Saidpur (eng)
Saidpur
Our Lady of Lourdes - consecrated in 1896
On the way of faith of Dinajpur Diocese, first and oldest Parish is Saidpur. According to the record of Eucharistic celebration first Mass was celebrated during the marriage ceremony on November 21st, 1887. British Government built a chapel for the Christian British and Anglo Indians railway workers. Fr. Francis Rocca, PIME was appointed chaplain to take care of their spiritual life on the same year.
On 1906 after completing a small room beside the chapel, Fr. F. Rocca began to live in Saidpur permanently. There were big possibilities for preaching in this area, so he requested to send an assistant from Krisnanagar.
According to the request Fr. Ottorino Pedrotti, PIME came in Saidpur Parish remained there for 45 years taking care of the spiritual life of all the railway workers of Rajshahi Division. On 1910 there were two thousand Christians in Saidpur Parish. After the division of 1947 ( India/Pakistan) British and Angloindians left for England and India. But Bengalee Christians remained there.
Up to the death Fr. Ottorino Pedrotti took care of them. After him there were Fr Castelli, Fr. L. Bigoni, Fr. L.Carrea, Fr F. Sozzi, Fr Cesare Pesce. Besides preaching good News there were social welfare (service). As result the community of Charity Sisters (Maria Bambina) begun to teach in the Railway school and lived in Saidpur to nurse the patients of the hospital. During the war between India and Pakistan, in 1965, they served all casts and received the honour of service.
The year 1980 can be considered the year of Saidpur rebirth. Fr. A. Bonolo, PIME converted 109 people, the first in many decades. When he become sick Fr Luigi Pinos, PIME, received the responsability of Saidpur. After him Fr. B. Pereira and Michael D’Creuze were appointed in Saidpur Parish.
We cannot avoid to remember also Sr. Silvia Gallina. She has been in Saidupur in two occasions: on 1958/59, two years after the opening of Sister Convent as teacher in the primary school and from 1993 to 2000, as Superior. In these years she was visiting also the tribal villages and finally she did her last missionary work in Kellabari, a subcenter which become parish on 1998.
The actual parish priest is Fr. Antony Sen assisted by Fr. Carlus Toppo.
Maria Bambina Sister are still very active in the area with a school and an orphanage. The catholic villages of the parish are 12.