KUMARIKATTA (1977) C-2005
St Joseph Patron
Guwahati Archdiocese
Catholic Church
Kumarikatta – 781 360, Nalbari Dt.
Assam
(03624) 235034/211535 (WLL) Parish
284390 Shashipur
94352 71878 Fr. Jonas Toppo
98598 72473 Fr. Cornelius Panna
98598 02386 Br. Augustine F.
98594 33511 Fr. K. P. Paul
98598 91952 Fr. Glorius S.
jonastoppo@gmail.com Fr. Jonas Toppo
Members
Fr. Kuttikadan Paul APP, Bhutan Apostolate
Fr. Panna Cornelius APP
Fr. Syiemlieh Glorius VR, HM, Inc. Ap. Boys
Fr. Toppo Jonas Rector & PP
Convents :
SMI – Shanti Nivas (03624) 235035
Clunny Sisters (03624) 284257
History
Situated along the boarders of the kingdom of Bhutan, Kumarikatta is 92 kms. away from Guwahati in the Nalbari district of Assam under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Guwahati. The Catholic population is about 7,500 in 900 families spread over 48 villages.
During the British rule, some enterprising and daring Britishers had extensive jute plantations and they had brought Adivasis from Chotanagpur to work in these plantations. This explains the presence of Adivasi Catholics in Kumarikatta. Due to bad weather and other factors, the chief planter contracted typhoid and died, and was buried in one village. This took place in the early 1930’s. Two tea estates were opened about the same time. They are Menoka and Nagrijuli.
The Santals came in big numbers from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1956 and occupied the jungle area near Bhutan. Among them there are Catholics, Lutherans and pagans. Other Santals came from Santal Parganas in Bihar. They are spread out in big numbers in Kumarikatta and Tamulpur areas. In recent years, they have penetrated into jungles where there are no roads or other means of communication.
The first Boro Catholics arrived from Kokrajhar area back in the thirties and Bishop Marengo was the first priest to visit them. But unfortunately, they were insulated in two villages in Kalajhar and Parkijuli. About fifteen years ago, Boros from Udalguri and Kokrajhar penetrated into the reserved jungles and opened up villages. Up to 1972, this area was being visited by the priests from Barpeta mission. Later, the Doomni mission took up the care of Kumarikatta.
When Fr. E.C.Chandi returned to the province of Bangalore, Fr. V.M. Joseph came to Doomni in 1974. It was agreed that he would be touring Kumarikatta area but would still act as the parish priest of Doomni. Since he wanted to work independently, he was put in charge of Kumarikatta (1975) and was staying in Mariampur village. The present land was bought in 1976 and he began to stay in a thatched house. The parish was erected in 1977. The present church was probably built in 1980 – 81. The Adivasis, the Santals and the Bodos form the major Catholic population, with a small number from among the Garos, Rabhas and Rajbongshis, spread out in 46 villages. For a short period, it also housed a one-year aspirantate for class VII students, which was later shifted to Boko.
Later, at the invitation of the Bishop of Tezpur, the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) came to Kumarikatta on 26th June 1984. Sr. Ruby Konoor, with four Sisters, started a 30 bed dispensary. It was a much-appreciated apostolate. In 1990, a plot of land at Sashipur, near Bhutan, was bought by the province to be the site for a Don Bosco School and the foundation stone was laid on 1st November 1993. The school has started functioning with the help of the Cluny sisters.