MAWKYNDENG (1922) C-1992
Mary Immaculate Patroness
Jowai Diocese
Catholic Church
Mawkyndeng
Raliang – 793 150, Meghalaya
94363 00852 Fr. Gedwin Warbah
96126 59946 Br. Anand Lakra
Members
Br. Lakra Prakash Anand Principal
Fr. Benedict Kharlyngdoh
Fr. Kuttala Paul
Fr. Warbah Gedwin Rector & PP
Convent
FMA – St. Francis Convent
(03652) 270286
History
Located in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, Mawkyndeng is about 100 kms away from Shillong and has a catholic population of about 10,500 in 1575 families in 45 catholic villages. The parish is entrusted to the Salesians permanently as per the agreement signed between Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario and the then Salesian provincial, Fr. Mathai Kochuparampil, on 19-03-1982.
Mawkyndeng is historically significant, for it is here that the Salvatorian Fathers Gruchot and Taddeus Hoffmann opened the first Catholic centre of North East India on 2 December 1882. Despite the unceasing opposition from the Methodists, these missionaries engaged themselves in education, medical relief and evangelization. They brought much relief to the people after the devastating earthquake of 1897. The outbreak of World War I brought a sudden end to the mission. Since the Fathers were Germans, they were interned and, after the war, forced to leave the country.
After their departure, the Mission of Assam came under the Jesuits. However, due to lack of personnel the mission was entrusted to the Salesians. The first group of Salesians under the leadership of Fr. L. Mathias came to Assam in 1922. In the same year, Frs. Hauber and Deponti and Bros. Calzi and Conti were assigned to Mawkyndeng. These early Salesians continued the tradition of the Salvatorians and set about the task of evangelization.
It is from Mawkyndeng that the faith spread throughout Jaintia Hills. Now there are five other parishes carved out from the parish of Mawkyndeng. The parish now has 31 L.P. Schools, 24 non-formal schools, 20 adult education centres, 4 M.E. Schools, one High School and one Higher Secondary School. There are hostels for boys and girls. The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians run the hostel for girls, and a dispensary and help in the work of evangelization.