Diocesan Institutions

1. Masih Gurukul (Diocesan Minor Seminary)

History It was established in 1982 with 14 students in the first year in Satsang Sadan, Bhelupur, Varanasi, which was an inter-religious dialogue and a public relationship centre with a library, to build friendly relationship with the people in the city. Fr. Roque D’Costa was the incharge for the inter-religious dialogue and public relationship in Varanasi city, when the minor seminary was started in Satsang Sadan at Bhelupur. As the years passed this place was not found to be suitable for the formation. Therefore several alternative ways and houses were made use for the formation of young boys to be the missionaries in the diocese for the church’s need. Inculturation and adjustment according to the local church was the pivotal point of formation. The later three years, the place at Bhojubir was occupied as the second stage of formation for spiritual orientation. Also a year of philosophy study as day-scholars at Christnagar was also tried. But due to some difficult situations the philosophy was once again continued in the Regional Seminary Allahabad. Spiritual orientation was transferred to Azamgarh and then back in Varanasi city at Khristpanthi Ashram, Nagwa, before finally getting settled at Masih Gurukl at Marhauli. Today the minor seminary study extends to three years. The first year is for language orientation and the second and third year are for +2 studies. Other neighbouring dioceses too send their candidates for formation in Masih Gurukul and benefit from this institution. Rector : Fr. M. Gabriel Staff : Fr. Ajit Kumar Address : Masih Gurukul Marhauli, Bhoolanpur P.O. Varanasi, U.P. 221108 Mobile : 7376747006

2. Maitri Bhavan (Dialogue Centre)

History Maitri Bhavan – Home of Friendship – is one of the unique institutions in the holy city of Varanasi with the vision “Vasudhaiva Kuttumbakam” (the world is a family), where people belonging to various religions, culture, and ideologies gather together to share their religious and cultural heritage with one another and experience friendship and unity. It was established as a collaborative venture of various religious leaders and educational and cultural institutions of the city. Maitri Bhavan focuses on inter-religious harmony and the study and training of personnel for inter-faith dialogue. Maitri Bhavan also proposes to be an East-West meeting point and eventually an institution for genuine religio-cultural exchange and learning. Today the world has become a ‘single nest’ Maitri Bhavan heralds a new age of collaboration and mutual understanding among people of various religions and cultures. In order to promote understanding and collaboration among religions, Maitri Bhavan gets the active collaboration and support of a number of educational and religio-cultural institutions of the city such as Banaras Hindu University, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Tibetan Institute for higher Studies, Sarnath, Mahabodhi Society, Sarnath, Gandhian Institute, Rajghat, Parshvanath Vidyapeeth for Jain studies, Varanasi, Jamia Salfia and Jamia Islamia (Islamic centers of higher learning), Islamic Foundation of India, Shri Vidya Muth, Kedarghat, Sankat Mochan Temple, Kashi Vishvanath Temple, Gyanavapi Mosque, Gurudwaras, Gurubag and Nichibag, Varanasi, Bahai Local Assembly, Varanasi, Kabir Muths, Kala Prakash and Shilpayan, (Institutions dedicated for the promotion of Classical Music and Banaras culture) and various other religious, social and educational organizations. Director : Fr. Philip Denis Resident Priest : Fr. Mukul Bara (Editor Satyasakshi) Address : Maitri Bhavan B 25/1, Hanumanpura Varanasi – 221010 Mobile : 7376709175 Email : [email protected]

3. Social Development Centre

History Ever since its inception, the diocese of Varanasi has been rendering dedicated services in the field of health, education and social development. All the development activities were conducted from the Bishop’s House till 1986. In 1986 a separate building was built at Bhojubir and all the developmental activities were shifted to this centre. From here various developmental activities of education, non-formal education, primary promotion, grihini training, community health, community based rehabilitation, self-help groups, community based organizations etc. are monitored.         Incharge      :    Fr. Julian Fernando

       Address        :    S-2/215, Bhojubir, Varanasi, U.P. 221002

       Mobile         :    9451584005

          E-mail       :         [email protected]

4. Social Animation Centre

History Since 1980 greater emphasis was given to the rural development and the concept of people based development. As the rural developmental activities increased, a need was felt for a separate centre. So, in 1986 a new Centre was established at Raghopur, which is 150 Km. away from Varanasi. Organisation for rural poor (Purvanchal Gramin Chetna Samiti) is based here. Today greater emphasis is given for the self-help groups and income generation activities with well acclaimed social impact. Incharge : Fr. John Masih Address : Rural Development Centre Raghopur, Athilapura, Rasra, Ballia Dist., U.P. 221712 Telephone : 9415600105 E-mail : [email protected]

5.     Community Animation Centre :

History

The Diocese of Varanasi is constantly emphasising on the community based development programme to minimize proverty and suffering. In this regard a community animation centre called ‘Amar Jyoti Seva Kendra’ is established in 2019 to speed up the developmental activities in Chandauli district. This community animation centre carries various programmes on women empowerment, family life education for boys and girls, skill development and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices through organic farming. Special interventions are initiated for Vanvasi community (musahar) for their education and development.

        Incharge        :         Fr. Gyanprakash

        Address         :         Amar Jyoti Seva Kendra

                                          Vill. & P.O. Khadera, Sakaldiha

                                          Chandauli Dist., U.P. 232109

        Phone           :         8429742604, 8009376992

        E-mail          :         [email protected]

        Web.             :         www.amarjyotivns.com

        Facebook    :           /amarjyoti.sevakendra

6. Vianney Home (Home for the Senior Priests)

History In view of taking care of senior and retired priests, the Diocese renovated the existing building in Bhojubir and converted it into spacious rooms in the year 2012. Now there are eight retired priests living there.

Resident Priests                  :   1.   Fr.Augustine D’Souza

                                                2.   Fr. Cyriac Kuruvila

                                                3.   Fr. Donatus Martis

                                                4.   Fr. Ivan Joseph

                                                5.   Fr. Jacob Aranha

                                                6.   Fr. Joy Muriankary

                                                7.   Fr. Lawrence M.

                                                8.   Fr. Roque D’Costa

                                               

        Minister                     :     Fr. Sebastian V.          

        Address                     :     S-2/215, Bhojubir

                                                Varanasi, U.P. 221002

        Mobile                       :     9450635396

        E-mail                        : [email protected]