Don Bosco Tangla (1951) [C-1970]
The parish of Tangla dates back its official beginning to the year 1951. Territorially situated on the north bank of Brahmaputra, majority of the Catholic population belongs to various sub-tribes of the Adivasi community. The ethnic mosaic of the Parish includes the Bodos, the Garos, the Rabhas and others.
The first missionaries associated with the villages of Tangla were Fr Michael De Valle and Fr Theodosio Bonomi. They were known to have visited the area from Barpeta Parish since 1936. The first resident priests at Tangla were Fr Guido Colussi and Fr Marino Peditto. They were appointed to the newly formed mission district of Mangaldai in August 1951. They took up residence in a rented house in Jhalubari on 4 September 1951. Fr Peditto was mainly seeing to the pastoral care of the flock. Fr Colussi was busy getting the land necessary for setting up the mission centre. On 22 January 1952, the sale deed of the land was finalized and the foundation for the mission centre was laid. The Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) occasionally visited the villages for catechizing the people. In May 1952, Bishop Stephen Ferrando visited the mission and initiated the construction of the church building. In January 1953, Bishop Ferrando blessed the newly constructed Parish Church witnessed by an impressive gathering of the faithful. In 1956, the school and the hostel became a reality.
In 1956, Fr Colussi, while holding charge of the Tangla mission, was sent to Calcutta to look after the Salesian work there. Fr Chacko Kulamkuthyil (diocesan priest) was sent to Tangla for few months to help Fr Peditto in the absence of Fr Colussi. Towards the middle of 1958, Fr Peditto left for Italy and Fr Martin Caligaris was sent in his place. In 1960, when Fr Colussi went to Europe, Fr Mathew Kunnath (diocesan priest) helped in the Parish. In the same year Bro. Paul Sebastian joined the community, especially to look after the boys in the hostel. In 1962 during the Chinese war, the mission campus was used by the Indian army for a brief period. In 1963, when the new diocese of Tezpur was created, Fr Peditto was transferred to Tezpur and Fr Mathew Kunnath to North Lakhimpur. Fr Ugo Turco and Fr George Venturoli served the Mission for a short period. Fr Venturoli worked hard for the Bodos of Udalguri area and eventually it became a Parish in 1966. Fr Dominic Barwa was sent to help Fr Colussi and he remained at Tangla for several years as Assistant Parish Priest.
Meanwhile the Parish experienced great growth through the years; the number of Catholics increased and many new communities were formed. The need for a more spacious Parish Church was keenly felt. Fr Thomas Lopez from Dibrugarh supervised the construction of the two-storeyed edifice. The new church building was blessed in 1964. Fr Colussi continued serving as Parish Priest till the year 1968. Those who succeeded him as Parish Priests were Fr Paul Taverna (1969), Fr Elias Kerketta (1969-1973), Fr George Kuzhipallil (1973-1974), Fr Thomas Arackal (1974-1978), Fr Zachary Panamattamparambil (1978-1981), Fr Philip Kokkapallil (1981-1982), Fr Joseph Aind, now Bishop of Dibrugarh (1982-1985), Fr Joseph Panamthanath (1985-1989), Fr Jose Thiruthanathy (1989-1992), Fr Santosh Minj (1992-1995), Fr Zephyrinus Baxla (1995-1996), Fr Chacko Kuthur Vellattukara (1997-2000), Fr Marcus Lakra (2000-2006), Fr Mathew Parackatte (2009-2012), Fr Francis Basumatary (2012-2015), Fr Michael Bhengra (2015-2017) and Fr Xavier Tete (2017). In 2017, Fr Marcus Lakra was appointed Parish Priest for a second tenure. Since 1970, all the Parish Priests also served as Rectors of the Salesian Community with the exception of Fr Peter Pazhayamkottil and Fr Sebastian Edathumparambil, who were appointed Rectors and Headmasters. Some of the other confreres who worked in Tangla were Fr Raphael Cherukareth, Fr Stanislaus Kerketta, Fr Chacko Edamala, Fr John Chellanthara, Br Samuel Lakra, Fr Joseph Topno, Fr Thomas Koitharaputhenpura, Fr Ethelbert Minj, Fr Anthony Thekkel, Fr Thadeus Kujur, Fr Cletus Pattamkulam, Fr Rajendra Ekka, Fr Victor Tigga, Fr Anil Condpan, Fr Jose Perunneparampil, Fr Christopher Warlarpih and Fr Arvind Kailash.
