(ANS – West Arnibil) – Salesian missionaries in the village of West Arnibil, located in Assam, India, completed the St. Jude Chapel thanks to donor support from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

With the funding, Salesians were able to build the chapel, plaster and paint the interior, complete the wiring for lights and fans, and construct the portico and altar for Mass. A ladder was also installed to the roof to pay homage to St. Jude and Blessed Mother Mary.

The village community worked together to complete the chapel, preparing the ground and giving their time and energy for the construction. Every day, four to five families arrived to help the masons.

One of those benefiting from the new structure is Vincent Lakra, the village catechist. He has a wife and two children and comes from a small community known as Adivasis. Before the chapel was built, people had to gather in a small hut for lessons. There was no room to sit and pray together and no roof to keep out the rain. Lakra is now confident that people will come together more comfortably for the lessons that he teaches.

A Salesian explained, “The people are happy to see a beautiful chapel for them to come and sit and pray. It brings togetherness and people are proud to have a solid structure.”

Source: Mission Newswire