Sr M Shwetha BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Bethany Lay Associates meeting
Evening School
Little Way Association
St Joseph’s Convent, Chittaranjan has a glorious history. The railway administration requested the Catholic Church for a team of Sisters to open a School for the benefit of railway employees. In response the Sisters of Chambery of Nagpur were invited in 1950. The Sisters of St Joseph of Chambery who cradled this institute for 29 years left the place on 31 December 1980. On 2 January 1981 the Sisters of Apostolic Carmel, took over the School, with all its assets and obligations. A Hindi Medium Primary School was also opened by them. On 2 July 1990 on completing their contract with the Archdiocese, they left the place.
In the mean time Most Rev Henry D’Souza, the Archbishop of Kolkata diocese, invited the Bethany Sisters to take over the administration and the management of St Joseph’s Convent High School as well as the St Joseph’s Hindi Primary School. The invitation was accepted and the first batch of Sisters reached Chittaranjan for the new academic session in June 1990. The community was canonically erected on 30 June 1990 with Sr Edleburgh as Superior. Late Mother Justina, Sr Titus, Sr Sandhya, Sr Shwetha, Sr Claudius and Sr Kanthi were the community members. They were warmly welcomed by the parishioners, staff and students. Sr Edleburgh took charge as the Principal and Sr Cleopha, Sr Sapientia, Sr Ordilia, Sr Caron, Sr Teresa Martis and Sr Shwetha carried on the baton of responsibility as Principals of this prestigious institution. Each one of them has elevated the School to greater heights through their broad vision. Sr Claudius was the first headmistress who took up the task of teaching at the Railway’s Hindi Primary School assisted by Sr Kanthi. Reading the signs of the time the Hindi Primary School was converted into CBSE English medium school in the year 2012 with Sr Preetam as the Headmistress and Sr Leena Miranda is now the present Principal.
In 1998 the Asansol Diocese was carved out from the Calcutta Archdiocese and Chittaranjan came under the jurisdiction of this diocese headed by Most Rev Cyprian Monis.
Much care is taken to keep up quality in all spheres. All round development, value based education, development of personality, computer education and Leadership Training are given prime importance. The institutes kept growing in number and merit. There are a mixed group of children and parents to deal with, hailing from different parts of India as they are employees of the Central Railway Locomotive Engine Producing Company.
St. Joseph, Chittaranjan was not an easy place to work, but every challenge has made Bethany grow and mature. From the very beginning the Sisters were occupying two Railway Quarters for their residence and a few renovations were taken in the later years for the betterment of the Sisters. The Sisters are actively involved in the faith formation of Catholic families through their participation in various associations, family visits and prayers.
The school is extending non-formal education to the School drop-outs and to the less privileged of the locality through evening school. The evening school is organized systematically.
Year of establishment: 30.06.1990