History of Masi Marshal Mission Station, Charhi

In 1973 Fr. Hans Hendricks S.J. was relieved from Catholic Ashram Hazaribag. Since He knew Santhali Language, started Santhal Ministry known as Deen Seva Dal, he moved from village to village, catechising the people, adopting their culture and customs of the people. He opened a mud house for himself and a School, named Masi Mander, only for Santhals.

Date of establishment	1973
Patron	Masi Marshal
Pioneer Parish Priest	Fr. Hans Hendricks S.J.
Present Parish Priest	Fr. Nicholas Topno S.J.
Co – Pastors	Fr. Emile Ekka S.J., Fr. Gregory Kerketta S.J., and Fr. Birendra Tirkey S.J.
Address	MASI Marshal School Charhi P.O., Hazaribag Dt. 825 336, Jharkhand
Phone No.	06546-232728/ 232334
No. of Catholic Families	200
No. of Catholics	1050
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr Camil Soren	9931500755
Mahila Sangh President	Anita Kisku	9199264592
Yuva Sangh President	Sabyanus Kerketta	6201459366
Crusveer Animator	Mrs Nili Toppo	7050801797
NAME OF THE MASS CENTER	NIRMALA CHURCH, KEDLA - 15
Stablished on	1974
Catholic Population in the center	66

The Nirmala Church is located in CCL Area, Ghato, Kedla-15. It was established around 1974 under the guidance of Fr. Camille Kujur S.J. The construction of Nirmala Church was undertaken with the aim of providing spiritual support to the laborers working in CCL.

The residents here are temporary. All the tribal families from different districts of the state come here in search of employment in the coal mines. These families arrived in CCL as laborers. Over time, they have faced many difficulties while working in the coalfield area. They educate their children in local schools, while for higher education, most people go to Ranchi.

Upon retirement, all families return to their native villages. Around 1974-75, after completing their labor work, people collectively contributed to purchasing a small piece of land and constructed Fxjat House. The suggestion to build Nirmala Church was given by Parish Priest and people collectively showed great enthusiasm and support in its construction.

It is believed that Nirmala Church, Kedla-15, has been standing strong from 1974 to 2022. The major concern is that the land on which Nirmala Church is built does not have legal ownership rights. The land is under the jurisdiction of CCL, and the residents here are temporary.

Currently, 22 tribal families reside in this small Nirmala Church, which serves as a symbol of tribal unity and peace for the local residents and the surrounding people. Every Sunday, people gather at Nirmala Church for community prayer.

Parish Priest	Fr. Satya Prakash Baskey SJ
Phone No.	9087796591
Email	baskeysj@gmail.com
Father Superior	Fr. Nicholas Toppno SJ
Sch. Gulson Bara SJ
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Ignatius Tirkey
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Mariyam Lakra
Yuva Sangh President	Miss. Lata Toppo & Mr. Ashish Soren
Crusveer Animator

Catholic Ashram, Danto

History of St. Teresa of Child Jesus Church, Danto

The people of Danto mostly migrated from different part of Ranchi district and came to Danto in 1920-21. Fr. De Meulder had settled the people. These tribal families mostly are Mundas and oraon. In early 1942 a school was opened as R.C. Mission School Danto. in 1994 Fr. Emil Ekka S.J. was appointed as the first Parish Priest who built the Church and residence near school. As the time passed, numbers of catholic increased, at present there is new church building and inaugurated by Most Rev. Bp. Anand jojo D.D on 4th Dec. 2021 under the guidance of present parish priest Fr. Suman kishore Minj and Fr. Subal Surin.

