Dhule – Canossa Convent
The Convent was opened at the request of Fr. Vinas S.J with the consent of Rt. Rev. Andrew D’Souza, Bishop of Poona. In 1960, four Sisters arrived here being lodged in a rented place near the Church. As people clamored for English medium school, it began with about 200 children. The Sisters managed to buy a plot in Chalisgaon road, built a few classrooms and the school was shifted there in 1961. Later St Xavier’s Jesuit high school was started for the boys after studying till the V standard in our school. By 1968 the Canossian high school building was completed and ever since then the school kept growing forming thousands of children who were proud of its values and academic excellence.
In 1963 a craft Training Centre (training for baskets, brooms etc.) was started to train poor women rendered jobless because of the indefinite closure of the mills. It was closed after a few years. In 1979 there was a bifurcation of the school. The K.G and Primary sections were shifted to St. Xavier’s grounds with an independent community resident there. The high school remained in Chalisgaon road with its own community. The School now became co-educational.
This school has produced students of high caliber in the various professional fields, serving humanity with dedication and skill. Important to note is that the poor, from slums and struggling families get admission in this government aided school.
The Sisters are also involved in socio pastoral activities in Youth groups, Sunday School, attending Parish Council, visiting families and hospitals and even the central jail. This work had its beginning when Sisters first arrived. They visited villages with medical aid. Soon a new center sprang up in Shirpur and it became a Convent in 1964
The people are ever grateful for the light that ever shines from the Sisters and students of this place.