A Vehicle for a Remote and Extensive Parish in India

The Parish of Saint Francis Xavier in Lazu is a remote parish in the Diocese of Miao in the far northeast of India, close to the frontier with Burma (Myanmar). It has 10 outstations and close to 2,500 Catholic faithful, most of whom are very poor and from downtrodden ethnic minorities. Most are forced to work as day laborers for large local landowners, and they struggle to survive on pitiful wages. Any small family crisis, such as a family member falling ill, can force them to borrow from their employers and so fall into wage slavery, since they can never afford to pay back their debts along with the exorbitant interest demanded of them. 

Thankfully, parish life is very vibrant. There are two priests and three religious Sisters working in the community, and every village also has a male and a female catechist who lead morning and evening prayer each day. The priest visits each of the villages once a week, celebrating Holy Mass there and administering the other sacraments as well.

Some of the villages are as far as 30 miles from the parish center, and the car used by the priests for their pastoral work is already 14 years old and in constant need of repair. It is costly to maintain, and no longer provides a reliable means of transportation.

Father Samuel has turned to us for help, writing, “If you can help us to purchase a vehicle for pastoral work, then we can further develop and extend the faith formation for the Catholics in the villages of our Lazu parish. The families, young people and adults will steadily grow in their faith and in future be able to pass on the Gospel of Christ to their own children and grandchildren.” 

“We need this vehicle urgently, since our present car is constantly breaking down. We are counting on your generous help.” 

We are proposing to give $11,500, so that they can purchase a suitable vehicle. 

Can you help Father Samuel purchase a new vehicle so he can better reach the faithful in his remote parish in India?

We are sure he will remember you in his grateful prayers. 

Aid to the Church in Need commits to invest your funds where they will have the greatest impact for the Church that we serve. Funds donated to Aid to the Church in Need’s projects will be used towards the greatest need in our programs to help keep the Faith alive.

Code: 317-01-29