Parish outreach programs have increased to reach more people.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Oct. 6, 2025) Salesian missionaries with the Parish of Damra, located in the village of Dhaigaon in the Goalpara District of the state of Assam, India, have a new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The Dhaigaon community is primarily a farming community where people cultivate rice.
Father Francis Kalariparampil, the parish priest, joined Father Francis Lakra, the head of Don Bosco School, to bless and inaugurate the chapel which will be used for Catholic Mass, to host prayers, catechesis, and rites, and as a community space for all those who reside in the area.
Jenny Marak, a local resident, noted, “Since the new chapel was built there has been a noticeable shift in consistency and enthusiasm for weekly prayer services and Sunday worship. People report a deeper sense of belonging. We hope that there will be broader engagement and increased attendance in Sunday services and devotions. This shows that the chapel has become a visible, accessible beacon of worship that invites both regulars and newcomers into a closer relationship with God.”
The chapel has also become a hub for neighbors to gather while they share resources and offer each other practical support. Parish outreach programs have increased, reaching even more people.
Marak added, “Youth engagement and family participation has risen, with children experiencing faith as a lived, joyful part of life. More children have begun to attend the Sunday school. The chapel is resonating with families and helping to form the next generation in faith.”
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About Salesian Missions USA
Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Network—a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeople—all dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org.