Catholic Ashram, Bhurkunda

History of Our Lady of the PoorChurch, Bhurkunda

The Bhurkunda parish had its beginning in the year of 1930. Fr. Soenen S.J. made his first visit to Bhurkunda Colliery on 27th January 1930. He came from Hazaribag to Bhurkunda and met two Tamil families and an Oraon family. First time he offered mass for them. They had their confession and 12 persons received Holy Communion. He also travelled to Bartua, Kundru and Jobhiya. In these places few catholics and few lutheren Christians were residing those who had come from Dighiya and Saparom.In 1940 he also visited Kini and Lurunga villages. Late Catechist Timtius Tigga was a catechist of Kini. And Late Clement was a catechist of Lurunga. After 10-to 15 years later Fr. Huge started the work of establishment of Parish. Late Timtius Tigga gave a place to Fr. Huge to stay in his own home. He also helped him to purchase a piece of land for the establishment of Parish. Fr. Huge was a professor in St. Xaviers College Ranchi. He used to come to Bhurkunda every Saturday and Sunday in the year 1949. Later he was transferred to Hazaribagh in the year 1952. From Hazaribag it was easy for him to develop Bhurkunda as a parish. He opened a school in Saunda D. He made an arrangement to stay there. In 1953 he bought 7 acre of land for the parish. In 1954 again he bought 1.5 land. During this time, he also made contact with the people of Batuka and Paseria. Fr. Huge fell sick in 1955. During his sickness Fr. Beckart s.j, the rector of St. Stanislaus college. Fr. Decyper used to come from Sitagarha for the sacramental service of the people. Fr. Beckart with the help of brothers from Sitagarha renovated the residence and started church building. So, this was the beginning of Bhurkunda Parish. Bhurkunda parish started in the year 1955 when Fr. Huge S.J. was the parish priest and Fr. Beckart S.J, who helped him to build the residence and Church.

Catholic Ashram, Navajara

History of St. Anne’s Church, Navajara

The people of Navajara came to settle down in Korambe Panchayat of Gola Block in the year 1921. They were displaced from Hatia and Bariatu from Ranchi district. In the beginning they worked for Munda Raja and later acquired some lands from landlord. Since all were of Oraon Tribes, the village in which they lived was called Oraonjara. Their spiritual needs were looked after by the priests of Samlong at Ranchi. In 1959 it was transferred to Bhurkunda Parish. As the years passed by Fr. Packiam S.J. who was the parish priest of Bhurkunda visited them often and bought some land for the Parish. When Ramgarh was made parish in the year 1994, it came under Ramgarh Parish. In 2004 St. Ann’s Sisters of Luzern built their convent and a health center. In February 2008 Bishop Charles Soreng, S.J. declared Navajara as new parish and Fr. Daniel Besra was appointed as the first Parish Priest. He built a parish house and the Church in 2009, it was blessed on 19th May 2009. The inhabitants of this area are Bedias, Santhals, Mundas, Oraons, Kurmies, Karmalies, Mahlies, Mahtos, Harijans and Muslims.

Catholic Ashram, Ramgarh

History of St. Mary’s Church, Ramgarh

The Catholic Population of the Parish Comprises scheduled tribes (Chiefly Oraons, Mundas, Santhals and Kharias) scheduled Caste and mixed groups of Catholics who have migrated to work in C.C.L. Mines and Hospital from various parts of India.

Ramgarh Parish is bifurcated from Bhurkhunda Parish in the year 1995. On 29th January 1995 it was declared fully fledged.

• Rev. Fr. Isaac Damian (1995-1996) was appointed the first ParisH priest. There was neither room for him nor place of worship with the faithful. The mass was offered in the premises of cantonment, adjoining to the hospital.

  There were few units under Ramgarh Paris namely:
  • Navjara
  • Rajrappa
  • Chitarpur
  • Lari
  • Ramgarh Town
  • Sirka
  • Argada
  • Ghutua
  • Barkakana
  • Naisarai hospital area
  • Roba colony
  • Iffico Marar

  There were approximately 225 families in the Parish. Now almost half of the family is gone back after retirement from the jobs. There were regular visits to the families by the Parish Priest and Catechist Mr Urban Kishore Hemrom. Sacraments of marriage was held in different community hall as well in the C I N, church, Ramgarh.

  The Parish Priest was residing in rental house, just opposite to the Sadar Block, Ramgarh, in the house o Mr. Sudhir Samanto. In the course of time Fr. negociated with the owner and purchased the house to meet the requirements. However, the purchased building didn't suffice the needs of faitful. At the same time Rev. Fr. Issac Damian was transferred in the year 1996. He was just a term of one year but had a remarkable task.

• Rev. Fr. I. C. Mathew (1996-1998) was appointed to replace the first Parish Priest. During the tenure of Rev. I. C. Mathew Minor Seminary was accommodated in the Parish banglow, named St. Mary's Minor Seminary; under the able leadership of Rev. Fr. Joseph Thalisery as its first Reactor. Rev. Fr. Nabor Kujur was appointed as to assist the rector in forming the candidates. At the same time Rev. Fr.Thomas Ovilil also was accommodated in the house to carry out the Media desk of the Diocese for a long time. All the Priests had collaboration and parish activities went well smoothly providing the spiritual needs of the faithful.

