St Francis de Sales Parish, Nongalbibra
St Francis de Sales Parish, Nongalbibra was opened on January 29, 1979. The decision to open a mission for MSFS in Garo Hills came during the visit of Fr Emile Mayoraz, the Superior General and the Provincial Fr Thomas Anikala. Nongalbibra was chosen as the place of mission considering the road connectivity, possible expansion, township, population, possible industrial growth (coal) etc. of the place. Fr George Parampukattil, who was already in Rongjeng from 1975 and Fr Paredom who was in Dalu from 1976, were the pioneers of this mission. They had already mastered Garo language and knew a lot about the culture and customs of the Garo people. They became one of them through their simple life style.
SFS mission, Nongalbibra, had a very small beginning. The fathers stayed in a hut for a few years. One by one, most necessary structures such as church, school, priests’ residence, kitchen and boys hostel were built with bamboo and thatch grass. In the month of May in 1980, all the temporary structures were blown off by the strong storm. The whole shelter, including school and church, were blown away and had to be rebuilt which they did by mobilising the people. On a small hill, all these temporary structures looked like a small village and it was. School was started with 55 students and three teachers who were paid 50/-, 75/- and 100/- each. School fee was not taken from the students. Sunday offerings used to be 8-10. The hostel had just four inmates: two boys and two girls. The initial years were tough.
In 1979, the parish had a catholic community of around 1500. The plot of land for the parish was purchased by Fr Kurthou sdb of Dhamra parish (presently in Guwahati Diocese) way back in 1940. The land belonged to the village community from whom it was purchased. Initial constructions of presbytery, church, school, convent were done by the diocese. Later on further structures were added by the MSFS.By 2016 Nongalbibra has grown to be a large Parish with a vibrant catholic community well known across the diocese for its generous and cooperative people. There are more than 7,000 Catholics from 820 families in the 34 catholic villages. The villages are Agreng, Chekweegittim, Chimadachitgittim, Chimagre, Dajugittim, Darangdura, Dengjama, Do.bakkol Awemong, Dobakkol Chankal Gittim, Do.bu Bawarang, Do.bu, Eraaning, Gare Dasik, Gare Nawak, Gare Rengdi, Imbikgittim, Jadigittim, Jongsingittim, Lower Pattargittim, Maidugittim, Nengbrekgittim, Nengjagittim, Nengkra, Nengmithugittim, Nongal Bazar & Parking, Nongal MSEB Colony, Pattergittim, Rongdingawe, Rongkandi line Hotel, Rongkandi Mission Compound, Rongsawe, Sampattalgittim, Sudugre Boaldak, Sudugre Agal, Sudugre Nengjaring, and Wa.tregittim. The Parish council and pious associations such as Marian Sodality, St Joseph Sodality, Catholic Youth Association (CYM), Laity Association are very actively functioning.
The Parish can take credit for its growth in faith. The tangible proof is Most Rev. Andrew R. Marak, the first Garo Bishop of the diocese who hails from Nongalbiba. So too, it has nurtured number of priestly and religious vocations. Bernard Sangma, who was a teacher of the school, in its initial days was ordained MSFS priest in 1995.
Hostel
Began in 1979, with two boys and two girls in a thatched house, today there stands SFS Boys’ hostel and Holy Cross Girls’ hostel. Around 50 boys and 70 girls are benefiting from this facility annually. Anew two storey hostel building was completed in 2017, with more facilities.
Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod
Since 1985 the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod (SCC), popularly known as Holy Cross sisters, have associated with the mission. There are four sisters who are on the school staff. With the partial support from Dr Mukul Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, the construction of a two-storyed hostel for girls was completed in 2016.
|
SL. NO |
PARISH PRIEST |
YEAR |
|
1 |
George Parampukattil |
1979-1983 |
|
2 |
Fr Pius Nellianiyil |
1983-1990 |
|
3 |
Sebastian Paredom |
1990-1993 |
|
4 |
Chacko Varapadavil |
1993-1994 |
|
5 |
Augustine Vellaramkuzhy |
1994- 1999 |
|
6 |
Thomas Nirappel |
1999-2005 |
|
7 |
Joseph Puliyilakat |
2005-2009 |
|
8 |
Joseph Chettany |
2009- 2011 |
|
9 |
Thomas Nirappel |
2011 - 2018 |
|
10 |
Abraham Puthenpurackal |
2018 |
|
SL. NO |
ASST. PARISH PRIEST |
YEAR |
|
1 |
Sebastian Paredom |
1979-1981 |
|
2 |
Augustine Vellaramkuzhy |
1981-1982 |
|
3 |
Sunny KurianAranjanil-South West Province |
1981-1982 |
|
4 |
Sebastian Neendukunnel |
1982-1988 |
|
5 |
Joseph Thekkel |
1988-1992 |
|
6 |
Thomas Nirappel |
1992-1996 |
|
7 |
Abraham Puthenpurackal |
1994- 1997 |
|
8 |
Benoy Veliyathu |
1998-2002 |
|
9 |
Saji Kaippallil |
2002- 2004 |
|
10 |
Abraham Ponvelil |
2005-2008, 2011-2016 |
|
11 |
Thomas Anakallil |
2007-2010 |
|
12 |
Peter B Marak |
2010- 2011 |
|
13 |
Albert Sahayaraj |
2010-2014 |
|
14 |
Siby Mattapallil |
2014- 2019 |
|
15 |
Sebin Vemballikkunnel |
2019 - |
