THE PROVINCES OF THE APOSTOLIC CARMEL CONGREGATION

THE PROVINCES OF THE APOSTOLIC CARMEL CONGREGATION

Inspired by the life and example of Mother Veronica, the Carmelite sisters reach out to the people, particularly the youth through education and faith formation in schools, colleges, welfare centres, etc. by employing formal and non-formal techniques.

APOSTOLIC CARMEL HEADQUARTERS ( THE CENTRE ) The Apostolic Carmel Generalate 6, East End Road, Post Box No. 4107 Jayanagar 'T' Block P.O. Bangalore - 560 041 The Institute Magazine: "Flos Carmeli"   Editor: Sr. Mirabelle A.C. *********** CENTRALLY GOVERNED HOUSES MANGALORE -  BANGALORE -  KUWAIT -  BAHRAIN -  AFRICA -  ITALY ***********
THE OTHER PROVINCES
I	THE KARNATAKA PROVINCE
II	THE NORTHERN PROVINCE
III	THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE
IV	THE EASTERN PROVINCE
V	THE WESTERN PROVINCE
VI	THE SRI LANKA PROVINCE

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C E N T R A L L Y    G O V E R N E D    H O U S E S MANGALORE (Centrally Governed House)     [back to top] Carmelite Spirituality and Training Centre ....... Maryhill BANGALORE (Centrally Governed House)     [back to top] Juniorate (sisters) Training centre ....... Saranya Teachers' Training Centre ....... Sacred Heart Creche ....... Seva Kendra High Schools ....... 2 Primary Schools ....... 2 KUWAIT (Centrally Governed House)     [back to top] As the Catholic population among the expatriates was growing due to the oil boom, the Bishop of Kuwait, the late Msgr. Victor San Miguel O.C.D. felt the need of a Catholic school run by Sisters who would also take charge of Catecheses in the Parish. So, the A.C. foundation was opened on March 27th, 1969. The Sisters are engaged in school, imparting an all round education with emphasis on spiritual and moral values. They run a Co-Ed school from K.G. to Std. Xll. Community Service: The basic goals of the Apostolic Carmel Sisters are - living the Carmelite spirit of solitude, prayer and communion with God. Current apostolates of the Sisters include Teaching of Catechism for senior Children in Salmiya chapel and Our Lady of Arabia Church Arabia, teaching Catechism for children receiving First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Cathedral, visiting patients in homes and hospitals, teaching Moral Science in Carmel School, Carmel Blossoms - Providing orientation for novices who like to join the religious order, teaching Catechism for maids working in the school, providing guidance and counseling to maids, couples & singles, attending BCC meetings in 3 different zones having 8 units. See Document: The Desert Experience…a Carmelite Commitment KUWAIT Pause the mouse cursor over each picture for a description Kuwait - Information & Photographs updated / added on: 02 July 2007 BAHRAIN (Centrally Governed House)     [back to top] Our main apostolate is Education – the running of Sacred Heart School, which is an international, multinational English medium school preparing students for the London G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination. LKG classes are conducted in Manama (Sacred Heart Church premises) and Prep to Senior 5 classes are conducted at Sacred Heart School, Isa Town. The Education and Faith Formation of Youth and children through Catechism and Catechetics, is our priority. All of us are engaged in the teaching of Christian religion at Sacred Heart School (2¼ hours a week). We have 71% Christians in our school out of which 60% are Roman Catholics. We also prepare Senior 5 students to appear for O level Religion paper (Christian Religion and Morality). Sisters prepare the children for First Holy Communion and for the Sacrament of Confirmation in school. This year we had children’s mass on Saturdays where we helped the children in the participation of the Eucharist in a better way. They were also prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Christmas, Diwali, Foundress’ Day and National Days are celebrated with assemblies. Christmas Party is organized annually for the senior section. Besides we have the Awards Day and Sports Day held annually. Fun day was organized for the entire school for the last two years. Our students have participated in interschool competitions and have come out with flying