THE HISTORY OF ST. TERESA’S CHURCH, KALIMPONG
BACKGROUND
In 1846 Pope Gregory XVI made Tibet an autonomous region and it was handed over to the Vicar Apostolic of Sechwan in West China which was to be looked after by the Foreign Mission Society of Paris (MEP).
In 1880 Fr. Auguste Desgodins was chosen for this work. With the help of other Missionaries and the British officials he found Pedong the most suitable place and reported the matter to his authorities in Paris. With the help of other fellow Missionaries, Fr. Desgodins established the Pedong Mission in 1883.
After the deaths of two Missionaries, Fr. Louis Moriniaux, the Superior of the Pedong Mission in 1912 and Fr. Auguste Desgodins in 1913, the Pedong Mission suffered a heavy loss. Fr. Jules Douenel who had arrived in Pedong in 1902 was appointed as the new Superior of the Mission.
A FOOTHOLD IN KALIMPONG
In his assessment and the study of the whole situation, Fr. Jules Dounel saw the necessity getting a foothold in Kalimpong because of the future prospects it had. But the explicit prohibitory order of the Government not allowing the Catholic Mission to operate in the region was a big hurdle as the Scottish Church had already obtained the exclusive right for the Mission work. But Fr. Douenel wanted to have a foothold in Kalimpong by all means. His first approached the Government and when he was refused, he tried to get the Cluny Sisters for establishing a Convent School. In 1920 he wrote a letter to the then Mother General saying,” There is not a single Church, Parish or even a Priest in Kalimpong.” Through the wisdom of Mother Ursula, the Superior of Chandannagar, the British Government agreed to let a Convent be established as a holiday home for the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Convent, Chandannagar, for the hot summer month. The holiday home was built in 1923 and St. Joseph’s Convent School was built in 1926. On 3rd May, 1926, after having worked for thirty – four years in Pedong (1892 – 1926) Fr. Douenel settled down at Kalimpong in a small hut next to the convent. He assembled a small group of 10 people, mostly from Maria Busty who were working at Dr. Graham’s Homes. Mother Clare offered the convent chapel as the provisional church for conducting the Sunday services. From 25th May, 1926, the Sisters’ chapel thus began to be used as the Parish Chapel. Fr. Douenel was the priest – in – charge. He was also the Superior of the South Tibet Mission. In September 1926, Fr. Douenel began the construction of the presbytery (the present Pushpika). The presbytery was completed and blessed in October 1927 by Fr. Gratuze. A room inside the presbytery came to be used as the parish chapel. Fr. Douenel was the priest – in – charge and Fr. Gratuze his assistant from 1927 – 1929. A that time there were 85 Nepali Catholics and a few European parishioners (1927). On 15th February 1929 Fr. Douenel received a very happy news from his Ecclesiastical authorities in Paris that the South Tibet Mission was erected as the Prefecture Apostolic of Sikkim and Kalimpong and he was appointed on 19th February, 1929, its first Prefect Apostolic by the Sacred Congregation in the Vatican. The presbytery then began to be called “ the Prefecture Apostolic”. Fr. Alazard arrived in October 1929 and soon after became the Parish Priest (1929 – 1933) . He being new to the place and the people, Mgr. Douenel appointed Sri John Patrick Dowgey Bhutia, a Buddhist convert as a temporary catechist to assist Fr. Alazard. During his term a chapel was built (1931) near the presbytery for the growing community ( more than 150 Catholics in 1929, this number doubled by the end of 1931. This chapel became the church of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus. It was blessed on 1st October, 1931. Being a kidney patient, Fr. Alazard had to leave Kalimpong in January 1934 and go back to France. Mgr. Douenel then became the priest – in – charge for three years (1934 – 1937). Fr. Quequiner, the chaplain of the convent and the teacher of religion in St. Joseph’s School, helped him in the parish work (1934 – 1937). At the beginning of 1937, Fr. Peter Ranger became the parish priest.
