The newly blessed St Michael’s Church at Dhaigaon village, Goalpara, under the Parish of Damra.
In the quiet village of Dhaigaon, Goalpara, under the parish of Damra a new chapter in faith and community life began with a blessing and inauguration that drew together familiar faces and new seekers alike on 31st August 2025. Father Francis Kalariparampil SDB, the Parish Priest of Catholic church, accompanied by Fr. Francis Lakra SDB, the Headmaster of Don Bosco School, Damra Blessed and inaugurated the chapel which will be all about spiritual renewal, a chapel that would host prayers, catechesis, rites, and the steady rhythms of village faith for years to come.
The day unfolded as a gentle procession of light and expectancy The chapel, newly completed, stood as a house of prayer awaiting not just the sanctification of its walls but the consecration of the lives of those who would enter it seeking guidance, solace, and belonging. Father Francis began the rite of blessing with a solemn invocation of God’s abiding presence. The altar, walls, and furnishings received prayers that asked for holiness to inhabit every corner: a sanctuary where families find respite, where the ill are comforted, and where the young and curious can be formed in the truths of the Gospel.
The ceremony’s soul lay in its insistence on making the space a lived reality for the people of Dhaigaon. A short consecration or rededication framed the moment, signalling that this chapel is not merely a building but a living instrument of grace. Scripture readings chosen for the occasion underscored the themes of communal worship and service: psalms that celebrate the ascent of God’s house, letters that exhort believers to hold fast to communal faith, and Gospel echoes that call the community to generosity and humility.
In the homily, the message resonated with warmth and a practical invitation. The chapel emerged as a spiritual home for all, especially for those who are newly joining the Christian community or who are still seeking fuller immersion in Catholic life. It was a reminder that a church is not defined by its stone and mortar alone but by the embrace of its people—the volunteers who welcome strangers, the catechists who transmit faith with patience, the families who offer hospitality, and the youth who carry the flame of hope into the future. The celebration included a blessing of the people, a brief benediction that invited each participant to become a living stone in the greater architecture of the Church, contributing to a community built on love, charity, and steadfast faith.
The presence of dignitaries and guests, sisters from the neighbouring convents, members of the parish council, Head catechists, village catechists of the parish, altar servers, and choir members, the faithful from the neighbouring villages, and above all both the catholics and Non Catholics of the village of Dhaigaon all embodied the collaborative spirit of the parish life. Their participation testified to a shared investment in the spiritual and social health of Dhaigaon.
A short cultural programme with dances and welcome songs together with felicitations put all at ease even on a hot day.
As Dhaigaon steps forward with this new chapel, may all those who contributed to the construction of the same receive abundance of blessings from the lord and may the pastors continue to shepherd the faithful with warmth and fidelity. May the chapel be a beacon for new believers and for long-standing members alike—a place where faith is formed, friendships are deepened, and the Gospel’s invitation to charity and merciful love is lived each day in concrete, compassionate action.
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