Saint Peter’s Parish
Erected on: March 17, 2013
Patron Saint: Saint Peter
Before being elevated to a parish, the area of the present Lama parish was first under Bandarban parish and later under Alikadam parish. Lama parish was established on 17th March 2013 by Bishop Moses Costa, CSC, and named St. Peter’s Parish. Lama parish is a home of 2,438 Catholic believers.
Address & Contact
Catholic Church, Lama
Vill. Manikjan Para (Brieckfield)
P.O. Lama, Upazila: Lama
Bangladesh
Cell phone (parish priest): Will be updated soon.
Mass Timing
Will be updated soon.
Parish Map
Territorial Area
District: Bandarban
The area under Lama Upazila: Aziznagar, Fasyakhali, Gajalia, Lama, Sarai, Rupashipara.
History
Before being elevated to a parish, the area of the present Lama parish was first under Bandarban parish and later under Alikadam parish. Sr. Juliet Mendez, LHC started pastoral and evangelization work in Lama area in 1985 under the supervision of the then Pastor of Bandarban Fr. Philip D’Rozario. Others who assisted the spread of Christianity in the area and who cooperated with them were Sr. Dorothy, LHC; C: Sr. Magdalen, LHC; Fr Gordon Dias; and Fr. Maurice D’Cruze, CSC. They were accompanied by some local catechists. Notable among them are: Kiaprue Tripura, Chakela Tripura, Virendra Tripura, and Bhuban Master. Other priests served from Bandarban were Fr. Barun Gomes, Fr. Edmond Cruze, CSC; Fr Nicholas Barai, CSC; Fr Atul Palma, CSC; Fr Gabriel Toppo, CSC; Fr. Hubert, CSC and from Alikadam Fr. Subash Costa, OMI; Fr. Bejoy Rebeiro, OMI; Fr. Dominic Rozario, OMI; Fr Kajol Gomes, OMI; Fr Sagar Rozario, OMI; Fr. Saroj Costa, OMI; Sr. Rina Palma, LHC; Sr. Hashi Rebeiro, LHC; Sr. Mamata Palma, LHC; Sr. Binu Palma, LHC.
In the course of time Fr Subash Costa, OMI the then Pastor of Alikadam, with the help of Bishop Patrick D’Rozario, CSC, purchased 5 acres of land at Alikadam in the name of Shanti Rani Church. In the year 2008, Father Subash Costa, OMI started a hostel in Manikjan Para, Lama with 10 boys and girls. Fr. Dominic Rozario, OMI started another hostel and Mr. Sajaram Tripura first served as the Hostel Master. Later Fr Subash Costa, OMI, in 2009, officially established the hostel named “Sacred Heart Hostel” for elementary school children with the help of the Bishop. Sr. Aroti D’Costa, LHC, and Sr. Anjali D’Silva, LHC took over the charge of the hostel and Mrs. Sabitri Tripura was appointed as a teacher. A health center named “Saint Paul Dispensary” was established in 2009 AD with the dedicated efforts of Fr Subash Costa, OMI. At that time Lama was operated as a sub-centre of Alikadam parish. Local people who helped Fr. Subash in purchasing land and establishing the mission were: Nimandra Tripura (former Union council member), Samendra Tripura, Naziram Karbari, Bathichandra Karbari, Akramala Karbari, Manikjan Karbari, etc. Later, the need for the spiritual care of the devotees necessitated the elevation of the lama to a full-fledged parish. Lama parish was established on 17th March 2013 by Bishop Moses Costa, CSC, and named St. Peter’s Parish. Fr. Samar Sebastian Dango, OMI, took over as pastor of the parish on the day it was established and Fr. Johnny Finney, OMI, took over as assistant pastor.
The construction of the parish church began on 2019 but due to the global pandemic Covid-19, the country went under lockdown in March 2020. The construction works had to be halted for several months. Finally, the construction has been completed on December 2021. The church building was blessed by Archbishop Lawrence Subrato Howlader, CSC on December 19, 2021 in presence of 800 faithful who came from distant villages to witness the historical ceremony for the parish of Lama.
Priests & Religious Serving
Parish Priest: Fr. Rocky Costa, OMI.
Assistant Parish Priest: Fr. Herat Mondol, OMI.
Congregation of Holy Cross Brothers (CSC): 2 Brothers serving.
Sister of the Little Handmaids of the Church (LHC): 4 Sisters serving.
Pastoral Council & Teams
Will be updated soon.
Lay Associations and Movements
Will be updated soon.
Educational Institutes
Sacred Heart Hostel, Est. 2009 AD.
Charitable Institutes
Other Organizations
Will be updated soon.
Important Statistics
Catholics: 2,438
Sub-centers: 1
Church blocks: 3
Church: 27
Catechist: 3
Prayer leaders: 19 (Full-time)
Prayer leaders: 4 (Volunteers)
Parish workers: 7
Responded to Vocation Life
Sr. Bendeni Tripura, LHC
Recent Events in the Lama (Click here)
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