AN ASTONISHING EVENT
In the early spring of 1931 an astonishing event took place in the parish. Pastor Gyan Tsering Sitling, a prominent Pastor of the local Church of Scotland joined the Catholic Church with his entire family, relations and members of the congregation. Pastor Gyan Tsering Sitling’s unexpected step shocked to the roots the Protestant Church just as much as it amazed the Catholic Church. Those who embraced the Catholic faith were :
1. Abraham Gora Sitling, the father of Pastor Gyan Tsering Sitling
2. Francis Gyan Tsering Sitling, son of Pastor Abraham Gora Sitling
3. Henry Passang Sitling and family, second son of Abraham Gora SitIing
4. Samson Sitling and family, third son of Pastor Abraham Gora SitIing
5. Tarcis Tempa Tshering Samling and family
6. Andrew Adosing Sada And family
7. Isaac Noksing Molomoo And family
8. Dr. Yensing Sitling and family in Darjeeling
9. Patrick Namchu and family in Darjeeling
THE EFFECTS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR
The First World War ended in 1918 but its effects were grave and extensive on the Mission. Pope Pius XI had to send out appeals to All the religious congregations to come out And serve the Mission even leaving their cloistered monastic life. The first religious congregation to respond to his appeal was Mgr. Marietan, the Abbot of St. Maurice’s Abbey, Switzerland. He went to France to meet Archbishop Gubrient, the Superior General of the Mission Society of Paris, offering him the service of his monks known as the Canon Regulars of St. Augustine of the Abbey of St. Maurice of Aguane for the mission work in the Apostolic Prefecture of Sikkim. The Abbot sent in 1934 two monks to assist the priest of the Foreign Mission Society (MEP) in the persons of Frs. Aurelius Gianora and John Roger Fox.
THE DECISION TO HAND OVER THE MISSION
Because of the climatic conditions, hard work and ill health, Fr. Alazard had to leave for France. Fr. Maurice Quequiqner was given the charge of the parish. In the year 1934 only four MEP priests were left in the Mission. They were finding it very difficult to run the Mission with so few priests. In 1935 the Abbot of St. Maurice sent two more monks, Frs. Gustav Rouiller, Paul Thurler to help the MEP priests. After a high level deliberation and mutual consultation the Church authority finally decided to hand the Mission over to the Canons Regular. It was hard for the French Missionaries to part with a Mission for which they had made so much sacrifices, the Mission which had started bearing unexpected fruits. But they had to submit to the orders of their Superiors as the will of God. The Mission was handed over to the new Apostolic Prefect Mgr. Aurelius Gianora, the Superior of the Canon Regulars on 30th June 1937.
THE MINISTRY OF CANONS REGULAR. RESTRUCTURE OF THE MISSION
After taking over the Mission the Prefect Apostolic Mgr. Gianora had to restructure the whole Mission and make new appointments. He appointed Fr. Peter Ranger in 1937 the parish priest of St. Teresa’s Church. He was a Diocesan priest who continued the work started by Fr. Alazard. Mr. John Patrick Dowgey had discontinued his service. Since Fr. Peter Ranger needed a catechist, Mgr. Gianora appointed Mr. Joseph Benedict Bhutia as a catechist in 1938. In 1941 Fr. Ranger was transferred to Gorubathan and Fr. Gustav Rouiller was appointed the next parish priest.
Mgr. Gianora acquired land in the Gompa property adjacent to the presbytery by an official deal for the development of the parish and the seat of the Prefecture. He built a new presbytery (C.R.Bhawan) with the help of a Chinese contractor, Lamba Sardar, after setting aside a large piece of land for the future church. Fr. Rouiller with his skill and hard work shifted the existing cemetery to another place and dug a playground.
