ST. XAVIER'S MISSION

Established : 1974 Patron : St. Francis Xavier Address : St. Xavier’s Mission, Pargahi, Kachar, Naramau, Kanpur City – 209 217 Telephone : 0512 – 2770375, 2770325 Religious : Daughters of Sacred Heart (DSH) A Brief History St. Xavier’s Mission is located between Mandhana and Naramau. It is about 13 km from Ashok Nagar and approximately 4 kilometers after I.I.T. Kanpur. It is in village called Pargahi Kachar that falls under Mandhana Post. The nearest landmark is Ram Ganga Housing Society. When we turn the pages of history we come to know that in 1974 late Rev. Fr. Antony Pinto was entrusted with a responsibility by then Bishop Rt. Rev. Alfred Fernandez to open a mission station in Naramau. He saw many plots of land and then bought a few acres of land at Naramau. St. Xavier’s mission had two visiting stations, Panki and I.I.T., where Sunday services were held because there was problem of conveyance from those places. There was considerable number of Catholics at both the places. After Late Rev. Antony Pinto, the mantle was transferred to Late Rev. Fr. Francis Pereira who was instrumental in starting St. Xavier’s School way back in 1986. In the year 1996 the Sisters of Daughters of Sacred Heart started their convent. The priests were staying in the school itself. In the year 2003 new presbytery was inaugurated which was built under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Fredrick D’Souza. In the early years the parishioners used to go to St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Ashok Nagar, for major feasts. But later on the services were held in the chapel attached to the old convent building. As the number increased services were shifted to the class room. Late Rev. Fr. Michael Martin became the Parish Priest in the year 2004. Most Rev. Isidore Fernandes built and blessed a dispensary in the year 2007. In the year 2009, Rev. Fr. Melwin Wilson D’Souza became the Parish Priest. Presently the services are held in a small prayer hall. The priests regularly visit the houses. Presently there are thirteen Catholic families. The students from I.I.T. Kanpur and other medical colleges also attend Sunday services. The youth of the parish take active part in all the activities of the parish. The parish youth have won prizes in the Diocesan Bible Festivals. The following priests have served the institution: Parish Priests 1 Rev. Fr. Antony Pinto 1974 - ? 2 Rev. Fr. Francis Pereira ? – 1996 3 Rev. Fr. Fredrick D’Souza 1997 – 2005 4 Rev. Fr. Michael Martin 2005 – 2009 5 Rev. Fr. Melwin Wilson D’Souza 2009 – 2014 6 Rev. Fr. Maria Selvaraj 2014 – to date Assistant Parish Priests 1 Rev. Fr. James Francis 1994 - 1996 2 Rev. Fr. Michael D’Souza 1997 – 1999 3 Rev. Fr. Archibald D’Silva 1999 – 2002 4 Rev. Fr. Deepak D’Souza 2002 – 2003 5 Rev. Fr. Vincent Pereira 2003 – 2006 6 Rev. Fr. Prem Prakash 2006 – 2009 7 Rev. Fr. Leslie Benedict Cutinha 2009 – 2012 8 Rev. Fr. Ronald Noronha 2012 – 2015 9 Rev. Fr. Prabhunath 2015 - 2016

St. Xavier?s Mission, Pargahi, Kachar, Naramau, Kanpur City ? 209 217