Arpora – Canossa Convent
The Canossians opened a house in Mapusa, GOA in 1946 but was closed in 1948. Fr. Francis Rebello requested their help for St. Joseph’s High School, Arpora, so they arrived here in 1972. The Sisters began teaching in the Parish school, teaching catechism and doing pastoral work in the parish with emphasis on guiding the Small Christian Communities (SCC). Pastoral work is carried on with ever greater fervor all through the years. Very lately the Sisters began giving retreats called “Retreat in daily life” to the laity. It has proved very beneficial and is much appreciated.
In 1986 the Alcoholic Anonymous group was started and it functions very well even today. In 1990 the needlework and craft classes began which served to give jobs to the young.
The Sisters teaching in school were very dedicated and continued to form the pupils academically, morally and spiritually. Newness was brought in by one of the Sisters who was the headmistress of the parish school.
A new Convent was built in 1994. The old one was lent to the Canossian fathers who had just arrived from Italy and needed a place for formation of young recruits. The young boys who followed academic studies were also trained for their future career. They left the place in 2020 and continued their apostolate in North Kerala. The Sisters now used the premises for their Socio pastoral work. A vibrant Sister started Programmes for the welfare of migrants, a health center, beautician and craft courses and advocacy work for the trafficking of children. Thus the Sisters reach out to many other villages of Goa bringing compassion, joy and new life to many.