THE EFFECTS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR
During the time of Second World War the whole of British India faced a lot of problems. The scarcity of essential goods and their high price made the life of the people miserable. The spread of diseases and epidemics caused many deaths. Sources of finance or assistance were all blocked. In such a tense situation Mgr. Gianora himself took charge of the parish from 1944 till 1946. The war had badly affected the Catholic schools of Calcutta. The Catholic parents did not know what to do. The studies of the children had been discontinued. Fr. Benjamin Stolke knowing their predicament started coaching classes in the precincts of the presbytery assisted by the Fr. Thurler. But the coaching classroom soon grew into a formal school that eventually gave birth to St. Augustine’s School.
APPOINTMENT AND MINISTRY OF FR. PATRICK VERGERES
The Second World War had come to an end when Mgr. Gianora appointed Fr. Patrick Vergeres parish priest in 1945. The war had driven the people to all kinds of miseries. They needed a new direction, a new life, and new hope. People had to be economically, morally and spiritually elevated. There was no one to come forward to give a helping hand. Even the government was not in a position to give immediate assistance to the suffering mass. The heavy load fell on Fr. Vergeres. People were in need of food, clothing, medicine, shelter and financial help. People thronged at his door everyday and almost the whole day with the endless tales of their miseries. At that time there were no parish organizations to help him. Single – handed he had to look after all the needs of the people around. He helped all, irrespective of caste or creed. There was no limit to his charity. His continuous assistance to the poor and underprivileged won for him the title of “ The Father of the Poor ” from Bishop Eric Benjamin. The Christian charity practiced by him gave a witness of Christian love that attracted many even to acceptance of Christian faith. It cannot be denied that during his term a maximum number of people embraced Christianity. Again in his term some young boys and the girls from parish were encouraged to join the seminary and novitiate. The credit of building a strong Christian community in the parish can be attributed to Fr. Vergeres who made his great contributions in many other ways under various capacities. He gave his maximum support and cooperation to Mgr. Gianora in building the magnificent parish church during his term. The parish hall which has served a variety of purposes all the time was his generous contribution.
THE NEW CHURCH OF ST. TERESA
After handing over the charge of parish to the Fr. Vergeres, Mgr. Gianora had sufficient time to make plans and raise funds for the construction of new church. He himself drew the architectural plan, raised funds and mobilized the local resources, collected materials and looked for the skilled workers. He went to Europe to collect funds for building the Church. He managed to get good timber from the Forest Department through the service of Mr. Samson Sitling, the Divisional Forest Officer and Mr. Adosing Sada, the Forest Ranger, both of them Catholics converted with pastor Gyan Tsering Sitling in 1931. They helped him acquiring sufficient timber from Melli and Lava forests. The block – sized timber was transported on bullock carts. The actual construction began in early 1950. Mgr. Gianora managed to get the service of good Buddhist craftsman. He did most of the carvings on wood in Tibetan arts. The Apostles are presented as the Tibetan Buddhist monks. The carving depicting the Last Supper, the Tabernacle, Altar and Communion rails are done by Mgr. Gianora himself. Both Christian and Buddhist - Lepcha communities of Mongbol and Chhibo bustees had contributed voluntary labour when the columns and pillars were put up. It was a great day celebration. The Station of the Cross were painted by Mr. Thomas Shen. Paintings on the verandah are said to be the work of a Jesuit scholastic of North Point, Darjeeling and Mr. Gilbert Singh of Pedong. The Church is built in the Buddhist Gompa style And has attracted many people and tourists from many parts of the world by its rare artistic carving and paintings. The Church was blessed on 19th January 1951.
THE CREATION OF DARJEELING DIOCESE AND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BISHOP AND THE ABBOT.
The most important event that had a great bearing on the Mission was the creation of a new Diocese of Darjeeling. It meant the handing over of the Prefecture under the Canons Regular to the Bishop of Darjeeling, Rt. Rev. Eric Benjamin. Mgr. Haller, the Abbot of St. Maurice came to the Mission in1962 to make an agreement with the Bishop on the future of the Canons Regular. It was agreed that they would remain in the Diocese and work under the
Bishop. They would extend their help in building the new Diocese. Finally, in December 1962, the Prefecture of Sikkim was handed over to the Diocese.
