Shrirampur – Canossa Convent
The Bishop of Nashik and FR. James Shelke the Parish priest invited the Canossian Sisters to work for the people of Shrirampur and the villages around it because it is a rather backward area. The people here were exploited by the higher class people hence they remained jobless. The three Canossians arrived Shrirampur in 1889 and were warmly welcomed in the premises near the Parish house. They were invited to help in the Socio-Pastoral development of the people through catechesis in the catechetical center. The Sisters gave importance to their spiritual, moral and psychological development. A hostel for young girls seemed a great need so the few girls looked after by the Sisters found accommodation near the technical school. Later the Convent and hostel was built at Shirasgaon and the college girls were given an all-round formation. Coaching and tuition classes helped them greatly.
Sisters soon began other initiatives such as Tailoring for drop outs and they also kept up their culture of cultivating the land around the hostel.
Empowerment Programmes of Mahila mandals, adult literacy, health workers began in many villages around. A small-scale industry i.e. book making unit was started in 1995. In 1997 the Loyola Gramin Cooperative bank was registered, Milk cooperatives and such like job-based projects were very helpful.
In 2001 a high school boarding was opened which has proved beneficial to the Dalits who have taken advantage of the education provided.