St. Jude’s Church, P.O. – Baihar, Dt. – Balaghat, M.P. – 481111 - 07636-256621

Established	1998
Sub-Station	Ghadi, Ukuwa
Patron	St. Jude
Feast	28 Oct
Families	21
Parish Priest	Fr. Simon Fernades, +917774906991
Asst. Priest	Fr. NirdhoshXalxo, +918959849041

Baihar mission is one of the furthest missions of the Archdiocese of Nagpur and is situated 290 kms away from the archdiocesan headquarters. Baihar mission is in remote village which comes under the Baihar Tahasil of Balaghat district in the state of MP. It is situated in the Satpuda mountain range. The inhabitants of this place are Gond Tribal and their frugal lifestyle is being met by gathering scarce forest products. This moderate mission house established in the year 1999 to serve as a place of worship for the catechumens and double itself as accommodation for the parish priest and other functionaries. This house was purchased from a Muslim family .This mission comprises of two sub- station, UKUWA and GHADI.

UKUWA MISSION :

It is situated between Balaghat and Baihar Mission. It's about 30 km away from Baihar. People of this place are workers in the mines so in the beginning fathers used to come from Nagpur, Gondiya and Balaghat for the spiritual needs of the people. The present church 'St Ann's Catholic Church' was build in the year 1996. But slowly catholic people were transferred from this place to Balaghat and Thirodi and now only five family remain.

GHADI MISSION :

This village mission is about 30kms away from the Baihar mission with Catholics and catechumens families. Early years fathers and sisters from Garatola and Kudela mission come for the spiritual and physical needs of the people. Presently one village chapel serves the needs of the people.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths". (Prov. 3 : 5 - 6 )

We people of Baihar mission remember and pray with love for our previous Fathers who through the Lord directed our path, specially Fr. Cyril Lobo, Fr. Albert D'soza , Fr. Jokim Fernandez, Fr. Rudolf Toppo, Fr. Jose Chakalakal, and Liju Anthony and sisters of Good Shepherd and SMMI.

Udgrahanalaya, Sadan Path, Sindhi Colony, Ward No. – 21, Balaghat – 481001, M.P. – 481001 - 07632-248351

Established	1983
Sub-Station	Bharveli, Waraseoni, Tirodi
Patron	Our Lady of Assumption
Feast	15th Aug.
Families	34
Parish Priest	Fr. Vikas Joseph, 9993639094, vikasjoseph12780@gmail.com
Asst. Priest	Roshymon Peter, 7264812334, roshinp83@gmail.com
Religious House (Women)	1) Good Shepherd Sisters 2) Deen Bandhu Sisters

Until 1976, priest from Gondia used to visit Balaghat to cater to the pastoral needs of the faithful and the Holy Mass was celebrated in the house of late Mr. Abraham. Fr. Lourdu Raj was appointed as Parish Priest of Balaghat in 1976 and he used to stay in the house of Dr. Pardi on rent.

From Balaghat, Fr. Lourdu Raj used to visit the substations like Bahrweli, Waraseoni, Rampayli and Tirodi, and administer the Sacraments. A piece of land was bought in 1980 for the purpose of building a Church; but it was Fr. Stephen Moniz who completed the construction of the Church as it stands now in 1983. It is named as 'Our Lady of the Assumption Church'.

Sisters of the Good Shepherd came to Balaghat in 1990 to serve the people of God through social work; and in 2004, Sisters of Deen Bandu Samaj opened their house in Balaghat to teach in St. Mary's School which is run and administered by Nagpur Archdiocese.

Many priests have served in this parish namely, Fr. Lourdu Raj, Fr.Stephen Moniz, Fr. Aaron Reddy, Fr. John, Fr. Sameer Baptist, Fr. Susai OMI, Fr. P.M. Thomas, Fr. Rudolf Toppo, Fr. Jose Chakkallakal, Fr. Jose Panakkal, Fr. Liju Anthony, Fr. Samuel Prashant, Br. James and Br. AlokTete.

