Aizawl. Sensing the peoples need for an English Medium School and faith formation late Bishop Most Rev Denzil D’Souza requested the Bethany Sisters to collaborate in this project. The request was accepted and the sisters from the Mary Mount Convent, Aizawl extended their service to this new venture.
Bethany Convent, Sihphir in Mizoram was canonically erected on 15 August 1991, the feast of Assumption of Mary and the Independence Day of India. Sr Lillis, the Provincial Superior, installed Sr Primiot as the Superior of the community. Sr Dolora, Sr Therese Zothanpari and Sr Lucy Vanlalnghaki were the community members. The sisters render their services in the parish school which was established on 14 January 1991 where Fr Michael was the Principal and Sr Primiot was appointed Headmistress of the Holy Angels’ School, Sihphir.
In April 1992, Holy Angels Hostel was blessed in the presence of the sisters and leaders of different commissions of the local Church. On 6 October, 1996, the new convent building put up by the diocese near the school was inaugurated. The new church was also inaugurated at the same time. In August 1999, Sihphir was raised to the status of a quasi parish and named St Paul’s Church and Fr Francis Velilyil was appointed the first Parish Priest.
Sr Valsala joined the community at Sihphir in 1995 and started the socio–medical apostolate. Sr Therese Zothanpari joined her in 1996. They worked very hard to bring the message of the gospel to the people using creative and innovative methods. The sisters involved in this apostolate have empowered many people by forming Self Help Groups and support groups.
The medical apostolate had a humble beginning. Sr Valsala conducted mobile clinics at Sihphir and in the neighbouring villages. A dispensary named Bethany Health Centre was started on a small scale. Initially, she functioned from the convent by dispensing simple medicines. As the number of patients increased, it was felt necessary that the diocese lease out some land near the sports complex, below the convent premises. Here a dispensary and Rehabilitation Centre was built with financial assistance from the Province and collection from well wishers. Sr Valsala gave herself totally to the task of identifying the addicts in order to rehabilitate them. Other sisters who worked in the centre are Sr Reshma, Sr Alice Thomas, Sr Imani, Sr Lolia Juliana and Sr Lucy Vanlalnghaki. Sr Suman and Sr Juliana Gretta continued these services and now Sr Teresa Lallianpuii and Sr Line Raymond are rendering their services.
Year of establishment: 15.08.1991