India: Odisha’s Christ Nagar Parish Celebrates Golden Jubilee, Remembers Pioneering Missionaries

Christ Nagar Parish in Allada, Gajapati District, under the Diocese of Berhampur, celebrated the 50th anniversary of its establishment with great joy on November 22, 2025.

Around 10,000 faithful gathered for the occasion, including three bishops—Bishop Aplinar Senapati, CM, of Rayagada; Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur; and Archbishop John Barwa, SVD, of Cuttack–Bhubaneswar—along with 40 Catholic priests and 50 religious sisters.

The parish is served by priests of the Congregation of the Mission, North Indian Province.

“It is through the sacrifice and love of the Fathers of the Congregation of the Mission and the Sisters of the Daughters of Charity that your faith has flourished. Their selfless service, and their educational and spiritual ministry, have strengthened this community,” said Archbishop John Barwa, SVD, the main celebrant.

“We are grateful to God for His unceasing grace and for the steadfast commitment of our parishioners. We also thank God for the gifts of Father Joseph Moola, CM, from Kerala, and Father Fernandes from Spain, who laid the foundation of this parish. Because of them, we could grow in faith in Christ, worship together as one family, and manifest the love of Christ to the world. Over the past five decades, that vision has blossomed into a vibrant and inclusive community,” said Jirimiya Raito, the parish’s touring catechist.

“From a small seed of faith, it has now become a great tree. Our journey has been shaped by dedicated clergy, committed lay leaders, and countless faithful whose devotion built the parish we cherish today. Over the last fifty years, we have progressed socially, strengthened spiritually, and become active participants in the modern world. We are grateful to the CM Fathers and DC Sisters for opening schools and hostels for both boys and girls. We remember with gratitude God’s unceasing grace and the steadfast commitment of our parishioners,” Raito added.

The faithful fondly recalled the pioneering parish priests, leaders, and benefactors—families who kept the flame of faith alive through prayer, service, and unity.

Father Joseph, the pioneer missionary, entered the region in 1972, and the parish was officially established in 1975. Sadhu Pani was the first to embrace the Christian faith; today the parish has grown to include 40 villages, 1,400 Catholic families, and 7,700 faithful. Over 50 years, the parish has nurtured 38 catechists, nine priests, and 22 religious sisters.

The celebration began with a traditional welcome dance, followed by a fellowship meal shared joyfully as one family rooted in love, peace, unity, and fraternity.