PYNDENGREI – NONGSTIOÑ

ST. PETER’S CHURCH, PYNDENGREI, NONGSTOIN

(Estd. 1966 – C 1975), INS 10

 Pyndengrei; Nongstoin

Meghalaya – 793111

BRIEF HISTORY

The evangelization work in West Khasi Hills received a boost with the start of Marbisu Parish in1950.  Fr. Carmel Attard was the first Parish Priest of Marbisu. Fr. Attard and other priests, stationed at Marbisu, began frequent visits to villages of Nongstoiñ area. Between 1950 and 1965, several families received baptism in and around Nongstoin.  The parish of Nongstoin (Pyndengrei) was established on 24^th May 1966. Fr Manuel Albizuri was appointed its first Parish Priest. In 1974, Fr. George Vanni became the Parish Priest and served until 1992. Fr. Alfred Marzo succceded him. In 1975, the parish was canonically recognized as a Salesian community.

The hard work of several missionaries like Fr.Toneguzzo, Fr. T. Premoli, Fr Carmel Spitale, Fr Philip Giraudo, Fr. Thekkekunnel Jose, Fr. Justin Lyngkhoi, Fr. Philip Valayam,  Fr. Edmund Lakra, Fr. Gedwin Warbah, Fr. Kharkongor Anthony, Fr. Tirkey Sebastian and others has contributed to the growth of the Parish. In recent years the Parish continued to grow much in number and infrastructure, at the mission centre as well as in the villages, wit Fr. Parackatte Mathew (PM) and Fr. James Mani as Parish Priests successively. From 2009, Fr. Kunnamkudath Thomas (Parish Priest and Rector) and Fr. Kuttala Paul serve the Parish.

The astonishing growth of the Parish is seen from the number of new Parishes born of it. In the years past, the parishes of Sonapahar, Rangblang and Rambrai, all under the care of the Salesians were carved out of Nongstoin Parish. After the creation of the diocese of Nongstoin in 2006, five more new Parishes namely Maweit (Jesuit), Umwahlang (MSFS), Mawlyngdep (OFM cap), Nongkhlaw (Pilar) and Nongbah (Diocesan) were born of Nongstoin Parish. The Franciscan brothers (CMSF) have a centre at Siejlieh.

            The St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School at the Parish caters the educational need of the people living in an around the parish and other places as well. There are a number of Primary and Middle schools in the villages under the care of the Parish.

            The FMA sisters established St. Peter’s Convent at Pyngdengrei in 1977. They contribute much to the good running of the school and are involved in the activities of the Parish at the centre as well as in the villages. The sisters render much-needed service in the area of health care, especially through the Dispensary at Pyngdengrei. They extend educational and social services to the rural people in a variety of ways. The parish has an active cell of Salesian Cooperators and Past pupils. The Parish Council and well-organized lay associations like the Seng Rangbah, the Seng Kynthei and the Seng Samla make the parish energetic.

At present, there are four confreres working over there: Fr. Tham Raphael (Rt &PP), Fr. Wahlang Lurshai Anthony (VR, App), Br Dkhar Pascal (Dir. NFVT, Cs) and Cl. Kharpran Saulus (Pt 1).

Apostolate / Ministries

Statistics

OTHER DETAILS:

A Technical school is in construction in Pyndenglawar, 3 kilometers from the house, financed by Don Bosco Mondo, Bonn, and is due open in December 2018, with courses in Welding and Fabrication, Carpentry and Cabinet making and Electricals.

Statistics as in 2017