Date of establishment	1994
Patron Saint	St. Teresa of Child Jesus.
Pioneer Parish Priest	Fr. Emil Ekka, S.J.
Present Parish Priest	Fr. Suman Kishore Minj
Co – Pastor	Fr. Subal Surin
Address	Catholic Ashram Danto Vill.Danto Khurd P.O. Katkamsandi Dt. Hazaribag 825 301, Jharkhand
No. of Catholic Families	209
No. of Catholics	1900
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Clement Tirkey
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs Anita Tirkery
Yuva Sangh President	Miss. Saroj Runda
Crusveer Animator	Sr. Anita Tigga

SHORT HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF GHATO MASS CENTER

Name of the Mass Center	St. Joshep Church, Bhelgarah, Ghato
Stablished on	1979 - 80
Catholic Population in the Mass Center	264

History of Parish

St. Joshep Church bhelgarha Ghato has long a history. It started in 1979 -80 when some of the Christian faithful came as labourers to work in Central Coalfield Limited. These workers were from the different parts of the Jharkhand mainly Simdega, Gumla, Latehar, Lohardaga, Dumka etc. As they began their livelihood here, they felt the need of spirituality. They came together for prayer in a few occasion. Later they decided to build a prayer house in Kedla -9. They collected the stones from the coal mines area and carried on their shoulders and heads. Thus they managed to build a small prayer house with thatched roof. This prayer house remained for a quit a long time. Many years later they rebuilt the prayer house with cement and concrete roof. By this time the number of the faithful had increased. Many young and enthusiastic Christians started taking part in the spiritual activity. Those who had come earliear, they had settled down and purchased land there. In 2009, Tata Tisco company took over that land for excavating coal. As a result they were asked to vacate the place and settle another place. In a resettlement process, the church committee then talked to the Tata Management and asked them to rebuild the church in Bhelgarha. The old church was demolished. The new Church was built in Bhelgarha in 2017 with the help of the Tata Management authorities. At present there are 84 Christian families. These families consists of CCL and TATA employees, labourers, nurses and housewives. There are around 264 faithful at present.

Parish Priest	Fr. Satya Prakash Baskey SJ
Email	baskeysj@gmail.com
Asst. Parish Priest	N/A
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Ignatius Minj
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Kripa Bage
Yuva Sangh President	Mr. Ranjit Kullu

Catholic Ashram Hazaribag

History of Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Cathedral

A Short History And Description Of The Parish

Name of the Parish	Transfiguration Of Our Lord Cathedral Church
Established on	1935
No. of Catholics	2499

History of the Parish

The first priest to serve in Hazaribag was Fr. Goiran of Calcutta, who arrived in 1835 to act as Chaplain of Ramgarh Battalion. He was succeeded by Fr. Backhaus in 1837. In 1842 Military cantonment was abolished. In 1859 the Military cantonment was restored and Patna Capuchin Fathers became chaplains and a church was built in 1860. In 1871 Military Chaplaincy was transferred from Patna to Calcutta and in December 1872 Fr.Vander Stuff a Belgian Jesuit took charge. In April 1873 a Jesuit Novitiate was established within the church compound. From 1903 to 1930 there was no resident, Priest. In 1930 Fr. Soenens S.J. was sent from Mandar who restarted the Parish and made survey of the whole Hazaribag District. He opened St. Robert’s (P. School in the Parish compound, celebrated Holy Mass daily in Hazaribag. He regularly toured – Dhori, Jarangdih, Bhurkunda and Danto Village. During this time St. Stanislaus’ College at Sitagarha began. Fr. Benne was appointed to succeed Fr. Soenens at Hazaribag in 1935. By the time there were small Catholics of Oraon and Munda settlers in Danto, Jori, Jamuary, Torar and Thethangi. Fr. Benne also reached out towards the Santals in the North, to Dalits in Karanpura valley. In 1939 Fr. Benne was transferred and Hazaribag was placed under the charge of Father Rector - Fr. Turkenburg of St. Stanislaus College Sitagarha. It was in 1939 Holy Cross Sisters started serving at Sadar Hospital Hazaribag. In 1940 a full time Parish Priest was once again appointed. He was Fr. Saubolle He began residing in the bungalow next to the Parish church. Fr. Saubolle was transferred in 1943. Following him Fr. Martin and Fr. Whyle served in Hazaribag. In 1948 Fr. Edward De. Meulder S.J. was appointed as Parish Priest. In 1949 he invited Apostolic Carmel Sisters to open a school. They generously accepted his invitation and came to Hazaribag. The place where the church was given to them and he himself moved to “Hermitage”. In January 1950 the building of a new church began and “The Transfiguration of Our Lord church” was inaugurated in June 1951. He also invited Medical Mission Sisters to open a hospital and named it Holy Family Hospital Koderma. He encouraged Jesuit Fathers of Australia to open St. Xavier’s School in 1951. In 1952 Holy Cross Sisters also were invited from Bettian; who came and opened their Novitiate at “Bijli Ghar”. In 1953 Fr. De Meulder was transferred to Maheshmunda, and Fr. Kevin Grogan, S.J., the first Australian Priest became the Parish Priest, who continued to look after the flock of Hazaribag and neighbouring villages. Fathers Mc Inerney, Lou Lachal, Forster and Hans Hendricks followed in succession. In 1974-74 Fr. Joe Panthalady became the first diocesan Parish Priest, then followed by Fr. Maurice Sanga in 1974-1980. Then more Jesuit Priests followed in succession: Fr.Tony Homem (1980-84) Fr. Gaudentius Kongari (1985-90) and Fr. Philip Crotty (1990-1992). In 1993-95 Fr. Fulgence Kujur, a diocesan priest, succeeded. Fr. G. Kongari was appointed once again to look after the Parish from 1995-1998. Fr. Karma was appointed from 1998-99 and Fr. Abraham from 1999-2005, in 2002 foundation stone was laid for the new church building, Fr. Vikram Tirkey from 2005-2008, in 2005 the new church building was blessed and Fr. George Chittady from 2008-2015, Fr. Dayakishore Tirkey from 2015 to 2020 and Fr. Antony K.J. from 2020 to this day.