THE SUDDEN DEATH OF FR. VERGERES: HIS SUCCESSORS
On 20th December 1964 Fr. Vergeres suddenly departed from this world after he was fatally struck by brain hemorrhage resulting from hypertension, at the age of 51. He was too young to die. The great loss of a very successful and zealous Missionary was felt by all. St. Teresa’s parish was the greatest loser. The Parishioners lost their FATHER. Fr. Martin Rey was appointed as the care taker parish priest. The Bishop in consultation with the new Superior of the Canons Regular appointed in 1965 Fr. Gex - Collet as the next parish priest.
MINISTRY OF FR. EMMANUEL GEX – COLLET
Fr. Gex – Collet was able to carry on the work of Fr. Vergeres with similar zeal and love for the poor and needy. He could even consolidate the Mission and expand it at the same time. He remained in the parish for thirteen years, till 1977 fully utilizing his Missionary influence and human qualities. He was both kind hearted and firm. He had the capacity for tremendous hard work that bore abundant fruits to the point of dividing the parish into two. It was he who founded the new parish of Mary, Mother of God at Relli Road, KalImpong in 1978 And was appointed as its first parish priest. During his ministry the Lay Association were organized and the teachings of Vatican II, especially the decrees on the role of the laity were introduced. But not all were ready to accept their responsibility. But a beginning was made. He was taken to Switzerland for the diabetes treatment. He died there on 13th September 2002.
APPOINTMENT OF FR. JOSEPH HOFSTETTER AND HIS MINISTRY
After Fr. Gex – Collet, Fr. Joseph Hofstetter was appointed as parish priest in 1977. He Had earlier substituted Fr. Gex for a year in 1970 – 71. Now was a full fledged parish priest he dedicated his life especially for the sick and suffering people in the parish. His ministry was geared chiefly towards the growing children needing shelter, education, food, medical care and the religious instructions. The youth who were growing in number and to adulthood also needed proper guidance, spiritual formation and even employment. Sr. Monique Brahmin was helping him in the ministries like catechizing the children and the adults, visiting the families, helping in the Mothers’ Association etc. The Gorkhaland movement and agitation had started in 1987. It gave an excuse to the unsocial elements to be revengeful and destructive and a large number of people lost their precious lives and possessions. It had its adverse effect especially on the youth. Fr. Hofstetter was also one of the victims. Yet he continued his ministry till 1992
He proved himself a good pastor till the end. Due to his failing health and mental worries he went back to Switzerland in August 1992.
APPOINTMENT OF FR. EDWARD GRESSOT AND HIS MINISTRY
Fr. Edward Gressot was appointed parish priest for three different terms: February – June 1975; 1989 – 1990 and 1992 – 1993. He preferred to continue the work undertaken by his predecessors. But as the days went by, he saw the needs of the poor, the sick and the homeless people. He got sponsors for the education of poor children, he helped the sick for their medical treatment and he received financial help to build 35 houses in Shanti Nagar for the homeless people. He was the last Canon Regular working in the Diocese. And when he realized that he was alone and advancing in age, he decided to go back to Switzerland.
APPOINTMENT OF INDEGINOUS DIOCESAN PRIESTS
FR. JEROME AND HIS MINISTRY
After the departure of Fr. Gressot the ministry of the Canon Regular came to an end. Bishop Eric Benjamin appointed Fr. Jerome Singh as the parish priest in 1993. He had the spirit and the zeal of his predecessors. He wanted to go for evangelization and get many more people to the faith. He saw the need of establishing a new mission station at Nassey in 5th Mile where there was a concentration of the tribals. With the financial help received from Fr. Hofstetter he purchased a plot of land and built a church and a presbytery. With the permission of Fr. Thomas D’Souza, the Administrator, he put up a fence around the playground. He worked in the parish for 6 years.
