ST FRANCIS ASHRAMBack

Kartarpur situated on the GT. Road, 20 Kms to the North – West of Jalandhar City and 60 Kms to the South – East of Amritsar, is specially revered both by the Sikhs and Hindus, as there are some important Gurudwaras and Temples here.

It was in 1984 that a plot of land measuring one and three fourth of an acre was procured through Fr. Gilbert for the purpose of constructing a Capuchin Ashram and a Parish Church. In May 1985 the foundation stone for the same was laid. The late Fr. Guido Tharappel took up residence in the still unfinished building. On 2 March 1987, the Church and Ashram were blessed and inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Symphorian Keeprath, the Bishop of Jalandhar.

On the recommendation of the 1995 Mission Chapter, the study house of the Students of Theology was shifted from Krist Jyoti, Delhi to St. Francis Ashram Kartarpur. In 1997 the General Definitory approved a project of a three storeyed building for the study house at Kartarpur. Br. Thomas Pullatt, Director of the studens at Kararpur supervised the construction of the building. The students attend their classes at the Trinity College, Regional Seminary in Jalandhar. Brs. Thomas Joseph Pullatt, Raymond and Jose Kurian were instrumental in remodeling and building a new edifice for the parish Church at Kartarpur.

St. Francis Ashram Kartarpur also houses the cemetery for the Capuchins in this region. Brs. Guido, Gilbert and Joseph Poyyakkara,Ivan Thottamkara are buried in the Kartarpur cemetery. The mortal remains of Brs. Finian and Bernardine have been shifted from Dhariwal to the Kartarpur cemetery.The mortal remains of Brs. Finian and Bernardine havve been shifted from Dhariwal to the Kartarpur Cemetery. Presently Br. Thomas Kakkuzhiy is appointed as guardian, parish priest and rector.Br. Chacko serves as vicar and vice-rector. Br. Alex is appointed parish priest of Maqsudan - Nandanpur. Br. Sunil Katara is assistant parish priest of Kartarpur Parish.