URSULINE SISTERS OF TILDONK RANCHI INDIA

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The Chota Nagpur Catholic Mahila Sangh

Women's Desk with C.B.C.I. Aims and Objectives of the Association New Development in the Work of Catholic Mahila Sangh (Women Assosication) The Role of the Women and the Mahila Sangh

While visiting the families in the villages, the pioneering sisters found that the tribal women were occupied only with manual work at home.  They were inspired to have them trained in some skills in some sort of uplifting work of aesthetic sense.  Mother Ursula being a dynamic Headmistress was also an expert in lace making.  Though in charge of the Primary School she began a simple workshop with 5 women in 1906.  Soon the number of lace makers increased and a bigger space was realized for their training at lace making, stitching, embroidery and other items of use to be sold to the rich.

Mother Gonzaga and Mother Angela gradually began a simple Association with these tribal women known as "Mhaila Sangh."  On Sundays they had their weekly meetings.  They received instructions in the art of bringing up of a good catholic family, exchanged news and views, shared lives, were inspired and animated in their duties and responsibilities as a mother and a wife creating Christian atmosphere in the family and the neighbourhood.  The impact of this teaching was not limited to the Lace School only.  The women of the town saw the benefit and started joining the Association.

"Christ the King" procession of 1936 was a memorable day.  Rev. Father Edward De Meulder S.J., the parish priest of Ranchi approached the Lace School Sisters and women of different tolas to be present with their respective banners written in bold letters - "Catholic Mahila Sangh" Ranchi, Pathalkudwa, Barhitoli, Siromtoli, Dangratoli, Kumhartoli etc.  This was the Baptism Day of the "Mahila Sangh".

Side by side with the Lace School, Tailoring and Weaving sections were open for women at Khunti, Tongo, Rengarih and Noatoli, parallel to formal education.  These were a great help to get Mahila Sangh better organized.  Having experienced the immense good done, other parishes started Mahila Sangh in co-operation with the religious women of other Congregations.

Remarkable progress was visible in the homes, villages and parishes since the members of the Mahila Sangh cooperated in applying the directions and instructions given for the all round development of the family.  The houses and surroundings were cleaner and hygienic with smokeless stoves; kitchen garden, flower garden beautifully laid out; devotional, decent pictures, photographs, statues, crucifixes etc. beautified the interior making it agreeable and welcoming.  One would find clothings clean and neat, self-made dresses simple and modest, children disciplined, more regular and punctual in attending schools.  Families and villages relished the Christian atmosphere of peace, love, unity, caring and sharing, contentment, cooperation, simplicity, submission and service.  These were the very inborn values of adivasi women.  They were the admiration of the Ursuline Missionaries.

Women realized the evils of drinking:- families were ruined, children dull and unhealthy, span of life short....As members of Mahila Sangh.  Later came Mother Emilie, Mother Augusta, Mother Barbara, Mother Therese, Sisters Lucy Ekka, Martine Tigga, Sophia Dungdung, Nirmala Minj, Pushpica Tigga and others who have taken great interest in women's development.

In 1962 Archbishop Pius Kerketta S.J. raised the Mahila Sangh to the comprehensive name - "The Chota Nagpur Catholic Mahila Sangh" and encouraged the clergymen to have Catholic Mahila Sangh ion all the Parishes.  He remarked that the Catholic Sabha for men and Catholic Mahila Sangh for women are the two wheels of the cart to pull and carry the burden of the diocese with him, whilst he is the driver.  This was surely an impetus for women to organize themselves with the help of the Ursuline Sisters.  Sister Martha Tirkey and Sister Celesta Nowrangi together with the members of the Executive Committee worked out the constitution which was approved by His grace in 1970 under the name - "Chota Nagpur Catholic Mahila Sangh" - "In the service of the Church and Nation." - Ranchi Archdiocese.

Since 1962, the Diocesan General Body Meeting is held every year.  Attendance from all the parishes and daughter dioceses is always encouraging.

In 1964, during the Eucharistic Congress at Bombay the Catholic Women of India organized themselves and established the "National Council of Catholic Women of India" (N>C>C>W>I>).  The Ranchi Archdiocesan Catholic Mahila Sangh got affiliation to this newly established Organization there and then.

The Diocese of Ranchi was separated from Calcutta in 1927.  Since then the church grew to such an extent that daughter dioceses had to be created.  Sambalpur, Raigarh-Ambikapur, Dibrugarh - in 1951, Ranchi (1927) was raised to the status of an Archdiocese in 1952, Jalpaiguri - 1952, Darjeeling, Jamshedpur and Dumka - 1962, Tezpur - 1964, Bhagalpur - 1965, Patna (1968) raised to the status of an Archdiocese - 1999, Daltonganj - 1971, Cuttack-Bhuwaneshwar (1937) raised to the status of an Archdiocese - 1974, Raigarh and Ambikapur separated in 1977, Raiganj - 1978, Rourkela - 1979, Muzaffarpur - 1980, Port-Blair - 1984, Gumla and Simdega-1993, Khunti-1995, Hazaribagh-1995, Guwahati-1995, Purnea and Bagdogra both-1998, Bettiah - 1999.

The above Dioceses form the "North-East Regional Catholic Conference of Women in India" and are affiliated to the National Catholic women Organization of India.

