CHRIST KING PARISH, GOGAMUKH

The MSFS who were making great progress in the area of evangelization work in Upper Assam ventured to start another new centre at Gogamukh. Though Gogamukh had great scope for evangelization, the distance from Dhemaji parish, regular flood, poor transportation facilities made access to this place difficult. Hence Fr Mathew Kavithazha, the founder of the parish, moved to Gogamukh in 1982 from Dhemaji. He faced stiff opposition from different quarters before he could acquire a reasonably good amount of land for the mission, 2 km away from the town and by the side of Gogamukh- Dhakuwakhana road. The other Christian denominations too which were present in the area were not happy about the Catholics establishing a parish at Gogamukh. The Baptist mission adjacent to the centre was opposed to the mission and troubled the centre in many ways (Chakaleckel, n.d. p.19). Fr Mathew braved all those hurdles with trust and confidence in God. Soon enough the opposition gave way to appreciation. In a short time that he served the mission (1982-1984) Fr Mathew was able to make new contacts with many families and villages in Arunachal Pradesh too. He went back to Visakhapatnam in 1984. Though there were a few Catholics before the establishment of the mission, it was with the inauguration of the parish that evangelization work progressed. Many villages were contacted by Fr Mathew at the initial stages and later by Fr Jose Thenganakunnel who was the parish priest from 1984. Catholics were from five tribal groups, namely Mishings, Boros, Adivasis, Santals and Adis (MSFS Provincial House Archives, 1987a).

Fr Jose Thenganakunnel was able to build a presbytery and a boy’s boarding with the help of the Province. Meanwhile, the number of students in the school showed a remarkable increase. The touring of catholic villages was taken up as a priority and more catholic communities were established in a short time.

Gogamukh parish celebrated silver jubilee on December 9, 2007 with Most Rev. Robert Kerketta sdb officiating at the Silver Jubilee celebration. The catholic population numbers 3500 from 572 families in 29 villages. There are 150 catholic students in the school. The faithful belong to Mishing, Bodo, Adivasis, Orang, Mundaris, Sadri, Santhal and Assamese. Catechist association, Youth and a women associations and Small Christian Communities (SCC) are active in the parish. Catechist Council and a Parish Council decide and assist in all the parish activities. Gogamukh parish is unique in many ways and is identified with its community of vibrant faith, large number of Catholic population, and many believers from the Mishing community. The mission has achieved sustainable growth and development in all the areas of our mission and apostolate as a result of the hard work of the Missionaries.

Today, the USP of Gogamukh mission is that it is a parish community with a large number of faithful. The Annual Sabha in the parish is a regular and grand event. Presently Gogamukh is one of the vibrant parishes under the Tezpur diocese with many villages thriving in Christian joy and love. From 1982 to the year 2021, Gogamukh parish has seen lot of changes.

Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth (CSN)

The ‘Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth’ (CSN) joined Gogamukh parish in 1993 and they cooperate with the priests in all the activities of the parish wholeheartedly. Two sisters are always set apart for village visits and other pastoral activities, while another two are serving the school as teachers. The sisters are much appreciated for their service mindedness, cheerful availability, hospitality and adjustability. The parishioners always have words of admiration for their missionary enthusiasm and readiness. The pioneer sisters were Srs Caroline (Superior), Dominica and Ancina.