Christa Raj Ashram, Venur (Estd-July 8, 1972)

Initially this Convent existed mainly to keep up the faith of the converted Christians called Tulu Christians with motto of Jesus who said "there may be one flock and one shepherd These converts were basically Harijans opted to be Christians because of the missionary influence of Italian Missionaries But this caused problems as there were fewer acceptances from the old Christians and ill treatment from Jains and their plight has been pitiable it is natural that at this juncture for them to be shaken in their faith. So with a view of organizing them and improving their lot Fr. AF D'silva, Vicar of Takode to which Venur belonged as part of the parish, had a temporary chapel constructed and dedicated it to Christ the King Later on with the erection of Venur as an independent Missionary station, the new church building was a must

To such situation Jesus the Master wanted the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters to go. So on July 8th 1972 Sisters Helena, Mable, and Susheela came to Venur to be the collaborators with the parish priest Fr. Elias D'souza Staying in the parish hall for four years Sisters experienced all the possible inconveniences and later on they had their own Convent building on July 2, 1976

Sr. Helena had been already teaching in St. Jude's Higher Primary School of the parish, the School being situated at about one kilo meter from the Convent On June 1st, 1900 the administration of the school has been given to the sisters with the appointment of Sr. Mary D'souza as the first Religious Headmistress The new responsibility called for greater zeal and dedication on their part which again has been blessed with over-all improvement in the School On June 1, 1988. Sr Mary D'souza was transferred and Sr Angeline D'souza took over as Headmistress. During this time two of the 7th std students have secured Ranks in the Board Exam, only to prove the encouragement and efforts put up by the Sisters and the Staff in helping them to achieve such a great goal The new building of the School was blessed and inaugurated by Rev Basil S D'souza the Bishop of Mangalore on May 29, 1992.

Grihini Centre was started in the year 1975. The Sisters trained young illiterate girls so that they could find some means of livelihood even with self-employment The building and the establishment as well as maintenance at the beginning were funded by Misereor The parishioners gave their mite in the form of twenty muras of rice Since the Sisters served in the centre wholeheartedly other agencies stepped in with their help like Caritas. Entraide. CRS Swiss league of Catholic Women and CODP The service of the Sisters is gratefully recalled by the people as they remember their girls who learnt the skill of tailoring and managing successful life in the Grihini Center that was run by the Sisters Sr Lucy D'cunha had taught tailoring in Christu Raj Ashram till 1983 But later on as the students from far away resided in the center, the Sisters accompanied the girls during nights too Sisters work in collaboration in the parish rendering timely help and support to the Sisters of Navachethana Convent Thus the existence of Ursuline Franciscan Sisters at Venur rang the Silver Jubilee bells on July 9 1997 and the Congregation thanked Lord Jesus Christ for enabling them to spread His Kingdom

Sisters accompanied the parish priest to the St. Francis of Assisi, sub-station at Perady from 1990-1997 Sisters took up Catechism, prepared the Tulu Christians for Sacraments, taught them prayers, singing, and liturgical services Our Lady of Perpetual Succor Church at Gantalkatte was just established in the year 1988 As per the request of the Parish Priest, the Superior General agreed to send two of the Sisters on Sundays for two years to attend to the pastoral needs there. Sr Angeline D'souza and Sr Madtha DSouza went from Venur to Gantalkatte. They taught catechism, conducted choir on every Sunday They also helped in the sacristy work and church decoration on feast days

Meanwhile Sisters did continue the ministry at Christ the King Parish, Venur may it be

by attending to catechism classes both in the parish and schools took great interest in preparing the liturgy attended altar decoration and decorum, animating Marian Sodalities availing themselves totally for the pastoral ministry Sisters take keen interest in animating YCS. SCC in the wards attend parish choir, distribution of Holy Communion and encourage lay leadership in the parish No needy house escapes their sight, neither the sick and the aged nor the student's houses especially in times of death in the family. Sisters do make timely visits and console the families. When the Province was divided into zones Christu Raj Ashram had the unique opportunity becoming the centre for Venur Zone Once in three months Zonal recollections were held at Venur Sometime this centre organized picnic for the Sisters of the zone and helped in

experiencing the 'we feeling Though this Convent exists today with all the needed

facilities, initially Sisters have struggled even for water Though Parish Priest and parishioners helped the Sisters to have water facilities initially, in 2008 the bore well was dug and the need for water was met. And 200 areca and coconut saplings were planted A road was constructed from the main road to the Convent in the year 2007 Generalate helped for the renovation of Veranda including interlocks to the yard.

From December 1st, 2008 till March 31, 2010 the sisters catered to the formation of the Pre-novices who came for exposure programmme The pre-novices kept the Community lively and practiced regular house visits along with the Sisters of the Community. These visits brought them closer to the life of the people

On April 3rd, 2013 a new lay association of the congregarion was established namely UFLA Ursuline Franciscan Lay Association At present there are 22 members and Sr Anitha Rodrigues is the animator of the same. They along with sisters help in the church for arranging for mass and other activities of the church.

The existence of Ursuline Sisters at Venur has brought lot of newness and blessings to the society People appreciate the Sisters including the people of other faith As a result there have been several cases where young boys and girls wanted to be priests and religious and spread the gospel all over India.

Navachetana Convent Venoor

Navachetan Convent is situated in a nature-blessed place called Venur on the banks of the river Palguni in BelthangadyTaluk of Dakshina Kannada District, fifty-five kilometres north-east of Mangalore on the Mangalore – Dharmasthala highway. The hard work of earlier missionaries bore fruit with the establishment of Christ the King

Church in 1937. Christa Raj Ashram came into being in 1972 where the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters gave the taste of God’s love by their dedicated service at Venur. Navachetan Convent was a filial house and on August 11, 2007 it became a full-fledged community.