As C.C.W.I. (Catholic Conference of Women in India) is an Associate member of W.U.C.W.O. (World Union of Catholic Women's Organization) the Ranchi Archdiocesan Catholic Mahila Sangh is associated to W.U.C.W.O.

The W.U.C.W.O. had 5 World Conferences:

1. In 1975 at Mexico
2. In 1980 at Copenhagen
3. In 1985 at Nairobi
4. In 1995 at Canberra and Beijing
5. In 2001 at Rome.

Ms. Anastasia Lakra (Ranchi) and Ms. Josephine Toppo (Hazaribagh) attended the Conference at Canberra.  Ms. Rita Tirkey attended it at Rome.

Women's Desk with C.B.C.I.

In 1992 C.B>C>I> created the Office of Women's Desk Secretary in the Commission for Laity.  For Ranchi Archdiocese Sister Rose Ekka fulfilled this role till the year 2002, handing over the Banner of the Archdiocesan Mahila Sangh to Sister Emma Ekka after having a 20 year long dedicated and committed service at the helm of the Mahila Sangh as a dynamic spiritual animator.

Ranchi Archdiocesan Catholic Mahila Sangh has Neytri (Woman Leader), a monthly News Bulletin in Hindi since March 1973.  sister Martha Tirkey was its Founder Editor.  Sister Rose continues animating the members and those interested through this paper keeping up the spark lit in 1906 ever aflame.

Aims and Objectives of the Association

1. To serve the Holy Catholic Church and the Nation.
2. Ideology of the Association in the service of the Holy Catholic Church and the Nation.
3. Objectives of the Association.
   a)  To assist the members of the Association to enrich their spiritual life, to serve the Holy catholic Church and the Nation, and to present opportunities to women members in the sphere of social and humanitarian services under the guidance and direction of Rt. Reverend Archbishop.
   b)  To provide adequate opportunities to the women members and their children for their all round development and to inspire them to lead a genuine spiritual catholic life.
   c)  To help in the development of genuine christian family life from the spiritual, social, intellectual, cultural, moral, economic and political stand point.
   d)  To cooperate and participate in the celebration of social and religilous festivals in the right spirit and discourage wrong practices and rituals in these festivals.
   e)  To cooperate and participate in the celebration of social and religious festivals in the right spirit and discourage wrong practices and rituals in these festivals.
   e)  To protect the interest of the children and women irrespective of caste, creed and religion and extend co-operation and assistance to other organizations having identical aims and objectives.
   f)  To perform all functions and duties that can help achieve the above mentioned aims and objectives in accordance to the statutes of the Association and the laws of the land, e.g.:- printing of articles, journals, collection of funds, subscription from members, maintenance of the movable and immovable property of the Association.
4. Membership:- the membership shall remain open to all adult catholic women married/unmarried who reside within the parameters of Ranchi Archdiocese.
5. Central Executive Committee:- for the effective functioning of the Association, there shall be a Central Executive Committee under Rt. Rev. Archbishop of Ranchi.  The said Committee will be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the activities of the Association.  The Central Executive Committee shall be composed of the following members:-
   a)  Lady President
   b)  Lady Vice President
   c)  Lady Chief Secretary
   d)  Lady Assistant to Chief Secretary
   e)  Lady Chief Treasurer
   f)  Lady Assistant to the Chief Treasurer
   g)  Two Lady Councillors
   h)  Lady President of each Vicariate.

New Development in the Work of Catholic Mahila Sangh (Women Association)

Since the dawn of the new millennium, under the guidance of Sister Emma Ekka OSU, the Catholic Mahila Sangh of Ranchi Archdiocese involved itself more actively in the service of the Church and the nation in ecclesiastical, social, political and family struggle for peace and justice and protection of human rights in every field.  Irrespective of caste of creed, sex, or age, priests or religious, all approach Sister Emma and the Mahila Sangh Committee members to seek advice and help.

Besides Ranchi Archdiocese, sister Emma and her team visit other dioceses, their Parishes and families too.

Much effort is made to revive the life of prayer in the families and villages.  Therefore, the Mahila Sangh has renewed and reprinted the book "The Holy Hour", in Hindi, which was abandoned since 3 decades.  Women find it very helpful to pray one hour on any day and at any time of the day, alone or with the family or in group, anywhere - at home, in the Church, or at any meeting.

Secondly, on the request of the Mahila Sangh, the Holy Bible (The New Testament) is reprinted.  The cost of per copy is only Rs. 10/- and is made available to the families.

To each out to the people, the Mahila Sangh conducts its monthly meeting in different villages.  The women gather on the appointed date, at a fixed place and hold meeting.

The Impact:

• The villagers - men, women, children and youth, christians and non-christians, all alike can participate in the meeting.
• Acquaintance has grown wider.
• There is more understanding and greater solidarity among the villagers.

The Role of the Women and the Mahila Sangh

They organize as well as give Seminars on:

• Good Christian mother and leadership awareness.
• Sex and gender based issues.
• The girl child.
• Human rights.
• Self-help.
• Taking part in demonstration, drama, gherao etc.
• Net working with other denominations, learning and sharing.
• Preparing the women to take part in the meeting and workshop of C.C.W.I.

At present, four tribal women are Executive Committee Members on the National level.  The credit of the success of this important ministry goes to the Ursuline Congregation.  The members receive moral support and encouragement from every quarter.

This Women's Association gets more and more involved in the his situation of the people, Parishes and Diocese.