Syro-Malabar Catholics started settling in Vasai since 1970s. The spiritual needs of the community was a problem as they were receiving all their sacraments in Marathi/English from the Churches of Manickpur, Papady and Gokhivare.
After the formation of Diocese of Kalyan, Vasai was declared as a “Qurbana Centre” during October 1988 and Fr. Varghese Nadakal was appointed as a first Priest in-charge of Vasai. Regular Holy Qurbana in Malayalam started with effect from October, 1988 on Sundays at St. Michael’s Church, Manickpur.
A significant development was the blessing of Holy Family Convent in Vasai East on 25th January, 1992. Under the initiative of then Priest in-charge, Fr. Sebastian Vazhapilly, the “Kudumbayogam” was started with effect from February 1992 for the familities of Syro-Malabar Catholics in Vasai East. Though there were only 12 families, they actively participated in the Kudumbayogam. This family unit was called “Amala-III” of the Vasai centre. Yet the members had to go to St. Michael’s Church, Manickpur for the Holy Qurbana. Holy Family Convent has played a vital role for the fulfilment of spiritual needs of the faithful of Vasai East. Soon after the blessing of Holy Family School building in 1993, celebration of the Holy Qurbana on Sunday began in the chapel of the Convent. Later on when members increased, it was shifted to the prayer hall of the school. Since then regular Holy Qurbana was celebrated on every Sundays.
During 1994 Fr. Sebastian Vazhapilly was transferred and Fr. Davis Thattil was appointed as Priest incharge. Fr. Paul Theruvumoola was Asst. Parish Priest. By the year 1996, families at Vasai East (Amala-III) increased to around 28 and about 12 children were attending Catechism at Manickpur Church. In order to solve the difficulties of the children, Rev. Fr. Davis Thattil took initiative to start Catechism at Holy Family Convent School. Rev. Fr. Francis Eluvathingal was appointed as Asst. Parish Priest for the period 1996 -1998 and thereafter Rev. Fr. Jeeson Kanjirathinkal took charge as Asst. Parish Priest of Bl. Alphonsa Centre during 1999. By the year 1999 Amala-III (Family Unit) became the largest unit with a strength of approximately 40 families. Amala-III unit was divided into three Family Units viz. St. Thomas-I (Vasant Nagri), St. Thomas-II (Evershine City) and St. Thomas-III (Fatherwadi). Thereafter separate “Kudumbayogams” were conducted in each unit in the presence of Parish Priest/Asst. Parish Priest and Rev. Sisters of Holy Family Convent.
After dedicated service of 5 years, Rev. Fr. Davis Thattil was transferred to Kerala in 1999. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Pothenparambil (MST) succeeded as the next Parish Priest of the Bl. Alphonsa Centre. Rev. Fr. Mathew Adambakallel was appointed as Asst. Parish Priest during 2000 for a period of 6 months. Rev. Fr. Paul Olickal served the centre as Asst. Priest during 2000-01. In the year 2002-2003 Rev. Fr. Martin Kombara took charge of Asst. Priest. In the year 2003-2004 Rev. Fr. Biju Kollamkunnel served the Parish as the Asst. Priest. Later Fr. Sebastian Mudakalil and Fr. Tomy Nelliyany served as Asst. Parish Priests respectively. Fr. Tomy Nelliyany was appointed the first resident Parish Priest on 1st June, 2006 and in his tenure plot for the Church was purchased and began the construction work. Fr. Shijo Parayil took charge on 1st February, 2010 and it was in his tenure that the Church was consecrated on 19th November, 2011. Later the priests who served our parish are: Fr. Varkey Thadathimackal and Fr. Mathew Mechira CMF.
At present Fr. Jesto Menacherry is the Parish Priest.
DETAILS
Forane: Vasai
Status: Quasi Parish
Parish Priest: Fr. Mathew Mechira CMF
Establishment of Parish Community: 25/01/1992
Official Erection as a Parish: 01/11/2001
Date of the Consecration of the Church: 19-11-2011
Area of the Church Property: 12488 sq.ft.
No. of Family’s: 170
No. of Family Units: 12
Address: Church Road, J. P. Nagar,Evershine City, Gokhivera P. O.Vasai (E) Palghar Dt. 401208.
Phone No.: 0250-3095257
How to reach:
QURBANA SCHEDULE
Holy Qurbana: Sun. 8.00 am at St. Thomas Church, Vasai (E)
Weekdays Qurbana: 7.15 pm at St. Thomas Church, Vasai (E) Tue. 6.00 am at CHF Convent, Vasai (E)
Name of the Religious Congregation & Province: CHF, Thrissur
Type of the Institutions at parish territory: Holy Family CHS & Junior College (run by CHF, Thrissur)
MORE DETAILS
Email id: [email protected]
Website: