Inauguration of the new Building of St. Xavier’s School, Tangrain on December 3, 2020

 

 

Dreams becoming reality! Years ago, the people of Tangrain dreamt ‘Tangrain and together with nearby mandlies (village churches)’ as an independent parish to cater to the needs of the local faithful; and that was fulfilled on 03 December 2010 with the establishment of a new Tangrain parish (carved from Hamirpur Parish) under Rourkela Diocese and the parish was handed over to the Jesuits of Jamshedpur province. In fact, it was a ghar wapsi of Jesuits as some people in Tangrain would say, as Jesuits left Gangpur Mission in the late 1940s entrusting the mission to SVDs. Since the establishment of the Tangrain Parish, the people of Tangrain have witnessed the services of the Jesuits.

    Exactly after a decade, Tangrain mission achieved another milestone on 3 December 2020 as they inaugurated the new school building with three stories (thirty classrooms). With this, the Jesuits of Jamshedpur made another dream of Tangrain people–a reality. As Rev. Bishop Kishor Kumar Kujur of Rourkela diocese said in his welcome address the dwindling of the Odia medium schools in the diocese particularly in Tangrain was a big concern. Hence Tangrain was in great need of a school that could impart quality education for the local Adivasis.

    Indeed, the day was great and joyous for Jamshedpur Jesuits. There were 24 Jesuits present from all over the province for the inauguration. Their presence was much appreciated by all. Fr Jerry Cutinha SJ, the provincial cut the ribbon and inaugurated the new school building, and Bishop Kishor Kumar Kujur blessed the building. Bishop was extremely positive and was very grateful to the Jesuits for their generosity and contribution to the whole of Gangpur mission from its beginnings up to now. He wished them well for the Tangrain mission.

    Shortly afterward, Bishop Kishor Kumar Kujur, Fr Jerry Cutinha, and Sr. Anupama Toppo, the provincial of FC sisters, inaugurated the new Convent building. Sr. Anupama was very grateful for the generosity of the Jesuits who built the Convent. She promised that sisters would arrive before Christmas 2020 to collaborate in the mission in Tangrain. Due to lockdown restrictions, only about a hundred people were invited to the event. Among them Fr. George Anthony SJ, the delegate for Odisha Jesuits, Fr. Stephen Barla, the VG of Rourkela diocese, Rajesh Ray, the contractor, Br. Damian Jojo, the architect of the School and Convent buildings. The people were overjoyed to see the huge school building ready for their children and their dreams becoming a reality.