21. HOLY CROSS PARISH MAWPAT

Address : Mawpat, South West Khasi Hills District - 793119

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. Ruwnglal Friny Peter CSC

Contact: 6009897092

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.