The school at the Parish remained as a middle school for several decades and the medium was Assamese. In 1993 Fr Santosh Minj took the bold step of phasing out the Assamese medium and introducing the English medium. The English medium high school continues to make efforts in obtaining government recognition.
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) reached Tangla mission in 1960 at the invitation of Bishop Ferrando. The Auxilium Convent was officially inaugurated on 27 February 1960. The Sisters run an English Medium School and a hostel for girls. They organize Sunday oratories and marriage preparation courses; they tour and catechize villages, and are engaged in healthcare and social work.
The growth of the Catholic community in the area necessitated the creation of new Parishes. Tangla as the mother Parish has given birth to the Parishes of Udalgiri (1966), Ambagaon (1972), Mangaldoi (1973), Rowta (1977) and Dimakuchi (1984). In 1970, the Salesian community at Tangla was canonically established under the patronage of St Stephen.
As per the Parish statistics (2019), there are 16000 Catholics in 42 villages. One of the remarkable features of the Parish is the big number of vocations to priesthood and religious life from the sons and daughters of the place. The formation of lay leadership is a priority in the Parish. The active lay association is the Maria Sangat for the Catholic women. They render many services like family visits, care of the sick, organizing Marian devotions, maintaining the village chapels and helping in the Sunday catechism classes.
In recent years, a College Hostel has been opened for those boys who are far from Tangla. In 2019, there are thirteen students who are doing their College studies. Salesian Youth Movement is being revamped in the mission and St Joseph’s group for men is being formed. Constructions and renovation works are going on of village chapels at Bongrum, Binapani, Bormukli and Gharapara. Renovation works of the ground floor verandah and the College hostel are completed. Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, has set up a high school at Bhooteachang, one of the villages of the parish. The Sisters of St Ann, Luzern presently run the school.
Some renovation works were carried out in the campus in recent years. The confreres working in the Parish at present are Fr Jeremiah Tirkey (Rector and Parish Priest), Fr Louis Martin
Patron: St. Stephen | Tezpur Diocese
Activities: Parish, Elementary, Middle & High School, Hostel
Catholic Church
Tangla – 784 521, Assam
Tel: (03711) 255727
Auxilium Convent, FMA | Tel: (03711) 255726
Dimakuchi (1984) [C-2005]
Christ the King Parish, Dimakuchi, was officially started in 1984. Fr John Chellanthara was appointed its first Parish Priest. Prior to 1984, Dimakuchi was an important sub-centre of Tangla Parish. The mission land of Dimakuchi was bought in October 1979, when Fr Zachary Panamathamparambil was the Parish Priest of Tangla. The Salesian Province of Guwahati paid the entire cost of the land. Fr Thomas Thekkekandam, when he was the Assistant priest of Tangla, began to reside in an old hut close to the present parish house. The Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians used to come from Barpeta Road to help in the pastoral care of the Catholics of the area. The Missionaries of Charity (MC Sisters) occasionally visited the villages, especially taking care of the sick.
The Parish of Dimakuchi is spread over an area of 25 square kilometres with a total population of over 2,00,000. As per 2019 statistics, the Parish has a Catholic population of 11,000. The majority of Catholics belong to different groups of Adivasis spread over tea gardens and villages. There are also Catholic groups belonging to Bodos, Nepalese, Garos, Santals, Assamese, Adivasis and Bengalis.
