God in His own unique ways is at work to find labourers in his vineyard. He chooses and appoints to the one who responds to His call freely and spontaneously. His very words “I am sending you like lambs among wolves, don’t take a purse or a beggars bag or shoes, don’t stop to greet anyone one on the road. Whenever you go into a house first say peace be with this house”. This missionary zeal became the part and parcel of life, of our two sisters Gema and Juliana during their fieldwork at Canacona.
The two of them felt the urgent need to reach out in service to the people of Canacona. After finishing their course of community development at Madras. They were not at peace and reported the miserable condition of the people to the Superior General and expressed their desire and interest to work for the people of Canacona especially at the areas of Kotigaum, Zintavaddo and Gaumdongrim. The people lived a very simple and hard life towards the interior parts of the village, which is surrounded by rivers, valleys and ghats. They had no knowledge of other religion. They lived in utter poverty. In their sickness and difficulties they never went to the doctor or asked help from any one rather they would die and lived a fearful life.
The parish priest of Chaudi, Batpal, Sadolxem and others parishes felt the urgent need and invited the sisters to work for the upliftment of the people. Trusting in the Divine Providence our sisters took the challenge and landed to the interior place crossing the ghats in the heart of Canacona on the feast of Mary Immaculate Conception i.e. 8th Dec1976. The parish priest and the parishners helped the sisters in arranging a house for the stay. Mother Gertrude and Sr. Angela came along with the two Srs.Gema and Fremiot to continue the work inspired.
The sisters carried on the work visiting the people and families. In the process of their visiting they started to know and understand the problems and difficulties and were able to cater to their needs. They started tailoring classes at Chaudi to the young girls and women, teaching catechism to the children, preparing them for the sacrament of communion and conformation.
At the request of the parish priest sisters started tailoring classes at Batpal, SadolxemGalgibaga and Agonda for which days were marked accordingly. They also helped and with the help of the parish priest made necessary arrangements for the requirements of the people. In 1978 with the help of Dr. Norton Gomes from Loutolim, sisters started mobile dispensary work at Xellim and Sadolxem. On 9th April, 1978, mobile dispensary work started at Zintavaddo and Gaumdongrim.
The sisters at the initial stages had to struggle a lot, as they had no proper residence and often had to shift from one place to another. But the zeal and missionary enthusiasm never made them tired to continuously work in the Lords vineyard.
Today, our sisters work vibrantly and effectively in the parish engaging themselves in all the parish activities, visiting the people and being one with them in moments of joy and sorrow. We have a pre- primary running; very in we have nearly 150 students coming in our school. Day in and day out we have just one aim in our mind and heart to be a reflection of God’s love through our humble service without counting the cost.