Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Welcome home friends, to your very own Mount Carmel Convent Anglo Indian Girl's High School Blog! This blog is an attempt to help you reconnect with your past and revive your good old school memories. How often do we get the opportunity to talk about the past....before it's too late! So lets make the most while we can still remember a thing or two of our memorable school days. A pat on our backs dear classmates, for the successful Silver Jubilee Reunion that was held on the 25th of July 2010 at The Nani Hotel, Kollam. A big round of applause to all those who travelled from far and near to attend this glorious occasion. The rain didn't dampen our spirits and the memories of the day will linger on. We are thankful to all those who contributed their valuable time to make this event a grand success and also to those who documented important parts of our school's nostalgic reminiscences. Please keep checking in for latest updates. If you are an ex-student of Mount Carmel, you are also welcome to add in your comments directly or share with us your story by sending it to us at cynthiapinto@hotmail.com and we'll post it on the blog. Thankyou.

Left: Mount Carmel Convent AIGHS, Kollam (Primary Section) Right: Mount Carmel Convent AIGHS (Secondary Section)

Our Dear Departed Principal, Rev. Sr. Mary Patricia

Our Dear Departed Principal, Rev. Sr. Mary Patricia
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Loving Tribute to Our Principal
By Cynthia Pinto

Sr. Mary Patricia was an enigmatic personality with an abundant aura of grace. Her very presence would inevitably call our attention to drop everything we did to hear her speak. I am often reminded of a few instances of my interaction with her and wish I could turn back the clock just to relive them. Throughout my student life, I realized that she was distinctively different but never fully understood her worth. I thought she rarely smiled and when she did, I knew it made a world of difference to me. So preoccupied with my own life, I never stopped a moment to think how lucky I was to be endowed with such a unique principal.

Looking back, today I have many regrets. I wish I could stop by at Mount Carmel Convent and thank her profusely even if no words were enough to do so. Though she’s no longer with us anymore, I would still like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for all the dauntless efforts she has so selflessly undertaken to uphold the spirit and motto of our school. May God grant her Soul Eternal Rest!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Boarding Life – Part I
By Elizabeth Thomas ('85 Batch)

The prayers we recited at the boarding should qualify us an entry in heaven (if St. Peter is lenient with the keys). Let’s list the major ones –

1.  Mass @ chapel ~ 6:00 -6:45 am
        2.  Prayer @ hallway ~ before school
        3.  Prayer @ area between infirmary
        4.  Rosary @ study hall ~ 6:00 pm
        5.  Night prayers @ dining hall ~ 8:00 pm

Besides the above, all meals were flanked by short prayers. And of course, you are also supposed to do your personal prayers before the holy water was sprinkled on you to enable a peaceful sleep at night and after the morning bell was rung to wake you up.  Sunday was a major prayer day. Garmented in white we either made our way to the chapel at MCC or Infant Jesus church (cathedral now).  I have to fess up that instead of paying attention to the mass, my mind often wandered to the flower arrangements and the finery that adorned the MCC chapel, perfectly coordinated with the robes the priest wore. While at IJ church I focused mostly on the choir and their fashionable clothes, hair styles and so forth. 

The study hall of the boarding was supposed to be the center of gravity for us. Between prayers, self grooming, recreation and school, we were allotted at least 3 solid hours per day. That was enough to strike a balance and avoid the ‘all play/all work’ situation. The brilliant ones simple shone in their studies (Preethi). The studious ones had opportunity to study extra hard in the upstairs study hall, sipping the coffee from the flasks which the ‘fans’ made. The not so studious ones would read M&B under the desk (mostly me) or narrate movies over the desk (mostly Veera).  Veera was a fan of actors such as Mithun & Shankar, Shirley – Kamal Hassan fan, Jaya – James Bond fan, Achumma – Amitabh fan.  Then there were the sport freaks like Jeena – fan of Kapil, Ravi Shastri, Azzar. The musically inclined ones enthralled us with live performance upon request – vocals (Veera & Shirley) and guitar (Mary Susan John). Then there were ‘the bold and the beautiful’ whom the not so bold and beautiful would admire (I dare not mention names).

Singing and dancing were very much a part of our life at MCC in preparation for feast days and house competitions. I admired the conducting and choreography by some of the prominent singers and dancers such as Achumma and Veera.  Some were adept at stage dramas such as Lynda – winner of MCC Oscars.
Boarding Life – Part II
By Elizabeth Thomas ('85 Batch)

Among other miscellaneous part of our boarding life, were visits by our parents or relatives. We enjoyed the eatables and fish pickles that they brought for us. Sometimes we managed to buy sweetmeats from across the street (Mysorepak). We also enjoyed the occasional movies and excursions that we were allowed to. I had the opportunity to do experimental stuff like cutting other's hair.  There were some others who did things like running away to their relative's place in the neighborhood.  We as friends had formed deep bonds, strong enough to last 25 years and more.  We had the privilege to familiarize ourselves with some of the sisters who would reach out to us in fellowship during the quiet moments of boarding life. Some of the nuns were very pretty. I often wondered at the conviction that led them to leave their families behind in order to choose this way of life. They taught us by being examples themselves.

I am grateful for having Sr. Thomas, Sr. Margeret, Sr. Effy,  Sr. Helen, etc., who took the place of my parents and guardians during my formative years.  I often wished some of the day scholars had stayed with us and tasted convent life briefly. We were sad at the prospect of  stepping outside the MCC walls when we had to part ways and yet excited at the thought of what life may have in store for us.  My life at MCC had groomed me into a confident person that I am today, ready to face challenges of the future.  I have also realized the impact the MCC environment has created on its alumnae bringing them success in whatever career or paths they may have chosen in life.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Inside the Convent Walls
By Elizabeth Thomas ('85 Batch)

I consider myself very lucky and grateful for the opportunity I've had to spend the best part of my life in MCC. The first time I came to MCC, I was awestruck by the colonial and catholic feel that pervaded Tangasseri. The reason, which I now realize, is that my brain was not yet a finished product then.  Sr. Thomas and Sr. Margaret with their regimented control over us made sure that our thoughts be ordered, impulses be controlled, concepts understood from day one. Sr. Patricia, Sr. Lucia, and the rest of the teaching squad were doing the same across the road from our boarding. This tight-knit school community offered its students the opportunity to learn in a comfortable and focused atmosphere and enabled them to receive individual attention.  Thus our neural foundations were laid that hard wired our brains for the rest of our lives.

The situation of MCC on the shores of the Arabian Sea, with its tall fence and stately gates gave a secure feel. I often took advantage of the slew of spots near the grotto close to the elementary school building, where I would pretend to study while watching the clouds rolling over the sea and fishing boats gently rocking on the sparkling waters, soaking up the salty air.  I would watch the parade of elegant Tangi ladies going up and down the street with their pretty dresses and coats. The “aroma” of MCC was very special, unique and engrained in our minds and memories. Sr. Patricia’s garden with its magnificent roses perfumed the air.

Sr. Patricia was known for her culinary creations. It was rumored that during feast days, she made or supervised the tastiest pork dish ever.  Towards Christmas the fragrance of wine, made by the very talented winemakers (nuns), used to infuse the convent. I could not figure out where the actual winery was. We would be in our own homes for vacation by the time the fermentation was complete and the drink ready for the table while they enjoyed the silent days.