As we come to the close of our six-month Apostolic Orientation Programme, we would first like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for journeying closely with us and for His constant guidance throughout this time of learning period. We too sincerely thank our dear Sister Mary Chetana and her council members for allowing us to have this programme.
Our programme began on July 1st, 2025, with the celebration of the Holy Mass at 9:00 A.M., offered by Fr. James, the Vicar General of the Patna Diocese. Following the Mass, Sr. M. Alice, Provincial Superior of Assumption Province, addressed us with inspiring words and assured us of the prayers of all the sisters, encouraging us to begin our AOP with enthusiasm and joy.
The very next day, we commenced our regular classes. The subjects we were taught included:
English, Phonics, Mathematics, Environmental Studies (EVS), Teaching Skills, Principles of Education, Catechism, Psychology, Computer, Hindi, Health and Hygiene, World View Perspectives, Myers-Briggs, and Physical Training.
The purpose of this six-months programme was to prepare ourselves to become effective and compassionate teachers. Each subject offered us new insights and helped us to expand our knowledge. Besides our academic classes, we participated in a variety of extracurricular activities such as Poem Recitation, Elocution Contest, Spelling Contest, Storytelling Competition, Rhymes, and General Knowledge Competitions. These activities helped us gain self-confidence, develop voice modulation, explore creative expression, and learn techniques for memorization. The pieces we presented were relevant to present realities—humorous, inspiring, and rich with meaningful messages.
To broaden our knowledge, we were also taken on educational tours. A visit to the Bihar Museum deepened our understanding of the state’s rich history. At Bapu Tower, we revisited the life and legacy of our National Father, Mahatma Gandhi, and reflected on the struggles he endured to uplift our nation.We appreciate those who took the time to create it so creatively.
Our visit to the Science Centre was equally enriching. We engaged in hands-on experiments that helped us understand Newton’s laws of force and energy, human development, the diversity of cereals grown in Bihar, and recent discoveries in space science. These experiences made science come alive in practical and memorable ways.
Before beginning our teaching practice, we observed classes at Montessori, Notre Dame Primary, and Julie Schools. These observations gave us valuable insights into classroom management, time discipline, creative teaching methods, and the importance of integrating moral values into every subject. The constant support and tireless efforts of Sr. Mary Tessy and Sr. Mary Renu during our peer teaching sessions made our practice both effective and meaningful. The lessons taught by our teacher-sisters were applicable in our classrooms, and daily evaluations helped us improve steadily. We found deep joy in teaching the little ones.
Living in a large community of sisters from various age groups was a blessing. Daily interactions with them, listening to their experiences and wisdom, encouraged us to persevere in our learning journey. Their prayers, appreciation, and positive affirmations uplifted us continually. We also had the opportunity to contribute to community life by assisting in various activities and participating in celebrations and programmes.
As we conclude, we express our sincere gratitude to our dear Sr. M. Tessy for her thoughtful guidance and unwavering support. Her thoughtfulpreplanning made our learning journey smooth and fruitful. We found her to be loving, gentle, patient, and deeply committed to the mission entrusted to her. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all our teacher-sisters for their patience, love, and willingness to teach us with such dedication.
This Apostolic Orientation Programme has been a truly enriching and transformative experience for us. We carry forward the knowledge, values, and inspiration we have received, ready to serve with love and purpose.
Sr. Mary Neha, Sr. Mary Sukmani,Sr. Mary Reshma and Sr. Mary Selma