“Jisu Ashram” was the name given to a small Jesuit Mission Station in the suburbs of Pandua (West Bengal) when it had its humble beginning 43 years ago. It has made a slow but steady journey, and witnessed to the services of several committed Jesuit Missionaries. Today when the present quasi parish is at the verge of becoming a full-fledged parish, it can boast of a vibrant community of faithful, numbering over two thousand members.
Though there have been priestly ordinations of other sons of the soil, it was for the first time that we witnessed the priestly ordination at Jisu Ashram, and that too of a Jesuit. Deacon Stefan Kisku was ordained a priest by His Grace Rev. Archbishop Elias Frank on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Fr. Stefan is the youngest of the three siblings. One of his two elder sisters embraced religious life as a member of the Sisters of Vaz and now serves in Odisha. From the eve of the Celebration Jisu Ashram campus and the surroundings wore a festive look.
Thanks to the hard work of the Fathers, the staff and the parishioners, the Liturgy enriched the soul, and the catering nourished the body. The generosity and hard work of the Sisters of the Cross from the neighbouring communities rendered beauty and elegance to the decorations. The rhythmic movements of the feet of the little children of the boarding to the beating of the drums added joy and a sense of community spirit to the celebration in the predominantly Santal Tribal Christian Community. May there be more ordinations and faithful servants of Christ’s Mission.