Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary

'Come and See'

Background

The Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary was founded by Mother Ascencion Nicol in 1918 in Peru working in the jungles of the vast Amazon. Since then, they have spread throughout the world in countries like Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Taiwan, Phillipines, Australia, Mozambique, Congo, Angola, Cameroon, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and last, but not least, India

The Sisters first came to India in 1954. From small humble beginnings working in the slums of Gomtipur, they have spread to Balasinor, Baroda, Kawant & Ghatkopar(Bombay). The last mentioned place is located within the Parksite Parish.

Activities

The Sisters work in following areas

• Apostolate of Healing: The sisters run small dispensaries in poor areas. In the parish area, they run a dispensary for the poor and for people living in the slums. This helps keep them in touch with families and how they become victims of an immense structure of exploitation at every level. This results in a process of healing that is beyond giving medicine.
• Education: The sisters run a number of non-formal educational programs for children and women in particular. These include 'Balwadis'(for pre-school going children), Stitching classes, Health education for women through Mahila Mandals and similar programs. These programs are geared towards the poor, who cannot afford an education in the present system. These help them to generate income and create an awareness for a better world.
• Community Building: The Sisters believe division among the poor is a major block to development. Thus they help in organizing communities through quasi conscientization programs so that a joint cooperative effort can be initiated by the poor to maintain their identity, self-respect, and hopefully become self-reliant.
• Socio-Economic Programs: These include various employment based activities. In the parish area, they have provisions for securing employment for needy persons. In other areas, they run St. Mary's Mahila Shikshan Kendra, a woman's organization that produces handicrafts for the national and world markets.

The local Missionary Dominican Sisters are divided into two groups

1. Formation House

   Sr. Salome Orliz	Co-ordinator
   Sr. Edna Furtado	Catechist
   Sr. Metty Thomas	Catechist
   In addition, there are 5 Postulants

   Note: Sr. Edna Furtado also works with Samaj Seva Niketan.

2. Samaj Seva Niketan

   The Samaj Seva Niketan is a purely voluntary organization run solely by the Missionary Dominican Sisters for the benefit and welfare of society's downtrodden.

   Sr. Anice Thomas	Co-ordinator
   Sr. Rosario Pereria	Retired
   Sr. Shali Joseph	Catechist

   The activities of Samaj Seva Niketan include running a Balwadi and a Creche, working with Rag pickers, conducting Stitching classes and coaching classes, and operating a Dispensary. They also participate in rallies for various causes and cooperate with other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO'S).
   For more details, contact Sr. Anice Thomas.