By Neticia Pereira, Communication Officer, India, (Province of Central East India Nepal)
Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd marked a significant milestone on June 3, 2026, with the blessing and inauguration of the Working Women’s Hostel ‘Sarita’ in Andheri West, a neighborhood in Mumbai, India. Established to provide safe, affordable, and dignified accommodation for women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the hostel reflects the Good Shepherd mission’s enduring commitment to empowering women and promoting their well-being.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Archbishop John Rodrigues, who blessed the newly completed hostel and led a Thanksgiving Mass, with priests, sisters, partners-in-mission, donors, and parishioners in attendance. The celebration opened with a vibrant cultural welcome from domestic migrant workers, symbolizing the hope and hospitality that the hostel seeks to offer every resident.
Strategically located near Good Shepherd Church in Andheri, the five-story hostel has been strategically designed to meet the needs of working women who move to the city in search of employment. It offers single and shared rooms, dormitory-style accommodation, a library, a prayer room, a kitchen, a spacious dining hall, CCTV surveillance, and round-the-clock security. Sarita provides not only a place to stay but a nurturing environment where women can live with confidence, safety, and dignity.
In his sermon, Archbishop Rodrigues reminded those gathered that the hostel is much more than a physical structure — it is a visible sign of the congregation’s mission to empower lives, uphold rights and restore dignity to girls, women, and children. He also praised the sisters’ long-standing commitment to serving vulnerable communities across the region.
Sr. Pushpa Louis, the Province Leader of Central East India Nepal (CEIN), expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who helped make the project a reality. She described the hostel as “a home away from home” for women striving to create better opportunities for themselves and highlighted the congregation’s mission to offer those we serve opportunities to transform their lives.
The celebrations continued with cultural performances, personal testimonies, and a recognition program honoring donors, partners-in-mission, parishioners, staff, and all who helped complete the project. Sr. Usha Varghese described the occasion as “a celebration of God’s faithfulness,” acknowledging the generous support of every individual who helped make Sarita a reality.
The inauguration of Working Women’s Hostel ‘Sarita’ is a testament to the Good Shepherd mission of creating safe spaces where women can flourish with dignity, independence, and hope. As women begin to call Sarita their home, the hostel stands as a place of compassion, inclusion, and empowerment, continuing the Good Shepherd legacy of transforming lives through love and service.
