2021-22
As per 2017-18
Sr M Rekha Lobo BS- Superior
As per 2016-17
Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar
Name of the Superior : Sr Anna Maria BS
Santa Cruz convent, kulshekar was established on 9th June 1932, in realization of the dream of Msgr, R.F.C Mascarenhas, the founder of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany.
In response to the invitation of the Ecclesiastical authorities to continue Christian education to the poor children of Cordel and thereby to take charge of St. Joseph’s Elementary School of the Holy Cross Parish in Kulshekar that Bethany opened Santa Cruz Convent in 1932 in the Church campus. The pioneers of this new community consisted of five sisters and two postulants.
They were:
Sr.Zita- Superior
Sr. Marianne-Headmistress of St.Joseph’s Elementary School
Sr. Gonzaga, Sr. Dolores and Sr. Celine – Members
Mary Quadros and Helen Pinto-Postulants.
At the time of opening of new community at Kulshekar, Rev. Mother Martha was the superior general of the congregation. Most Rev. Victor R. Fernandes was the Bishop of Mangalore and Fr. Francis D’souza was the parish priest of Cordel Parish.
St. Joseph’s school grew into a Higher elementary school and made great strides after Bethany took over its administration in 1932, under the able direction and guidance of our Founder, a great visionary and eminent educationist.
As there was only the first stage of schooling, it was felt necessary to provide with the secondary education to the youth of the parish, who were growing in numbers. Hence the Sacred Hearts Secondary School was started on 4th June 1943.
Infant Mary’s orphanage was started on 8th May 1944 to provide education to the deprived children from the villages. To meet the growing and instant demands of a large section of the people, an English Medium school in the semi-urban area of Kulshekar was a dire need of the time. Sr. Agnella, the then headmistress of Sacred Hearts High School and the secretary of Bethany Educational Society, started the English Medium 6Primary School on1st June 1964.
Institutions attatched to Santa Cruz for Service and management
1. St. Joseph’s Hr. Pry. School, Kulshekar (Parish School): This School was established in the year 1881 and upto 1931, it was administered by the lay people. In the year 1931, when there were only four children for classes I-V, there was a major decision to close down the school, as the inspector of schools had informed the management that the recognition of the school would be withdrawn. At this crucial moment, it was our founder, the then President of CASK (Catholic Association of South Kanara) took a bold step to continue catholic education to the poor children of Cordel and thereby to keep St. Joseph’s Elementary school alive. With this determination, he sent two sisters everyday from Bethany to Kulshekar. Out of these two sisters one was Sr.Clare, the pioneer who was in charge of the school as Headmistress. This continued for a yearlong till the establishment of Santa Cruz Convent in Kulshekar in the year 1932. With the new community, Sr. Marianne was appointed as the headmistress of the school. Due to the hard labour of the sisters, within a year, the strength of the school increased from 4 to 200, upgrading the school as St. Joseph’s Hr. Elementary School.
At present Sr. Rita Felcy is the headmistress of the school.
2.Sacred Hearts’ secondary school, Kulshekar.
This school was established on 4th June 1943, with Mrs. Laxmi Bai as the first headmistress. Fr. Founder himself was present at the opening of the school, who led 12 children to the new school with his blessings. Today it has both Kannada and English medium sections. Over the years the school has rendered credible service to the society through the intellectual and moral formation of the young, who in course of years have carried aloft the values and ideals imbibed within its portals. The outstanding contribution of the pioneering sisters with the founder, past headmistress, staff, students and parents are worth recalling with pride.
Sr. Cicilia Mendonca is the present headmistress of the institute.
3.Infant Mary’s Orphanage, Kulshekar.
This was opened on 8th May 1944 with Sr. Verena as the first warden. It was a boon for children from the villages and remote areas who otherwise had no opportunity for education. This orphanage has been a cradle of vocations to religious life too. At present there are 80 children in our orphanage. These are from backward areas of D.k, Udupi,Bidar, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Dharward, andRaichur Districts. They have been provided with the facilities for their stay, education and integrated growth.
Sr. Jessie Preema is the present warden.