Parish Priest	Fr. Antony K.J.
Asst. Parish priests
	Fr. Raymond Soreng
	Fr. Vijay Ekka
	Fr. Pradeep Ekka
	Fr. M.D. Abraham (confessor)

Catholic Ashram, Kariwasan

History of St. Thomas church Kariwasan

In 1935 Fr. Bredy S.J. was in Hazaribag parish and had given some money to the Landlord but the landlord could not return the money to Father so he agreed to give 22 acres land in 1974 when Fr Maurice Sanga was the parish priest in catholic Ashram Hazaribag. He took his personal initiative and asked some help from Danto and Jori. He brought three families from jori and gave some land to them to cultivation. In 1985 Fr. Philip crotty was a parish Priest in Hazaribag, Danto parish was separated from Hazaribag and Kariwasan became the part of Danto parish in 2002.

In 2002 Ursuline sisters of Tildonk, Gumla province was invited to look after the mission by Bp. Charles Soreng S.J. Seeing the spiritual needs of sisters and the faithful there. Bp. Anand Jojo, the present Bishop of Hazaribag decided to make the mission a parish and so on 6th July 2014, Kariwasan Mission was declared as a parish by Rev. Bishop Anand Jojo. Fr. Ephrem Tigga is made the first parish priest of Kariwasan.

Date of establishment	July 6th 2014
Patron Saint	St. Thomas, Apostle of India, Feast Day: 3rdJuly
Pioneer Parish Priest	Fr. Tomy A.J.
Present Parish Priest	Fr. Robert Dungdung
Co – Pastor	N/A
Address	St. Thomas Church, Kariwasan P.O. – Katkamsandi, Dt. Hazaribag – 825 334, Jharkhand
No. of Catholic Families	15
No. of Catholic	100
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Ambros Tuti
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Salomi Konk
Yuva Sangh President
Crusveer Animator