Catholic Mission P. O Garratola – 481051, Tal. –Birsa, Dist. -Balaghat. M. P. - 07637-226105

Established	1970
Sub-Station	Devgaon, Pandriipathra, Salghat, Chainatola, Nangbahra, Malajkhand, Bhima, Lalpuria, Bhorruk
Patron	Sacred Heart
Feast	29th June
Parish Priest	Fr. Rudolf Toppo
Asst. Priest	Fr. MadanuBalaraj, +919767668780
Religious House (Men)	Montfort Brothers
Religious House (Women)	Good Shepherd Sisters

The missionaries had come on a bullock cart from Vishakhapatanam to proclaim salvation. Likewise Fr. Cyril Lobo was the pioneer of Garratola Mission Station. Fr. Cyril Lobo began his journey and had no shelter but stayed under the tree. He further landed in Kurela Mission station where the Dutch Fathers used to live. For three years, he studied from the Dutch Fathers, the missionary tactic of medicine and got a diploma in Homoepathic and Ayurvedic.

In 1968, he built first the presbytery and chapel. People started calling him Bunglevala Doctor Sahib. He began his work with Gonds through medicines. With the help of Katra Hospital, he opened a clinic as sub-station of Katra Hospital. Even CHAI approved of it. People from Gondia, Chindwara, Raipur and Jabalpur and even Nagpur used to come for medicines.

Vision:

A journey together to build the kingdom of God experiencing the Father's love brought by Jesus Christ imbued with the Holy Spirit witnessing to all in the neighbourhood through Small Christian Community.

Mission:

To build up Eucharist centered Christian communities and human communities based on Gospel values where all members fulfill their responsibilities in a participatory manner.

1st Parish Priest Fr. Cyril Lobo :

Initially, a layman Vincent by name was his companion. Soon he discovered some Catholics at Baihar and frequently said Mass for them. Mode of transport was not frequent. Police and the people initially troubled him but later on became his friends. After layman Vincent left, an oraon Mr. Francis Xalxo was chosen by Father to be a companion and later on made him the first Catechist. He in turn brought few more oraons. They bought land from Gonds and began to settle. The oraons were swift in agricultural procedure. Today Oraon Family has touched the height of 125 families.

In 1979, Fr. Cyril was transferred to Seoni and Fr. Edwin Alvares took charge. Archbishop Most Rev. Leobard D'souza focus of attention was more on Mission stations. He encouraged on grass-root approach and therefore regular visits to the mission continued. Lumko series was implemented and thus Basic Christian Community living was encouraged.

1st March 1989 St. Joseph's Church, Malanjkand was built with Fr. Albert D'souza as the Parish Priest. During Fr. Albert's time with the help of the parishioners, mud house community hall was built for Mass and other activities. He emphasized on prayer and visited houses even walking several distances. People asked for health centre and school.

2000 Jubilee year on 30th June, New Church was built with Fr. Joaquim Fernandes as the Parish Priest. He built small synagogue houses for prayer in Devgaon, Pandipatra, Chinatola, Lalpur, Salgat, Nangbara. He introduced in getting and making use of Gobar Gas plant.

Fr. Sebastian D'costa Fernandes took over as Parish Priest in first week of May 2010. With the help of the assistance regular masses and visits were made at Devgaon, Pandipatra, Chinatola, Lalpur, Salgat, Nangbara, Boorook, Nikum, Bhima. Catering to the Seven Sacraments and prayers especially Adoration were highlighted, got families united and worked towards team spirit. Fr. Sebastian celebrated Silver Jubilee as priest on 2nd April 2012, a booklet titled “LET YOUR CROSS BE MY CROSS, LET MY CROSS BE YOURS” written by him was released by Most Rev. Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara, Archbishop of Nagpur.

Sisters of Good Shepherd: Their role in the mission began in 1981 and continues till today.

Activities Implemented:

1. Visiting the Catholics, Baigas and Gond families
2. In 1995 a NGO-Jan Shakti Sanchalan was formed – For the people to realize their inner strength and potentials for their development.
3. In 1998 with the recommendation of Rev. Fr. Glen Mascarenhas they got the project from Holistic Child Development India – Pune for Long term Project- 8 years.

Within 8 years sisters were able to achieve lots of developmental for the tribal people. Early childhood care, education, health and nutritious; community

organisation- promotion and formation of Women's Self Help groups, farmers groups, youth groups, and children's parliament and Grihini center for the school drop

- out girls and boys- ITI for the boys in various trades and income generating Programme, watershed development .

Successful Story:-

Through the Health Intervention every year around 3000 sick people receive the treatment. Through Child Focused Community Development programme the sisters with the help of local staff are able to enroll 2500 school dropout children in the Government primary school.