colours bringing laurels to the school. Social concern is developed in students through outreach programmes – visit to the home for the aged and orphanage. All the sisters are actively involved in the parish work. Supervising sacristy work when required. Coordinating the activities of Youtheens - attending meetings when required, helping and guiding them, attending to the Bengali group of adults, helping them by preparing sermons for mass during Christmas and Easter and attending their prayer meetings. Being in charge of Catechesis, coordinating all the programmes pertaining to catechesis along with catechists and the Parish Priest. Attending Legion of Mary meetings once a week and giving a little orientation to the children along with other animators. Conducting catechetical course for those interested to teach catechism in the parish. Helping in counting of the Church collections twice a week along with one of the assistant priests. All the sisters are actively involved in family day celebration. We make time to attend the activities of various groups of the parish at Christmas. BAHRAIN Bahrain - Information & Photographs updated / added on: 22 Jan 2008 AFRICA (Centrally Governed House)     [back to top] The year 1991 was eventful for the congregation of the Apostolic Carmel, as it launched its mission in East Africa-Kenya. Sister Mariella, the former Superior General accepted the pressing invitation of Msgr. Nicodemus Kirigma , the Archbishop of Nyeri to run a residential Secondary School for the Natives. This was materialised when the Sisters took charge of the Sacred Heart Girls' School in Kiganjo. The seed-foundation of the Apostolic Carmel in Kiganjo, in Nyeri District, took root and gave birth to the establishment of a similar school named Mt. Carmel School in Gathugu in Karatina District, in the year 1993. After a couple of years, the mission expanded to Nairobi, the capital city of Africa. In the year 1995-96 a High School was opened at Buru-Buru through the gernerousity of Cardinal Ottuga of East Africa. This in turn gave rise to yet other institutions - a house of formation and a Primary School called Edel Vale in the neighbouring town in the year 1999-2000. Formation House ....... Novitiate ....... 1 High Schools ....... 2 Primary Schools ....... 2 Besides the Apostolate of Education, our sisters are engaged in parish work and social work. AFRICA ITALY (Centrally Governed House)     [back to top] It was an ardent desire and fond wish of our former Superior General, Sister Mariella to have an A.C. presence felt in the Eternal City - Rome. Under her loving guidance and care, a band of three sisters(nurses) formed the first A.C. Community in 1993 in Rome at Casa di Cura to look after the old and sick. This apostolate was extended by our present Superior General, Sister Vincent, to Perugia where our sisters see to the administration of the hospital and exercise their apostolate. Home for the old and sick ....... 2 T H E    K A R N A T A K A    P R O V I N C E The Karnataka Province has 28 convents, all of which are situated in the State of Karnataka with the exception of one convent Seva Ashram, Pavur, which is situated in the northern part of Kerala State.     Provincial House: The Apostolic Carmel Provincial House St. Ann’s Convent Mangalore - 575001 Karnataka, India Provincial Superior: Sister M. Olivia, A.C. Total No. of Sisters: 378 Provincial Councillors: 1. Sr. M. Lydia, A.C. 2. Sr. Nirmala Francis, A.C. 3. Sr. M. Carissima, A.C. 4. Sr. M. Carmel Rita, A.C. Provincial Bursar: Sr. Judith Mary, A.C. Number of Juniors: 60 Number of Novices: 20 Novice Directress: Sr. M. Julie Ann,  A.C. Number of Postulants: 11 Postulant Directress: Sr. Maria Reethika, A.C. Candidate Directress: Sr. Maria Venitha, A.C. Province NewsLetter: Karnataka Vani Formation: Under the guidance of the Candidate directress the young girls who aspire to join our Province are initiated into loving Jesus, prayer, reading of scripture, manual work and teaching of English. Regular instruction regarding religious life is also given to them. The Postulants, under their directress, are helped to grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus and follow Him. They are introduced to the study of our Constitutions and Scripture. To