Catholic Ashram, Khondhar

History of St. Francis Xavier Church, Khondhar

St.Francis Xavier parish KHONDHAR is situated 28 KMS from Hazaribag. It was part of Hazaribag parish of Hazaribag diocese till it was separated as full pledged parish in 2001. When it was made a full-pledged parish with all administrative powers, Fr. Robert Dung Dung was made the first parish priest followed by Fr. George Xalxo and the present Parish Priest is Fr. George K C. The other priests who served in the parish are Fr. Levin Nayak, Fr. Binay Kiro, Fr. Binod Lakra, Fr. Nelson Mundu and at the moment Fr. Paulus Kandulna serves as the asst. Parish priest. It has got 9 villages and around 350 Catholic people in 70 catholic families living in these villages. The people are mainly famers. They belong to mainly the tribal communities of Oraons, Mundas, and Santhals. This parish has a school up to class 10 with 475 children and 14 staff members, a hostel for boys and another one for girls. In the boy’s hostel there are 120 boys and in the girl’s hostel there are 80 children. There is a convent belonging to the congregation of Franciscan Clarists which serves also as a formation House for F C C sisters. They are involved in serving the school, the girl’s hostel and a dispensary and also in the parish pastoral activities.

Date of establishment	2000
Patron Saint	St. Francis Xavier, Feast Day: 3rd December
Pioneer Parish Priest	Fr. Robert Dungdung
Present Parish Priest	Fr. Eugine Kerketta
Assistant P.P.	Fr. Paulus Kandhunla
Address	Catholic Ashram, Khondhar Vill. – Khondhar P.O. Devchanda via Barhi Dist Hazaribag
No. of Catholic Families	45
No. of Catholic	500
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Kishore Toppo
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Clottilda Bara
Yuva Sangh President	Ms Anupa Topo
Crusveer Animator	Ms Beronica Topno
Village Catechist	Mr Michael Hemrom
BCC Unit leader	Mrs. Clottilda Bara

Catholic Ashram, Koderma

History of Jeeven Jyoti Church, Koderma

In 1956 Fr. Edward De’Meulder S.J. invited Medical Missionary Sisters to open Holy Family Hospital at Koderma. It was inaugurated by Archbishop Nicolas Kujur S.J. of Ranchi. The first Chaplin of Hospital was Fr. Bertrand S.J. FCC sisters specially Sr. Lourdes Mary and Sr. Seraphia arrived at Koderma on 22 June 1968 belonging to Maria Mata Province. They stayed in Koderma for four months, learned the language and customs of the people and locality. Eventually on 22 October 1968, the hospital was officially handed over by Rev. Sr. Carol Hess, Sector Superior of the Medical Mission Sisters to Mother Maurus, Mother General of FCC. Soon the parish was handed over to the Indian Missionary Society Fathers to take care They steeped in Koderma in 1974 and the first one to arrive was Fr. Maria Das. It became parish in the year 1976 and the first parish priest of Jeevan Jyoti Ashram was Fr. Ashok IMS.

They first opened a school under the tree at Seva Sadan in Holy Family premise in 1976, after few years it was shifted to the parish. Later on, the name “Jeevan Jyoti Vidyalaya” was given to the school in 1982 officially. There were very few faithful initially, yet they started building a church. A beautiful Church was erected, having unique structure in 1986 and the first batch of novices of FCC received their first vows in the newly built church. IMS fathers worked in the vineyard of Koderma for almost 40 years and served the faithful. On 7th June 2014, Koderma mission was handed over back to Hazaribag diocese by the IMS Congregation, Ranchi Province. The last parish priest of IMS was Fr. Nilesh. After that, the first parish priest of Catholic Ashram, Koderma was Fr. Anthony K.J and Fr. Norbert Lakra as assistant.

Date of establishment	1983
Patron Saint	Christ the King
Feast Day	The last Sunday of the Liturgical Year
Pioneer Parish Priest	Fr. Bertrand S.J.
Present Parish Priest	Fr. Patrick Minj
Assistant P.P.	Fr. Paulus Baxla
Address	Jeevan Jyoti Ashram P.O. + Dist – Koderma Pin – 825 410, Jharkhand
No. of Catholics Families	107
No. of Catholics	698
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Dr. Vimal Kumar
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Usha Kanti Lakra
Yuva Sangh President	Rakesh Xalxo
Crusveer Animator	Miss Phulmani Kerketta

