Parishes

ST. PETER THE APOSTLE CATHEDRAL PARISH PYNDENGREI

Address : Pyndengrei, West Khasi Hills District

Date of Establishment : 2th May 1966

Congregation in-charge : Salesian of Donbosco (SDB)

Parish Priest : Fr. Marius Thongni, SDB

Contact: 8787889328

Asst. Parish Priest(s) :

1. Fr. K. S. Paul

2. Fr. Thomas Marak

Religious Community(ies) :

1. FMA

2. CMSF

3. MSPL

St. Peter the Apostle Church, Pyndengrei-Nongstion (1966):

St. Peter the Apostle Church, Pyndengrei - Nongstion was opened on the 12th May, 1966 with Fr. Manuel Albizuri SDB as the first Parish Priest together with Fr. John Premoli SBD as the assistance Parish Priest. It was carved out of St. Paul’s Parish, Marbisu which covered more than the actual area of the previous West Khasi Hills District (viz 5247 sq kms).

The Parish of St. Peter the Apostle Church is located at Pyndengrei, a locality of Nongstoin region. At the opening of the Parish, Pyndengrei locality consisted of 38 households. At the present the Pyndengrei locality shelters more than 1800 households of which more than 700 houses are Catholics. with the population of 22800 of which more than 6290 are Catholics.

At initial stage, St. Peter the Apostle Church which was carved out of Marbisu Parish it covered the distance of 130 km from the East bordering Marbisu to the Garo Hills in the West and the distance 170 km from Kyrshai in the North bordering Assam and to Ranikor in the South bordering Bangladesh.

The approximate population recorded by the West Khasi Hills District as on 01. 01.2002 was 150,000 for the areas that included Nongstoin Parish initially.

The inhabitants of West Khasi Hills including Nongstoin Parish were and are small seasonal farmers. They depend their livelihood on limited farming, daily wage earning and mining labourers. Majority of Parishioners are Khasis, consisting of the Khasis viz. , Lyngam, Nongtrai and Muliang sub-tribes.

Besides farming, people of the area depended their livelihood largely on rearing of life stock, small scale horticulture and veterinary.

At present St Peter the Apostle Church, Pyndengrei is the smallest parish in the diocese. We have the total area of the Parish in square kilometers is = 25 sq km only. The total population of about 22800 only of which 6290 are Catholics. The Parish is run by the Salesian congregation right from its inception. At present there are three priests and two brothers here in the Parish. The Brothers are doing their college studies and also doing their practical training and assisting the boarding boys.

CHRIST THE KING PARISH SONAPAHAR

Address : Sonapahar, Riangdo West Khasi Hills

Date of Establishment : 12th October, 1972

Congregation in-charge : Salesian of Donbosco

Parish Priest : Fr Jiles Thyrniang, SDB

Contact:

Asst. Parish Priest(s) :

1. Fr. Rolang Kharkrang, SDB

Contact: 7005545132

2. Jonas Minj, SDB

Contact: 7085851141

Religious Community(ies) : 1. MCJ

PRESENTATION PARISH NONGHYLLAM

Address : Nonghyllam, South West Khasi Hills District-793106

Date of Establishment : 26th April, 1992

Congregation in-charge : Claretian Missionaries (CMF)

Parish Priest : Fr Jojaiah Chinnabathini, CMF

Contact:

Asst. Parish Priest(s) : Fr. Subodh Kerketta, CMF

Contact: 8787783162

Religious Community(ies) : MSMHC

A Short History

Of

PRESENTATION PARISH NONGYLLAM

Presentation Parish Nonghyllam is situated in the South West Khasi Hills District in the state of Meghalaya. This Parish was inaugurated on 26th April 1992 by Most Rev Hubert D Rosario, DD. SDB the then Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese. This Parish is entrusted to the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CMF) which is commonly known as Claretian Missionaries. Since the year 2005 Nonghyllam Parish falls under Nongstoin Diocese. It is one of the remotes Parish in the diocese it would take the whole day just to pay a visit to Bishop’s House. The specific mission is Catechesis and Education. The mission consists of 35 villages with Lyngngam and Garo population. There are around 957 Catholic families with the strength of 9647 faithful approximately. The jurisdiction of the Parish is very vast still there are lots of challenges and difficulties especially in terms of illiteracy, transportation, communication, Education Institution, health care facilities, poverty, unemployment and many other problems. There are three to four villages where pastoral activities and visit not possible to be done especially during the rainy season. To reach to some of the villages missionaries still need to walk on foot, cross the stream, rivers and thick forests, climb the mountains, hills and valleys. Even till date wild animals are still around the area of the Parish where the missionaries during their mission journey have come a crossed face to face.

In Presentation Parish Nonghyllam, the Claretian Missionaries are in Pastoral Collaboration with the Missionaries Sisters of Mary Help of Christian (MSMHC). In this mission there are hostels for both boys and girls and a dispensary to provide health care for the people since in this area so far there is no health facilities. The presence of the Parish has been a great blessing for the people in terms of education, spiritual and health care.

MOUNT CALVARY PARISH RAMBRAI

Address : Nongkroh, Rambrai, West Khasi Hill District

Date of Establishment : 31st March, 1997

Congregation in-charge : Salesian of Don Bosco

Parish Priest : Fr. Gilbert Gel Bhoi, SDB

Contact: 8014172428

Asst. Parish Priest(s) : 1

1. Fr. Protasius Syngkli, SDB

Contact: 9863441307

2. Fr. Alexius Dkhar, SDB

Contact: 8798536262

Religious Community(ies) : FMA

SACRED HEART PARISH SHALLANG

Address : Shallang, West Khasi Hills District

Date of Establishment : 12th May 1966

Congregation in-charge : Salesian of Donbosco

Parish Priest : Fr. Denis Toju Sangma, SDB

Contact: 8798962521

Asstt. Parish Priest(s) :

1. Fr. Barnabas Mardi, SDB

Contact: 9101130446

2. Fr. Alfred Marzo, SDB

Contact: 9366560209

Religious Community(ies) : MSMHC

Brief History of Shallang

The first people who came to settle in Shallang were those groups of people from Songsak clan around the year 1970 A.D. After a few years they started to open some shops. When the PWD road had been constructed from Shillong to Tura, they began to open a market place as it was a centrally situated village just as we find today. Then in 1976 A.D the Sohbar clan came to settle in their own land adjacent to the place with Songsak clan and by 1981, 2nd February (L) Rev. Albizuri SDB opened the Primary School Called R.C.L.P at Shallang Sohbar with Sir Clement Nongbri as the first teacher who continues to be in service till date. On 15th February 1986 (L) Rev. Fr. Nicholas Tulugi opened the upper Primary School. He gave the name of the School, Joplang, after his very own name (Nicholas). Joplang means "to overcome together" poverty, sickness, and ignorance. Sir Headbat (Constantine) Rongrin was the first Headmaster before the sisters of MSMHC arrived.

Then on 1st June 1999 Rev. Fr. Alfred Marzo, SDB arrived in Shallang and opened a new Parish. He is the first Parish Priest of the new Parish and continued till July 2022. In May 2022, SDB Provincial appointed Rev. Fr. Sangma Denis Toju SDB as the 2nd Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Parish. Rev. Fr. Alfred Marzo was appointed as the Director of the same Institution. Rev. Fr Sangma Denis Toju SDB was the 2nd Rector and Parish Priest of Shallang Parish on 26th September 2022.

At present Shallang Parish has 7 to 8 thousand Catholic. The population is 70 to 75 thousand approximately.

It has one Higher Secondary School in the Centre, two Secondary Schools, 18 RCLP Schools, Upper Primary School, 27 concrete Chapels, two hostels one for the girls and one for the boys and girls.