FR. LABAN LEPCHA AND HIS MINISTRY
After Fr. Jerome, Fr. Laban Lepcha was appointed parish priest in 1999. He being young and energetic person, organized parish youth under the leadership of Kiran Singh, Benjamina Tamang and Jacinta Tamang. He encouraged the parishioners to contribute generously for the renovation of the parish hall which was done under the supervision of Sri Sonam Thoker, and for the plastic chairs for the church. As a trained counselor, he started counseling session for people who were facing problems. He also started a short marriage counseling course for the engaged couples of the parish. With the help of Fr. Jagdish Parmar, S.J. he brought an awareness among the people about Small Christian Communities in the parish. He was also the Secretary / Animator of the Diocesan Family Apostolate, and organized seminars for the priests, religious sisters and the laity. Fr. Laban spent two years in the parish doing fruitful ministry.
FR. PIUS MARCUS AND HIS MINISTRY
Bishop Stephen Lepcha installed Fr. Pius Marcus parish priest on 15th July 2001 for a term of three years. But as his term was getting over by 14th July 2002, the Bishop Extended his term of ministry for another three years.
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CO – PASTORS AND ASSISTANTS
There Is no mention of any special contributions made by the co – pastors and assistants in any available record. They were expected to follow the Mission of the Church and the Vision of the Diocese and their immediate authorities. They have faithfully served the Mission, executed all the plans and programmes; they have remained faithful companions, being source of strength and security, sharing joys and experiences.
CONTRIBUTION Of FR. BENJAMIN STOLKE
It may not be out of place to mention some of the contributions of Fr. Benjamin Stolke in the Parish. First of all he was the founder of St. St. Augustine’s School and secondly he is the author of the Lepcha version of Old Testament Stories. For the translation and publication of the latter Mr. Tarcis Samling gave him maximum help. The work has been found very precious and useful for the Lepcha Catholic community of the whole Mission.
CONTRIBUTION Of FR. ANDRE BUTTY
Although Fr. Andre Butty was not directly involved in the parish ministry, God had chosen him for special ministry among the people, that is, to lead the poor people towards the Kingdom of God through the economic and social development. With this In view he started the “ Swiss Welfare Diary ” where about 30 poor people got employment. The Diary produced cheese and lollypops which became famous throughout the country. He collected funds through which he helped many people to build their houses in the 7th Mile. This housing colony is known as ‘ Pachchis Dhure.’
CONTRIBUTION OF JOSEPH BENEDICT PHICHI, THE CATECHIST
Mgr. Gianora appointed Sri Joseph Benedict Phichi as a Catechist in 1938 to help Fr. Peter Ranger in contacting more people and to instruct the catechumens in the faith. He was given a modest salary of Rs. 30/- per month, and a small cottage on the premises of old St. Augustine’s School. He did the Catechist’s work till 1942. After his retirement from the government’s job, he has been giving his time and spending his energy for taking care of the sick, especially the T.B. patients. He gets medicines for them and goes to the sick from village to village.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CLUNY SISTERS
SR. MONIQUE BRAHMIN
Sr. Monique Brahmin helped Fr. Hofstetter in the parish work from 1982 to 1991. Her apostolate was visiting families, the poor and the sick. She helped the children in the “ KRUSVIR SANGH” and the Catholic mothers in the ‘ Mata Samaj’. She prepared the adult catechumens for baptism and also prepared the young couples for the marriage.
THE CLUNY NOVITIATE: SISTERS AND NOVICE
The Cluny Novitiate has been taking care of the catechesis of the parish children. On one or two Sundays a month and on Feast Days the Novices and their Sisters lead the congregation in Liturgical singing. Their presence and prayers by the side of the sick, the dying and the dead are sources of great spiritual assistance and consolation to the suffering, the sorrowful and the bereaved members of the family. They are also present in the burial mass and the final farewell rites.