Catholic Ashram, Sitagarha

History of St. Joseph Church, Sitagarha

In December 1872 Fr. Vander Stuff S.J. a Belgian Jesuit took charge as chaplain of Hazaribag cantonment, and the Catholic population was very few at that time. In April 1873 a Jesuit Novitiate was established within the Church compound. In 1893 Fr. Vander Stuff S.J. died and was buried in the Christian cemetery Hurhuru. When in 1930 Fr. Soenen S.J. became the Parish Priest of Hazaribag, St. Stanislaus College was begun at Sitagarha. Since then, the Rector of the college used to cater the needs of the faithful and were administering the Sacraments. In mean time a separate chapel was built adjacent to the cemetery and Sunday services were ministered. It was at the time of Fr. Tony Hemem S.J. and a separate Parish was declared.A separate land was allotted near Sitagarha village and the Priest’s residence and the Church was built in 2009.

Date of establishment	1930
Patron Saint	St. Joseph, the Worker, 1stMay
Pioneer Parish Priest	Fr. Tony Homem S.J.
Present Parish Priest	Fr. Sujit Bilung
Co – Pastors	Fr. Jai Prakash Xavier Das
Address	Catholic Ashram, Sitagarha P.O. Sitagarha Dt. Hazaribagh-825 301, Jharkhand
Phone No.	06546-227764
No. of Catholics families	150
No. of Catholics families	800
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Vincent Barla
Mahila Sangh President	Rojlin Bodra
Yuva Sangh President	Miss Mebis Aind
Crusveer Animator	Anima

History of Bartua Parish

Some Catholics from East Chotanagpur region like Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga and from different places came to Bartua, Kundru and Jobhiya villages of Hazaribag district of North Chotanagpur in the year 1990-95 and settled there. In the beginning only 11 families were Catholics. In1957 Bhurkunda parish was established and Fr. Philip Crotty was oppointed as a parish priest there. In his leadership and pastoral guide, the population of the catholics began to increase in Bartua. As time passed Fr. Michael Brady, Fr. Peter Louise, Fr. Philip Crotty, Fr. Barry, Fr. Savri took care the pastoral needs of the people there. In the year 1981-82 Fr. Crotty welcomed some sisters to Bartua to render their help in the mission. It was Fr. Tony Herbert who brought education facilities for the children there. Later on, Fr. Peter Paul Kerketta look after the Bartua mission. For the better pastoral guide, seeing the difficulties of the faithful Bishop Anand Jojo started to work out these problems. Bishop Anand Jojo the Bishop of Hazaribag diocese and Fr. Santosh Minj, S.J. provincial, Hazaribag Jesuits talked over this matter and Fr. Santosh Minj S.J. provincial gave the Land to Hazaribag diocese and in 2019 the priest resident and a church was began to build. On 11.10.2020 the priest resident and the long-awaited church building was blessed and inaugurated by the Lordship Bp. Anand Jojo the Bishop of Hazaribag diocese in the presence of Fr. Santosh Minj S.J. the provincial. In the same day, on 11.10.2020. Bishop Anand Jojo declaired Bartua Mission Station as parish - St. Joseph church Bartua. At present, Fr. Anuranjan Toppo the parish priest and Fr. Daniel Besra Asst. P.P. are looking after the pastoral care of the Bartua parish.

Date of establishment	1995
Patron Saint	St. Joseph, the worker
Feast Day	1stMay
Pioneer Parish Priest	Fr. Philip Crotty S.J.
Present Parish Incharge	Fr. Kamlesh
Co – Pastors	Fr. Daniel Besra
Address	Catholic Ashram Bartua P.O. Gosaibalia Dt. Hazaribag – 825311
Phone No.	07319988070
No. of catholic Families	75
No. of catholics	341
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Peter Xaxa
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Pratima Hans
Yuva Sangh President	Suman Xalxo
Crusveer Animator	Mrs. Carmel Minj

St. Francis Xavier Church, Batuka

History of St. Francis Xavier Church, Batuka

Catholic Church Batuka was the part of Bhurkunda parish 20 k.m. away from Bhurkunda. There are 65 Catholic families and around three hundred population in this parish. The scenery of this place is very charming and attractive. It is surrounded by the streams, forests and hills. Batuka parish is situated near the Khalari, Tandwa road. It is 70 k.m. away from the headquarters of diocese Hazaribag. Bhurkunda parish is expanded into the vast area. The length’s area of this parish is around 50 k.m. and15 k.m. widespread. The land of the Catholic Church Bhurkunda was searched by Fr. Huggle in 1953 and parish was started on 07.12.1957 by Fr. Michael Bredy from Ranchi province. Early days these areas were full of thick forest and inside the ground filled with the coal. And so, after the independence of India the Adiwases of Ranchi district settled here. After then arrival many of them accepted the Christianity.

