Parish Details

Area Name: GANDACHERRA

ST. ARNOLD PARISH, GONDA TWISA

Established             : 1999

Patron                     : St. Arnold

Parish Priest           : Fr. Amalraj

Asst. Priest              : Fr. Praveen Kumar Yeddanapally   

Deacon                    : Dn. Sebin       

Brief History:

 In 1983, Mr. Khagendro Reang who was baptized in Shillong brought the Catholic faith to the nearby villages of Gondatwisa. Fr. Jose Sarpathil C.S.C. and Fathers used to visit the village regularly between 1992 and 1997 and offer Mass, mostly in Mr. Khogendro Reang’s house.

On 5th July 1997, Fr. Ivan, S.V.D. visited Gondatwisa and the people requested him to come more often. He was inspired by their faith. In August 1997, Fr. Ivan started staying in Gondatwisa. In March 1998, Fr. Maxim joined Fr. Ivan. Mr. Santharam Reang provided the new thatched roof house for their stay. On 24 May 1998, the first 32 people of Gondatwisa were baptized by Bishop Lumen Monteiro. In March 1999, the foundation for the temporary presbytery and worship Centre was blessed by Bishop Lumen and inaugurated on 8 September 1999. On the same day, St. Arnold Parish was established with Fr. Ivan D’Silva, S.V.D. as its first Parish Priest. The land was allotted by the Government. In March 2000, a Hostel was opened with 5 students. The School for the K.G. children was started on 1st April 2000.

After serving the Parish for 12 long years the S.V.D. Fathers handed over the administration to the Diocese in 2011. At that time, the Parish had a High School with around 700 students.  At present, there are 14 substations in the Parish and a High School. The tribes of the Parish are Reang, Uchoi, Chakma, Molsom, Tripura and Debbarma.

Substations of the Parish:

1.    Jagabandhu: St. Peter and Paul, 2000

2.    Tribagya Para: Christ the King, 2000

3.    Manoram Para: St. Francis of Assisi, 2001

4.    Raishyabari: St. Antony, Abbot, 2001

5.    Jeeba Karta: St. Joseph Freinademetz, 2006

6.    Ajoyda Para: St. James, 2007

7.    Kailyansigh: St. Joseph, 2008

8.    Ratan Nagar: St. John Mary Vianney, 2008

9.    New Joyram Para: Our Lady of Velankani, 2009

10. Babhusai: All Saints, 2015

11. Bhagirath: St. Paul the Apostle, 2016

12. Maniram Para: Assumption of our Lady, 2016

13. Joyram Para: Holy Spirit, 2017

ORDER OF THE PARISH PRIESTS

1.    Fr. Ivan D’Silva, S.V.D.            (1999 – 2006)

2.    Fr. Jeevan Kennady, S.V.D.    (2006 – 2010)

3.    Fr. Arul Selvam, S.V.D.           (2010 – 2011)

4.    Fr. Joshy Puthenveetil             (2011 – 2012)

5.    Fr. John Bosco Lathees          (2013 – 2019)

6.    Fr. Prasad Rao Singavarapu    (2019 –

St. Arnold School

Established             : 2000

Principal                  : Fr. Praveen Kumar Yeddanapally

Address                  : St. Arnold School,

  Gonda twisa P.O. – 799287

  Dhalai Dt., Tripura.

St. Arnold Boys’ Hostel – 2000

Holy Spirit Convent

Established             : 2008

Superior                  : Sr. Rini Thattuparambil, S.Sp.S.

Address                  : Gonda twisa P.O. -799287,

                                 Dhalai Dt., Tripura.

Holy Spirit Girls’ Hostel