Three consecrated religious belonging to the Poor Sisters of Our Lady religious order arrived in the diocese from Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, April 28.
Sisters Fiona Carneiro, PSOL (Poor Sisters of Our Lady); Kavita Yeole, PSOL and Sushila Kasdekar, PSOL will serve in Zanesville. The three were greeted by Father Dave Young, pastor at Zanesville St. Nicholas and St. Thomas Aquinas churches, after a 30-hour flight.
The Poor Sisters of Our Lady order is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, located in the country’s western peninsular region. Sister Dr. Romana Fernandes, PSOL serves as the order’s superior.
Sister Fiona will serve as the sisters’ local superior in Zanesville.
The sisters have foundations across the world. The community’s most recent establishment in the Columbus diocese is their first in the United States.
The sisters will live in the former rectory at St. Nicholas Church. Parishioners of Zanesville’s two Catholics churches worked to transform the rectory into a convent.
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Sister John Paul Maher, OP (Order of Preachers), assistant superintendent for Catholic culture in the diocese’s Office of Catholic Schools, was instrumental in the convent design and development.
The three sisters will acclimate to their new environment during the summer before teaching at Zanesville Bishop Fenwick School, which serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade, this fall. The sisters are experienced educators, holding degrees in teaching and having previously taught English and history.
“The presence of sisters within our school community is such a beautiful witness for our students and families. Their joyful example of faith, service and vocation will help bring Christ to life in a very real way for children each day,” principal Gail Murrell said.
“We are incredibly blessed to welcome them into our Bishop Fenwick community. I know their presence will help our students continue to grow not only academically but spiritually as well.”
A reception to welcome the order was held Sunday, May 3 in the Bishop Fenwick school gymnasium. Parishioners of the Zanesville parishes were present to welcome them.
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Attendees enjoyed traditional reception food and Indian cuisine.
The Friends of the Little Flower, a group of women from St. Nicholas and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes, will help the sisters settle into their home. The group’s name is a nod to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, patron saint of missions.
The Friends of the Little Flower helped prepare for the sisters’ arrival. They will assist the religious with transportation, groceries and meals.