Matters India reporter

Siliguri, April 19, 2023 — Kolkata Salesians have partnered in joint mission efforts for a second time in recent years with St Joseph’s province of Vincentian Fathers by offering existing Salesian facilities in Nepal and India.

Bishop Vincent Aind of Bagdogra in Siliguri, blessed another existing Salesian facility christened Messengers of Good News offered to Vincentians, on 19th April 2023.

Called Vincentian Ashram, the facility is situated near Champasari-Debidanga in Siliguri, the commercial hub of North Bengal.

Some 130 special invitees including director of Leadership Training Centre Siliguri Rev Alem Longchar joined Bishop Aind for solemn Eucharist concelebrated by some 30 priests, scores of Sisters and candidates of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians who formed the choir.

Also present at the event were Salesian Provincial of Kolkata Fr Joseph Pauria and Vincentian Provincial Superior Fr Jilson Mathew Kakkattupullil along with Vincentian Mission Superior Fr Abraham Mundackal.

“It is rare that men religious congregations partner in joint mission ventures,” said Vincentian Provincial complimenting the example set by Kolkata Salesian province in offering two facilities in India and Nepal to Vincentian mission efforts.

Explaining the mission of the new joint venture, the Vincentian provincial said, “In a climate vitiated with bad news and fake news, hate speech and mob violence, it is mandatory that we become agents of love, good news, and promote harmony among people.”

The new initiative in India situated in Babubasa locality of Siliguri close to Nepal border is called Vincentian Mission @ MGN under the care of Vincentian Fathers Fr Xavier and Fr Cyril.

The earlier joint mission venture was at Don Bosco Centre Dharan in East Nepal where Nepal Don Bosco Society began activities in 1992. In 2018 Dharan centre was offered to Vincentian Fathers.

Salesian Fr. George Alakulam who died in 2016, a pioneer of many parishes in Kolkata province, is founder of the Messengers of Good News (MGN).

MGN Centre started in 1992 by late Fr Alakulam aims at renewing inter-faith families and building up young people as responsible citizens. The three pillars of the MGN movement are Prayer, Unity and Service.