The Parish started an English Medium School in 1987. The Higher Secondary section was introduced in 2008. When Fr Jose Thiruthanathy was the parish priest, the school made noteworthy progress. Most Rev. Akasius Toppo, Bishop of Tezpur, blessed the extension of the school in January 2008. At present the school has the strength of 1530 students. Number of beautiful village chapels constructed in the past years, increase the fervour of Christian communities. The Salesian community of Dimakuchi was canonically constituted in 2005.
The dedicated services of several missionaries, priests, brothers, sisters and lay catechists have made the Parish grow in the past years. The list of confreres who have worked in the Parish include Fr John Chellanthara, Fr Paul Kuttikadan, Fr Edmund Lakra, Fr Thomas Punnolikunnel, Fr Jacob Thottekatt, Fr John Topno, Fr Joseph Aind (now bishop of Dibrugarh), Fr Benedict Toppo, Fr Pascal Dung Dung, Fr Jonas Toppo, Fr Cornelius Panna, Fr Damian Basumatary, Br Athanasius Guria, Fr Thomas Thekkekandam, Fr Jose Thiruthanathy, Fr Anugrah Tete, Fr Barnabas Mardi, Fr Bhaskar Raj, Fr Cornelius Panna, Fr Lucas Marak, Fr Benjamin Daimari, Br Benjamin Indwar, Fr Albinus Dhanwar and Br Firstjoy Sutong. At present (November 2019) the community consists of Fr Sebastian Edathumparambil (Rector and Parish Priest), Fr Aloysius Hemrom (Assistant Parish Priest), Fr Xavier Beck (Principal & Assistant Parish Priest) and Cl. Amit Kujur (Practical Trainee).
The Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) formally opened St Joseph’s Convent in the Parish in 1989. They are fully involved in the various Parish activities and in the school; they reach out to the villagers through catechesis and medical care. The women in the parish have two organizations, namely, Mahila Samiti and Maria Sangat. These groups assist in maintaining Church decorum, conducting prayer services, visiting families and caring for the sick.
At present, the Catholics of the Parish live in 26 villages and the Salesians make regular visits to these villages administering the sacraments. In one of its villages, Attarikhat, the parish runs a primary school, where the students can study up to Class V. At present, there are 335 enrolled in the school.
In recent years, a number of new constructions and modifications has taken place in the Centre like modification of the residence of the confreres, extension of school building, modification of Principal’s office, construction of school canteen, construction of Parish hall and construction of school stage.
Patron: Christ the King | Tezpur Diocese
Activities: Parish, Primary, Middle & High School, Hostel
Catholic Church
Dimakuchi – 784 526
Darrang Assam
Tel : (03711) 232103
St Joseph’s Convent MSMHC | Tel: (03711) 232104
Missionary Aspirantate Sirajuli 2011
It was on 5 February 2006, during the centenary celebrations of the first Salesian presence in India at Thanjavur, that the then Rector Major Rev. Fr Pascual Chavez invited the Salesians of India to provide missionary vocations to the congregation. During the meeting with all the provincials of South Asia, he made a proposal to set up a missionary aspirantate in the north and another one in the south of India. In 2007 during the SPCSA meeting with the Rector Major at Sacred Heart College, Tiruppattur, it was decided to set up the missionary aspirantates at Sirajuli (ING) and at Perambur (INM).
The Missionary Aspirantate is situated at Sikaribasti, Sirajuli, 45 kilometres from the District headquarters of Sonitpur on NH 15. In 2011, Rev. Fr Pascual Chavez, the then Rector Major, canonically erected the Missionary Aspirantate and the Pre-Novitiate at Sirajuli. The pre- Novitiate functioned from 2011 to 2016 but in 2017 it was merged with the existing Pre- Novitiate at Dotma. Fr Paul Olphindro Lyngkot was appointed the first Rector in 2011. The others who took over from him as Rectors in the past were Fr Joseph Almeida and Fr Thomas Lakra. The other perpetually professed confreres who worked in the community in the past were Fr Michael Makri, Fr Anugrah Tete, Fr Pascal Dung Dung, Fr Ethelbert Minj, Br Raphael Kerketta, Fr Louis Arimboor, Fr Pojit Philip Marak, Fr Francis Hembrom and Fr Augustine Edasserithottathil.
