CLARET NIKETAN Bangalore KARNATAKA Personnel Fr. Joseph Ammaikunnel Fr. Joseph Koonath Fr. Mathew Valliarumpeth Fr. Mathew Pettayil

Satna is one of the northern districts of Madhya Pradesh. Mar Mathew Vaniakizekkel, bishop of Satna diocese invited Claretians of St Thomas Delegation to begin a school in his diocese. Responding to this invitation and after a study about the need and scope for a school in this area we opened St Claret Residential School under the initiatives of Fr. Benny Tharappel on 8 July 2002. In the initial stages, staying in St Ephrem’s Theological College we carried out the missionary activities here. In the same year three of our students also started their theological studies in this Seminary.On 10 November 2003 the administrative block of St Claret School was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Augustine Mundiath and blessed by Rev. Fr. Jose Parayaruthottam, the Vicar General of Satna diocese. On 9 December Mar Mathew Vaniakizhakkel blessed the temporary hostel for the staff along with the prayer hall.

The General Government raised Claret Niketan as a house in March 2004. There is vast hope for evangelization and missionary activities in this region. Once the school is established our missionaries plan to enter into apostolic and social activities here. The Province also plans to make Claret Niketan a study house for the students of theology.