St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Salbari Celebrates Silver Jubilee
"Celebrating the Journey of Faith Together"
Salbari | 9 August 2026
St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Salbari, celebrated its Silver Jubilee (2001-2026) with great joy, gratitude and thanksgiving under the theme "Celebrating the Journey of Faith Together." The Jubilee was a beautiful celebration of 25 years of faith, fraternity, service and God's abundant blessings.
Days of Prayer and Preparation
Spiritual preparation for the Jubilee began with a three day Novena and Triduum, bringing the faithful together in prayer, reflection and thanksgiving, a time to remember the parish's journey with gratitude and to seek God's blessings for the future.
The celebrations continued on Saturday, 8 August, with the First Holy Communion of the children. It was a grace filled occasion as the children received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time, surrounded by their families, priests, religious and the parish community. Their participation beautifully expressed the theme of the Jubilee, as the faith journey is handed on from one generation to another.
On Sunday, despite heavy rain, the weather could not stop the people from coming together. Faithful from different places gathered with enthusiasm to celebrate the Silver Jubilee and give thanks for 25 years of God's presence and guidance.
The Eucharistic Celebration
The Most Rev. Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil, Bishop of Bongaigaon Diocese, was the main celebrant of the solemn Eucharistic celebration. He was joined by Friar Stephen Lamin, President of the Foundation, together with friars, priests and religious from neighbouring parishes and communities. Friar Phyrnai Lyngdoh, Parish Priest, warmly welcomed the Bishop, dignitaries, priests, religious and all the faithful gathered for the celebration.
In his homily, Bishop Thomas reflected on the faith journey of the parish and expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Franciscan Friars, the FSM Sisters, and other religious communities who have served the parish. He acknowledged their pastoral presence, dedication and service in strengthening the faith of the people and building up the Christian community.
The Bishop also highlighted the significance of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, inviting the faithful to rediscover the Gospel values lived by St. Francis, particularly fraternity, simplicity, humility, peace and care for creation. He encouraged the community to make the Jubilee not merely a remembrance of the past but an opportunity for spiritual renewal and a deeper commitment to the Gospel.
Bishop Thomas further recalled that St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Salbari, is one of the pilgrimage centres of the Bongaigaon Diocese during the Jubilee Year. He encouraged the faithful and pilgrims to make their visit to Salbari a meaningful journey of prayer, conversion, reconciliation and renewal, inspired by the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare.
Celebration and Fellowship
Following the Holy Mass, a colourful cultural programme was organised. The various presentations added joy and vibrancy to the celebration and reflected the richness of the community. The dignitaries were also felicitated with gratitude and appreciation for their presence and contribution.
The celebration concluded with a fellowship meal, bringing everyone together around the table in a spirit of fraternity, friendship and communion, a fitting expression of the Jubilee theme, "Celebrating the Journey of Faith Together."
A Testimony of Faith
The Silver Jubilee was much more than a celebration of 25 years. It was a celebration of faith, gratitude, fraternity, service and hope. From the three day spiritual preparation and the First Holy Communion of the children to the solemn Eucharist, cultural programme and fellowship meal, every moment reflected the vibrant faith of the parish community.
Even the heavy rain could not stop the people from coming together. Their presence was itself a powerful testimony to their love for the parish and their commitment to walking together in faith.
As St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Salbari, looks towards the future, may the community continue to live its Jubilee theme, "Celebrating the Journey of Faith Together," and walk forward in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, strengthened by 25 years of grace and inspired by hope for the years to come.