At present the Salesian community at Hubert D’Rosario Institute, Sirajuli consists of Fr Ethelbert Minj (Rector), Fr Solomon Denis (Principal), Fr Kolombiya Rabha (Dean), Fr Uttam Molsom (Administrator), Fr Rajib Lakra (Catechist) and the brothers who are doing the Practical Training.
Fr Pascual Chavez wanted the Aspirantate to be clearly oriented to foster and to form Salesian missionaries for mission ad gentes. The candidate should be gradually helped to discover and nurture his missionary vocation so that he can respond to it with generosity. Fr Chavez wrote: “Missionary Aspirantates should aim at forming missionary disciples of Christ, who are called to live the two major imperatives of the Lord: ‘come, and go out,’ which means, to become disciples (come) and be missionaries (go out to the last corner of the earth).”
The missionary orientation is imparted to the candidates through moments such as the Holy Eucharist, homilies, prayer services, conferences, missionary exhibitions, missionary quizzes, monthly celebration of missionary day, goodnight talks, classes, etc. Inter-cultural nature of the community creates a missionary ambience. Visuals and posters of missionaries, dissemination of missionary news, daily prayer for the missionaries, reading of the biographies of Salesian missionaries, display of missionary maps of the world, etc., also help the candidates to imbibe the missionary enthusiasm. Till 2019, the candidates who became Salesians and have opted for mission ad gentes are Cl. Godwin Sapphireson Kharkongor (Tunisia), Cl. John Ngouning (Ukraine), Cl. Patrick Kujur (Brazil), Cl. Petrus Nanwar (Venezuela) and Br Christopher Thaimei (Peru).
For financial sustainability of the Missionary Aspirantate at Sirajuli (ING), the General Council proposed to set up a school from classes Nursery to XII. This proposal was taken up seriously and the construction of the building for the same was initiated. Classes Nursery to II (with a student strength of 134) commenced from the month of January 2016. In July 2016, class XI (both arts and commerce) was added. Both the Aspirants and the day scholars began to attend the Higher Secondary classes in the Aspirantate building. Fr Thomas Vattathara, the then Provincial inaugurated and blessed the school building on 31 January 2017. From then on, all the classes were shifted to the new building. The strength of the school is increasing year after year. Presently (December 2019) we have a student strength of 632 (Nursery to VII) and 115 in XI and XII.
In a meeting held from 12-13 December 2017 together with Fr Nestor Guria, the then Delegate Provincial for the SPCSA and Fr George Thanickal, the then Regional Delegate for Missionary Animation, the formation personnel of both the missionary Aspirantates of Sirajuli and Perambur drew up the profile of a missionary aspirant as well as of the missionary Aspirantate. As part of the Inter-Provincial collaboration, it was suggested that the SPCSA take over the responsibility for the Aspirantate and conduct periodical evaluation and planning. It was also mooted that a curatorium be set up to monitor the flow of personnel (staff and candidates) and finances so that the Institute can function smoothly. After all, the missionary Institutes have future only in a participatory mode.
Patron: Don Bosco | Tezpur Diocese
Activities: Aspirantate, Youth Centre, Oratory, School
Hubert D’Rosario Missionary Aspirantate
Don Bosco Centre
Shikaribasti, Sirajuli P.O
Sonitpur Dt, Assam 784 117
Don Bosco Socio-Technical Institute-Tezpur (2005)
The presence of Salesians in Tezpur (named as the Queen of the Brahmaputra by Fr Aloysius Ravalico) goes way back to 1932 when Fr Aloysius Ravalico and Fr Antony Alessi arrived in Tezpur on 1 June 1932. From there the Salesian works spread along the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, in the then districts of Lakhimpur, Darrang, Kamrup and eventually along the southern bank too. The mission centres opened by the Salesians are: North Lakhimpur in 1945, Tangla in 1951, Barpeta Road in 1936, Dhekiajuli in 1959, Udalguri in 1976 and Doomni in 1972. On 10 May 1964, Tezpur was erected into a diocese and Bishop Orestes Marengo was installed as its first Bishop on 23 August 1964. The following year, due to foreign missionaries quit
India policy of the Government of India, many Salesian missionaries had to be withdrawn from the area or leave India all together. As a consequence, Salesian presence dwindled totally and was eventually limited to only two parishes. But ever since Bishop Robert Kerketta took charge of the Diocese in 1981, there were always at least two Salesians on his staff. A number of Provincial Chapters discussed the possibility of Salesian presence in the diocese, especially in the heart of Tezpur town, but yielded no positive result.
