Life of the Congregation (2)

Thanks to their experiences of mission, under the direction of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, our brothers of the Vicariate of India prepared to take charge of the animation of a work in the north-east of the country. Fr. Biju Alappat, Regional Vicar, outlines the stages of this journey which today leads to the opening of a new Betharramite mission.

The project of Betharram Sacred Heart mission is christened on 19th March 2017 as the fruit of our long mission experiments and discernment in the land of North East of India. It was in 2005 during the time late Rev. Fr. Xavier Ponthokkan, delegation of India made a historic missionary option for North East as our place for mission experience for students in formation besides south India. Brothers were sent there for their regency experience in collaboration with MSFS fathers in North East. Later Fr. Shaju (Hojai and Punjao), Fr. Subesh (Bongaigaon and Hojai) and Fr. Arul (Hojai) gave pioneering leadership with assistance of Fathers and brothers to make known the presence of Betharram in North East since 2009.

In the Vicariate assembly of 2015, proposal for new Betharram mission centre was made keeping in mind for future pastoral possibilities, vocation animation and as the invitation of Arch Bishop Most Rev. John Moolanchira of Guwhati for the pastoral care of 200 families of tribal Christian living in 6 villages at Kanpur, 30 Km away from main Parish Centre and 55 Km away from Hojai community.

Fr. Yesudas under the guidance of Fr. Arul superior of community and Fr. Thomas parish priest a Kattiatholi succeeded to identify a suitable place in the area of Sigulmari, Kanpur proposed by Arch Bishop. The Process of purchase of 4 acres of land costing 29 Lakhs rupees was initiated from Niranjan Kakkoti, a retired school teacher in 2015. Fr. Austin after meeting with Bishop, local parish priests and religious gave permission to purchase the land as the decision of regional council. By the grace of God, the fund for the purchase of the land was raised with the collaboration of the members of the vicariate and laity.

The land was purchased and registered in the name of the Congregation in August, 2016. The community at Hojai took responsibility of caring this new mission centre under the leadership of Jesuraj, with the support of local parish priest Fr. Soosai. After the return of Fr. Yesudas to Vietnam, Fr. Pascal joined the community and took the responsibility of developing the new mission centre which will comprise a community house, church, School and a pastoral Centre with the assistance of Fr. Jestin and Shamon. Arch Bishop was happy to declare this Betharram mission center as a new parish centre on 19th march 2017, in the presence of 600 people of the village.

The formation of new community was accepted by the Congregation in March 2017 under the leadership of Fr. Pascal as superior and parish priest, Fr. Vipin as assistant and Bro. Pobitro. A temporary (bamboo made) school is being built at the site with the presence of 20 children from the village and a small concrete building for the school with the 6 class rooms is under progress. We are promised the collaboration of the sisters of Incarnation in our Betharram mission project in future. Trusting in God’s providence and by the Moto of congregation Betharram missionaries are always forward to share the same happiness with the other.

Biju Alappat scj

Life of the parish and beginnings of a new community

Sacred Heart Parish - SIMALUGURI, was erected as parish on 19th March 2017 by His Grace John Moolachira, Arcbishop of Guwahati. This parish has a mixed communitynamely, Garos, Adivasis, Bodos, Tivas and Karbis. Each community is unique in itself by its language, food, dressing cultural heredity.

There is around 200 families’ altogether. The parish covers around 19 km radius.
Some of the parishes are living in reserve forest area. Some places we have to travel by boat. Very frequently we have a visitation of jungle jumbos (elephants).

Our parishioners live a very simple life and are very much practicing Catholics.
It’s very challenging but not that difficult. I celebrate the liturgies in their languages so they are able to follow it up. I also tried to learn their state language but it is of seldom use as they hardly speak state language. I use the language of love and a good smile.
To help in people grow in faith, I got catechists who can translate what I say.

The main occupation of the people is agriculture and some work in tea garden. Their economic condition is rather poor than but rich in heart. After becoming parish priest have sent few boys and girls become religious priests and sisters.
As a community we are involved in Betharram Sacred Heart School. At present we 20 children. And the academic year is from January to December. The school is in a bamboo shed.
There is lots of work to be done. Its just a new beginning.
Thou its few months old parish I have already managed to visit and bless the families. | Pascal Ravi scj