Two dispensaries run by MSMHC sisters.

In the Parish there are 3(three) Priests, one lay Brother.

In Queen Mary Convent there are 6(six) sisters.

Head Catechist - 1(one) trained and 1(one) untrained.

Village Catechists - 25(twenty five)

ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA PARISH MAWEIT

Address : Maweit, West Khasi Hills District

Date of Establishment : 29th February, 2004

Congregation in-charge : Society of Jesus

Parish Priest : Fr. Wilfred Kharpuri, SJ

Contact: 87005 481964

Asstt. Parish Priest(s) :

1. Fr Ashuli Phimu, SJ

Contact: 81190 99690

2. Fr. Liavi Nukhu SJ

Contact: 98630 54883

Religious Community(ies) : MCJ

DIVINE SAVIOUR PARISH NONBAH

Address : Nonbah, New Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills District

Date of Establishment : 30th December 2007

Congregation in-charge : Diocesan

Parish Priest : Fr. Roland Lyngdoh Marshillong

Contact: 8787858778

Asst. Parish Priest(s) :

1. Fr. Kevin Ward

Contact: 8837453132

2. Fr. Ditendar Lyngkhoi

Contact: 6009187463

Religious Community(ies) :

1. MSMHC

2. VSDB

3. MSJ

4. SCN

5. RNDM

6. SSAM

ST. DOMINIC SAVIO PARISH KYNSHI

Address : Kynshi, Eastern West Khasi Hills District

Date of Establishment : 17th March, 2013

Congregation in-charge : Diocesan

Parish Priest : Fr. Charles Syiemlieh

Contact: 8787334816

Asst. Parish Priest(s) :

Religious Community(ies) :

1. CSST

2. CFC

A Brief History of the Parish

With a view to attend adequately to the Spiritual needs of the large number of faithful in the territory of St. Thomas Parish, Mairang, the territory of the said Parish was divided and thus a new Parish was erected on 17th March 2013 dedicated to St. Dominic Savio. The Bishop under whom the Parish was established was Rt. Rev. Victor Lyngdoh DD the then bishop of Nongstoin. Fr. Anselm Nonglang was appointed as its first Parish Priest. The Catholics belong to the Khasi community.

ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS PARISH NONGJRI

Address : Nongjri, West Khasi Hills District

Date of Establishment : 2nd February, 2014

Congregation in-charge : Order of Friar Minor

Parish Priest : Fr. Stephan Lamin, OFM

Contact: 9863080853

Asst. Parish Priest(s) : Fr. John Lyngdoh, OFM

Contact: 9066296839

Religious Community(ies) : SJC

A Brief History of St. Mary of the Angels Parish

St. Mary of the Angels Mission is a young Mission of the Franciscan Fathers (OFM) in the North Eastern part of India. It is situated in a small village called Nongjri, West Khashi Hills, in the hilly state of Meghalaya. The people living in these areas are mostly tribals. St. Mary of the Angels Mission is a newly established Mission in the Diocese of Nongstoin. It was bifurcated from Sonapahar Parish. It was canonically erected as a Parish on the 2nd, Feb, 2014 by His Lordship Victor Lyngdoh, Bishop of Nongstoigdn. It was one of the remotest Parishes of the Nongstoin Diocese. The parish is on the border of Assam and Garo Hills. It is a very vast parish. It covers to 62 villages, and out of which 42 are Catholic villages. From these 42 catholic villages there are more than six thousands catholic population. The people who are living here are mostly Nongtrai, Maram, Lyngngam and Garo. The people are very poor and uneducated. It is a very backward area. The communication facilities like, road, electricity and telecom is very poor. It is an insurgency area and unemployment. The ministries of St. Mary of the Angels Parish involves is mainly to cater the spiritual needs of the people through pastoral activities, to encourage, promote and impart knowledge to the young generation through schools, and to attend the physical health of the people through a dispensary. Ever since, St. Mary of the Angels mission had come to this area, there has been lots of development and transformation with regards to roads and communication, thinking patterns and perspectives of the inhabitants, their faith has been tremendously improved from how they were, people have realized the need and importance of education.

