History of the Sneha Sadan Convent
Halbarga, Bhalki, Bidar

Religious Sisters belonging to the congregation of Dinasevanasabha from Nirmala Province, Mysore, Karnataka expanded the activities to the rural areas where there is a great need to care and support the poor women and children and to provide health care and educational backups.

By the constant invitations from His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Michael Miranda, the Bishop of Gulbarga, Dinasevanasabha from Nirmala Province opened Sneha Sadan Convent for the service of the poor on 15th December, 2009 at Halbarga, Bhalki Taluk in Bidar district. The bishop had been inviting us since two years to start a convent in his diocese mainly for the faith formation for the scattered catholic families. Since it was a rural area and apt for our charism, we accepted his invitation to start a convent. Bishop bought the land and built a convent and dug a bore well too.

The convent building was built and blessed by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Michael Miranda and inaugurated by Sr. Jamuna, the Assistant Superior General. Sr. Emestina, the Provincial Superior, Sr. Cecilia and Sr. Bernadette, the Councilors were present on the occasion. There was a solemn Holy mass concelebrated by Msgr. Leo Viegas, Episcopal Vicar, Fr. Santhosh and the bishop being the main celebrant. Several priests, religious and parishioners also participated in the Holy Mass and the function thereafter. This function was arranged by the parish priest Rev. Fr. Francis Fernandes, OFM Cap. and all the dignitaries were honoured during this function.

Bidar district in Karnataka state belongs to the diocese of Gulbarga. Halbarga village panchayat accommodates around 8000 people as a whole in 650 families. They belong to 25 castes and scheduled castes. It is a region of linguistic multiplicity. The commonly used languages are Kannada, Hindi, Marathi and Telugu. Halbarga mission station under the care of Capuchin Fathers is having three catholic villages and six Christian villages. The convent is situated in 2 acres of land which was purchased by the Bishop.

Parish Activities:- The sisters together with the parish priest collaborate in home visiting, prayer meeting, catechism classes and other pious associations. By living in this non Christian area the sisters witness Jesus Christ who lived among the suffering, poor and needy in the spirit and charism of Dinasevanasabha according to the teaching of Mother Petra. They witness as living gospels among the large non-Christian flock with their exemplary consecrated life. There are lots of things to be done for the people which certainly demand suffering and hard work. Dinasevanasabha sisters are always ready in Halbarga with great enthusiasm and zeal to do good to others especially the poor. Accepting the invitation from the bishop to engage in social work Sr. Thushara was sent and started social work in the year 2011 in 8 villages. Presently one sister works in the school with the capuchin fathers as a full time teacher, the second one works as a social worker and the last one as a faith formator.

No	Name	Designation	year	Remarks
01	Sr. Reena	Superior	2009 – 2011
02	Sr. Angela	Member	2009 – 2010
03	Sr. Juliana	Member	2009 – 2010
04	Sr. Ramya	Member	2010 -	7 months
05	Sr. Jincy	Member	2010 – 2011	Left for good
06	Sr. Salda	Member	2011 -	3 months
07	Sr. Jeevalatha	Member	2010 – 2012
08	Sr. Thushara	Member	2011 – 2012
09	Sr. Claret	Superior	2011 – 2013
10	Sr. Anitta	Member	2012 – 2013
11	Sr. Anitta	Superior	2013 -	Till date
12	Sr. Salda	Member	2012 -	Till date
13	Sr. Mahitha	Member	2013 -	Till date
14	Sr. Preshitha Superior	2014 -	27.05.2014
15	Sr. Emilda Member	2014-	25.05.2014