Batuka village is in one of the corners of Bhurkunda parish. There was lack of school and the church. At last, the villagers were built for the village church as well as school for the proper education slowly and gradually the education of this area flowers and developed and came up to the marki. Since Bhurkunda parish expanded in the huge area and surrounded by the forests and Damoder River. Due to the lack of inconveniences it devided into four parishes, namely Ramgarh, Navajara, Bartua and finally Batuka parish. On 2018 Batukaparish was made a full pledyed parish with all administrative power and Fr. Peter Paul Kerketta, S.J. was appointed there as the first parish priest. He established the parish residence as well as middle school up to the six standards over here. But the church is continued in the same mud house only. In 2021 this parish was given to Diocesan priests and Fr. George Xalxo was appointed as the second parish priest here.

Date of establishment	1958
Patron Saint	St. Francis Xavier
Feast Day	3rdDecember
Pioneer Parish Priest	Fr. Huego S.J., Fr. Bekat S.J., and Fr. Bredy S.J.
Present Priest In-charge	Fr. George Xalxo
Asst. Parish Priest	Fr. Sudhir Toppo
Address	St. Xavier Church, Batuka P.O.: - Bundu, Via Rai Dt: - Hazaribag, Jharkhand-829208
Email ID	xalxogeore28@gmail.com
No. of Catholic Families	56
No. of Catholics	310
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Ranjeet Xalxo
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Sarita Surin
Yuva Sangh President	Oscar Xalxo
Crusveer Animator	Asrita Kullu

St. Patrick Church, Jamuary

History of St. Patrick Church, Jamuary

The people of jamuary came from different part of Khuti to settle down in Jamuary and Rajhar. They came in 1932 and settled down in Jamuary, Rajhar and Daha. These tribal families are mostly Munda and Oraon who had migrated from Khuti and Gumla.

Jamuary mission was started by Fr. DeMeoulder and was looked after by Hazaribag parish. At first, they opened a primary school in 1992 and they made a village chapel where every month Holy Mass is offered for the faithful. In 1973-1974 Fr. Eo Panthalady became the first diocesan parish Priest of Hazaribag which then followed by Mourice Sanga in 1994-1980, who looked after this mission.

In 2011 Rev. Bp. Charles Soreng appointed Fr. Nelson Mundu through the intiation of Fr. George Chittady to take care of Jamuary Mission and also appointed him in R.C Mission School Jamuary as a teacher. On 23rd June 2013, Mr. James Bhengra, the Headmaster was retired from the school and Fr. Nelson Mundu took over as the Headmaster of R.C.Mission Middle School jamuary.

Date of establishment	1942
Patron Saint	St. Patrick
Feast Day	17th March
Pioneer Priest	Fr. De’moulder S.J.
Present Parish Priest	Fr.Livin Nayak
Asst. Parish Priest	Fr. Simon
Address	St. Patrick Church, Jamuary P.O. Lilanager (Marhand) Dt. Hazaribag-835202
Phone No.
Address	09801348012
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr.Markush Tuti
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Fulmani Nag
Yuva Sangh President	Parkash Hans
Crusveer Animator	Miss. Suchita Soreng

