Divine Mercy Parish – Mawryngkneng

Divine Mercy Parish, Mawryngkneng, is a parish under the Archdiocese of Shillong, located about 35 km from Shillong. The parish was entrusted to the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) and was officially erected on March 19, 2003, after being bifurcated from Nongthymmai Parish, Shillong.
Fr. Roy Parayaniyil, MSFS, the Parish Priest, and Fr. George Poovathunkal, MSFS, the Associate Priest, pioneered the mission.

Early Beginnings

The roots of Christianity in Mawryngkneng go back to the early twentieth century, when Fr. J. V. Lambergtke, SJ visited the village. The first baptism took place in 1913.

Angelus Marboh, the village headman, became the first Catholic leader and catechist of the community and served faithfully until 1970. He played a key role in nurturing the faith by building the first wooden church with a thatched roof at Nongdawa and acquiring land for the Catholic community. His dedication laid a strong foundation for the growth of the Church in the region.

Several dedicated catechists later continued the mission, including Mr. Ioanis Lawai, Mr. Shalestin Suting, Mr. Lauren Mawrie, Mr. Louis Kharsati, and Mr. Lauren Mawthoh, whose efforts helped the Catholic community grow steadily.

Growth of the Parish

Over time, Mawryngkneng became a sub-centre of Nongthymmai Parish. Priests, sisters, and catechists regularly visited the villages to conduct prayer services, catechesis, and pastoral programmes.

In 1998, Fr. Roy Anthony, SDB, then Parish Priest of Nongthymmai Parish, constructed a larger church building to meet the needs of the growing Catholic community. The preparations for establishing a new parish were later completed by Fr. Francis, SDB.

On March 19, 2003, Most Rev. Dominic Jala, SDB, Archbishop of Shillong, officially inaugurated Divine Mercy Parish, Mawryngkneng, appointing Fr. Roy Parayaniyil, MSFS, as Parish Priest and Fr. George Poovathunkal, MSFS, as Associate Priest.

Parish Community

Today the parish comprises seven villages:

• Mawryngkneng

• Sohryngkham

• Mawlyndep

• Pomura

• Puriang

• Ksehpongdeng

• Kut

The number of Catholics continues to grow as new families and villages embrace the faith.

Pastoral Life

The parish has a canonically erected Parish Pastoral Council that meets regularly to guide parish activities. Sunday catechism classes are conducted in all villages following a structured syllabus.

Important parish activities include:

• Annual Marian Procession, during which First Holy Communion and Confirmation are administered

• Parish Day celebrations

• Father’s Day and Mother’s Day programmes

• Retreats and animation programmes for men, women, and youth

• Marriage preparation and baptism programmes

Between 2003 and 2015, the parish recorded:

• 1,974 Baptisms

• 184 Marriages

• 369 First Holy Communions

• 833 Confirmations

The parish also has active associations for men, women, youth, and children, which play a vital role in faith formation and community development.