Nava Jeevan Health Centre

rajavallipuram - tirunelveli - Tamil Nadu

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HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY

The five members Tirunelveli is a land of great freedom fighters like V.O.Chidambaram, Subramania Siva and SubramaniyaBharathi. This area is also known for its history of Christian Missionaries who contributed a lot towards education and in spreading Gospel values. To mention one such Zealous missionary is a Jesuit Priest Robert D. Nobili who came and settled in a village and whose contribution to Tamil Literature is of great value.The major population of Palayamkottai zone of Tirunelveli Corporation is Christian having in it ancient churches and educational institutions.

This land is predominantly agricultural and the perennial river, Thamirabarani is the main source of irrigation and drinking. The district is also sensitive to castes and has witnessed caste clashes and violence.Strongly the caste violence is not seen between the upper caste and the Dalits but between the backward caste and the Dalits whose economic status is more or less the same. The Industries are not many to provide employment to answer the needy. The India Cement is one of the few big industries having been situated in the midst of the town Thalaiyuthu causing hazards to the people’s health.

To this land came a call for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes and three Sisters had the privilege of being chosen to come and live among the agricultural poor of this area. The three were Sr. Nirmala, the Nurse, Sr. John the Baptist, the Teacher and Sr. Shantha, the Social Worker.

It is needless to say that the area was in great need of health services and the beneficiaries were all the needy irrespective of Caste and Creed, do also the Education. Sr. John the Baptist worked in a R.C. School which was just started by the Parish Priest Fr. Anthony Muthu.

As it was already made known to the Parish Priest that they wanted to live among the Dalits the sisters lived in a small house offered by them. Mother Margaret, the then Provincial installed the sisters in 1978 at MelaIlandakulam and a hearty welcome was rendered with cultural programme organized by the Parish Priest. The sisters were fully involved in pastoral work, particularly Sr. John the Baptist.

Life went on very smoothly for almost three years. As it happens in every human organization, crisis cropped up in the life of sisters and they had to leave that village and offered to go elsewhere and there was another Parish Priest who was willing to take them in his parish.

The composition of Rajavallipuram is almost the same as that of MelaIlandakulam except for minor difference. People in this area are very co-operative even though in the beginning some youth were antagonistic, it was set right smoothly by the elders of the Dalits and slowly appreciation started growing among the people and once when there was a move to call the sisters back, the people in their own way expressed that they would perform blockade en-masse.

St. Joseph’s Convent School Building

Students in the Classroom

Cultural and Annual Day Activity

13th Annual Day

Cultural and Annual Day Activity

Sports And Extra Curricular Activities

Prayer Service In School

Value Education

APOSTOLATES OF THE COMMUNITY

EDUCATION APOSTOLATE :

St.Joseph’s Convent Nursery and Primary school, Palamadai has the joy of seeing its humble beginning, growing slowly and steadily the school had the privilege of welcoming 85 new students which added to its steady growth in humble and strength we had 10 committed staff, 2 helpers and 294 students to add to the beauty of the campus. The school conducted various programmes and competitions for the children to bring out their hidden potentials and thus to nurture their talents.

The school annual day function was a high light to exhibit their innate talents which was much appreciated by the parents.

Due to various problems our desire to start a High school still remains as a dream. Yet, we have not lost hope of realising our dream very soon.

Despite the school being situated at a distance of a kilometre, the sisters are generous and selfless in rendering their service for the growth of our school.

Family Visits And Prayer Session

Liturgy And Catechism

Family Visits And Prayer Session

Liturgy And Catechism

PASTORAL APOSTOLATE:

Life in Rajavallipuram was fulfilling for the sisters and the pastoral work was carried out among the Catholics in a nearby village, Kattampuli. As days went by, people still had confidence in the medical services of the sisters and the sisters approach was wholistic. The outcome of this was the formation of people’s health form in a village bringing in representatives from different castes. This was first of its kind in the whole of the Diocese.

House Visit

Every Thursday, we conduct pastoral house visits to connect with families in our community, offering spiritual support, counselling, addressing pastoral needs. These visits strengthen our bond and provide opportunities for personal evangelization.

Choir Practice

Weekly choir practice sessions are held on Saturday’s at kattampuli substation, enhancing the liturgical worship.

Monthly Programs ANBIAM Meetings

Conducted on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, these meetings are animated by Srs. Nirmala and pouline. These gatherings focus on Spiritual formation, community building, pastoral planning.

Catechism Classes

Held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, ensuring systematic faith formation for children and youth in our pastoral care.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION AND SUPPORT

Our community actively participates in sacramental preparation programs, particularly;

Baptism Preparation

We collaborate with substations to prepare families for the sacrament of baptism, providing catechetical instruction.

First Holy Communion Classes

Regular involvement in preparing children for their First Holy Communion, working closely with substation families.

Dispensary Building

Patient Care

HEALTH MINISTRY

Our medical apostolate is always a blessing to the patients of the place sister incharge avails herself at any part of the day and night. The total number of patients treated in the health Center from April 2024 to March 2025 4,125. We are available when they come with their problems.

Social Work Apostolate

SOCIAL WORK APOSTOLATE

PERSONS WITH DISABILITY :

World disabled day was celebrated for the first time in rajavallipuram on 08-12-24 about 60 PWD’S came for the get together. There was an input session by the social welfare board officer. He enlightened them with his talk and helped them to realise their worth, also the various schemes available for them in the government level.

Women Empowerment

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

International women’s day was celebrated on 09-03-25 about 70 widows participated in the programme. There was on input given by Karpagam, who is a social activist. She clearly spoke to them about the meaning of women’s day and the role of women in the society, she also told them about the various government scheme for the widows. She also emphasized the importance of coming together and being together in all that this group undertaken for the welfare of the widows. Mr. Nalan and Joseph also gave them their views of coming together as a group.

Coaching Classes

After re opening of the school we had started coaching classes for the poor children. There was good response from the parents to send the children. We had children from different schools. Important days like, children’s day, Teachers day, Christmas celebrations and Our Patrons day was celebrated with the children.

SCC Group

SCC GROUP

Our Community is involved in faith formation of our people in substation at Kattampuli through SCC Group ( Anbiyam ) St.Alphonsa and St.Mother Tersa Anbiyam. We gather the faithful twice a month in two groups. We together pray and share our faith experience to strengthen each other.

Josephite Students

JOSEPHITES

We are happy to have 10 Josephite students. At the beginning, the children were introduced about our congregation Sisters of St.Joseph of Tarbes and they learned about the six foundresses who came together in faith to form our congregation. This introduction helped them understand the roots of religious life and the importance of unity and prayer. The students were taught the basic prayers of the church, including the sign of the cross, our father,Hail Mary and Glory Be. To make the learning experience more engaging, bible stories and parables were shown through videos. The children watched and reflected on the Ark of Noah and some of the parables of Jesus, such as the Good Samaritan and the lost sheep etc.. These stories helped them understand values like obedience, love and forgiveness.

Lay Associates

Josephite Students

LAY ASSOCIATES

There are 10 women in the group. They meet once in fifteen days for the prayers and sharing. Sister Pouline conducted meeting for them. On 14th August 2024 be had our foundation day celebration. The lay associates took active participation.

On the whole, we are happy to give our services to people, those who come to us with faith and confidence. Lay associates who contribute significantly to all special events.