Mission Station, Patra

History of St. John De Britto Mission Station, Patra

Karanpura Mission, Babupara

In April 1976, Fr. Tony Herbert spent his time as an assistant Parish Priest of Hazaribag use to visit Babupara once a month and celebrate Mass for the little group, the leader workers. In 1979 Tony was assigned to pastoral work in the Karanpura valley, at that time Fathers were staying in the house of Motilal Das. In the same year people from Tilwa the small Bhuinya village invited Fr. Tony. In the initial stage Bhuinyas from Tilwa came to Babupara for Satsang mass and latter Satsang mass started in the village itself. In 1980 the first Non formal schools were started by Tony Herbert in three villages – Babupara, Gondelpura and Tilwa. In 1985 mud Ashram was built in babupara and Fathers moved from the house of Motilal Das to the Ashram. In 1985 only one boy had stolen something from one of the upper caste and with that case the fight between upper caste and Bhuinyas started. In 1988 an agreement was made with Regional Superior Sr. Lourds Mary FCC. and two sisters Sr. Jobit and mary Jose arrived at Babupara in October 30th 1988 and stayed in a small house of Devnath Das. In the year 1989 they moved to Tilwa, from there they use to visit the Dalit villages and felt a great need of a nurse. In 1989 Kajru Das found out the place for Bhuinyas. Fr. Tony Herbert and Kajru went to the Commissioner and he supported them and the land Paper work was done. The same year Fr. Tony Herbert started Mahila mandal (Self help group) and the areas were divided in three circles namely Babupara, Urub and Lamkitand, latter Fr. AT. Thomas named these circles as DVS. (Dalit Vikas Samiti).

In 1990 Frs. AT. Thomas and Christopher Kerketta continued the Dalit mission. In 1991 the colony building work started and Fr. AT. Thomas named it Azad Nagar and the following year in May 1992 Bhuinyas from Ambajit moved to Azad Nagar. In the same year, with the request of Fr. AT. Thomas, a nurse Sr. Smitha was sent to Babupara but unfortunately in November 1993 Sr. Smitha died of Maleria. Babupara school building came up in 1992, with this the Night/Adult and Day schools came up, Night school for men and the Day school for women and children. In 1993 there were forty-two Night and Day schools in forty-two villages. In 1993 sisters moved from Tilwa to Babupara Ashram. In 2011 High School building in Babupaa came up and shanty Niketan School Babupara was upgraded in the year 2012 and the first batch of students wrote their Board exam in the year 2014. Since then we had the control over men, women, youths and the students. Especially women were strengthened economically through self-help group and the whole Dalit community was strengthened by DVS. Together with it the Health awareness among women, social and political awareness among men and they understood the value of education. At present there are twenty Government teachers, Seven in Government service and many are working in private sectors.

PATRAKALA

Fr. AT. Thomas surveyed the area and in 1991 bought a piece of land in Patrakala. In 1993 he initiated a building in Patrakala and by 1994 Sisters residence in Patra was ready and sisters moved from Babupara to Patra on July 16th 1994 and named it Smitha Health centre. In 1995 the Jesuit residence came up. By this time we had around seventy self-help groups were functioning effectively. Fr. AT. thomas went to Manila for his studies and came back to hazaribag and visited his mission area and it was On 24th October 1997 a tragic event took place which shocked everybody- the martyrdom of Fr. AT. Thomas in Chichi Jungle. Since then, each year on 23rd of October we celebrate a social feast in the ground of shanty Niketan school Babupara. After this incident Frs. George, Gyan and MK. Jose took the responsibility on 17th May 1999 and continued the mission. Patra grihini was started on 20th January 2001 by shifting it from Rajhar to Patra and FCC. Sisters were assigned to take care of the grihini girls and through the help of Jharkhand education programe, kishori Niketan school was started in 2003 with fifty girls. By this time, we had twelve circles (DVS) namely- Babupara, Bela, Azad Nagar, Lamkitand, Urub, Itij, ChepaKala, sirka, Pachda, Dambhabagi, Harla and Dhamnatand and the around 160 self help groups were actively functioning. Frs. MK. Jose and Primus had to face the dacoits on 16 June 2006, but the mission continued. 2005 onwards people started fighting against the companies. The issues dealt were mining and displacement. In the able leadership of Fr. MK. Jose there came a people’s union called KaranpSura Bachao Jansanghars Sameeti, therefore it was difficult for the companies to have public hearing in the valley. So, on 6th January 2007 a public hearing was arranged in Hazaribag and a case was launched against several people and Fr. MK. Jose was one of them. After this incident Fr. Jose remained in Prerana and Fr. Primus Kerketta took the charge of the Karanpura mission. Unfortunately, on 3rd July2008 Frs. Primus and Basil Lakra were kidnapped at 8.30 Pm. Fr. Basil Lakra was taken to the jungle but returned safely after long difficult argument and compromising at 11.30 pm. Just after this incident Deacon Christopher Kujur came to Patra Centre for his deaconate ministry on 20th September 2008. On April 2009 Fr. Tony Herbert took the charge of Dalit Vikas Kendra Patrakala along with Fr. Peter Paul Kerketta and Fr. Christopher Kujur. By this time, we had three hundred- and eighty-women self-help group in eighty-five villages, thirty-five Non formal schools and social awareness especially among women were seen. Students number had gone up in Rajhar Hostel, Tarwa school, Dhawaiya, St. Roberts Balika and St. Roberts High School. In 2012 Fr. Christopher Kujur took the charge of Patra mission along with Fr. John Tirkey and Fr. Alexander Toppo. The issues dealt in this time were Forest Rights act and Ban patta, mining, diaplacement, ecology and environment. JAMAC team from Ranchi was in Patra for ten days and conducted awareness programe regarding mining and displacement. Karanpura Bachao Jansanghars Sameeti was strengthened. People were against public hearing and opposed it and very next day it came in the newspaper that the Mission is against the development. In May 2014 Fr. Primus came to Patra as an in-charge but soon he was transferred and Fr. Suresh Kindo took the charge of Patrakala Mission

