Sr M Gracy Ignatius BS
Superior
2019-2022
Bethany Convent, Chathamangalam : 2021- 2022
Sr M Mary Mathew BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Come & See Candidates along with their Diretress
When the Regional Engineering College (R E C) was started at the scenic spot of Chathamangalam in 1960, the diocese of Calicut teachers came from various parts of Kerala. A plot of land for the convent was bought in 1962 with a view to establish a Bethany Convent there. At that time there were only a few people residing in that area, and conveyance was virtually nil. But the coming of R E C gave a new facelift to the place. Conveyance was now available and a church and a school came into existence. The beautiful Morning Star Church was built by the diocese of Calicut at this time. In the beginning, priests came from Bishop’s house to offer Sunday Mass. It was the desire of the people and the diocese to have a convent there.
The number of Christians increased gradually. In 1981 Fr Victor Papply became the vicar of the parish, and a presbytery was built for him. He is credited to be the first residential vicar of this parish. It is this presbytery that has become the convent now. After Fr Victor, Fr Tomy Rodriguez became the parish priest. During his time he discussed with the Bishop Maxwell Noronha, the possibility of having a convent in the parish. Having got the consent of the Bishop, he approached the Bethany Congregation which was interested in the field of education. Soon the procedures for establishing a convent were started and on May 12, 1985 a branch of the Bethany Congregation was started at Chathamangalam.
Fr Tomy’s effort to begin a convent here was supported by the Superior General Mother Sylvine, the Regional Superiors, Sr Theresine and Sr Theresild, and the Superior of St Eudes Convent, West Hill. Due to some practical problems their desire to begin an English medium school could not be materialized. Later, when the Southern Province was formed, this convent became the formation house of the aspirants. Together with this, a government approved tailoring institute for the girls of scheduled caste was started. During the past 25 years the institute has provided job opportunities for many girls through its divergent courses.
Sr Rosalind (superior), Sr Eliza, Sr Baptist and Sr Maria Fortunate were the pioneering members of this house. They gave preference to teaching of Catechism in the parish and other ministries. From 1985 onwards Sr Rosalind, Sr Clarisa, Sr Remigia, Sr Lisieux, Sr Marisa, Sr Ruth Ann, Sr Bernice, Sr Cicily Paul, Sr Jessy Thomas, Sr Evangeline, Sr Georgita, and Sr Mary Mathew have extended their services as superiors and formators. Among these Sr Evangeline had a long standing service in providing preparatory training for aspirants.
When Sr Georgita was the provincial superior, she built a new convent building in 1999 for the better functioning of the aspirants. From the very beginning till date all the provincials – Sr Theresild, Sr Georgita, Sr Lillis, Sr Anseline and Sr Santosh Maria have taken special interest in this house of formation. Both the sisters and the aspirants, render pastoral care to the people of the parish. Their service through catechism classes, activities of pious organizations, family visits and altar ministry is indeed an added asset to the parish. The convent completed 25 years of its establishment, on May 12th 2010. The jubilee celebration was held with a holy Eucharist and a function presided over by our Bishop Joseph Kalathilparambil.
Bethany considers it a blessing to have a convent in Chathamangalam. We savour with great pleasure the various opportunities we were able to provide for the people of the locality. May God bless us all to continue our work with added energy and enthusiasm in the coming years.
Year of establishment -12.05.1985