In 1995, an attempt was made by the Provincial and his council to buy a plot of land in Tezpur diocese. But that too gradually cooled off as different priorities in the Province took the upper hand. Finally, after a regional meeting of the Assam Plains the Provincial mandated to buy a suitable plot of land in Tezpur. A plot of land very close to Tezpur University measuring 10 bighas (nearly 2 acres) was bought. However, when the Bishop and his Council heard about it, they expressed their explicit desire that the Salesians look for another plot of land in the town for youth ministry.
After nearly six months of frantic search and negotiations, two bighas of land very centrally located with an existing RCC building measuring about 2500 sq. ft. plinth area with a foundation for a three-story structure and another two smaller Assam type houses amounting to a total of 15000 sq. ft. area was purchased on 27 January 2005. Fr John Bosco Minj (Director) and Fr John Chellanthara (Assistant Director) were appointed to begin the apostolate. The apostolate began by providing hostel facility for a group of college-going students. The hostel was officially inaugurated on 29 July 2005 in a simple function. It was blessed by Bishop Robert Kerketta of Tezpur and inaugurated by Fr Mathew Nellickal, the then Vicar General of the diocese. The Centre was named Bosco Yuva Niketan. In 2006, Fr Chacko Kuthur Vellattukara was appointed Director of the Centre. Two more floors were added over the existing building. The extended structure provides facility for nearly 30 boys.
Bosco Yuva Niketan was aimed at providing facilities such as library and reading room, career/vocational guidance and youth counselling, organization and mobilization of youth with various religious teaching programmes, National Institute for Open Schools for the less privileged, Computer Training, coaching classes for school dropouts and other youth related services required by the diocese. However, from 2009, it functioned only as a College hostel. Br Raphael Kerketta, Fr Rajendra Ekka, Fr Joseph Topno, Fr Aloysius Hemrom and Br Angelus Tete worked in this Centre. It was then attached to the Community of Tangla. However, in 2011, the Salesians discontinued this ministry. For the next three years, there was no tangible Salesian presence in Tezpur. However, in 2013, a Salesian presence was started at Tezpur on a piece of land that was purchased in the same year. Initially, the Centre was conceived as an extension of the Conflict Resolution and Peace Initiatives of the Salesian Educational Society, Guwahati. It was inaugurated as Don Bosco Social Institute on 16 August 2014 by Rev. Fr Thomas Vattathara, then Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati. However, on 16 August 2015 it was rechristened as Don Bosco Socio-Technical Institute.
Other than the pioneers Fr Cletus Pattamkulam and Fr Alex Kattakayam, the following confreres worked at DBSTI: Fr Vincent Xalxo, Fr Daniel Sangma and Fr Paul Rabha. Sr Divya Daimari MSMHC and Sr Helen Changte MSMHC also rendered their services to the Institute. In December 2022, the Salesians working in the Institute are: Fr Paul Rabha (Director), Fr VM Thomas (Assistant Director), Fr Thadeus Kijur (Asst. Director) and Fr.Amit Tete.
DBSTI, with its motto “Skilling Youth – Transforming Lives,” continues to infuse a sweeping wave of transformation in the lives of hundreds of youth of the north-east India. The centre facilitates short-term skills training in partnership with government and other NGOs; it also provides teacher-training and soft-skills training for students and teachers, training in leadership and capacity building. It initiates conflict resolution initiatives among student communities and encourages inter-tribal amity through trainings, workshops and seminars. The Mission of Don Bosco Socio – Technical Institute is to empower the youth to be committed and creative in shaping their destiny. It Promotes leadership, competence and collaboration among youth through inter- cultural exchanges. As a leading institute of the region, it offers a platform for capacity building, research and consultancy in conflict resolution and management.