RAJHAR HOSTEL

In 1987 they initiated Rajhar as hostel in the house of Mr. Paulus Purti. Rajhar Hostel building came up in 1992 and the first batch of grihini started in 1994 in Rajhar.

Date of establishment	1984
Patron Saint	St. John De Britto
Feast Day	4th February
Pioneer of the Centre	Fr. Tony Herbert S.J. & Fr. A.T. Thomas S.J.
Present In - charge	Fr. Christopher Kujur
Co –Pastors	Deacon Nirmal Kullu
Address	Dalit Centre Village Patrakala P.O. Garrikala Dt. Hazaribag – 825 315
No. of Catholic families
No. of Catholics	825
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	N/A
Mahila Sangh President	N/A
Yuva Sangh President	N/A
Crusveer Animator	Sangeeta Toppo, Urmila Tirkey

Catholic Ashram, Tarwa

History of St. Joseph’ Mission StationTarwa

In 1972 Fr. Doharty S.J. had started Kirtan Sessions to convey the Gospel Messages to Dalits of Hazaribag. He had pioneered the work at Tarwa by setting up non-formal schools and night schools for Dalit Children. In 1987 Fr. Xavier Diraviam S.J. was appointed to take charge at Tarwa, who continued with Satsang sessions along with education. He initiated to set up a formal school at Tarwa. In 1990 Fr. Xavier Xalxo S.J. was appointed as headmaster of St. Joseph’s School, and Fr. A.T. Thomas S.J. was appointed to supervise all the Dalit schools. Same year Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary (SCJM) stared to live at Tarwa village.

Date of establishment	1987
Patron Saint	St. Joseph, the Worker
Feast Day	1st May
Pioneering Priest	Fr. Xavier Diraviam S.J.
Priest in Charge	Fr S. Jayaraj Maria Louis, SJ
Co – Pastors	Fr Alexander Toppo SJ, Fr. Yugal Kishore Das SJ, Fr Theodore Kujur, SJ, Fr Cyril Toppo SJ, Fr Alex Toppo, SJ
Address	Catholic Ashram Tarwa Village Tarwa P.O. Maheshara Dt. Hazaribag,
No. of Catholic families	08
No. of Catholics	48
Number of Satsang Villages	15
Parish Association
Catholic Sabha President	Mr. Munilal
Mahila Sangh President	Mrs. Saubatia
Yuva Sangh President	Kishore
Crusveer Animator	Sr Sumitra Laguri