Mother of Compassion Parish – Mawkhlam

Mary, Mother of Compassion Parish, Mawkhlam, is located in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, under the Diocese of Nongstoin. West Khasi Hills is the largest district in the state, covering an area of about 5,247 km².

Initially, the Bishop entrusted the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) with the responsibility of providing pastoral care to the Catholic faithful of Mawkhlam village and two neighbouring villages—Lad Nongsba and Mawkynthaitniangbri-Mawkynjoin. At that time, the community consisted of about 140 Catholic families. For nearly seven months, the MSFS priests carried out pastoral ministry, including prayer services, conventions, and care for the sick, even before the mission was officially established as a parish.

On November 20, 2011, the parish was formally erected under the patronage of Mary, Mother of Compassion, and Fr. Joby Kurikilamkattu, MSFS, was installed as the first Parish Priest.

At the time of its establishment, the parish had three village churches with 140 families and around 1,040 faithful, bifurcated from St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish, Nongstoin. Soon after, five additional villages were added from St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Mawlangdep, bringing further growth to the community.

Today the parish includes eight Catholic villages:
Mawkhlam, Lad Nongsba, Mawkynthaitniangbri-Mawkynjoin, Risiang, Mawpon, Nongmynraw, Nongthymmai, and Riangpoit. The parish has about 2,789 Catholics, mainly from the Khasi tribe, including sub-tribes such as Marams, Lingams, and Nongtraw.

Over the years, the parish has witnessed significant events, including the veneration of the Jubilee Cross and relics of St. Francis de Sales, the monthly Bible convention, the blessing of the parish church, and the Diocesan Eucharistic Procession in 2015, which gathered thousands of faithful.

Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS)

The Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) joined the parish on July 24, 2013. They actively collaborate in the pastoral ministry, school education, and renewal centre activities. The sisters also visit families, conduct village apostolate, assist in teaching, and help animate retreats, prayer services, and perpetual adoration.