Ways Walked

           As early as the year 1970. Very Rev. Fr Basilius CST founder of Little Flower Congregation, along with Very Rev. Fr Seraphine CST, the then Superior General of the Little Flower Congregation, made a long and tedious journey, on the invitation of Rt Rev. Msgr Jerome Malenfant OFM Cap., the then Prefect Apostolic of the Grakhpur-Benares Prefecture. The three districts north of River Ghaghra, viz. Gorakhpur, Deoria and Basti, were introduced to them for pastoral and developmental activities.


          After visiting the Catholic missions in the Districts of Gorakhpur, Deoria and Basti, the Fathers returned to Kerala with the firm decision to take up the work in Gorakhpur region. Our v enerable founder was deeply impressed with scope of work possible in this area. However he had a special affection for Basti where no work was started. Father Basilius called it a virgin-land, because no Catholic establishment was started in Basti yet. Thus it was the dream-land of Fr Basilius, our Founder.


          Little Flower Mission, Harraiya is the fruit of the laborious work of many. The Provincial Synaxis of 2002 decided to establish a centre some distance away from the district headquarters of Basti. The possible place proposed was in and around Harraiya Tehsil. Fr George Aranchery and Fr.Francis Kilivallickal could identify and purchase a plot of land just behind the SDM's Office at Harraiya. The land is 28 km away from district headquarters and 150m away from the NH28. Ayodhya is close by about 40 km from Harraiya.


          Rev. Fr. Francis Kilivallickal was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after the Harraiya Mission in its initial stage. The foundation stone of the mission at Harraiya was blessed by His Excellency Bishop Dominic Kokkat CST on 19 April 2003. Very Rev. Fr. John Olickal, Provincial Superior placed the medal and other relics in the foundation stone and Rev. Fr. George Aranchery,Vicar Provincial read out the Time capsule. On 19 April 2004, Rev. Fr. Jose Manjiyil, Education Secretary blessed the new school building. Rev. Fr. Francis Kilivallickal was appointed the first principal of the school.


          As the school grew, it needed more infrastructure. With financial support from the L.F.M.E. Society and the untiring efforts of Fr Roy Vattakkara and other Rev. Fathers necessary buildings and other facilities could be arranged.


          As time passed many a springtide impressed its impact on Little Flower School. It went through the guidance of Rev. Fathers Francis Kilivallickal, Sunny Pulichamackathottiyil, Shibu Kuliraniyil, Saji Paul and Roy Vattakkara, who served as the Principals from time to time.The Rev. Fathers who served as Managers also played a crucial role in the building up of the School. We remember them gratefully- Fr George Aranchery, Fr Shibu Kuliraniyil, Fr John Kadaliyil, and at present, we have the leadership of Fr Bijoy Karisseril.


          The three years of the school under the guidance of Fr Roy Vattakkara was the golden period of the school - during which the school got NOC from the State Govt (2010), affiliation to the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi(2011) and Minority status certificate(2012).


          The school stands as a premier educational institution in Harraiya, with nearly 880 students on rolls(year 2012), above 45 teaching and non-teaching staff. The first batch of CBSE (class X) students will be coming out in the year 2013.


          We have successfully involved in our social responsibility by village extension programmes - imparting free education through the Balwadies and involvement in Rural awareness building and animation works. Our students are participating in various social awareness programmes by way of rallies, study classes etc.

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