BOKO (1993) C-2001
St. John Bosco Patron
Guwahati Archdiocese
Don Bosco School
Boko – 781 123
Assam
(03623) 282605 House
282247 School
282496 (BBC)
97064 15724 Fr. Vincent Xalxo
Members
Fr. Xalxo Vincent Rector & PP
Fr. Saju HM
Convent :
FMA – Vicuña Niketan Convent
(03623) 282331
History
Located at a distance of 55 kms from Guwahati, Boko falls in the Kamrup district of Assam under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Guwahati. The Catholic population is around 4500 from 900 families in 68 villages. The parish became a Salesian parish with the agreement signed between Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil and the Salesian Provincial Fr. Joseph Thelekkatt on 30-05-1995.
Pioneering missionaries like Fr. Conzani, Fr. Busolin, Fr. Curto and Fr. Victor nurtured the early Garo Catholic Communities around Boko. In 1982, Fr. Mario, Fr. K.O. Augustine and Fr. Lukose baptised the first Bodo Rabha Catholics in Boko. In April 1982, part of the present mission land was brought with the help of some good leaders under the active support of Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario of Shillong and a plan was drawn up to start a mission and a school at Boko.
Hence the parish of Boko was started in 1984 as a sub-centre of the parish of Sonaighuli and Fr. V.U. John appointed the first resident priest. The centre was started to cater especially to the Rabhas, the Boros and the Garos of the area. The parish was officially formed in 1993 and Fr. Mario Porcu was appointed as the first parish priest. Now the parish has an English Medium High School to satisfy the educational needs of the numerous children of the locality. In 1994, the province shifted the pre-aspirantate from Kumarikata to Boko. The student candidates who passed class VI, study here for a year, after which they are send to the apostolic school in Shillong.
In 1996, Fr. V.K. Jose became the parish priest. In 1998, the school building was completed and a parish church was built and blessed on 23rd May 1999. A boarding for the Catholic children was started in 1999. Fr. Kavalakadan Joseph took over as Rector in 2004.
A training centre for young drop outs, called BBC (Bosco Barefoot College), was begun at Boko by DBYES, Guwahati, with Fr. K.O. Augustine looking after the boys. Fr. C.V. Raphael is currently the director of the BBC.
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians help in the school and in the pastoral work. They also look after the administration of the village schools. A boarding for girls have been built by the Sisters.