Mission Amguri

from May - June 2016

Adieu Mr. Suosahie Philip

he stopped to rest his feet on the humplike projection it gave way and he slipped and fell some 30 feet below. Onlookers were aghast and ran to his side fearing the worst as there were stones and sharp stumps right round the tree. We could not believe our eyes! He landed right in to a little hollow filled with a little sand just big enough to accommodate his seat! We could not call this anything else but a miracle of our Lady!

The beginnings of Amguri

Fr. Leo Tirkey sdb of happy memory is the founder of Don Bosco, Amguri. He was staying in Tuli from 18 Dec. 1983 and looking after the Amguri area of Jorhat parish. He was able to locate the land and bought it at the cost of great sacrifice to himself. The Town Committee with its Chairman Dr. Roy was eager to have a Don Bosco School at Amguri. The school was started on 18 May 1985.Fr.Leo used to come from Tuli and conduct the school. On 1st October 1985 he began staying definitively at Amguri. Later at the time of Fr. K. K. Thomas (Kannath) RIP, in 1992 a few boys were taken as borders and by 1996 it was closed. On 25 August 1996 Amguri was erected as a parish. Fr. Kuriakose Palathinkal, the confrere in charge at that time was appointed Parish Priest. The first batch of six students appeared for the matriculation examinations in 1995 with all passing and one in 1st division. From 2001 bigger numbers began to appear for the same. In fact in 2001 the number that appeared was 27, all securing pass and eight in first division. In the last two years under the 20 Dimapur Links: May-June 2016

dynamic and efficient leadership of Bro. Mathew Kaliyaden, our Headmaster, we had the best results and bigger numbers: 47 appeared in 2014 and 37 secured 1st div. and 10, in 2nd.; In 2015, 57 appeared and 49 secured first and eight second division. In 2008 the pre-novitiate was opened and the house canonically erected with Fr. V. A. Thomas (Vengakunnel) as the first Rector. The first batch of pre-novices reached here on 31 May .The present batch is the 8th.

Gone but not forgotten!

Fr. Leo Tirkey is fondly remembered by the neighbours and the older generation of parents and students. When one visits the neighbourhood it is a delight to hear many of the older generation speaking of Fr. Leo with great affection. They recall how he had to put up with many difficulties and face hostility and even imprisonment. Not a few of his first students, now fathers of families and government servants, speak with admiration about his dedication to the welfare of the students and his great love for Jesus Christ. They remark how he used to speak often about Jesus. The most interesting development is that one of these exstudents wants by all means now to become a baptized disciple of Christ together with his family! Fr. Leo passed away just 10 years ago, on 14 April 2006. May he rest in peace.