  Since there was no adaqute and sufficient open place no major function could be held. The Parish depended for all major function either to St. Francis School, Kankebar or C. I. N. Church Ramgarh. In the second year of his tenure Father was transferred in 1998.

• Rev. Fr. Tomy Anjupankil (1998-2002) replaced Fr Rev. Fr. I. C. Mathew to continue to work and shepherd the sheep. He had smell of the sheep. As Minor Seminary was shifted to Sitagarh parish campus,he thought of demolishing the part of Priests' banglow and provide a place of worship. As per need and plan foundation of the Church was laid in the year 2001 and in short period on the 11th February, 2002 Newly erected Church was solemnly solemnised by His grace Late Rt.Rev. Bishop Charles Soreng s.j. D. D. However, with the completion work of Church Rev. Fr. Tomy Anjupankil was transferred, but before going from here he added the landed property by purchasing 0.5 acres; which is great boon for the coming.generation.
• Rev. Fr. Philip K. C. (2002-2004) replaced Rev. Fr. Tomy Anjupankil and continued the work with great zeal. It was during this period B. C. C. was introduced in the parish. Both Parish Priest and Catechist Mr. U. K. Hemrom visited the centers and arranged mass and B. C. C. Programme. It was the time Parish began to celebrate the feast of Patron saint of the church "Mother Mary" on her birthday, in the month of 8th September; which continues till date.

• Rev. Fr. Francis N.J. (2004-2011) continued the the task replacing Rev. Fr. Philip K. C. Fr. Francis introduced the mass in every station. Occasionally second masses were arranged in the villages too. He introduced the adoration and mass on first Friday of each month. Sunday classes for children was made compulsory. Spiritually he guided the general public. He discouraged the "Marwa Sadi" and brought it into the he Church. Fr. Francis prepared s platform for all the Pastors of Church to face the burning issues collectively.He was also social activist to organise the citizens to demand for their just rights.

  It was during this time Navjara parish was established. It was declared on the 1st February,2008. And Rev. Fr. Daniel Besra was appointed the first Parish Priest to cater the spiritual needs of the people more closely.

  On 1st August, 2010; Fr. Francis celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his priestly ordination with the parish community at large and was transferred after completion of his elven long years of service to the people of Ramgarh.

• Rev. Fr. Romanus Kerketta (2011-2013) took up the responsibility of the parish priest from Fr. Francis N. J. He continued the race began by the predecessors. He had a short tenure of only two years. However, he had a good rapport with the families. He able to tape resources for the eco-friendly generator set. He raised the fund to cool down the heat of Church an to combate the darkness of Church. He was transferred to a new place to care the new flock in the year 2013.
• Rev. Fr. Maria Swamy (2013- 14th June,2015) was appointed 7th Parish Priest, who succeeded Rev. Fr. Romanus Kerketta. During his tenure he emphasized unit mass, Sunday Catechism Classes, brought women under the umbrella of St. Monica for solemnity, navina prayers, B. C. C. Meeting, seminars for awareness in different sphere. One of his greatest achievements were installation of eco-friendly generator. He continued his tenure till 14th of June,2015.
• Rev. Fr. Karma Kachhap (14th June, 2015 till date) succeeded Rev. Fr. Maria Swamy and till date continues. As he came as a Parish Priest, he emphasized love for "Scripture" he visited the families and felt the lack of proper placement of the same. He decided and proposed the idea of enthronement of the Bible in every house. It was amazing. People were keen to do it. Now Bible has due place in the families. We collectively tried to bring together the youth and conducted programmes. I have been trying to inculcate the teast of B.E.C.in the hearts of faithful.We have collectively given the message of the importance of BEC. Question regarding to faith, the Church, models of Church, seven steps of gospel sharing, Synodality, characteristics of Synodality. We parish council, Mahila Sangh etc have checked out the couples living without sacrament. The all are blessed and are brought in the main stream of the Church. By participating in all Churches forum, we have strengthened it. We have been regular participants in the सर्व धर्म सम्मेलन समिति to create an amicable community.

History of St. Joseph Mission Station, Ghato-Kuju

Catholic Ashram Kuju Mass center was started in 1982. Most of the people around here are non-Christians. There are a few local Christians spread in faraway villages. This Mass centered was mainly started for Central Coal Limited daily labourers and employees for their spiritual needs. The spiritual needs they were attended to were Sunday Mass, Baptism, Marriage and funeral. These employees were from different parts of Jharkhand. They remained here as far as their jobs were secured. After their retirement, they went back to their native places. As long as they worked here, they came together for Sunday Eucharist. Since the employees are non-permanent, our church future remains in darkness. Though it has been a long years but there is no church building in Kuju Mass Center. The Sunday Mass takes place in the School Hall of Marsal Mandir School, Kuju. They are only 15 families and the total number of the members are 45 only.