ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH

Established : 1978 Patron : St. Joseph Address : St. Joseph’s Church, Shaktinagar, SonebhadraDt – 231 222 Telephone : 05446 - 232386 Religious : Daughters of Sacred Heart (DSH) A Brief History: Shaktinagar is in the southern-most part of Sonebhadra district about 60 kms from Renukoot bordering on the extreme end of Rihand Catchment area in the neighbourhood of Singhrauli where U.P. has its first coal mine At the invitation of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) the Diocese accepted to take up this mission. Rev. Fr. Eric Pinto under the guidance of Rt. Rev. Baptist Mudartha, the then Bishop of Allahabad, signed a contract to open school for the children of the employees of NTPC. The premises were blessed on September 10, 1978 by five priests due to the inability of the bishop to come over on account of the grave flood situation in Allahabad. Rev. Fr. Eric Pinto was the main celebrant. The first incumbent was Rev. Fr. John of the Cross D’ Souza. At first the Sunday Services were held in the school premises; and now the multi–purpose hall is also made use of for all religious services. Priests In charges 1 Rev. Fr. John C D’Souza 1978 – 1980 2 Rev. Fr. J. B. Castelino 1980 - 1986 3 Rev. Fr. Stany M D’Souza 1986 - 1988 4 Rev. Fr. Jerome D’Souza 1988 - 1997 5 Rev. Fr. Richard Fernandes 1997 - 2003 6 Rev. Fr. Oswald D’Souza 2003 - 2005 7 Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar 2005 - 2008 8 Rev. Fr. Victor Rodrigues 2008 – 2014 9 Rev. Fr. Alfred George 2014 – to date

St. Joseph?s Church, Shaktinagar, SonebhadraDt ? 231 222