Nijpara Catholic Church
A CHURCH INAUGURATED IN TRIBAL AREA

 

DINAJPUR, Bangladesh : December 22, 2002 : “‘Bishop when will you built a church in our area. I want to worship the living God in the new Church’ this was the demand of Mr. Bisu to me” bishop was telling in his sermon. Bishop Moses inaugurated a village church at BIRBAHA village in Birgonj Upazila of Dinajpur District on 22nd December 2002. The newly built church is named St. John the Baptist. This is a sub-centre of Nijpara Catholic Church. In the same day Bishop Moses baptized 119 people of 31 families in the newly inaugurated church. The age of the youngest is 4 months old and the eldest one is 65 years old.
 BIRBARA village is about half KM from the main road and when bishop Moses arrived at the main road, traditional Santal Dance group welcome him and bring him with dancing procession this entire half KM road. After that the women washed the feet of the guests. Then the holy mass started. Fr. Manuel Mardy (the parish priest), Fr. Proshanto Gomes, Fr. Joseph Murmu and deacon Arun William Rozario were present along with Bishop. There were about 400 people joined to the holy mass. END

 

Note :
1) BIRBAHA is village of Nijpara Catholic Church. Kellabari is about 45KM from Dinajpur Bishop’s House and about 4 KM from the Parish Centre.
2) Mr. Bisu was the great threat for the priests and catechist to preach the good news of God in the village where he lived. After two years, by the grace of God, Bisu changed his mind and wanted to be baptized in the Catholic Church. He asked bishop Moses Costa CSC to build a church in his village. But because of his age, he died in the age above 80. Before his death Mr. Bisu was carried to the earth-cutting ceremony and he was baptized and named Mr. Joseph.
3) In BIRBAHA village all the people are Santal.