Over the last six years, DBSTI has successfully trained and placed some 4000 youngsters in various parts of India under the competent team of dedicated and focused staff. The institute offers training in hospitality, security guard, sales and marketing, food and beverage, paramedical training and has successfully placed the trainees all over India upon the completion of their training. Facilities for computer courses such as DCA, CCA, DTP, Tally, hardware and spoken English training are also offered in the Institute which has benefited more than 5500 students in the past. The Institute also offers a short- term courses of one-month duration called the ‘Holiday Package’ on basic computer and spoken English for the students who have completed their class X and class XII examinations.
Along with the residential programmes, DBSTI animates several Teacher Effectiveness programmes for teachers both here DBSTI as well as at various parts of Assam. “You can” programme for the youth is another major attraction in DBSTI. It includes motivation cum leadership programme and personality development programme. The Institute was able to reach out to more than 7000 youth in a short period of six years. DBSTI also conducts regular Sunday Oratories after the example of the Oratory of Don Bosco at Valdocco. Regular computer course for the neighbourhood youth is also being provided at a nominal rate. At Easter, the Salesians visit the prison and conduct a brief entertainment programme for the inmates.
Another initiative of the Institute is visiting the nearby tea gardens and villages to raise awareness about literacy, leadership, motivation, education, social and economic issues. The Institute organizes an annual peace seminar on the occasion of its foundation day on 16 August every year. About 600 young people from different schools and colleges participate in the unique event. Spiritual leaders from different religions are invited to deliver a peace message on the occasion.
Donec odit magni, nesciunt pariatur! Nec, purus voluptate ridiculus odit nobis euismod, ac laudantium facere perferendis!
Donec odit magni, nesciunt pariatur! Nec, purus voluptate ridiculus odit nobis euismod, ac laudantium facere perferendis!
Donec odit magni, nesciunt pariatur! Nec, purus voluptate ridiculus odit nobis euismod, ac laudantium facere perferendis!
Patron: St John Bosco | Tezpur Diocese
Activities: Vocational Training Centre, Hostel
Don Bosco Social Institute
Villa, Baruah Chuburi
Dekargaon, Tezpur – 784 001
Sonitpur, Assam
Tel : (03712) 237060
Web : www.dbsti.org
DON BOSCO BHOOTEACHANG
Don Bosco Bhooteachang, located approximately 15 km from Tangla, is an important sub-centre of Tangla Parish. This mission began around 2001 as a small village school, initiated by Fr. Santosh Minj. Later, Fr. Bosco Minj constructed a modest Assam-type school building to support its growth.
In 2010, under the visionary leadership of Fr. VM Thomas, Don Bosco Institute (DBI) established a high school at Bhooteachang. Four years later, in 2014, the Sisters of St. Ann of Luzern were invited to manage the school and hostels for both boys and girls under the supervision of DBI. Meanwhile, the vocational training centre continued to be managed directly by DBI, offering trades such as weaving, tailoring, and driving to empower the local youth.
A significant milestone was achieved in 2022 when the first batch of high school students appeared for the matriculation examinations and achieved a 100% pass rate, marking a proud moment for the institution.
Since 2023, two Salesians have been residing at the centre, taking on pastoral and administrative responsibilities. At present Fr Barnabas Mardi is the incharge of the centre while Fr Fr Jyotish Beck is the administrator. As of January 2025, the centre accommodates 140 boys in the hostel run by the Salesians and 125 girls in the convent managed by the Sisters of St. Ann of Luzern. The Sisters help out in the pastoral activities of this sub-centre at Bhooteachang.
In addition to formal education, the centre continues to provide vocational training programs in driving and tailoring, contributing to the skill development and livelihood opportunities for the youth in the region.