CONTRIBUTION IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION
In the fields of education and formation the service of St. Agnes School, St. Philomena’s School, St. Joseph’s Convent and Cluny Women’s College is immense not only to the parish but to the whole Kalimpong region. It is hard to imagine and assess the benefits the people and the society at large have received.
PARTICIPATION IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The Cluny Sisters are actively engaged in the Human Development Programs with holistic approach. They run a school, St. Mary’s for the deaf children, an Agricultural School for the improvement of agriculture, the backbone for the rural economy and St. Roque’s Dispensary. There is hardly any area which is not within their care and concern. They take every with broad vision.
CONTRIBUTION OF SR. ANNE MARY KUTTOR
There is one person who knows the parish for a pretty long time. She needs to be singled out as her service is of long duration and very much involved in the parish ministry. She is Sr. Anne Mary Kuttor. She has seen the parish almost from its infancy. She is a nurse by qualification and she had been nursing the parish for several decades. She knows very well though what state and situation the parishioners had to pass through. In fact she knew every family and its members with all their needs, problems and difficulties. People were poor, sick illiterate and weak in faith. Priests were handful could not reach everywhere and could not do everything. In such a situation Sr. Anne Mary had to come forward. She did what she could do with her limited time and means, with the permission, encouragement and support of her Superiors. She remembers the assistance she was getting from Mrs. Monica Sitling, wife of G.T. Sitling and others members of the parish. She saw the need of organizing the mothers in one group and in 1955 she founded Mothers’ Association. If mothers are very active in the parish today the first credit goes to her and the first group of mothers who took the lead. She was instrumental in bringing back the lapsed Catholics to the faith and bringing new families to the Lord and His fold.
THE ROLE OF THE LAITY IN THE PARISH
The enlightened and committed laity of the parish whether men or women individually or collectively in an organized manner or in their individual capacity were very helpful from the very beginning in the parish administration. They took active part in all the parish undertakings and extended whenever necessary their hand in holding Deanery or Diocesan functions and celebrations that meant at times heavy financial and man – power involvement. The laity has always played a positive role in the development and consolidation of the Mission. The parish organizations have functioned rather smoothly without much conflicts and interruption. The parish laity was the support and the back – bone of the Clergy even when there were some differences at times. There are several outstanding and reliable lay leaders in the parish, very loyal to the Church and to her rightful authorities, helpful to each other in times of need and difficulties, very serious and sincere in their religious and civic duties.
CANONICALLY INSTALLED SUPERIORS AND PARISH PRIESTS
APOSTOLIC PREFECTS
MGR. JULES DOUENEL, MEP : 1921 – 1937
MGR. AURELIUS GIANORA, CR : 1937 – 1962
FATHERS OF THE FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY OF PARIS (MEP)
MGR. JULES DOUENEL, MEP : FOUNDER FATHER : 1921 – 1937
ST. TERESA’S PARISH WAS ESTABLISHED IN OCTOBER : 1929
FR. GRATUZE, MEP : 1st Parish Priest : 1927 – 1929
FR. JOSEPH ALAZARD, MEP : 2nd Parish Priest : 1929 – 1934
FR. MAURICE QUEQUINER, MEP: 3rd Parish Priest : 1934 – 1937
THE MEP FATHERS HANDED OVER THE MISSION OF SIKKIM – KALIMPONG TO THE CANON REGULAR OF ST. MAURICE ABBEY, SWITZERLAND IN 1937.
