Some 44 priests, both religious and diocesan, joined the ceremony along with several religious sisters and lay faithful. Hailing from Kalimpong district of North Bengal, 42 year old Dn Peter Lepcha who had lost both his parents early in life was accompanied by his sister Elizabeth a Sisters of Cluny nun for the priestly ordination ceremony. Earlier Dn Peter had served in Mirik parish for some 12 years as a member of the Secular Institute of The Disciples founded by Salesian missionary Father Joe D`Souza currently belonging to New Delhi province. Octogenarian Father D`Souza air dashed in spite of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act agitations causing nationwide transport disruptions to participate at the priestly ordination. Newly ordained Father Peter is well known in the hills for his pastoral ministry as well as his qualities in popular preaching among the people. Speaking of the Extraordinary Missionary Month concluded in October Bishop Stephen Lepcha recalled the early missionary efforts in Mirik area pioneered by late Fathers George Alakulam and Luigi Jellici who set up Mirik Mission. Bishop also had words of praise for the Salesian Community at Mirik for the meticulous planning and flawless arrangements for the ordination. The parish choir under the baton of Mr. Dennis Lepcha rendered soul lifting performance while Father Patrick Lepcha did a brilliant job as the Master of Ceremonies. Salesian Cooperators form Kolkata Mr. Dennis and Mrs. Victoria D`Souza, `foster parents` of Father Peter Lepcha were also present. Father Peter is scheduled to hold a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration at Mary Mother of God Church, his home parish in Kalimpong on Sunday 5th January 2020.