ensure healthy physical growth, outdoor games and other life skills are also taught. The Novice Directress journeys, accompanies and guides the Novices to grow in their response to the religious call. They are given training in Catechetics, Church Documents and Scripture. They spend three months in communities for Apostolic experience. They have regular mission exposure on Sundays and Mission camps of a longer duration annually. Mission: Though the main Apostolate of the Province is education, the Province has ventured into other mission areas. The new mission at Bailhongal, caters to the mentally challenged and persons with disabilities through the Special School and the CBR programme. Drug addicts, Alcoholics and AIDS victims are also catered to. Empowering of women is another aspect which has resulted in creation of more than 20 Self Help Groups. The mission at Lingsugur was started to make Christian presence felt there. The Missions of Bidar and Jyothi Nivas are directed towards the development of the poor and disadvantaged. The sisters at Jyothi Nivas mainly look after the labourers children. The Special School at Mangalore has started courses in B.Ed., D.Ed. and PG Diploma in Special Education. There is also a Vocational Centre established to provide trade for the mentally challenged adults. In 2006, the Technical Institutes of Vijaymari and Bidar have started Community Colleges where courses are designed through linkages with industries and the students after completing the respective courses are absorbed immediately through campus recruitment. Besides these the Province provides educational programmes person-oriented and value-based from the Kindergarten to the Collegiate level, as also Teacher Education and Technical and Special Education through its institutions listed below.            STATISTICS First Grade Degree College - St.Agnes - Mangalore 1 Pre-University Colleges 7 Colleges of Education with P.G. Courses (B.Ed. & M.Ed.) 1 Teacher Training Institutes 1 Vocational Training Institutes 2 High Schools 13 Primary Schools 22 Preparatory Schools 13 Play Schools 3 Anganwadis 4 Balwadis 4 Schools for the mentally disabled 2 Teacher Training Institute for Special Education 1 National Open School-Secondary and Senior Secondary 3 Study Centres - B.Ed. for Special Education - Bhoj University 1 Study Centre - M.Ed. - Mysore University 1 Mahila Kendra (for the women) 1 Vikasa Kendra (for the youth) 1 Community Colleges 2 Hostels for the students 7 Boarding Houses 5 Homes for Children 7 The sisters also work in 4 High Schools and 9 Primary Schools under the Diocesan Board Management in the Dioceses of Mangalore, Karwar and Shimoga. A Sister Doctor is engaged in rehabilitation work at Bailhongal, North Karnataka and three Sisters work as nurses. THE KARNATAKA PROVINCE Karnataka Province - Information & Photographs updated / added on: 02 July 2007 [back to top] T H E    N O R T H E R N    P R O V I N C E The Northern Province consists of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Provincial House: Apostolic Carmel, Carmel Jwala, Post Box. No.11, Bayley Road, Patna - 800 001 Provincial Superior: Sister Maria Dipasha, A.C. Total No. of Sisters: 198 Province NewsLetter: Uttar Pavan Our mission consists in the Apostolate of Education and reaching out in love to the poor and the underprivileged.            STATISTICS First Grade Degree College 1 College of Education (B.Ed.) 1 Junior Colleges 8 High Schools 17 Training School 17 National Open Schools 2 Hostel for College Students 1 Parish Schools 4 Boarding Houses for School Children 2 Inter Women’s College Association (ICWA) is Avila Convent’s main organized social work. All our schools cater to the poor and the underprivileged by giving them formal education. Other projects are the Empowerment of Women, Prison Ministry, Ministry with the Cancer Patients, Environmental Education i.e. Eco Task Force at Patna Women’s College and Taru Mitra (Friends of Trees) in schools and Mother Veronica Family Project. THE NORTHERN PROVINCE Pause the mouse cursor over each picture for a description Northern Province - Information & Photographs updated / added on: 01 July 2007 [back to top] T H E    S O U T H E R N    P R O V I N C E The Southern Province, spreads over Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Southern most states of India.. Provincial House: A.C Provincial House, Malaparamba P.O. Kozhikode- 673 009, Kerala Provincial Superior: Sr. M. Snehalatha A.C. Total No. of Sisters: 314 Province NewsLetter: Dakshin Dhwani We spread the Good News through Educational, Social and Medical Apostolate. The Sisters are actively involved in the Parish Apostolate and Family Visits.            