Superior
2020 - 2023
Sr Soumya James BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Ecological Activities - Kalpetta
Sports & Games - Kalpetta
Kalpetta is situated in the heart of Wayanad district, which is one of the spice regions of Kerala. For the Catholics who migrated to this area and the natives, a Church was built in 1959 under Diocese of Calicut and was dedicated to Sacred Heart of Jesus. Lack of a Convent to animate the liturgy of the Parish and to cater to other welfare activities, was felt very much as the years went by. To mitigate such a problem, a few prominent personalities of the Parish with the recommendation of Fr. Joseph Kizhakkebhagam, the vicar of Pallikkunnu parish, met the superior Sr. Eliza of Lourde’s Convent Pallikunnu, requesting the sisters to open a branch of Bethany in Kalpetta. Through her recommendation Mother Macrina, the then Superior General gave a favourable consideration to this need. Having got the wheels in motion a plot of 1 acre 41 cents was bought on March 23, 1973. The amount for the same was collected from Eudes Convent West Hill and Lourde’s Convent Pallikkunnu. In the year 1973 St. Joseph’s Convent Kalpetta was founded with the intention of catering to the spiritual, Educational and moral welfare of the people. The inauguration and the blessing of the convent was done by the then Bishop of Calicut Most Rt. Rev. Aldo Maria Patroni. At this time the Vicar of Sacred Heart Church was Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kuriaparambil. Sr. Fabiana was appointed as the first superior of the Convent and the other members were Sr. Florine, Sr. Michael and Sr. Zeena. They started their ministry residing in the small house they had bought earlier.
Heeding to the pressing request of the people, the Congregation decided to start an English Medium Nursery School with 10 students on 1 August 1973. The headmistress of the school was Sr.Zeena, hailing from Mangalore. In the same year two sisters of the community got an opportunity to teach in the nearby RCLP School in Vengapally. Heeding to the directions from the Diocese, the sisters stopped their teaching ministry at Vengapilly School on 6 June 1982.
In those days there were no English Medium Schools in Wayanad. Therefore the school had to give admission to children even from faraway places. The need of opening a hostel to accommodate such students also became a matter of concern and consideration. Sr Liliola served as hostel warden. In 1980 Sr Liliola had a sudden attack of paralysis stroke and was bed-ridden. However, by the grace of God she had a miraculous cure after a few months of treatment. In 1989 Sr Liliola joined the Fathima Hospital as a staff and formed a charismatic prayer group and also offered counseling service to others. She was also a member of the Kerala Charismatic Team.
The school had classes from KG to VII standard. The first PTA in the school was formed in 1986 and Dr. P.T Thomas became the first PTA president. Sr. Celia. Sr Carmen, Sr Livinia, Sr Lancy, Sr Bernice, Sr Theresild, Sr Ruth Ann, Sr Silvi and Sr Jessy are the various personalities who lead the institution to its pinnacle till today. In 1995 Sr Bernice succeeded in beginning a Parallel College for girls. As the Plus Two course was started in Kerala, the parallel college in the school ceased to exist.
Through the continual and concerted efforts of many, the school was able to procure the permission to start CBSE from the Board on 1 June 1998. At present the school has approximately 1500 students and 60 staff members and is deep rooted in the core values of Bethany Educational Society.
The following sisters, Sr Decora, Sr Georgita, Sr. Juliana, Sr Camilla, Sr Lancy, Sr Jaysheela, Sr Maria Fortunate, Sr Rose Therese, Sr Jess Thomas, Sr Josia Sr Soumya Jose, Sr Annie Francis, Sr. Gracy Ignatius and Sr. Daisy Mani rendered their selfless service as the superiors of the convent.
The members of the community Sr Thomasine, on 13 October 2003, Mother Eliza the on September 2nd 2005, and Sr. Anjali on April 7th 1996, are gone to their eternal reward.
At present there are eight members in the Convent. The sisters play a vital role in the pastoral service of the parish, Sacred Heart Church, Kalpetta. Sisters animate the BCC wards. They also take lead in animating the Sunday school catechism, and all the pious associations of the Parish. There are 12 Bethany Lay Associates Association. St. Joseph’s Convent, Kalpetta has a prominent place in the hearts of people through the education and pastoral ministries ever since 43 years.
Year of establishment -25.07.1973