Istituto Ca’ Florens Istrana

The Community of Ca’ Florens consists of three Brothers. Bro Dionisio Santoro (Italian), Bro Onesphore Havyariamana (arrived in 2024 Burundi) and Bro Mathew Kavumkal who, arrived in 1979 from India.

This Institute was started just after the conclusion of the Second World War. During the war, the Treviso city was utterly destroyed by the bombs of Germany and America. As an outcome of the war, there were many orphan children who had no one to look after them. Then, one Diocesan Priest, Don Leo Alberton, started a home for all these children. As the priest was having difficulty managing it, the Brothers of the province of Italy were offered the charitable activity of looking after these children. The Brothers took charge of it and Bro Dionisio Santoro ran it very actively. In the year 1979, Bro Mathew Kavumkal also joined the team of Brothers to run the Institute for the poor and needy children. It was functioning well till 2014. During the 1st Government of Berlusconi, all the Institutes all over Italy were closed, and we, too, had to close the institute to comply with the rules of the Country.

But, in the year 1980, Bro Mathew Kavumkal, started a project to collect funds and help poor and needy children for their educational expenses. This marvellous activity is very active even now. It started to function in India and in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Bro Philip Neri, of Indian origin, helped Bro Mathew Kavumkal for many years to work for the children of lepers in that area of Khon Kaen. Later, it expanded to the Philippines, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda.

From Istrana Village in Italy to Janho Village in Jharkhand:

Of late, I (Bro Mathew Kavumkal) was inspired to visit the Educational Projects of Bro Markose in the Village of Janho in the District of Latehar in the State of Jharkhand. No words are sufficient to describe the difficulties Bro Markose. The teachers and the students are facing the challenge of procuring a bright future for their lives. I stayed with them for seven days. I was lucky to have a sheet-roofed shed for my stay there. Every night, rats were running all over the shed. I had my meals with the children, a simple rice. On one Sunday, I arranged for good meals for all the children. I am told that I am the first Brother to stay with them. So, I am very happy about it. I am also glad that I had the possibility to visit about 27 villages spread all over the forest. I am helping many students in these villages with their educational expenses. I express my deep appreciation to Bro Markose, to the teachers and the students of the Birsa Munda High School of Janho.

After my week-long mission in the villages, I had the blessing of visiting the St. Gabriel’s Novitiate at Sitagarha of Hazaribagh. I enjoyed taking classes for the Novices for about two hours. I also offered a good festal dinner to the Novices and to the Novitiate Community. I am grateful to the Novice Master Bro. B. A. Kurian, the Brothers and to the Novices for their hospitality and love.

New Year and beginning of monthly Spiritual Retreat of the Benefactors:

Every month, on the third Sunday, we celebrate the day of the spiritual Retreat of the Benefactors who help the children. This spiritual event started more than 30 years ago. The benefactors from the Provinces of Treviso, Vicenza, Padua, and Venice come for the Retreat. Others are very far away. In times of need, the Diocesan Priests also help us, especially for the celebration of the Mass.

Teaching to construct Christmas Cribs

An Association called “Associazione Presepistica La Crepia” has conducted a wonderful week-long course for teaching to make Christmas Cribs was conducted in our Institute. The number of participants was limited to 12 adults who are interested. The teacher hails from the Region of puglia. It was a course appreciated much by one and all. Even the Mayor of the City took part in the inauguration of the Course.

Groups of Scout find Paradise in our Institute

Regularly, groups of Scouts from various Parishes of our Diocese organise their outing and make their promises in our Institute. It is an ideal place for many groups.

Associazione Alto Volume

An association called “Associazione Alto Volume” conducted a full-day programme to control the hearing power of two groups of elderly citizens: “Argento Vivo” and “Centro Sollievo”, who participate in weekly programmes at our institute. It was conducted by Doctors and experts in the field of controlling and proposing necessary remedies and helps to the needy ones.

The team of volunteers

Bro Mathew Kavumkal has a team of efficient volunteers who have cooperated with him for the past 30 years. We are really happy and ever grateful to God for the gift of such faithful and persevering benefactors who offer their knowledge and time for the successful functioning of the project of helping needy students with their education and formation. Bro Onesphore Havyarimana of the Province of East Africa (PEA) has been with us for one year and has also started taking part in the functioning of the project.

Bro. Mathew Kavumkal, SG

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