STATISTICS Degree College - Providence Women's College 1 B.Ed (Self Financing College) Providence College of Teacher Education for Women 1 Higher Secondary Schools 6 High Schools 11 Primary Schools 17 Nursery Schools 13 Teachers' Training Institute 2 Technical School 1 Social Welfare Centres 3 Day Care Centers 5 Health Centre 3 Special Schools for Mentally Retarded 2 Special School for Hearing Impaired 1 Rehabilitation Centre 1 Hostels for Students 1 Hostel for Working Women 1 Boarding Houses 3 Homes for Children 3 Anganwadi 2 Needle Work Centres 3 Udayam Rehabilitation Centre includes a special school for the mentally retarded, a special school for the hearing impaired integrated education for the visually impaired, physiotherapy and education for spastic children, home-based service, prevention and early detection of disabilities and forming self-help groups for the disabled in the villages. Udayam Health Centre caters chiefly to those who are economically poor and deprived in society of use of alternative systems of health care. The Sisters also work in two upper primary Schools under the Diocesan Board Management in the Diocese of Tamil Nadu. Udayam Rehabilitation Centre includes a special school for the mentally retarded, a special school for the hearing impaired integrated education for the visually impaired, physiotherapy and education for spastic children, home-based service, prevention and early detection of disabilities and forming self-help groups for the disabled in the villages. Udayam Health Centre caters chiefly to those who are economically poor and deprived in society of use of alternative systems of health care. Mother Veronica Special Schools, Thalanji Nilambur caters to the education of Mentally challenged children. The Social Welfare Centers do a lot of help in the construction of the houses providing milking house to the poorest of the poor from the project fund from abroad. THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE Pause the mouse cursor over each picture for a description Southern Province - Information & Photographs updated / added on: 02 July 2007 [back to top] T H E    E A S T E R N    P R O V I N C E Known as a Missionary Province, the Eastern Province stretches over West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim and Islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Provincial House: The Apostolic Carmel Provincial House, 96, Moore Avenue, Tollygunge – 700 040 Kolkata, West Bengal Provincial Superior: Sister Mary Susheela, A.C. Total No. of Sisters: 202 Province NewsLetter: Purvi Dhara Our Mission is to bring the “Fullness of Life” (Jn. 10/10) to the people we serve through education, faith formation, social welfare, health care and pastoral work.            STATISTICS Teachers' Training School 1 Higher Secondary Schools 5 High Schools (KG to Class X) 5 Primary Schools 3 Kindergarten Schools 2 Vernacular Coaching Classes 5 Vocational Training 6 Hostels 2 N.O.S. Centre 1 Health Care Centre 3            UNDER THE PARISH MANAGEMENT Higher Secondary Schools V to Class XII      ............ KG to Class XII   ............ 1 1 High Schools Kg to Class         ............ V to Class X       ............ 2 2 Primary Schools 7 Kindergarten - Vocational Training Centre 1 Hostels 6 The Eastern Province is known as a Missionary Province because majority of the sisters work in the tribal belt of North East India. 