INDIA: New chapel in Pathangre Village brings new hope thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions
Chapel to serve as gathering place for church and prayer
INDIA
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries were able to construct the new Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Pathangre Village, tribal village in Madhya Pradesh, India, thanks to donor funding. The funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. There are 55 Catholic families in the village who will attend this new chapel.
With the funding, Salesian missionaries were able to construct the chapel and fill it will all the necessary items for Catholic mass as well as other religious services. The Chapel has sufficient number of lights and fans as well as the crucifix and statues of Mary Help of Christians, St Joseph, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as the Stations of the Cross.
A Salesian noted, “The new chapel has brought a complete change in the life of the faithful. Before, they had no place to gather for church or prayer. Now they have a beautiful chapel to gather for Mass, prayer meetings, the rosary, Sunday School for the children, religious instruction and catechesis for the older youth. During the months of May and October, they gather together to pray the rosary. The chapel has become the center for the faithful of the village. The chapel is a great blessing their lives. They are extremely grateful to the donors and the Salesian Missions.”
Getmilla Sangma is one of the people who has benefited from this new chapel. She is the mother of four children and one of her sons is the Salesian Aspirantate, who will be completing his call this year. Her was serving as the catechist of the village since the beginning.
Sangma said, “We are happy we have a beautiful chapel where we can gather for prayer and rosary and for mass whenever Salesian fathers come to visit us. This has also impacted our children who used to have to sit outside for catechism, which was difficult in the rainy season and winter because the old church was in disrepair and old. Now, they are inside and can focus. It gives us new hope – our prayers are answered.”
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Sources:
Salesian Missions – India
World Bank – India