CANON REGULAR OF ST. MAURICE ABBEY, SWITZERLAND (CR)
MGR. AURELIUS GIANORA : APSTOLIC PREFECT : 1937 – 1962
FR. PETER RANGER (DIOCESAN PRIEST) : 4th Parish Priest : 1937 – 1941
FR. GUSTAV ROUILLER, CR : 5th Parish Priest : 1941 – 1943
MGR. AURELIUS GIANORA ( In – charge of Paris) : 1944 – 1945
FR. PATRICK VERGERES : 6th Parish Priest : 1945 – 1964
FR. MARTIN REY (Caretaker Parish Priest) : 7th Parish Priest : 1964 – 1965
FR. EMMANUEL GEX COLLET : 8th Parish Priest : 1965 – 1970 & 1972 – 1977
FR. JOSEPH HOFSTETTER : 9th Parish Priest : 1977 – 1982 & 1984 – 1992
FR. EDWARD GRESSOT : 10th Parish Priest : 1989 – 1990 & 1992 – 1993
THE CANON REGULAR HANDED OVER THE MISSION TO THE BISHOP OF DARJEELING DIOCESE RT. REV. ERIC BENJAMIN IN NOVEMBER IN 1962 BUT THEY WERE REQUESTED TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER THE PARISH. FR. EDWARD GRESSOT HANDED OVER THE PARISH TO FR. JEROME SINGH (DP)
FR. JEROME SINGH: 11th Parish Priest : 1993 – 1999
FR. LABAN LEPCHA : 12th Parish Priest : 1999 – 2001
FR. PIUS MARCUS: 13th Parish Priest : 2001 –
PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS FROM ST. TERESA’S PARISH, KALIMPONG
PRIESTS
1. Late Fr. Leonard Molomoo : Diocesan Ordained - 1945
2. Fr. Leonard Tamsang : Diocesan Ordained - 1972
3. Fr. Andrew Sada : Diocesan Ordained - 1976
4. Fr. Alexander Gurung : Diocesan Ordained - 1999
5. Fr. Peter Lepcha : Jesuit Ordained - 2003
MAJOR SEMINARIANS
1. Br. Boniface Rai
2. Br. Kiran Singh
MINOR SEMINARIANS
1. Br. Francis Rai
2. Br. Don Bosco Lucksom
3. Br. Robin Lepcha
UNDER JESUIT TRAINING
1. Br. Peter Chhetri
2. Br. Suman Augustine Gazmer
RELIGIOUS SISTERS
1. Sr. Clotilda Mukhia - Professed - 23.02. 1959
2. Sr. Imelda Gurung - Professed - 22. 09. 1960
3. Sr. Jean Mary Samling Professed 13. 02. 1961
4. Sr. Marcellina Tamang - Professed - 15. 10. 1965
5. Sr. Mary Cecilia Shen - Professed - 19. 03. 1969
6. Sr. Prisca Molomo - Professed - 15. 10. 1970
7. Sr. Mary Madeleine Lepcha - Professed - 01. 11. 1984
8. Sr. Michelle Lepcha - Professed - 01. 05. 1994
9. Sr. Fabian Mary Sada (now 5th mile) - Professed - 12. 05. 1994
10. Sr. Vinciane Lucksom - Professed - 01. 05. 1995
11. Sr. Rose Lima Subba - Professed - 13. 05. 1996
12. Sr. Patricia Chater (now Relli Road) - Professed - 09. 12. 1996
13. Sr. Stephanie Sitling - Professed - 13. 05. 1997
14. Sr. Elizabeth Lepcha - Professed - 06.08.1999
15. Sr. Mary Charlott Chettri - Professed - 11. 02. 2002
THE GREAT MISSIONARIES
MGR. JULEUS DOUENEL
FR.P. GRATUZE
FR. JOSEPH ALAZARD
FR. MAURICE QUEQUINER
MGR. AURELIUS GIANORA
FR. PETER RANGER
FR. PATRICK VERGERES
FR. MARTIN REY
FR. EMMANUEL GEX COLLET
SOURCE: Extracts from THE HISTORY OF ST. TERESA’S PARISH, KALIMPONG by Fr. Charles Mukhia.