4.Sacred Hearts’ Higher Pry. ( Eng Med.) School, Kulshekar
This was an off-shoot of Sacred Hearts’ High School, started on 1st June 1964 by Sr. Agnella, the then Head Mistress and secretary of BES. Ever Since the school is growing both in quantity and quality due to the selfless contribution of the Headmistress, committed service of the staff, support from the PTA and co-operation from parents and students. TQM has been introduced in the school inorder to bring out the best from each child. In-service training programmes are conducted from time-to time for teachers, so as to facilitate them to impart quality education to the learners.
Sr. Jessie Leena is the present headmistress of the school.
5.Dubois School of Commerce(of the parish):
Sisters of Santa Cruz community have rendered service in the area of technical education too. They took charge of the commerce school of the parish w.e.f. 21st May1974 with Sr. Alodia as the principal. Excellent service was rendered by the sisters for a number of years.
6.Social Apostolate: Jeevandhara Social Service Trust of the Province was the main unit of the community through which social work is carried on. It was started on 7th May 1998.It organized self help groups, mahila mandals, children’s groups, and community college for the 50 villages of Mangalore and Udupi Districts.
7.Jeevandhara Centre: Jeevandhara Centre was separated from Jeevandhara Social Service Trust® and it works independently since June 2013. Sr Anna Maria BS is the first Director of this Centre. Sr Prema Gonsalves BS, Sr Josephine BS and many lay collaborators assist Sr Anna Maria at Jeevandhara Centre. Sr Agnes Mary BS the Superior of Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar is the Correspondent of this Centre who ably animates all its activities.
At present Jeevandhara Centre is involved with
- Women empowerment
- Trainings in vocational skills
- Dissemination of child rights and Child protection programmes
- Protecting the Rights of the construction workers and migrants in Mangalore City
- Empowering the Parent Teacher Associations of our Schools and others
- Children Parliament in Schools
- Capacity Building on Tapping Government schemes
- Developmental Sustainability
- Environmental education
- Networking with GOs, NGOs and CBOs
8.Bethany Lay Association: this is a new off shoot of Santa Cruz Convent, initiated on 29th July 2008. At present there are 25 members who share in the charism and spirituality of Bethany congregation. They also share in the pastoral and social apostolate of sisters.
Pastoral Care:
- The sisters teach Catechism in Cordel Parish and neighbouring parishes of Shaktinagar and Paldane.
- They actively participate in the Liturgical services and in Small Christian Community meetings.
- Families are visited especially of the poor, the sick and the aged to comfort them and to help them in their needs.
- First communicants are taught catechism and adults are prepared for the sacrament of marriage according to the needs.
Conclusion: The Platinum Jubilee of Santa Cruz Convent was celebrated on 19th May 2008. At present the community consists of 30 members, involved in educational, Pastoral and Social Apostolate. Sr. Agnes Mary is presently the Superior of our community. The community is vibrant with its young and experienced sisters who carry on their apostolate with the powerful protection of the Holy Redeemer whose shadow of the cross is an inspiration to all of us.
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NAME OF THE CONVENT: Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar
YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT:1932
PIONEER SUPERIOR: Sr M Zita BS
PIONEER MEMBERS : Sr Marianne BS, Sr M Gonzaga BS , Sr M Dolores BS, Sr M Celine BS and 2 postulants (Mary Quadros and Helen Pinto)
ALL THE SUPERIORS WHO SERVED THE CONVENT:
1. SR M ZITA BS
2. SR M CLARE BS -1934
3. SR M ANNUNCIATA BS-1945-48
4. SR MARIANNE BS -1948-54
5. SR M ALOYSIA BS -1954-57
6. SR M MACRA BS -1957-58
7. SR M RAPHAEL BS -1958-64
8. SR M OLIVA BS -1964-70
9. SR M HILARIA BS -1970-76
10. SR M VEERA BS -1976-79
11. SR M THEODORA BS -1979-84
12. SR M CONCETTA BS -1984-85
13. SR M ROSELYTA BS -1985-91
14. SR M GRACE IDA BS -1991-94
15. SR M EDWARD BS -1994-97
16. SR M VIRGINIA BS -1997-98
17. SR M DENZIL BS -1998-2001
18. SR LEERA MARIA BS -2001-2007
19. SR M DIVINA BS -2007-2010
20. SR M LISA BS -2010-2013
21. SR AGNES MARY BS -2013-
PRESENT SUPERIOR:Sr Agnes Mary BS
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Address :
Santa Cruz Convent
Kulshekar Post - 575005
Phone No : 0824/ 2232367
Email :