After independence many St. Thomas Christians migrated to Bombay to earn a livelihood and many had settled in Kandivli. Their spiritual needs were looked after by Our Lady of Rosary Church, Poinsur. In 1985, Rev. Fr. Paul Kadicheeni was delegated to look after the spiritual needs of the syro Malabar catholics residing in Kandivli. As the number of faithful increased, a Qurbana centre was opened in Kandvili East. After the establishment of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. George Vadakkethala was entrusted with the responsibility to take care of the spiritual needs of the people. As the number of faithful increased, there was an urge to start a centre of our own. The efforts of Mr. Anthony Jose, Mr. Joseph Mathew, Mr. Jacob P Joseph and Mr. M. V. Johny under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Paul Kadicheeni led to the purchase of plot No. 36 and 37 in Singh Estate, Kandivli East. The Chavara welfare centre with 19 families was blessed on April 17th 1994 by Mar Paul Chittilappilly.
A nursery school and a homeopathy clinic were established with the help of Adoration sisters from Mira Road on July 3rd 1994. Later on the Nursery school continued to function with the efforts of Mr. Joseph Mathew. The structure was renewed and blessed in 1995 February.
Three family units were formed on August 4th 1998 with Fr. Saju Vadakkumpadan taking the initiative. In 2000 Rev. Fr. Paul Kadicheeni was made Parish Priest again and two more adjacent rooms were purchased. In 2003, Rev. Fr. Thomas Puthiyaparambil was appointed as the Parish Priest and Chavara welfare centre was elevated to a full-fledged parish by Mar Thomas Elavanal. It was from then onwards a priest started to reside in the church presbytery.
After very long efforts and constant prayers, a room between the church and the presbytery was purchased to make the whole property into a single plot. The initiative of Rev. Fr. Francis Eluvathingal and the constant efforts of Fr. Tomy Nelliyani, with wholehearted moral and financial support of all the parishioners became instrumental for the purchase of the room.
During this period, the presence and service of Rev. Fr. John Paliakara, Rev. Fr. Jose Ainikal, Rev. Fr. Joshi Kattukaran, Rev. Fr. Sibichan Kochuveetil and Rev. Fr. Anoop Poyyaniyil was great blessing as the Asst. Parish Priests.
In the year 2010, Rev. Fr. Jerry Maleparambil took over as the parish priest and eventually it was decided to renew the existing church and presbytery. Under the guidance of the Parish Priest, two committees were formed; the finance committee with Mr. Joy Varghese as the convener and the construction committee with Mr. M J Francis as the convener. With the constant prayers, moral and financialsupport of all the parishioners, a very beautiful and spacious church and presbytery was constructed within a short span of eight months and was blessed on 25th January 2012 by our Bishop Mar Thomas Elavanal. After the term of Rev. Fr. Jerry, Rev. Fr. Sinto Chaliserry took charge.
Many poor families from the parish and outside the parish are rendered educational, medical, provisional and financial help through the active service from Karunya trust. There is an active involvement of various associations like Matrusangham, Pitruvedi, youth, Choir and Altar boys in the activities of theparish. Catechism classes are very regularly conducted every Sunday after the mass intending the faith formation of the children of the parish.
At present the Parish comprises of 102 families with four family units with prayer gatherings conducted every month along with other activities.
The parish is actively involved in evangelization through various media. The parish has a web site and a bulletin of its own witnessing Christ. The parish plays an important role in UCC in its efforts for a Christian cemetery.
Blessed Chavara Parish has been a blessing for the Syro Malabar Catholics and all other people irrespective of cast, creed and community in and around Kandivli east, since its inception. At present Rev. Fr. Siju Kizhakkepallivathilkal is the parish priest.
DETAILS
Forane: Malad
Status: Parish
Parish Priest: Fr. Jacob Thomas (Siju) Kizhakkepallivathukkal
Establishment of Parish Community: 1994
Official Erection as a Parish: 09/07/2006
Date of the Consecration of the Church: 25/01/2012
Area of the Church Property: 2500 sq. ft.
No. of Family’s: 95
No. of Family Units: 4
Address: 35-36, Church Road, Singh Estate, Opp. Thakur College, Thakur Village, Kandivli (E), Mumbai 400101
Phone No.: 28866107
How to reach:
QURBANA SCHEDULE
Holy Qurbana:
Weekdays Qurbana:
Name of the Religious Congregation & Province: Nil
Type of the Institutions at parish territory: Chavara Nursery School(Run by parish)
MORE DETAILS
Email id: [email protected]
Website: www.chavarachurch.com