New chapel for Bangladeshi village

ACN assists Catholic communities in the construction of churches and chapels all over the world.

By ACN Staff

Bishop Sebastian Tudu of the Diocese of Dinajpur blessing the new chapel. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Sonka is the poorest and the most remote of the 35 villages in the parish of Nijpara, in the Diocese of Dinajpur. It is around 12 miles (20 km) from the main parish centre. There are 20 Catholic families living in the village, devout believers and actively involved in the life of the Church.

Bishop Sebastian Tudu of the Diocese of Dinajpur celebrating Holy Mass. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

But until recently there was a problem. The village only had an old, mud chapel which had finally become unusable because of the heavy rains and other adverse weather conditions. Besides, it was already too small for the growing number of the faithful. For a long time now they had longed to have a new chapel where they could gather for prayer and for the celebration of Holy Mass. But most of the people here are extremely poor, living from hand to mouth. Many are simple day labourers and can barely manage to feed their families as it is. So there was no way they could find the money to build a new chapel.

So it was that the parish priest turned in trust to ACN and asked for our help. Thanks to your generosity, we did not have to disappoint him and his faithful but were able to give €11,429 for the construction of a new chapel. To the great joy of the whole community, this chapel has now been consecrated, and so the people are able to pray and worship here more often than before.

Father Narayan Singh, their parish priest, has written to thank us: “The people of Sonka are overjoyed at the sight of the new chapel in their village. It is wonderful for them to have this good atmosphere for their prayer and liturgy. The whole community is very grateful to you and is praying for you all.”