First branch for Mother Teresa's missionary work marks 50 years

CARAMBOLIM: The first branch for Mother Teresa's missionary work in Goa was set up in an old traditional house here donated by a devout priest in this quiet village.
Another priest, Fr Mario da Santa Rita Vas, who ran a school in the vicinity, had invited Mother Teresa and five sisters, Sr M Pauline, Sr M Gerard, Sr M Joseph Michael, Sr Juliana to start their missionary work.
The team led by the saintly nun boarded the steam ship "Sabarmati" and arrived in Goa on their mission in 1964.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2014, the Sisters of Blessed Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity completed 50 years since their first arrival in Goa.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao was the main celebrant at the thanksgiving Mass, along with other priests from the surrounding parishes. The Mass was offered at Mogadan, the new spacious convent, barely 300 metres from the old house.
Hundreds of faithful and well wishers participated in the mass. In his homily the Archbishop said that Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata came to open a branch in Goa because she did hear the call from the Risen Lord Jesus Christ guiding her to 'Go and be my witness to the world' and 'Mogadan' the gift of love is the humble outcome of her great work. The sisters expressed their gratitude to all the priests and benefactors who helped and supported them through this journey of 50 years.
The old house, from which the sisters have shifted now, remains blessed as it provided a homely atmosphere during Mother Teresa's four other visits here.
The sisters now operate from three other houses in Quepem, Cotto in Cuncolim and Panaji.
For just over three decades, the old premises housed some of the finest nuns who did their two-year formation course through Institute of Mater Dei, Old Goa, before being deputed to other parts of the world. The expansion process took off just as Mother Teresa's fame did, an accreditation for her tremendous work with the poor and for the poorest of the poor.
The house was expanded to accommodate around 20 female destitute inmates and abandoned children who later found a foster home. The branch operated a mobile dispensary, offering medical care on weekly basis to the neighbouring villagers afflicted with different type of ailments. It also provided the highly nutritious bulgur, milk, oil and clothing donated by Caritas international on a regular basis, a noble humanitarian service. At present they care for around 100 sick and abandoned women