August 8th - Thank you to a wonderful community at Barasat..

Last rainy green days for now..... thank you for your hospitality !

Celebrating Foundation Day, Queen of the Missions school, Park Circus

August 1st marked the 64th anniversary for the Queen of the Missions school founded by the RNDM sisters at Park Circus, in Kolkata. The QMS High School celebrated with a cultural programme on Monday August 2nd, led by Principal Sister Joicy. A traditional Manipuri (North Eastern States) dance and martial arts group dazzled the students, teachers and guests.

The flower market at Howra bridge

Just after the rain on the ghats near Howra Bridge - the flower market

Back by bus to downtown Kolkata (Calcutta)

The weekly commute back to Calcutta - crazy traffic.. but time taken to sit ..

Monsoon photos

Lush green monsoon photos - water everywhere... Kalyanpur, Barasat

The class at Barasat - grew rapidly ! Many young aspirants and postulants from the North East Indian provinces - especially the area of Shillong near the border with Nepal, and from further South of West Bengal - the states of Orissa, Jharkhand and Bihar.

July 15th - A visit to Kalyanpur, South West of Kolkata, to visit a series of RNDM programmes - a dispensary, maternity clinic, an orphanage, and school. No time to go out with the mobile medical unit. We celebrated the feastday of St Bonaventure, the Franciscan - a good excuse to share a wonderful lunch with the famous Sister Bonnie of Kalyanpur!.

RNDM visit Kolkata West Bengal

Summer 2010 - West Bengal - Our Lady of the Missions in Kolkata (Calcutta)

July 1st - I arrived to a great welcome at the Provincial House at Darga road, Park Circus in downtown Calcutta, now known as Kolkata. Sr Smitha (Provincial) and Sr Minu (Bursar) rescued me at the airport. I made it back to Darga road for breakfast with Sr Mary Sebastian (Superior), Sr Pushpa (about to disappear to New Zealand) and Sr Binu (studying education and psychology in the city). Delighted to be here. I met Mamma Francis in the afternoon - an amazing 97 year old sister who thoroughly enjoys life !!
Much of my time has been spent at the Formation house in Barasat, in the lush green coutryside, about 90 minutes north of the city centre. I've given time to twenty young aspirants and postulants on language, pronunciation and creative writing !!