From 1960 onwards Holy Qurbana in Malayalam was offered by priests of OFM and CMI Congregation at our Lady of Lourdes Church, arranged by KCA. In 1980, the Pastoral care was entrusted to CMI Fathers. On 14th May 1987, Msgr. Paul Chittilappilly along with Rev. Fr. Jacob Porathur, George Vadakkethala and George Edakkalathur were sent to Mumbai by Syro-Malabar Bishops Conference (SMBC). Fr. George Edakkalathur was entrusted the central zone, including Kalyan.
On 30th April, 1988, the Diocese of Kalyan was created by the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II and Msgr. Paul Chittilappilly was ordained the First Bishop of Kalyan Diocese on 24th August, 1988.
On 15th September 1988, Fr. George Edakkalathur ook charge of Kalyan East, Kalyan West, Dombivli and Ambernath. On 5th January 1989, he was appointed Parish Priest of Kalyan West and Dombivli. Regular Sunday Qurbana at our Lady of Lourdes Church at 10.30 AM and on festival days at Holy Cross Convent School was started from July, 1990.
OOn July 21st, Fr. George Edakkalathur returned to Kerala and Fr. Varghese Manavalan was appointed the Parish Priest of Kalyan East and Kalyan West with his residence at Sangeetha Apartment, Karnik Road. He started weekly Holy Qurbana, Catechism, Youth Activities besides weekly Qurbana at NRC Mohane and Bhiwandi.
On 23rd April 1991, the present plot was purchased and in 1992 Easter and Christmas Qurbanas were celebrated in a Shamiana. On 7th March 1993, Mar Paul Chittilappilly consecrated a temporary tent there and offered Holy Qurbana.
On 8th January 1994, Fr. Varghese Manavalan returned to Ernakulam and Fr. Joseph Vattakuzhy took charge as Parish Priest. From June 1994, regular Catechism classes were started on Sundays at Holy Cross Convent School. On 31st March 1995, two adjacent flats were bought at Ballaleshwar Apartments which became the official residence of the Parish Priest from 31st June 1995.
On 31st March, 1996 the temporary tent was renovated into a Church with Holy Qurbana by Mar Paul Chittilappilly with regular Qurbanas. A semi permanent structure with Altar was built on 27th June, 1997 and this was used as a Church till May, 2009.
On 9th February, 1998, Fr. Joseph Vattakuzhy returned to Kothamangalam and Fr. Sunny Perumpuzha took charge as Acting Vicar and on 17th June as Parish Priest. The Sacristy, Front Varanda, Store Room, Granite Cross and Flag post were built during this time.
From 1988, Rev. Sisters of S.H. Convent, Asangaon, helped us in conducting Sunday school and other religious activities. Daughters of Sacred Heart of Jesus convent (DSHJ) started their activities in our Parish on 27th May 1999 at a flat in Masoba Maidan and on 16th February 2004, shifted to their own premises at Purandhare Colony in Santoshi Mata Road.
On 26th Jan 2001, Fr. Sunny Perumpuzha was transferred and on the next day Fr. George Chollanal took charge as Parish Priest. The Holy Relic of St. Thomas was brought from Orthona, Italy by Mar Thomas Elavanal and on 15th December 2002, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, the Major Arch Bishop of Syro-Malabar Church declared Kalyan West Parish as an Eparchial Pilgrim Centre of St. Thomas in the Eparchy of Kalyan Diocese. On 26th January 2004, Fr. George Chollanal returned to Pala and on the same day Fr. Thomas Thaikkoottathil took over as Parish Priest and Rector of the Pilgrim Centre.
On 27th July 2005, our Church was submerged under 20 feet water, the worst in 100 years. The Parishioners under the guidance and leadership of Fr. Thomas Thaikkoottathil and Fr. George Kavukkat took lead in getting relief and succor to a great number of affected people in and around Kalyan.
On 6th June 2007, Fr. Thomas Thaikkoottathil was transferred and Fr. Shaji Parickappillil took over as the Parish Priest and Rector of Kalyan. Mar Thomas Elavanal laid foundation stone for the Cathedral and Pilgrim Centre on 30th March 2008. The construction work of the church began on 19th January 2009. On 20th May 2009, Fr. Shaji Parickappallil was transferred from this parish for higher studies. On 20th May 2009, Fr. Jose Vazhakalayil took charge as Parish Priest & Rector and a temporary shed was blessed on the same evening.
On 30th August 2009, Mar Thomas Elavanal blessed the ground floor Hall and the Holy Qurbana and other allied activities were shifted to the Hall.
On 21st November 2010 the dream and constant struggle of the Parishioners of Kalyan West ultimately bore fruit with the Consecration of the Cathedral and the Pilgrim Centre by Mar Thomas Elavanal along with Mar Paul Chittalappilly, the first Bishop of Kalyan Diocese and Mar Jose Porunnedam, the Bishop of Mananthavady.
Rev. Fr. Jose Vazhakalayil returned to Mananthavady and on the same day Fr. Rajesh Mathew Paruthipallil took over as Parish Priest and Rector of the Cathedral and Pilgrim Centre on 30th May 2012. Rev. Fr. Thomas Kannampally, Rev. Fr. Bibin Chovattukunnel, Rev. Fr. Frinto Ollukaran and Rev. Fr. Blessen Pettikkal served as Asst. Parish Priests. At present Rev. Fr. Msgr. Jacob Porathur is the parish priest and Rev. Fr. Francis Komban the assistant parish priest.
DETAILS
Forane: Kalyan
Status: Cathedral
Parish Priest: Fr. Jacob Porathur
Establishment of Parish Community: 05/01/1990
Official Erection as a Parish:
Date of the Consecration of the Church: 21/11/2010
Area of the Church Property:
No. of Family’s: 330
No. of Family Units: 16
Address: St. Thomas Cathedral Church & Pilgrim Centre, Ganeshghat, Murbad Road, Kalyan (W) 421301
Phone No.: 0251-2323946
How to reach:
QURBANA SCHEDULE
Holy Qurbana:
Weekdays Qurbana:
Name of the Religious Congregation & Province: D.S.H.J, Benaclio
Type of the Institutions at parish territory: Karunya Trust Office (Run by diocese) Tabor Ashram, Kamba &Tabor Bhavan, Raita (Run by VC)
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