Convent of Jesus and Mary, The Leadership Training Centre Khandala is situated at Nun’s hills, a hill resort on the Mumbai Pune Highway. The original three buildings on the premises were for the Sisters and the children of the Boarding school of Poona Convent. Bombay House was used as a respite from the heat of the plains for the Sisters of Mumbai and Gujarat. The present three buildings are the Prayer House, Prem Dan and Bombay House (Convent Villa) situated on the hills sprawling over 29. 82 acres of land. On the top most point of the hill is the Grotto of our Blessed Mother with the four mysteries of the Rosary depicted in pictures connected with Rosary beads and placards of Prayer implanted at various positions and leading up to the hill is the Station of the Cross well designed by Sr. Alphonso Joseph RJM and assisted by then Parish Priest of Lonavala Fr. Edwin in the year 2002. This is now becoming a place of pilgrimage being visited by people from various locations around. The second building – Prem Dan was renovated in 2007 by Sr. Felicity Morris RJM as a holiday home and camping activities for the boarders of Prem Dan, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, children of our mission houses and also children of other institutions in Mumbai associated with Prem Dan.
This place lends itself to the ambiance of prayer and quiet moments in the lap of nature. It is so much appreciated by the persons who have visited the place. To quote the words of Late Archbishop of Delhi Agnelo Fernandes in 1978 – “Exquisitely simple and simply exquisite.
The property was purchased by Mother St. Lydie Bouvet, Superior of the Poona Convent in 1901. Earlier it was a bequest from the generous legacy of the former pupil to purchase a property at Khandala Ghat fifty Kilometers from Poona. In 1932 Mt. St. Elisenda (Spanish), the new Superior of Clare Road bought from the Committee of the European Hospital Endowment Fund, a Convalescent Home to serve as a holiday house for the Sisters of the Bombay Community.
The House of Prayer had its humble beginning in 1974 during the term of the then Provincial Mt. Sacred Heart Me Gethric. It was the brain wave of Sr. Mary of Jesus Pinto. On 15th December 1974, after the final stage of their hard work in renovating the standing structure M. Sacred Heart Mc. Gerthic and Sr. Mary of Jesus Pinto came in with the first group of Sisters – Sr. German Robbins, Sr. Hyacithia D’Souza and Sr. Rita Rodrigues to work here. They were not alone. The group of Sisters came in from Pune every day. Sr. Provincial, Sr. Christopher Vieyra, Sr. Brenda O’sullivan and Sr. Mary of Jesus Pinto were there to support the three pioneers in every way spiritually and finically – the true spirit of our Mother Foundress. 20th December was fixed for the solemn blessing of the house. The Sisters were blessed to have our Rev Mt. General Sr. Therese Pouline and her councillors, Sr. Gonzaga Carbery and Sr. Lourdes Rousell on this joyous occasion. The Solemn Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Vande Walle S.J Devotional and heart rendering hymns were conducted by Sr. Marie Therese Norton. On 24th December 1974 Sr. Mary of Jesus Pinto thought it fitting to take the community to Pune for the Christmas Celebrations.
The first Retreat in the house was for the Superiors animated by Fr. Allwyn D’Silva S.J. on 27th December 1974. Sr. Christine an Anglican Sister was also one of the group.
Activities: Over the years there was a growing expansion of our services at our Retreat House. The Retreat House has lent itself for retreats not only to the Sisters of Jesus and Mary but also to Bishops, Priests, Scholastics and the religious of the surrounding Dioceses. Seminars, Recollection, Orientation in Preparation for Confirmation groups, Teachers, Parish Council Members, Various church organizations and the laity too have come to our home for prayer quiet times and relaxation to refresh and renew themselves. Bombay House opens itself for family get – togethers, one day picnics. In the spirit of ecumenism, we welcome groups of Protestants and people of other Faiths too.
Personnel: The first Superior was Sr. German Robbins (2 years) who handed over the baton to Sr. Ulrica Ferrao (9 years) who in turn was replaced by Sr. Vincent Gonsalves (3 years), Sr. Helen Santos(3 years), then Sr. Richard Joseph(9 years), Sr. Alphonso Joseph( 9 years), Sr. Ida Fernandes (3 years) Sr. Edel D’Souza (2 years), Prudence D’souza (3 years) Sr. Agatha Rodrigues (5 years) Sr. Philomina Barla (3 years) and at present Sr. Ida Alphonso along with host of other sisters over the years.
Conclusion : At present The leadership Training Centre functions with a Community of 6 sisters in collaboration with a dedicated band of helpers. . Prem Dan continues to host camps for the underpriviledged children of our different schools in Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmednagar.