Sr M Elizabeth Rani
Superior
2020-2023
Bethany convent, Uppudi, AP :2021-2022
Sr Nirmala Mary BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Social work team - Uppudi
After the closing of the Bethany convent at Thadepalli; Guntur – Vijayawada on 3rd April 2007 keeping this view in mind, Rev.Sr. Theresild the provincial superior along with her councilors & Superior of St Antony’s convent Antony nager Rev. Sr Judi Varghese the Superior & the community went around several places of the diocese like Warangal, Nalgonda, Khammam, Vijayawada Eluru & arch Diocese of Hyderabad for a suitable places to establish a new community to serve the Lord & His people .Finally by the grace of God we got a stable place to carry out Bethany’s vision and chrism to flourish at Uppudi in Katrenekona mandal of East Godavari Distict,in Eluru Diocese of Andhra Presesh
There are 800 families living in uppudi in 30 villages. People belong to different caste and catholic community belongs to Dalit community. The non-christans are economically well to do and have well appreciation towards Catholics and church. Here Catholics are economically and educationally poor and they work in the fields and houses of Reddies. Keeping in view of the Bethany Charism and spirituality the Superior General decided to start the Bethany convent and asked the Provincial Sr.Theresild to the same.
In Feb11 2008th the land was brought paying 3394937.the same day 2 archers and 69 cents was purchased
The old building which was on the road side was renovated and is used as the convent from then.Sr.Annie George,Sr.Tresa Cheriian Sr.Judy Varghese and Sr.Merlin Joseph of Stanton’s convent has done the beginning work here. on 2oo8 may 8th the convent was opened in Katrenekona in RCM mondal.the holy Eucharist was celebrated by Mngr.Belthasar VG of the Elureu Diocese .then the superior General Sr.Jyoti read the decree of the opening of the convent. Provincial Superior Rv.Sr.Theresild, Rev.Fr.Innaih and the parishners attended the programme.the new community was begun with Sr.Judy as the animator, Sr.Annie George, Sr.Merlin and Sr.Rani Maria were the Pioneering Members.
They under took Pastoral work, social work and education as the stream of their ministry and Re.v.Fr.Innaih supported and encouraged sisters in all their endevers.in 2008 the community received the Hilton fund for the rural development programme.they conducted survey of the village and took classes for the women, youth and children etc… house visits were being carried out to strengthen the relationship with the neighbors. In 2009 the community received the Project from Manos Unidas for the Integrated Rural development programme from Germany for three years. The second phase of the project was sanctioned in 2015 for three years. And now the social work activities are carried out under the leadership of Sr.Reji Kuriakose, the social work Co-Ordinator of the Community and Sr.Sheeba for the medical apostolate. The different activities of this project are as follows.
a)Animation of peoples organization
b)Literacy programme for children
c)Peoples movement for rural development
d)Quality community health care through Integrated community health programme
e)Capacity building programme for the staff
f)Net working with the various organizations
These programmes are carried out through tailoring class for womn,electrical and computer classes for youth and children,health care in villages and school health education programme and animation of Children’s women and youth SHG’s etc
In 2009 with 40 children the KG session was started. In the year of 2012 Sr.Sherly became the principal of the School and during that year completed the work of the first floor of the school. In 2014 Sr.Silvi became the Principal of the school .in 29/5/14 Sr.Sheeba became the animator of the community. At present the Sisters are Sr.Sheeba Anto, Sr.Silvi Sr.Reji Kuriakose and Sr.Nirmala. The mission of the community are pastoral work, social work, medical care and education .this year the school also received the recognition for the high Section. At present there are 360 children are studying in the school. And school is developing catering to the educational need of the area. Sisters take keen interest in the all-round growth and development of the people around in the school and the villages and assist in the spiritual growth of the faithful. The persons and the services of the sisters are appreciated by the people of the locality.Sr Nirmala Mary BS is the present superior.
Year of establishment – 06.05.2008