DON BOSCO PARISH, MIRIK
"Give me souls, take away the rest"- Motto
HISTORY OF DON BOSCO PARISH MIRIK
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“Mir Yok” means place burnt by fire. But lovely ‘Mirik’ in the public tongue. Beauty is its distinguishing mark. It lies between Siliguri and Darjeeling. Adorned with its natural beauty , this place is a unique scenic spot for tourists. Although the preaching of the message of Jesus Christ had already been initiated by the Protestant Church, for the Catholic Church this mission has only started since 1974.
Mirik Church construction in progress
In the year 1974, Mr Jeevan Gurung, the son of the Manager of Dak Tea Garden, came to Mirik to meet his maternal grandfather.He also took father Jellici a Don Bosco priest who was born in far western Italy. Father Jellici was so fascinated by the beauty of this place that in his heart he decided to start a Catholic Mission here.That day, Father also met the Manager of Thurbo Tea Garden and he started counting the possibilities of starting a mission in this Mirik Valley.
Father Jellici proposed to Bishop Eric Benjamin, the then Bishop of Darjeeling Diocese, and his Vicar General, Father Frendagustus to buy land in Mirik.
In the year 1978 , Father Leonard Tamsang stayed at Salesian College in Gorabari, Sonada to write his Bachelor degree exam. From there he visited some villages of Mirik and on 24/10/1978 a family in Gopaldhara received Jesus and Holy Mass was offered in that house on the same day.
The first Holy Mass was offered on 4/2/1979 in the house of Mr Leonard Subba and his family who had just opened a school. Today in Mirik ,the school is famous as ‘Lewis English School’ and has produced many leaders of the society.
Construction in progress 1994
In 1975, when Bishop Eric and Father Frendaugustus gave permission to buy land in Mirik,three acres of land could be purchased, thanks to the tireless efforts of Father Elias Pinto,the then treasurer of the Diocese . This was in the year 1980. Land registration was also done on time. In the same year SMI (Mary Immaculate Sisters) of Krishnagar Nadia opened a small dispensary in Mirik to treat the sick.
Fr Jellici at construction site
On 23/03/1982 the Senate meeting of the Darjeeling Diocese was held at the Seva Kendra building in Siliguri. The meeting passed a decision to separate the parts of Balasun, Nagari and Mirik from the Parish of St John Berchman of St Mary’s Hills and hand them over to Don Bosco fathers and SMI Sisters of Mirik.
On 06/04/1982 Sister Mary John and Sister Marilyn came to Mirik with Father Jellici and the sisters rented a room in a house at Deosay Dara .Father Vincent and Father Jellici took turns and walked all the way from Sonada to Mirik to give weekly mass to these sisters.
Fr Mathew at construction site
Mirik church construction in progress
The construction planning of Don Bosco Centre Building began on 13/03/1983 , under the supervision of John Lepcha, a resident of Kalimpong. On April 15 of the same year, the regional superior Father Thomas Panakesam blessed the foundation stone of the building in the presence of Father Jellici, Father Vincent and the SMI sisters.
From 20/08/1983 Father George Alakulam came to work in Mirik and stayed on rent in the house of Roshan Gurung . On August 22 Salesian Provincial Father K.L .Joseph came from Calcutta and celebrated the Holy mass in Mirik and he introduced Father George Alakulam to the people as the incharge of Don Bosco Mirik.
On December 19 the new Don Bosco Centre building was formally inaugurated by Bishop Eric Benjamin .On the same day,Father Jellici’s golden jubilee was also celebrated when he took vows in the Salesian society.
From the year 1983 Father George started a non-formal education centre.On February 4th, with the help of a teacher, FatherGeorge admitted few students in the primary section. At the end of the year, he was able to give coaching to 100 children. Local youths came forward to take coaching as teachers.In the year 1984, the number of children to 200 and the coaching was upgraded upto the 5th standard. In 1985 the number of children reached 230 and the coaching was upgraded upto 8th grade. In 1986 the number reached 240 and coaching was upgraded to 9th and 10th classes. That year, 14 out of 18 students passed their sent up exam to write the Madhyamik board exam.
Fr Jellici and Fr Mathew with Mr Pravin Mukhia (architect) and Genesius Gurung (Contractor)
Opening Ceremony of Don Bosco Church Mirik 1995
Father George Khalko came to help father George. After him came Father Simon Ekka. After 11 years of service in Mirik, Father George Alakulam was transferred to Dharan, Nepal and Father Vincent took over the mission of Mirik. In 1992 he was officially appointed asthe Parish Priest. In the Year 1994 Father Mathew Pulingathil came to Mirik and the work of the present church building started, In 1995 the new church building was formally inaugurated.In the years 1997 Father Martin Lakra was appointed as the Parish Priest.
On 19/8/2000 Father Varghese was appointed as first Rector in the Salesian history of Mirik. In October of the same year, he was entrusted with the office of the Parish priest. On September 2002, Father Mathew was assigned the role of Rector and Parish Priest. During Father Mathew’s tenure, a priest residence, new school building and a church building was constructed in Gopaldhara. Together with it a church in Mirik Busty and Murmah was also constructed.After Father Mathew’s transfer to Kalimpong Father VC Jose became the Rector and Father Fabian Kujur became the Parish Priest. After Father Fabian, Father Tony Cherian, Father Anthony Kurian and Father Albert Kujur became the Parish priests in order. After the transfer of Father Albert, Father Mathew Pulingathil is currently the Parish Priest.
Church construction completed in November 1995
Opening Ceremony of Don Bosco Church Mirik 1995
In our journey of faith we cannot forget the service of SMI sisters specially of sister Mary John who has left an unforgettable mark on the mission history of this area. Father Jellici’s hardwork and selfless service of many fathers, deacons ,brothers also have played a huge role in this mission. Among the brothers, brother James Pathiyl (later a priest) worked very hard .
Unfortunately we lost him in an accident just few years after his priestly ordination.
On the silver jubilee year of their service ,the SMI sisters handed over the Mirik mission to the Salesian FMA sisters and went to serve elsewhere.
Today with about 200 families Don Bosco Parish Mirik continues to grow stronger.We remember all the pioneers of this Parish and express our gratitude for guiding us in our journey of faith. May God’s infinite love and mercy continue to protect and lead Don Bosco Parish Mirik to work for the kingdom of God.
Opening Ceremony of Don Bosco Church Mirik 1995
Mirik Church construction in progress
Father George Khalko came to help father George. After him came Father Simon Ekka. After 11 years of service in Mirik, Father George Alakulam was transferred to Dharan, Nepal and Father Vincent took over the mission of Mirik. In 1992 he was officially appointed asthe Parish Priest. In the Year 1994 Father Mathew Pulingathil came to Mirik and the work of the present church building started, In 1995 the new church building was formally inaugurated.In the years 1997 Father Martin Lakra was appointed as the Parish Priest.
On 19/8/2000 Father Varghese was appointed as first Rector in the Salesian history of Mirik. In October of the same year, he was entrusted with the office of the Parish priest. On September 2002, Father Mathew was assigned the role of Rector and Parish Priest. During Father Mathew’s tenure, a priest residence, new school building and a church building was constructed in Gopaldhara. Together with it a church in Mirik Busty and Murmah was also constructed.After Father Mathew’s transfer to Kalimpong Father VC Jose became the Rector and Father Fabian Kujur became the Parish Priest. After Father Fabian, Father Tony Cherian, Father Anthony Kurian and Father Albert Kujur became the Parish priests in order. After the transfer of Father Albert, Father Mathew Pulingathil is currently the Parish Priest.
Mirik Church construction almost completed 1995