Carmel Convent, Ranchi
“I was not afraid of anything – I was ardent and full of zeal to begin my work among the people whom St.Francis Xavier had evangelized” –Mother Veronica.
Mother Veronica’s zeal was prophetic, as she showed special love in serving the poor, the downtrodden, the orphans and the sick.
The call of the Church was urgent. Christ waited for the Apostolic Carmel Sisters to respond generously in serving him, in the poor, hardworking Catholics of Samlong, Ranchi, Jharkhand, a village, a couple of miles away from the town. Archbishop Pius Kerketta S.J., of the Archdiocese of Ranchi – Jharkhand, found that the rural Catholics of Samlong, Ranchi, needed a High School to give them a necessary push, through education for the shy, reticent girls of Samlong. They could not afford to go all the way to the town school. In January 1968, His Grace, Archbishop Pius Kerketta S.J., of the Archdiocese of Ranchi requested the Apostolic Carmel Sisters to open a Hindi Medium High School in Samlong, Ranchi, Jharkhand, to give good education to the girls of the locality of Samlong.
The Superior General, Mother Theodosia A.C., and the Regional Superior of the Northern Region Sister Bernard A. C. acceded to the request of the Archbishop Pius Kerketta S.J. The Parish Priest Fr. Duart S. J., forestalling the eager response of the sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, started Class VIII in the parish premises with Sushila Xalxo in charge temporarily, till the arrival of the sisters.
On 9 April, 1968 the Regional Superior, Sister Bernard A.C, brought the youthful, zealous Sister Marie Therese A. C, to be in charge of the infant High School. 15 June, 1968 was a red letter day. Sister Marie Therese, with Sister Victoria as her support, began their mission zealously, lodging, for some months, in St. Anne’s Novitiate till the convent was ready to start the new community. Mother Sevika, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Ann, at the request of Archbishop Pius Kerketta S.J., extended to them her warm hospitality. We remain ever grateful to her for her great help. The Apostolic Carmel sisters stayed with them for five months.
1 August, 1968, saw the community established in a little rented house belonging to Mr. Pankaj. With grateful hearts, the sisters bade goodbye to Mother Sevika and her sisters and left their house for good. The first community consisted of five sisters – Sister Mercia, Sister in-charge, Sisters Victoria, Gelasia, Marie Therese and Rosemina.
22 September, 1968, will ever remain a significant milestone in the pioneering days of Samlong, Ranchi. Dacoits attacked the house surmising that the truck which had arrived the previous day, had brought valuables. They fled with all the boxes, after hitting Sisters Bernard and Gelasia on the head. So, it was a precious foundation built on the A.C blood of Sisters Bernard and Gelasia.
The first Christmas in Samlong, celebrated on 25 December, 1968, brought great cheer to the faces of 50 old men and women, as they joyfully shared the meal provided by the sisters. According to Sister Bernard’s special programme, 265 poor children of the locality joyously danced round the Christmas tree, prepared for them by the sisters.
Carmel Girls High School (Hindi Medium) is affiliated to the Jharkhand Board,
At present-
Headmistress –Sister. Shristi A.C.
No. of Students- ----- 800
No. of Teaching Staff- 15.
Carmel ICSE School is affiliated to the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations-New Delhi
Principal Sister. Delia A.C.
No. of Students -------1400
No. of Teaching Staff – 38
Both the Schools strive hard to maintain the standard. Both the schools have been securing cent per cent passes.
The aim of our institutions is to impart to our students value- based education- love for God and love for human beings character formation, discipline, respect for all and social concern. They are given ample opportunity and exposure to bring out their talents, their potential and creativity, so that they become committed, confident and serviceable citizens of our country.
The sisters are also involved in the social Apostolate – they visit poor families, the sick and the suffering, help the needy, show concern for those with problems and sorrow due to the loss of a dear one or any other misfortune. Our staff and students are also involved in our apostolate. They cooperate, giving their time, and guide the students especially in time of natural calamities. Remedial classes are conducted for the slow learners after school hours. At present, the students of Class IX of Carmel ICSE School are selected for the “Service learning Programme''. A sister and four teachers are appointed to guide the students. The School collaborates with the rag pickers, Education and Development schemes, organized by the Marianist Society, for the rag pickers’ children in Lowadih, Ranchi,. The students go to this centre on Saturdays and teach them the 3Rs –Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, Health and Hygiene, games and songs. They occasionally visit their families to get acquainted with their living conditions. They come across their broken houses, poverty, lack of clothes, etc. They learn to be compassionate and to share with the poor.
At present, Carmel Convent, Samlong, Ranchi, Jharkhand has eight sisters. Sister Zeena Crasta A.C. is the animator of the community.
The Jharkhand Chief Minister, is Shri Raghubar Das and the Governor is Shri Mathi Draupadi Murmu. There is always a disturbance in one part of the state or the other. There is no development; the government offices process slowly. The Education Department too is very slow in its work. There is not much progress or development in the state. The law and order situation is poor.
The sisters experience God’s blessings and support in prayer in all their undertakings and endeavors. They strive with all their limitations, to be committed to their responsibilities in the service of the Church and Society.