HOLY CROSS PARISH MAWPAT

Address : Mawpat, South West Khasi Hills District

Date of Establishment : 21st May 2017

Congregation in-charge : Congregation Holy Cross

Parish Priest : Fr. Valerian Serrao, CSC

Contact: 6009425374

Asst. Parish Priest(s) : Fr. Marbilus Kharakor CSC

Contact: 9366658236

Religious Community(ies) :

1. FSM

2. FMA

HISTORICAL NOTES ON HOLY CROSS PARISH MAWPAT

On March 22, 2017, Fr. Robert Mathias, Provincial Superior of Province of Northeast India, announced to the community through Circular Letter 4 dated March 20th about the new parish at Mawpat. He wrote: “New Parish in Nongstoin diocese: The council has accepted the proposal of the Meghalaya region along with the Diocese of Nongstoin to begin our new Parish at Mawpat village under Mawkyrwat Block in South West Khasi Hills.

Mawpat village is 115 Kms away from Shillong, Brookdene and it takes 4 hrs of drive. From Nongstoin it is 44 Kms away and it takes 2hrs of drive. The proposed parish will be created by bi-furcating the Rangblang parish under the Salesians of Don Bosco. It will have 33 villages with 638 Catholic families and 4014 Catholic population. Under the proposed parish there is one secondary school, 3 UP Schools and 14 Primary schools. In Mawpat village itself, there are 83 Catholic families, the secondary school with 235 students, a decent Church building, electricity, BSNL mobile tower and a weekly market. The Uranium deposits are 30 KMs away and the last part of the 7 Km road to arrive at Mawpat village takes 45 minutes of drive! The main source of sustenance for the people is broom stick cultivation in the valleys. The main land as such is infertile and is covered with sand and stone. The official date of the inauguration of the parish is fixed on 21st May, 2017. One of the prime motivating factors for the choice of Mawpat village is our effort to reach out to those in the periphery (Economically Weaker Section). The religiosity and the enthusiasm of the people to have a parish of their own have been very impressive

May 21, 2017 was a historical day for the Church, Holy Cross and the people of Mawpat area as the 24th Parish in the Diocese of Nongstoin was declared opened by the Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Dominic Jala, SDB.

After the homily, Archbishop himself read out the decree of erecting the parish, he also read out the names of all the villages (35) and the total number of families (635) and the total Catholic population of the new parish (4054). The parish he said is named as Holy Cross Parish, Mawpat with Our Lady of Sorrows as its patroness and principal feast. Once the parish was erected the installation of the first parish priest, Fr. Roy Paul Thalackan, CSC took place. Archbishop read the appointment letter, Fr. Roy Professed the faith and as a sign of handing over the parish the key of the tabernacle was handed over to Fr. Roy. To mark the great event, the Archbishop called upon the provincial Fr. Robert Mathias to unfurl the parish flag after which a long applause followed.

Fr. Roy Thalackan worked hard for the development of the Parish. He was assisted by Fr. John PKC in the Parish. Many were baptized, many marriages were rectified, and many received the first Holy Communion and Confirmation.

In May 2018, the Province of Northeast India held it’s Provincial Chapter and Fr. Roy Thalackan was elected as a member of the Provincial Council and as Vice Provincial. He had to move out of Mawpat.

On July 1, 2018, Fr. Suresh Kagoo was appointed the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish, Mawpat and installed Parish Priest on September 2, 2018 by Fr. Wilbert Marwein, Vicar General of Diocese of Nongstoin. Fr. Suresh Kagoo was assisted by Fr. John PKC and then from 2022, Fr. Marbilus Kharakor till toda.

We praise and thank God for the many fold blessings on Holy Cross Parish, Mawpat.