St. Francis de Sales Parish – Sindukpathar

In response to the invitation of Most Rev. Lumen Monteiro CSC, Bishop of Agartala, the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS) decided to open a mission in Tripura in 2006. The then Provincial of the MSFS Northeast India Province, Fr Abraham Mullenkuzhy, along with Fr Mathew Vazheparambil and Fr Emmanuel Mappilaparambil, visited the Diocese of Agartala to explore possibilities for starting a mission.

The Bishop entrusted them with the southernmost and largely unexplored region of Tripura, the present Subroom Sub-Division in South Tripura District, for the work of evangelization. The population of this region mainly consists of Bengali, Tripuri tribal communities, and Mog people who follow Buddhism.

Search for a Mission Centre

Fr Mathew Vazheparambil and Fr Roy Muthadathu were assigned to learn the local language and identify a suitable location for the mission. On April 30, 2006, they arrived at Ambasa Parish run by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), where Fr Maxim Rodrigues introduced them to Bengali culture and traditions.

Later, Fr Mathew continued his exposure at Kumarghat Parish managed by the Holy Cross Fathers, while Fr Roy moved to Kamaranga Parish run by the SVD Fathers.

On August 7, 2006, the two missionaries reached Kalachera in Subroom Sub-Division to search for land for the mission. Mr Urdhav Tripura, SDO of the Forest Department, generously accommodated them in his house. However, due to strong opposition from the Tripura Baptist Church, the missionaries could not secure land in Kalachera.

Establishment at Sindukpathar

At this critical stage, Mr Jitendra Chowdhury, the Minister of Rural Development and Forest, Commerce and Industry in the Government of Tripura, generously offered 23 acres of land at Maira near Sindukpathar, about 10 km from Kalachera.

On March 8, 2007, Fr Mathew and Fr Roy arrived at Sindukpathar and began constructing the presbytery. Initially, they lived in a simple hut in the village before moving into the present presbytery, which was inaugurated by Mr Jitendra Chowdhury in 2008.

During the early years, the missionaries focused on learning the local language and building relationships with the people. They also began ministering to a small Catholic community at Sakbari village, located about 8 km away.

Several local leaders supported the mission in its early stages, including Mr Chandi Charan MDC and Mr Jogender Tripura. Fr Thomas Pereira CSC, the Diocesan Administrator, and Fr Robert Mathias CSC, Director of JUST at Agartala, also provided valuable guidance and support.

Establishment of the Parish

In September 2008, Bishop Lumen Monteiro elevated the mission to the status of a parish and appointed Fr Mathew Vazheparambil as the first Parish Priest.

In 2009, when the SFS School was opened, Fr Tomy Thekkel took charge of the mission as Parish Priest and became the first Headmaster of the school. Fr Pratap Kerketta served as his assistant.

Parish Community and Development

Today, the parish has a well-built presbytery and the priests actively engage in pastoral, spiritual, and educational ministries.

The Catholic community consists of around 40 families with about 180 faithful spread across five villages:

• Maira

• Parthumunipara

• Wagrupara

• Sakbari

• Sindukpathar

The mission has also received considerable support from the Government of Tripura, especially from the Department of Tribal Welfare. Assistance was provided for leveling the playground, supplying drinking water for school children, building a fish pond, installing a gas plant and transformer in the school campus, and constructing a 400-meter tarred road to the school. The government has also extended partial support for building the boundary wall, fencing, and rubber plantation.

Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC)

The Sisters of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) of the Ernakulam Province established a community at Sindukpathar on July 16, 2014. They actively assist the mission in educational and pastoral ministries.

The pioneer sisters of the community were Sr Lysa (Superior), Sr Anna Grace, and Sr Jisa John.