It was in 1989 that Rev. Fr. Vargehese Nadackal with Mr. Joseph, residing at Bolinj, visited Virar faithful from Vasai. As a result of the realization that there were many Syro-Malabar Catholics at Virar, Fr. Vargehese was appointed as the Parish Priest of Virar.
Fr. Varghese celebrated the First Holy Qurbana on 23rd July 1989, at the residence of Mr. C.K. Paul. Within a few weeks twenty six families were brought together. At the very first Parish Council Meeting it was decided to name the centre ‘St. Thomas Catholic Church’. Mr. Kurian Zakaria graciously offered the small hall adjacent to his office for celebrating the Holy Qurbana for two nearly years.
As the number increased, it was unanimously decided to find a place to build a prayer hall. In order to achieve this goal, the members arranged a ‘Ganamela’ at Vasai to collect funds. Many of the members also contributed a month’s earning towards it. Their efforts bore fruit and were able to buy the prayer Hall at Shangri-La in the name of Santhome Trust of Kalyan. Another memorable day was the inauguration of the Church hall and the Celebration of the Holy Qurbana by our Bishop Mar Paul Chittilapilly on 17th March 1991.
Fr. Varghese was transferred after two years of dedicated service and Rev. Fr. Paul Theruvanmoola took charge of our parish. Fr. Paul divided the members into 4 units as we had sixty families by then. He started common prayers and Zonal Qurbanas. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Vazhappilly came as the next Priest in-charge. He began the Catechism classes and the Holy Family Sisters from Vasai were of great help in running the classes. Rev. Fr. Abraham Kollithadam was appointed as the assistant Priest.
As Fr. Sebastian was sent for higher studies, in 1995 Rev. Fr. Davis Thattil took charge of our centre. Fr. Emmanuel was appointed as the assistant Priest. As Fr. Emmanuel was transferred, Rev. Fr. Francis Eluvathingal had become the assistant Priest. Under their able guidance the faithful grew in spiritually.
As the number of members of the centre grew in strength, it was found necessary to have a Parish at Virar and so Rev. Fr. Kurian Kunnumpuram was given the charge. He started Novenas and other pious activities. He did bring many families who never attended Qurbana, to our centre.
It was indeed necessary for an ever growing centre to look out for a larger Church building and to have an independent place under our own wings. We began looking out for a suitable place under Fr. Kurian. By this time Rev. Fr. Davis Chalissery was appointed as the new Parish Priest. Our dream of owning a plot of land was realized under Fr. Davis. Under Fr. John Ponparackal the great work of building a Church of our own was begun and completed in 19-01-2013. Priests worked in Virar parish are Fr. Varghese Nadakkal, Fr. Paul Theruvanmoola, Fr. Sebastian Vazhappilly, Fr. Abraham Kollithadam (asst.), Fr. Davis Thattil, Fr. Emmanuel Kadankavil (asst.), Fr. Francis Eluvathingal (asst.), Fr. Kurian Kunnumpuram (first resident pp), Fr. Davis Chalissery , Fr. John Ponparackal and. Fr. Jomon Thekkumthala. Fr. Martin Velliyankandathil took charge as the parish priest from 09th February 2017.
DETAILS
Forane: Vasai
Status: Parish
Parish Priest: Fr. Martin Velliyamkandathil
Establishment of Parish Community: 02/07/1989
Official Erection as a Parish: 13/04/2014
Date of the Consecration of the Church: 19/01/2013
Area of the Church Property: 15165 sq.ft.
No. of Family’s: 170
No. of Family Units: 8
Address: Yashwant Nagar, Near Virat Nagar, Virar (W), Palghar Dt. 401303
Phone No.: 0250-2025025
How to reach: Get an auto towards Yashwant Nagar Church from the auto stand in front of the S T Bus Stand of Virar (W) & also we will get van/bus with the name of Yashwant Nagar Complex from the same place.
QURBANA SCHEDULE
Holy Qurbana: Sunday 08.30 am at Church
Weekdays Qurbana: 07.30 pm (Except on Tuesday) at Church & Tuesday 07.30 am at Convent
Name of the Religious Congregation & Province: MSMI, Kozhikodu
Type of the Institutions at parish territory: Play School & Ladies Hostel (run by MSMI)
MORE DETAILS
Email id: [email protected]
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