CARMEL ILLAM, KOLAPPALLUR – 1995

It was the wish of the Southern Province during the tenure of Sr. Cleta and her Council to open a new convent in a mission station in Tamil Nadu. Sr. Sujaya, through her uncle Fr. Nanbikairaju, the Vicar General of Vellore Diocese, found a place in Kolappalur parish in the Vellore Diocese. The Provincial approached the Bishop of Vellore Diocese, Rev. Dr. Chinnappa Sdb, at Kolappallur on 19th May in the year 1995. He, in his willingness, accepted us into his diocese. Thus, we started our mission. Sr. Sujaya was the first sister in charge, and the community members were Srs. Quientilla and Pavana. An agreement was made with the Bishop that he would give the sisters an aided HM post in the RCM School (Tamil Medium) and to start a matriculation school in the parish at Kolappallur.

In August 2010, Superior General Sr. Agatha Mary met the Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Soundaraj and discussed the purchase of land for the RCM school, which belonged to the Diocese. The transaction regarding the 3 acres of land and the RCM high school building was an important milestone in history. The title deed was signed on 21st March 2011. At the request of the Bishop, the sisters started an English medium school, which was upgraded to standard X in the year 2016.

Sisters Sujaya, Quientilla, and Pavana were the first members of the community. The sisters are engaged in village apostolate, teaching catechism, visiting families, and participating in BCC prayer meetings.

We take an active part in the mission of teaching as well as pastoral work.