Montfort Brothers: Their role in the mission began in 1998 and continues till today.

Boys Home :-

To facilitate the economically backward students and poor tribal children (without any exception). Some of these children lived in remote villages. A hostel was started in the year 2001, with 11 students. This year there are over 100 students in the hostel where a good many of them are benefitting maximum concession. The school is utilized as study center for the inmates of the hostel and other needy students, as they do not have electricity at home.

Success story :

Glad to mention that within 15 years of service at Garratola, the brothers could send hundreds of children for Medicine, Nursing, Poly Technique, Pharmaceutical, Industrial training programs consists of ( motor mechanic, plumber, carpentry, welding, machinist, electrician, engineering, Air Force etc). As a result they are able to stand on their feet. Out of which more than 75 % of the students started earning and others are yet to complete their courses.

Heb: 6:10 - “God will not forget the work you did or the love you showed for Him in the help you gave and are still giving.

St. Joseph's Church, Rail Toli, Gondia - 441618 - 07182252348

Established	1923
Patron	St. Joseph
Feast	19th Mar.
Families	70
Parish Priest	Fr. Anthony D’Souza, 09423681568, antony_ngp@rediffmail.com
Asst. Priest	Fr. Julius Daniel +917743988648
Religious House (Women)	Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate

The MSFS Missionaries began singing and working out God's marvelous works in the 1880's. Fr. Phillip wrote on 27th October 1885. “The Father of the SFS School was watching from their verandah----The bullocks were moving slowly, followed by the she-goats and the dog, with Father Joseph Buttay walking behind. I could not hold back my tears"-(Extract page 128, Fr. Moget's VAGABONDS FOR GOD). Fr. Buttay was on his last journey visiting the Christian flock scattered at Gondia, Bhandara, Balaghat, Dongargarhand, Raipur. Fr. Buttay arrived with his menagerie in time to celebrate Christmas at Raipur in 1885. Four veterans took part in these itinerant journeys.

In 1912, Fr. Raymond procured a small field and built a ONE ROOM Chapel in the field, close to the rail lines. Later on, he expanded that into a 36 X 18 feet Chapel. Bishop Coppel blessed that chapel on 23 August 1923 and named it St. Joseph's Church. Thus was born St. Joseph's Church, Rail Toli, Gondia.

GROWTH OF GONDIA PARISH :

2 Chronicles 15:7 "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

In 1927, Fr. Anthony Wengert took over the visitation from the Kamptee Centre. He built a two-room presbytery with a verandah. He also expanded the church with a Sacristy and a Bell Tower, (which still dominates over the church at Gondia). Finally Fr. Wengert made the presbytery his permanent residence in 1934 and Gondia became a full-fledged Parish.

Fr. Michael Ferrao (1973) He obtained permission to open English Primary Section. In 1974 the Mumbai Public Trust Act became operative. As a consequence the church and educational works were made into separate Society\Trusts. Thus were formed St. Joseph's Parish Society for all religious\social works and Nirmal Education Society for the educational works. Each had their own Manager and Secretary. Fr. Michael Ferrao was transferred in 1979.

Fr. Felix Moras (1983-1992), renovated the old presbytery and turned it into a 3 Double Room complex, with a Multipurpose Community Hall attached. He was funded by the Church-in-Need and Missio Agency. He also re-floored the church flooring with glazed tiles. During this period, Fr. John Pullankunnel was his Assistant.

Fr. Paschal Fragose (1999 to 2004) He galvanized the cooperation of his flock to regain the cemetery land, put up the cemetery wall and structure. Then he under took the regaining of the land, encroached by hutmen dweller alongside the Church premises. He succeeded in his endeavor and built up a 2 storied structure, which now houses the Hindi Medium Primary School. He also encouraged the Prayer Group to choose a Pastoral Council in 1995. Before he could complete the School structure he was transferred.

Fr. Sebastian D'Costa (2004- 2008). He worked as Parish Priest, Manager, Principal and Secretary of St. Joseph's Parish and Nirmal School. He reorganized the parish into 8 Locality Groups for prayer and action. In this period of time Fr. Sebastian put up the renovated church of St. Joseph. The foundation stone was laid in June 2006 and the church was consecrated on 24 June 2007 by Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara. He was financed by CHURCH-IN-NEED and Missio, Germany, together with other generous donors, friends, relatives and local parishioners.