14 out of 25 convents are situated in the midst of the poor, tribal people. The difficult terrain, inaccessible villages, inclement weather conditions, lack of transport, social and economic constraints make life in these areas very challenging. The people are open to receive the message of the Gospel but the labourers are few. We experience the strain of limited personnel to cope with the work of educational institutions and welfare centres. Opting for new challenging ministries has been the characteristic of Eastern Province. In collarboration with the NGOs we work for the welfare of women prisoners through family counselling, education of their children (girls) in the prison and vocational therapy. Our sisters are engaged in youth ministry and family apostolate too. THE EASTERN PROVINCE: Glimpses of our works in pictures ... Eastern Province - Information & Photographs updated / added on: 26 Feb 2007 [back to top] T H E    W E S T E R N    P R O V I N C E The Western Province spreads over the vast expanse of India from coastal Goa through Maharashtra, crossing the hot winds of Gujarat, Delhi and Chandigarh to the cooler reaches of Jammu / Kashmir. Our two new ventures are the opening of a new Mission Station Carmel Jyoti Ashram, in Kheralu, Gujarat to work with the people in an interior village. It’s main purpose is faith formation, upliftment of women, formation of Self Help Groups for women and medical care. The other is in Carmona, a village in Goa mainly for training our Aspirants, programmes for young sisters, Seminars and Retreats for Youth, Parish Catechesis and as a holiday house. Provincial House: Apostolic Carmel Provincial House, 94, Hill Road, Bandra, Mumbai - 400 050 Maharashtra, India Provincial Superior: Sister Marie Beatrice A.C. Total No. of Convents: 25 Total No. of Sisters: 214 Novices: 7 Postulants: 5 Province NewsLetter: Paschim Tarang Through our Apostolate of Education, we exhibit inestimable value for the all round development of individuals and the future of Society.            STATISTICS Degree college (Arts, Science,Commerce and various self-financing courses) 1 Junior Colleges 6 High Schools 15 Primary Schools 16 Pre-Primary Schools 16 Technical Institute 1 National Open Schools 2 Social Service Centres 4 Counselling Centres 1 Education with its focus on the marginalized , concern for the disabled, Aids awareness programmes, family apostolate, and faith formation takes priority in our Institutions. Our sisters also conduct SCC Meetings, Youth Ministry, Prepare Children to receive the Sacraments, Parish Catechism ... Through our main work of Education we are looking for ways and means to educate the poor, the marginalized and the school drop outs to equip them for a ‘Better Tomorrow’. To carry out this mission we have organized a number of supportive activities. Even in the best of our schools we have children coming from unfavourable backgrounds. We conduct free coaching classes after school hours for children of the neighbourhood Government schools and slow learners of our own schools. Jivan Sarita Ashram at Mehsana is a social Service Centre for the surrounding village apostolate, service in the Parish and in the care of girls in our boarding house. Ishwardaan and Carmel Seva Mandir are Social Service Centres providing courses in Tailoring, Embroidery, Typewriting, Coaching Classes and Library facilities for the underprivileged children. They also provide instruction in Health and Hygiene and Adult Literacy. THE WESTERN PROVINCE Pause the mouse cursor over each picture for a description Western Province - Information and Photographs updated / added on: 02 July 2007 [back to top] T H E    S R I    L A N K A    P R O V I N C E The Province of Sri Lanka spreads all over Sri Lanka and stretches its arms to Pakistan. Provincial House: Apostolic Carmel Provincial House, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo - 10-01000 Sri Lanka. Provincial Superior: Sister M. Sunitha A.C. Total No. of Sisters: 267 Province NewsLetter: A C News Mission: Through education - Uniting into a harmonious whole, the human and the Divine.            STATISTICS No. of Schools and Colleges 20 Crèche 1 Home for Senior Citizens 1 Orphanages 5 Schools in Pakistan 6 Hostel 1 The Home for the Destitute remains one of the most cherished apostolate of the Province. A number of sisters are engaged in the prison apostolate mostly as assistants to the prison chaplain. Among other challenges, the ethnic war has disrupted its work in the North. It is good to recall that the sisters assigned to the war-torn areas remained to their mandate and thrust till the end. THE SRI LANKA PROVINCE Pause the mouse cursor over each picture for a description