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.

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.

A Reunion to Remember - Part II

By Rajashree Vijay ('85 Batch)

My memoirs would remain incomplete without making a special mention of those friends who made it all happen. Sreelatha who ran around taking care of the decorations, the slide shows, the lamp lighting ceremony, prayers, the transportation etc,   Veera, who made it an exquisite event with her fine skills in hosting and SR Kavitha who neatly crafted the souvenirs and carried them all the way from Bangalore were among few who took the pains to make it a reunion with a difference.    The effort they put in was magnanimous, resulting in a feeling of warmth and oneness to a batch of 20 odd classmates whose existence would have otherwise remained in oblivion. Unfortunately, there were few of our friends whose pessimistic attitude made them believe that a reunion was a worthless affair and a waste of time.  I pity them for missing out on this once in a life time occasion.

I tagged my reluctant daughter along with me to the reunion that day.   At first she seemed totally disinterested but accompanied me all the same at my insistence. She was so impressed towards the end of the party that as soon as we returned home, she picked up my collection of school photos and gazed through them with the most eager expression.  I watched perplexed as she identified each one she had met earlier that day.  She began to appreciate the essence of the meeting and understood why it had brought so much joy in my life.  With a glint in her eye she smiled as she uttered, ‘Mummy, my classmates and I will have a reunion too, some day’.

A Reunion to Remember - Part I

By Rajashree Vijay ('85 Batch)

The day dawned liked any other, but it was no ordinary day.   It was the day I was waiting for anxiously since the last 25 years of my life.  It was the day we had traveled from so far to partake in a momentous event called the ‘Reunion’. The reunion excitement swelled within me, as I debated on what I would wear that afternoon.  I guess, only those who have experienced one will understand its true significance.

I opened the door to the most welcoming face that morning.  It was none other than our dear Sheroo and as she said ‘come on” I felt myself transforming into a little school girl all over again. The hall reflected the mood we felt as we hugged and welcomed our long lost friends. There were tears and smiles when Jayashree walked in.  We hugged and wept as we moaned her sister and our classmate Rajashree’s untimely demise. It was so good of her to come in support of our reunion that day.  There were also some unexpected faces.

The presentation by Cynthia and speeches by Sreelatha, Veera, Sheroo and Deepa respectively were all moments to live for.  Deepa was a natural orator.  She recalled memories that resonated within us.  Oh, all those long lost days! She characterized each teacher with perfection and a tinge of such humour, that our squeals of laughter seemed to be boundless.  We were enraptured the whole time.  The Lunch was a splurge of delicacies but unfortunately we were so preoccupied catching up, that I don’t think any of us did much justice to the food.

Soon after the celebration, we headed for Mount Carmel, our good old school.  We met Sr. Effie and the other sisters at the convent.  We walked along the same paths we did as school girls, giggling and chatting away as we remembered many funny instances of school life.  We spent a few silent moments at the chapel and as we prayed we felt a sense of divinity come over us. We then decided to pay a surprise visit to Sandra who couldn’t make it to the party as she was in her final stages of pregnancy. What an excited Sandra we met that day! Photos with Sandra in 'Visiting Classmates Post Reunion' Album.