MENDAL (1968) C-2006
St. John Bosco Patron
Tura Diocese
Don Bosco
Mendal – 794 002
East Garo Hills, Meghalaya
(03659) 266205 Parish
94363 31940 Fr. Hubert Marak
94363 23712 Br. Michael K.
Members
Fr. C.V. Raphael Dir. NFT, Asst. PP, Cs
Br. Kindo Michael Asst. Dir. NFT, Cs
Fr. Marak Hubert Rector & HM
Convent :
SCJ – Bethany Convent
History
The Salesian house at Mendal, consisting of a school and the parish is in the East Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, and belongs to the diocese of Tura. The mission is about 165 kms away from Guwahati and has a catholic population of about 5,100 in 1145 families, spread over 69 villages. The parish is permanently entrusted to the Salesians as per the agreement signed between the bishop of Tura and the Salesian provincial, Fr. Joseph Thelekkatt on 07-11-1996.
The parish of Mendal was carved out of the parish of Damra in 1964. It was Fr. Julius Costa, an anthropologist, while based in Tura, who conceived the plan for Mendal as a place for the rehabilitation of the Garo refugees from Bangladesh. Hence, about 158 families were settled around Mendipathar area. At first, both the Catholics and the Baptists were brought from some of the camps. In 1966, Fr. Costa took up residence at Mendal, and consequently bought a plot and built the house. He conceived of Mendal as a developmental centre where many people would be trained in sericulture, weaving, dairy farming, animal husbandry etc. Oil mills, rice and flour mills were started. A post office and a building for the retail sale of the farm products were also constructed.
The parish was officially inaugurated in 1969 and Fr. Costa appointed as the first parish priest. However, a great tension was created by certain people between the locals and the refugees. The tension culminated in the murder of Fr. Costa on 16th April 1970. Subsequently, the parish was put under interdict.
In 1974, the parish of Mendal was placed under the care of the Resu parish priest, Fr. E.V. George. On 4th September 1977, it was reopened, with Fr. Anthony Valluran as the parish priest. In the following year, new boys were admitted to the boarding. They however, attended an outside school.
Fr. Anthony started a school called the Mendal High School, the running of which was seen to by a managing committee comprising of villagers and the parish priest. Severe problems resulted due to vested interests. Later, due to the effort and hard work of Fr. Vazhappilly Anthony and the influence from the district and state educational authorities, the school was taken over by the Salesians. Today it is known as Don Bosco School, Mendal. The boarding houses about 75 students.